# Coriolanus (1924) Yale/Text/Act V

Notes originally placed at the bottom of each page appear below, following Act V. 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 V begin on page 154 of the original volume.
Layout 2
ACT FIFTH
Scene One
[Rome. A Public Place]
Enter Menenius, Cominius, Sicinius, Brutus (the two Tribunes), with Others.
Men. No, I'll not go: you hear what he hath said Which was sometime his general; who lov'd him In a most dear particular. He call'd me father: But what o' that? Go, you that banish'd him; 4 A mile before his tent fall down, and knee The way into his mercy. Nay, if he coy'd To hear Cominius speak, I'll keep at home.
Com. He would not seem to know me.
Men. Do you hear? 8
Com. Yet one time he did call me by my name. I urg'd our old acquaintance, and the drops That we have bled together. Coriolanus He would not answer to; forbad all names; 12 He was a kind of nothing, titleless, Till he had forg'd himself a name o' the fire Of burning Rome.
Men. Why, so: you have made good work! A pair of tribunes that have rack'd for Rome, 16 To make coals cheap: a noble memory!
​Com. I minded him how royal 'twas to pardon When it was less expected: he replied, It was a bare petition of a state 20 To one whom they had punish'd.
Men. Very well. Could he say less?
Com. I offer'd to awaken his regard For 's private friends: his answer to me was, 24 He could not stay to pick them in a pile Of noisome musty chaff: he said 'twas folly, For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt And still to nose th' offence.
Men. For one poor grain or two! 28 I am one of those; his mother, wife, his child, And this brave fellow too, we are the grains: You are the musty chaff, and you are smelt Above the moon. We must be burnt for you. 32
Sic. Nay, pray, be patient: if you refuse your aid In this so-never-needed help, yet do not Upbraid 's with our distress. But, sure, if you Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue, 36 More than the instant army we can make, Might stop our countryman.
Men. No; I'll not meddle.
Sic. Pray you, go to him.
Men. What should I do? 40
Bru. Only make trial what your love can do For Rome towards Martius.
Men. Well; and say that Martius Return me, as Cominius is return'd, ​Unheard; what then? 44 But as a discontented friend, grief-shot With his unkindness? say 't be so?
Sic. Yet your good will Must have that thanks from Rome, after the measure As you intended well.
Men. I'll undertake 't: 48 I think he'll hear me. Yet, to bite his lip, And hum at good Cominius, much unhearts me. He was not taken well; he had not din'd: The veins unfill'd, our blood is cold, and then 52 We pout upon the morning, are unapt To give or to forgive; but when we have stuff'd These pipes and these conveyances of our blood With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls 56 Than in our priestlike fasts: therefore, I'll watch him Till he be dieted to my request, And then I'll set upon him.
Bru. You know the very road into his kindness, 60 And cannot lose your way.
Men. Good faith, I'll prove him, Speed how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge Of my success. Exit.
Com. He'll never hear him.
Sic. Not?
Com. I tell you he does sit in gold, his eye 64 Red as 'twould burn Rome, and his injury The gaoler to his pity. I kneel'd before him; 'Twas very faintly he said 'Rise'; dismiss'd me ​Thus, with his speechless hand: what he would do 68 He sent in writing after me, what he would not, Bound with an oath to yield to his conditions: So that all hope is vain Unless his noble mother and his wife, 72 Who, as I hear, mean to solicit him For mercy to his country. Therefore let's hence, And with our fair entreaties haste them on. Exeunt.
Scene Two
[The Volscian Camp before Rome. The Guards at their stations]
Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard.
1. Wat. Stay! whence are you?
2. Wat. Stand! and go back.
Men. You guard like men; 'tis well; but, by your leave, I am an officer of state, and come To speak with Coriolanus.
1. Wat. From whence?
Men. From Rome. 4
1. Wat. You may not pass; you must return: our general Will no more hear from thence.
2. Wat. You'll see your Rome embrac'd with fire before You'll speak with Coriolanus.
Men. Good my friends, 8 If you have heard your general talk of Rome, And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks ​My name hath touch'd your ears: it is Menenius.
