In the same time 'tis made? I will not. Cor. I beseech you, peace; Or, if you'd ask, remember this before : Enter, in mourning Habits, VIRGILIA, VOLUM The things I have forsworn to grant may never NIA, leading young MARCIUS, VALERIA, and Be held by you denials. Do not bid me Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate Your colder reasons. Vol. 0! no more, no more! What is that curt'sy worth? or those doves' eyes, You have said, you will not grant us any thing; Which can make gods forsworn!-I melt, and am not For we have nothing else to ask, but that Of stronger earth than others.-My mother bows, Which you deny already: yet we will ask ; As if Olympus to a molehill should That, if 4 we fail in our request, the blame In supplication nod; and my young boy May hang upon your hardness. Therefore, hear us Hath an aspect of intercession, which Cor. Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark; for we'l Great nature cries, "Deny not."--Let the Volsces Hear nought from Rome in private. [ Takes his Plough Rome, and harrow Italy; I'll never seat. ]Your request ? Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand Vol. Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment, As if a man were author of himself, And state of bodies, would bewray what life And knew no other kin. We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself, Vir My lord and husband ! How more unfortunate than all living women Cor. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome. Are we come hither; since that thy sight, which should Vir. The sorrow, that delivers us thus chang'a, Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with com Makes you think so. forts, [row; Cor. Like a dull actor, now, Constrains them weep, and shake with fear and so I have forgot my part, and I am out, Making the mother, wife, and child, to see Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh, The son, the husband, and the father, tearing Forgive my tyranny; but do not say His country's bowels out; and 6 so poor we, For that, "Forgive our Romans." -O! a kiss Thine 'enemies most capital. Thou barr'st us Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge! Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort Now, by the jealous & queen of heaven, that kiss That all but we enjoy; for how can we, carried from thee, dear; and my true lip Alas! how can we, for our country pray, Hath virgin'd it e'er since.--You gods! I prate, Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory, And the most noble mother of the world Whereto we are bound ? Alack! or we must lose Leave unsaluted. Sink, my knee, if the earth; The country, our dear nurse; or else thy person, [Kneels. Our comfort in the country. We must find of thy deep duty more impression show An evident calamity, though we had Than that of common sons. Our wish, which side should win; for either thou Vol. O, stand up bless'd! Must, as a foreign recreant, be led Triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin, And bear the palm, for having bravely shed Between the child and parent. [Kneels. Thy wife and children's blood. For myself, sod, Cor. What is this? I purpose not to wait on fortune, till Your knees to me? to your corrected son? These wars • determine: if I cannot persuade thee Then, let the pebbles on the bhungry beach Rather to show a noble grace to both parts, Fillip the stars; then, let the mutinous winds Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner Strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun, March to assault thy country, than to tread Murd'ring impossibility, to make (Trust to't, thou shalt not) on thy mother's womb, What cannot be slight work. That brought thee to this world. [Rising and raising her. Vir. Ay, and mine, Vol. Thou art my warrior; That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady? Living to time. Cor. The noble sister of Publicola, Boy. He shall not tread on me : The moon of Rome; chaste as the icicle, I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight. That's 3 curdled by the frost from purest snow, Cor. Not of a woman's tenderness to be, $ Aside. And hangs on Dian's temple: dear Valeria! Requires nor child nor woman's face to see. Vol. This is a poor epitome of yours, I have sat too long. [ Rising Which, by the interpretation of full time, Vol. Nay, go not from us thus. May show like all yourself. If it were so, that our request did tend Cor. The god of soldiers, To save the Romans, thereby to destroy With the consent of supreme Jove, inform The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn as. Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou may'st prove As poisonous of your honor: 'no; our suit To shame unvulnerable, and stick i' her wars Is, that you reconcile them: while the Volsces Like a great sea-mark, standing every a flaw, May say, “This mercy we have show'd;" the Romans, And saving those that eye thee! " This we receiv'd;' and each in either side Vol. Your knee, sirrah. Give the all-hail to thee, and cry, "Be bless'd Cor. That's my brave boy! For making up this peace!" Thou know'st, great sua, Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, The end of war's uncertain; but this certain, Are suitors to you. That if thou conquer Rome, the benefit • Juno.