# Coriolanus (1924) Yale/Text/Act III

Notes originally placed at the bottom of each page appear below, following Act III. 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 III begin on page 149 of the original volume.
Layout 2
ACT THIRD
Scene One
[Rome. A Street]
Cornets. Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, all the Gentry, Cominius, Titus Lartius, and other Senators.
Cor. Tullus Aufidius then had made new head?
Lart. He had, my lord; and that it was which caus'd Our swifter composition.
Cor. So then the Volsces stand but as at first, 4 Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road Upon 's again.
Com. They are worn, lord consul, so, ​That we shall hardly in our ages see Their banners wave again.
Cor. Saw you Aufidius? 8
Lart. On safeguard he came to me; and did curse Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely Yielded the town: he is retir'd to Antium.
Cor. Spoke he of me?
Lart. He did, my lord.
Cor. How? what? 12
Lart. How often he had met you, sword to sword; That of all things upon the earth he hated Your person most; that he would pawn his fortunes To hopeless restitution, so he might 16 Be call'd your vanquisher.
Cor. At Antium lives he?
Lart. At Antium.
Cor. I wish I had a cause to seek him there, To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home. 20
Enter Sicinius and Brutus.
Behold! these are the tribunes of the people, The tongues o' the common mouth: I do despise them; For they do prank them in authority Against all noble sufferance.
Sic. Pass no further. 24
Cor. Ha! what is that?
Bru. It will be dangerous to go on: no further.
Cor. What makes this change?
Men. The matter? 27
Com. Hath he not pass'd the noble and the common?
Bru. Cominius, no.
Cor. Have I had children's voices?
​Senat. Tribunes, give way; he shall to the market-place.
Bru. The people are incens'd against him.
Sic. Stop, Or all will fall in broil.
Cor. Are these your herd? 32 Must these have voices, that can yield them now, And straight disclaim their tongues? What are your offices? You being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth? Have you not set them on?
Men. Be calm, be calm. 36
Cor. It is a purpos'd thing, and grows by plot, To curb the will of the nobility: Suffer 't, and live with such as cannot rule Nor ever will be rul'd.
Bru. Call 't not a plot: 40 The people cry you mock'd them, and of late, When corn was given them gratis, you repin'd; Scandal'd the suppliants for the people, call'd them Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness. 44
Cor. Why, this was known before.
Bru. Not to them all.
Cor. Have you inform'd them sithence?
Bru. How! I inform them!
Cor. You are like to do such business.
Bru. Not unlike, Each way, to better yours. 48
Cor. Why then should I be consul? By yond clouds, Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me Your fellow tribune.
​Sic. You show too much of that For which the people stir; if you will pass 52 To where you are bound, you must inquire your way, Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit; Or never be so noble as a consul, Nor yoke with him for tribune.
Men. Let's be calm. 56
Com. The people are abus'd; set on. This palt'ring Becomes not Rome, nor has Coriolanus Deserv'd this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely I' the plain way of his merit.
Cor. Tell me of corn! 60 This was my speech, and I will speak 't again—
Men. Not now, not now.
Senat. Not in this heat, sir, now.
Cor. Now, as I live, I will. My nobler friends, I crave their pardons: 64 For the mutable, rank-scented meiny, let them Regard me as I do not flatter, and Therein behold themselves: I say again, In soothing them we nourish 'gainst our senate 68 The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, Which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd and scatter'd, By mingling them with us, the honour'd number; Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that 72 Which they have given to beggars.
Men. Well, no more.
Senat. No more words, we beseech you.
​Cor. How! no more! As for my country I have shed my blood, Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs 76 Coin words till their decay against those measles, Which we disdain should tetter us, yet sought The very way to catch them.
Bru. You speak o' the people, As if you were a god to punish, not 80 A man of their infirmity.
Sic. 'Twere well We let the people know 't.
Men. What, what? his choler?
Cor. Choler! Were I as patient as the midnight sleep, 84 By Jove, 'twould be my mind!
Sic. It is a mind That shall remain a poison where it is, Not poison any further.
Cor. Shall remain! Hear you this Triton of the minnows? mark you 88 His absolute 'Shall'?
