The Tragedie of Coriolanus.And beare the Palme, for hauing brauely shedThy 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 soonerMarch 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 awayTill 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 destroyThe Volces whom you serue, you might condemne vsAs poysonous of your Honour. No, our suiteIs that you reconcile them: While the VolcesMay say, this mercy we haue shew'd: the Romanes,
[3340]
This we receiu'd, and each in either sideGiue the All‑haile to thee, and cry be BlestFor 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 nameWhose 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 NoblemanStill 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 worldMore bound to's Mother, yet heere he let's me prateLike 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 homeLoden with Honor. Say my Request's vniust,And spurne me backe: But, if it be not soThou art not honest, and the Gods will plague TheeThat 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 kneesTo 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 strengthThen 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:
I am husht vntill our City be afire, & then Ile speak a litleHolds 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 SceneThey 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 makeMine 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 youStand to me in this cause. Oh Mother! Wife!Auf.I am glad thou hast set thy mercy, & thy HonorAt 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 beareA better witnesse backe then words, which weOn like conditions, will haue Counter‑seal'd.
[3410]
Come enter with vs: Ladies you deserueTo haue a Temple built you: All the SwordsIn Italy, and her Confederate ArmesCould 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.
[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 homeThey'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 withinMene.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.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<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 & 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>
