Coriolanus Act 3

Act 3 of Coriolanus by William Shakespeare. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Act 3. Scene 1.

Rome.

A street.

Cornets.

Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, all the gentry, Cominius, Titus Lartius, and other senators.

Tullus ophidius then had made new head tullus.

He had my lord and that it was which caus'd our swifter composition.

So then the volsces stand but as at first ready when time shall prompt them to make road upon us again.

They are worn lord consul so that we may hardly in our ages see their banners wave again.

Tullus saw you ophidius ophidius.

On safeguard he came to me and did curse against the volsces so they had so vilely yielded the town. He is retired to Antium.

Spoke he of me?

He did, my lord.

How?

What? How often he had met you, sword to sword, that of all things upon the earth he hated your person most, that he would pawn his fortunes to hopeless restitution, so he might be called your vanquisher.

At Antium lives he?

At Antium.

I wish I had a cause to seek him there, to oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.

Enter Cicenius and Brutus.

Behold, these are the tribunes of the people, the tongues of the common mouth. I do despise them, for they do prank them in authority against all noble sufferance.

Pass no further.

Ha!

What is that?

It will be dangerous to go on. No further.

What makes this change?

The matter has he not passed the noble and the common.

Comeneus no have i had children's voices tribunes give way he shall to the market-place.

The people are incensed against him.

Stop or all will fall in broil.

Are these your herd must these have voices that can yield them now and straight disclaim their tongues what are your offices You being their mouths, why will you not their teeth? Have you not set them on?

Be calm, be calm.

It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot, To curb the will of the nobility. Suffer it, and live with such as cannot rule, Nor ever will be ruled.

Call't not a plot. The people cry, you mocked them, And of late, when corn was given them gratis, You repined, scandaled the suppliants for the people, called them time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness.

Why, this was known before.

Not to them all.

Have you informed them since then?

How?

I informed them.

You are like to do such business.

Each way to better yours.

Why, then, should I be consulted? by yond clouds let me deserve so ill as you and make me your fellow tribune.

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 counsel nor yoke with him for tribune.

Let's be calm the people are abused set on This paltering becomes not Rome, nor has Coriolanus deserved this so dishonoured rub, laid falsely in the plain way of his merit.

Tell me of corn? This was my speech, and I will speak it again.

Not now, not now.

Not in this heat, sir, now.

Now, as I live, I will. My nobler friends, I crave their pardons. for the mutable rank-scented many, let them regard me as I do not flatter, and therein behold themselves. I say again in soothing them, we nourish against our senate the cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, which we ourselves have ploughed for, sowed and scattered, by mingling them with us, the honoured number, who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that which they have given to beggars well no more.

No more words we beseech you.

How no more as for my country i have shed my blood not feeling out with force so shall my lungs coin words till their decay against those measles which we disdain should tatter us yet sought the very way to catch.

Them You speak of the people as if you were a god to punish, not a man of their infirmity.

T'were well we let the people note.

What, what?

His collar?

Collar? Were I as patient as the midnight sleep, by Jove, t'would be my mind.

It is a mind that shall remain a poison where it is, not poison any further.

Shall remain? Hear you, this triton of the minnows. Mark you his absolute shall.

T'was from the cannon.

Shall! Oh, good but most unwise patricians! Why, you grave but reckless senators, have you thus given Hydra here to choose an officer, that with his peremptory shall, being but the horn and noise of the monsters, wants not spirit to say he'll turn your current in a ditch? and make your channel his? If he have power, then veil your ignorance. If none, awake your dangerous lenity. If you are learned, be not as common fools. If you are not, let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians if they be senators, and they are no less. When both your voices blended, the greatest taste most palates theirs. they choose their magistrate and such a one as he who puts his shell his populous shell against a graver bench

than ever frowned in greece by jove himself it makes the consul's base and my soul aches to know when two authorities are up neither supreme how soon confusion may enter twixt the gap of both and take the one by.

The other well on to the market-place.

Whoever gave that counsel to give forth the corn of the storehouse gratis as twas used some time in.

Greece well well no more of that.

Though there the people had more absolute power i say they nourished disobedience fed the ruin of the.

State why shall the people give one that speaks thus their voice i'll give.

