# Coriolanus (1924) Yale/Text/Act IV

Notes originally placed at the bottom of each page appear below, following Act IV. Where these notes gloss a word in the text, the gloss can also be found by hovering over the text.
Where these notes refer to an end note (cf. n. = confer notam; "consult note"), a link to the accompanying end note is provided from the Footnotes section. The end notes accompanying Act IV begin on page 151 of the original volume.
Layout 2
ACT FOURTH
Scene One
[Rome. Before a Gate of the City]
Enter Coriolanus, Volumnia, Virgilia, Menenius, Cominius, with the young Nobility of Rome.
Cor. Come, leave your tears: a brief farewell: the beast With many heads butts me away. Nay, mother, Where is your ancient courage? you were us'd ​To say extremity was the trier of spirits; 4 That common chances common men could bear; That when the sea was calm all boats alike Show'd mastership in floating; fortune's blows, When most struck home,—being gentle, wounded, craves 8 A noble cunning: you were us'd to load me With precepts that would make invincible The heart that conn'd them.
Vir. O heavens! O heavens!
Cor. Nay, I prithee, woman,— 12
Vol. Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome, And occupations perish!
Cor. What, what, what! I shall be lov'd when I am lack'd. Nay, mother, Resume that spirit, when you were wont to say, 16 If you had been the wife of Hercules, Six of his labours you'd have done, and sav'd Your husband so much sweat. Cominius, Droop not; adieu. Farewell, my wife! my mother! 20 I'll do well yet. Thou old and true Menenius, Thy tears are salter than a younger man's, And venomous to thine eyes. My sometime general, I have seen thee stern, and thou hast oft beheld 24 Heart-hardening spectacles; tell these sad women 'Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes As 'tis to laugh at em. My mother, you wot well My hazards still have been your solace; and 28 Believe 't not lightly—though I go alone Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen Makes fear'd and talk'd of more than seen,—your son ​Will or exceed the common or be caught 32 With cautelous baits and practice.
Vol. My first son, Whither wilt thou go? Take good Cominius With thee awhile: determine on some course, More than a wild exposture to each chance 36 That starts i' the way before thee.
Cor. O the gods!
Com. I'll follow thee a month, devise with thee Where thou shalt rest, that thou mayst hear of us, And we of thee: so, if the time thrust forth 40 A cause for thy repeal, we shall not send O'er the vast world to seek a single man, And lose advantage, which doth ever cool I' the absence of the needer.
Cor. Fare ye well: 44 Thou hast years upon thee; and thou art too full Of the wars' surfeits, to go rove with one That's yet unbruis'd: bring me but out at gate. Come, my sweet wife, my dearest mother, and 48 My friends of noble touch, when I am forth, Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you, come. While I remain above the ground you shall Hear from me still; and never of me aught 52 But what is like me formerly.
Men. That's worthily As any ear can hear. Come, let's not weep. If I could shake off but one seven years ​From these old arms and legs, by the good gods, 56 I'd with thee every foot.
Cor. Give me thy hand: Come. Exeunt.
Scene Two
[The Same. A Street near the Gate]
Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius and Brutus, with the Ædile.
Sic. Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further. The nobility are vex'd, whom we see have sided In his behalf.
Bru. Now we have shown our power, Let us seem humbler after it is done 4 Than when it was a-doing.
Sic. Bid them home; Say their great enemy is gone, and they Stand in their ancient strength.
Bru. Dismiss them home. [Exit Ædile.] Here comes his mother.
Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius.
Sic. Let's not meet her.
Bru. Why? 8
Sic. They say she's mad.
Bru. They have ta'en note of us: keep on your way.
Vol. O! y' are well met. The hoarded plague o' the gods Requite your love!
​Men. Peace, peace! be not so loud. 12
Vol. If that I could for weeping, you should hear,— Nay, and you shall hear some. [To Brutus.] Will you be gone?
Vir. [To Sicinius.] You shall stay too. I would I had the power To say so to my husband.
Sic. Are you mankind? 16
Vol. Ay, fool; is that a shame? Note but this fool. Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship To banish him that strook more blows for Rome Than thou hast spoken words?
