Which would increase his evil173. He that depends
Upon your favours swims with fins of lead,
And hews down oaks with rushes175. Hang ye! Trust ye?
With every minute you do change a mind,
And call him noble that was now177 your hate,
Him vile that was your garland178. What's the matter,
That in these several179 places of the city
You cry against the noble senate, who,
Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else181
Would feed on one another?-- What's their seeking182?
To Menenius
MENENIUS For corn at their own rates, whereof they say
The city is well stored.
MARTIUS Hang 'em! They say?
They'll sit by th'fire, and presume to know
What's done i'th'Capitol: who's like to rise,
Who thrives and who declines: side factions and give out188
Conjectural marriages189, making parties strong
And feebling190 such as stand not in their liking
Below their cobbled191 shoes. They say there's grain enough?
Would the nobility lay aside their ruth192,
And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry193
With thousands of these quartered194 slaves, as high
As I could pick195 my lance.
MENENIUS Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded:
For though abundantly they lack discretion,
Yet are they passing198 cowardly. But I beseech you,
What says the other troop?
MARTIUS They are dissolved: hang 'em:
They said they were an-hungry201, sighed forth proverbs
That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs202 must eat,
That meat203 was made for mouths, that the gods sent not
Corn for the rich men only: with these shreds204
They vented their complainings, which being answered,
And a petition granted them, a strange one --
To break the heart of generosity207,
And make bold power look pale -- they threw their caps
As209 they would hang them on the horns o'th'moon,
Shouting their emulation210.
MENENIUS What is granted them?
MARTIUS Five tribunes to defend their vulgar212 wisdoms,
Of their own choice. One's Junius Brutus,
Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. 'Sdeath214,
The rabble should have first unroofed the city,
Ere so prevailed with me: it will in time
Win upon power and throw forth greater themes217
For insurrection's arguing218.
MENENIUS This is strange.
MARTIUS Go get you home, you fragments220.
To the Citizens
Enter a Messenger hastily
MESSENGER Where's Caius Martius?
MARTIUS Here: what's the matter?
MESSENGER The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.
MARTIUS I am glad on't: then we shall ha' means to vent224
Our musty superfluity225. See, our best elders.
Enter Sicinius Velutus, Junius Brutus, Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senators
FIRST SENATOR Martius, 'tis true that226 you have lately told us:
The Volsces are in arms.
MARTIUS They have a leader,
Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't229:
I sin in envying his nobility,
And were I anything but what I am,
I would wish me only he.
COMINIUS You have fought together233!
MARTIUS Were half to half the world by th'ears234 and he
Upon my party235, I'd revolt to make
Only my wars with236 him. He is a lion
That I am proud to hunt.
FIRST SENATOR Then, worthy Martius,
Attend upon239 Cominius to these wars.
COMINIUS It is your former promise.
To Martius
MARTIUS Sir, it is,
And I am constant242: Titus Lartius, thou
Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.
What, art thou stiff? Stand'st out?244
LARTIUS No, Caius Martius,
I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other,
Ere247 stay behind this business.
MENENIUS O, true-bred!
FIRST SENATOR Your249 company to th'Capitol, where I know
Our greatest friends attend250 us.
LARTIUS Lead you on.--
To Cominius
Follow Cominius, we must follow you,
To Martius
Right worthy your priority253.
COMINIUS Noble Martius.
To the Citizens
MARTIUS Nay, let them follow:
The Volsces have much corn: take these rats thither
To gnaw their garners. Worshipful258 mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth259: pray follow.
Exeunt
Citizens steal away. Sicinius and Brutus remain
SICINIUS Was ever man so proud as is this Martius?
BRUTUS He has no equal.
SICINIUS When we were chosen tribunes for the people--
BRUTUS Marked you his lip and eyes?
SICINIUS Nay, but his taunts.
BRUTUS Being moved, he will not spare to gird265 the gods.
SICINIUS Bemock the modest266 moon.
BRUTUS The267 present wars devour him: he is grown
Too proud to be so valiant.
SICINIUS Such a nature,
Tickled with270 good success, disdains the shadow
Which he treads on at noon271: but I do wonder
His insolence can brook272 to be commanded
Under Cominius.
BRUTUS Fame, at the which he aims,
In whom already he's well graced, cannot
Better be held nor more attained than by
A place below the first: for what miscarries277
Shall be the general's fault, though he perform
To th'utmost of a man, and giddy censure279
Will then cry out of Martius 'O, if he
Had borne the business!'
SICINIUS Besides, if things go well,
Opinion283 that so sticks on Martius shall
Of his demerits284 rob Cominius.
BRUTUS Come:
Half all Cominius' honours are286 to Martius,
Though Martius earned them not: and all his faults
To Martius shall be honours, though indeed
In aught289 he merit not.
SICINIUS Let's hence, and hear
How the dispatch291 is made, and in what fashion,
More than his singularity292, he goes
Upon this present action293.
BRUTUS Let's along294
Exeunt
[Act 1 Scene 2]
running scene 2
Enter Tullus Aufidius with Senators of Corioles
FIRST SENATOR So, your opinion is, Aufidius,
That they of Rome are entered in2 our counsels
And know how we proceed.
AUFIDIUS Is it not yours?
Whatever have been thought on in this state,
That could be brought to bodily act ere6 Rome
Had circumvention7? 'Tis not four days gone
Since I heard thence: these are the words: I think
I have the letter here: yes, here it is.
He reads the letter
'They have pressed a power10, but it is not known
Whether for east or west: the dearth is great,
The people mutinous: and it is rumoured,
Cominius, Martius your old enemy,
Who is of14 Rome worse hated than of you,
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three lead on this preparation16
Whither17 'tis bent: most likely 'tis for you:
Consider of it.'
FIRST SENATOR Our army's in the field19:
We never yet made doubt but20 Rome was ready
To answer us.
AUFIDIUS Nor did you think it folly
To keep your great pretences23 veiled, till when
They needs24 must show themselves, which in the hatching,
It seemed, appeared to Rome. By the discovery,
We shall be shortened26 in our aim, which was
To take in27 many towns ere, almost, Rome
Should know we were afoot.
SECOND SENATOR Noble Aufidius,
Take your commission, hie30 you to your bands:
Let us alone to guard Corioles.
If they set down before's32, for the remove
Bring up your army: but, I think, you'll find
They've not prepared for us.
AUFIDIUS O, doubt not that:
I speak from certainties. Nay, more,
Some parcels37 of their power are forth already,
And only hitherward38. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Martius chance to meet,
'Tis sworn between us we shall ever40 strike
Till one can do no more.
ALL The gods assist you!
AUFIDIUS And keep your honours safe.
FIRST SENATOR Farewell.
SECOND SENATOR Farewell.
ALL Farewell.
Exeunt
[Act 1 Scene 3]
running scene 3
Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother and wife to Martius: they set them down on two low stools and sew
VOLUMNIA I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself in a
more comfortable sort2: if my son were my husband, I should
freelier3 rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than
in the embracements of his bed where he would show most
love. When yet he was but tender-bodied5 and the only son of
my womb, when youth with comeliness6 plucked all gaze his
way, when for a day of kings' entreaties a mother should not
sell him an hour from her beholding, I, considering how
honour would become such a person9, that it was no better
than, picture-like, to hang by th'wall if renown10 made it not
stir, was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like11 to
find fame: to a cruel war I sent him, from whence he
returned, his brows bound with oak13. I tell thee, daughter, I
sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child
than now15 in first seeing he had proved himself a man.
VIRGILIA But had he died in the business, madam, how then?
VOLUMNIA Then his good report should have been my son: I
therein would have found issue18. Hear me profess sincerely:
had I a dozen sons, each in my love alike, and none less dea
than thine and my good Martius, I had rather had eleven die
nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit21 out of
action.
Enter a Gentlewoman
GENTLEWOMAN Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you.
To Volumnia
VIRGILIA Beseech you give me leave to retire myself24.
To Volumnia
VOLUMNIA Indeed, you shall not.
Methinks I hear hither26 your husband's drum:
See27 him pluck Aufidius down by th'hair,
As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him:
Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus,
'Come on, you cowards, you were got30 in fear,
Though you were born in Rome'; his bloody brow
With his mailed32 hand then wiping, forth he goes,
Like to a harvest-man that's tasked to mow33
Or all or lose his hire34.
VIRGILIA His bloody brow? O Jupiter35, no blood!
VOLUMNIA Away, you fool! It more becomes a man
Than gilt his trophy. The breasts of Hecuba37
When she did suckle Hector38 looked not lovelier
Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood
At Grecian sword, contemning40.-- Tell Valeria,
To the Gentlewoman
We are fit41 to bid her welcome.
Exit Gentlewoman
VIRGILIA Heavens bless my lord from fell42 Aufidius!
VOLUMNIA He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee
And tread upon his neck.
Enter Valeria with an Usher and a Gentlewoman
VALERIA My ladies both, good day to you.
VOLUMNIA Sweet madam.
VIRGILIA I am glad to see your ladyship.
VALERIA How do you both? You are manifest housekeepers48.
What are you sewing here? A fine spot49, in good faith. How
does your little son?
VIRGILIA I thank your ladyship: well, good madam.
VOLUMNIA He had rather see the swords and hear a drum than
look upon his schoolmaster.
VALERIA O'my54 word, the father's son: I'll swear 'tis a very
pretty boy. O'my troth, I looked upon him o'Wednesday half55
an hour together: he's such a confirmed56 countenance. I saw
him run after a gilded butterfly, and when he caught it, he let
it go again, and after58 it again, and over and over he comes,
and up again, catched it again: or whether59 his fall enraged
him, or how 'twas, he did so set60 his teeth and tear it. O, I
warrant how he mammocked61 it!
VOLUMNIA One on's62 father's moods.
VALERIA Indeed, la63, 'tis a noble child.
VIRGILIA A crack64, madam.
VALERIA Come, lay aside your stitchery, I must have you play
the idle housewife66 with me this afternoon.
VIRGILIA No, good madam, I will not out67 of doors.
VALERIA Not out of doors?
VOLUMNIA She shall, she shall.
VIRGILIA Indeed, no, by your patience: I'll not over the
threshold till my lord return from the wars.
VALERIA Fie72, you confine yourself most unreasonably: come,
you must go visit the good lady that lies in73.
VIRGILIA I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with
my prayers: but I cannot go thither.
VOLUMNIA Why, I pray you?
VIRGILIA 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want77 love.
VALERIA You would be another Penelope78: yet they say all the
yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of
moths. Come, I would your cambric were sensible80 as your
finger, that you might leave81 pricking it for pity. Come, you
shall go with us.
VIRGILIA No, good madam, pardon me, indeed I will not forth.
VALERIA In truth, la, go with me, and I'll tell you excellent
news of your husband.
VIRGILIA O, good madam, there can be none yet.
VALERIA Verily87 I do not jest with you: there came news from
him last night.
VIRGILIA Indeed, madam?
VALERIA 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 Corioles:
they nothing doubt prevailing94 and to make it brief wars. This
is true, on mine honour: and so, I pray, go with us.
VIRGILIA Give me excuse96, good madam: I will obey you in
everything hereafter.
VOLUMNIA Let her alone, lady: as she is now, she will but
disease99 our better mirth.
VALERIA In troth100, I think she would. Fare you well, then.
Come, good sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness
out o'door, and go along with us.
VIRGILIA No, at a word103, madam: indeed, I must not. I wish
you much mirth.
VALERIA Well then, farewell.
Exeunt Ladies
[Act 1 Scene 4]
running scene 4
Enter Martius, Titus Lartius, with Drum [, Trumpeter] and Colours, with Captains and Soldiers [with scaling ladders], as before the city Corioles: to them a Messenger
MARTIUS Yonder comes news: a wager they have met1.
LARTIUS My horse to yours, no2.
MARTIUS 'Tis done.
LARTIUS Agreed.
MARTIUS Say, has our general met the enemy?
To the Messenger
MESSENGER They lie in view, but have not spoke6 as yet.
LARTIUS So, the good horse is mine.
MARTIUS I'll buy him of you.
LARTIUS No, I'll nor9 sell nor give him: lend you him I will
For half a hundred years.-- Summon the town.
To Trumpeter
MARTIUS How far off lie these armies?
MESSENGER Within this mile and half.
MARTIUS Then shall we hear their 'larum13, and they ours.
Now, Mars14, I prithee make us quick in work,
That we with smoking15 swords may march from hence
To help our fielded16 friends.-- Come, blow thy blast.
To Trumpeter
They sound a parley: enter two Senators with others on the walls of Corioles
Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?
FIRST SENATOR No, nor a man that fears you less than he18,
That's lesser than a little.
Hark, our drums
Drum afar off
Are bringing forth our youth: we'll break our walls
Rather than they shall pound us up21: our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pinned with rushes22:
They'll open of themselves.
Hark you, far off
Alarum far off
There is Aufidius. List24 what work he makes
Amongst your cloven25 army.
MARTIUS O, they are at it!
LARTIUS Their27 noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho!
They prepare their ladders to assault the walls
Enter the army of the Volsces
MARTIUS They fear us not, but issue forth their city.
Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proof30 than shields. Advance, brave Titus:
They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts31,
Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my fellows:
He that retires, I'll take him for a Volsce,
And he shall feel mine edge34.
Alarum: the Romans are beat back to their trenches [and exeunt, followed by the Volsces]. Enter Martius cursing
MARTIUS All the contagion of the south35 light on you,
You shames of Rome! You herd of-- boils and plagues
Plaster you o'er, that you may be abhorred
Further than seen38, and one infect another
Against39 the wind a mile: you souls of geese
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run