The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

CORIOLANUS.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS, a noble Roman.

THUS LARTIUS, Generals against the Volscians.

COMINIUS,

MENENIUS AGRIPPA, Friend to Coriolanus.

SICINIUS VELUTUS, Tribunes of the People.

JUNIUS BRUTUS,

Young MARCIUS, Son to Coriolanus.

A Roman Herald.

TULLUS AUFIDIUS, General of the Volscians.
Lieutenant to Aufidius.

Conspirators with Aufidius.

A Citizen of Antium.
Two Volscian Guards.

VOLUMNIA, Mother to Coriolanus.
VIRGILIA, Wife to Coriolanus.
VALERIA, Friend to Virgilia.

Gentlewoman attending Virgilia.

Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, Ediles, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, Messengers, Servants to Aufidius, and other Attendants.

SCENE, partly in Rome, and partly in the Territories of the Volscians and Antiates.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-Rome. A Street.

2 Cit. What he cannot help in his nature, you Enter a Company of mutinous Citizens, with account a vice in him: You must in no way say,

Staves, Clubs, and other Weapons.

1 Cit. Before we proceed any further, hear me speak.

Cit. Speak, speak. [Several speaking at once. 1 Cit. You are resolved rather to die than to famish?

Cit. Resolved, resolved.

1 Cit. First, you know, Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people.

Cit. We know't, we know't.

1 Cit. Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price. Is't a verdict?

Cit. No more talking on't; let it be done: away,

away.

2 Cit. One word, good citizens.

1 Cit. We are accounted poor citizens; the patricians, good: What authority surfeits on, would relieve us: If they would yield us but the superfluity, while it were wholesome, we might guess, they relieved us humanely! but they think, we are too dear: the leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is an inventory to particularize their abundance; our suflerance is a gain to them.Let us evenge this with our pikes, ere we become rakes:2 for the gods know, I speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.

2 Cit. Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?

Cit. Against him first; he's a very dog to the commonalty.

2 Cit. Consider you what services he has done for his country?

1 Cit. Very well; and could be content to give him good report for't, but that he pays himself with being proud.

2 Cit. Nay, but speak not maliciously.

1 Cit. I say unto you, what he hath done famously, be did it to that end: though soft conscienced men can be content to say it was for his country, he did it to please his mother, and to be partly proud; which he is, even to the altitude of his virtue.

1 Rich.

2 Thin as rakes.

he is covetous.

1 Cit. If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations; he hath faults with surplus, to tire in repetition. [Shouts within.] What shouts are these? The other side o' the city is risen: Why stay we prating here? To the Capitol.

Cit. Come, come.

1 Cit. Soft; who comes here?

Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA.

2 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa: one that hath always loved the people.

1 Cit. He's one honest enough; 'Would, all the rest were so !

Men. What work's, my countrymen, in hand?
Where go you

With bats and clubs! The matter speak, I pray you.
1 Cit. Our business is not unknown to the senate;
They have had inkling, this fortnight, what we in-
tend to do, which now we'll show 'em in deeds.
They say, poor suitors have strong breaths; they
shall know, we have strong arms too.
Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine hɔ
nest neighbors,
Will you undo yourselves?

1 Cit. We cannot, sir, we are undone already.
Men. I tell you, friends, most charitable care
Have the patricians of you. For your wants,
Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well
Strike at the heaven with your staves, as lift them
Against the Roman state; whose course will on
The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs
Of more strong link asunder, than can ever
Appear in your impediment: For the dearth,
The gods, not the patricians, make it; and
Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack,
You are transported by calamity
Thither where more attends you: and you slander
The helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers,
When you curse them as enemies.

1 Cit. Care for us!-True, indeed!-They ne'er cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their storehouses crammed with grain; make edicts for

545

usury to support usurers: repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich; and provide more piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and there's all the love they bear us.

Men. Either you must

Confess yourselves wondrous malicious,
Or be accus'd of folly. I shall tell you

A pretty tale; it may be, you have heard it;
But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture
To scale't a little more.

1 Cit. Well, I'll hear it, sir: yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace with a tale: but, an't please you, deliver.

Men. There was a time when all the body's
members

Rebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it :-
That only like a gulf it did remain

I' the midst o' the body, idle and inactive,
Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing
Like labor with the rest; where the other instru-
ments

Did see, and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,
And, mutually participate, did minister
Unto the appetite and affection common
Of the whole body. The belly answered,-

1 Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the belly?
Men. Sir, I shall tell you.-With a kind of smile,
Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus,
(For, look you, I may make the belly smile,
As well as speak,) it tauntingly replied

To the discontented members, the mutinous parts
That envied his receipt; even so most fitly
As you malign our senators, for that
They are not such as you.
1 Cit.

