This is cleane kamme.
If it were so?
Menenius, be you then as the peoples officer:
Go not home.
Martius, wee'l proceede
Pray you let's to him.
You do the Nobler.
Here you can read a digital edition of each play in various views.
Left Column
This is cleane kamme.
If it were so?
Go not home.
Pray you let's to him.
You do the Nobler.
Right Column
Let go.
Let them hang.
I, and burne too.
Come, come, you haue bin too rough, somthing
too rough: you must returne, and mend it.
What must I do?
Returne to th'Tribunes.
Well, what then? what then?
Repent, what you haue spoke.
Tush, tush.
A good demand.
Why force you this?
You do the Nobler.
Let go.
Let them hang.
I, and burne too.
Come, come, you haue bin too rough, somthing
too rough: you must returne, and mend it.
What must I do?
Returne to th'Tribunes.
Well, what then? what then?
Repent, what you haue spoke.
Tush, tush.
A good demand.
Why force you this?
Here is
Cominius.
Onely faire speech.
I thinke 'twill serue, if he can thereto frame his
spirit.
Come, come, wee'le prompt you.
Do your will.
I, but mildely.
Well mildely be it then, Mildely.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="2" rend="notPresent">
<head type="supplied">[Act 3, Scene 2]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Coriolanus with Nobles.</stage>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<l n="1977">Let them pull all about mine eares, present me</l>
<l n="1978">Death on the Wheele, or at wilde Horses heeles,</l>
<l n="1979">Or pile ten hilles on the Tarpeian Rocke,</l>
<l n="1980">That the precipitation might downe stretch</l>
<l n="1981">Below the beame of sight; yet will I still</l>
<l n="1982">Be thus to them.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Volumnia.</stage>
<sp who="#F-cor-nob">
<speaker rend="italic">Noble.</speaker>
<p n="1983">You do the Nobler.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<l n="1984">I muse my Mother</l>
<l n="1985">Do's not approue me further, who was wont</l>
<l n="1986">To call them Wollen Vassailes, things created</l>
<l n="1987">To buy and sell with Groats, to shew bare heads</l>
<l n="1988">In Congregations, to yawne, be still, and wonder,</l>
<l n="1989">When one but of my ordinance stood vp</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="1990">To speake of Peace, or Warre. I talke of you,</l>
<l n="1991">Why did you wish me milder? Would you haue me</l>
<l n="1992">False to my Nature? Rather say, I play</l>
<l n="1993">The man I am.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<l n="1994">Oh sir, sir, sir,</l>
<l n="1995">I would haue had you put your power well on</l>
<l n="1996">Before you had worne it out.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<p n="1997">Let go.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Vol.</speaker>
<l n="1998">You might haue beene enough the man you are,</l>
<l n="1999">With striuing lesse to be so: Lesser had bin</l>
<l n="2000">The things of your dispositions, if</l>
<l n="2001">You had not shew'd them how ye were dispos'd</l>
<l n="2002">Ere they lack'd power to crosse you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<p n="2003">Let them hang.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<p n="2004">I, and burne too.</p>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Menenius with the Senators.</stage>
<sp who="#F-cor-men">
<speaker rend="italic">Men.</speaker>
<p n="2005">Come, come, you haue bin too rough, somthing
<lb n="2006"/>too rough: you must returne, and mend it.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-sen">
<speaker rend="italic">Sen.</speaker>
<l n="2007">There's no remedy,</l>
<l n="2008">Vnlesse by not so doing, our good Citie</l>
<l n="2009">Cleaue in the midd'st, and perish.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<l n="2010">Pray be counsail'd;</l>
<l n="2011">I haue a heart as little apt as yours,</l>
<l n="2012">But yet a braine, that leades my vse of Anger</l>
<l n="2013">To better vantage.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-men">
<speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
<l n="2014">Well said, Noble woman:</l>
<l n="2015">Before he should thus stoope to'th'heart, but that</l>
<l n="2016">The violent fit a'th'time craues it as Physicke</l>
<l n="2017">For the whole State; I would put mine Armour on,</l>
<l n="2018">Which I can scarsely beare.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<p n="2019">What must I do?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-men">
<speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