Sic. O blessed heavens! 20
Vol. More noble blows than ever thou wise words; And for Rome's good. I'll tell thee what; yet go: Nay, but thou shalt stay too: I would my son Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him, 24 His good sword in his hand.
Sic. What then?
Vir. What then! He'd make an end of thy posterity.
Vol. Bastards and all. Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome! 28
Men. Come, come: peace!
Sic. I would he had continu'd to his country As he began, and not unknit himself The noble knot he made.
Bru. I would he had. 32
Vol. 'I would he had!' 'Twas you incens'd the rabble: Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth ​As I can of those mysteries which heaven Will not have earth to know.
Bru. Pray, let's go. 36
Vol. Now, pray, sir, get you gone: You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this: As far as doth the Capitol exceed The meanest house in Rome, so far my son,— 40 This lady's husband here, this, do you see,— Whom you have banish'd, does exceed you all.
Bru. Well, well, we'll leave you.
Sic. Why stay we to be baited With one that wants her wits?
Exeunt Tribunes.
Vol. Take my prayers with you. 44 I would the gods had nothing else to do But to confirm my curses! Could I meet 'em But once a day, it would unclog my heart Of what lies heavy to 't.
Men. You have told them home, 48 And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll sup with me?
Vol. Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself, And so shall starve with feeding. Come, let's go. Leave this faint puling and lament as I do, 52 In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come.
Exeunt [Volumnia and Virgilia].
Men. Fie, fie, fie! Exit.
Scene Three
[A Highway between Rome and Antium]
Enter a Roman and a Volsce.
Rom. I know you well, sir, and you know me: your name I think is Adrian.
Vols. It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you.
Rom. I am a Roman; and my services are, as 4 you are, against 'em: know you me yet?
Vols. Nicanor? No.
Rom. The same, sir.
Vols. You had more beard, when I last saw 8 you; but your favour is well appeared by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian state to find you out there: you have well saved me a day's journey. 12
Rom. There hath been in Rome strange insur- rections: the people against the senators, patri- cians, and nobles.
Vols. Hath been! Is it ended then? Our state 16 thinks not so; they are in a most warlike prepara- tion, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division.
Rom. The main blaze of it is past, but a small 20 thing would make it flame again. For the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people and to pluck 24 from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out.
​Vols. Coriolanus banished!
Rom. Banished, sir.
Vols. You will be welcome with this intelli- gence, Nicanor.
Rom. The day serves well for them now. I 32 have heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife is when she's fallen out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer, 36 Coriolanus, being now in no request of his country.
Vols. He cannot choose. I am most for- tunate, thus accidentally to encounter you: you 40 have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home.
Rom. I shall, between this and supper, tell you most strange things from Rome; all tending 44 to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you?
Vols. A most royal one: the centurions and their charges distinctly billeted, already in th' 48 entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning.
Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think, that shall set them in 52 present action. So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company.
Vols. You take my part from me, sir; I have the most cause to be glad of yours. 56
Rom. Well, let us go together. Exeunt.
Scene Four
[Antium. Before Aufidius' House]
Enter Coriolanus, in mean apparel, disguised and muffled.
Cor. A goodly city is this Antium. City, 'Tis I that made thy widows: many an heir Of these fair edifices 'fore my wars Have I heard groan and drop: then, know me not, 4 Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones In puny battle slay me.
Enter a Citizen.
Save you, sir.
Cit. And you.
Cor. Direct me, if it be your will, Where great Aufidius lies. Is he in Antium? 8
Cit. He is, and feasts the nobles of the state At his house this night.
Cor. Which is his house, beseech you?
Cit. This, here before you.
Cor. Thank you, sir. Farewell. Exit Citizen. O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn, 12 Whose double bosoms seems to wear one heart, Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal, and exercise, Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love Unseparable, shall within this hour, 16 On a dissension of a doit, break out ​To bitterest enmity: so, fellest foes, Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep To take the one the other, by some chance, 20 Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends And interjoin their issues. So with me: My birth-place hate I, and my love's upon This enemy town. I'll enter: if he slay me, 24 He does fair justice; if he give me way, I'll do his country service. Exit.
Scene Five
[The Same. A Hall in Aufidius' House]
Music plays. Enter a Servingman.
