SCENE III. The same. The Forum. Enter several Citizens. 1 Cit. Once,' if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. 2 Cit. We may, sir, if we will. 3 Cit. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do; for if he show us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds, and speak for them; so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous; and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which, we, being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members. 2 1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude. 3 Cit. We have been called so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely colored; and truly I think, if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south; and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points o' the compass. 3 2 Cit. Think you so? Which way, do you judge, my wit would fly? 3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will; 'tis strongly wedged up in a blockhead ; but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward. 2 Cit. Why that way? 1 i. e. once for all. 2 Once signifies here one time, and not as soon as ever, which Malone takes to be its meaning. Rowe inserted when after once, which is, indeed, elliptically understood. 3 Consent is accord, agreement. 3 Cit. To lose itself in a fog; where being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience' sake, to help to get thee a wife. 2 Cit. You are never without your tricks:-You may, you may.1 3. Cit. Are you all resolved to give your voices? But that's no matter; the greater part carries it. I say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man. Enter CORIOLANUS and MENENIUS. Here he comes, and in the gown of humility; mark his behavior. We are not to stay all together, but to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to make his requests by particulars; wherein every one of us has a single honor, in giving him our own voices with our own tongues. Therefore follow me, and I'll direct you how you shall go by him. All. Content, content. [Exeunt. Men. O sir, you are not right; have you not known The worthiest men have done it? Cor. What must I say?— I pray, sir,-plague upon't! I cannot bring My tongue to such a pace. Look, sir;-my I wounds! got them in my country's service, when Some certain of your brethren roared, and ran From the noise of our own drums. Men. O me, the gods! You must not speak of that; you must desire them To think upon you. Cor. Think upon me! hang 'em! I would they would forget me, like the virtues Which our divines lose by them.2 1 The force of this colloquial phrase appears to be, "You may divert yourself as you please at my expense." 2 "I wish they would forget me, as they do the virtuous precepts which our divines preach to them." This is another amusing instance of anachronism. Men. You'll mar all; I'll leave you. Pray you, speak to them, I pray you, In wholesome manner. [Exit. Cor. Enter two Citizens. Bid them wash their faces, And keep their teeth clean.-So, here comes a brace. You know the cause, sir, of my standing here. 1 Cit. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to 't. Cor. Mine own desert. 'Twas never my desire yet, To trouble the poor with begging. 1 Cit. You must think, if we give you any thing, We hope to gain by you. Cor. Well, then, I pray, your price o' the consulship? 1 Cit. The price is, sir, to ask it kindly. Cor. Kindly? Sir, I pray let me ha't; I have wounds to show you, Which shall be yours in private.-Your good voice, sir; What say you? 2 Cit. You shall have it, worthy sir. Cor. A match, sir ;— There is in all two worthy voices begged. I have your alms; adieu. 1 Cit. But this is something odd. [Exeunt two Citizens. 2 Cit. An 'twere to give again,—but 'tis no matter. Enter two other Citizens. Cor. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices, that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown. VOL. V. 63 3 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. Cor. Your enigma. 3 Cit. You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends; you have not, indeed, loved the common people. Cor. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them. 'Tis a condition they account gentle; and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man, and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul. 4 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. 3 Cit. You have received many wounds for your country. Cor. I will not seal1 your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further. Both Cit. The gods give you joy, sir, heartily! [Exeunt. Cor. Most sweet voices! Better it is to die, better to starve, Than crave the hire which first we do deserve. 1 I will not strengthen or complete your knowledge. The seal is that which ratifies or completes a writing. 2 Thus the second folio. The first folio reads "wolvish tongue," apparently an error of the press for toge; the same mistake having occurred in Othello, where "tongued consuls" is printed for "toged consuls." By a wolvish gown Coriolanus means a deceitful one. 3 Hob and Dick were names of frequent occurrence among the common people in Shakspeare's time, and generally used to signify a peasant or low person. And mountainous error be too highly heaped For truth to overpeer. Rather than fool it so, Let the high office and the honor go To one that would do thus.-I am half through; Enter three other Citizens. Here come more voices. Your voices; for your voices I have fought; 5 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice. 6 Cit. Therefore, let him be consul. The gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people! All. Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul! Cor. [Exeunt Citizens. Worthy voices! Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS and SICINIUS. Men. You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes Endue you with the people's voice. Remains That, in the official marks invested, you Anon do meet the senate. Cor. Is this done? Sic. The custom of request you have discharged. The people do admit you; and are summoned To meet anon, upon your approbation. Cor. Where? at the senate-house? I've battles thrice six seen, and you Coriolanus seeming now in earnest to petition for the consulate. |