CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS, a noble Roman.

TITUS LARTIUS,

COMENIUS,

} Generals against the Volscians.

MENENIUS AGRIPPA, Friend to Coriolanus.

SICINIUS VELUTUS,

JUNIUS BRUTUS,

Tribunes of the People.

Young MARCIUS, Son to Coriolanus.

A Roman Herald.

TULLUS AUFIDIUS, General of the Volscians.

Lieutenant to Aufidius.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-Rome. A Street.

Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA.

2 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath

staves, clubs, and other weapons.

1 Cit. Before we proceed any farther, hear me speak.

Cit. Speak, speak. (Several speaking at once.) 1 Cit. You are all resolved rather to die, than to feanish?

Cit. Resolved, resolved.

1 Cit. He's one honest enough; 'Would, all the rest were so !

Men. What work's, my countrymen, in hand? Where go you [you. With bats and clubs? The matter? Speak, I pray 1 Cit. Our business is not unknown to the senate: they have had inkling, this fortnight, what we intend to do, which now we'll shew 'em in deeds.

Cit. We know't, we know't.

1 Cit. Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our

own price. Is't a verdict?

Cut. No more talking on't; let it be done: away, away.

2 Cit. One word, good citizens.

1 Cit. We are accounted poor citizens; the patricians, good: What authority surfeits on, would relieve us; If they would yield us but the superflaity, while it were wholesome, we might guess, they relieved us humanely; but they think, we are too dear: the leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an inventory to particularize their abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them.-Let as revenge this with our pikes, ere we become rakes: for the gods know, I speak this in hunger for bread, bot in thirst for revenge.

2 Cit. Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?

Cit. Against him first; he's a very dog to the commonalty.

2 Cit. Consider you what services he has done for his country?

1 Cit. Very well; and could be content to give him good report for't, but that he pays himself with being proud.

2 Cit. Nay, but speak not maliciously.

Cit. I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did it to that end: though soft conscienc'd men can be content to say, it was for his country, he did it to please his mother, and to be partly proud; which he is, even to the altitude of

tus virtue.

shall know, we have strong arms too.

Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,

Will you undo yourselves?

1 Cit. We cannot, sir, we are undone already. Men. I tell you, friends, most charitable care Have the patricians of you. For your wants, Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well Strike at the heaven with your staves, as lift them Against the Roman state; whose course will on The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs Of more strong link asunder, than can ever Appear in your impediment: For the dearth, The gods, not the patricians, make it; and Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack, You are transported by calamity Thither where more attends you; and you slander The helms o'the state, who care for you like fathers, When you curse them as enemies.

1 Cit. Care for us!-True, indeed!-They ne'er cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their store-houses crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich, and provide more piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and there's all the love they bear us.

Men. Either you must
Confess yourselves wondrous malicious,
Or be accus'd of folly. I shall tell you
A pretty tale; it may be, you have heard it;
But, since it serves my purposes, I will venture
To scale't a little more.

1 Cit. Well, I'll hear it, sir: yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace with a tale: but, an't please yon, deliver. [members Men. There was a time, when all the body's Rebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it :That only like a gulf it did remain I'the midst o'the body, idle and inactive, Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing Like labour with the rest; where the other instrumenta Did see, and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel, And, mutually participate, did minister

Unto the appetite and affection common
Of the whole body. The belly answer'd,-

1 Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the belly? Men. I shall tell you.-With a kind of smile, Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus, (For, look you, I make the belly smile, may As well as speak,) it tauntingly replied

To the discontented members, the mutinous parts
That envied his receipt; even so most fitly
As you malign our senators, for that
They are not such as you.

1 Cit.
Your belly's answer: What!
The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye,
The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,
Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,
With other muniments and petty helps

In this our fabric, if that they-
Men.

What then?

Fore me, this fellow speaks!-what then? what then?

1 Cit. Should by the corinorant belly be restrain'd, Who is the sink o'the body,

Men.

Well, what then? 1 Cit. The former agents, if they did complain, What could the belly answer?

Men.

I will tell you;
If you'll bestow a small (of what you have little)
Patience, a while, you'll hear the belly's answer.
1 Cit. You are long about it.
Men.
Note me this, good friend;
Your most grave belly was deliberate,

Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd :
True is it, my incorporate friends, quoth he,
That I receive the general food at first,
Which you do live upon and fit it is;
Because I am the store-house, and the shop
Of the whole body; But if you do remember,
I send it through the rivers of your blood,
Even to the court, the heart,-to the seat o'the
brain;

(me,

And, through the cranks and offices of man,
The strongest nerves, and small inferior veins,
From me receive that natural competency
Whereby they live: And though that all at once.
You, my good friends (this says the belly,) mark
1 Cit. Ay, sir, well, well.
Men.
Though all at once cannot
See what I do deliver out to each;
Yet I can make my audit up, that all
From me do back receive the flower of all,
And leave me but the bran. What say you to't?
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 o'the common; you shall find,
No public benefit which you receive,
But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you,
And no way from yourselves.-What do you think?
You, the great toe of this assembly ?-

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

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 great-

ness,

(ye?

