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Rome. A public place.
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Rome. A public place.
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Enter MENENIUS with the two Tribunes of the people, SICINIUS and BRUTUS.
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Enter MENENIUS with the two Tribunes of the people, SICINIUS and BRUTUS.
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MENENIUS The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night.
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MENENIUS The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night.
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BRUTUS Good or bad?
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BRUTUS Good or bad?
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MENENIUS Not according to the prayer of the people, for they
love not Martius.
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MENENIUS Not according to the prayer of the people, for they
love not Martius.
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SICINIUS 5 Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.
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SICINIUS Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.
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MENENIUS Pray you, who does the wolf love?
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MENENIUS Pray you, who does the wolf love?
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SICINIUS The lamb.
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SICINIUS The lamb.
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MENENIUS Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the
noble Martius.
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MENENIUS Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the
noble Martius.
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BRUTUS 10 He’s a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear.
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BRUTUS He’s a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear.
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MENENIUS He’s a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two
are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.
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MENENIUS He’s a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two
are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.
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BOTH Well, sir.
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BOTH Well, sir.
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MENENIUS In what enormity is Martius poor in, that you two
15 have not in abundance?
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MENENIUS In what enormity is Martius poor in, that you two
have not in abundance?
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BRUTUS He’s poor in no one fault, but stored with all.
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BRUTUS He’s poor in no one fault, but stored with all.
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SICINIUS Especially in pride.
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SICINIUS Especially in pride.
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BRUTUS And topping all others in boasting.
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BRUTUS And topping all others in boasting.
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MENENIUS This is strange now: do you two know how you are
20 censured here in the city, I mean of us o’ the
right-hand file? do you?
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MENENIUS This is strange now: do you two know how you are
censured here in the city, I mean of us o’ the
right-hand file? do you?
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BOTH Why, how are we censured?
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BOTH Why, how are we censured?
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MENENIUS Because you talk of pride now,—will you not be angry?
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MENENIUS Because you talk of pride now,—will you not be angry?
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BOTH Well, well, sir, well.
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BOTH Well, well, sir, well.
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MENENIUS 25 Why, ’tis no great matter; for a very little thief of
occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience:
give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at
your pleasures; at the least if you take it as a
pleasure to you in being so. You blame Martius for
30 being proud?
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MENENIUS Why, ’tis no great matter; for a very little thief of
occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience:
give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at
your pleasures; at the least if you take it as a
pleasure to you in being so. You blame Martius for
being proud?
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BRUTUS We do it not alone, sir.
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BRUTUS We do it not alone, sir.
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MENENIUS I know you can do very little alone; for your helps
are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous
single: your abilities are too infant-like for
35 doing much alone. You talk of pride: O that you
could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks,
and make but an interior survey of your good selves!
O that you could!
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MENENIUS I know you can do very little alone; for your helps
are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous
single: your abilities are too infant-like for
doing much alone. You talk of pride: O that you
could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks,
and make but an interior survey of your good selves!
O that you could!
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BRUTUS What then, sir?
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BRUTUS What then, sir?
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MENENIUS 40 Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting,
proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as
any in Rome.
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MENENIUS Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting,
proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as
any in Rome.
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SICINIUS Menenius, you are known well enough too.
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SICINIUS Menenius, you are known well enough too.
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MENENIUS I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that
45 loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying
Tiber in’t; said to be something imperfect in
favouring the first complaint; hasty and tinder-like
upon too trivial motion; one that converses more
with the buttock of the night than with the forehead
50 of the morning: what I think I utter, and spend my
malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen as
you are—I cannot call you Lycurguses—if the drink
you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a
crooked face at it. I can’t say your worships have
55 delivered the matter well, when I find the ass in
compound with the major part of your syllables: and
though I must be content to bear with those that say
you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that
tell you you have good faces. If you see this in
60 the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known
well enough too? what barm can your bisson
conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be
known well enough too?
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MENENIUS I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that
loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying
Tiber in’t; said to be something imperfect in
favouring the first complaint; hasty and tinder-like
upon too trivial motion; one that converses more
with the buttock of the night than with the forehead
of the morning: what I think I utter, and spend my
malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen as
you are—I cannot call you Lycurguses—if the drink
you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a
crooked face at it. I can’t say your worships have
delivered the matter well, when I find the ass in
compound with the major part of your syllables: and
though I must be content to bear with those that say
you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that
tell you you have good faces. If you see this in
the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known
well enough too? what barm can your bisson
conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be
known well enough too?
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BRUTUS Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.
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BRUTUS Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.
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MENENIUS 65 You know neither me, yourselves nor any thing. You
are ambitious for poor knaves’ caps and legs: you
wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a
cause between an orange wife and a fosset-seller;
and then rejourn the controversy of three pence to a
70 second day of audience. When you are hearing a
matter between party and party, if you chance to be
pinched with the colic, you make faces like
mummers; set up the bloody flag against all
patience; and, in roaring for a chamber-pot,
75 dismiss the controversy bleeding the more entangled
by your hearing: all the peace you make in their
cause is, calling both the parties knaves. You are
a pair of strange ones.