Your belly's answer: What!
The kingly-crowned-head, the vigilant eye,
The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,
Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,
With other muniments and petty helps
In this our fabric, if that they-

What then?

Men. 'Fore me, this fellow speaks!-What then?-what then?

1 Cit. Should by the cormorant body be restrain'd,

Who is the sink o' the body,

Men. Well, what then?

1 Cit. The former agents, if they did complain, What could the belly answer?

Men.

I will tell you;

If you'll bestow a small (of what you have little)
Patience, a while, you'll hear the belly's answer.
1 Cit. You are long about it.
Men. Note me this, good friend;
Your most grave belly was deliberate,
Not rash like his accusers, and thus answered:
True is it, my incorporate friends, quoth he,
That I receive the general food at first,
Which you do live upon: and fit it is;
Because I am the storehouse, and the shop
Of the whole body: But if you do remember,
I send it through the rivers of your blood,
Even to the court, the heart,-to the seat o' the brain;
And, through the cranks and offices of man,
The strongest nerves, and small inferior veins,
From me receive that natural competency
Whereby they live: And though that all at once,
You, my good friends, (this says the belly,) mark

me,

1 Cit. Ay, sir; well, well. Men.

curs,

That like nor peace,nor war? the one affrights you,
The other makes you proud. He that trusts you,
Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
Where foxes, geese: You are no surer, no,
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,

Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is,
To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him,
And curse that justice did it. Who deserves great-
ness,

Deserves your hate: and your affections are
A sick man's appetite, who desires most that
Which would increase his evil. He that depends
Upon your favors, swims with fins of lead,
And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye!
Trust ye?

With every minute you do change a mind;
And call him noble, that was now your hate,
Him vile, that was your garland. What's the
matter,

That in these several places of the city
You cry against the noble senate, who,
Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else
Would feed on one another?-What's their seeking?
Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof, they
say,
The city is well stor❜d.
Mar.
Hang 'em! They say?
They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know
What's done i' the Capitol: who's like to rise,
Who thrives, and who declines: side factions, and

Corn for the rich men only:-With these shreds
They vented their complainings; which being
answer'd,

And a petition granted them, a strange one,
Though all at once cannot (To break the heart of generosity,

See what I do deliver out to each;
Yet I can make my audit up, that all
From me do back receive the flour of all,
And leave me but the bran. What say you to't?
1 Cit. It was an answer. How apply you this?
Men. The senators of Rome are this goodly belly,
And you the mutinous members: For examine
Their counsels,and their cares; digest things rightly
Touching the weal o' the common; you shall find,
No public benefit which you receive,
But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you,
And no way from yourselves.-What do you think?
You, the great toe of this assembly ?--

1 Cit. I the great toe! Why the great toe?
Men. For that being one o' the lowest, basest,
poorest,

And make bold power look pale,) they threw their

caps

As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon,
Shouting their emulation.2

Men.
What is granted them?
Mar. Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wis
doms,

of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus,
Sicinius Velutus, and I know not-'Sdeath!
The rabble should have first unroof'd the city,
Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time
Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes
For insurrection's arguing.
This is strange.
Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments!

Men.

Bane. 1 Pitch.

Pity, compassion.

• Heap of dead.

2 Faction.

and he

Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make
Only my wars with him: he is a lion
That I am proud to hunt.
1 Sen.

Then, worthy Marcius,
Attend upon Cominius to these wars.
Com. It is your former promise.
Mar.

Sir, it is;
And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou
Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face:
What, art thou stiff! stand'st out?
Tit.

No, Caius Marcius;
I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other,
Ere stay behind this business!
Men.

1 Sen. Your company to the
know,

Our greatest friends attend us.
Tit.

O, true bred!

SCENE II.-Corioli. The Senate House.
Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, and certain Senators.
1 Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius,
That they of Rome are enter'd in our councils,
And know how we proceed.
Auf.
Is it not yours?
What ever hath been thought on in this state,
That could be brought to bodily act, ere Rome
Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone,
Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think
I have the letter here; yes, here it is: [Reads.
They have press'd a power, but it is not known
Whether for east, or west: The dearth is great;
The people mutinous: and it is rumor'd,
Cominius, Marcius, your old enemy,
(Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,)
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three lead on this preparation
Whither 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you:
Consider of it.

To answer us.

1 Sen.
Our army's in the field:
We never yet made doubt that Rome was ready
Auf.
Nor did you think it folly,
To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when
They needs must show themselves; which in the
hatching,

It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery,
We shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was,
To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome
Should know we were afoot.

