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: cc1v - Tragedies, p. 26

Left Column


The Tragedie of Coriolanus. He was not taken well, he had not din'd,
[3060]
The Veines vnfill'd, our blood is cold, and then We powt vpon the Morning, are vnapt To giue or to forgiue; but when we haue stufft These Pipes, and these Conueyances of our blood With Wine and Feeding, we haue suppler Soules
[3065]
Then in our Priest‑like Fasts: therefore Ile watch him Till he be dieted to my request, And then Ile set vpon him.
Bru. You know the very rode into his kindnesse, And cannot lose your way. Mene.
[3070]
Good faith Ile proue him, Speed how it will. I shall ere long, haue knowledge Of my successe.
Exit. Com.

Hee'l neuer heare him.

Sicin.

Not.

Com.
[3075]
I tell you, he doe's sit in Gold, his eye Red as 'twould burne Rome: and his Iniury The Gaoler to his pitty. I kneel'd before him, 'Twas very faintly he said Rise: dismist me Thus with his speechlesse hand. What he would do
[3080]
He sent in writing after me: what he would not, Bound with an Oath to yeeld to his conditions: So that all hope is vaine, vnlesse his Noble Mother, And his Wife, who (as I heare) meane to solicite him For mercy to his Countrey: therefore let's hence,
[3085]
And with our faire intreaties hast them on.
Exeunt
[Act 5, Scene 2] Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard. 1. Wat.

Stay: whence are you.

2. Wat.

Stand, and go backe.

Me. You guard like men, 'tis well. But by your leaue, I am an Officer of State, & come to speak with Coriolanus 1
[3090]

From whence?

Mene.

From Rome.

1

You may not passe, you must returne: our Generall

will no more heare from thence.

2 You'l see your Rome embrac'd with fire, before
[3095]
You'l speake with Coriolanus
Mene. Good my Friends, If you haue heard your Generall talke of Rome, And of his Friends there, it is Lots to Blankes, My name hath touch't your eares: it is Menenius. 1
[3100]
Be it so, go back: the vertue of your name, Is not heere passable.
Mene. I tell thee Fellow, Thy Generall is my Louer: I haue beene The booke of his good Acts, whence men haue read
[3105]
His Fame vnparalell'd, happely amplified: For I haue euer verified my Friends, (Of whom hee's cheefe) with all the size that verity Would without lapsing suffer: Nay, sometimes, Like to a Bowle vpon a subtle ground
[3110]
I haue tumbled past the throw: and in his praise Haue (almost) stampt the Leasing. Therefore Fellow, I must haue leaue to passe.
1

Faith Sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalfe,

as you haue vttered words in your owne, you should not

[3115]

passe heere: no, though it were as vertuous to lye, as to

liue chastly. Therefore go backe.

Men.

Prythee fellow, remember my name is Menenius,

alwayes factionary on the party of your Generall.

2

Howsoeuer you haue bin his Lier, as you say you

[3120]

haue, I am one that telling true vnder him, must say you

cannot passe. Therefore go backe.

Mene.

Ha's he din'd can'st thou tell? For I would not

speake with him, till after dinner.

1

You are a Roman, are you?

Right Column


Mene.
[3125]

I am as thy Generall is.

1

Then you should hate Rome, as he do's. Can you,

when you haue pusht out your gates, the very Defender

of them, and in a violent popular ignorance, giuen your

enemy your shield, thinke to front his reuenges with the

[3130]

easie groanes of old women, the Virginall Palms of your

daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a de­

cay'd Dotant as you seeme to be? Can you think to blow

out the intended fire, your City is ready to flame in, with

such weake breath as this? No, you are deceiu'd, therfore

[3135]

backe to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are

condemn'd, our Generall has sworne you out of repreeue

and pardon.

Mene. Sirra, if thy Captaine knew I were heere, He would vse me with estimation. 1
[3140]

Come, my Captaine knowes you not.

Mene.

I meane thy Generall.

1

My Generall cares not for you. Back I say, go: least

I let forth your halfe pinte of blood. Backe, that's the vt­

most of your hauing, backe.