Com. 'Twas from the canon.
Cor. 'Shall!' O good but most unwise patricians! why, You grave but reckless senators, have you thus Given Hydra here to choose an officer, 92 That with his peremptory 'shall,' being but The horn and noise o' the monster's, wants not spirit To say he'll turn your current in a ditch, And make your channel his? If he have power, 96 ​Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake Your dangerous lenity. If you are learn'd, Be not as common fools; if you are not, Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians 100 If they be senators; and they are no less, When, both your voices blended, the great'st taste Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate, And such a one as he, who puts his 'shall,' 104 His popular 'shall,' against a graver bench Than ever frown'd in Greece. By Jove himself! It makes the consuls base; and my soul aches To know, when two authorities are up, 108 Neither supreme, how soon confusion May enter 'twixt the gap of both and take The one by th' other.
Com. Well, on to the market-place.
Cor. Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth 112 The corn o' the store-house gratis, as 'twas us'd Sometime in Greece,—
Men. Well, well; no more of that.
Cor. Though there the people had more absolute power, I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed 116 The ruin of the state.
Bru. Why, shall the people give One that speaks thus their voice?
Cor. I'll give my reasons, More worthier than their voices. They know the corn Was not our recompense, resting well assur'd 120 They ne'er did service for 't. Being press'd to the war, ​Even when the navel of the state was touch'd, They would not thread the gates: this kind of service Did not deserve corn gratis. Being i' the war, 124 Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd Most valour, spoke not for them. Th' accusation Which they have often made against the senate, All cause unborn, could never be the motive 128 Of our so frank donation. Well, what then? How shall this bosom multiplied digest The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express What's like to be their words: 'We did request it; 132 We are the greater poll, and in true fear They gave us our demands.' Thus we debase The nature of our seats, and make the rabble Call our cares fears; which will in time break ope 136 The locks o' the senate, and bring in the crows To peck the eagles.
Men. Come, enough.
Bru. Enough, with over-measure.
Cor. No, take more: What may be sworn by, both divine and human, 140 Seal what I end withal! This double worship, Where one part does disdain with cause, the other Insult without all reason; where gentry, title, wisdom, Cannot conclude, but by the yea and no 144 Of general ignorance,—it must omit Real necessities, and give way the while To unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd, it follows ​Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech you,— 148 You that will be less fearful than discreet, That love the fundamental part of state More than you doubt the change on 't, that prefer A noble life before a long, and wish 152 To jump a body with a dangerous physic That's sure of death without it, at once pluck out The multitudinous tongue; let them not lick The sweet which is their poison. Your dishonour 156 Mangles true judgment, and bereaves the state Of that integrity which should become 't, Not having the power to do the good it would, For th' ill which doth control 't.
Bru. H'as said enough. 160
Sic. H'as spoken like a traitor, and shall answer As traitors do.
Cor. Thou wretch! despite o'erwhelm thee! 163 What should the people do with these bald tribunes? On whom depending, their obedience fails To the greater bench. In a rebellion, When what's not meet, but what must be, was law, Then were they chosen: in a better hour, 168 Let what is meet be said it must be meet, And throw their power i' the dust.
Bru. Manifest treason!
Sic. This a consul? no.
Bru. The ædiles, ho!
Enter an Ædile.
Let him be apprehended. 172
Sic. Go, call the people; [Exit Ædile.] in whose name, myself Attach thee as a traitorous innovator, A foe to the public weal: obey, I charge thee, And follow to thine answer.
Cor. Hence, old goat! 176
All. We'll surety him.
Com. Ag'd sir, hands off.
Cor. Hence, rotten thing! or I shall shake thy bones Out of thy garments.
Sic. Help, ye citizens!
Enter a rabble of Plebeians with the Ædiles.
Men. On both sides more respect. 180
Sic. Here's he that would take from you all your power.
Bru. Seize him, ædiles!
All. Down with him!—down with him!—
2. Sen. Weapons!—weapons!—weapons!— 184 They all bustle about Coriolanus. Tribunes!—patricians!—citizens!—What ho!— Sicinius!—Brutus!—Coriolanus!—Citizens!