<p n="2020">Returne to th'Tribunes.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<p n="2021">Well, what then? what then?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-men">
<speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
<p n="2022">Repent, what you haue spoke.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<l n="2023">For them, I cannot do it to the Gods,</l>
<l n="2024">Must I then doo't to them?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<l n="2025">You are too absolute,</l>
<l n="2026">Though therein you can neuer be too Noble,</l>
<l n="2027">But when extremities speake. I haue heard you say,</l>
<l n="2028">Honor and Policy, like vnseuer'd Friends,</l>
<l n="2029">I'th'Warre do grow together: Grant that, and tell me</l>
<l n="2030">In Peace, what each of them by th'other loose,</l>
<l n="2031">That they combine not there?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<p n="2032">Tush, tush.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-men">
<speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
<p n="2033">A good demand.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<l n="2034">If it be Honor in your Warres, to seeme</l>
<l n="2035">The same you are not, which for your best ends</l>
<l n="2036">You adopt your policy: How is it lesse or worse</l>
<l n="2037">That it shall hold Companionship in Peace</l>
<l n="2038">With Honour, as in Warre; since that to both</l>
<l n="2039">It stands in like request</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<p n="2040">Why force you this?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<l n="2041">Because, that</l>
<l n="2042">Now it lyes you on to speake to th'people:</l>
<l n="2043">Not by your owne instruction, nor by'th'matter</l>
<l n="2044">Which your heart prompts you, but with such words</l>
<l n="2045">That are but roated in your Tongue;</l>
<l n="2046">Though but Bastards, and Syllables</l>
<l n="2047">Of no allowance, to your bosomes truth.</l>
<l n="2048">Now, this no more dishonors you at all,</l>
<l n="2049">Then to take in a Towne with gentle words,</l>
<l n="2050">Which else would put you to your fortune, and</l>
<l n="2051">The hazard of much blood.</l>
<l n="2052">I would dissemble with my Nature, where</l>
<l n="2053">My Fortunes and my Friends at stake, requir'd</l>
<l n="2054">I should do so in Honor. I am in this</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0636-0.jpg" n="18"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="2055">Your Wife, your Sonne: These Senators, the Nobles,</l>
<l n="2056">And you, will rather shew our generall Lowts,</l>
<l n="2057">How you can frowne, then spend a fawne vpon 'em,</l>
<l n="2058">For the inheritance of their loues, and safeguard</l>
<l n="2059">Of what that want might ruine.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-men">
<speaker rend="italic">Menen.</speaker>
<l n="2060">Noble Lady,</l>
<l n="2061">Come goe with vs, speake faire: you may salue so,</l>
<l n="2062">Not what is dangerous present, but the losse</l>
<l n="2063">Of what is past.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<l n="2064">I prythee now, my Sonne,</l>
<l n="2065">Goe to them, with this Bonnet in thy hand,</l>
<l n="2066">And thus farre hauing stretcht it (here be with them)</l>
<l n="2067">Thy Knee bussing the stones: for in such businesse</l>
<l n="2068">Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th'ignorant</l>
<l n="2069">More learned then the eares, wauing thy head,</l>
<l n="2070">Which often thus correcting thy stout heart,</l>
<l n="2071">Now humble as the ripest Mulberry,</l>
<l n="2072">That will not hold the handling: or say to them,</l>
<l n="2073">Thou art their Souldier, and being bred in broyles,</l>
<l n="2074">Hast not the soft way, which thou do'st confesse</l>
<l n="2075">Were fit for thee to vse, as they to clayme,</l>
<l n="2076">In asking their good loues, but thou wilt frame</l>
<l n="2077">Thy selfe (forsooth) hereafter theirs so farre,</l>
<l n="2078">As thou hast power and person.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-men">
<speaker rend="italic">Menen.</speaker>
<l n="2079">This but done,</l>
<l n="2080">Euen as she speakes, why their hearts were yours:</l>
<l n="2081">For they haue Pardons, being ask'd, as free,</l>
<l n="2082">As words to little purpose.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<l n="2083">Prythee now,</l>
<l n="2084">Goe, and be rul'd: although I know thou hadst rather</l>
<l n="2085">Follow thine Enemie in a fierie Gulfe,</l>
<l n="2086">Then flatter him in a Bower.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic inline" type="entrance">Enter Cominius.</stage>