My reasons more worthier than their voices They know the corn was not our recompense, resting well assured that ne'er did service for it. Being pressed to the war, even when the navel of the state was touched, they would not thread the gates. This kind of service did not deserve corn gratis. Being in the war, their mutinies and revolts, wherein they showed most valour, spoke not for them. The accusation which they have often made against the Senate, all cause unborn, could never be the motive of our so frank donation. Well, what then? How shall this Bisson multitude digest the Senate's courtesy? Let deeds express what's like to be their words. We did request it, we are the greater Poe, and in true fear they gave us our demands.

thus we debase the nature of our seats and make the rabble call our cares fears which will in time break ope the locks of the senate and bring in the crows to peck the eagles.

Come enough enough with over-measure.

No take more what may be sworn by both divine and human seal what i end withal this double worship where one part does disdain with cause the other insult without all reason, where gentry, title, wisdom cannot conclude but by the yea and no of general ignorance. It must omit real necessities and give way the while to unstable slightness, purpose so barred it follows. Nothing is done to purpose.

Therefore beseech you, you that will be less fearful than discreet, that love the fundamental part of state more than you doubt the change on it that prefer a noble life before a long and wish to jump a body with a dangerous physic that's sure of death without it at once pluck out the multitudinous tongue let them not lick the sweet which is their poison your dishonour mangles true judgment and bereaves the state of that integrity which should become it not having the power to do the good it would for thee in which doth control.

It has said enough has spoken like a traitor and shall answer as traitors.

Do thou wretch despite all well thee what should the people do with these bold tribunes on whom depending their obedience fails to the greater bench in a rebellion when what's not meat but what must be was law then were they chosen in a better hour let what is meat be said it must be meat and throw their power i the.

Dust manifest treason this a counsel no the idyls.

Ho enter an idyl.

Let him be apprehended.

Go, call the people.

Exit Idyllae.

In whose name myself attach thee as a traitorous innovator, a foe to the public weal. Obey, I charge thee, and follow to thine answer.

Hence, old goat.

Aged sir, hands off.

Hence, rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones out of thy garments.

Help, ye citizens.

Enter a rebel of citizens, plebeians, with the Idyllais.

On both sides, more respect.

Here's he that would take from you all your power.

Seize him, Idelais.

Down with him!

What is about to be?

I'm out of breath.

Confusion's near.

I cannot speak. You, tribunes, to the people. Coriolanus, patience. Speak, good Sassinius.

Hear me, people. Peace.

Let's hear our tribunes.

Let's hear. Let's hear.

Let's hear. Speak.

Speak.

You are at point to lose your liberties. Coriolanus would have all from you. Coriolanus, whom late you have named for council.

Fie, fie, fie. this is the way to kindle not to quench.

To unbuild the city and to lay all flat.

What is the city but the people true the people are the city.

By the consent of all we were established the people's magistrates you so remain.

And so i like to do this is the way to lay the city flat to bring the roof to the foundation and bury all which yet distinctly ranges in heaps and piles of ruin.

This deserves death.

Or let us stand to our authority, or let us lose it. We do here pronounce, upon the part of the people, in whose power we were elected theirs, Coriolanus is worthy of present death.

Therefore lay hold of him, bear him to the rock Tarpion, and from thence into destruction cast him.

Idylles seize him you hear me.

One word beseech you tribunes hear me but a word peace peace to brutus be that you seem truly your country's friend and temperately proceed to what you would thus violently.

Redress brutus sir those cold ways that seem like prudent helps are very poisonous where the disease is violent Lay hands upon him, and bear him to the rock.

No, I'll die here.

Drawing his sword.

There's some among you have beheld me fighting. Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.

Down with that sword. Tribunes, withdraw a while.

Lay hands upon him.

Help Coriolanus, help you that be noble, help him young and old.

Down with him, down with.

Him, down with him.

In this mutiny, the tribunes, the edelays, and the people are beat in.

Go, get you to your house.

Be gone.

Away. All will be naught else.

Get you gone.

Stand fast. We have as many friends as enemies.

Shall not be put to that?

The gods forbid. I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house. Leave us to cure this cause.

For it is a sore upon us. You cannot tent yourself. Be gone, beseech you.

Come, sir, along with us.

I would they were barbarians, as they are, though in Rome littered, not Romans, as they are not, though carved in the porch of the Capitol.