1. Serv. Wine, wine, wine! What service is here! I think our fellows are asleep. [Exit.]
Enter another Servingman.
2. Serv. Where's Cotus? my master calls for him. Cotus! 4 Exit.
Enter Coriolanus.
Cor. A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I Appear not like a guest.
Enter the First Servingman.
1. Serv. What would you have, friend? Whence are you? Here's no place for you: pray, go to 8 the door. Exit.
Cor. I have deserv'd no better entertainment, In being Coriolanus.
Enter Second Servant.
2. Serv. Whence are you, sir? Has the porter 12 his eyes in his head, that he gives entrance to such companions? Pray, get you out.
Cor. Away!
2. Serv. 'Away!' Get you away. 16
Cor. Now, th' art troublesome.
2. Serv. Are you so brave? I'll have you talked with anon.
Enter Third Servingman. The first meets him.
3. Serv. What fellow's this? 20
1. Serv. A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him out o' the house: prithee, call my master to him.
3. Serv. What have you to do here, fellow? 24 Pray you, avoid the house.
Cor. Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.
3. Serv. What are you? 28
Cor. A gentleman.
3. Serv. A marvellous poor one.
Cor. True, so I am.
3. Serv. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up 32 some other station; here's no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.
Cor. Follow your function; go, and batten on cold bits. 36 Pushes him away from him.
3. Serv. What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a strange guest he has here.
2. Serv. And I shall. Exit Second Servingman.
3. Serv. Where dwell'st thou? 40
​Cor. Under the canopy.
3. Serv. 'Under the canopy!'
Cor. Ay.
3. Serv. Where's that? 44
Cor. I' the city of kites and crows.
3. Serv. 'I' the city of kites and crows!' What an ass it is! Then thou dwell'st with daws too? 48
Cor. No; I serve not thy master.
3. Serv. How sir! Do you meddle with my master?
Cor. Ay; 'tis an honester service than to 52 meddle with thy mistress. Thou prat'st, and prat'st: serve with thy trencher. Hence. Beats him away.
Enter Aufidius with the [Second] Servingman.
Auf. Where is this fellow?
2. Serv. Here, sir: I'd have beaten him like a 56 dog, but for disturbing the lords within.
Auf. Whence com'st thou? what wouldst thou? Thy name? Why speak'st not? Speak, man: what's thy name?
Cor. [Unmuffling.] If, Tullus, 60 Not yet thou know'st me, and, seeing me, dost not Think me for the man I am, necessity Commands me name myself.
Auf. What is thy name?
Cor. A name unmusical to the Volscians' ears, 64 And harsh in sound to thine.
Auf. Say, what's thy name? Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face Bears a command in 't; though thy tackle's torn, ​Thou show'st a noble vessel. What's thy name? 68
Cor. Prepare thy brow to frown. Know'st thou me yet?
Auf. I know thee not. Thy name?
Cor. My name is Caius Martius, who hath done To thee particularly, and to all the Volsces, 72 Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service, The extreme dangers, and the drops of blood Shed for my thankless country are requited 76 But with that surname; a good memory And witness of the malice and displeasure Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains; The cruelty and envy of the people, 80 Permitted by our dastard nobles, who Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest; And suffer'd me by the voice of slaves to be Whoop'd out of Rome. Now this extremity 84 Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope,— Mistake me not,—to save my life; for if I had fear'd death, of all the men i' the world I would have 'voided thee; but in mere spite, 88 To be full quit of those my banishers, Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast A heart of wreak in thee, that will revenge Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims 92 Of shame seen through thy country, speed thee straight, And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it, That my revengeful services may prove As benefits to thee, for I will fight 96 ​Against my canker'd country with the spleen Of all the under fiends. But if so be Thou dar'st not this, and that to prove more fortunes Th' art tir'd, then, in a word, I also am 100 Longer to live most weary, and present My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice; Which not to cut would show thee but a fool, Since I have ever follow'd thee with hate, 104 Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country's breast, And cannot live but to thy shame, unless It be to do thee service.
