Cor.

I'll give my reasons, More worthier than their voices. They know, the

corn

9

Was not our recompense; resting well assur'd
They ne'er did service for't: Being press'd to the war,
Even when the navel of the state was touch'd,
They would not thread the gates: this kind of service
Did not deserve corn gratis: being i' the war,
Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd
Most valour, spoke not for them: The accusation
Which they have often made against the senate,
All cause unborn, could never be the native
Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?
How shall this bosom multiplied' digest
The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express
What's like to be their words :-We did request it;
We are the greater poll, and in true fear
They gave us our demands:-Thus we debase
The nature of our seats, and make the rabble
Call our cares, fears: which will in time break ope
The locks o'the senate, and bring in the crows
To peck the eagles.-

Men.

Come, enough. Bru. Enough, with over-measure. Cor. No, take more: What may be sworn by, both divine and human, Seal what I end withal!-This double worship,Where one part docs disdain with cause, the other Insult without all reason; where gentry, title, wisdom Cannot conclude, but by the and no Of general ignorance,-it must omit

yea

8 They would not thread the gates] That is, pass them. We yet say, to thread an alley.

9

could never be the native-] Native is here not natural birth, but natural parent, or cause of birth. JOHNSON.

this bosom multiplied-] This multitudinous bosom; the bosom of that great monster, the people.

Real necessities, and give way the while

To unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd, it follows, Nothing is done to purpose: Therefore, beseech you,

You that will be less fearful than discreet;
That love the fundamental part of state,

More than you doubt the change of't;' that prefer
A noble life before a long, and wish

To jump a body with a dangerous physick
That's sure of death without it,-at once pluck out
The multitudinous tongue, let them not lick
The sweet which is their poison: your dishonour
Mangles true judgment, and bereaves the state
Of that integrity which should become it;
Not having the power to do the good it would,
For the ill which doth control it.

Bru.
He has said enough.
Sic. He has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer
As traitors do.

Cor. Thou wretch! despite o'erwhelm thee!— What should the people do with these bald tribunes? On whom depending, their obedience fails

To the greater bench: In a rebellion,

When what's not meet, but what must be, was law, Then were they chosen; in a better hour,

Let what is meet, be said it must be meet,

And throw their power i' the dust.

Bru. Manifest treason.
Sic.

This a consul? no.

2 More than you doubt the change of't;] To doubt is to fear. The meaning is, You whose zeal predominates over your terrors; you who do not so much fear the danger of violent measures, as wish the good to which they are necessary, the preservation of the original constitution of our government.

3 To jump a body-] Thus the old copy. To jump anciently signified to jolt, to give a rude concussion to any thing. To jump a body may therefore mean, to put it into a violent agitation or commotion.

Bru. The Ædiles, ho!-Let him be apprehended. Sic. Go, call the people; [Exit BRUTUS.] in whose name, myself

Attach thee, as a traitorous innovator,

A foe to the public weal: Obey, I charge thee,
And follow to thine answer.

Cor.

Hence, old goat!

Sen. & Pat. We'll surety him.

Com.

Aged sir, hands off.

Cor. Hence, rotten thing, or I shall shake thy

bones

Out of thy garments.

Sic.

Help, ye citizens.

Re-enter BRUTUS, with the Ædiles, and a rabble of

Citizens.

Men. On both sides more respect.

Sic.

Take from you all your power.
Bru.

Here's he, that would

Seize him, Ædiles.

[Several speak.

Cit. Down with him, down with him!

2 Sen.

Weapons, weapons, weapons
[They all bustle about CORIOLANUS.

Tribunes, patricians, citizens!-what ho!-
Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, citizens!

Cit. Peace, peace, peace; stay, hold, peace! Men. What is about to be?-I am out of breath; Confusion's near: I cannot speak :-You, tribunes To the people,-Coriolanus, patience :—

Speak, good Sicinius.

Sic.

Hear me, people ;-Peace. Cit. Let's hear our tribune:-Peace.

speak, speak.

Sic. You are at point to lose your liberties: Marcius would have all from you; Marcius,

!

Speak,

Whom late you have nam'd for consul.

Men.

Fye, fye, fye!

This is the way to kindle, not to quench.

1 Sen. To unbuild the city, and to lay all flat. Sic. What is the city, but the people? Cit.

The people are the city.

True,

Bru. By the consent of all, we were establish'd The people's magistrates.

Cit.

You so remain,

Men. And so are like to do.

Cor. That is the way to lay the city flat;
To bring the roof to the foundation;

And bury all, which yet distinctly ranges,
In heaps and piles of ruin.

Sic.
This deserves death.
Bru. Or let us stand to our authority,
Or let us lose it:-We do here pronounce,
Upon the part o'the people, in whose power
We were elected their's, Marcius is worthy
Of present death.

Sic.

Therefore, lay hold of him; Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence Into destruction cast him.

Bru.

Ædiles, seize him.

Hear me one word.

Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.

Edi. Peace, peace.

Men. Be that you seem, truly your country's friend,

And temperately proceed to what you would

Thus violently redress.

Bru.

Sir, those cold ways,

That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous Where the disease is violent:-Lay hands upon him, And bear him to the rock.

Cor.

No; I'll die here. [Drawing his Sword. There's some among you have beheld me fighting; Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me. Men. Down with that sword;-Tribunes, withdraw a while.

Bru. Lay hands upon him.

Men. Help, Marcius! help, You that be noble: help him, young, and old! Cit. Down with him, down with him!

[In this Mutiny, the Tribunes, the Ædiles, and the People, are all beat in.

Men. Go, get you to your house; be gone, away, All will be naught else.

2 Sen.

Cor.

Get you gone.

We have as many friends as enemies.

Men. Shall it be put to that?

1 Sen.

The gods forbid! I pr'ythee, noble friend, home to thy house; Leave us to cure this cause.

Men. For 'tis a sore upon us, You cannot tent yourself: Begone, 'beseech you. Com. Come, sir, along with us.

Cor. I would they were barbarians, (as they are, Though in Rome litter'd,) not Romans, (as they

are not,

Though calv'd i̇' the porch o'the Capitol,)—

Men.

Be gone;

Put not your worthy rage into your tongue;
One time will owe another.*

Cor.

I could beat forty of them.

On fair ground,

* One time will owe another.] The meaning seems to be, One time will compensate for another. Our time of triumph will come hereafter: time will be in our debt, will owe us a good turn, for our present disgrace. Let us trust to futurity.