The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



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Reference: cc2v - Tragedies, p. 28

Left Column


The Tragedie of Coriolanus. And beare the Palme, for hauing brauely shed Thy Wife and Childrens blood: For my selfe, Sonne, I purpose not to waite on Fortune, till
[3320]
These warres determine: If I cannot perswade thee, Rather to shew a Noble grace to both parts, Then seeke the end of one; thou shalt no sooner March to assault thy Country, then to treade (Trust too't, thou shalt not) on thy Mothers wombe
[3325]
That brought thee to this world.
Virg. I, and mine, that brought you forth this boy, To keepe your name liuing to time. Boy. A shall not tread on me: Ile run away Till I am bigger, but then Ile fight. Corio.
[3330]
Not of a womans tendernesse to be, Requires nor Childe, nor womans face to see: I haue sate too long.
Volum. Nay, go not from vs thus: If it were so, that our request did tend
[3335]
To saue the Romanes, thereby to destroy The Volces whom you serue, you might condemne vs As poysonous of your Honour. No, our suite Is that you reconcile them: While the Volces May say, this mercy we haue shew'd: the Romanes,
[3340]
This we receiu'd, and each in either side Giue the All‑haile to thee, and cry be Blest For making vp this peace. Thou know'st (great Sonne) The end of Warres vncertaine: but this certaine, That if thou conquer Rome, the benefit
[3345]
Which thou shalt thereby reape, is such a name Whose repetition will be dogg'd with Curses: Whose Chronicle thus writ, The man was Noble, But with his last Attempt, he wip'd it out: Destroy'd his Country, and his name remaines
[3350]
To th'insuing Age, abhorr'd. Speake to me Son: Thou hast affected the fiue straines of Honor, To imitate the graces of the Gods. To teare with Thunder the wide Cheekes a'th'Ayre, And yet to change thy Sulphure with a Boult
[3355]
That should but riue an Oake. Why do'st not speake? Think'st thou it Honourable for a Nobleman Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speake you: He cares not for your weeping. Speake thou Boy, Perhaps thy childishnesse will moue him more
[3360]
Then can our Reasons. There's no man in the world More bound to's Mother, yet heere he let's me prate Like one i'th'Stockes. Thou hast neuer in thy life, Shew'd thy deere Mother any curtesie, When she (poore Hen) fond of no second brood,
[3365]
Ha's clock'd thee to the Warres: and safelie home Loden with Honor. Say my Request's vniust, And spurne me backe: But, if it be not so Thou art not honest, and the Gods will plague Thee That thou restrain'st from me the Duty, which
[3370]
To a Mothers part belongs. He turnes away: Down Ladies: let vs shame him with him with our knees To his sur‑name Coriolanus longs more pride Then pitty to our Prayers. Downe: an end, This is the last. So, we will home to Rome,
[3375]
And dye among our Neighbours: Nay, behold's, This Boy that cannot tell what he would haue, But kneeles, and holds vp hands for fellowship, Doe's reason our Petition with more strength Then thou hast to deny't. Come, let vs go:
[3380]
This Fellow had a Volcean to his Mother: His Wife is in Corioles, and his Childe Like him by chance: yet giue vs our dispatch:

Right Column


I am husht vntill our City be afire, & then Ile speak a litle Holds her by the hand silent. Corio. O Mother, Mother!
[3385]
What haue you done? Behold, the Heauens do ope, The Gods looke downe, and this vnnaturall Scene They laugh at. Oh my Mother, Mother: Oh! You haue wonne a happy Victory to Rome. But for your Sonne, beleeue it: Oh beleeue it,
[3390]
Most dangerously you haue with him preuail'd, If not most mortall to him. But let it come: Auffidius, though I cannot make true Warres, Ile frame conuenient peace. Now good Auffidius, Were you in my steed, would you haue heard
[3395]
A Mother lesse? or granted lesse Auffidius?
Auf.

