1 Cit. It was an answer: How apply you this? Men. The senators of Rome are this good belly, And you the mutinous members: For examine Their counsels, and their cares; digest things rightly, Touching the weal of the common; you shall find, No public benefit which you receive,

But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you,

Hang 'em! They say?

They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know
What's done i' the Capitol; who's like to rise,
Who thrives, and who declines: side factions, and
give out

Conjectural marriages; making parties strong,
And feebling such as stand not in their liking,
Below their cobbled shoes. They say there's grain
enough?

Would the nobility lay aside their ruth,
And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry"
With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high
As I could pick my lance.

Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly per-
suaded;

For though abundantly they lack discretion,

And no way from yourselves.-What do you think?Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,
You, the great toe of this assembly?—
What says the other troop?

Cit. I the great toe? Why the great toe?
Men. For that being one o' the lowest, basest,
poorest,

Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:
Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,2
Lead'st first to win some vantage.-

But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs;
Rome and her rats are at the point of battle,
The one side must have bale. Hail, noble Marcius.
Enter CAIUS MARCIUS.

Mar.
They are dissolved: Hang 'em!
They said, they were an hungry; sigh'd forth pro-

verbs;

That, hunger broke stone walls; that, dogs must eat;

That, meat was made for mouths; that, the gods

sent not

Corn for the rich men only:-With these shreds They vented their complainings; which being answer'd,

Mar. Thanks.-What's the matter, you dissen-And a petition granted them, a strange one (To break the heart of generosity,

tious rogues,

That rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
Make yourselves scabs ?
1 Cit.

We have ever your good word.
Mar. He that will give good words to thee, will

flatter

Beneath abhorring.—What would you have, you

curs,

That like nor peace, nor war? the one affrights you,
The other makes you proud. He that trusts you,
Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
Where foxes, geese: You are no surer, no,
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,
Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is,
To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him,
And curse that justice did it." Who deserves

greatness,

Deserves your hate: and your affections are
A sick man's appetite, who desires most that
Which would increase his evil. He that depends
Upon your favours, swims with fins of lead,
And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye!
Trust ye?

With every minute you do change a mind;
And call him noble that was now your hate,
Him vile, that was your garland. What's the matter,
That in these several places of the city
You cry against the noble senate, who,
Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else
Would feed on one another?-What's their seeking?

And make bold power look pale,) they threw their

caps

As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon,
Shouting their emulation.1o

Men.
What is granted them?
of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus,
Mar. Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,
The rabble should have first unroof'd the city,
Sicinius Velutus, and I know not-'Sdeath!
Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes
Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time
For insurrection's arguing.11
Men.
This is strange.
Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments!
Enter a Messenger.

Mess. Where's Caius Marcius?
Mar.
Here: What's the matter?
Mess. The news is, sir, the Volces are in arms.
Mar. am glad on't; then we shall have means

to vent

Our musty superfluity ;-See, our best elders. Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS, and SICINIUS VE

LUTUS.

1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have lately told us; The Volces are in arms.

the belly) through the blood, even to the royal resi 3 Bale is evil or mischief, harm or injury. The word dence, the heart, in which the kingly-crowned under- is pure Saxon, and was becoming obsolete in Shak standing sits enthroned. The poet, besides the rela-speare's time. tions in Plutarch, had seen a similar fable in Camden's 4 Coriolanus does not use these two sentences conseRemaines; Camden copied it from John of Salisbury, quentially; but first reproaches them with unsteadiness, De Nugis Curialium, b. vi. c. 24. Mr. Douce, in a very then with their other occasional vices. curious note, has shown the high antiquity of this apologue, which is to be found in several ancient collec. tions of Æsopian Fables: there may be, therefore, as much reason for supposing it the invention of Esop, as there is for making him the parent of many others.