Be gone, put not your worthy rage into your tongue, one time will owe another.

On fair ground I could beat forty of them.

I could myself take up a brace of the best of them yea the two tribunes but now tis odds beyond arithmetic and manhood is called foolery when it stands against a falling fabric will you hence before the tag return whose rage doth rend like interrupted waters and o'erbear what they are used to bear pray.

You be gone i'll try whether my old wit be in request with those that have but little This must be patched with cloth of any colour.

Nay, come away.

This man has marred his fortune.

His nature is too noble for the world. He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, or Job's force power to thunder. His heart's his mouth. What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent. And being angry, does forget that ever he heard the name of death.

A noise within.

Here's goodly work.

I would they were a bed i.

Would they were in tiber what the vengeance could he not speak him fair.

Where is this viper that would depopulate the city and be every man himself.

You worthy tribunes he.

Shall be thrown down the tarpian rock with rigorous hands he hath resisted law and therefore law shall scorn him further trial than the severity of the public power which he so sets at nought he.

Shall well know the noble tribunes are the people's mouths and we their.

Hands he shall sure on't.

Sir sir peace do not cry havoc where you should but hunt with modest.

Warrant sir how com'st that you have hope to make this rescue.

Hear me speak As I do know the consul's worthiness, so can I name his faults.

Consul?

What consul?

The consul Coriolanus.

He consul? No, no, no, no, no.

If by the tribune's leave, and yours, good people, I may be heard, I would crave a word or two, the which shall turn you to no further harm than so much loss of time.

Speak briefly, then, for we are peremptory to dispatch this viperous traitor. to eject him hence were but one danger, and to keep him here are certain death. Therefore it is decreed he dies to-night.

Now the good gods forbid that our renowned Rome, whose gratitude towards her deserved children is enrolled in Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam, should now eat up her own.

He's a disease that must be cut away.

Oh, he's a limb that has but a disease, mortal to cut it off, to cure it, easy. what has he done to rome that's worthy death killing our enemies the blood he hath lost which i dare vouch is more than that he hath by many an ounce he dropped it for his country and what is left to lose it by his country were to us all that do it and suffer it a brand to the end of the world this is.

Clean cam cam merely awry when he did love his country it honoured him The.

Service of the foot, being once gangrened, is not then respected for what before it was.

We'll hear no more. Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence, lest his infection, being of catching nature, spread further.

One word more, one word. This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find the harm of unscanned swiftness, will too late tie leaden pounds to his heels. Proceed by process, lest parties, as he is beloved, break out, and sacrate Rome with Romans.

If it were so, what do ye talk?

Have we not had a taste of his obedience? Are ye d'all smote, ourselves resisted?

Come.

Consider this. He has been bred in the wars, since he could draw a sword, and is ill-schooled in bolted language. Meal and brand together he throws without distinction. Give me leave, I'll go to him, and undertake to bring him where he shall answer, by a lawful form, in peace, to his utmost peril.

Noble tribunes, it is the humane way. The other course will prove too bloody, and the end of it unknown to the beginning.

Noble Menenius, be you then as the people's officer. Masters, lay down your weapons.

Go not home.

Meet on the marketplace. We'll attend you there.

Where?

If you bring not Coriolanus, we'll proceed in our first way.

I'll bring him to you.

To the senators.

Let me desire your company. He must come, or what is worst will follow.

Pray you, let's to him.

Exeunt. Scene 2. A room in Coriolanus's house. Enter Coriolanus with patricians.

Let them puff all about mine ears, present me death on the wheel or at wild horses' heels, or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock, that the precipitation might downstretch below the beam of sight, yet will I still be thus to them.

You do the nobler.

I muse my mother does not approve me further. who was wont to call them woolen vassals, things created to buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads in congregations, to yawn, be still and wander, when one but of my ordinance stood up to speak of peace or war.

Enter Volumnia.

I talk of you. Why did you wish me milder? Would you have me false to my nature? Rather say I play the man I am.

O sir, sir, sir, I would have had you put your power well on before you had worn it out.

Let go.

You might have been enough the man you are with striving less to be so. Lesser had been the thwartings of your dispositions if you had not showed them how you were disposed ere they lacked power to cross you.

Let them hang.

Ay, and burn too.