All. Peace!—Peace!—Peace!—Stay!—Hold!—Peace!
Men. What is about to be?—I am out of breath; 188 Confusion's near; I cannot speak. You, tribunes To the people! Coriolanus, patience! Speak, good Sicinius.
Sic. Hear me, people; peace!
All. Let's hear our tribune:—Peace!— Speak, speak, speak. 192
​Sic. You are at point to lose your liberties: Martius would have all from you; Martius, Whom late you have nam'd for consul.
Men. Fie, fie, fie! This is the way to kindle, not to quench. 196
Sen. To unbuild the city and to lay all flat.
Sic. What is the city but the people?
All. True, The people are the city.
Bru. By the consent of all, we were establish'd 200 The people's magistrates.
All. You so remain.
Men. And so are like to do.
Com. That is the way to lay the city flat; To bring the roof to the foundation, 204 And bury all, which yet distinctly ranges, In heaps and piles of ruin.
Sic. This deserves death.
Bru. Or let us stand to our authority, Or let us lose it. We do here pronounce, 208 Upon the part o' the people, in whose power We were elected theirs, Martius is worthy Of present death.
Sic. Therefore lay hold of him; Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence 212 Into destruction cast him.
Bru. Ædiles, seize him!
All Ple. Yield, Martius, yield!
Men. Hear me one word; Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.
Æd. Peace, peace! 216
Men. Be that you seem, truly your country's friends, ​And temperately proceed to what you would Thus violently redress.
Bru. Sir, those cold ways, That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous 220 Where the disease is violent. Lay hands upon him, And bear him to the rock.
Coriolanus draws his sword.
Cor. No, I'll die here. There's some among you have beheld me fighting: Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me. 224
Men. Down with that sword! Tribunes, withdraw awhile.
Bru. Lay hands upon him.
Men. Help Martius, help, You that be noble; help him, young and old!
All. Down with him!—down with him! 228
Exeunt. In this mutiny the Tribunes, the Ædiles, and the People are beat in.
Men. Go, get you-to your house; begone, away! All will be naught else.
2. Sen. Get you gone.
Cor. Stand fast; We have as many friends as enemies.
Men. Shall it be put to that?
Sen. The gods forbid! 232 I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house; Leave us to cure this cause.
Men. For 'tis a sore upon us You cannot tent yourself: begone, beseech you.
Com. Come, sir, along with us. 236
Cor. I would they were barbarians,—as they are, ​Though in Rome litter'd,—not Romans,—as they are not, Though calv'd i' the porch o' the Capitol,—
Men. Begone; Put not your worthy rage into your tongue; 240 One time will owe another.
Cor. On fair ground I could beat forty of them.
Men. I could myself Take up a brace o' the best of them; yea, the two tribunes.
Com. But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetic; 244 And manhood is call'd foolery when it stands Against a falling fabric. Will you hence, Before the tag return? whose rage doth rend Like interrupted waters and o'erbear 248 What they are us'd to bear.
Men. Pray you, begone. I'll try whether my old wit be in request With those that have but little: this must be patch'd With cloth of any colour.
Com. Nay, come away. 252
Exeunt Coriolanus and Cominius.
Patri. This man has marr'd his fortune.
Men. His nature is too noble for the world: He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, Or Jove for 's power to thunder. His heart's his mouth: 256 What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent; ​And, being angry, does forget that ever He heard the name of death. A noise within. Here's goodly work!
Patri. I would they were a-bed! 260
Men. I would they were in Tiber! What the vengeance! Could he not speak 'em fair?
Enter Brutus and Sicinius with the rabble again.
Sic. Where is this viper That would depopulate the city and Be every man himself?
Men. You worthy tribunes,— 264
Sic. He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock With rigorous hands: he hath resisted law, And therefore law shall scorn him further trial Than the severity of the public power, 268 Which he so sets at nought.
1. Cit. He shall well know The noble tribunes are the people's mouths, And we their hands.
All. He shall, sure on 't.
Men. Sir, sir,—
Sic. Peace! 272
Men. Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt With modest warrant.
Sic. Sir, how comes 't that you Have holp to make this rescue?