2 Sen.
Noble Aufidius,
Take your commission; hie you to your bands:
Let us alone to guard Corioli:
Capitol; where, I If they set down before us, for the remove
Bring up your army; but, I think, you'll find
They have not prepar'd for us.
Auf.
O, doubt not that;
I speak from certainties. Nay, more.
Some parcels of their powers are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honors.
If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
'Tis sworn between us we shall never strike
Till one can do no more.
All.

Lead you on:
Follow, Cominius; we must follow you;
Right worthy your priority.

Com.

Noble Lartius!

1 Sen. Hence! to your homes, be gone.

[To the Citizens.
Mar.
Nay, let them follow:
The Volces have much corn; take these rats thither,
To gnaw their garners :-Worshipful mutineers,
Your valor puts well forth: pray, follow.
[Exeunt Senators, CoM., MAR., TIT., and
MENEN. Citizens steal away.
Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?
Bru. He has no equal.

Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the
people,-

Bru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes?
Sic.

Nay, but his taunts.

Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird1 the gods.

Sic. Bemock the modest moon.

Bru. The present wars devour him: he is grown Too proud to be so valiant.

Sic.

Such a nature,
Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow
Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder,
His insolence can brook to be commanded
Under Cominius.

Bru.
Fame, at the which he aims,-
In whom already he is well graced,-cannot
Better be held, nor more attain'd, than by
A place below the first: for what miscarries
Shall be the general's fault, though he perform
To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure
Will then cry out of Marcius, O, if he
Had borne the business!

The gods assist you! Auf. And keep your honors safe! 1 Sen.

2 Sen.

All. Farewell.

Farewell.

Farewell. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.-Rome. An Apartment in Marcius' House.

Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA: They sit down on two low stools, and sew.

Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself in a more comfortable sort. If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honor, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would show most love.When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb; when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way; when for a day of kings' entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I,-considering how honor would become such a person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir,-was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter,-I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now, in first seeing he had proved himself a

Sic.
Besides, if things go well, man.
Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall
Of his demerits rob Cominius.

Bru.

Come:

Half all Cominius' honors are to Marcius,

Vir. But had he died in the business, madam, how then?

Vol. Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me Though Marcius earn'd them not: and all his profess sincerely: Had I a dozen sons,-each in

Vol. Indeed you shall not. Methinks, I hear hither your husband's drum; See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair; As children from a bear, the Volces shunning him: Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus,Come on, you cowards, you were got in fear, Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow Or all, or lose his hire.

Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood! Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man, Than gilt his trophy: The breasts of Hecuba, When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood At Grecian swords' contending.-Tell Valeria, We are fit to bid her welcome. [Exit Gent. Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius! Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee, And tread upon his neck.

I'll buy him of you. Lart. No, I'll nor sell, nor give him: lend you him, I will,

Re-enter Gentlewoman, with VALERIA and her For half a hundred years.-Summon the town.
Mar. How far off lie these armies?
Mess.
Within this mile and a half.
Mar. Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they

Usher.

T'al. My ladies both, good day to you.
Vol. Sweet madam,——

l'ir. I am glad to see your ladyship.

Val. How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers. What, are you sewing here! A fine spot, in good faith.-How does your little son?

Vir. I thank your ladyship: well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school-master.

Val. O'my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o' Wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; catched it again : or whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and tear it; O, I warrant, how he mammock

eds it!

Vol. One of his father's moods.
Val. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.
Vir. A crack,9 madam.

Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon. Vir. No, good madam: I will not out of doors. Val. Not out of doors!

Vol. She shall, she shall.

Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, till my lord return from the wars. Val. Fye.you confine yourselfmost unreasonably; Come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in. Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither Vol. Why, I pray you?

l'ir. 'Tis not to save labor, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all the yarn she spun, in Ulysses' absence, did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would, your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.

Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.

Val. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.

Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.

Vir. Indeed, madam?

Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is:-Th Volces have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with che part of our Roman power: your lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honor: and so, I pray, go with us.

Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every thing hereafter.

Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will

but disease our better mirth.

Val. In troth, I think, she would:-Fare you well, then.-Come, good sweet lady.-Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o'door, and go along with us.

ours.

Now, Mars, I pr'ythee make us quick in work; That we with smoking swords inay march from

hence,

To help our fielded friends!-Come, blow thy blast. They sound a Parley. Enter, on the Walls, some Senators, and others.

Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls? 1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he, That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums [Alarums afar off.

Are bringing forth our youth: We'll break our
walls,
Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with
rushes;
They'll open of themselves. Hark you, afar off;
[Other Alarums.
work he makes

There is Aufidius; list, what
Amongst your cloven army.
Mar.
O, they are at it!
Lart. Their noise be our instruction.-Ladders,
ho!