Mene.
[3145]

Nay but Fellow, Fellow.

Enter Coriolanus with Auffidius. Corio.

What's the matter?

Mene.

Now you Companion: Ile say an arrant for you:

you shall know now that I am in estimation: you shall

perceiue, that a Iacke gardant cannot office me from my

[3150]

Son Coriolanus, guesse but my entertainment with him: if

thou stand'st not i'th state of hanging, or of some death

more long in Spectatorship, and crueller in suffering, be­

hold now presently, and swoond for what's to come vpon

thee. The glorious Gods sit in hourely Synod about thy

[3155]

particular prosperity, and loue thee no worse then thy old

Father Menenius do's. O my Son, my Son! thou art pre­

paring fire for vs: looke thee, heere's water to quench it.

I was hardly moued to come to thee: but beeing assured

none but my selfe could moue thee, I haue bene blowne

[3160]

out of your Gates with sighes: and coniure thee to par­

don Rome, and thy petitionary Countrimen. The good

Gods asswage thy wrath, and turne the dregs of it, vpon

this Varlet heere: This, who like a blocke hath denyed

my accesse to thee.

Corio.
[3165]

Away

Mene.

How? Away?

Corio. Wife, Mother, Child, I know not. My affaires Are Seruanted to others: Though I owe My Reuenge properly, my remission lies
[3170]
In Volcean brests. That we haue beene familiar, Ingrate forgetfulnesse shall poison rather Then pitty: Note how much, therefore be gone. Mine eares against your suites, are stronger then Your gates against my force. Yet for I loued thee,
[3175]
Take this along, I writ it for thy sake, And would haue sent it. Another word Menenius, I will not heare thee speake. This man Auffidius Was my belou'd in Rome: yet thou behold'st.
Auffid.

You keepe a constant temper.

Exeunt Manet the Guard and Menenius. 1
[3180]

Now sir, is your name Menenius?

2 'Tis a spell you see of much power: You know the way home againe. 1

Do you heare how wee are shent for keeping your

greatnesse backe?

2
[3185]

What cause do you thinke I haue to swoond?

Menen.

I neither care for th'world, nor your General:

for such things as you. I can scarse thinke ther's any, y'are

so slight. He that hath a will to die by himselfe, feares it not

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[Act 5, Scene 2] Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard. 1. Wat.

Stay: whence are you.

2. Wat.

Stand, and go backe.

Me. You guard like men, 'tis well. But by your leaue, I am an Officer of State, & come to speak with Coriolanus 1
[3090]

From whence?

Mene.

From Rome.

1

You may not passe, you must returne: our Generall

will no more heare from thence.

2 You'l see your Rome embrac'd with fire, before
[3095]
You'l speake with Coriolanus
Mene. Good my Friends, If you haue heard your Generall talke of Rome, And of his Friends there, it is Lots to Blankes, My name hath touch't your eares: it is Menenius. 1
[3100]
Be it so, go back: the vertue of your name, Is not heere passable.
Mene. I tell thee Fellow, Thy Generall is my Louer: I haue beene The booke of his good Acts, whence men haue read
[3105]
His Fame vnparalell'd, happely amplified: For I haue euer verified my Friends, (Of whom hee's cheefe) with all the size that verity Would without lapsing suffer: Nay, sometimes, Like to a Bowle vpon a subtle ground
[3110]
I haue tumbled past the throw: and in his praise Haue (almost) stampt the Leasing. Therefore Fellow, I must haue leaue to passe.
1

Faith Sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalfe,

as you haue vttered words in your owne, you should not

[3115]

passe heere: no, though it were as vertuous to lye, as to

liue chastly. Therefore go backe.

Men.

Prythee fellow, remember my name is Menenius,

alwayes factionary on the party of your Generall.

2

Howsoeuer you haue bin his Lier, as you say you

[3120]

haue, I am one that telling true vnder him, must say you

cannot passe. Therefore go backe.

Mene.

Ha's he din'd can'st thou tell? For I would not

speake with him, till after dinner.

1

You are a Roman, are you?

Mene.
[3125]

I am as thy Generall is.