Auf. O Martius, Martius! Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart 108 A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter Should from yond cloud speak divine things, And say, ''Tis true,' I'd not believe them more Than thee, all noble Martius. Let me twine 112 Mine arms about that body, where against My grained ash an hundred times hath broke, And scarr'd the moon with splinters: here I clip The anvil of my sword, and do contest 116 As hotly and as nobly with thy love As ever in ambitious strength I did Contend against thy valour. Know thou first, I lov'd the maid I married; never man 120 Sigh'd truer breath; but that I see thee here, Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart Than when I first my wedded mistress saw ​Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee, 124 We have a power on foot; and I had purpose Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn, Or lose mine arm for 't. Thou hast beat me out Twelve several times, and I have nightly since 128 Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyself and me; We have been down together in my sleep, Unbuckling helms, fisting each other's throat, 131 And wak'd half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius, Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that Thou art thence banish'd, we would muster all From twelve to seventy, and, pouring war Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome, 136 Like a bold flood o'er-bear. O! come; go in, And take our friendly senators by the hands, Who now are here, taking their leaves of me, Who am prepar'd against your territories, 140 Though not for Rome itself.
Cor. You bless me, gods!
Auf. Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have The leading of thine own revenges, take Th' one half of my commission, and set down, 144 As best thou art experienc'd, since thou know'st Thy country's strength and weakness, thine own ways; Whether to knock against the gates of Rome, Or rudely visit them in parts remote, 148 To fright them, ere destroy. But come in: Let me commend thee first to those that shall Say yea to thy desires, A thousand welcomes! And more a friend than e'er an enemy; 152 ​Yet, Martius, that was much, Your hand: most welcome! Exeunt.
Enter two of the Servingmen.
1. Serv. Here's a strange alteration!
2. Serv. By my hand, I had thought to 156 have strucken him with a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a false report of him.
1. Serv. What an arm he has! He turned me 160 about with his finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top.
2. Serv. Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in him: he had, sir, a kind of face, 164 methought,—I cannot tell how to term it.
1. Serv. He had so; looking as it were,—would I were hanged but I thought there was more in him than I could think. 168
2. Serv. So did I, I'll be sworn: he is simply the rarest man i' the world.
1. Serv. I think he is; but a greater soldier than he you wot on. 172
2. Serv. Who? my master?
1. Serv. Nay, it's no matter for that.
2. Serv. Worth six on him.
1. Serv. Nay, not so neither; but I take him 176 to be the greater soldier.
2. Serv. Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that: for the defence of a town our general is excellent. 180
1. Serv. Ay, and for an assault too.
Enter the Third Servingman.
3. Serv. O slaves! I can tell you news; news, you rascals.
Both. What, what, what? let's partake. 184
3. Serv. I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as lief be a condemned man.
Both. Wherefore? wherefore?
3. Serv. Why, here's he that was wont to 188 thwack our general, Caius Martius.
1. Serv. Why do you say 'thwack our general?'
3. Serv. I do not say, 'thwack our general'; 192 but he was always good enough for him.
2. Serv. Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too hard for him; I have heard him say so himself. 196
1. Serv. He was too hard for him,—directly to say the truth on 't: before Corioli he scotched him and notched him like a carbonado.
2. Serv. An he had been cannibally given, he 200 might have boiled and eaten him too.
1. Serv. But, more of thy news.
3. Serv. Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son and heir to Mars; set 204 at upper end o' the table; no question asked him by any of the senators, but they stand bald before him. Our general himself makes a mistress of him; sanctifies himself with 's hand, and turns 208 up the white o' th' eye to his discourse. But the ​bottom of the news is, our general is cut i' the middle, and but one half of what he was yester- day, for the other has half, by the entreaty and 212 grant of the whole table. He'll go, he says, and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he will mow down all before him, and leave his passage polled. 216
2. Serv. And he's as like to do 't as any man I can imagine.
3. Serv. Do 't! he will do 't; for—look you, sir—he has as many friends as enemies; which 220 friends, sir—as it were—durst not—look you, sir—show themselves—as we term it—his friends, whilst he's in directitude.
1. Serv. Directitude! what's that? 224
3. Serv. But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again, and the man in blood, they will out of their burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with him. 228
1. Serv. But when goes this forward?
3. Serv. To-morrow; to-day; presently. You shall have the drum strook up this afternoon; 'tis, as it were, a parcel of their feast, and to be 232 executed ere they wipe their lips.