I was mou'd withall.

Corio. I dare be sworne you were: And sir, it is no little thing to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But (good sir)
[3400]
What peace you'l make, aduise me: For my part, Ile not to Rome, Ile backe with you, and pray you Stand to me in this cause. Oh Mother! Wife!
Auf. I am glad thou hast set thy mercy, & thy Honor At difference in thee: Out of that Ile worke
[3405]
My selfe a former Fortune.
Corio. I by and by; But we will drinke together: And you shall beare A better witnesse backe then words, which we On like conditions, will haue Counter‑seal'd.
[3410]
Come enter with vs: Ladies you deserue To haue a Temple built you: All the Swords In Italy, and her Confederate Armes Could not haue made this peace.
Exeunt.
[Act 5, Scene 4] Enter Menenius and Sicinius. Mene.

See you yon'd Coin a'th Capitol, yon'd corner

[3415]

(stone?

Sicin.

Why what of that?

Mene.

If it be possible for you to displace it with your

little finger, there is some hope the Ladies of Rome, espe­

cially his Mother, may preuaile with him. But I say, there

[3420]

is no hope in't, our throats are sentenc'd, and stay vppon

execution.

Sicin.

Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the

condition of a man.

Mene.

There is differency between a Grub & a But­

[3425]

terfly, yet your Butterfly was a Grub: this Martius, is

growne from Man to Dragon: He has wings, hee's more

then a creeping thing.

Sicin.

He lou'd his Mother deerely.

Mene.

So did he mee: and he no more remembers his

[3430]

Mother now, then an eight yeare old horse. The tartnesse

of his face, sowres ripe Grapes. When he walks, he moues

like an Engine, and the ground shrinkes before his Trea­

ding. He is able to pierce a Corslet with his eye: Talkes

like a knell, and his hum is a Battery. He sits in his State,

[3435]

as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids bee done, is

finisht with his bidding. He wants nothing of a God but

Eternity, and a Heauen to Throne in.

Sicin.

Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.

Mene.

I paint him in the Character. Mark what mer­

[3440]

cy his Mother shall bring from him: There is no more

mercy in him, then there is milke in a male‑Tyger, that

shall our poore City finde: and all this is long of you.

Sicin.

The Gods be good vnto vs.

Mene.

No, in such a case the Gods will not bee good

[3445]

vnto vs. When we banish'd him, we respected not them:

and he returning to breake our necks, they respect not vs.

Enter a Messenger. Mess.

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[Act 5, Scene 4] Enter Menenius and Sicinius. Mene.

See you yon'd Coin a'th Capitol, yon'd corner

[3415]

(stone?

Sicin.

Why what of that?

Mene.

If it be possible for you to displace it with your

little finger, there is some hope the Ladies of Rome, espe­

cially his Mother, may preuaile with him. But I say, there

[3420]

is no hope in't, our throats are sentenc'd, and stay vppon

execution.

Sicin.

Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the

condition of a man.

Mene.

There is differency between a Grub & a But­

[3425]

terfly, yet your Butterfly was a Grub: this Martius, is

growne from Man to Dragon: He has wings, hee's more

then a creeping thing.

Sicin.

He lou'd his Mother deerely.

Mene.

So did he mee: and he no more remembers his

[3430]

Mother now, then an eight yeare old horse. The tartnesse

of his face, sowres ripe Grapes. When he walks, he moues

like an Engine, and the ground shrinkes before his Trea­

ding. He is able to pierce a Corslet with his eye: Talkes

like a knell, and his hum is a Battery. He sits in his State,

[3435]

as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids bee done, is

finisht with his bidding. He wants nothing of a God but

Eternity, and a Heauen to Throne in.

Sicin.

Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.

Mene.

I paint him in the Character. Mark what mer­

[3440]

cy his Mother shall bring from him: There is no more

mercy in him, then there is milke in a male‑Tyger, that

shall our poore City finde: and all this is long of you.