Men. Hear me speak: As I do know the consul's worthiness, 276 So can I name his faults.
Sic. Consul! what consul?
​Men. The Consul Coriolanus.
Bru. He consul!
All. No, no, no, no, no.
Men. If, by the tribunes' leave, and yours, good people, 280 I may be heard, I would crave a word or two, The which shall turn you to no further harm Than so much loss of time.
Sic. Speak briefly then; For we are peremptory to dispatch 284 This viperous traitor. To eject him hence Were but one danger, and to keep him here Our certain death; therefore it is decreed He dies to-night.
Men. Now the good gods forbid 288 That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude Towards her deserved children is enroll'd In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam Should now eat up her own! 292
Sic. He's a disease that must be cut away.
Men. O! he's a limb that has but a disease; Mortal to cut it off; to cure it easy. What has he done to Rome that's worthy death? 296 Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost,— Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath By many an ounce,—he dropp'd it for his country; And what is left, to lose it by his country, 300 Were to us all, that do 't and suffer it, A brand to th' end o' the world.
Sic. This is clean kam.
Bru. Merely awry: when he did love his country ​It honour'd him.
Men. The service of the foot, 304 Being once gangren'd, is not then respected For what before it was.
Bru. We'll hear no more. Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence, Lest his infection, being of catching nature, 308 Spread further.
Men. One word more, one word. This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find The harm of unscann'd swiftness, will, too late, Tie leaden pounds to 's heels. Proceed by process; 312 Lest parties—as he is belov'd—break out, And sack great Rome with Romans.
Bru. If it were so,—
Sic. What do ye talk? Have we not had a taste of his obedience? 316 Our ædiles smote? ourselves resisted? Come!
Men. Consider this: he has been bred i' the wars Since a' could draw a sword, and is ill school'd In bolted language; meal and bran together 320 He throws without distinction. Give me leave, I'll go to him, and undertake to bring him Where he shall answer by a lawful form,— In peace,—to his utmost peril.
1. Sen. Noble tribunes, 324 It is the humane way: the other course Will prove too bloody, and the end of it Unknown to the beginning.
Sic. Noble Menenius, Be you then as the people's officer. 328 Masters, lay down your weapons.
​Bru. Go not home.
Sic. Meet on the market-place. We'll attend you there: Where, if you bring not Martius, we'll proceed In our first way. 332
Men. I'll bring him to you. [To the Senators.] Let me desire your company. He must come, Or what is worst will follow.
Sen. Pray you, let's to him.
Exeunt omnes.
Scene Two
[The Same. A Room in Coriolanus's House]
Enter Coriolanus with Nobles.
Cor. Let them pull all about mine ears; present me Death on the wheel, or at wild horses' heels; Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock, That the precipitation might down stretch 4 Below the beam of sight; yet will I still Be thus to them.
Noble. You do the nobler.
Cor. I muse my mother Does not approve me further, who was wont 8 To call them woollen vassals, things created To buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads In congregations, to yawn, be still, and wonder, When one but of my ordinance stood up 12 To speak of peace or war.
Enter Volumnia.
I talk of you: Why did you wish me milder? Would you have me False to my nature? Rather say I play The man I am.
Vol. O! sir, sir, sir, 16 I would have had you put your power well on Before you had worn it out.
Cor. Let go.
Vol. You might have been enough the man you are With striving less to be so: lesser had been 20 The thwartings of your dispositions if You had not show'd them how you were dispos'd, Ere they lack'd power to cross you.
Cor. Let them hang.
Vol. Ay, and burn too. 24
Enter Menenius with the Senators.
Men. Come, come; you have been too rough, something too rough; You must return and mend it.
Sen. There's no remedy; Unless, by not so doing, our good city Cleave in the midst, and perish.
Vol. Pray be counsell'd. 28 I have a heart as little apt as yours, But yet a brain that leads my use of anger To better vantage.
Men. Well said, noble woman! Before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that 32 The violent fit o' the time craves it as physic For the whole state, I would put mine armour on, ​Which I can scarcely bear.
Cor. What must I do?
Men. Return to the tribunes.
Cor. Well, what then? what then? 36
Men. Repent what you have spoke.