1. Wat. Be it so; go back: the virtue of your name 12 Is not here passable.
Men. I tell thee, fellow, Thy general is my lover: I have been The book of his good acts, whence men have read His fame unparallel'd, haply amplified; 16 For I have ever verified my friends— Of whom he's chief—with all the size that verity Would without lapsing suffer: nay, sometimes, Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground, 20 I have tumbled past the throw, and in his praise Have almost stamp'd the leasing. Therefore, fellow, I must have leave to pass.
1. Wat. Faith, sir, if you had told as many 24 lies in his behalf as you have uttered words in your own, you should not pass here; no, though it were as virtuous to lie as to live chastely. Therefore go back. 28
Men. Prithee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius, always factionary on the party of your general.
2. Wat. Howsoever you have been his liar 32 —as you say you have—I am one that, telling true under him, must say you cannot pass. Therefore go back.
Men. Has he dined, canst thou tell? for I 36 would not speak with him till after dinner.
1. Wat. You are a Roman, are you?
Men. I am as thy general is.
​1. Wat. Then you should hate Rome, as he 40 does. Can you, when you have pushed out your gates the very defender of them, and, in a violent popular ignorance, given your enemy your shield, think to front his revenges with the 44 easy groans of old women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant as you seem to be? Can you think to blow out the intended fire your 48 city is ready to flame in with such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived; therefore, back to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are condemned, our general has sworn you out 52 of reprieve and pardon.
Men. Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he would use me with estimation.
1. Wat. Come, my captain knows you not. 56
Men. I mean, thy general.
1. Wat. My general cares not for you. Back, I say: go, lest I let forth your half-pint of blood; back, that's the utmost of your having: 60 back!
Men. Nay, but, fellow, fellow,—
Enter Coriolanus with Aufidius.
Cor. What's the matter?
Men. Now, you companion, I'll say an errand 64 for you: you shall know now that I am in estimation; you shall perceive that a Jack guardant cannot office me from my son Corio- ​lanus: guess, but by my entertainment with 68 him, if thou standest not i' the state of hanging, or of some death more long in spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now presently, and swound for what's to come upon thee. [To 72 Coriolanus.] The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than thy old father Menenius does! O my son! my son! thou art preparing 76 fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it. I was hardly moved to come to thee; but being assured none but myself could move thee, I have been blown out of your gates with sighs; 80 and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here; this, who, like a block, hath denied 84 my access to thee.
Cor. Away!
Men. How! away!
Cor. Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs 88 Are servanted to others: though I owe My revenge properly, my remission lies In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar, Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather 92 Than pity note how much. Therefore, begone: Mine ears against your suits are stronger than Your gates against my force. Yet, for I lov'd thee, Take this along; I writ it for thy sake, 96 [Gives a paper.] ​And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius, I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius, Was my belov'd in Rome: yet thou behold'st!
Auf. You keep a constant temper. 100
Exeunt [Coriolanus and Aufidius]. Mane[n]t the Guard and Menenius.
1. Wat. Now, sir, is your name Menenius?
2. Wat. 'Tis a spell, you see, of much power. You know the way home again.
1. Wat. Do you hear how we are shent for 104 keeping your greatness back?
2. Wat. What cause, do you think, I have to swound?
Men. I neither care for the world, nor your 108 general: for such things as you, I can scarce think there's any, y' are so slight. He that hath a will to die by himself fears it not from another. Let your general do his worst. For you, be that 112 you are long; and your misery increase with your age! I say to you, as I was said to, Away! Exit.
1. Wat. A noble fellow, I warrant him.
2. Wat. The worthy fellow is our general: 116 he's the rock, the oak, not to be wind-shaken.
Exit Watch.
Scene Three
[The Tent of Coriolanus]
Enter Coriolanus and Aufidius.
Cor. We will before the walls of Rome to-morrow Set down our host. My partner in this action, ​You must report to the Volscian lords, how plainly I have borne this business.
Auf. Only their ends 4 You have respected; stopp'd your ears against The general suit of Rome; never admitted A private whisper; no, not with such friends That thought them sure of you.
Cor. This last old man, 8 Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome, Lov'd me above the measure of a father; Nay, godded me indeed. Their latest refuge Was to send him; for whose old love I have, 12 Though I show'd sourly to him, once more offer'd The first conditions, which they did refuse, And cannot now accept, to grace him only That thought he could do more. A very little 16 I have yielded to; fresh embassies and suits, Nor from the state, nor private friends, hereafter Will I lend ear to. Ha! what shout is this? Shout within. Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow 20 In the same time 'tis made? I will not.