Sicin.

The Gods be good vnto vs.

Mene.

No, in such a case the Gods will not bee good

[3445]

vnto vs. When we banish'd him, we respected not them:

and he returning to breake our necks, they respect not vs.

Enter a Messenger. Mes. Sir, if you'ld saue your life, flye to your House, The Plebeians haue got your Fellow Tribune, And hale him vp and downe; all swearing, if
[3450]
The Romane Ladies bring not comfort home They'l giue him death by Inches.
Enter another Messenger. Sicin.

What's the Newes?

Mess. Good Newes, good newes, the Ladies haue (preuayl'd, The Volcians are dislodg'd, and Martius gone:
[3455]
A merrier day did neuer yet greet Rome, No, not th'expulsion of the Tarquins.
Sicin. Friend, art thou certaine this is true? Is't most certaine. Mes. As certaine as I know the Sun is fire:
[3460]
Where haue you lurk'd that you make doubt of it: Ne're through an Arch so hurried the blowne Tide, As the recomforted through th'gates. Why harke you: Trumpets, Hoboyes, Drums beate, altogether. The Trumpets, Sack‑buts, Psalteries, and Fifes, Tabors, and Symboles, and the showting Romans,
[3465]
Make the Sunne dance. Hearke you.
A shout within Mene. This is good Newes: I will go meete the Ladies. This Volumnia, Is worth of Consuls, Senators, Patricians, A City full: Of Tribunes such as you,
[3470]
A Sea and Land full: you haue pray'd well to day: This Morning, for ten thousand of your throates, I'de not haue giuen a doit. Harke, how they ioy.
Sound still with the Shouts. Sicin. First, the Gods blesse you for your tydings: Next, accept my thankefulnesse. Mess.
[3475]

Sir, we haue all great cause to giue great thanks.

Sicin.

They are neere the City.

Mes.

Almost at point to enter.

Sicin.

Wee'l meet them, and helpe the ioy.

Exeunt.
 

