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From niggard nature fall, yet rich conceit
Taught thee to make vast Neptune weep for aye
On thy low grave, on faults forgiven. Dead
Is noble Timon: of whose memory
Hereafter more.-Bring me into your city,

And I will use the olive with my sword:
Make war breed peace; make peace stint war;
make each
Prescribe to other, as each other's leech.
Let our drums strike.

Coriolanus.

Persons Represented.

CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS, a noble Roman.
TITUS LARTIUS,

COMINIUS,

Generals against the Volcians,

MENENIUS AGRIPPA, Friend to Coriolanus.
SICINIUS VELUTUS,Tribunes of the People.
JUNIUS BRUTUS,

Young MARCIUS, Son to Coriolanus.

A Roman Herald.

TULLUS AUFIDIUS, General of the Volcians.
Lieutenant to Aufidius.

Conspirators with Aufidius.

A Citizen of Antium.
Two Volcian Guards.

VOLUMNIA, Mother to Coriolanus.
VIRGILIA, Wife to Coriolanus.
VALERIA, Friend to Virgilia.
Gentlewoman, attending Virgilia.

[Exeunt.

Roman and Volcian Senators, Patricians, Ediles, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, Messengers, Servants to Aufidius, and other Attendants.

SCENE-partly in Rome; and partly in the Territories of the Volcians and Antiates.

Art First.

SCENE I. Rome. A Street.

Enter a Company of mutinous Citizens, with Staves,
Clubs and other Weapons.

1 Cit. BEFORE we proceed any further, hear
me speak.

Cit. Speak, speak. [Several speaking at once. 1 Cit. You are all resolved rather to die, than Cit. Resolved, resolved. [to famish? 1 Cit. First you know, Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people.

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?

[away, away. Cit. No more talking on't; let it be done 2 Cit. One word, good citizens.

:

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1 Cit. Our business is not unknown to the se1 Cit. We are accounted poor citizens; the nate; they have had inkling, this fortnight, patricians, good; What authority surfeits on, what we intend to do, which now we'll show would relieve us; if they would yield us but 'em in deeds. They say, poor suitors have strong the superfluity, while it were wholesome, we breaths; they shall know, we have strong arms might guess, they relieved us humanely; but too. [honest neighbours, they think, we are too dear: the leanness that Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an Will you undo yourselves? inventory to particularize their abundance: our sufferance is a gain to them.-Let us revenge this with our pikes, ere we become rakes: for the gods know, I speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.

2 Cit Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius? [commonalty. Cit. Against him first; he's a very dog to the 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. 1 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 his virtue.

2 Cit. What he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in him: You must in no way say, he is covetous.

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
[der
Thither where more attends you; and you slan-
The helms o' the state, who care for you like
When you curse them as enemies. [fathers,

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

cat us not up, they will; and there's all the love Their counsels, and their cares; digest things 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 purpose, 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 you, deliver.
[merabers
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 in-
struments

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 answered,-

1 Cit. Well sir, what answer made the belly?
Men. Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of
smile,

Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus
(For, look you, I may make the belly smile,
As well as speak,) it tauntingly replied (parts
To the discontented members, the mutinous
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?
Men. 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 fabrick, if that they-
1 Cit.
What then?-
Men. 'Fore me this fellow speaks!-what
then? what then?

Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd,
Who is the sink o' the body.-

1 Cit.
Well, what then?
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 it is, my incorporate friewis, quoth he,
That I receive the general jood 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 remenaber,
I send it through the rivers of your blood,
Even to the court, the heart,-to the seat o' the brain:
And, through the cranks and efices 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.
Tme,-
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 Cut. It was an answer: How apply you this?
Men. The senators of Rome are this good belly,
And you the mutinous members: For examine

rightly, [find, Touching the weal of the common; you shall No public benefit which you receive, But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you, And no way from yourselves.-What do you You the great toe of this assembly? [think?

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

Of this most wise rebellion, thon go'st foremost:
Thou rascal, that art worst in blood, to run
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 Mar-
cius!

Enter CAIUS MARCIUS.

Mar. Thanks.-What's the matter, you dis-
sentious 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
[eurs,
Beneath abhorring.-What would you have, you
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,
[greatness,
And curse that justice did it. Who deserves
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 all, which else
Would feed on one another?-What's their seek-
ing.
[they say,

Men. For corn at their own rates: whereof,
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

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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,

And a petition granted them, a strange one
(To break the heart of generosity, [their caps
And make bold power look pale), they threw
As they would hang them on the horns o' the
Shouting their emulation.
[moon,
Men.
What is granted them?
Mar. Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wis-
doms,

Of 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-
tors; JUNIUS BRUTUS, and SICINIUS VELUTUS.
1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have lately
The Volces are in arms.
[told us;
Mar.
They have a leader,
Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't.
I sin in envying his nobility:
And were I any thing but what I am,
I would wish me only he.

Com.
You have fought together.
Mar. Were half to half the world by the ears,
Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make [and he
Only my wars with him: he is a lion
That I am proud to hunt,
1 Sen.

Then, worthy Marcius, Attend upon Cominius to these wars. Com. It is your former promise. Mar.

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

Such a nature,

Sic. Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder, His insolence can brook to be commanded Under 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 Will 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 Cominius' honours are to Marcius, Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his

faults

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Is it not yours? What ever hath been thought on in this state, 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 prest a power, but it is not known Whether for east, or west: The dearth is great; The people mutinous: and it is rumour'd, Sir, it is; Cominius, Marcius, your old enemy, And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou (Who is of Rome worse hated than of you), Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face:And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, What, art thou stiff? stand'st out? These three lead on this preparation Whither 'tis bent; most likely 'tis for you: Consider of it.

Men.

Tit. No, Caius Marcius: I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the Ere stay behind this business. [other, O, true bred! 1 Sen. Your company to the Capitol; where Our greatest friends attend us. [I know, Tit. Lead you on: Follow, Cominius; we must follow you; Right worthy you priority.

Com.

Noble Lartius! 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,

Tognaw their garners:-Worshipful mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.
[Exeunt Senators, Coм. MAR. TIT. and
MENEN. Citizens steal away.
Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?
Bru. He has no equal.
[people,-
Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the
Bru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes?
Sic.
Nay, but his taunts.

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, 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 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 sit 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,

BR

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