Enter Virgilia, Volumnia, Valeria, young Martius with Attendants.
My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould Wherein this trunk was fram'd, and in her hand The grandchild to her blood. But out, affection! 24 All bond and privilege of nature, break! Let it be virtuous to be obstinate. What is that curtsy worth? or those doves' eyes, Which can make gods forsworn? I melt, and am not 28 ​Of stronger earth than others. My mother bows, As if Olympus to a molehill should In supplication nod; and my young boy Hath an aspect of intercession, which 32 Great nature cries, 'Deny not.' Let the Volsces Plough Rome, and harrow Italy; I'll never Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand As if a man were author of himself 36 And knew no other kin.
Vir. My lord and husband!
Cor. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome.
Vir. The sorrow that delivers us thus chang'd Makes you think so.
Cor. Like a dull actor now, 40 I have forgot my part, and I am out, Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh, Forgive my tyranny; but do not say For that, 'Forgive our Romans.' O! a kiss 44 Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge! Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss I carried from thee, dear, and my true lip Hath virgin'd it e'er since. You gods! I prate, 48 And the most noble mother of the world Leave unsaluted. Sink, my knee, i' the earth; Kneels. Of thy deep duty more impression show Than that of common sons.
Vol. O! stand up bless'd; 52 Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint, I kneel before thee, and unproperly ​Show duty, as mistaken all this while Between the child and parent. [Kneels.]
Cor. What's this? 56 Your knees to me! to your corrected son! Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach Fillip the stars; then let the mutinous winds Strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun, 60 Murd'ring impossibility, to make What cannot be, slight work.
Vol. Thou art my warrior; I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady?
Cor. The noble sister of Publicola, 64 The moon of Rome; chaste as the icicle That's curdied by the frost from purest snow, And hangs on Dian's temple: dear Valeria!
Vol. This is a poor epitome of yours, 68 [Pointing to the Child.] Which by th' interpretation of full time May show like all yourself.
Cor. The god of soldiers, With the consent of supreme Jove, inform Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou mayst prove 72 To shame unvulnerable, and stick i' the wars Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw, And saving those that eye thee!
Vol. Your knee, sirrah.
Cor. That's my brave boy! 76
Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself ​Are suitors to you.
Cor. I beseech you, peace: Or, if you'd ask, remember this before: The things I have forsworn to grant may never 80 Be held by you denials. Do not bid me Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate Again with Rome's mechanics: tell me not Wherein I seem unnatural: desire not 84 To allay my rages and revenges with Your colder reasons.
Vol. O! no more, no more; You have said you will not grant us anything; For we have nothing else to ask but that 88 Which you deny already: yet we will ask; That, if you fail in our request, the blame May hang upon your hardness. Therefore, hear us.
Cor. Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark; for we'll 92 Hear nought from Rome in private. Your request?
Vol. Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment And state of bodies would bewray what life We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself 96 How more unfortunate than all living women Are we come hither: since that thy sight, which should Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts, 99 Constrains them weep and shake with fear and sorrow; Making the mother, wife, and child to see The son, the husband, and the father tearing His country's bowels out. And to poor we Thine enmity's most capital: thou barr'st us 104 Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort That all but we enjoy; for how can we, ​Alas! how can we for our country pray, Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory, 108 Whereto we are bound? Alack! or we must lose The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person, Our comfort in the country. We must find An evident calamity, though we had 112 Our wish, which side should win; for either thou Must, as a foreign recreant, be led With manacles through our streets, or else Triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin, 116 And bear the palm for having bravely shed Thy wife and children's blood. For myself, son, I purpose not to wait on Fortune till These wars determine: if I cannot persuade thee 120 Rather to show a noble grace to both parts Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner March to assault thy country than to tread— Trust to 't, thou shalt not—on thy mother's womb, 124 That brought thee to this world.
Vir. Ay, and mine, That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name Living to time.
Boy. A' shall not tread on me: I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight. 128
Cor. Not of a woman's tenderness to be, Requires nor child nor woman's face to see, I have sat too long. [Rising.]