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MENENIUS You know neither me, yourselves nor any thing. You
are ambitious for poor knaves’ caps and legs: you
wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a
cause between an orange wife and a fosset-seller;
and then rejourn the controversy of three pence to a
second day of audience. When you are hearing a
matter between party and party, if you chance to be
pinched with the colic, you make faces like
mummers; set up the bloody flag against all
patience; and, in roaring for a chamber-pot,
dismiss the controversy bleeding the more entangled
by your hearing: all the peace you make in their
cause is, calling both the parties knaves. You are
a pair of strange ones.
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BRUTUS Come, come, you are well understood to be a
80 perfecter giber for the table than a necessary
bencher in the Capitol.
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BRUTUS Come, come, you are well understood to be a
perfecter giber for the table than a necessary
bencher in the Capitol.
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MENENIUS Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall
encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When
you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the
85 wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not
so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher’s
cushion, or to be entombed in an ass’s pack-
saddle. Yet you must be saying, Martius is proud;
who in a cheap estimation, is worth predecessors
90 since Deucalion, though peradventure some of the
best of ’em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to
your worships: more of your conversation would
infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly
plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you.
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MENENIUS Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall
encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When
you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the
wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not
so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher’s
cushion, or to be entombed in an ass’s pack-
saddle. Yet you must be saying, Martius is proud;
who in a cheap estimation, is worth predecessors
since Deucalion, though peradventure some of the
best of ’em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to
your worships: more of your conversation would
infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly
plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you.
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BRUTUS and SICINIUS go aside
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BRUTUS and SICINIUS go aside
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Enter VOLUMNIA , VIRGILIA , and VALERIA
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Enter VOLUMNIA , VIRGILIA , and VALERIA
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95 How now, my as fair as noble ladies,—and the moon,
were she earthly, no nobler,—whither do you follow
your eyes so fast?
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How now, my as fair as noble ladies,—and the moon,
were she earthly, no nobler,—whither do you follow
your eyes so fast?
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VOLUMNIA Honourable Menenius, my boy Martius approaches; for
the love of Juno, let’s go.
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VOLUMNIA Honourable Menenius, my boy Martius approaches; for
the love of Juno, let’s go.
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MENENIUS 100 Ha! Martius coming home!
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MENENIUS Ha! Martius coming home!
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VOLUMNIA Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous approbation.
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VOLUMNIA Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous approbation.
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MENENIUS Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo!
Martius coming home!
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MENENIUS Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo!
Martius coming home!
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VOLUMNIA AND VIRGILIA Nay, ’tis true.
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VOLUMNIA AND VIRGILIA Nay, ’tis true.
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VOLUMNIA 105 Look, here’s a letter from him: the state hath
another, his wife another; and, I think, there’s one
at home for you.
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VOLUMNIA Look, here’s a letter from him: the state hath
another, his wife another; and, I think, there’s one
at home for you.
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MENENIUS I will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for
me!
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MENENIUS I will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for
me!
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VIRGILIA 110 Yes, certain, there’s a letter for you; I saw’t.
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VIRGILIA Yes, certain, there’s a letter for you; I saw’t.
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MENENIUS A letter for me! it gives me an estate of seven
years’ health; in which time I will make a lip at
the physician: the most sovereign prescription in
Galen is but empiricutic, and, to this preservative,
115 of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he
not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.
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MENENIUS A letter for me! it gives me an estate of seven
years’ health; in which time I will make a lip at
the physician: the most sovereign prescription in
Galen is but empiricutic, and, to this preservative,
of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he
not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.
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VIRGILIA O, no, no, no.
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VIRGILIA O, no, no, no.
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VOLUMNIA O, he is wounded; I thank the gods for’t.
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VOLUMNIA O, he is wounded; I thank the gods for’t.
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MENENIUS So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a’
120 victory in his pocket? the wounds become him.
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MENENIUS So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a’
victory in his pocket? the wounds become him.
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VOLUMNIA On’s brows: Menenius, he comes the third time home
with the oaken garland.
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VOLUMNIA On’s brows: Menenius, he comes the third time home
with the oaken garland.
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MENENIUS Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?
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MENENIUS Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?
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VOLUMNIA Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but
125 Aufidius got off.
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VOLUMNIA Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but
Aufidius got off.
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MENENIUS And ’twas time for him too, I’ll warrant him that:
an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so
fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold
that’s in them. Is the senate possessed of this?
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MENENIUS And ’twas time for him too, I’ll warrant him that:
an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so
fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold
that’s in them. Is the senate possessed of this?
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VOLUMNIA 130 Good ladies, let’s go. Yes, yes, yes; the senate
has letters from the general, wherein he gives my
son the whole name of the war: he hath in this
action outdone his former deeds doubly
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VOLUMNIA Good ladies, let’s go. Yes, yes, yes; the senate
has letters from the general, wherein he gives my
son the whole name of the war: he hath in this
action outdone his former deeds doubly
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VALERIA In troth, there’s wondrous things spoke of him.
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VALERIA In troth, there’s wondrous things spoke of him.
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MENENIUS 135 Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without his
true purchasing.
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MENENIUS Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without his
true purchasing.
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VIRGILIA The gods grant them true!
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VIRGILIA The gods grant them true!
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VOLUMNIA True! pow, wow.
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VOLUMNIA True! pow, wow.
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MENENIUS True! I’ll be sworn they are true.
140 Where is he wounded?
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MENENIUS True! I’ll be sworn they are true.