Cor. For them! I cannot do it to the gods; Must I then do 't to them?
Vol. You are too absolute; Though therein you can never be too noble, 40 But when extremities speak. I have heard you say, Honour and policy, like unsever'd friends, I' the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me, In peace what each of them by th' other lose, 44 That they combine not there.
Cor. Tush, tush!
Men. A good demand.
Vol. If it be honour in your wars to seem The same you are not,—which, for your best ends, You adopt your policy,—how is it less or worse, 48 That it shall hold companionship in peace With honour, as in war, since that to both It stands in like request?
Cor. Why force you this?
Vol. Because that now it lies you on to speak 52 To the people; not by your own instruction, Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you, But with such words that are but rooted in Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables 56 Of no allowance to your bosom's truth. ​Now this no more dishonours you at all Than to take in a town with gentle words, Which else would put you to your fortune and 60 The hazard of much blood. I would dissemble with my nature where My fortunes and my friends at stake requir'd I should do so in honour: I am in this, 64 Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles; And you will rather show our general louts How you can frown than spend a fawn upon 'em, For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard 68 Of what that want might ruin.
Men. Noble lady! Come, go with us; speak fair; you may salve so, Not what is dangerous present, but the loss Of what is past.
Vol. I prithee now, my son, 72 Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand; And thus far having stretch'd it,—here be with them,— Thy knee bussing the stones,—for in such business Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th' ignorant 76 More learned than the ears,—waving thy head, Which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart, Now humble as the ripest mulberry That will not hold the handling: or say to them, 80 Thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils Hast not the soft way which, thou dost confess, Were fit for thee to use as they to claim, ​In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame 84 Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far As thou hast power and person.
Men. This but done, Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours; For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free 88 As words to little purpose.
Vol. Prithee now, Go, and be rul'd; although I know thou hadst rather Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf Than flatter him in a bower.
Enter Cominius.
Here is Cominius. 92
Com. I have been i' the market-place; and, sir, 'tis fit You make strong party, or defend yourself By calmness or by absence: all's in anger.
Men. Only fair speech.
Com. I think 'twill serve, if he 96 Can thereto frame his spirit.
Vol. He must, and will. Prithee now, say you will, and go about it.
Cor. Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce? Must I with my base tongue give to my noble heart 100 A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do 't: Yet, were there but this single plot to lose, This mould of Martius, they to dust should grind it, And throw 't against the wind. To the market-place! 104 You have put me now to such a part which never I shall discharge to the life.
​Com. Come, come, we'll prompt you.
Vol. I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said My praises made thee first a soldier, so, 108 To have my praise for this, perform a part Thou hast not done before.
Cor. Well, I must do 't: Away, my disposition, and possess me Some harlot's spirit! My throat of war be turn'd, 112 Which quir'd with my drum, into a pipe Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice That babies lulls asleep! The smiles of knaves Tent in my cheeks, and school-boys' tears take up 116 The glasses of my sight! A beggar's tongue Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees, Who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his That hath receiv'd an alms! I will not do 't, 120 Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth, And by my body's action teach my mind A most inherent baseness.
Vol. At thy choice then: To beg of thee it is my more dishonour 124 Than thou of them. Come all to ruin; let Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list, 128 Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me, But owe thy pride thyself.
Cor. Pray, be content: Mother, I am going to the market-place; ​Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves, 132 Cog their hearts from them, and come home belov'd Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going: Commend me to my wife. I'll return consul, Or never trust to what my tongue can do 136 I' the way of flattery further.
Vol. Do your will.
Exit Volumnia.
Com. Away! the tribunes do attend you: arm yourself To answer mildly; for they are prepar'd With accusations, as I hear, more strong 140 Than are upon you yet.
Cor. The word is 'mildly.' Pray you, let us go: Let them accuse me by invention, I Will answer in mine honour.
Men. Ay, but mildly. 144
Cor. Well, mildly be it then. Mildly! Exeunt.
Scene Three
[The Same. The Forum]
Enter Sicinius and Brutus.
Bru. In this point charge him home, that he affects Tyrannical power: if he evade us there, Enforce him with his envy to the people, And that the spoil got on the Antiates 4 Was ne'er distributed.—
Enter an Ædile.