Vol. Nay, go not from us thus, If it were so, that our request did tend 132 To save the Romans, thereby to destroy The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn us, ​As poisonous of your honour: no; our suit Is, that you reconcile them: while the Volsces 136 May say, 'This mercy we have show'd'; the Romans, 'This we receiv'd'; and each in either side Give the all-hail to thee, and cry, 'Be bless'd For making up this peace!' Thou know'st, great son, 140 The end of war's uncertain; but this certain, That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name Whose repetition will be dogg'd with curses; 144 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 remains To th' ensuing age abhorr'd.' Speak to me, son! 148 Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour, To imitate the graces of the gods; To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air, And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt 152 That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak? Think'st thou it honourable for a nobleman Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speak you: He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, boy: 156 Perhaps thy childishness will move him more Than can our reasons. There is no man in the world More bound to 's mother; yet here he lets me prate Like one i' the stocks. Thou hast never in thy life 160 Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy; When she—poor hen! fond of no second brood— Has cluck'd thee to the wars, and safely home, ​Loaden with honour. Say my request's unjust, 164 And spurn me back; but if it be not so, Thou art not honest, and the gods will plague thee, That thou restrain'st from me the duty which To a mother's part belongs. He turns away: 168 Down, ladies; let us shame him with our knees. To his surname Coriolanus longs more pride Than pity to our prayers. Down: an end; This is the last; so we will home to Rome, 172 And die among our neighbours. Nay, behold 's, This boy, that cannot tell what he would have, But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship, Does reason our petition with more strength 176 Than thou hast to deny 't. Come, let us go: This fellow had a Volscian to his mother; His wife is in Corioli, and his child Like him by chance. Yet give us our dispatch: 180 I am hush'd until our city be a-fire, And then I'll speak a little.
Cor. O, mother, mother! Holds her by the hand silent. What have you done? Behold! the heavens do ope, The gods look down, and this unnatural scene 184 They laugh at. O my mother! mother! O! You have won a happy victory to Rome; But, for your son, believe it, O believe it, Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd, 188 If not most mortal to him. But let it come. Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars, I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius, ​Were you in my stead, would you have heard 192 A mother less, or granted less, Aufidius?
Auf. I was mov'd withal.
Cor. I dare be sworn you were: And, sir, it is no little thing to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, 196 What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part, I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you: and pray you, Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife!
Auf. [Aside.] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour 200 At difference in thee: out of that I'll work Myself a former fortune.
[The ladies make signs to Coriolanus.]
Cor. Ay, by and by; But we will drink together; and you shall bear A better witness back than words, which we, 204 On like conditions, would have counterseal'd. Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve To have a temple built you: all the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, 208 Could not have made this peace. Exeunt.
Scene Four
[Rome. A Public Place]
Enter Menenius and Sicinius.
Men. See you yond coign o' the Capitol, yond corner-stone?
​Sic. Why, what of that?
Men. If it be possible for you to displace it 4 with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. But I say, there is no hope in 't. Our throats are sentenced and stay upon 8 execution.
Sic. Is 't possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a man?
Men. There is differency between a grub and 12 a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Martius is grown from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a creeping thing.
Sic. He loved his mother dearly. 16
Men. So did he me; and he no more remem- bers his mother now than an eight-year-old horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes: when he walks, he moves like an engine, 20 and the ground shrinks before his treading: he is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his 'hum!' is a battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made for Alexander. What 24 he bids be done is finished with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity and a heaven to throne in.
Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. 28
Men. I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him: there is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a ​male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and 32 all this is long of you.
Sic. The gods be good unto us!
Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him, we 36 respected not them; and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your house: The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, 40 And hale him up and down; all swearing, if The Roman ladies bring not comfort home, They'll give him death by inches.
Enter another Messenger.
Sic. What's the news?
Mess. Good news, good news! the ladies have prevail'd, 44 The Volscians are dislodg'd, and Martius gone. A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, No, not th' expulsion of the Tarquins.
Sic. Friend, Art thou certain this is true? Is 't most certain? 48
Mess. As certain as I know the sun is fire: Where have you lurk'd that you make doubt of it? Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide, As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you! 52 Trumpets, hautboys, drums beat, all together. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, ​Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance. Hark you! A shout within.