Enter Menenius and senators.

Come, come, you have been too rough, something too rough. You must return and mend it.

There's no remedy, unless by not so doing our good city cleave in the midst and perish.

Pray, be counselled. I have a heart as little apt as yours, but yet a brain that leads my use of anger to better vantage.

Well said, noble woman. before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that the violent fit of the time craves it as physic for the whole state, I would put mine armour on, which I can scarcely bear.

What must I do?

Return to the tribunes.

Well, what then? What then?

Repent what you have spoke.

For them? I cannot do it to the gods. Must I then do it to them?

You are too absolute, though therein you never can be too noble, but when extremities speak. I have heard you say, honour and policy, like unsevered friends, the war do grow together. Grant that, and tell me in peace what each of them by the other lose that they combine not there.

Tush, tush.

A good man.

If it be honour in your wars to seem the same you are not, which for your best ends you adopt your policy, how is it less or worse that it shall hold companionship in peace with honour, as in war, since that to both it stands in like request?

Why force you this?

Because that now it lies you on to speak to the people, not by your own instruction, nor by the matter which your heart prompts you, but with such words that are but rooted in your tongue, though but bastards and syllables of no allowance to your bosom's truth. Now this no more dishonours you at all than to take in a town with gentle words. Which else would put you to your fortune and the hazard of much blood?

I would dissemble with my nature where my fortunes and my friends at stake required I should do so in honour. I am in this your wife, your son— These senators, the nobles, and you will rather show our general louts how you can frown than spend a fawn upon them for the inheritance of their loves and safeguard of what that want might ruin.

Nobler lady, come, go with us, speak fair, you may solve so, not what is dangerous present, but the loss of what is past.

I prithee now, my son, go to them with this bonnet in thy hand. and thus far having stretched it, here be with them, thy knee bussing the stones. For in such business action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant more learned than the ears. Waving thy head, which often thus correcting thy stout heart, now humble as the ripest mulberry that will not hold the handling. Or say to them, Thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils, hast not the soft way which thou dost confess, were fit for thee to use as they do claim, in asking their good loves, but thou wilt frame thyself for sooth hereafter theirs, so far as thou hast power and person.

This but done, even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours, for they have pardons being asked as free as words to little purpose.

Prithee, now, go and be ruled. Although I know thou hadst rather follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf than flatter him in a bower. Here is Cominius.

Enter Cominius.

I have been in the marketplace, and, sir, tis fit you make strong party, or defend yourself by calmness or by absence. All's in anger.

Only fair speech.

I think t'will serve if he can thereto frame his spirit.

He must and will. Prithee, now, say you will and go about it.

Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce? Must I, with base tongue, give my noble heart a lie that it must bear? Well, I will do it. Yet, were there but this single plot to lose, this mould of Martius, they to dust should grind it and throw it against the wind. To the marketplace! You have put me now to such a part which never I shall discharge to Come, come, we'll prompt you.

I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said my praises made thee first a soldier, so to have my praise for this, perform a part thou hast not done before.

Well, I must do it. Away, my disposition, and possess me some harlot's spirit. My throat of war be turned, which quired with my drum. into a pipe small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice that babies lulls asleep. The smiles of knaves tent in my cheeks, and schoolboy's tears take up the glasses of my sight. A beggar's tongue make motion through my lips, and my armed knees, who bowed but in my stirrup, bend like his that hath received an alms. I will not do it, lest I surcease to honour mine own truth, and by my body's action teach my mind a most inherent baseness.

At thy choice, then. To beg of thee it is my more dishonour than thou of them. Come, all to ruin, let thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death with as big heart as thou.' Do as thou list, thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'st it from me. But, O thy pride, thyself!

Pray, be content, mother. I am going to the marketplace. Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves, cog their hearts from them, and come home, beloved, of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going. Commend me to my wife, I'll return consul, or never trust to what my tongue can do with a way of flattery further.

Do your will.

Exit.

Away!

The tribunes do attend you. Arm yourself to answer mildly, for they are prepared with accusations, as I hear, more strong than are upon you yet.

The word is mildly. Pray you, let us go. Let them accuse me by invention. I will answer in mine honour.

Ah, but mildly.

Well, mildly be it, then, mildly.

Exeunt. Scene 3. The Same. The Forum. