SICINIUS

Was ever man so proud as is this Martius ? When we were chosen Tribunes for the people. Nay, but his taunts. Bemocke the modest Moon. Such a Nature, tickled with good success, dis deigns the shadow which he treads on at noon, but I do wonder, his insolence can brook to be commanded un der Cominius ? Beside, if things go well, Opinion that so sticks on Martius, shall Of his demerits rob Cominius. Let's hence, and hear How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion More then his singularity, he goes Upon this present Actium. Nature teaches Beasts to know their Friends. The Lamb. Especially in Pride. Menenius, you are known well enough too. 'Twere well we let the people know't. It is a mind that shall remain a poison Where it is: not poison any further. Ha spoken Like a Traitor, and shall answer As Traitors do. This a Consul? No. Go call the people, in whose name my Self Attach thee as a Traitorous Innovator: A Foe to the public Weal. Obey I charge thee, And follow to thine answer. Here's he, that would take from you all your power. Where is this Viper, That would depopulate the city, & be every man himself He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock With rigorous hands: he hath resisted Law, And therefore Law shall scorn him further Trial Then the severity of the public Power, Which he so sets at nought. Peace. Sir, how comest that you have help To make this rescue? Consul? what Consul? He's a Disease that must be cut away. This is clean kamme. What do you talk? Have we not had a taste of his Obedience? Our Ediles smote: our selves resisted: come. Have you a Catalogue Of all the Voices that we have procured, set down by 'th Pole? Have you collected them by Tribes? Assemble presently the people hither: And when they hear me say, it shall be so, In the right and strength of the Commons: be it either For death, for fine, or Banishment, then let them If I say Fine, cry Fine; if Death, cry Death, Insisting on the old prerogative And power in that Truth of that Cause. Make them be strong, and ready for this hint When we shall hap to giu`t them. Well, here he comes. Draw near you people. I do demand, If you submit you to the peoples voices, Allow their Officers, and are content To suffer lawful Censure for such faults As shall be proved upon you. Answer to us. We charge you, that you have contrived to take From Room all seasoned Office, and to wind Your self into a power tyrannical, For which you are a Traitor to the people. Mark you this people? Peace: We need not put new matter to his charge: What you have seen him do, and herd him speak: Beating your Officers, cursing your selves, Opposing Laws with strokes, and here defying Those whose great power must try him. Even this so criminal, and in such capital kind Deserves the extremest death. For that he ha (As much as in him lies) from time to time Envied against the people; seeking means To pluck away their power: as now at last, Given Hostile strokes, and that not in the presence Of dreaded Justice, but on the Ministers That does distribute it. In the name of the people, And in the power of us the Tribunes, we (Even from this instant) banish him our City In peril of precipitation From off the Rock Tarpeian, never more To enter our Room gates. In the Peoples name, I say it shall be so. He's sentenced: No more hearing. We know your drift. Speak what? Go see him out at Gates, and follow him As he hath followed you, with all despite Give him deserved vexation. Let a guard Attend us through the City. Bid them all home, he's gone: & we'll no further, The Nobility are vexed, whom we see have sided In his behalf. Bid them home: say their great enemy is gone, And they, stand in their ancient strength. Let's not meet her. They say she's mad. Are you mankind? O blessed Heavens! What then? I would he had continued to his Country As he began, and not unknit himself The Noble knot he made. Why stay we to be baited With one that wants her Wits. We hear not of him, neither needs we fear him, His remedies are tame, the present peace, And quietness of the people, which before Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his Friend Blush, that the world goes well: who rather had, Though they themselves did suffer by't, behold Dissentious numbers pestering streets, then see Our Tradesmen singing in their shops, and going About their Functions friendly. It's he, it's he: Oh he is grown most kind of late: Hail Sir. Your Coriolanus is not much missed, but with his Friends: the Commonwealth does stand, and so would do, were he more angry at it. Where is he, hear you? Gooden our Neighbours. Live, and thrive. This is a happier and more comely time, Then when these Fellows ran about the streets, Crying Confusion. And affecting one sole Throne, without assista ̄ ce We should by this, to all our Lamention, If he had gone forth Consul, found it so. Come, what talk you of Martius. Tell not me: I know this cannot be. It's this Slave: Go whip him before the peoples eyes: His raising, Nothing but his report. What more fearful? This is most likely. The very trick on't. Go Master's get you home, be not dismayed, These are a Side, that would be glad to have This true, which they so seem to fear. Go home, And show no sign of Fear. Nor I. Pray let's go. Nay, pray be patient: If you refuse your aid In this so neuer-needed help, yet do not Vpbraid's with our distress. But sure if you Would be your Countries Pleader, your good tongue More then the instant Army we can make Might stop our Countryman. Pray you go to him. Yet your good will Must have that thanks from Room, after the measure As you intended well. Not. Why what of that? Is't possible, that so short a time can altar the condition of a man. He loved his Mother dearly. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. The Gods be good unto us. What's the News? Friend, art thou certain this is true? Is't most certain. First, the Gods bless you for your tidings: Next, accept my thankfulness. They are near the City. We'll meet them, and help the joy. On the sudden, I warrant him Consul. He cannot temperately transport his Honours, From where he should begin, and end, but will Loose those he hath won. It's right. I wish no better, then have him hold that pur pose, and to put it in execution. It shall be to him then, as our good wills; a sure destruction. This (as you say) suggested, At some time, when his soaring Insolence Shall teach the People, which time shall not want, If he be put vpon't, and that's as easy, As to set Dogs on Sheep, will be his fire To kindle their dry Stubble: and their Blaze Shall darken him for ever. Have with you. We are convented upon a pleasing Treaty, and have hearts inclinable to honour and advance the Theme of our Assembly. Sir, the People must have their Voices, Neither will they bore one jot of Ceremony. May they perceiue's intent: he will require them As if he did contemn what he requested, Should be in them to give. The Custom of Request you have discharged: The People do admit you and are summoned To meet anon, upon your approbation. There, Coriolanus. You may, Sir. Fare you well. He ha it now: and by his Looks, me thinks, It's warm at's heart. Why so he did I am sure. Why either were you ignorant to see't? Or seeing it, of such Childish friendliness, To yield your Voices? Thus to have said, As you were fore-aduis'd, had touched his Spirit, And tried his Inclinations from him plucked Either his gracious Promise, which you might As cause had called you up, have held him to; Or else it would have galled his surly nature, Which easily endures not Article, Tying him to ought, so putting him to Rage, You should have taken the advantage of his Choler, And passed him unelected. Have you, ere now denied the as er: And now again, of him that did not ask, but mock, Bestow your sued for Tongues? One thus descended, That hath beside well in his person wrought, To be set high in place, we did commend To your remembrances: but you have found, Scaling his present bearing with his passed, That he's your fixed enemy; and revoke Your sudden approbation. Toth' Capitol, come: We will be there before the stream of the People: And this shall seem, as partly it's, their own, Which we have goaded onward. Pass no further. Stop, or all will fallen in broil. You show too much of that, For which the People stir: if you will pass To where you are bound, you must inquire your way, Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit, Or never be so Noble as a Consul, Nor yoke with him for Tribune. Doubt not, The Commoners, for whom we stand, but they Upon their ancient malice, will forget With the least cause, these his new Honours, Which that he will give them, make I as little question, As he is proud to doo't. How now, my Master's, have you chosen this man? Let them assemble: and on a safer Judgement, All revoke your ignorant election: Enforce his Pride, And his old Hate unto you: beside, forget not With what Contempt he wore the humble Weed, How in his Suit he scorned you: but your Loves, Thinking upon his Services, took from you the apprehension of his present portance, Which most gibingly, vngrauely, he did fashion After the inveterate Hate he bears you. Say you chosen him, more after our commandment, Then as guided by your own true affections, and that Your Minds preoccupied with what you rather must do, Then what you should, made you against the grain To Voice him Consul. Lay the fault on us. Hear me, People peace. You are at point to loose your Liberties: Martius would have all from you; Martius, Whom late you have named for Consul. What is the City, but the People? This deserves Death. Therefore lay hold of him: Bear him toth' Rock Tarpeian, and from thence Into destruction cast him. Help you Citizens. Speak briefly then, For we are peremptory to dispatch This Viporous Traitor: to eject him hence Were but one danger, and to keep him here Our certain death: therefore it is decreed, He die to night. Noble Menenius, be you then as the peoples officer: Master's, lay down your Weapons. Meet on the Market place: we'll attend you there: Where if you bring not Martius, we'll proceed In our first way.