What, will he come?
Æd. He's coming.
Bru. How accompanied?
Æd. With old Menenius, and those senators That always favour'd him.
Sic. Have you a catalogue 8 Of all the voices that we have procur'd, Set down by the poll?
Æd. I have; 'tis ready.
Sic. Have you collected them by tribes?
Æd. I have.
Sic. Assemble presently the people hither; 12 And when they hear me say, 'It shall be so, I' the right and strength o' the commons,' be it either For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them, If I say, fine, cry 'fine,'—if death, cry 'death,' 16 Insisting on the old prerogative And power i' the truth o' the cause.
Æd. I shall inform them.
Bru. And when such time they have begun to cry, Let them not cease, but with a din confus'd 20 Enforce the present execution Of what we chance to sentence.
Æd. Very well.
Sic. Make them be strong and ready for this hint, When we shall hap to give ’t them.
Bru. Go about it. 24 [Exit Ædile.] Put him to choler straight. He hath been us'd Ever to conquer, and to have his worth Of contradiction: being once chaf'd, he cannot Be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks 28 ​What's in his heart; and that is there which looks With us to break his neck.
Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, and Cominius, with others.
Sic. Well, here he comes.
Men. Calmly, I do beseech you.
Cor. Ay, as an hostler, that for the poorest piece 32 Will bear the knave by the volume. The honour'd gods Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice Supplied with worthy men! plant love among 's! Throng our large temples with the shows of peace, 36 And not our streets with war!
1. Sen. Amen, amen.
Men. A noble wish.
Enter the Ædile with the Plebeians.
Sic. Draw near, ye people.
Æd. List to your tribunes; audience; peace! I say.
Cor. First, hear me speak.
Both Tri. Well, say. Peace, ho! 40
Cor. Shall I be charg'd no further than this present? Must all determine here?
Sic. I do demand, If you submit you to the people's voices, Allow their officers, and are content 44 To suffer lawful censure for such faults As shall be prov'd upon you?
Cor. I am content.
Men. Lo! citizens, he says he is content: The warlike service he has done, consider; think 48 Upon the wounds his body bears, which show ​Like graves i' the holy churchyard.
Cor. Scratches with briers, Scars to move laughter only.
Men. Consider further, That when he speaks not like a citizen, 52 You find him like a soldier: do not take His rougher accents for malicious sounds, But, as I say, such as become a soldier, Rather than envy you.
Com. Well, well; no more. 56
Cor. What is the matter, That being pass'd for consul with full voice I am so dishonour'd that the very hour You take it off again?
Sic. Answer to us. 60
Cor. Say, then: 'tis true, I ought so.
Sic. We charge you, that you have contriv'd to take From Rome all season'd office, and to wind Yourself into a power tyrannical; 64 For which you are a traitor to the people.
Cor. How! Traitor!
Men. Nay, temperately; your promise.
Cor. The fires i' the lowest hell fold in the people! Call me their traitor! Thou injurious tribune! 68 Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths, In thy hands clutch'd as many millions, in Thy lying tongue both numbers, I would say 'Thou liest' unto thee with a voice as free 72 As I do pray the gods.
Sic. Mark you this, people?
All. To the rock!—to the rock with him!
​Sic. Peace! We need not put new matter to his charge: What you have seen him do, and heard him speak, 76 Beating your officers, cursing yourselves, Opposing laws with strokes, and here defying Those whose great power must try him; even this, So criminal and in such capital kind, 80 Deserves th' extremest death.
Bru. But since he hath Serv'd well for Rome,—
Cor. What do you prate of service?
Bru. I talk of that, that know it.
Cor. You!
Men. Is this the promise that you made your mother? 84
Com. Know, I pray you,—
Cor. I'll know no further: Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death, Vagabond exile, flaying, pent to linger But with a grain a day, I would not buy 88 Their mercy at the price of one fair word, Nor check my courage for what they can give, To have 't with saying 'Good morrow.'
