THIRD CITIZEN 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. SECOND CITIZEN Why that way?
THIRD CITIZEN 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.
SECOND CITIZEN You are never without your tricks. You may, you may.
THIRD CITIZEN 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 in a gown of humility, with Menenius
Here he comes, and in the gown of humility. Mark his behaviour. 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 honour 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 THE CITIZENS Content, content. Exeunt Citizens
MENENIUS
O sir, you are not right. Have you not known
The worthiest men have done’t?
CORIOLANUS What must I say?
‘I pray, sir’? Plague upon‘t, I cannot bring
My tongue to such a pace. ‘Look, sir, my wounds.
I got them in my country’s service, when
Some certain of your brethren roared and ran
From th’ noise of our own drums’?
MENENIUS O me, the gods! 55
You must not speak of that, you must desire them
To think upon you.
CORIOLANUS Think upon me? Hang ’em.
I would they would forget me like the virtues
Which our divines lose by ’em.
MENENIUS You’ll mar all.
I’ll leave you. Pray you, speak to ’em, I pray you, 60
In wholesome manner.
CORIOLANUS Bid them wash their faces
And keep their teeth clean.
Exit Menenius
Enter three of the Citizens
So, here comes a brace.
You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.
THIRD CITIZEN
We do, sir. Tell us what hath brought you to’t.
CORIOLANUS Mine own desert.
SECOND CITIZEN Your own desert?
CORIOLANUS Ay, but not mine own desire.
THIRD CITIZEN How not your own desire?
CORIOLANUS No, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.
THIRD CITIZEN You must think if we give you anything we hope to gain by you.
CORIOLANUS Well then, I pray, your price o’th’ consulship?
FIRST CITIZEN The price is to ask it kindly.
CORIOLANUS Kindly, sir, I pray let me ha’t. I have wounds to show you which shall be yours in private. (To Second Citizen) Your good voice, sir. What say you?
SECOND CITIZEN You shall ha’t, worthy sir.
CORIOLANUS A match, sir. There’s in all two worthy voices begged. I have your alms. Adieu.
THIRD CITIZEN (to the other Citizens) But this is something odd.
SECOND CITIZEN An ‘twere to give again—but ’tis no matter. Exeunt Citizens
Enter two other Citizens
CORIOLANUS Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown.
⌈FOURTH⌉ CITIZEN You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly.
CORIOLANUS Your enigma? ⌈FOURTH⌉ CITIZEN You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends. You have not, indeed, loved the common people.
CORIOLANUS 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 bountiful to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you I may be consul.
⌈FIFTH⌉ CITIZEN We hope to find you our friend, and therefore give you our voices heartily.
⌈FOURTH⌉ CITIZEN You have received many wounds for your country.
CORIOLANUS I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no farther.
BOTH CITIZENS The gods give you joy, sir, heartily. CORIOLANUS Most sweet voices.
Exeunt Citizens
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this womanish toge should I stand here
To beg of Hob and Dick that does 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 heaped
For truth to o’erpeer. 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 suffered, the other will I do.
Enter three Citizens more
Here come more voices.
Your voices! For your voices I have fought,
Watched 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.
⌈SIXTH⌉ CITIZEN He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man’s voice.
⌈SEVENTH⌉ CITIZEN Therefore let him be consul. The gods give him joy and make him good friend to the people!
ALL THE CITIZENS Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul!
CORIOLANUS Worthy voices.
Exeunt Citizens
Enter Menenius with Brutus and Sicinius
MENENIUS
You have stood your limitation, and the tribunes
Endue you with the people’s voice. Remains
That in th’ official marks invested, you
Anon do meet the senate.
CORIOLANUS
Is this done?
SICINIUS
The custom of request you have discharged.
The people do admit you, and are summoned
To meet anon upon your approbation.
CORIOLANUS
Where, at the senate-house?
SICINIUS
There, Coriolanus.
CORIOLANUS
May I change these garments?
SICINIUS
You may, sir.
CORIOLANUS
That I’ll straight do, and, knowing myself again,
Repair to th’ senate-house.
MENENIUS
I’ll keep you company. (To the tribunes) Will you
along?
BRUTUS
We stay here for the people.
SICINIUS Fare you well.
Exeunt Coriolanus and Menenius
He has it now, and by his looks methinks
’Tis warm at’s heart.
BRUTUS With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people?