Where is he wounded?
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To the Tribunes
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To the Tribunes
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God save your good worships! Martius is coming
home: he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded?
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God save your good worships! Martius is coming
home: he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded?
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VOLUMNIA I’ the shoulder and i’ the left arm there will be
large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall
145 stand for his place. He received in the repulse of
Tarquin seven hurts i’ the body.
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VOLUMNIA I’ the shoulder and i’ the left arm there will be
large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall
stand for his place. He received in the repulse of
Tarquin seven hurts i’ the body.
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MENENIUS One i’ the neck, and two i’ the thigh,—there’s
nine that I know.
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MENENIUS One i’ the neck, and two i’ the thigh,—there’s
nine that I know.
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VOLUMNIA He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five
150 wounds upon him.
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VOLUMNIA He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five
wounds upon him.
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MENENIUS Now it’s twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy’s grave.
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MENENIUS Now it’s twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy’s grave.
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A shout and flourish
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A shout and flourish
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Hark! the trumpets.
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Hark! the trumpets.
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VOLUMNIA These are the ushers of Martius: before him he
carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:
155 Death, that dark spirit, in ’s nervy arm doth lie;
Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.
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VOLUMNIA These are the ushers of Martius: before him he
carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:
Death, that dark spirit, in ’s nervy arm doth lie;
Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.
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A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS the general, and TITUS LARTIUS ; between them, CORIOLANUS , crowned with an oaken garland; with Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald
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A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS the general, and TITUS LARTIUS ; between them, CORIOLANUS , crowned with an oaken garland; with Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald
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HERALD Know, Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Martius; these
160 In honour follows Coriolanus.
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
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HERALD Know, Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Martius; these
In honour follows Coriolanus.
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
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Flourish
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Flourish
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ALL Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
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ALL Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
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CORIOLANUS No more of this; it does offend my heart:
Pray now, no more.
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CORIOLANUS No more of this; it does offend my heart:
Pray now, no more.
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COMINIUS 165 Look, sir, your mother!
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COMINIUS Look, sir, your mother!
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CORIOLANUS O,
You have, I know, petition’d all the gods
For my prosperity!
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CORIOLANUS O,
You have, I know, petition’d all the gods
For my prosperity!
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Kneels
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Kneels
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VOLUMNIA Nay, my good soldier, up;
170 My gentle Martius, worthy Caius, and
By deed-achieving honour newly named,—
What is it?—Coriolanus must I call thee?—
But O, thy wife!
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VOLUMNIA Nay, my good soldier, up;
My gentle Martius, worthy Caius, and
By deed-achieving honour newly named,—
What is it?—Coriolanus must I call thee?—
But O, thy wife!
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CORIOLANUS My gracious silence, hail!
175 Wouldst thou have laugh’d had I come coffin’d home,
That weep’st to see me triumph? Ay, my dear,
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,
And mothers that lack sons.
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CORIOLANUS My gracious silence, hail!
Wouldst thou have laugh’d had I come coffin’d home,
That weep’st to see me triumph? Ay, my dear,
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,
And mothers that lack sons.
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MENENIUS Now, the gods crown thee!
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MENENIUS Now, the gods crown thee!
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CORIOLANUS 180 And live you yet?
(To VALERIA) O my sweet lady, pardon.
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CORIOLANUS And live you yet?
(To VALERIA) O my sweet lady, pardon.
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VOLUMNIA I know not where to turn: O, welcome home:
And welcome, general: and ye’re welcome all.
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VOLUMNIA I know not where to turn: O, welcome home:
And welcome, general: and ye’re welcome all.
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MENENIUS A hundred thousand welcomes. I could weep
185 And I could laugh, I am light and heavy. Welcome.
A curse begin at very root on’s heart,
That is not glad to see thee! You are three
That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,
We have some old crab-trees here
190 at home that will not
Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:
We call a nettle but a nettle and
The faults of fools but folly.
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MENENIUS A hundred thousand welcomes. I could weep
And I could laugh, I am light and heavy. Welcome.
A curse begin at very root on’s heart,
That is not glad to see thee! You are three
That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,
We have some old crab-trees here
at home that will not
Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:
We call a nettle but a nettle and
The faults of fools but folly.
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COMINIUS Ever right.
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COMINIUS Ever right.
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CORIOLANUS 195 Menenius ever, ever.
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CORIOLANUS Menenius ever, ever.
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HERALD Give way there, and go on!
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HERALD Give way there, and go on!
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CORIOLANUS [To VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA] Your hand, and yours:
Ere in our own house I do shade my head,
The good patricians must be visited;
200 From whom I have received not only greetings,
But with them change of honours.
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CORIOLANUS [To VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA] Your hand, and yours:
Ere in our own house I do shade my head,
The good patricians must be visited;
From whom I have received not only greetings,
But with them change of honours.
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VOLUMNIA I have lived
To see inherited my very wishes
And the buildings of my fancy: only
205 There’s one thing wanting, which I doubt not but
Our Rome will cast upon thee.
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VOLUMNIA I have lived
To see inherited my very wishes
And the buildings of my fancy: only
There’s one thing wanting, which I doubt not but
Our Rome will cast upon thee.
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CORIOLANUS Know, good mother,
I had rather be their servant in my way,
Than sway with them in theirs.