Men. This is good news: I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia 56 Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians, A city full; of tribunes, such as you, A sea and land full. You have pray'd well to-day: This morning for ten thousand of your throats 60 I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!
Sound still with the shouts.
Sic. First, the gods bless you for your tidings; next, Accept my thankfulness.
Mess. Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks.
Sic. They are near the city? 64
Mess. Almost at point to enter.
Sic. We'll meet them, And help the joy. Exeunt.
Enter two Senators, with Ladies, passing over the Stage, with other Lords.
Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome! Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, 68 And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them: Unshout the noise that banish'd Martius; Repeal him with the welcome of his mother; Cry, 'Welcome, ladies, welcome!'
All. Welcome, ladies, 72 Welcome! A flourish with drums and trumpets.
[Exeunt.]
Scene Five
[Corioli. A Public Place]
Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Attendants.
Auf. Go tell the lords o' the city I am here: Deliver them this paper: having read it, Bid them repair to the market-place; where I, Even in theirs and in the commons' ears, 4 Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse The city ports by this hath enter'd, and Intends to appear before the people, hoping To purge himself with words: dispatch, 8
[Exeunt Attendants.]
Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius' faction.
Most welcome!
1. Con. How is it with our general?
Auf. Even so As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, And with his charity slain.
2. Con. Most noble sir, 12 If you do hold the same intent wherein You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you Of your great danger.
Auf. Sir, I cannot tell: We must proceed as we do find the people. 16
3. Con. The people will remain uncertain whilst 'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all.
Auf. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits 20 ​A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd, He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery, Seducing so my friends; and, to this end, 24 He bow'd his nature, never known before But to be rough, unswayable, and free.
3. Con. Sir, his stoutness When he did stand for consul, which he lost 28 By lack of stooping,—
Auf. That I would have spoke of: Being banish'd for 't, he came unto my hearth; Presented to my knife his throat: I took him; Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way 32 In all his own desires; nay, let him choose Out of my files, his projects to accomplish, My best and freshest men; serv'd his designments In mine own person; holp to reap the fame 36 Which he did end all his; and took some pride To do myself this wrong: till, at the last, I seem'd his follower, not partner; and He wag'd me with his countenance, as if 40 I had been mercenary.
1. Con. So he did, my lord: The army marvell'd at it; and, in the last, When we had carried Rome, and that we look'd For no less spoil than glory,—
Auf. There was it; 44 For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. ​At a few drops of women's rheum, which are As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour Of our great action: therefore shall he die, 48 And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark!
Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the people.
1. Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise.
2. Con. And patient fools, 52 Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear With giving him glory.
3. Con. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, 56 Which we will second. When he lies along, After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury His reasons with his body.
Auf. Say no more: Here come the lords. 60
Enter the Lords of the City.
All Lords. You are most welcome home.
Auf. I have not deserv'd it. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd What I have written to you?
All. We have.
1. Lord. And grieve to hear 't. What faults he made before the last, I think, 64 Might have found easy fines; but there to end ​Where he was to begin, and give away The benefit of our levies, answering us With our own charge, making a treaty where 68 There was a yielding, this admits no excuse.
Auf. He approaches: you shall hear him.
Enter Coriolanus, marching with drums and colours; the Commoners being with him.
Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; No more infected with my country's love 72 Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting Under your great command. You are to know, That prosperously I have attempted and With bloody passage led your wars even to 76 The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home Do more than counterpoise a full third part The charges of the action. We have made peace With no less honour to the Antiates 80 Than shame to the Romans; and we here deliver, Subscrib'd by the consuls and patricians, Together with the seal o' the senate, what We have compounded on.
Auf. Read it not, noble lords; 84 But tell the traitor, in the highest degree He hath abus'd your powers.
Cor. Traitor! How now?
Auf. Ay, traitor, Martius.
Cor. Martius!
Auf. Ay, Martius, Caius Martius. Dost thou think 88 ​I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name, Coriolanus in Corioli? You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously He has betray'd your business, and given up, 92 For certain drops of salt, your city Rome, I say 'your city,' to his wife and mother; Breaking his oath and resolution like A twist of rotten silk, never admitting 96 Counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears He whin'd and roar'd away your victory, That pages blush'd at him, and men of heart Look'd wondering each at others.
Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? 100
Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears.
Cor. Ha!
Auf. No more.
Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave! 104 Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever I was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion— Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him, that 108 Must bear my beating to his grave—shall join To thrust the lie unto him.
1. Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak.
Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads, 112 Stain all your edges on me. Boy! False hound! If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there, That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I ​Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli: 116 Alone I did it. Boy!
Auf. Why, noble lords, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, 'Fore your own eyes and ears?
All Consp. Let him die for 't. 120
All People. Tear him to pieces.—Do it presently.—He killed my son.—My daughter. —He killed my cousin Marcus.—He killed my father. 124
2. Lord. Peace, ho! no outrage: peace! The man is noble and his fame folds in This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius, 128 And trouble not the peace.
Cor. O that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, To use my lawful sword!
Auf. Insolent villain!
All. Consp. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!
Draw all the Conspirators, and kill Martius, who falls. Aufidius stands on him.
Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold! 132
Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak.
1. Lord. O Tullus!
2. Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep.
3. Lord. Tread not upon him, masters; all be quiet. Put up your swords. 136
Auf. My lords, when you shall know,—as in this rage, ​Provok'd by him, you cannot,—the great danger Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours 140 To call me to your senate, I'll deliver Myself your loyal servant, or endure Your heaviest censure.
1. Lord. Bear from hence his body; And mourn you for him! Let him be regarded 144 As the most noble corse that ever herald Did follow to his urn.
2. Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Let's make the best of it.
Auf. My rage is gone, 148 And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up: Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one, Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully; Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he 152 Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one, Which to this hour bewail the injury, Yet he shall have a noble memory. Assist. Exeunt, bearing the body of Martius. A dead march sounded.
FINIS.
Footnotes to Act V
Scene One
​3 particular: personal relation 5 knee: crawl on your knees 6 coy'd: held back, showed reluctance 12 forbad: prohibited the use of 14 o': out of 16 rack'd: strained themselves, worked desperately; cf. n. 17 coals: cinders, charcoal ​18 minded: reminded 20 bare: threadbare, poor 23 offer'd: presumed 28 nose: smell offence: nuisance, offensive matter 37 instant: capable of being raised at once 42 towards: in relation to ​45 grief-shot: pierced with grief 47, 48 after . . . well: proportionate to the goodness of your intention 50 unhearts: dispirits 51 taken well: propitiously encountered 58 dieted to: fed up auspiciously for 62 Speed: turn out 63 Of . . . success: how I shall fare 64 in gold: on golden throne 67 faintly: coldly ​68–70 what . . . conditions; cf. n. 72 Unless: unless in the efforts of
Scene Two
​10 lots to blanks; cf. n. ​13 passable: valid 15 book: record, that which reports 17 verified my friends: shown my friends to be my friends; cf. n. 18 size: exaggeration 19 lapsing: slipping into falsehood 20 subtle: temptingly level 21 throw: distance aimed at 22 stamp'd the leasing: confirmed actual falsehood 30 factionary . . . party: an active adherent 34 telling . . . him: speaking truth in his service ​41 out: out of 43 violent . . . ignorance: folly of mob violence 44 front: meet 47 dotant: dotard 52, 53 out of: beyond the reach of 55 estimation: esteem 60 the utmost . . . having: the most you shall get 64, 65 say . . . for you: make a report about you 66, 67 Jack guardant: good-for-nothing sentry 67 office: officiously detain ​68 entertainment: reception 70 more . . . spectatorship: which will still more prolong your public ignominy 72 swound: swoon 74 synod: conference 80 your: i.e. the Roman 84 block: block of wood, blockhead 89 servanted: made servants 90 properly: personally remission: forgiveness, mercy; cf. n. 91–93 That . . . much; cf. n. 95 for: because ​104 shent: scolded 110, 111 He . . . another; cf. n. 112, 113 be . . . long: may you remain long in your present wretched state