Sic. For that he has,— As much as in him lies,—from time to time 92 Envied against the people, seeking means To pluck away their power, as now at last Given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence Of dreaded justice, but on the ministers 96 That doth distribute it; in the name o' the people, And in the power of us the tribunes, we, ​Even from this instant, banish him our city, In peril of precipitation 100 From off the rock Tarpeian, never more To enter our Rome gates: i' the people’s name, I say, it shall be so.
All. It shall be so.—It shall be so.—Let him away.— 104 He's banish'd, and it shall be so.
Com. Hear me, my masters, and my common friends,—
Sic. He's sentenc'd; no more hearing.
Com. Let me speak: I have been consul, and can show for Rome 108 Her enemies' marks upon me. I do love My country's good with a respect more tender, More holy, and profound, than mine own life, My dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase, 112 And treasure of my loins; then if I would Speak that—
Sic. We know your drift: speak what?
Bru. There's no more to be said but he is banish'd, As enemy to the people and his country. 116 It shall be so.
All. It shall be so,—it shall be so.
Cor. You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate As reek o' the rotten fens, whose loves I prize As the dead carcasses of unburied men 120 That do corrupt my air, I banish you; And here remain with your uncertainty! Let every feeble rumour shake your hearts! Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes, 124 Fan you into despair! Have the power still ​To banish your defenders; till at length Your ignorance,—which finds not till it feels,— Making but reservation of yourselves,— 128 Still your own foes,—deliver you as most Abated captives to some nation That won you without blows! Despising, For you, the city, thus I turn my back: 132 There is a world elsewhere.
Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius with others. They all shout and throw up their caps.
Æd. The people's enemy is gone, is gone!
All. Our enemy is banish'd!—he is gone!—Hoo! oo!
Sic. Go, see him out at gates, and follow him, 136 As he hath follow'd you, with all despite; Give him deserv'd vexation. Let a guard Attend us through the city. 139
All. Come, come,—let’s see him out at gates! come! The gods preserve our noble tribunes! Come!
Exeunt.
Footnotes to Act III
Scene One
​1 made new head: raised a new army 3 composition: coming to terms 5 road: an inroad, raid ​16 To . . . restitution: beyond hope of redemption 23 prank them: deck themselves ​37 purpos'd: premeditated 43 Scandal'd: slandered 46 sithence: since 48 Each . . . yours: to surpass your doings in every way ​51 that: that defect of character 56 yoke: join in service 57 abus'd: deceived set on: incited 59 dishonour'd rub: shameful obstruction falsely: treacherously 65 meiny: multitude 66 Regard . . . flatter: heed my unflattering presentation 69 cockle: noxious weed ​77 measles: disease spots 78 tetter: form an eruption on 85 mind: resolved opinion 88 Triton: sea-god 89 from the canon: not authorized by law 92 Given: allowed Hydra: the many-headed monster 94 horn and noise: noisy horn ​97 vail . . . ignorance: let your folly submit 97, 98 awake . . . lenity: arouse yourselves from your dangerous mildness 100 cushions: i.e. seats in the Senate 102 great'st taste: predominant taste 103 palates: smacks of 108 up: established 110 gap of both: cleavage between the two 110, 111 take . . . other: use the one to overthrow the other 120 our recompense: fair payment from us 121 press'd: enlisted ​122 navel: vital center 123 thread: pass through 128 All . . . unborn: causelessly motive: occasion; cf. n. 130 bosom multiplied; cf. n. 131, 132 Let . . . words: let their actions explain what they are likely to say 133 poll: number 139 over-measure: excess 140, 141 What . . . withal: may all divine and human sanctities attest my final assertion 144 conclude: come to a decision 147 unstable slightness: petty whims purpose so barr'd: where rational action is thus obstructed ​149 less . . . discreet: prudent rather than timid 150, 151 That . . . on 't: whose devotion to the essentials of good government exceeds your fear of innovations in