2. Serv. Why, then we shall have a stirring world again. This peace is nothing but to rust iron, increase tailors, and breed ballad-makers. 236
1. Serv. Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as day does night; it's spritely, ​waking, audible, and full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy; mulled, deaf, sleepy, 240 insensible; a getter of more bastard children than war's a destroyer of men.
2. Serv. 'Tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied 244 but peace is a great maker of cuckolds.
1. Serv. Ay, and it makes men hate one another.
3. Serv. Reason: because they then less need 248 one another. The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising.
All. In, in, in, in! 252 Exeunt.
Scene Six
[Rome. A Public Place]
Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius and Brutus.
Sic. We hear not of him, neither need we fear him; His remedies are tame i' the present peace And quietness o' the people, which before Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends 4 Blush that the world goes well, who rather had, Though they themselves did suffer by 't, behold Dissentious numbers pestering streets, than see Our tradesmen singing in their shops and going 8 About their functions friendly.
Enter Menenius.
Bru. We stood to 't in good time. Is this Menenius?
Sic. 'Tis he, 'tis he. O! he is grown most kind Of late. Hail, sir!
Men. Hail to you both! 12
Sic. Your Coriolanus is not much miss'd But with his friends: the commonwealth doth stand, And so would do, were he more angry at it.
Men. All's well; and might have been much better, if 16 He could have temporiz'd.
Sic. Where is he, hear you?
Men. Nay, I hear nothing: his mother and his wife Hear nothing from him.
Enter three or four Citizens.
All. The gods preserve you both!
Sic. Good den, our neighbours. 20
Bru. Good den to you all, good den to you all.
1. Cit. Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees, Are bound to pray for you both.
Sic. Live, and thrive!
Bru. Farewell, kind neighbours: we wish'd Coriolanus 24 Had lov'd you as we did.
All. Now the gods keep you!
Both Tri. Farewell, farewell. Exeunt Citizens.
Sic. This is a happier and more comely time Than when these fellows ran about the streets 28 Crying confusion.
Bru. Caius Martius was ​A worthy officer i' the war; but insolent, O'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking, Self-loving,—
Sic. And affecting one sole throne, 32 Without assistance.
Men. I think not so.
Sic. We should by this, to all our lamentation, If he had gone forth consul, found it so.
Bru. The gods have well prevented it, and Rome 36 Sits safe and still without him.
Enter an Ædile.
Æd. Worthy tribunes, There is a slave, whom we have put in prison, Reports, the Volsces with two several powers Are enter'd in the Roman territories, 40 And with the deepest malice of the war Destroy what lies before 'em.
Men. 'Tis Aufidius, Who, hearing of our Martius' banishment, Thrusts forth his horns again into the world; 44 Which were inshell'd when Martius stood for Rome, And durst not once peep out.
Sic. Come, what talk you of Martius?
Bru. Go see this rumourer whipp'd. It cannot be 48 The Volsces dare break with us.
Men. Cannot be! We have record that very well it can, And three examples of the like hath been Within my age. But reason with the fellow, 52 ​Before you punish him, where he heard this, Lest you shall chance to whip your information, And beat the messenger who bids beware Of what is to be dreaded.
Sic. Tell not me: 56 I know this cannot be.
Bru. Not possible.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. The nobles in great earnestness are going All to the senate-house: some news is coming, That turns their countenances.
Sic. 'Tis this slave— 60 Go whip him 'fore the people's eyes: his raising; Nothing but his report.
Mess. Yes, worthy sir, The slave's report is seconded; and more, More fearful, is deliver'd.
Sic. What more fearful? 64
Mess. It is spoke freely out of many mouths— How probable I do not know—that Martius, Join'd with Aufidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome, And vows revenge as spacious as between 68 The young'st and oldest thing.
Sic. This is most likely!
Bru. Rais'd only, that the weaker sort may wish Good Martius home again.
Sic. The very trick on 't.
Men. This is unlikely: 72 He and Aufidius can no more atone Than violent'st contrariety.
Enter [another] Messenger.
Mess. You are sent for to the senate: A fearful army, led by Caius Martius, 76 Associated with Aufidius, rages Upon our territories; and have already O'erborne their way, consum'd with fire, and took What lay before them. 80
Enter Cominius.