- Sterile. Strike. Gust; storm. • Conclude; end. Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name, On like conditions will have counter-seal'd. In Italy, and her confederate arms, SCENE IV.-Rome. A Public Place. To imitate the graces of the gods; Enter MENENIUs and ŞICINIUS. Men. See you yond' bcoign o' the Capitol; yond' Sic. Why, what of that? Still to remember wrongs ?-Daughter, speak you; Men. If it be possible for you to displace it with He cares not for your weeping.–Speak thou, boy: your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Perhaps, thy childishness will move him more Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with lim : Than can our reasons. There is no man in the world but I say, there is no hope in't. Our throats are More bound to's mother; yet here he lets me prate sentenced, and stay upon execution. Like one i' the stocks.—Thou hast never in thy life Sic. Is't possible, that so short a time can alter Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy; the condition of a man? When she, (poor hen !) fond of no second brood, Men. There is differency between a grub, and a Has cluck'd thee to the wars, and safely home, butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Mars Loaden with honor. Say, my request's unjust, cius is grown from man to dragon: he has wings; And spurn me back; but, if it be not so, he's 's more than a creeping thing. Thou art not honest, and the gods will plague thee, Sic. He loved his mother dearly. That thou restrain'st from me the duty, which Men, So did he me; and he no more remembers To a mother's part belongs.—He turns away: his mother now, than an eight year old horse. The Down, ladies ; let us shame him with our knees. tartness of his face sours ripe grapes: when he ? [All kneel. walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground To his surname, Coriolanus, 'longs more pride, shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a Than pity to our prayers. Down: an end; corslet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his This is the last ;--so we will home to Rome, Bhem! is a battery. He sits in his d state, as a And die among our neighbors.-Nay, behold us : thing made for Alexander. What he bids be This boy, that cannot tell what he would have, done, is finished with his bidding: he wants nothBut kneels and holds up hands for fellowship, ing of a god but eternity, and a heaven to throne in. Does & reason our petition with more strength Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. Than thou hast to deny't.-Come, let us go. Men. I paint him in the character. Mark what This fellow had a Volscian to his mother; mercy his mother shall bring from him : there is no His wife is in Corioli, and his child more mercy in him, than there is milk in a male Like him by chance.-Yet give us our despatch: tiger; that shall our poor city find; and all this is I am hush'd until our city be afire, 'long of you. And then I'll speak a little. Sic. The gods be good upto us! *[He holds VOLumnia by the hand, long, and Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good self-struggling When we banished him, we respected not Cor, * O mother, mother! them; and, he returning to break our necks, they What have you done? Behold! the heavens do ope, respect not us. The gods look down, and this unnatural scene Enter a Messenger. They laugh at O my mother! mother! O! Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your house. You have won a happy victory to Rome; The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, Enter another Messenger. Sic. What's the news? Were you in my stead, would you have heard A mother less, or granted less, Aufidius ? Mess. Good news, good news!—The ladies have Auf. I was mov'd withal. prevailia, Cor. I dare be sworn, you were: The Volscians are dislodg’d, and Marcius gone. And, sir, it is no little thing to make A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins. What peace you'll make, advise me. For my part, Sic. Friend, I'll noi to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you, Art thou certain this is true ? is it most certain ? Stand to me in this cause.-O mother! wife! Mess. As certain, as I know the sun is fire : Auf. “[ Aside.] I am glad, thou hast set thy Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it? Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide, mercy and thy honor As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you! At difference in thee: out of that I'll work Myself a firmer fortune.? 9[Shouts, Trumpets and Hautboys sounded, and [ The Ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Drums beaten, all together 10 Cor. Ay, by and by; [TO VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, fc. Make the sun dance. Hark you! [Shouting again. Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, But we will drink together; and you shall bear A better witness back than words, which we Angle.--"Stay upon," i. e., wait but for.-- * State," i, e., chair of state. -** As a thing made for," i. e., as one * Argue. made to resemble.- Drag. unto us. d" Waged me with his countenance," i e., raunarded me charge," i. e., rewarding us with our own expenses; makag Men. This is good news. | In all his own desires; nay, let him choose I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia Out of my files, his projects to accomplish, Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians, My best and freshest men; serv'd his designments A city full; of tribunes, such as you, In mine own person ; holp to reap the fame A sea and land-full. You have pray'd well to-day: Which he did * ear all his; and took some pride This morning for ten thousand of your throats To do myself this wrong: till, at the last, I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy! I seem'd his follower, not partner; and [Shouting and Music. He waged me with his dcountenance, as if Sic. First, the gods bless you for the tidings: next, I had been mercenary. Accept my thankfulness. 1 Con. So he did, my lord ; Mess. Sir, we have all The army marvellid at it; and, in the last, Great cause to give great thanks. When he had carried Rome, and that we look'd Sic. They are near the city. For no less spoil, than glory, Mess. Almost at point to enter. Auf. There was it; Sic. We will meet them, For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. And help the joy. [Going. At a few drops of women's rheum, which are Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patri. As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labor cians, and People. They pass over the Stage. Of our great action : therefore shall he die, And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark ! 1 Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome ! [Drums and Trumpets sound, with great Shorts Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, of the People. And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before 1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius; [them. And bad no welcomes home; but he returns, * Repeal him with the welcome of his mother: Spliting the air with noise. Cry,-Welcome, ladies, welcome! 2 Con. And patient fools, All. Welcome, ladies! Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear Welcome! [A Flourish with Drums and Trumpets. With giving him glory. [Exeunt. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants. Which we will second. When he lies along, Auf. Go tell the lords of the city, I am here. After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury His reasons with his body. Auf Say no more. Here come the lords. Enter the Lords of the City. Lords. You are most welcome home. Intends t'appear before the people, hoping Auf. To purge himself with words. Despatch. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd [Exeunt Altendants. What I have written to you? Lords. We have. Enter Conspirators of Aufidius' Faction. 1 Lord. Most welcome! What faults he made before the last, I think, 1 Con. How is it with our general ? Might have found easy fines; but there to end, Auf. Where he was to begin, and give away The benefit of our levies, answering us With our own 'charge, making a treaty where If you do hold the same intent, wherein There was a yielding ; this admits no excuse. You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you Auf. He approaches: you shall hear him. Of your great danger. Enter CORIOLANUS, with Drums and Colors; 6 Auf. Sir, I cannot tell: crowd of Citizens with him. We must proceed, as we do find the people. Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd 3 Con. The people will remain uncertain, whilst No more infected with my country's love, 'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting Makes the survivor heir of all. Under your great command. You are to know, Auf. I know it; That prosperously I have attempted, and And my pretext to strike at him admits With bloody passage led your wars, even to A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home, Mine honor for his truth: who being so heighten'd, Do more than counterpoise, a full third party He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery, The charges of the action. We have made peace, Seducing so my friends; and to this end With no less honor to the Antiates, He bow'd his nature, never known before Than shame to the Romans; and we here deliver, But to be rough, unswayable, and ' fierce. Subscribed by the consuls and patricians, 3 Con. Sir, his stoutness, Together with the seal o' the senate, what Auf That I would have spoke of. But tell the traitor in the highest degree with good looks. – Tears. -1 ** Answering us with our own • Recall.