From off the rock Tarpeian, never more Cit. It shall be so, It shall be so; let him away: he's banish'd, Com. Hear me, my masters, and my common friends; Sic. He's sentenc'd: no more hearing. Com. Let me speak: I have been consul, and can show from! Rome, Her enemies' marks upon me. I do love My country's good, with a respect more tender, More holy, and profound, than mine own life, My dear wife's estimate,2 her womb's increase, And treasure of my loins; then if I would Speak that Sic. We know your drift: Speak what? Bru. There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd, As enemy to the people, and his country: It shall be so. Cit. It shall be so, it shall be so. Cor. You common cry3 of curs! whose breath I hate As reek o'the rotten fens, whose loves I prize That do corrupt my air, I banish you; (Still your own foes,) deliver you, as most (1) For. (2) Value. (3) Pack (5) Subdued, That won you without blows! Despising, [Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, Menenius, Edi. The people's enemy is gone, is gone! Cit. Our enemy's banish'd! he is gone! Hoo! hoo! [The People shout, and throw up their caps. Sic. Go, see him out at gates, and follow him, As he hath follow'd you, with all despite; Give him deserv'd vexation. Let a guard Attend us through the city. Cit. Come, come, let us see him out at gates; come: The gods preserve our noble tribunes!--Come. ACT IV. [Exeunt. SCENE 1.-The same. Before a gate of the city. Enter Coriolanus, Volumnia, Virgilia, Menenius, Cominius, and several young Patricians. Cor. Come, leave your tears; a brief farewell :the beast! With many heads butts me away.-Nay, mother, Where is your ancient courage? you were us'd To say, extremity was the trier of spirits; That common chances common men could bear; That, when the sea was calm, all boats alike Show'd mastership in floating: fortune's blows, When most struck home, being gentle wounded, craves A noble cunning: you were us'd to load me (1) The government of the people. The heart that conn'd them. Vir. O heavens! O heavens ! Cor. Nay, I pr'ythee, woman,— Vol. Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome, And occupations perish! Cor. What, what, what! I shall be lov'd when I am lack'd. Nay, mother, Resume that spirit, when you were wont to say, you had been the wife of Hercules, If Six of his labours you'd have done, and sav'd As 'tis to laugh at them. My mother, you wot well, Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen Makes fear'd, and talk'd of more than seen,) your son Will, or exceed the common, or be caught Vol. Cor. O the gods! Com. I'll follow thee a month, devise with thee Where thou shalt rest, that thou may'st hear of us, And we of thee: so, if the time thrust forth A cause for thy repeal, we shall not send (1) Foolish. (2) Insidious. (3) Noblest. O'er the vast world, to seek a single man; Cor. Fare ye wellThou hast years upon thee; and thou art too full Of the wars' surfeits, to go rove with one That's yet unbruis'd: bring me but out at gate.Come, my sweet wife, my dearest mother, and My friends of noble touch, when I am forth, Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you, come. While I remain above the ground, you shall Hear from me still; and never of me aught But what is like me formerly. Men. That's worthily As any ear can hear.-Come, let's not weep.If I could shake off but one seven years From these old arms and legs, by the good gods, I'd with thee every foot. Cor. Come. Give me thy hand : [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. A street near the gate. Enter Sicinius, Brutus, and an Edile. Sic. Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further. The nobility are vex'd, who, we see, have sided Bru. Now we have shown our power, Sic. Say, their great enemy is gone, and they Bru. Bid them home: Dismiss them home. [Exit Edile. Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius. Here comes his mother. (1) True metal. Keep on your way. Vol. O, you're well met: The hoarded plague o'the gods Requite your love! Men. Peace, peace; be not so loud. Vol. If that I could for weeping, you should hear, Nay, and you shall hear some.-Will you be gone? [To Brutus. Vir. You shall stay too: [To Sicin.] I would, I had the power To say so to my husband. Sic. Are you mankind? Vol. Ay, fool; is that a shame?-Note but this, fool. Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship! To banish him that struck more blows for Rome, Than thou hast spoken words? Sic. O blessed heavens! Vol. More noble blows, than ever thou wise words; And for Rome's good.-I'll tell thee what ;-Yet go: Nay, but thou shalt stay too :-I would my son His good sword in his hand. Sic. Vir. What then? What then? He'd make an end of thy posterity. Vol. Bastards, and all.— Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome! Men. Come, come, peace. Sic. I would he had continu'd to his country, As he began; and not unknit himself (1) Mean cunning. |