Com. O! you have made good work!
Men. What news? what news?
Com. You have holp to ravish your own daughters, and To melt the city leads upon your pates, To see your wives dishonour'd to your noses,— 84
Men. What's the news? what's the news?
Com. Your temples burned in their cement, and Your franchises, whereon you stood, confin'd Into an auger's bore.
Men. Pray now, your news?— 88 You have made fair work, I fear me. Pray, your news? If Martius should be join'd with Volscians,—
Com. If! He is their god: he leads them like a thing Made by some other deity than Nature, 92 That shapes man better; and they follow him, Against us brats, with no less confidence Than boys pursuing summer butterflies, Or butchers killing flies.
Men. You have made good work, 96 You, and your apron-men; you that stood so much ​Upon the voice of occupation and The breath of garlic-eaters!
Com. He'll shake Your Rome about your ears.
Men. As Hercules 100 Did shake down mellow fruit. You have made fair work!
Bru. But is this true, sir?
Com. Ay; and you'll look pale Before you find it other. All the regions Do smilingly revolt; and who resist 104 Are mock'd for valiant ignorance, And perish constant fools. Who is 't can blame him? Your enemies, and his, find something in him.
Men. We are all undone unless 108 The noble man have mercy.
Com. Who shall ask it? The tribunes cannot do 't for shame; the people Deserve such pity of him as the wolf Does of the shepherds: for his best friends, if they 112 Should say, 'Be good to Rome,' they charg'd him even As those should do that had deserv'd his hate, And therein show'd like enemies.
Men. 'Tis true: If he were putting to my house the brand 116 That should consume it, I have not the face To say, 'Beseech you, cease.'—You have made fair hands, You and your crafts! you have crafted fair!
Com. You have brought A trembling upon Rome, such as was never 120 ​So incapable of help.
Tribunes. Say not we brought it.
Men. How! Was 't we? We lov'd him; but, like beasts And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters, Who did hoot him out o' the city.
Com. But I fear 124 They'll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius, The second name of men, obeys his points As if he were his officer: desperation Is all the policy, strength, and defence, 128 That Rome can make against them.
Enter a troop of Citizens.
Men. Here come the clusters. And is Aufidius with him? You are they That made the air unwholesome, when you cast Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at 132 Coriolanus' exile. Now he's coming; And not a hair upon a soldier's head Which will not prove a whip: as many coxcombs As you threw caps up will he tumble down, 136 And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter; If he could burn us all into one coal, We have deserv'd it.
Omnes. Faith, we hear fearful news.
1. Cit. For mine own part, 140 When I said banish him, I said 'twas pity.
2. Cit. And so did I.
3. Cit. And so did I; and, to say the ​truth, so did very many of us. That we did we 144 did for the best; and though we willingly con- sented to his banishment, yet it was against our will.
Com. Y' are goodly things, you voices!
Men. You have made 148 Good work, you and your cry! Shall 's to the Capitol?
Com. O! ay; what else? Exeunt both.
Sic. Go, masters, get you home; be not dismay'd: These are a side that would be glad to have 152 This true which they so seem to fear. Go home, And show no sign of fear.
1. Cit. The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let's home. I ever said we were i' the wrong 156 when we banished him.
2. Cit. So did we all. But come, let's home.
Exeunt Citizens.
Bru. I do not like this news.
Sic. Nor I. 160
Bru. Let's to the Capitol. Would half my wealth Would buy this for a lie!
Sic. Pray let us go.
Exeunt Tribunes.
Scene Seven
[A Camp at a small distance from Rome]
Enter Aufidius with his Lieutenant.
Auf. Do they still fly to the Roman?
Lieu. I do not know what witchcraft's in him, but Your soldiers use him as the grace 'fore meat, ​Their talk at table, and their thanks at end; 4 And you are darken'd in this action, sir, Even by your own.
Auf. I cannot help it now, Unless, by using means, I lame the foot Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier, 8 Even to my person, than I thought he would When first I did embrace him; yet his nature In that's no changeling, and I must excuse What cannot be amended.