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CORIOLANUS Know, good mother,
I had rather be their servant in my way,
Than sway with them in theirs.
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COMINIUS 210 On, to the Capitol!
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COMINIUS On, to the Capitol!
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Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. BRUTUS and SICINIUS come forward
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Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. BRUTUS and SICINIUS come forward
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BRUTUS All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse
Into a rapture lets her baby cry
While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins
215 Her richest lockram ’bout her reechy neck,
Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,
Are smother’d up, leads fill’d, and ridges horsed
With variable complexions, all agreeing
In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens
220 Do press among the popular throngs and puff
To win a vulgar station: or veil’d dames
Commit the war of white and damask in
Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil
Of Phoebus’ burning kisses: such a pother
225 As if that whatsoever god who leads him
Were slily crept into his human powers
And gave him graceful posture.
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BRUTUS All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse
Into a rapture lets her baby cry
While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins
Her richest lockram ’bout her reechy neck,
Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,
Are smother’d up, leads fill’d, and ridges horsed
With variable complexions, all agreeing
In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens
Do press among the popular throngs and puff
To win a vulgar station: or veil’d dames
Commit the war of white and damask in
Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil
Of Phoebus’ burning kisses: such a pother
As if that whatsoever god who leads him
Were slily crept into his human powers
And gave him graceful posture.
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SICINIUS On the sudden,
I warrant him consul.
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SICINIUS On the sudden,
I warrant him consul.
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BRUTUS 230 Then our office may,
During his power, go sleep.
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BRUTUS Then our office may,
During his power, go sleep.
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SICINIUS He cannot temperately transport his honours
From where he should begin and end, but will
Lose those he hath won.
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SICINIUS He cannot temperately transport his honours
From where he should begin and end, but will
Lose those he hath won.
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BRUTUS 235 In that there’s comfort.
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BRUTUS In that there’s comfort.
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SICINIUS Doubt not
The commoners, for whom we stand, but they
Upon their ancient malice will forget
With the least cause these his new honours, which
240 That he will give them make I as little question
As he is proud to do’t.
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SICINIUS Doubt not
The commoners, for whom we stand, but they
Upon their ancient malice will forget
With the least cause these his new honours, which
That he will give them make I as little question
As he is proud to do’t.
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BRUTUS I heard him swear,
Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i’ the market-place nor on him put
245 The napless vesture of humility;
Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.
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BRUTUS I heard him swear,
Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i’ the market-place nor on him put
The napless vesture of humility;
Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.
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SICINIUS ’Tis right.
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SICINIUS ’Tis right.
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BRUTUS It was his word: O, he would miss it rather
250 Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him,
And the desire of the nobles.
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BRUTUS It was his word: O, he would miss it rather
Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him,
And the desire of the nobles.
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SICINIUS I wish no better
Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
In execution.
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SICINIUS I wish no better
Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
In execution.
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BRUTUS 255 ’Tis most like he will.
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BRUTUS ’Tis most like he will.
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SICINIUS It shall be to him then as our good wills,
A sure destruction.
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SICINIUS It shall be to him then as our good wills,
A sure destruction.
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BRUTUS So it must fall out
To him or our authorities. For an end,
260 We must suggest the people in what hatred
He still hath held them; that to’s power he would
Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and
Dispropertied their freedoms, holding them,
In human action and capacity,
265 Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
Than camels in the war, who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.
|
BRUTUS So it must fall out
To him or our authorities. For an end,
We must suggest the people in what hatred
He still hath held them; that to’s power he would
Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and
Dispropertied their freedoms, holding them,
In human action and capacity,
Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
Than camels in the war, who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.
|
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SICINIUS This, as you say, suggested
270 At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall touch the people—which time shall not want,
If he be put upon ’t; and that’s as easy
As to set dogs on sheep—will be his fire
To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
275 Shall darken him for ever.
|
SICINIUS This, as you say, suggested
At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall touch the people—which time shall not want,
If he be put upon ’t; and that’s as easy
As to set dogs on sheep—will be his fire
To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever.
|
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Enter a Messenger
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Enter a Messenger
|
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BRUTUS What’s the matter?
|
BRUTUS What’s the matter?
|
|
MESSENGER You are sent for to the Capitol. ’Tis thought
That Martius shall be consul:
I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and
280 The blind to bear him speak: matrons flung gloves,
Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers,
Upon him as he pass’d: the nobles bended,
As to Jove’s statue, and the commons made
A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:
285 I never saw the like.
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MESSENGER You are sent for to the Capitol. ’Tis thought
That Martius shall be consul:
I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and
The blind to bear him speak: matrons flung gloves,
Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers,
Upon him as he pass’d: the nobles bended,
As to Jove’s statue, and the commons made
A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:
I never saw the like.
|
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BRUTUS Let’s to the Capitol;
And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,
But hearts for the event.
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BRUTUS Let’s to the Capitol;
And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,
But hearts for the event.
|
|
SICINIUS Have with you.
|
SICINIUS Have with you.
|
|
Exeunt
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Exeunt
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Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
Rome. A public place.
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Rome. A public place.
|
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Enter MENENIUS with the two Tribunes of the people, SICINIUS and BRUTUS.
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Enter MENENIUS with the two Tribunes of the people, SICINIUS and BRUTUS.
|
|
MENENIUS The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night.
