SHAKESPEARE ON DISK. CORIOLANUS ACT V. SCENE I. [Rome. A public place.] [Enter MENENIUS, COMINIUS, SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and others.] MENENIUS AGRIPPA. No, I'll not go: you hear what he hath said 5/1/1 Which was sometime his general; who loved him In a most dear particular. He call'd me father: But what o' that? Go, you that banish'd him; A mile before his tent fall down, and knee The way into his mercy: nay, if he coy'd To hear Cominius speak, I'll keep at home. COMINIUS. He would not seem to know me. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. Do you hear? COMINIUS. Yet one time he did call me by my name: I urged our old acquaintance, and the drops 5/1/10 That we have bled together. Coriolanus He would not answer to: forbade all names; He was a kind of nothing, titleless, Till he had forged himself a name o' the fire Of burning Rome. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. Why, so,- you have made good work! A pair of tribunes that have rack'd for Rome To make coals cheap,- a noble memory! COMINIUS. I minded him how royal 'twas to pardon When it was least expected: he replied, It was a base petition of a state 5/1/20 To one whom they had punish'd. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. Very well: Could he say less? COMINIUS. I offer'd to awaken his regard For's private friends: his answer to me was, He could not stay to pick them in a pile Of noisome musty chaff: he said 'twas folly, For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt, And still to nose the offence. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. For one poor grain or two! I am one of those; his mother, wife, his child, And this brave fellow too, we are the grains; 5/1/30 You are the musty chaff; and you are smelt Above the moon: we must be burnt for you. SICINIUS VELUTUS. Nay, pray, be patient: if you refuse your aid In this so never-needed help, yet do not Upbraid's with our distress. But, sure, if you Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue, More than the instant army we can make, Might stop our countryman. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. No, I'll not meddle. SICINIUS VELUTUS. Pray you, go to him. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. What should I do? JUNIUS BRUTUS. Only make trial what your love can do 5/1/40 For Rome, towards Marcius. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. Well, and say that Marcius Return me, as Cominius is return'd, Unheard; what then? But as a discontented friend, grief-shot With his unkindness? say't be so? SICINIUS VELUTUS. Yet your good will Must have that thanks from Rome, after the measure As you intended well. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. I'll undertake't: I think he'll hear me. Yet, to bite his lip And hum at good Cominius, much unhearts me. He was not taken well; he had not dined: 5/1/50 The veins unfill'd, our blood is cold, and then We pout upon the morning, are unapt To give or to forgive; but when we've stuff'd These pipes and these conveyances of our blood With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls Than in our priest-like fasts: therefore I'll watch him Till he be dieted to my request, And then I'll set upon him. JUNIUS BRUTUS. You know the very road into his kindness, And cannot lose your way. 5/1/60 MENENIUS AGRIPPA. Good faith, I'll prove him, Speed how it will: you shall ere long have knowledge Of my success. [Exit.] COMINIUS. He'll never hear him. SICINIUS VELUTUS. Not? COMINIUS. I tell you, he does sit in gold, his eye Red as 'twould burn Rome; and his injury The gaoler to his pity. I kneel'd before him; 'Twas very faintly he said "Rise;" dismiss'd me Thus, with his speechless hand: what he would do, He sent in writing after me; what he would not, Bound with an oath to yield no fresh conditions: So that all hope is vain, 5/1/70 Unless in's noble mother and his wife; Who, as I hear, mean to solicit him For mercy to his country. Therefore let's hence, And with our fair entreaties haste them on. [Exeunt.] SCENE II. [The Volscian camp before Rome. The SENTINELS at their stations.] [Enter MENENIUS to the WATCH on guard.] FIRST SENTINEL. Stay: whence are you? 5/2/1 SECOND SENTINEL. Stand, and go back. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. You guard like men; 'tis well: but, by your leave, I am an officer of state, and come To speak with Coriolanus. FIRST SENTINEL. From whence? MENENIUS AGRIPPA. From Rome. FIRST SENTINEL. You may not pass, you must return: our general Will no more hear from thence. SECOND SENTINEL. You'll see your Rome embraced with fire, before You'll speak with Coriolanus. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. Good my friends, If you have heard your general talk of Rome, And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks 5/2/10 My name hath touch'd your ears: it is Menenius. FIRST SENTINEL. Be it so; go back: the virtue of your name Is not here passable. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. I tell thee, fellow, Thy general is my lover: I have been The book of his good acts, whence men have read His fame unparallel'd, haply amplified; For I have ever verified my friends- Of whom he's chief- with all the size that verity Would without lapsing suffer: nay, sometimes, Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground, 5/2/20 I have tumbled past the throw; and in his praise Have almost stamp'd the leasing: therefore, fellow, I must have leave to pass. FIRST SENTINEL. Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalf as you have utter'd words in your own, you should not pass here; no, though it were as virtuous to lie as to live chastely. Therefore, go back. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. Prithee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius, always factionary on the party of your general. SECOND SENTINEL. Howsoever you have been his liar, as you say you have, I am 5/2/30 one that, telling true under him, must say you cannot pass. Therefore, go back. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. Has he dined, canst thou tell? for I would not speak with him till after dinner. FIRST SENTINEL. You are a Roman, are you? MENENIUS AGRIPPA. I am, as thy general is. FIRST SENTINEL. Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you, when you have push'd out your gates the very defender of them, and, in a violent popular ignorance, given your enemy your shield, think to front his revenges with the easy groans of 5/2/40 old women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a decay'd dotant as you seem to be? Can you think to blow out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in with such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived; therefore, back to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are condemn'd, our general has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he would use me with estimation. SECOND SENTINEL. Come, my captain knows you not. 5/2/50 MENENIUS AGRIPPA. I mean, thy general. FIRST SENTINEL. My general cares not for you. Back, I say, go; lest I let forth your half-pint of blood;- back,- that's the utmost of your having:- back. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. Nay, but, fellow, fellow,- [Enter CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS.] CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. What's the matter? MENENIUS AGRIPPA. Now, you companion, I'll say an errand for you: you shall know now that I am in estimation; you shall perceive that a Jack guardant cannot office me from my son Coriolanus: guess, but by my entertainment with him, if thou stand'st 5/2/60 not i' the state of hanging, or of some death more long in spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now presently, and swound for what's to come upon thee.- [to CORIOLANUS] The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than thy old father Menenius does! O my son, my son! thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it. I was hardly moved to come to thee; but being assured none but myself could move thee, I have been blown out of our gates with sighs; and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy 5/2/70 petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here,- this, who, like a block, hath denied my access to thee. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Away! MENENIUS AGRIPPA. How! away! CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs Are servanted to others: though I owe My revenge properly, my remission lies In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar, Ingrate forgetfulness shall prison, rather 5/2/80 Than pity note how much. Therefore, be gone. Mine ears against your suits are stronger than Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee, Take this along; I writ it for thy sake, [Gives a letter.] And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius, I will not hear thee speak.- This man, Aufidius, Was my beloved in Rome: yet thou behold'st! TULLUS AUFIDIUS. You keep a constant temper. [Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS.] FIRST SENTINEL. Now, sir, is your name Menenius? SECOND SENTINEL. 'Tis a spell, you see, of much power: you know the way home 5/2/90 again. FIRST SENTINEL. Do you hear how we are shent for keeping your greatness back? SECOND SENTINEL. What cause, do you think, I have to swound? MENENIUS AGRIPPA. I neither care for the world nor your general: for such things as you, I can scarce think there's any, y'are so slight. He that hath a will to die by himself fears it not from another: let your general do his worst. For you, be that you are, long; and your misery increase with your age! I say to you, as I was said to, Away! [Exit.] 5/2/100 FIRST SENTINEL. A noble fellow, I warrant him. SECOND SENTINEL. The worthy fellow is our general: he's the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken. [Exeunt.] SCENE III. [The tent of Coriolanus.] [Enter CORIOLANUS, AUFIDIUS, and others.] CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. We will before the walls of Rome to-morrow 5/3/1 Set down our host.- My partner in this action, You must report to the Volscian lords, how plainly I have borne this business. TULLUS AUFIDIUS. Only their ends You have respected; stopp'd your ears against The general suit of Rome; never admitted A private whisper, no, not with such friends That thought them sure of you. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. This last old man, Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome, Loved me above the measure of a father; 5/3/10 Nay, godded me, indeed. Their latest refuge Was to send him; for whose old love I have, Though I show'd sourly to him, once more offer'd The first conditions, which they did refuse, And cannot now accept; to grace him only That thought he could do more, a very little I have yielded to: fresh embassies and suits, Nor from the state nor private friends, hereafter Will I lend ear to.