Lieu. Yet, I wish, sir,— 12 I mean for your particular,—you had not Join'd in commission with him; but either Had borne the action of yourself, or else To him had left it solely. 16
Auf. I understand thee well; and be thou sure, When he shall come to his account, he knows not What I can urge against him. Although it seems, And so he thinks, and is no less apparent 20 To the vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly, And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state, Fights dragon-like, and does achieve as soon As draw his sword; yet he hath left undone 24 That which shall break his neck or hazard mine, Whene'er we come to our account.
Lieu. Sir, I beseech you, think you he'll carry Rome?
Auf. All places yields to him ere he sits down; 28 ​And the nobility of Rome are his: The senators and patricians love him too: The tribunes are no soldiers; and their people Will be as rash in the repeal as hasty 32 To expel him thence. I think he'll be to Rome As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it By sovereignty of nature. First he was A noble servant to them, but he could not 36 Carry his honours even; whether 'twas pride, Which out of daily fortune ever taints The happy man; whether defect of judgment, To fail in the disposing of those chances 40 Which he was lord of; or whether nature, Not to be other than one thing, not moving From the casque to the cushion, but commanding peace Even with the same austerity and garb 44 As he controll'd the war; but one of these, As he hath spices of them all, not all, For I dare so far free him, made him fear'd, So hated, and so banish'd: but he has a merit 48 To choke it in the utterance. So our virtues Lie in th' interpretation of the time; And power, unto itself most commendable, Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair 52 To extol what it hath done. One fire drives out one fire; one nail, one nail; Rights by rights falter, strengths by strengths do fail. ​Come, let's away. When, Caius, Rome is thine, 56 Thou art poor'st of all; then shortly art thou mine.
Exeunt.
Footnotes to Act IV
Scene One
​7–9 fortune's . . . cunning; cf. n. 13 red pestilence: plague 14 occupations: mechanical employments 16 Resume: recover 26 fond: as fond, as foolish ​32 or . . . common: either do some deed of fame 33 With . . . practice: by the snares and treachery of wily adversaries first: first and only, eminent 36 exposture: exposure 41 repeal: recall 43 advantage: opportunity to profit by circumstances 44 needer: him who should utilize the advantage 46 wars' surfeits: strains from military service 49 noble touch: proved nobility 53 me formerly: my former self worthily: as worthily spoken
Scene Two
​2 have sided: to have enlisted themselves 11 The hoarded . . . gods: every plague the gods have stored up ​14 some: a part 16 say so: i.e. command his presence mankind: savage; cf. n. 18 foxship: foxlike cunning 19 strook: struck 22 what: something 24 Arabia: the Arabian desert 32 noble knot: i.e. bond of faithful service ​44 With: by 46 confirm: note down for execution 48 told . . . home: said all-there is to say 52 faint puling: weak whining; cf. n.
Scene Three
​9 favour: face appeared: made to appear, manifested 11 note: instruction 23 ripe aptness: complete readiness 26 glowing: i.e. like a spark ​32 The day: the state of affairs 37 in no request of: unvalued by 39 cannot choose: cannot fail to appear well 48 distinctly billeted: carefully enrolled 49 entertainment: receipt of pay on foot: under arms 55 my part: the words I should say
Scene Four
​3 'fore my wars: confronting me in battle 6 Save: God preserve 8 lies: lodges 12 thy . . . turns: how inconstant you are 13 bosoms seems; cf. n. 15 twin: are joined like twins 17 dissension . . . doit: dispute over the value of half a farthing
​18 fellest: fiercest 19 passions: violent emotions 20 To take . . . other; cf. n. 22 interjoin their issues: intermarry their children (to make the league perpetual) 23 hate; cf. n. 25 way: scope, opportunity
Scene Five