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MENENIUS The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night.
|
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BRUTUS Good or bad?
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BRUTUS Good or bad?
|
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MENENIUS Not according to the prayer of the people, for they
love not Martius.
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MENENIUS Not according to the prayer of the people, for they
love not Martius.
|
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SICINIUS 5 Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.
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SICINIUS Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.
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MENENIUS Pray you, who does the wolf love?
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MENENIUS Pray you, who does the wolf love?
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SICINIUS The lamb.
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SICINIUS The lamb.
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MENENIUS Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the
noble Martius.
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MENENIUS Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the
noble Martius.
|
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BRUTUS 10 He’s a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear.
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BRUTUS He’s a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear.
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MENENIUS He’s a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two
are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.
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MENENIUS He’s a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two
are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.
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BOTH Well, sir.
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BOTH Well, sir.
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MENENIUS In what enormity is Martius poor in, that you two
15 have not in abundance?
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MENENIUS In what enormity is Martius poor in, that you two
have not in abundance?
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BRUTUS He’s poor in no one fault, but stored with all.
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BRUTUS He’s poor in no one fault, but stored with all.
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SICINIUS Especially in pride.
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SICINIUS Especially in pride.
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BRUTUS And topping all others in boasting.
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BRUTUS And topping all others in boasting.
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MENENIUS This is strange now: do you two know how you are
20 censured here in the city, I mean of us o’ the
right-hand file? do you?
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MENENIUS This is strange now: do you two know how you are
censured here in the city, I mean of us o’ the
right-hand file? do you?
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BOTH Why, how are we censured?
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BOTH Why, how are we censured?
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MENENIUS Because you talk of pride now,—will you not be angry?
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MENENIUS Because you talk of pride now,—will you not be angry?
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BOTH Well, well, sir, well.
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BOTH Well, well, sir, well.
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MENENIUS 25 Why, ’tis no great matter; for a very little thief of
occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience:
give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at
your pleasures; at the least if you take it as a
pleasure to you in being so. You blame Martius for
30 being proud?
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MENENIUS Why, ’tis no great matter; for a very little thief of
occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience:
give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at
your pleasures; at the least if you take it as a
pleasure to you in being so. You blame Martius for
being proud?
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BRUTUS We do it not alone, sir.
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BRUTUS We do it not alone, sir.
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MENENIUS I know you can do very little alone; for your helps
are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous
single: your abilities are too infant-like for
35 doing much alone. You talk of pride: O that you
could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks,
and make but an interior survey of your good selves!
O that you could!
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MENENIUS I know you can do very little alone; for your helps
are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous
single: your abilities are too infant-like for
doing much alone. You talk of pride: O that you
could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks,
and make but an interior survey of your good selves!
O that you could!
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BRUTUS What then, sir?
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BRUTUS What then, sir?
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MENENIUS 40 Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting,
proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as
any in Rome.
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MENENIUS Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting,
proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as
any in Rome.
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SICINIUS Menenius, you are known well enough too.
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SICINIUS Menenius, you are known well enough too.
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MENENIUS I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that
45 loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying
Tiber in’t; said to be something imperfect in
favouring the first complaint; hasty and tinder-like
upon too trivial motion; one that converses more
with the buttock of the night than with the forehead
50 of the morning: what I think I utter, and spend my
malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen as
you are—I cannot call you Lycurguses—if the drink
you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a
crooked face at it. I can’t say your worships have
55 delivered the matter well, when I find the ass in
compound with the major part of your syllables: and
though I must be content to bear with those that say
you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that
tell you you have good faces. If you see this in
60 the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known
well enough too? what barm can your bisson
conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be
known well enough too?
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MENENIUS I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that
loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying
Tiber in’t; said to be something imperfect in
favouring the first complaint; hasty and tinder-like
upon too trivial motion; one that converses more
with the buttock of the night than with the forehead
of the morning: what I think I utter, and spend my
malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen as
you are—I cannot call you Lycurguses—if the drink
you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a
crooked face at it. I can’t say your worships have
delivered the matter well, when I find the ass in
compound with the major part of your syllables: and
though I must be content to bear with those that say
you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that
tell you you have good faces. If you see this in
the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known
well enough too? what barm can your bisson
conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be
known well enough too?
|
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BRUTUS Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.
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BRUTUS Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.
|
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MENENIUS 65 You know neither me, yourselves nor any thing. You
are ambitious for poor knaves’ caps and legs: you
wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a
cause between an orange wife and a fosset-seller;
and then rejourn the controversy of three pence to a
70 second day of audience. When you are hearing a
matter between party and party, if you chance to be
pinched with the colic, you make faces like
mummers; set up the bloody flag against all
patience; and, in roaring for a chamber-pot,
75 dismiss the controversy bleeding the more entangled
by your hearing: all the peace you make in their
cause is, calling both the parties knaves. You are
a pair of strange ones.
|
MENENIUS You know neither me, yourselves nor any thing. You
are ambitious for poor knaves’ caps and legs: you
wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a
cause between an orange wife and a fosset-seller;
and then rejourn the controversy of three pence to a
second day of audience. When you are hearing a
matter between party and party, if you chance to be
pinched with the colic, you make faces like
mummers; set up the bloody flag against all
patience; and, in roaring for a chamber-pot,
dismiss the controversy bleeding the more entangled
by your hearing: all the peace you make in their
cause is, calling both the parties knaves. You are
a pair of strange ones.
