Tro. You understand me not that tell me so: I do not speak of flight, of fear, of death; But dare all imminence, that gods and men Address their dangers in. Hector is gone! Who shall tell Priam so, or Hecuba? Let him that will a screech-owl aye be call'd, Go in to Troy, and say there-Hector's dead: There is a word will Priam turn to stone; Make wells and Niobes of the maids and wives, Cold statues of the youth; and, in a word, Scare Troy out of itself. But, march away: Hector is dead; there is no more to say. Stay yet. You vile abominable tents,, Thus proudly pight upon our Phrygian plains, Let Titan rise as early as he dare,

I'll through and through you!-And, thou great-sized
No space of earth shall sunder our two hates; [coward!
I'll haunt thee like a wicked conscience still,

That mouldeth goblins swift as frenzy's thoughts.-
Strike a free march to Troy! with comfort go:
Hope of revenge shall hide our inward woe.

[Exeunt ÆNEAS and Trojans.

AS TROILUS is going out, enter from the other side
PANDARUS.
Pan. But hear you, hear you!

Tro. Hence, broker lackey! ignomy and shame Pursue thy life, and live aye with thy name.

[Exit TROILUS.

Pan. A goodly medicine for my aching bones!world! world! world! thus is the poor agent despised! O traitors and bawds, how earnestly are you set a' work, and how ill requited! Why should our endeavour be so loved, and the performance so loathed? what verse for it? what instance for it? - Let me see :

Full merrily the humble-bee doth sing,
Till he hath lost his honey and his sting;
And being once subdued in armed tail,

Sweet honey and sweet notes together fail.

Good traders in the flesh, set this in your painted cloths
As many as be here of pander's hall,
Your eyes, half out, weep out at Pandar's fall:
Or, if you cannot weep, yet give some groans,
Though not for me, yet for your aching bones.
Brethren and sisters of the hold-door trade,
Some two months hence my will shall here be made:
It should be now, but that my fear is this, -
Some galled goose of Winchester would hiss;
Till then I'll sweat, and seek about for eases;
And at that time bequeath you my diseases.

[Ezil.

CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS, a noble Roman.

TITUS LARTIUS, Generals against the Volscians.

COMINIUS,

MENENIUS AGRIPPA, Friend to CORIOLANUS.

SICINIUS VELUTUS, Tribunes of the
JUNIUS BRUTUS,

}

People.

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.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-ROME. A Street.

Enter a Company of mutinous Citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons.

1 Cit. Before we proceed any further, hear me speak. Cit. [Several speaking at once.] Speak, speak.

1 Cit. You are all 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 as an inventory to particularise their abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them. Let us revenge this with our pikes, ere we become rakes: 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.

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.

2 Cit. What he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in him. You must in no way say 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 intend to do, which now we'll shew'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 honest

neighbours, Will you undo yourselves?

1 Cit. We cannot, Sir, we are undone already.
Men. I tell you, friends, most charitable caro
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

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 store-houses crammed with grain; make edicts for 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 accused 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 stale't a little more.

Cit. Well, I'll hear it, Sir; yet you must not think o 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 accused 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 labour with the rest; where the other instruments
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 fabrie, if that they

Men. What then?

'Fore me, this fellow speaks!-what then? what then? 1 Cit. Should by the cormorant belly 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 answer'd:-
"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. "Though all at once cannot

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 good belly,
And you the mutinous members: for, examine
Thoir cow sels and their cares; digest things rightly
Touching the weal o' the common; you shall find,
No public benefit which you receive,

bet it proceeds or comes from them to you,
Aed no way from yourselves.-What do you think?
Fat, the great toe of this assembly?

1 Cit. I the great toe? Why the great toe?

Men. For that, being one of the lowest, basest, poorest,

Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost. Thou rascai, that art worst in blood to run, Lead'st first to win some vantage.

But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs;
Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;
The one side must have bale. - Hail, noble Marcius!

Enter CAIUS MARCIUS.

Mar. Thanks. - What's the matter, you dissentios That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, [rogues, Make yourselves scabs?

1 Cit. We have ever your good word.

Mar. He that will give good words to thee, will flatter Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you 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 greatness,
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 favours, swims with fins of lead,

And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust yel
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; whereoi, they say,

The city is well stored.

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 give
Conjectural marriages; making parties strong,
And feebling such as stand not in their liking
Below their cobbled shoes. They say there's grain

enough?

Would the nobility lay aside their ruth,

And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high As I could pick my lance.

[out

Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded; For though abundantly they lack discretion, Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you, What says the other troop?

Mar. They are dissolved: hang'em! They said they were a-hungry: sigh'd forth proverbs, That hunger broke stone walls; that dogs must eat; That meat was made for mouths; that the gods sent no 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,

(To break the heart of generosity

And make bold power look pale,) they threw their capa As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon, Shouting their emulation.

Men. What is granted them?

Mar. Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,

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.

Men. This is strange.

Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments!

Enter a Messenger.