​14 companions: rascals 25 avoid: get out of 35 Follow . . . function: do your proper business batten: fatten yourself ​41 canopy: sky 47 daws: jackdaws, fools 54 trencher: wooden platter 67 tackle: rigging of ship ​77 memory: reminder 84 Whoop'd: hooted 89 full quit of: fully avenged on 91 heart of wreak: vengeful heart 92, 93 maims . . . shame: disgraceful losses of men or territory ​97 canker'd: malevolent spleen: anger 99 prove . . . fortunes: try your fortune further 105 tuns: huge barrels 109 A root . . . envy: one of the old sources of my hate 113 where against: against which 114 grained ash: spear-shaft of tough ash 115 clip: embrace 121 Sigh'd . . . breath: uttered sincerer love sighs 122 dances: makes leap rapt: enraptured ​126 brawn: brawny arm 127 out: outright 132 wak'd: I have awaked
137 o'er-bear: bear all before us; cf. n. 142 absolute: perfect 144 set down: determine ​153 S. d. Enter . . . Servingmen; cf. n. 158 gave me: misgave me, made me suspect 162 set up: start spinning 172 he . . . on: the man you know of, i.e. Aufidius; cf. n. ​184 let's partake: let us share it 189 thwack: beat 197 directly: candidly 198 scotched: slashed 199 notched: cut carbonado: steak prepared for broiling 201 boiled; cf. n. 203 made on: made much of, pampered 208 sanctifies . . . hand: fondles his hand as if it were a saint's relic 208, 209 turns . . . eye: gazes upward in reverence ​210 bottom: fundamental part 212, 213 by . . . table: the whole table uniting both in requesting and granting 214 sowl: drag 215, 216 leave . . . polled: leave headless bodies where he passes 223 directitude: error for 'discreditude,' discredit (?) 226 in blood: in fine fettle 227 conies: rabbits 230 presently: at once 232 parcel: part 235 nothing: good for nothing ​239 audible: noisy (?), quick of hearing (?) vent: opportunity for action 240 mulled: insipid, like warmed and sweetened wine 241 insensible: sluggish, insensitive 248 Reason: that is natural 251 rising: getting up from table
Scene Six
​2 remedies: means of reinstatement tame: languid, ineffectual; cf. n. 4 hurry: turbulence 7 pestering: blocking up 9 friendly: like good friends ​14 But with: except among 27 comely: gracious 29 Crying confusion: shouting for anarchy ​32 affecting . . . throne: aiming at individual sovereignty 34 by this: by this time to . . . lamentation: to the sorrow of us all 35 gone forth: come out, finally become found: have found 44 Thrusts . . . horns; cf. n. 45 inshell'd: drawn within the shell stood for: was champion of 47 what: why ​59 coming; cf. n. 68, 69 And vows . . . thing; cf. n. 73 atone: grow reconciled ​79 O'erborne . . . way: advanced like a wave 82 holp: helped 83 leads: leaden roofs 84 to: before 86 temples . . . cement; cf. n. 87 franchises: public rights whereon . . . stood: which you asserted 87, 88 confin'd . . . bore: reduced to absolute nullity 94 brats: mere children 97 apron-men: artisans, dressed in aprons ​98 voice of occupation: workmen's opinion 103 other: otherwise 104 smilingly: gladly who resist: those who resist 113 charg'd: would be urging; cf. n. 115 show'd: would appear 118 made fair hands: done fine work 119 crafted; cf. n. fair: with beautiful results ​123 clusters: crowds 125 roar . . . again: yell with pain as he returns 126 second . . . men: the most famous man except Coriolanus points: instructions 127–129 desperation . . . against them; cf. n. 135 coxcombs: fools' heads 138 coal: hot ember ​149 cry: pack (of hounds) Shall 's: shall we 152 a side: members of a party (i.e. patricians)
Scene Seven
​5 darken'd: dimmed in glory action: campaign 6 your own: your own troops 7 using means: employing treachery 11 no changeling: i.e. still what it always was 13 particular: personal advantage 14 commission: authority 15 borne . . . yourself: taken the whole command yourself 21 bears . . . fairly: behaves honorably in all respects 23 achieve: conquer 24–26 yet . . . account; cf. n. 27 carry: take by force 28 sits down: besieges ​34, 35 osprey . . . nature; cf. n. 37 even: steadily 38 out . . . fortune: as a result of constant good fortune taints: sullies 40 disposing: exploiting 42 Not to be: not capable of being 42, 43 not moving . . . cushion; cf. n. 44 austerity and garb: austere manner 46 spices . . . not all: some flavor of all these faults, but not in full degree 47 free: acquit 48 So: and therefore (i.e. because feared) 48, 49 but . . . utterance; cf. n. 50 Lie in: depend upon 51–53 Cf. n. 55 Rights . . . falter; cf. n.