|
|
BRUTUS Come, come, you are well understood to be a
80 perfecter giber for the table than a necessary
bencher in the Capitol.
|
BRUTUS Come, come, you are well understood to be a
perfecter giber for the table than a necessary
bencher in the Capitol.
|
|
MENENIUS Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall
encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When
you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the
85 wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not
so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher’s
cushion, or to be entombed in an ass’s pack-
saddle. Yet you must be saying, Martius is proud;
who in a cheap estimation, is worth predecessors
90 since Deucalion, though peradventure some of the
best of ’em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to
your worships: more of your conversation would
infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly
plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you.
|
MENENIUS Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall
encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When
you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the
wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not
so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher’s
cushion, or to be entombed in an ass’s pack-
saddle. Yet you must be saying, Martius is proud;
who in a cheap estimation, is worth predecessors
since Deucalion, though peradventure some of the
best of ’em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to
your worships: more of your conversation would
infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly
plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you.
|
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BRUTUS and SICINIUS go aside
|
BRUTUS and SICINIUS go aside
|
|
Enter VOLUMNIA , VIRGILIA , and VALERIA
|
Enter VOLUMNIA , VIRGILIA , and VALERIA
|
|
95 How now, my as fair as noble ladies,—and the moon,
were she earthly, no nobler,—whither do you follow
your eyes so fast?
|
How now, my as fair as noble ladies,—and the moon,
were she earthly, no nobler,—whither do you follow
your eyes so fast?
|
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VOLUMNIA Honourable Menenius, my boy Martius approaches; for
the love of Juno, let’s go.
|
VOLUMNIA Honourable Menenius, my boy Martius approaches; for
the love of Juno, let’s go.
|
|
MENENIUS 100 Ha! Martius coming home!
|
MENENIUS Ha! Martius coming home!
|
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VOLUMNIA Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous approbation.
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VOLUMNIA Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous approbation.
|
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MENENIUS Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo!
Martius coming home!
|
MENENIUS Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo!
Martius coming home!
|
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VOLUMNIA AND VIRGILIA Nay, ’tis true.
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VOLUMNIA AND VIRGILIA Nay, ’tis true.
|
|
VOLUMNIA 105 Look, here’s a letter from him: the state hath
another, his wife another; and, I think, there’s one
at home for you.
|
VOLUMNIA Look, here’s a letter from him: the state hath
another, his wife another; and, I think, there’s one
at home for you.
|
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MENENIUS I will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for
me!
|
MENENIUS I will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for
me!
|
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VIRGILIA 110 Yes, certain, there’s a letter for you; I saw’t.
|
VIRGILIA Yes, certain, there’s a letter for you; I saw’t.
|
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MENENIUS A letter for me! it gives me an estate of seven
years’ health; in which time I will make a lip at
the physician: the most sovereign prescription in
Galen is but empiricutic, and, to this preservative,
115 of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he
not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.
|
MENENIUS A letter for me! it gives me an estate of seven
years’ health; in which time I will make a lip at
the physician: the most sovereign prescription in
Galen is but empiricutic, and, to this preservative,
of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he
not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.
|
|
VIRGILIA O, no, no, no.
|
VIRGILIA O, no, no, no.
|
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VOLUMNIA O, he is wounded; I thank the gods for’t.
|
VOLUMNIA O, he is wounded; I thank the gods for’t.
|
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MENENIUS So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a’
120 victory in his pocket? the wounds become him.
|
MENENIUS So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a’
victory in his pocket? the wounds become him.
|
|
VOLUMNIA On’s brows: Menenius, he comes the third time home
with the oaken garland.
|
VOLUMNIA On’s brows: Menenius, he comes the third time home
with the oaken garland.
|
|
MENENIUS Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?
|
MENENIUS Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?
|
|
VOLUMNIA Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but
125 Aufidius got off.
|
VOLUMNIA Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but
Aufidius got off.
|
|
MENENIUS And ’twas time for him too, I’ll warrant him that:
an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so
fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold
that’s in them. Is the senate possessed of this?
|
MENENIUS And ’twas time for him too, I’ll warrant him that:
an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so
fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold
that’s in them. Is the senate possessed of this?
|
|
VOLUMNIA 130 Good ladies, let’s go. Yes, yes, yes; the senate
has letters from the general, wherein he gives my
son the whole name of the war: he hath in this
action outdone his former deeds doubly
|
VOLUMNIA Good ladies, let’s go. Yes, yes, yes; the senate
has letters from the general, wherein he gives my
son the whole name of the war: he hath in this
action outdone his former deeds doubly
|
|
VALERIA In troth, there’s wondrous things spoke of him.
|
VALERIA In troth, there’s wondrous things spoke of him.
|
|
MENENIUS 135 Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without his
true purchasing.
|
MENENIUS Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without his
true purchasing.
|
|
VIRGILIA The gods grant them true!
|
VIRGILIA The gods grant them true!
|
|
VOLUMNIA True! pow, wow.
|
VOLUMNIA True! pow, wow.
|
|
MENENIUS True! I’ll be sworn they are true.
140 Where is he wounded?
|
MENENIUS True! I’ll be sworn they are true.