Mess. Where's Caius Marcius?

Mar. Here: what's the matter?

Mess. The news is, Sir, the Volsces are in arms. Mar. I am glad on't: then we shall have means to

Our musty superfluity: -See, our best elders. [vent

Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTES.

1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us The Volsces are in arms.

Mar. They have a leader,

Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to 't
I sin in envying his nobility:
And were I anything but what I am,
I would wish me only he.

Com. You have fought together.

Vol. Why, I pray you?

Vir. 'Tis not to save labour, 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: - The Volsces have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one 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 honour; and so, I pray, go with us.

Vir. Give me excuse, good Madam; I will obey you in everything 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. Vir. No, at a word, Madam; indeed, I must not. I wish you much mirth. Val. Well, then, farewell.

SCENE IV.-Before CORIOLI.

[Exeunt.

With hearts more proof than shields.-Advance, brave They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts, [Titus. Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my He that retires, I'll take him for a Volsce, [fellows; And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarum; and exeunt Romans and Volsces, 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 flight and agued 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 follow'd.

Another alarum. The Volsces and Romans re-enter, and the fight is renewed. The Volsces 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 I. 2 Sol. Nor I.

3 Sol. See, they Have shut him in.

[Alarum continues

All. To the pot, I warrant him.
Enter TITUS LARTIUS.

Lart. What is become of Marcius?
All. Slain, Sir, doubtless.

1 Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels,
With them he enters: who, upon the sudden,
Clapp'd-to their gates; he is himself alone,
To answer all the city.

Lart. O noble fellow!

Who, sensible, outdares his senseless sword,
And, when it bows, stands up! Thou art left, Marcius:
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.

3 Rom. A murrain on 't! I took this for silver.

[Alarum still continues afar of.

Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS, with a trumpet. Mar. See here these movers, that do prize their hour At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons, Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves, Ere yet the fight be done, pack up:-Down with them.And hark, what noise the general makes! To him! There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius, Piercing our Romans: then, valiant Titus, take Convenient numbers to make good the city; Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste To help Cominius.

Lart. 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 not yet 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,

Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman, Prosperity be thy page!

Mar. Thy friend no less

SCENE VI.-Near the Camp of COMINIUS. Enter COMINIUS and forces, retreating.

[come off

Com. Breathe you, my friends; well fought, we are 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 encountering,

Enter a Messenger.

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

Com. Though thou speak'st truth,
Methinks thou speak'st not well. How long is 't since?
Mess. Above an hour, my lord.

Com. 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums:

How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour,

And bring thy news so late?

Mess. Spies of the Volsces

Held me in chase, that I was forced to wheel

Three or four miles about; else had I, Sir,

Half an hour since brought my report.

Enter MARCIUS.

Com. Who's yonder,

That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods!

He has the stamp of Marcius; and I have

Before-time seen him thus.

Mar. Come I too late?

Com. The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor,

More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue

From every meaner man's.

Mar. Come I too late?

Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,

But mantled in your own.

Mar. O! let me clip you

In arms as sound as when I woo'd; in heart
As merry as when our nuptial day was done,
And tapers burn'd to bedward.

Com. Flower of warriors,

How is't with Titus Lartius?

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 slip 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 theni !) 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 think. Where is the enemy? Are you lords o' the field? If not, why cease you till you are so?

Com. Marcius,

SCENE VII.- The Gates of CORIOLI.

[Exeunt.

[Exeunt

SCENE VIII.-A Field of Battle between the Roman

and the Volscian Camps.

Alarum. Enter MARCIUS and AUFIDIUS.

Mar. I'll fight with none but thee; for I do hate thee

Worse than a promise-breaker.

Auf. We hate alike:

Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor

More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot.

Mar. Let the first budger die the other's slave,

And the gods doom him after!

Auf. If I fly, Marcius,

Halloo me like a hare.

Mar. Within these three hours, Tullus,

Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,

And made what work I pleased: 'tis not my blood
Wherein thou seest me mask'd; for thy revenge,
Wrench up thy power to the highest.

Auf. Wert thou the Hector,

That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,
Thou shouldst not 'scape me here.-

[They fight, and certain Volsces come to the

aid of AUFIDIUS.

Officious, and not valiant,-you have shamed me
In your condemned seconds.

[Exeunt fighting, driven in by MARCIUS.

SCENE IX. The Roman Camp.

Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Flourish. Enter at one side, COMINIUS and Romans; at the other side, MARCIUS, with his arm in a scarf, and other Romans.

Com. If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work, Thou 'lt not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it, Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles; Where great patricians shall attend, and shrug, I' the end, admire; where ladies shall be frighted, And, gladly quaked, hear more; where the dull Tribunes, That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours, Shall say, against their hearts, "We thank the gods Our Rome hath such a soldier!"

Yet cam'st thou to a morsel of this feast,

Having fully dined before.

Enter TITUS LARTIUS, with his power, from the pursuit

Lart. O general,

Here is the steed, we the caparison:

Hadst thou beheld