1

Then you should hate Rome, as he do's. Can you,

when you haue pusht out your gates, the very Defender

of them, and in a violent popular ignorance, giuen your

enemy your shield, thinke to front his reuenges with the

[3130]

easie groanes of old women, the Virginall Palms of your

daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a de­

cay'd Dotant as you seeme to be? Can you think to blow

out the intended fire, your City is ready to flame in, with

such weake breath as this? No, you are deceiu'd, therfore

[3135]

backe to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are

condemn'd, our Generall has sworne you out of repreeue

and pardon.

Mene. Sirra, if thy Captaine knew I were heere, He would vse me with estimation. 1
[3140]

Come, my Captaine knowes you not.

Mene.

I meane thy Generall.

1

My Generall cares not for you. Back I say, go: least

I let forth your halfe pinte of blood. Backe, that's the vt­

most of your hauing, backe.

Mene.
[3145]

Nay but Fellow, Fellow.

Enter Coriolanus with Auffidius. Corio.

What's the matter?

Mene.

Now you Companion: Ile say an arrant for you:

you shall know now that I am in estimation: you shall

perceiue, that a Iacke gardant cannot office me from my

[3150]

Son Coriolanus, guesse but my entertainment with him: if

thou stand'st not i'th state of hanging, or of some death

more long in Spectatorship, and crueller in suffering, be­

hold now presently, and swoond for what's to come vpon

thee. The glorious Gods sit in hourely Synod about thy

[3155]

particular prosperity, and loue thee no worse then thy old

Father Menenius do's. O my Son, my Son! thou art pre­

paring fire for vs: looke thee, heere's water to quench it.

I was hardly moued to come to thee: but beeing assured

none but my selfe could moue thee, I haue bene blowne

[3160]

out of your Gates with sighes: and coniure thee to par­

don Rome, and thy petitionary Countrimen. The good

Gods asswage thy wrath, and turne the dregs of it, vpon

this Varlet heere: This, who like a blocke hath denyed

my accesse to thee.

Corio.
[3165]

Away

Mene.

How? Away?

Corio. Wife, Mother, Child, I know not. My affaires Are Seruanted to others: Though I owe My Reuenge properly, my remission lies
[3170]
In Volcean brests. That we haue beene familiar, Ingrate forgetfulnesse shall poison rather Then pitty: Note how much, therefore be gone. Mine eares against your suites, are stronger then Your gates against my force. Yet for I loued thee,
[3175]
Take this along, I writ it for thy sake, And would haue sent it. Another word Menenius, I will not heare thee speake. This man Auffidius Was my belou'd in Rome: yet thou behold'st.
Auffid.

You keepe a constant temper.

Exeunt Manet the Guard and Menenius. 1
[3180]

Now sir, is your name Menenius?

2 'Tis a spell you see of much power: You know the way home againe. 1

Do you heare how wee are shent for keeping your

greatnesse backe?

2
[3185]

What cause do you thinke I haue to swoond?

Menen.

I neither care for th'world, nor your General:

for such things as you. I can scarse thinke ther's any, y'are

so slight. He that hath a will to die by himselfe, feares it not from another: Let your Generall do his worst. For

you, bee that you are, long; and your misery increase

[3190]

with your age. I say to you, as I was said to, Away.

Exit 1

A Noble Fellow I warrant him.