Where is he wounded?
|
|
To the Tribunes
|
To the Tribunes
|
|
God save your good worships! Martius is coming
home: he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded?
|
God save your good worships! Martius is coming
home: he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded?
|
|
VOLUMNIA I’ the shoulder and i’ the left arm there will be
large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall
145 stand for his place. He received in the repulse of
Tarquin seven hurts i’ the body.
|
VOLUMNIA I’ the shoulder and i’ the left arm there will be
large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall
stand for his place. He received in the repulse of
Tarquin seven hurts i’ the body.
|
|
MENENIUS One i’ the neck, and two i’ the thigh,—there’s
nine that I know.
|
MENENIUS One i’ the neck, and two i’ the thigh,—there’s
nine that I know.
|
|
VOLUMNIA He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five
150 wounds upon him.
|
VOLUMNIA He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five
wounds upon him.
|
|
MENENIUS Now it’s twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy’s grave.
|
MENENIUS Now it’s twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy’s grave.
|
|
A shout and flourish
|
A shout and flourish
|
|
Hark! the trumpets.
|
Hark! the trumpets.
|
|
VOLUMNIA These are the ushers of Martius: before him he
carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:
155 Death, that dark spirit, in ’s nervy arm doth lie;
Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.
|
VOLUMNIA These are the ushers of Martius: before him he
carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:
Death, that dark spirit, in ’s nervy arm doth lie;
Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.
|
|
A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS the general, and TITUS LARTIUS ; between them, CORIOLANUS , crowned with an oaken garland; with Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald
|
A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS the general, and TITUS LARTIUS ; between them, CORIOLANUS , crowned with an oaken garland; with Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald
|
|
HERALD Know, Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Martius; these
160 In honour follows Coriolanus.
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
|
HERALD Know, Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Martius; these
In honour follows Coriolanus.
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
|
|
Flourish
|
Flourish
|
|
ALL Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
|
ALL Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
|
|
CORIOLANUS No more of this; it does offend my heart:
Pray now, no more.
|
CORIOLANUS No more of this; it does offend my heart:
Pray now, no more.
|
|
COMINIUS 165 Look, sir, your mother!
|
COMINIUS Look, sir, your mother!
|
|
CORIOLANUS O,
You have, I know, petition’d all the gods
For my prosperity!
|
CORIOLANUS O,
You have, I know, petition’d all the gods
For my prosperity!
|
|
Kneels
|
Kneels
|
|
VOLUMNIA Nay, my good soldier, up;
170 My gentle Martius, worthy Caius, and
By deed-achieving honour newly named,—
What is it?—Coriolanus must I call thee?—
But O, thy wife!
|
VOLUMNIA Nay, my good soldier, up;
My gentle Martius, worthy Caius, and
By deed-achieving honour newly named,—
What is it?—Coriolanus must I call thee?—
But O, thy wife!
|
|
CORIOLANUS My gracious silence, hail!
175 Wouldst thou have laugh’d had I come coffin’d home,
That weep’st to see me triumph? Ay, my dear,
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,
And mothers that lack sons.
|
CORIOLANUS My gracious silence, hail!
Wouldst thou have laugh’d had I come coffin’d home,
That weep’st to see me triumph? Ay, my dear,
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,
And mothers that lack sons.
|
|
MENENIUS Now, the gods crown thee!
|
MENENIUS Now, the gods crown thee!
|
|
CORIOLANUS 180 And live you yet?
(To VALERIA) O my sweet lady, pardon.
|
CORIOLANUS And live you yet?
(To VALERIA) O my sweet lady, pardon.
|
|
VOLUMNIA I know not where to turn: O, welcome home:
And welcome, general: and ye’re welcome all.
|
VOLUMNIA I know not where to turn: O, welcome home:
And welcome, general: and ye’re welcome all.
|
|
MENENIUS A hundred thousand welcomes. I could weep
185 And I could laugh, I am light and heavy. Welcome.
A curse begin at very root on’s heart,
That is not glad to see thee! You are three
That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,
We have some old crab-trees here
190 at home that will not
Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:
We call a nettle but a nettle and
The faults of fools but folly.
|
MENENIUS A hundred thousand welcomes. I could weep
And I could laugh, I am light and heavy. Welcome.
A curse begin at very root on’s heart,
That is not glad to see thee! You are three
That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,
We have some old crab-trees here
at home that will not
Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:
We call a nettle but a nettle and
The faults of fools but folly.
|
|
COMINIUS Ever right.
|
COMINIUS Ever right.
|
|
CORIOLANUS 195 Menenius ever, ever.
|
CORIOLANUS Menenius ever, ever.
|
|
HERALD Give way there, and go on!
|
HERALD Give way there, and go on!
|
|
CORIOLANUS [To VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA] Your hand, and yours:
Ere in our own house I do shade my head,
The good patricians must be visited;
200 From whom I have received not only greetings,
But with them change of honours.
|
CORIOLANUS [To VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA] Your hand, and yours:
Ere in our own house I do shade my head,
The good patricians must be visited;
From whom I have received not only greetings,
But with them change of honours.
|
|
VOLUMNIA I have lived
To see inherited my very wishes
And the buildings of my fancy: only
205 There’s one thing wanting, which I doubt not but
Our Rome will cast upon thee.