1 Cranks are windings; the meandering duets of the human body.

2 Rascal and in blood are terms of the forest, both here used equivocally. The meaning seems to be, thou worthless scoundrel, though thou art in the worst plight for running of all this herd of plebeians, like a deer not in blood, thou takest the lead in this tumult in order to obtain some private advantage to thyself. Worst in blood' has a secondary meaning of lowest in condition. The modern editions have erroneously a comma at blood, which obscures the sense.

5 Your virtue is to speak well of him whom his own offences have subjected to justice; and to rail at those laws by which he whom you praise was punished,' 6 i. e. pity, compassion.

7 Quarry or querre signified slaughtered game of any kind, which was so denominated from being deposited in a square enclosed space in royal hunting.

8 Pick, peck, or picke, i. e. pitch; still in provincia use. The fact is, that, in ancient language, to pick was used for to cast, throw, or hurl; to pitch was to set or fix any thing in a particular spot.

9 Generosity, in the sense of its Latin original, for nobleness, high birth. Thus in Measure for Measure:→ The generous and gravest citizens.' 10 Emulation is factious contention. 11 For insurgents to debate upon

Upon my party, I'd revolt to make

Only my wars with him: he is a lion
That I am proud to hunt.

1 Sen.

Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius,
Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults
To Marcius shall be honours, though, indeed,
In aught he merit not.

Sic.

Let's hence, and hear
Then, worthy Marcius, How the despatch is made: and in what fashion,.
More than in singularity, he goes
Upon his present action.

Attend upon Cominius to these wars.
Com. It is your former promise.
Mar.

Sir, it is;
And I am constant.'-Titus Lartius, thou
Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face:
What, art thou stiff? stand'st out?
Tit.

No, Caius Marcius:
I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other,
Ere stay behind this business.

Men.

O, true bred!

Bru.

8

Let's along.

[Exeunt.

1 Sen. Your company to the Capitol; where, I What ever hath been thought on in this state,

1 Sen. Hence! To your homes, be gone.
[To the Citizens.
Nay, let them follow:
The Volces have much corn; take these rats thither,
To gnaw their garners:-Worshipful mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.

[Exeunt Senators, COM. MAR. TIT. and
MENEN. Citizens steal away.
Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?
Bru. He has no equal.

Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the
people,-

Bru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes?
Sic.

Nay, but his taunts. Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to girds the gods.

Sic. Bemock the modest moon.

9

That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
Had circumvention! "Tis not four days gone,
Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think,
I have the letter here; yes, here it is: [Reads,
They have presto a power, but it is not known
Whether for east or west: The dearth is great;
The people mutinous: and it is rumour'd,
Cominius, Marcius, your old enemy,
(Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,)
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three lead on this preparation
Whither 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you:
Consider of it.
1 Sen. Our army's in the field:
We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer us.
Auf. Nor did you think it folly,

L

To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when
They needs must show themselves; which in the
hatching,

It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery,
We shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was,
To take in11 many towns, ere, almost, Rome
2 Sen.
Noble Aufidius,
Take your commission; hie you to your bands:
Let us alone to guard Corioli:

Bru. The present wars devour him: he is grown Should know we were afoot,
Too proud to be so valiant."

If they set down before us, for the remove12
Bring up your army; but I think you'll find
They have not prepar'd for us.
Auf.
O, doubt not that;
I speak from certainties. Nay, more.
Some parcels of their powers are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
"Tis sworn between us, we shall never strike
Till one can do no more.

1 i. e. immoveable in my resolution. So in Julius I have not promoted and preferred you to condign

preferments according to your demerits.'"

S Perhaps the word singularity implies a sarcasm on Coriolanus, and the speaker means to say-after what fashion beside that in which his own singularity of dis

4 That is, You have in this mutiny shown fair blos- position invests him, he goes into the field. soms of valour. So in King Henry VIII. :

-To-day he puts forth

See

The tender leaves of hope, to-morrow blossoms,' &c. 5 A gird is a cut, a sarcasm, or stroke of satire. King Heny IV. Part ii. Act i. Sc. 2.