politics 153 jump: put in hazard 155 multitudinous tongue: i.e. voting power of the rabble 160 H'as: he has 161 answer: abide the penalty 163 despite: malice 166 greater bench: senate 167 what's . . . be: inevitable necessity, however unfitting 172 ædiles: ædiles of the people, assistants to the tribunes ​174 Attach: arrest innovator: agitator 177 surety: vouch for ​205 distinctly ranges: stretches out intact in separate buildings 212 rock Tarpeian; cf. n. ​224 seen me: seen me do 230 naught: ruined 234 cause: disorder, disease ​238 litter'd: whelped, born like beasts 241 One . . . another: a balance will be struck between this unlucky time and one that will be more favorable 244 beyond arithmetic: incalculable 246 fabric: building 247 tag: rabble 248 interrupted: obstructed 251, 252 this . . . colour: we must use the roughest remedies ​258 does: he does 262 speak 'em fair: conciliate them 268 severity: i.e. exposure to severity 273 cry havoc: give the signal for indiscriminate slaughter 274 With . . . warrant: as moderation warrants ​282 turn you to: occasion you 284 peremptory: resolved 291 dam: mother (of beasts) 295 Mortal: producing death 301 suffer: permit 302 brand: mark of infamy clean kam: absolutely perverse 303 Merely: completely ​304–306 The . . . was; cf. n. 311 unscann'd: rash, thoughtless 312 pounds: pound-weights process: legal method 313 parties: factions 315 talk: say 320 bolted: sifted
Scene Two
​4 precipitation: steepness 5 Below . . . sight: lower than eyesight can reach 7 muse: wonder 9 woollen vassals: coarsely dressed underlings 10 groats: four-penny coins 12 ordinance: rank ​18 Let go: No more of that 21 thwartings; cf. n. 28 Cleave . . . midst: break in two 29 as little apt: as unbending 32 but: except ​39 absolute: positive, peremptory 41 But . . . speak: except under the command of necessity 42 policy: craft 45 combine: join 48 adopt: adopt as 51 stands . . . request: is equally valuable force: urge 52 lies . . . on: is incumbent upon you 53 by . . . instruction: as your nature teaches you 55, 56 are . . . tongue: have their roots no deeper than your tongue; cf. n. 57 of . . . to: unapproved by ​59 take in: get possession of 60 put . . . fortune: force you to risk the fortune of war 64 I am: I am at stake 66 general louts: the good-for-nothings of the community 68 safeguard: for the security 69 that want: the want of their loves 71, 72 Not . . . past; cf. n. 73 this bonnet: that which Coriolanus wears 74, 75 And . . . stones; cf. n. 78 Which often: a concilatory gesture which you are to repeat often 83 as they: as for them ​87 were: would be 88 free: abundantly 92 bower: abode of pleasure 94 make . . . party: collect many supporters 99 unbarbed sconce: bared head 102 this single plot: my own person 105 which: as 106 discharge . . . life: perform naturally ​113 quir'd: harmonized 114 virgin: nurse-maid's 116 Tent: encamp take up: fill 117 The . . . sight: my eyes 121 surcease to honour: cease to have respect for 124 my . . . dishonour: more dishonor for me 125 thou: for thee to beg 125–127 let . . . stoutness: let my anxiety concerning thy dangerous obstinacy give place to such pride as thou feelest 130 owe: own ​132 mountebank: act the quack-vendor for 133 Cog: cheat 138 arm yourself: prepare
Scene Three
​1 affects: aims at 3 Enforce: press 4 on: at the expense of ​10 by the poll: by individual names 11 by tribes; cf. n. 21 present: immediate 26, 27 have . . . contradiction: indulge his love of contradiction in full measure ​29 looks: tends, is calculated 32 piece: coin 33 bear . . . volume: submit to be called knave interminably 41 this present: the present occasion 42 determine: end 44 Allow: acknowledge ​54 accents; cf. n. 56 envy: evidence hostility to 62 contriv'd: designed 63 season'd: time-honored 67 fold in: encompass 68 injurious: insulting 69 Within: although within ​80 capital kind: death-deserving measure 87 pent: imprisoned linger: starve slowly 91 To have 't: though I could have it 93 Envied: been malignant 95 not: not merely 97 doth: do; cf. n. ​112 estimate: reputation 122 remain: do you remain uncertainty: inconstancy of mind ​128 Making . . . of: exempting from banishment none but 130 Abated: crestfallen 133 S. d. with others; cf. n.