- [Shout within.] Ha! what shout is this? Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow 5/3/20 In the same time 'tis made? I will not. [Enter, in mourning habits, VIRGILIA, VOLUMNIA, leading YOUNG MARCIUS, VALERIA, with ATTENDANTS.] My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould Wherein this trunk was framed, and in her hand The grandchild to her blood. But out, affection! All bond and privilege of nature, break! Let it be virtuous to be obstinate.- What is that curt'sy worth? or those doves' eyes, Which can make gods forsworn?- I melt, and am not Of stronger earth than others.- My mother bows; As if Olympus to a molehill should 5/3/30 In supplication nod: and my young boy Hath an aspect of intercession, which Great nature cries "Deny not."- Let the Volsces Plough Rome, and harrow Italy: I'll never Be such a gosling to obey instinct; but stand, As if a man were author of himself, And knew no other kin. VIRGILIA. My lord and husband! CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome. VIRGILIA. The sorrow that delivers us thus changed Makes you think so. 5/3/40 CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Like a dull actor now, I have forgot my part, and I am out, Even to a full disgrace.- Best of my flesh, Forgive my tyranny; but do not say, For that, "Forgive our Romans." O, a kiss Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge! Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss I carried from thee, dear; and my true lip Hath virgin'd it e'er since.- You gods! I prate, And the most noble mother of the world Leave unsaluted: sink, my knee, i' the earth; [Kneels.] 5/3/50 Of thy deep duty more impression show Than that of common sons. VOLUMNIA. O, stand up bless'd! Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint, I kneel before thee; and unproperly Show duty, as mistaken all this while Between the child and parent. [Kneels.] CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. What is this? Your knees to me? to your corrected son? Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach Fillip the stars; then let the mutinous winds Strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun; 5/3/60 Murd'ring impossibility, to make What cannot be, slight work. VOLUMNIA. Thou art my warrior; I holp to frame thee.- Do you know this lady? CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. The noble sister of Publicola, The moon of Rome; chaste as the icicle, That's curded by the frost from purest snow, And hangs on Dian's temple:- dear Valeria! VOLUMNIA. This is a poor epitome of yours, Which by the interpretation of full time May show like all yourself. 5/3/70 CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. The god of soldiers, With the consent of supreme Jove, inform Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou mayst prove To shame unvulnerable, and stick i' the wars Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw, And saving those that eye thee! VOLUMNIA. Your knee, sirrah. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. That's my brave boy! VOLUMNIA. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, Are suitors to you. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. I beseech you, peace: Or, if you'ld ask, remember this before,- The things I have forsworn to grant may never 5/3/80 Be held by you denials. Do not bid me Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate Again with Rome's mechanics:- tell me not Wherein I seem unnatural: desire not T'allay my rages and revenges with Your colder reasons. VOLUMNIA. O, no more, no more! You have said you will not grant us any thing; For we have nothing else to ask, but that Which you deny already: yet we will ask; That, if you fail in our request, the blame 5/3/90 May hang upon your hardness: therefore hear us. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark; for we'll Hear naught from Rome in private.- Your request? VOLUMNIA. Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment And state of bodies would bewray what life We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself How more unfortunate than all living women Are we come hither: since that thy sight, which should Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts, Constrains them weep, and shake with fear and sorrow; 5/3/100 Making the mother, wife, and child, to see The son, the husband, and the father, tearing His country's bowels out. And to poor we Thine enmity's most capital: thou barr'st us Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort That all but we enjoy; for how can we, Alas, how can we for our country pray, Whereto we are bound,- together with thy victory, Whereto we are bound? alack, or we must lose The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person, 5/3/110 Our comfort in the country. We must find An evident calamity, though we had Our wish, which side should win; for either thou Must, as a foreign recreant, be led With manacles thorough our streets, or else Triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin, And bear the palm for having bravely shed Thy wife and children's blood. For myself, son, I purpose not to wait on fortune till These wars determine: if I cannot persuade thee 5/3/120 Rather to show a noble grace to both parts Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner March to assault thy country than to tread- Trust to't, thou shalt not- on thy mother's womb That brought thee to this world. VIRGILIA. Ay, and mine, That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name Living to time. YOUNG MARCIUS. 