2 The worthy Fellow is our General. He's the Rock, The Oake not to be winde‑shaken. Exit Watch.
 

Download the digital text of the play

                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="2" rend="notPresent">
   <head type="supplied">[Act 5, Scene 2]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1. Wat.</speaker>
      <p n="3086">Stay: whence are you.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.2">
      <speaker rend="italic">2. Wat.</speaker>
      <p n="3087">Stand, and go backe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Me.</speaker>
      <l n="3088">You guard like men, 'tis well. But by your leaue,</l>
      <l n="3089">I am an Officer of State, &amp; come to speak with<hi rend="italic">Coriolanus</hi>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1</speaker>
      <p n="3090">From whence?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3091">From Rome.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1</speaker>
      <p n="3092">You may not passe, you must returne: our Generall
      <lb n="3093"/>will no more heare from thence.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.2">
      <speaker rend="italic">2</speaker>
      <l n="3094">You'l see your Rome embrac'd with fire, before</l>
      <l n="3095">You'l speake with<hi rend="italic">Coriolanus</hi>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <l n="3096">Good my Friends,</l>
      <l n="3097">If you haue heard your Generall talke of Rome,</l>
      <l n="3098">And of his Friends there, it is Lots to Blankes,</l>
      <l n="3099">My name hath touch't your eares: it is<hi rend="italic">Menenius</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1</speaker>
      <l n="3100">Be it so, go back: the vertue of your name,</l>
      <l n="3101">Is not heere passable.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <l n="3102">I tell thee Fellow,</l>
      <l n="3103">Thy Generall is my Louer: I haue beene</l>
      <l n="3104">The booke of his good Acts, whence men haue read</l>
      <l n="3105">His Fame vnparalell'd, happely amplified:</l>
      <l n="3106">For I haue euer verified my Friends,</l>
      <l n="3107">(Of whom hee's cheefe) with all the size that verity</l>
      <l n="3108">Would without lapsing suffer: Nay, sometimes,</l>
      <l n="3109">Like to a Bowle vpon a subtle ground</l>
      <l n="3110">I haue tumbled past the throw: and in his praise</l>
      <l n="3111">Haue (almost) stampt the Leasing. Therefore Fellow,</l>
      <l n="3112">I must haue leaue to passe.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1</speaker>
      <p n="3113">Faith Sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalfe,
      <lb n="3114"/>as you haue vttered words in your owne, you should not
      <lb n="3115"/>passe heere: no, though it were as vertuous to lye, as to
      <lb n="3116"/>liue chastly. Therefore go backe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Men.</speaker>
      <p n="3117">Prythee fellow, remember my name is<hi rend="italic">Menenius</hi>,
      <lb n="3118"/>alwayes factionary on the party of your Generall.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.2">
      <speaker rend="italic">2</speaker>
      <p n="3119">Howsoeuer you haue bin his Lier, as you say you
      <lb n="3120"/>haue, I am one that telling true vnder him, must say you
      <lb n="3121"/>cannot passe. Therefore go backe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3122">Ha's he din'd can'st thou tell? For I would not
      <lb n="3123"/>speake with him, till after dinner.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1</speaker>
      <p n="3124">You are a Roman, are you?</p>
   </sp>
   <cb n="2"/>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3125">I am as thy Generall is.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1</speaker>
      <p n="3126">Then you should hate Rome, as he do's. Can you,
      <lb n="3127"/>when you haue pusht out your gates, the very Defender
      <lb n="3128"/>of them, and in a violent popular ignorance, giuen your
      <lb n="3129"/>enemy your shield, thinke to front his reuenges with the
      <lb n="3130"/>easie groanes of old women, the Virginall Palms of your
      <lb n="3131"/>daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a de­
      <lb n="3132"/>cay'd Dotant as you seeme to be? Can you think to blow
      <lb n="3133"/>out the intended fire, your City is ready to flame in, with
      <lb n="3134"/>such weake breath as this? No, you are deceiu'd, therfore
      <lb n="3135"/>backe to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are
      <lb n="3136"/>condemn'd, our Generall has sworne you out of repreeue
      <lb n="3137"/>and pardon.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <l n="3138">Sirra, if thy Captaine knew I were heere,</l>
      <l n="3139">He would vse me with estimation.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1</speaker>
      <p n="3140">Come, my Captaine knowes you not.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3141">I meane thy Generall.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1</speaker>
      <p n="3142">My Generall cares not for you. Back I say, go: least
