The Tragedie of Coriolanus.He was not taken well, he had not din'd,
[3060]
The Veines vnfill'd, our blood is cold, and thenWe powt vpon the Morning, are vnaptTo giue or to forgiue; but when we haue stufftThese Pipes, and these Conueyances of our bloodWith Wine and Feeding, we haue suppler Soules
[3065]
Then in our Priest‑like Fasts: therefore Ile watch himTill 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 knowledgeOf my successe.Exit.Com.
Hee'l neuer heare him.
Sicin.
Not.
Com.
[3075]
I tell you, he doe's sit in Gold, his eyeRed as 'twould burne Rome: and his IniuryThe Gaoler to his pitty. I kneel'd before him,'Twas very faintly he said Rise: dismist meThus 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 himFor 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
Coriolanus1
[3090]
From whence?
Mene.
From Rome.
1
You may not passe, you must returne: our Generall
will no more heare from
thence.
2You'l see your Rome embrac'd with fire, before
[3095]
You'l speake with
CoriolanusMene.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 beeneThe 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 verityWould without lapsing suffer: Nay, sometimes,Like to a Bowle vpon a subtle ground
[3110]
I haue tumbled past the throw: and in his praiseHaue (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
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 affairesAre Seruanted to others: Though I oweMy Reuenge properly, my remission lies
[3170]
In Volcean brests. That we haue beene familiar,Ingrate forgetfulnesse shall poison ratherThen pitty: Note how much, therefore be gone.Mine eares against your suites, are stronger thenYour 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
AuffidiusWas my belou'd in Rome: yet thou behold'st.Auffid.
You keepe a constant temper.
ExeuntManet 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
[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
Coriolanus1
[3090]
From whence?
Mene.
From Rome.
1
You may not passe, you must returne: our Generall
will no more heare from
thence.
2You'l see your Rome embrac'd with fire, before
[3095]
You'l speake with
CoriolanusMene.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 beeneThe 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 verityWould without lapsing suffer: Nay, sometimes,Like to a Bowle vpon a subtle ground
[3110]
I haue tumbled past the throw: and in his praiseHaue (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 affairesAre Seruanted to others: Though I oweMy Reuenge properly, my remission lies
[3170]
In Volcean brests. That we haue beene familiar,Ingrate forgetfulnesse shall poison ratherThen pitty: Note how much, therefore be gone.Mine eares against your suites, are stronger thenYour 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
AuffidiusWas my belou'd in Rome: yet thou behold'st.Auffid.
You keepe a constant temper.
ExeuntManet 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.
Exit1
A Noble Fellow I warrant him.
2The worthy Fellow is our General. He's the Rock,The Oake not to be winde‑shaken.Exit Watch.
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<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, & 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>