Scene Three
​3 plainly: candidly, honestly 4 borne: conducted 6 general . . . Rome: petitions of all Rome 11 godded: deified 18 Nor . . . friends: neither from the state nor from private friends 23 in . . . hand: led by the hand ​35 gosling: young goose 38 These . . . same: i.e. I look upon you with different feelings 39 thus chang'd: in mourning garb; cf. n. 41 out: at loss for the proper words 51 duty: dutifulness, respect more . . . show; cf. n. 54 unproperly: abnormally ​55 as mistaken: as if the obligation of deference had been misunderstood 57 corrected: yielding to correction, submissive 58 hungry: sterile (?), voracious (?) 59 Fillip: hit against 61 Murd'ring: annulling 62 slight work: a trivial task 66 curdied: congealed 67 dear Valeria; cf. n. 69 by . . . time: when full growth has shown what he is 71 inform: inspire 73 stick: stand conspicuous 74 sea-mark: beacon flaw: squall of wind 75 eye: take as guide ​82 capitulate: make terms 90 fail in: disappoint us in 95 state of bodies: physical health bewray: disclose 103 we: us 104 capital: fatal ​109 or: either 113 which: in determining which 114 foreign recreant: one whose treachery has made him a foreigner 120 determine: end 122 end: destruction 129 Not . . . be: not to yield to womanly weakness ​139 all-hail: formal acclamation 146 attempt: undertaking it: his nobility 149 fine strains: special refinements 151 cheeks . . . air; cf. n. 152, 153 And yet . . . oak; cf. n. 159 prate: talk without result 160 one . . . stocks: a prisoner who has nothing free but his voice 161 courtesy: particular favor ​166 honest: honorable 170 longs: belongs 175 for fellowship: to keep us company 176 Does . . . strength: has stronger arguments in favor of our petition 181 hush'd: silent 189 most mortal: with most mortal results 191 convenient: a fitting ​194 withal: therewith 196 sweat compassion: weep with pity 199 Stand to: support 202 a . . . fortune: a position as great as formerly 204 A better witness: i.e. a formal document 205 If conditions had been reversed, should have been glad to confirm strongly 208 her . . . arms: the weapons of Italy's allies
Scene Four
​1 coign: keystone ​8 stay upon: await 12 differency: difference 20 engine: piece of artillery 22 corslet: breastplate 22, 23 talks . . . battery; cf. n. 24 state: chair of state as . . . Alexander: like a statue of Alexander the Great 25 finished . . . bidding: as good as done when he commands it 27 throne: enthrone himself 29 in . . . character: as he is ​33 long of: on account of 37 respected: heeded 43 by inches: by slow torture 45 are dislodg'd: have broken camp 51 blown: swollen; cf. n. 53 sackbuts: bass wind instruments, trombones psalteries: stringed instruments, dulcimers ​55 Make . . . dance; cf. n. 66 S. d. Cf. n. 69 fires: bonfires 70 Unshout: cancel and retract by your shouts
Scene Five
​Scene Five Corioli; cf. n. 6 city ports: gates of the city 8 purge: clear 14 parties: to take part 18 difference: dispute 20 pretext: design ​21 good construction: justification 23 By flattery he increased his power in his new environment 26 free: independent 32 way: freedom of action 34 files: troops 35, 36 serv'd . . . person: personally assisted him in his designs 37 end: garner, store away 40 wag'd: rewarded countenance: patronizing favor 42 in the last: finally 45 my sinews . . . stretch'd: I shall exert all my force ​46 rheum: tears, liquid secretion 50 post: messenger 54 at . . . vantage: as soon as favorable opportunity arises 57 along: prostrate 58 After . . . pronounc'd: your statement of his case 59 His reasons: what he might urge in his behalf 65 fines: penalties ​67 benefit . . . levies: profits of war answering: repaying; cf. n. 68 treaty: compromise 69 yielding: complete defeat of the enemy 72 infected: affected, contaminated 75 prosperously . . . attempted: my attempts have prospered 77 we have: which we have 84 compounded: agreed ​96 twist: skein 96, 97 never . . . war: permitting no council of war 99 That pages: so that young boys men of heart: valiant men 104 Too . . . it: swollen with indignation till my breast cannot contain it 107 notion: intelligence 108 that: who ​116 Flutter'd: put to flight 128 judicious: judicial, legal Stand: stay, hold ​139 did owe you: promised to bring upon you, rendered you liable to 141 deliver: demonstrate 152 Trail: drag on the ground in sign of mourning 153 unchilded: slain the children of