      <lb n="3143"/>I let forth your halfe pinte of blood. Backe, that's the vt­
      <lb n="3144"/>most of your hauing, backe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3145">Nay but Fellow, Fellow.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Coriolanus with Auffidius.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-cor-cor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
      <p n="3146">What's the matter?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3147">Now you Companion: Ile say an arrant for you:
      <lb n="3148"/>you shall know now that I am in estimation: you shall
      <lb n="3149"/>perceiue, that a Iacke gardant cannot office me from my
      <lb n="3150"/>Son<hi rend="italic">Coriolanus</hi>, guesse but my entertainment with him: if
      <lb n="3151"/>thou stand'st not i'th state of hanging, or of some death
      <lb n="3152"/>more long in Spectatorship, and crueller in suffering, be­
      <lb n="3153"/>hold now presently, and swoond for what's to come vpon
      <lb n="3154"/>thee. The glorious Gods sit in hourely Synod about thy
      <lb n="3155"/>particular prosperity, and loue thee no worse then thy old
      <lb n="3156"/>Father<hi rend="italic">Menenius</hi>do's. O my Son, my Son! thou art pre­
      <lb n="3157"/>paring fire for vs: looke thee, heere's water to quench it.
      <lb n="3158"/>I was hardly moued to come to thee: but beeing assured
      <lb n="3159"/>none but my selfe could moue thee, I haue bene blowne
      <lb n="3160"/>out of your Gates with sighes: and coniure thee to par­
      <lb n="3161"/>don Rome, and thy petitionary Countrimen. The good
      <lb n="3162"/>Gods asswage thy wrath, and turne the dregs of it, vpon
      <lb n="3163"/>this Varlet heere: This, who like a blocke hath denyed
      <lb n="3164"/>my accesse to thee.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-cor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
      <p n="3165">Away</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mene.</speaker>
      <p n="3166">How? Away?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-cor">
      <speaker rend="italic">Corio.</speaker>
      <l n="3167">Wife, Mother, Child, I know not. My affaires</l>
      <l n="3168">Are Seruanted to others: Though I owe</l>
      <l n="3169">My Reuenge properly, my remission lies</l>
      <l n="3170">In Volcean brests. That we haue beene familiar,</l>
      <l n="3171">Ingrate forgetfulnesse shall poison rather</l>
      <l n="3172">Then pitty: Note how much, therefore be gone.</l>
      <l n="3173">Mine eares against your suites, are stronger then</l>
      <l n="3174">Your gates against my force. Yet for I loued thee,</l>
      <l n="3175">Take this along, I writ it for thy sake,</l>
      <l n="3176">And would haue sent it. Another word<hi rend="italic">Menenius</hi>,</l>
      <l n="3177">I will not heare thee speake. This man<hi rend="italic">Auffidius</hi>
      </l>
      <l n="3178">Was my belou'd in Rome: yet thou behold'st.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-auf">
      <speaker rend="italic">Auffid.</speaker>
      <p n="3179">You keepe a constant temper.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt</stage>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="business">Manet the Guard and Menenius.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1</speaker>
      <p n="3180">Now sir, is your name<hi rend="italic">Menenius</hi>?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.2">
      <speaker rend="italic">2</speaker>
      <l n="3181">'Tis a spell you see of much power:</l>
      <l n="3182">You know the way home againe.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1</speaker>
      <p n="3183">Do you heare how wee are shent for keeping your
      <lb n="3184"/>greatnesse backe?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.2">
      <speaker rend="italic">2</speaker>
      <p n="3185">What cause do you thinke I haue to swoond?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-men">
      <speaker rend="italic">Menen.</speaker>
      <p n="3186">I neither care for th'world, nor your General:
      <lb n="3187"/>for such things as you. I can scarse thinke ther's any, y'are
      <lb n="3188"/>so slight. He that hath a will to die by himselfe, feares it<pb facs="FFimg:axc0645-0.jpg" n="27"/>
         <cb n="1"/>not from another: Let your Generall do his worst. For
      <lb n="3189"/>you, bee that you are, long; and your misery increase
      <lb n="3190"/>with your age. I say to you, as I was said to, Away.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit</stage>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.1">
      <speaker rend="italic">1</speaker>
      <p n="3191">A Noble Fellow I warrant him.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-cor-wat.2">
      <speaker rend="italic">2</speaker>
      <l n="3192">The worthy Fellow is our General. He's the Rock,</l>
      <l n="3193">The Oake not to be winde‑shaken.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Watch.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

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