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<div type="scene" n="4" rend="notPresent">
   <head type="supplied">[Act 5, Scene 4]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Menenius and Sicinius.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3414">See you yon'd Coin a'th Capitol, yon'd corner
      <lb rend="turnover" n="3415"/>
         <pc rend="turnover">(</pc>stone?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-sic">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sicin.</speaker>
      <p n="3416">Why what of that?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3417">If it be possible for you to displace it with your
      <lb n="3418"/>little finger, there is some hope the Ladies of Rome, espe­
      <lb n="3419"/>cially his Mother, may preuaile with him. But I say, there
      <lb n="3420"/>is no hope in't, our throats are sentenc'd, and stay vppon
      <lb n="3421"/>execution.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-sic">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sicin.</speaker>
      <p n="3422">Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the
      <lb n="3423"/>condition of a man.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3424">There is differency between a Grub &amp; a But­
      <lb n="3425"/>terfly, yet your Butterfly was a Grub: this<hi rend="italic">Martius</hi>, is
      <lb n="3426"/>growne from Man to Dragon: He has wings, hee's more
      <lb n="3427"/>then a creeping thing.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-sic">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sicin.</speaker>
      <p n="3428">He lou'd his Mother deerely.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3429">So did he mee: and he no more remembers his
      <lb n="3430"/>Mother now, then an eight yeare old horse. The tartnesse
      <lb n="3431"/>of his face, sowres ripe Grapes. When he walks, he moues
      <lb n="3432"/>like an Engine, and the ground shrinkes before his Trea­
      <lb n="3433"/>ding. He is able to pierce a Corslet with his eye: Talkes
      <lb n="3434"/>like a knell, and his hum is a Battery. He sits in his State,
      <lb n="3435"/>as a thing made for<hi rend="italic">Alexander</hi>. What he bids bee done, is
      <lb n="3436"/>finisht with his bidding. He wants nothing of a God but
      <lb n="3437"/>Eternity, and a Heauen to Throne in.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-sic">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sicin.</speaker>
      <p n="3438">Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3439">I paint him in the Character. Mark what mer­
      <lb n="3440"/>cy his Mother shall bring from him: There is no more
      <lb n="3441"/>mercy in him, then there is milke in a male‑Tyger, that
      <lb n="3442"/>shall our poore City finde: and all this is long of you.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-sic">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sicin.</speaker>
      <p n="3443">The Gods be good vnto vs.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3444">No, in such a case the Gods will not bee good
      <lb n="3445"/>vnto vs. When we banish'd him, we respected not them:
      <lb n="3446"/>and he returning to breake our necks, they respect not vs.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter a Messenger.</stage>
   <pb facs="FFimg:axc0647-0.jpg" n="29"/>
   <cb n="1"/>
   <sp who="#F-cor-mes">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mes.</speaker>
      <l n="3447">Sir, if you'ld saue your life, flye to your House,</l>
      <l n="3448">The Plebeians haue got your Fellow Tribune,</l>
      <l n="3449">And hale him vp and downe; all swearing, if</l>
      <l n="3450">The Romane Ladies bring not comfort home</l>
      <l n="3451">They'l giue him death by Inches.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter another Messenger.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-cor-sic">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sicin.</speaker>
      <p n="3452">What's the Newes?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-mes">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mess.</speaker>
      <l n="3453">Good Newes, good newes, the Ladies haue
      <lb rend="turnover"/>
         <pc rend="turnover">(</pc>preuayl'd,</l>
      <l n="3454">The Volcians are dislodg'd, and<hi rend="italic">Martius</hi>gone:</l>
      <l n="3455">A merrier day did neuer yet greet Rome,</l>
      <l n="3456">No, not th'expulsion of the<hi rend="italic">Tarquins</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-sic">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sicin.</speaker>
      <l n="3457">Friend, art thou certaine this is true?</l>
      <l n="3458">Is't most certaine.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-mes">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mes.</speaker>
      <l n="3459">As certaine as I know the Sun is fire:</l>
      <l n="3460">Where haue you lurk'd that you make doubt of it:</l>
      <l n="3461">Ne're through an Arch so hurried the blowne Tide,</l>
      <l n="3462">As the recomforted through th'gates. Why harke you:</l>
      <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Trumpets, Hoboyes, Drums beate, altogether.</stage>
      <l n="3463">The Trumpets, Sack‑buts, Psalteries, and Fifes,</l>
      <l n="3464">Tabors, and Symboles, and the showting Romans,</l>
      <l n="3465">Make the Sunne dance. Hearke you.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic inline" type="business">A shout within</stage>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <l n="3466">This is good Newes:</l>
      <l n="3467">I will go meete the Ladies. This<hi rend="italic">Volumnia</hi>,</l>
      <l n="3468">Is worth of Consuls, Senators, Patricians,</l>
      <l n="3469">A City full: Of Tribunes such as you,</l>
      <l n="3470">A Sea and Land full: you haue pray'd well to day:</l>
      <l n="3471">This Morning, for ten thousand of your throates,</l>
      <l n="3472">I'de not haue giuen a doit. Harke, how they ioy.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Sound still with the Shouts.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-cor-sic">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sicin.</speaker>
      <l n="3473">First, the Gods blesse you for your tydings:</l>
      <l n="3474">Next, accept my thankefulnesse.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-mes">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mess.</speaker>
      <p n="3475">Sir, we haue all great cause to giue great thanks.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-sic">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sicin.</speaker>
      <p n="3476">They are neere the City.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-mes">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mes.</speaker>
      <p n="3477">Almost at point to enter.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-sic">
      <speaker rend="italic">Sicin.</speaker>
      <p n="3478">Wee'l meet them, and helpe the ioy.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic inline" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

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