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' th' 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, What say you?

2 Cit.

You shall have it, worthy sir.

Cor. A match, sir:

There is in all two worthy voices begg'd:

I have your alms; adieu.

1 Cit.

[sir;

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.

3 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, you have not deserved nobly.

and

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 seal' 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!

Cor. Most sweet voices!—

Better it is to die, better to starve,

[Exeunt.

Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this woolvish' gown should I stand here,
To beg of Hob and Dick,3 that do appear,
Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to't:-
What custom wills, in all things should we do't;
The dust on antique time would lie unswept,
And mountainous error be too highly heap'd
For truth to over-peer.-Rather than fool it so,
Let the high office and the honour go

To one that would do thus.-I am half through;
The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.

Enter three other Citizens.

Here come more voices,

Your voices for your voices I have fought;
Watch'd for your voices; for your voices, bear
Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six
I have seen, and heard of; for your voices, have
Done many things, some less, some more: your voices.
Indeed, I would be consul.

5 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without honest man's voice.

any

6 Cit. Therefore let him be consul: The gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people!

I will not strengthen or complete your knowledge. The seal is that which gives authenticity to a writing.

This rough hirsute gown.

3 Our poet here has strangely given the names of Englishmen to Romans.

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 triEndue you with the people's voice: Remains, [bunes That, in th' official marks invested, you

Anon do meet the senate.

Cor.

Is this done?

Sic. The custom of request you have discharg'd: The people do admit you; and are summon'd

To meet anon, upon your approbation.

Cor. Where? at the senate-house?
Sic.

Cor. May I then change these garments?

There, Coriolanus.

You may, sir.

Sic. Cor. That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself Repair to th' senate-house. [again, Men. I'll keep you company.-Will you along? Bru. We stay here for the people.

Sic.

Fare you well!

[Exeunt CORIOLANUS and MENEN.

He has it now; and by his looks, methinks,

Tis warm at his heart.

Bru.

With a proud heart he wore

His humble weeds: Will you dismiss the people?

Re-enter Citizens.

Sic. How now, my masters? have you chose this 1 Cit. He has our voices, sir.

[man; 2 Cit. Amen, sir: To my poor unworthy notice, He mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices.

Bru. We pray the gods, he may deserve your loves.

3 Cit.

He flouted us down-right.

Certainly, [us.

1 Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock 2 Cit. Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says,

He us❜d us scornfully: he should have show'd us
His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for his country.
Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure.

Cit.

No; no man saw ’em, [Several speak. 3 Cit. He said, he had wounds, whieh he could show in private;

And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,
I would be consul, says he: aged custom,'
But by your voices, will not so permit me ;
Your voices therefore: When we granted that,
Here was, I thank you for your voices,-thank you,—
Your most sweet voices:-now you have left your voices,
I have no further with you :-Was not this mockery?
Sic. Why, either, were you ignorant to see't?
Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness

To yield your voices?

Bru.
Could you not have told him,
As you were lesson'd,—When he had no power,
But was a petty servant to the state,

He was your enemy; ever spake against
Your liberties, and the charters that you bear
I' th' body of the weal: and now, arriving
A place of potency, and sway o' th' state,
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might
Be curses to yourselves; You should have said,
That, as his worthy deeds did claim no less
Than what he stood for; so his gracious nature
Would think upon you for your voices, and
Translate his malice towards you into love,
Standing your friendly lord.

Thus to have said,

Sic.
As you were fore-advis'd, had touch'd his spirit,
And try'd his inclination; from him pluck'd,
Either his gracious promise, which you might,

'See page 41, note 3.

• Did you want knowledge to discern it?'

As cause had call'd you up, have held him to;
Or else it would have gall'd his surly nature,
Which easily endures not article

Tying him to aught; so, putting him to rage,
You should have ta' en th' advantage of his choler,
And pass'd him unelected.

Bru.

Did you perceive,

He did solicit you in free contempt,'

When he did need your loves; and do you think,
That his contempt shall not be bruising to you,
When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies
No heart among you? Or had you tongues, to cry
Against the rectorship of judgment?

Have you,

Sic.
Ere now, deny'd the asker? and, now again,
On him, that did not ask, but mock, bestow
Your su❜d-for tongues?

3 Cit. He's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet.
2 Cit. And will deny him:

I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.

1 Cit. I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece 'em.

Bru. Get you hence instantly; and tell those

friends,

They have chose a consul, that will from them take
Their liberties; make them of no more voice

Than dogs, that are as often beat for barking,
As therefore kept to do so.

Sic.
Let them assemble;
And, on a safer judgment, all revoke
Your ignorant election: Enforce his pride,
And his old hate unto you: besides, forget not
With what contempt he wore the humble weed;
How in his suit he scorn'd
you: but your loves,
Thinking upon his services, took from you
The apprehension of his present portance,3

⚫ Contempt open and unrestrained.

• Enforce, object. 'portance, carriage, conduct. [COR. 49]

X