-6“Him," i. e., he whom. - Gates. the cost of the war its recompense. I have not desend it And grieve to hear it. Even so, your soldier; Read it not, noble londs; will weep. Cor. Traitor !-How now ! The man is noble, and his fame folds in Auf. Ay, traitor, Marcius. This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us Cor. Marcius! Shall have a judicious hearing.--Stand, Aufidius, Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius. Dost thou think And trouble not the peace. I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name Cor. O! that I had him, Coriolanus in Corioli ? With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, Auf Insolent villain ! For certain drops of a salt your city, Rome; A Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him! I say your city, to his wife and mother, [AUFIDIUS and the Conspirators draw, and kill Breaking his oath and resolution, like CORIOLANUS, who falls : AUFIDIUS stands on him. A twist of rotten silk; never admitting Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold! Counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak. He whin'd and roar'd away your victory, 1 Lord. O Tullus ! That pages blush'd at him, and men of heart 2 Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valor Look'd wondering each at other. [quiet. Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars ? 3 Lord. Tread not upon him.-Masters all, be Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears. Put up your swords. [rage, Cor. Ha! Auf. My lords, when you shall know (as in this Auf. No more. Provok'd by him, you cannot) the great danger Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave ! - That he is thus cut off. Please it your honors Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever To call me to your senate, I'll deliver I was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, Myself your loyal servant, or endure Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion Your beaviest censure. (Who wears my stripes impress’d upon him, that 1 Lord. Bear from hence his body, Must bear my beating to his grave) shall join And mourn you for him. Let him be regarded, To thrust the lie unto him. As the most noble corse that ever herald His own impatience Auf. My rage is gone, Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli: And I am struck with sorrow.-Take him up :Alone I did it.-Boy! Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers ; I'll be one.Auf Why, noble lords, Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully; Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Trail your steel spikes.—Though in this city he Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one, 'Fore your own eyes and ears ? Which to this hour bewail the injury, All Con. Let him die fort. Yet he shall have a noble memory.All People. Tear him to pieces; do it presently. Assist. [Exeunt, bearing the Body of CORIOLANUS. He killed my son ;-my daughter:-he killed my A dead March, 'while they pass round Cousin Marcus :-he killed my father. the Stage. 2 Lord. Peace, ho!--no outrage :-peace! o"Folds in this orb of the earth," i. e., overspreads the • Tears._b"No more," i. e., no more than a 'boy of tears.' I world.- Judicial. SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, PUBLIUS, Son to Marcus the Tribune. Æmilius, a noble Roman. DEMETRIUS, Sons to Tamora, Aaron, a Moor, beloved by Tamora. Marcus ANDRONICUS, Tribune of the People ; A Captain, Tribune, Messenger, and Clown. and Brother to Titus. Goths and Romans. TAMORA, Queen of the Goths. LAVINIA, Daughter to Titus Andronicus. A Nurse, and a black Child. SCENE, Rome; and the Country near it. ACT I. Nor wrong mine bage with this indignity. (right, Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favorers of my SCENE I.— Rome. Before the Capitol. If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, The Tomb of the Andronici appearing; the Trib- Keep then this passage to the Capitol ; unes and Senators aloft, as in the Capitol. En- | And suffer not dishonor to approach ter, below, SATURNInus and his Followers, on one Th' imperial seat, to virtue consecrate, side; and BASSIAnus and his Followers, on the To justice, 3 conscience, and nobility, other; with Drum and Colors. But let desert in pure election shine ; Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right, And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice. Defend the justice of my cause with arms; Enter Marcus ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the Crown. And, countrymen, my loving followers, Mar. Princes, that strive by factions, and by friends, Plead my successive a title with your swords. Ambitiously for rule and empery, I am the first-born son, of him the last Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand That wore the imperial diadem of Rome : A special party, have by common voice Then, let my father's honors live in me, In election for the Roman empery, b" Mine age," i. e., my seniority in point of age. - Eo • "My successive title," i. e., my title to the succession. pire; sovereignty. |