|
VOLUMNIA I have lived
To see inherited my very wishes
And the buildings of my fancy: only
There’s one thing wanting, which I doubt not but
Our Rome will cast upon thee.
|
|
CORIOLANUS Know, good mother,
I had rather be their servant in my way,
Than sway with them in theirs.
|
CORIOLANUS Know, good mother,
I had rather be their servant in my way,
Than sway with them in theirs.
|
|
COMINIUS 210 On, to the Capitol!
|
COMINIUS On, to the Capitol!
|
|
Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. BRUTUS and SICINIUS come forward
|
Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. BRUTUS and SICINIUS come forward
|
|
BRUTUS All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse
Into a rapture lets her baby cry
While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins
215 Her richest lockram ’bout her reechy neck,
Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,
Are smother’d up, leads fill’d, and ridges horsed
With variable complexions, all agreeing
In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens
220 Do press among the popular throngs and puff
To win a vulgar station: or veil’d dames
Commit the war of white and damask in
Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil
Of Phoebus’ burning kisses: such a pother
225 As if that whatsoever god who leads him
Were slily crept into his human powers
And gave him graceful posture.
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BRUTUS All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse
Into a rapture lets her baby cry
While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins
Her richest lockram ’bout her reechy neck,
Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,
Are smother’d up, leads fill’d, and ridges horsed
With variable complexions, all agreeing
In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens
Do press among the popular throngs and puff
To win a vulgar station: or veil’d dames
Commit the war of white and damask in
Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil
Of Phoebus’ burning kisses: such a pother
As if that whatsoever god who leads him
Were slily crept into his human powers
And gave him graceful posture.
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SICINIUS On the sudden,
I warrant him consul.
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SICINIUS On the sudden,
I warrant him consul.
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BRUTUS 230 Then our office may,
During his power, go sleep.
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BRUTUS Then our office may,
During his power, go sleep.
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SICINIUS He cannot temperately transport his honours
From where he should begin and end, but will
Lose those he hath won.
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SICINIUS He cannot temperately transport his honours
From where he should begin and end, but will
Lose those he hath won.
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BRUTUS 235 In that there’s comfort.
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BRUTUS In that there’s comfort.
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SICINIUS Doubt not
The commoners, for whom we stand, but they
Upon their ancient malice will forget
With the least cause these his new honours, which
240 That he will give them make I as little question
As he is proud to do’t.
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SICINIUS Doubt not
The commoners, for whom we stand, but they
Upon their ancient malice will forget
With the least cause these his new honours, which
That he will give them make I as little question
As he is proud to do’t.
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BRUTUS I heard him swear,
Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i’ the market-place nor on him put
245 The napless vesture of humility;
Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.
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BRUTUS I heard him swear,
Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i’ the market-place nor on him put
The napless vesture of humility;
Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.
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SICINIUS ’Tis right.
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SICINIUS ’Tis right.
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BRUTUS It was his word: O, he would miss it rather
250 Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him,
And the desire of the nobles.
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BRUTUS It was his word: O, he would miss it rather
Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him,
And the desire of the nobles.
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SICINIUS I wish no better
Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
In execution.
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SICINIUS I wish no better
Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
In execution.
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BRUTUS 255 ’Tis most like he will.
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BRUTUS ’Tis most like he will.
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SICINIUS It shall be to him then as our good wills,
A sure destruction.
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SICINIUS It shall be to him then as our good wills,
A sure destruction.
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BRUTUS So it must fall out
To him or our authorities. For an end,
260 We must suggest the people in what hatred
He still hath held them; that to’s power he would
Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and
Dispropertied their freedoms, holding them,
In human action and capacity,
265 Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
Than camels in the war, who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.
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BRUTUS So it must fall out
To him or our authorities. For an end,
We must suggest the people in what hatred
He still hath held them; that to’s power he would
Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and
Dispropertied their freedoms, holding them,
In human action and capacity,
Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
Than camels in the war, who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.
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SICINIUS This, as you say, suggested
270 At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall touch the people—which time shall not want,
If he be put upon ’t; and that’s as easy
As to set dogs on sheep—will be his fire
To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
275 Shall darken him for ever.
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SICINIUS This, as you say, suggested
At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall touch the people—which time shall not want,
If he be put upon ’t; and that’s as easy
As to set dogs on sheep—will be his fire
To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever.
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Enter a Messenger
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Enter a Messenger
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BRUTUS What’s the matter?
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BRUTUS What’s the matter?
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MESSENGER You are sent for to the Capitol. ’Tis thought
That Martius shall be consul:
I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and
280 The blind to bear him speak: matrons flung gloves,
Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers,
Upon him as he pass’d: the nobles bended,
As to Jove’s statue, and the commons made
A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:
285 I never saw the like.
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MESSENGER You are sent for to the Capitol. ’Tis thought
That Martius shall be consul:
I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and
The blind to bear him speak: matrons flung gloves,
Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers,
Upon him as he pass’d: the nobles bended,
As to Jove’s statue, and the commons made
A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:
I never saw the like.
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BRUTUS Let’s to the Capitol;
And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,
But hearts for the event.
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BRUTUS Let’s to the Capitol;
And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,
But hearts for the event.
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SICINIUS Have with you.
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SICINIUS Have with you.
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Exeunt
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Exeunt
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