Coriolanus Part 7

SCENE III.

Rome. The Forum

Enter seven or eight citizens

FIRST CITIZEN. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.

SECOND CITIZEN. We may, sir, if we will.

THIRD CITIZEN. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do; for if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them; so, if he tell us his n.o.ble deeds, we must also tell him our n.o.ble acceptance of them. Ingrat.i.tude is monstrous, and for the mult.i.tude to be ingrateful were to make a monster of the mult.i.tude; of the which we being members should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.

FIRST CITIZEN. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed mult.i.tude.

THIRD CITIZEN. We have been call'd so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely colour'd; and truly I think if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south, and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points o' th' compa.s.s.

SECOND CITIZEN. Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would fly?

THIRD CITIZEN. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will- 'tis strongly wedg'd up in a block-head; but if it were at liberty 'twould sure southward.

SECOND CITIZEN. Why that way?

THIRD CITIZEN. To lose itself in a fog; where being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience' sake, to help to get thee a wife.

SECOND CITIZEN. You are never without your tricks; you may, you may.

THIRD CITIZEN. Are you all resolv'd to give your voices? But that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man.

Enter CORIOLa.n.u.s, in a gown of humility, with MENENIUS

Here he comes, and in the gown of humility. Mark his behaviour.

We are not to stay all together, but to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to make his requests by particulars, wherein every one of us has a single honour, in giving him our own voices with our own tongues; therefore follow me, and I'll direct you how you shall go by him.

ALL. Content, content. Exeunt citizens MENENIUS. O sir, you are not right; have you not known The worthiest men have done't?

CORIOLa.n.u.s. What must I say?

'I pray, sir'- Plague upon't! I cannot bring My tongue to such a pace. 'Look, sir, my wounds I got them in my country's service, when Some certain of your brethren roar'd and ran From th' noise of our own drums.'

MENENIUS. O me, the G.o.ds!

You must not speak of that. You must desire them To think upon you.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Think upon me? Hang 'em!

I would they would forget me, like the virtues Which our divines lose by 'em.

MENENIUS. You'll mar all.

I'll leave you. Pray you speak to 'em, I pray you, In wholesome manner. Exit

Re-enter three of the citizens

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Bid them wash their faces And keep their teeth clean. So, here comes a brace.

You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.

THIRD CITIZEN. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Mine own desert.

SECOND CITIZEN. Your own desert?

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Ay, not mine own desire.

THIRD CITIZEN. How, not your own desire?

CORIOLa.n.u.s. No, sir, 'twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.

THIRD CITIZEN. You must think, if we give you anything, we hope to gain by you.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Well then, I pray, your price o' th' consulship?

FIRST CITIZEN. The price is to ask it kindly.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Kindly, sir, I pray let me ha't. I have wounds to show you, which shall be yours in private. Your good voice, sir; what say you?

SECOND CITIZEN. You shall ha' it, worthy sir.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. A match, sir. There's in all two worthy voices begg'd.

I have your alms. Adieu.

THIRD CITIZEN. But this is something odd.

SECOND CITIZEN. An 'twere to give again- but 'tis no matter.

Exeunt the three citizens

Re-enter two other citizens

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown.

FOURTH CITIZEN. You have deserved n.o.bly of your country, and you have not deserved n.o.bly.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Your enigma?

FOURTH CITIZEN. You have been a scourge to her enemies; you have been a rod to her friends. You have not indeed loved the common people.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition they account gentle; and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod and be off to them most counterfeitly.

That is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man and give it bountiful to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you I may be consul.

FIFTH CITIZEN. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily.

FOURTH CITIZEN. You have received many wounds for your country.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no farther.

BOTH CITIZENS. The G.o.ds give you joy, sir, heartily!

Exeunt citizens CORIOLa.n.u.s. Most sweet voices!

Better it is to die, better to starve, Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.

Why in this wolvish toge should I stand here To beg of Hob and d.i.c.k that do appear Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to't.

What custom wills, in all things should we do't, The dust on antique time would lie unswept, And mountainous error be too highly heap'd For truth to o'erpeer. Rather than fool it so, Let the high office and the honour go To one that would do thus. I am half through: The one part suffered, the other will I do.

Re-enter three citizens more

Here come more voices.

Your voices. For your voices I have fought; Watch'd for your voices; for your voices bear Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six I have seen and heard of; for your voices have Done many things, some less, some more. Your voices?

Indeed, I would be consul.

SIXTH CITIZEN. He has done n.o.bly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice.

SEVENTH CITIZEN. Therefore let him be consul. The G.o.ds give him joy, and make him good friend to the people!

ALL. Amen, amen. G.o.d save thee, n.o.ble consul!

Exeunt citizens CORIOLa.n.u.s. Worthy voices!

Re-enter MENENIUS with BRUTUS and SICINIUS

MENENIUS. You have stood your limitation, and the tribunes Endue you with the people's voice. Remains That, in th' official marks invested, you Anon do meet the Senate.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Is this done?

SICINIUS. The custom of request you have discharg'd.

The people do admit you, and are summon'd To meet anon, upon your approbation.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Where? At the Senate House?

SICINIUS. There, Coriola.n.u.s.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. May I change these garments?

SICINIUS. You may, sir.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. That I'll straight do, and, knowing myself again, Repair to th' Senate House.

MENENIUS. I'll keep you company. Will you along?

BRUTUS. We stay here for the people.

SICINIUS. Fare you well.

Exeunt CORIOLa.n.u.s and MENENIUS He has it now; and by his looks methinks 'Tis warm at's heart.

BRUTUS. With a proud heart he wore His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people?