The Volces enter, and pass over the Stage. Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their city. Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight With hearts more proof than shields.-Advance,

brave Titus:

They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts, Which makes me sweat with wrath.-Come on,

my fellows;

He that retires, I'll take him for a Volce,
And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarum, and exeunt Romans and Volces, fighting.
The Romans are beaten back to their Trenches.
Re-enter MARCIUS.

Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you, You shames of Rome! you herd of-Boils and

plagues

Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhorr'd
Further than seen, and one infect another
Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese,
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that apes would beat? Pluto and hell'
All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale
With flightandagu'd fear! Mend, and charge home,
Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe,
And make my wars on you: look to't: Come on,
If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives,
As they us to our trenches followed.
Another Alarum. The Volces and Romans re-enter,
and the Fight is renewed. The Volces retire into
Corioli, and MARCIUS follows them to the Gates.
So, now the gates are ope:-Now prove good

seconds:

'Tis for the followers fortune widens them,

Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like. [He enters the Gates and is shut in. 1 Sol. Fool-hardiness; not 1. 2 Sol.

3 Sol.

Have shut him in.

All.

Nor I. See, they [Alarum continues.

To the pot, I warrant him.

A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,
Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier
Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible
Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks, and
The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,
Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the world
Were feverous and did tremble.

Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the Enemy. 1 Sol. Look, sir. Lart. 'Tis Marcius! Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike. [They fight, and all enter the City.

SCENE V. Within the Town. A Street.
Enter certain Romans, with Spoils.

1 Rom. This will I carry to Rome.

2 Rom. And I this.

Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;

Thy exercise hath been too violent for

A second course of fight.

Mar. Sir, praise me not;

My work hath yet not warm'd me: Fare you well.
The blood I drop is rather physical

Than dangerous to me: To Aufidius thus
I will appear, and fight.
Lart.

Now the fair goddess, Fortune, Fali deep in love with thee; and her great charms Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman, Prosperity be thy page!

Mar.
Thy friend no less
Than those she placeth highest! So, farewell.
Lari. Thou worthiest Marcius!-

[Exit MARCIUS.
Go, sound thy trumpet in the market place;
Call thither all the officers of the town,
Where they shall know our mind: Away. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI.-Near the Camp of Cominius.
Enter COMINICS and Forces retreating.
Com. Breathe you, my friends; well fought, we
are come off

Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,
Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,
We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck,
By interims, and conveying gusts, we have heard
The charges of our friends-The Roman gods,
Lead their successes as we wish our own;
That both our powers, with smiling fronts encoun-
tering,

Enter a Messenger.

May give you thankful sacrifice!-Thy news?
Mess. The citizens of Gorioli have issued,
And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle:
I saw our party to their trenches driven,
And then I came away.

Having sensation, feeling.

Com.

How is't with Titus Lartius?

Flower of warriors,

Mar. As with a man busied about decrees: Condemning some to death, and some to exile; Ransoming him, or pitying, threat'ning the other; Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,

Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,
To let him ship at will.

Com.

Where is that slave, Which told me they had beat you to your trenches? Where is he? Call him hither.

Mar.

Let him alone, He did inform the truth: But for our gentlemen, The common file, (A plague!-Tribunes for them!)

The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat, as they did budge From rascals worse than they.

Com.

But how prevail'd you? Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not thinkWhere is the enemy? Are you lords o' the field? If not, why cease you till you are so? Com.

Marcius,

We have at disadvantage fought, and did
Retire to win our purpose.

Mur. How lies their battle? Know you on which

side

They have placed their men of trust?
Com.
Their bands in the vaward are the Antiates,
As I guess, Marcius,
Of their best trust: o'er them Autidius,
Their very heart of hope.

Mar.
I do beseech you,
By all the battles wherein we have fought,
By the blood we have shed together, by the vows
We have made to endure friends, that you directly
Set me against Aufidius, and his Antiates:
And that you not delay the present; but,
We prove this very hour.
Filling the air with swords advanced, and darts,

Com.

Though I could wish
You were conducted to a gentle bath,
And balms applied to you, yet dare I never
Deny your asking; take your choice of those
The best can aid your action.
Mar.
Those are they
That most are willing:-If any such be here,
(As it were sin to doubt,) that love this painting
Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear
Lesser his person than an ill report;

If any think, brave death outweighs bad life,
And that his country's dearer than himself;
Let him, alone, or so many, so minded,
Wave thus, [Waving his hand,] to express his
disposition,

• Front. Present time.

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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Comprising His Dramatic and ...