6 The present wars' Shakspeare uses to express the pride of Coriolanus, grounded on his military prowess; which kind of pride, Brutus says, devours him. In Troilus and Cressida, Act ii. Sc. 3. we have :

He that's proud eats up himself.' Perhaps the meaning of the latter member of the senience is, 'He is grown too proud of being so valiant to be endured.' It is still a common expression to say, 'eat up with pride."

7 Demerits and merits had anciently the same mean

Thus in Cavendish's Life of Wolsey, p. 200, ed. 1825: I remove them,'

All. The gods assist you!

Auf. And keep your honours safe!
Farewell.

1 Sen. 2 Sen.

All. Farewell.

SCENE III. Rome. An Apartmennt in Marcius' House. Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA: They sit down on two low stools, and sew.

Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school master.

Vol. One of his father's moods.
Val. Indeed la, 'tis a noble child.
Vir. A crack, madam.

Val. O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear Farewell. 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon [Exeunt. him o' Wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after go again; and after it again; and over and over a gilded butterfly, and when he caught it, he let it he comes, and up again; catched it again: or Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express your-whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did self in a more comfortable sort: If my son were so set his teeth, and tear it; O, I warrant, how he my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence mammocked it! wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would show most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb; when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way; when, for a day of kings' entreaties, her mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I,-considering how honour would become such a person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir,- -was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter,-I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in first seeing he had proved himself a

you.

Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire3 myself.
Vol. Indeed, you shall not.

Methinks, I hear hither your husband's drum;
See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair;

As children from a bear, the Volces shunning him:
Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus,-
Come on, you cowards, you were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes;
Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow
Or all, or lose his hire.

Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood!
Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man,
Than gilt his trophy: The breasts of Hecuba,
When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier
Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood
At Grecian swords' contending.-Tell Valeria,
We are fit to bid her welcome.
[Exit Gent.

Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!
Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,
And tread upon his neck.

Re-enter Gentlewoman, with VALERIA and her
Usher.

Val. My ladies both, good day to you.
Vol. Sweet madam,-

Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship.

Val. How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers. What, are you sewing here? A fine spot, ' in good faith.-How does your little son?

Vir. thank your ladyship; well, good madam.

1 Attracted the attention of every one toward him. 2 The crown given by the Romans to him that saved the life of a citizen, which was accounted more honourable than any other.

3 This verb active (signifying to withdraw) occurs in The Tempest :

'I will thence

Retire me to my Milan." 4 Gilt means a superficial display of gold. The word now obsolete.

'Our gayness and our gilt are all besmirched.' King Henry V.

Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.

Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of doors.
Val. Not out of doors!
Vol. She shall, she shall.

Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, till my lord return from the wars.

Val. Fye, you confine yourself most unreasonably; Come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.

Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you?

Vir. "Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope: yet they say, all the yarn she spun, in Ulysses' absence, did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would, your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.

Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.

Val. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.

Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.

Vir. Indeed, madam?

Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is:-The Volces have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power: your lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.

Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every thing hereafter.

Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is she now, will but disease our better mirth."

Val. In troth, I think she would:--Fare you well, then.-Come, good sweet lady.-Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o' door, and go along with us. Vir. No: at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I wish you much mirth.

Agreed.

Mar. Say, has our general met the enemy?

5 i. e. a handsome spot of embroidery. We often hear of spotted muslin.

6 To mammock is to tear or cut in pieces.

7 A crack signifies a sprightly forward boy:, it is often used by Jonson and his contemporaries :'If we could get a witty boy, now, Eugine, That were an excellent crack, I could instruct him To the true height.' Devil is an Ass. 'A notable dissembling lad, a crack.'

Four Prentices of London, 1615

Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?
1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he,2
That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums
[Alarums afar off.
Are bringing forth our youth: We'll break our walls,
Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes,
They'll open of themselves. Hark you, far off;
[Other Alarums.
There is Aufidius; list, what work he makes
Amongst your cloven army.
Mar.
O, they are at it!
Lart. Their noise be our instruction.-Ladders, ho!
The Volces enter and pass over the Stage.

Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their city.
Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proof than shields.-Advance,
brave Titus:

They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,
Which makes me sweat with wrath.-Come on, my
fellows;

He that retires, I'll take him for a Volce,
And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarum, and exeunt Romans and Volces, fighting.
The Romans are beaten back to their trenches.-
Re-enter MARCIUS.

To the pot, I warrant him.
Enter TITUS LARTIUS.

Lart. What is become of Marcius?
All.

7

Slain, sir, doubtless.
1 Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels,
With them he enters: who, upon the sudden,
Clapp'd-to their gates; he is himself alone,
To answer all the city.
Lart.

O noble fellow !
Who, sensible, outdares his senseless sword,
And, when it bows, stands up! Thou art left, Mar-
cius :

A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,
Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier
Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible
Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks, and
The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,
Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the world
Were feverous, and did tremble."
Re-enter MARCIUS bleeding, assaulted by the enemy.
1 Sol.
Look, sir.
Lart.
'Tis Marcius:
Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike."

[They fight, and all enter the City. SCENE V. Within the Town. A Street. Enter certain Romans, with spoils.

1 Rom. This will I carry to Rome

2 Rom. And I this.

3 Rom. A murrain on't! I took this for silver.
[Alarum continues still afar off.
Enter MARCIUS, and TITUS LARTIUS, with a
Trumpet.

Mar. See here these movers, that do prize their
hours9

At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons,
Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,
Ere yet the fight be done, pack up :-down with
them.-

And hark, what noise the general makes!-To
him :-

Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you, There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius, You shames of Rome! you herd of3.

plagues,

-Boils and

be abhorr'd

Plaster you o'er; that you may
Further than seen, and one infect another
Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese,
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that apes would beat? Pluto and hell!
All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale
With flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge
home,

Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe,
And make my wars on you: look to't: Come on;
If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives,
As they us to our trenches followed.

Another Alarum. The Volces and Romans re-enter,
and the fight is renewed. The Volces retire into
Corioli, and MARCIUS follows them to the gates.
So, now the gates are ope:-Now prove good
seconds:

"Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like.
[He enters the gates, and is shut in.

1 i. e. our friends who are in the field of battle.
2 The poet means-No, nor a man that fears you
more than he; but he often entangles himself in the use
of less and more.

3 'You herd of cowards!' Marcius would probably have said, but his rage prevents him. 4 The old copy reads:

"Who sensibly outdares'

Sensible is here having sensation. So before:-'I would your cambrick were as sensible as your finger.' Though Coriolanus has the feeling of pain like other men, he is more hardy in daring exploits than his senseless sword; for after it is bent, he yet stands firm in the field.

Piercing our Romans: Then, valiant Titus, take
Convenient numbers to make good the city;
Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste
To help Cominius.

Lart.

Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;
Thy exercise hath been too violent for
A second course of fight.

Mar.
Sir, praise me not:
My work hath yet not warm'd me: Fare you well.
The blood I drop is rather physical
Than dangerous to me: To Aufidius thus
will appear, and fight.
Now the fair goddess, Fortune,
Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms
Misguide thy opposers' swords? Bold gentleman,
Prosperity be thy page!
Mar.
Thy friend no less
Than those she placeth highest! So farewell.
Lart. Thou worthiest Marcius!

[Exit MARCIUS.

5 We have a similar thought in Othello :-
"If heaven had made me such another woman,
Of one entire and perfect chrysolite,
I'd not have ta'en it from her.'

6 The old copy has erroneously Calues wish;' the
error would easily arise: Shakspeare wrote, accord-
ing to the mode of his time, Catoes wish,' omitting to
cross the t, and forming the o inaccurately. Cato was
not born till the year of Rome 519, that is, 255 years
after the death of Coriolanus; but the poet was led into
the anachronism by following Plutarch.
'some say the earth
Was feverous, and did shake.'

7

Macbeth.

8 'Make remain, is an old manner of speaking, which means no more than remain.

9 i. e. their time. Johnson adopted Pope's reading -honours; for which there was no necessity.