<p>Here is<hi rend="italic">Cominius</hi>.</p>
<sp who="#F-cor-com">
<speaker rend="italic">Com.</speaker>
<l n="2087">I haue beene i'th'Market place: and Sir 'tis fit</l>
<l n="2088">You make strong partie, or defend your selfe</l>
<l n="2089">By calmenesse, or by absence: all's in anger.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-men">
<speaker rend="italic">Menen.</speaker>
<p n="2090">Onely faire speech.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-com">
<speaker rend="italic">Com.</speaker>
<p n="2091">I thinke 'twill serue, if he can thereto frame his
<lb n="2092"/>spirit.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<l n="2093">He must, and will:</l>
<l n="2094">Prythee now say you will, and goe about it.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<l n="2095">Must I goe shew them my vnbarb'd Sconce?</l>
<l n="2096">Must I with my base Tongue giue to my Noble Heart</l>
<l n="2097">A Lye, that it must beare well? I will doo't:</l>
<l n="2098">Yet were there but this single Plot, to loose</l>
<l n="2099">This Mould of Martius, they to dust should grinde it,</l>
<l n="2100">And throw't against the Winde. Toth' Market place:</l>
<l n="2101">You haue put me now to such a part, which neuer</l>
<l n="2102">I shall discharge toth' Life.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-com">
<speaker rend="italic">Com.</speaker>
<p n="2103">Come, come, wee'le prompt you.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<l n="2104">I prythee now sweet Son, as thou hast said</l>
<l n="2105">My praises made thee first a Souldier; so</l>
<l n="2106">To haue my praise for this, performe a part</l>
<l n="2107">Thou hast not done before.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<l n="2108">Well, I must doo't:</l>
<l n="2109">Away my disposition, and possesse me</l>
<l n="2110">Some Harlots spirit: My throat of Warre be turn'd,</l>
<l n="2111">Which quier'd with my Drumme into a Pipe,</l>
<l n="2112">Small as an Eunuch, or the Virgin voyce</l>
<l n="2113">That Babies lull a‑sleepe: The smiles of Knaues</l>
<l n="2114">Tent in my cheekes, and Schoole‑boyes Teares take vp</l>
<l n="2115">The Glasses of my sight: A Beggars Tongue</l>
<l n="2116">Make motion through my Lips, and my Arm'd knees</l>
<l n="2117">Who bow'd but in my Stirrop, bend like his</l>
<l n="2118">That hath receiu'd an Almes. I will not doo't,</l>
<l n="2119">Least I surcease to honor mine owne truth,</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="2120">And by my Bodies action, teach my Minde</l>
<l n="2121">A most inherent Basenesse</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<l n="2122">At thy choice then:</l>
<l n="2123">To begge of thee, it is my more dis‑honor,</l>
<l n="2124">Then thou of them. Come all to ruine, let</l>
<l n="2125">Thy Mother rather feele thy Pride, then feare</l>
<l n="2126">Thy dangerous Stoutnesse: for I mocke at death</l>
<l n="2127">With as bigge heart as thou. Do as thou list,</l>
<l n="2128">Thy Valiantnesse was mine, thou suck'st it from me:</l>
<l n="2129">But owe thy Pride thy selfe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<l n="2130">Pray be content:</l>
<l n="2131">Mother, I am going to the Market place:</l>
<l n="2132">Chide me no more. Ile Mountebanke their Loues,</l>
<l n="2133">Cogge their Hearts from them, and come home belou'd</l>
<l n="2134">Of all the Trades in Rome. Looke, I am going:</l>
<l n="2135">Commend me to my Wife, Ile returne Consull,</l>
<l n="2136">Or neuer trust to what my Tongue can do</l>
<l n="2137">I'th way of Flattery further.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-vlm">
<speaker rend="italic">Volum.</speaker>
<p n="2138">Do your will.</p>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Volumnia</stage>
<sp who="#F-cor-com">
<speaker rend="italic">Com.</speaker>
<l n="2139">Away, the Tribunes do attend you: arm your self</l>
<l n="2140">To answer mildely: for they are prepar'd</l>
<l n="2141">With Accusations, as I heare more strong</l>
<l n="2142">Then are vpon you yet.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<l n="2143">The word is, Mildely. Pray you let vs go,</l>
<l n="2144">Let them accuse me by inuention: I</l>
<l n="2145">Will answer in mine Honor.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-men">
<speaker rend="italic">Menen.</speaker>
<p n="2146">I, but mildely.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-cor-cor">
<speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
<p n="2147">Well mildely be it then, Mildely.</p>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>