'A shall not tread on me; I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Not of a woman's tenderness to be, Requires nor child nor woman's face to see. 5/3/130 I have sat too long. [Rising.] VOLUMNIA. Nay, go not from us thus. If it were so that our request did tend To save the Romans, thereby to destroy The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn us, As poisonous of your honour: no; our suit Is, that you reconcile them: while the Volsces May say, "This mercy we have show'd;" the Romans, "This we received;" and each in either side Give the all-hail to thee, and cry, "Be bless'd For making up this peace!" Thou know'st, great son, 5/3/140 The end of war's uncertain; but this certain, That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name, Whose repetition will be dogg'd with curses; Whose chronicle thus writ,- "The man was noble, But with his last attempt he wiped it out; Destroy'd his country; and his name remains To the ensuing age abhorr'd." Speak to me, son: Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour, To imitate the graces of the gods; 5/3/150 To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air, And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak? Think'st thou it honourable for a noble man Still to remember wrongs?- Daughter, speak you: He cares not for your weeping.- Speak thou, boy: Perhaps thy childishness will move him more Than can our reasons.- There's no man in the world More bound to's mother; yet here he lets me prate Like one i' the stocks.- Thou hast never in thy life 5/3/160 Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy; When she, poor hen, fond of no second brood, Has cluck'd thee to the wars, and safely home, Loaden with honour. Say my request's unjust, And spurn me back: but if it be not so, Thou art not honest; and the gods will plague thee, That thou restrain'st from me the duty which To a mother's part belongs.- He turns away: Down, ladies; let us shame him with our knees. To his surname Coriolanus 'longs more pride 5/3/170 Than pity to our prayers. Down: an end; This is the last:- so we will home to Rome, And die among our neighbours.- Nay, behold's: This boy, that cannot tell what he would have, But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship, Does reason our petition with more strength Than thou hast to deny't.- Come, let us go: This fellow had a Volscian to his mother; His wife is in Corioli, and this child Like him by chance.- Yet give us our dispatch: 5/3/180 I am hush'd until our city be a-fire, And then I'll speak a little. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS [holding her by the hand, silent]. O mother, mother! What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope, The gods look down, and this unnatural scene They laugh at. O my mother, mother! O! You have won a happy victory to Rome; But, for your son, believe it, O, believe it, Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd, If not most mortal to him. But, let it come.- Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars, 5/3/190 I'll frame convenient peace.- Now, good Aufidius, Were you in my stead, would you have heard A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius? TULLUS AUFIDIUS. I was moved withal. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. I dare be sworn you were: And, sir, it is no little thing to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you, Stand to me in this cause.- O mother! wife! TULLUS AUFIDIUS [aside]. I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour 5/3/200 At difference in thee: out of that I'll work Myself a former fortune. [The LADIES make signs to CORIOLANUS.] CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS [to VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, etc.]. Ay, by and by; But we will drink together; and you shall bear A better witness back than words, which we, On like conditions, will have counter-seal'd. Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve To have a temple built you: all the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, Could not have made this peace. [Exeunt.] SCENE IV. [Rome. A public place.] [Enter MENENIUS with SICINIUS.] MENENIUS AGRIPPA. See you yond coign o' the Capitol,- yond corner-stone? 5/4/1 SICINIUS VELUTUS. Why, what of that? MENENIUS AGRIPPA. If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. But I say there is no hope in't: our throats are sentenced, and stay upon execution. SICINIUS VELUTUS. Is't possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a man? MENENIUS AGRIPPA. There is differency between a grub and a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown from man to 5/4/10 dragon: he has wings; he's more than a creeping thing. SICINIUS VELUTUS. He loved his mother dearly. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. So did he me: and he no more remembers his mother now than an eight-year-old horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes: when he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading: he is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done, is finish'd with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity, and a 5/4/20 heaven to throne in. SICINIUS VELUTUS. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. MENENIUS AGRIPPA. I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him: there is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and all this is 'long of you. SICINIUS VELUTUS. The gods be good unto us! MENENIUS AGRIPPA. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banish'd him, we respected not them; and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us. 5/4/30 [Enter a MESSENGER.] MESSENGER. Sir, if you'ld save your life, fly to your house: The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, And hale him up and down; all swearing, if The Roman ladies bring not comfort home, They'll give him death by inches. [Enter another MESSENGER.] SICINIUS VELUTUS. What's the news? SECOND MESSENGER. Good news, good news;- the ladies have prevail'd, The Volscians are dislodged, and Marcius gone: A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins. SICINIUS VELUTUS. Friend, Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain? 5/4/40 SECOND MESSENGER. As certain as I know the sun is fire: Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it? Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you! [Trumpets, hautboys, drums beat, all together.] The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance. Hark you! [A shout within.] MENENIUS AGRIPPA. This is good news. I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians, A city full; of tribunes, such as you, 5/4/50 A sea and land full. You have pray'd well to-day: This morning for ten thousand of your throats I'ld not have given a doit.- Hark, how they joy! [Sound still the shouts.] SICINIUS VELUTUS. First, the gods bless you for your tidings; next, Accept my thankfulness. SECOND MESSENGER. Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks. SICINIUS VELUTUS. They are near the city? SECOND MESSENGER. Almost at point to enter. SICINIUS VELUTUS. We will meet them, And help the joy. [Exeunt.] SCENE V. [Rome. A street near the gate.] [Enter two SENATORS, with LADIES, passing over the stage; with other LORDS.] FIRST SENATOR. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome! 5/5/1 Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them: Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius, Repeal him with the welcome of his mother; Cry, "Welcome, ladies, welcome!" ALL. Welcome, ladies, Welcome! [A flourish with drums and trumpets. Exeunt.] SCENE VI. [Corioli. A public place.] [Enter AUFIDIUS, with ATTENDANTS.] TULLUS AUFIDIUS. Go tell the lords o' the city I am here: 5/6/1 Deliver them this paper: having read it, Bid them repair to the market-place; where I, Even in theirs and in the commons' ears, Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse The city ports by this hath enter'd, and Intends t'appear before the people, hoping To purge himself with words: dispatch. [Exeunt ATTENDANTS.] [Enter three or four CONSPIRATORS of AUFIDIUS' faction.] Most welcome! FIRST CONSPIRATOR. How is it with our general? TULLUS AUFIDIUS. Even so As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, 5/6/10 And with his charity slain. SECOND CONSPIRATOR. Most noble sir, If you do hold the same intent wherein You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you Of your great danger. TULLUS AUFIDIUS. Sir, I cannot tell: We must proceed as we do find the people. THIRD CONSPIRATOR. The people will remain uncertain whilst 'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. TULLUS AUFIDIUS. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn'd 5/6/20 Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd, He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery, Seducing so my friends; and, to this end, He bow'd his nature, never known before But to be rough, unswayable, and free. THIRD CONSPIRATOR. Sir, his stoutness When he did stand for consul, which he lost By lack of stooping,- TULLUS AUFIDIUS. That I would have spoke of: Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth; Presented to my knife his throat: I took him; 5/6/30 Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way In all his own desires; nay, let him choose Out of my files, his projects to accomplish, My best and freshest men; served his designments In mine own person; holp to reap the fame Which he did end all his; and took some pride To do myself this wrong: till, at the last, I seem'd his follower, not partner; and He waged me with his countenance, as if I had been mercenary. 5/6/40 FIRST CONSPIRATOR. So he did, my lord,- The army marvell'd at it; and, in the last, When he had carried Rome, and that we look'd For no less spoil than glory,- TULLUS AUFIDIUS. There was it;- For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. At a few drops of women's rheum, which are As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour Of our great action: therefore shall he die, And I'll renew me in his fall.- But, hark! [Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the PEOPLE.] FIRST CONSPIRATOR. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, 5/6/50 Splitting the air with noise. SECOND CONSPIRATOR. And patient fools, Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear With giving him glory. THIRD CONSPIRATOR. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, Which we will second. When he lies along, After your way his tale pronounced shall bury His reasons with his body. TULLUS AUFIDIUS. Say no more: Here come the lords. [Enter the LORDS of the city.] LORDS. You are most welcome home. 5/6/60 TULLUS AUFIDIUS. I have not deserved it. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused What I have written to you? LORDS. We have. FIRST LORD. And grieve to hear't. What faults he made before the last, I think Might have found easy fines: but there to end Where he was to begin, and give away The benefit of our levies, answering us With our own charge, making a treaty where There was a yielding,- this admits no excuse. TULLUS AUFIDIUS. He approaches: you shall hear him. [Enter CORIOLANUS, marching with drum and colours; the COMMONERS being with him.] CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; 5/6/70 No more infected with my country's love Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting Under your great command. You are to know That prosperously I have attempted, and, With bloody passage, led your wars even to The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home Doth more than counterpoise a full third part The charges of the action. We have made peace, With no less honour to the Antiates Than shame to the Romans: and we here deliver, 5/6/80 Subscribed by the consuls and patricians, Together with the seal o' the senate, what We have compounded on. TULLUS AUFIDIUS. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree He hath abused your powers. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Traitor!- how now! TULLUS AUFIDIUS. Ay, traitor, Marcius! CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Marcius! TULLUS AUFIDIUS. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: dost thou think I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name Coriolanus, in Corioli?- You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously 5/6/90 He has betray'd your business, and given up, For certain drops of salt, your city Rome- I say, your city- to his wife and mother; Breaking his oath and resolution, like A twist of rotten silk; never admitting Counsel o' the war; but at his nurse's tears He whined and roar'd away your victory; That pages blush'd at him, and men of heart Look'd wond'ring each at other. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Hear'st thou, Mars? TULLUS AUFIDIUS. Name not the god, thou boy of tears! 5/6/100 CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Ha! TULLUS AUFIDIUS. No more. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave!- Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever I was forced to scold. Your judgements, my grave lords, Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion- Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him; that Must bear my beating to his grave- shall join To thrust the lie unto him. FIRST LORD. Peace, both, and hear me speak. 5/6/110 CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads, Stain all your edges on me.- Boy! false hound! If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there, That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli: Alone I did it.- Boy! TULLUS AUFIDIUS. Why, noble lords, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? ALL THE CONSPIRATORS. Let him die for't! ALL THE PEOPLE. Tear him to pieces!- Do it presently!- He kill'd my son!- My 5/6/120 daughter!- He kill'd my cousin Marcus!- He kill'd my father!- SECOND LORD. Peace, ho!- no outrage:- peace! The man is noble, and his fame folds-in This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us Shall have judicious hearing.- Stand, Aufidius, And trouble not the peace. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. O, that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, To use my lawful sword! TULLUS AUFIDIUS. Insolent villain! ALL THE CONSPIRATORS. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him! [AUFIDIUS and the 5/6/130 CONSPIRATORS draw, and kill CORIOLANUS, who falls: AUFIDIUS stands on him.] LORDS. Hold, hold, hold, hold! TULLUS AUFIDIUS. My noble masters, hear me speak. FIRST LORD. O Tullus,- SECOND LORD. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. THIRD LORD. Tread not upon him.- Masters all, be quiet; Put up your swords. TULLUS AUFIDIUS. My lords, when you shall know- as in this rage, Provoked by him, you cannot- the great danger Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours To call me to your senate, I'll deliver 5/6/140 Myself your loyal servant, or endure Your heaviest censure. FIRST LORD. Bear from hence his body,- And mourn you for him:- let him be regarded As the most noble corse that ever herald Did follow to his urn. SECOND LORD. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Let's make the best of it. TULLUS AUFIDIUS. My rage is gone; And I am struck with sorrow.- Take him up:- Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one.- Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully: 5/6/150 Trail your steel pikes.- Though in this city he Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one, Which to this hour bewail the injury, Yet he shall have a noble memory.- Assist. [Exeunt, bearing the body of MARCIUS. A dead march sounded.] ACT V. END.