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. Haug ye! Trast
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?
Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof, they
The city is well stor'd.
Mar.
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

[say,

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 lauce.

Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;
For though abundantly they lack discretion,
Yet are they passing cowardly.
What says the other troop?

Mar.

But, I beseech

you,

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

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 an

swer'd,

Men. Mar. Five tribunes, to defend their vulgar wisOf their own choice: One's Junius Brutus, Sicinius Velutus, and I know not-'Sdeath! The rabble should have first unroof'd the city, Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes For insurrection's arguing.

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. I am glad on't; then we shall have means
to vent

Our musty superfluity:-See, our best elders.
Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Sena-
tars; JUNIUS BRUTUS, and SICINIUS VELUTUS.
1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have lately
told us;
The Volces are in arms.
Mar.
They have a leader,
Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't.
I sin in ensying his nobility:
I any thing but what I am,

And were

1 Sen. Hence! To your homes, be gone.

(To the Citizens.) Mar. 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.

[ple,

Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the peo-
Bru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes?
Sic.
Nay, but his taunts.

Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the
Sie. Be-mock the modest moon.
[gods.
Bru. The present wars devour him: he is grown
Too proud to be so valiant.

Sic.
Such a nature,
Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow
Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder,
His insolence can brook to be commanded
Cader Cominius.

Bru.
Fame, at the which he aims,-
In whom already he is well grac'd, cannot
Better be held, nor more attain'd, than by
A place below the first: for what miscarries
Shall be the general's fault, though he perform
To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure
W then cry out of Marcius, O, if he
Had borne the business!

Sic. Besides, if things go well, Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall

Of his demerits rob Cominius.

Bru

Come:

Half all Comitius' honours are to Marcius,

Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults To Marcias shall be honours, though, indeed,

la aught he merit not.

Let's hence, and hear

Sie. How the despatch is made; and in what fashion, More than in singularity, he goes

Upon his present action.

Bru.

SCENE II-Corioli. The Senate-House. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, and certain Senators.

1 Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius,

That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels,
And know how we proceed.

Auf.
Is it not yours?
Whatever hath been thought on in this state,
That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
Had circumvention? Tis not four days gone,
re I heard thence; these are the words: I think,
ave the letter here; yes, here it is: (Reads.)
They have press'd a power, but it is not known
Whether for east or west: The dearth is great;

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, To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when They needs must shew 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 in many towns, ere, almost, Rome Should know we were afoot.

2 Sen.
Noble Aufidius,
Take your commission: hie you to your bands:
Let us alone to guard Corioli:

If they set down before us, for the remove
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. All. The gods assist you! Auf. And keep your honours safe!

1 Sen.

2 Sen.

All. Farewell.

Farewell.

Farewell. [Exeunt.

Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA: They sit down on two low stools, and sew.

Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express your self in a more comfortable sort: If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would shew 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 king's entreaties, a 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 man.

Vir. But had he died in the business, madam, how then?

Vol. Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely:-Had I a dozen sons,-each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius,-I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country, than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.

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, yon 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 Valera.
We e are fit to bid her welcome.
Exit Gent.
Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!
Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below 3 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 fiue spot, in good faith.-How does your little son?

Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his schoolmaster.

Vol. O my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis a very pretty boy. O'my troth, I looked upon him o'Wednesday balf an hour together: he has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; catched it again: or whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and tear it; 0, I warrant, how he mam mocked it!

Vol. One of his father's moods.

Val. Indeed, la, tis a noble child.

Vir. A crack, madam.

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 ont 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. Fy, 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 Der with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you?

Fir. "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 oambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with

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.

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

Val. In trotu, I think, she would:-Fare you

ours.

Now, Mars. I pr'ythee, make us quick in work. That we with smoking swords may march from hence,

To help our fielded friends!-Come, blow thy blast They sound a parley. Enter, on the walls, some Senators, and others.

Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls? 1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than be, 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! bo!
Lart. Their noise be our instruction.- Ladders,
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:

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.

Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you, You shames of Rome! you herd of-Boils and plague Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhorr'd 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 Wich flight and agned fear; Mend, and charge home, Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the for. And make my wars on you: look to't: Cone on; If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives, As they us to our trenches followed.

Another alorum. The Volces and Romans re enter, and the fight is renewed. The Volces retire into Corioli, and MARCUS follows them to the gates.

So, now the gates are ope Now prov good seconda