A lie, that it must bear? Well, I will do't:
Yet were there but this single plot to lose,

This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it, And throw it against the wind.-To the market

place :

You have put me now to such a part, which never I shall discharge to the life.

Com.

Come, come, we'll prompt you. Vol. I pr'ythee now, sweet son; as thou hast said, My praises made thee first a soldier, so,

To have my praise for this, perform a part

Thou hast not done before.

Cor.

Well, I must do't:

Away, my disposition, and possess me

Some harlot's spirit! My throat of war be turn'd,
Which quired with my drum, into a pipe
Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice

That babies lulls asleep! The smiles of knaves
Tent in my cheeks; and school-boys' tears take up
The glasses of my sight! A beggar's tongue
Make motion through my lips; and my arm'd knees,
Who bow'd but in my stirrop, bend like his
That hath receiv'd an alms !-I will not do't:
Lest 1 surcease to honour mine own truth,
And, by my body's action,
A most inherent baseness.

Vol.

teach my mind

At thy choice then :
To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour,
Than thou of them. Come all to ruin; let
Thy mother rather feel thy pride, than fear

Thy dangerous stoutness; for I mock at death
With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list.

Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me;
But owe thy pride thyself.

Cor.

Pray, be content;

Mother, I am going to the market-place;

Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves, Cog their hearts from them, and come home beloy'd Of all the trades in Rome.

Commend me to my wife.

Look, I am going:
I'll return consul;

Or never trust to what my tongue can do

I' the way of flattery, further.

Vol.

Do your will. [Exit.

Com. Away, the tribunes do attend you? arm

yourself

To answer mildly; for they are prepar'd

With accusations, as I hear, more strong

Than are upon you yet.

Cor. The word is, mildly :-Pray you, let us go; Let them accuse me by invention, I

Will answer in mine honour.

Men.

Ay, but mildly.

Cor. Well, mildly be it then; mildly. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

The same. The Forum.

Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS.

Bru. In this point charge him home, that he affects Tyrannical power: If he evade us there,

7 Own.

8

Enforce him with his envy to the people ;
And that the spoil, got on the Antiates,
Was ne'er distributed.-

Ed. With old Menenius, and those senators That always favour'd him.

Sic.

Have you a catalogue

Of all the voices that we have procur'd,

Set down by the poll?

Ed.

I have; 'tis ready, here.
Sic. Have you collected them by tribes?
Ed.

Sic. Assemble presently the people hither:
And when they hear me say, It shall be so

I have.

I the right and strength of the commons, be it either For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them, If I say, fine, cry fine; if death, cry death;

Insisting on the old prerogative

And power

Ed.

i' the truth o'the cause.

I shall inform them.

Bru. And when such time they have begun to cry, Let them not cease, but with a din confus'd

Enforce the present execution

Of what we chance to sentence.

Ed.

Very well.

Sic. Make them be strong, and ready for this hint,

8 Object his hatred.

When we shall hap to give't them.

Bru.

Go about it.

[Exit Edile.

Put him to choler straight: He hath been us'd
Ever to conquer, and to have his worth

Of contradiction: Being once chaf'd, he cannot
Be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks
What's in his heart; and that is there, which looks
With us to break his neck.

Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, COMINIUS,
Senators and Patricians.

Sic. Well, here he comes.

Men.

Calmly, I do beseech you.

Cor. Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece Will bear the knave' by the volume.-The honour'd

gods

Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice Supplied with worthy men! plant love among us! Throng our large temples with the shows of peace, And not our streets with war!

1 Sen.

Men. A noble wish.

Amen, amen!

Re-enter Edile, with Citizens.

Sic. Draw near, ye people.

Ed. List to your tribunes; audience: Peace, I say.

Cor. First, hear me speak.

Both Tri.

Well, say.-Peace, ho.

Cor. Shall I be charg'd no further than this present?

Must all determine here?

Will bear being called a knave.

Sic.

I do demand,

If you submit you to the people's voices,
Allow their officers, and are content
To suffer lawful censure for such faults
As shall be prov'd upon you ?

Cor.

I am content.

Men. Lo, citizens, he says, he is content: The warlike service he has done, consider;

Think on the wounds his body bears, which show Like graves i' the holy churchyard.

Cor.

Scars to move laughter only.

Men.

Scratches with briars,

Consider further,

That when he speaks not like a citizen,
You find him like a soldier: Do not take
His rougher accents for malicious sounds,
But, as I say, such as become a soldier,

Rather than envy you.

Com.

Well, well, no more.

Cor. What is the matter,

That being pass'd for consul with full voice,

I am so dishonour'd, that the

You take it off again?

Sic.

very hour

Answer to us.

Cor. Say then 'tis true, I ought so.

Sic. We charge you, that you have contriv'd to take

From Rome all season'd' office, and to wind

Yourself into a power tyrannical;

For which, you are a traitor to the people.

Cor. How! Traitor?

Men.

Nay; temperately: Your promise.

2 Injure.

3 Of long standing.