Cor. Kindly? Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to show you, 2 Cit. An't were to give again, but 't is no matter. - [Exeunt the Two Citizens. Enter two other Citizens. Cor. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown. 3 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. Cor. Your enigma? 3 Cit. You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends: you have not, indeed, loved the common people. Cor. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love. I will, Sir, flatter my sworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them: 't is a condition they account gentle; and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly: that is, Sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man, and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul. 4 Cit. We hope to find you our friend, and therefore give you our voices heartily. 3 Cit. You have received many wounds for your country. Cor. I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no farther. Both Cit. The gods give you joy, Sir, heartily. [Exeunt. Better it is to die, better to starve, Than crave the hire which first we do deserve. Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to 't: To one that would do thus. I am half through: The one part suffer'd, the other will I do. Enter three other Citizens. Here come more voices. Your voices for your voices I have fought; 5 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice. 6 Cit. Therefore, let him be consul. The gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people. Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS, and SICINIUS. Men. You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes Endue you with the people's voice: remains That, in th' official marks invested, you Anon do meet the senate. Sic. The custom of request you have discharg'd. The people do admit you; and are summon'd To meet anon upon your approbation. Cor. That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again, Men. I'll keep you company. Sic. Will you along? Fare you well. [Exeunt CORIOL. and MENEN. With a proud heart he wore He has it now; and by his looks, methinks, 'Tis warm at 's heart. Bru. His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people? Re-enter Citizens. Sic. How now, my masters! have you chose this man? 1 Cit. He has our voices, Sir. 2 Cit. Amen, Sir. To my poor unworthy notice, may deserve your loves. Certainly, He mock'd us when he begg'd our voices. 3 Cit. He flouted us down-right. 1 Cit. No, 't is his kind of speech; he did not mock us. 2 Cit. Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says, He us'd us scornfully: he should have show'd us His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for's country. Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure. All. No, no; no man saw em. 3 Cit. He said, he had wounds, which he could show in private; And with his hat thus waving it in scorn, "I would be consul," says he: "aged custom, thank you, Sic. Why, either, were you ignorant to see 't, Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness To yield your voices? Bru. Could you not have told him, As you were lesson'd - when he had no power, Sic. Tying him to aught; so, putting him to rage, Bru. Did you perceive, When he did need your loves, and do you think, Against the rectorship of judgment? Sic. Have you, Ere now, denied the asker; and, now again, Of him, that did not ask, but mock, bestow Your sued-for tongues? 3 Cit. He's not confirm'd; we may deny him yet. 2 Cit. And will deny him: I'll have five hundred voices of that sound. 1 Cit. Ay, twice five hundred, and their friends to piece 'em. Bru. Get you hence instantly; and tell those friends, They have chose a consul that will from them take Their liberties; make them of no more voice Than dogs, that are as often beat for barking, As therefore kept to do so. Sic. Bru. Sic. Say, you chose him By your own true affections; and that, your minds, Than what you should, made you against the grain Bru. Ay, spare us not. Say, we read lectures to you, How youngly he began to serve his country. How long continued, and what stock he springs of, The noble house o' the Marcians; from whence came Who, after great Hostilius, here was king. |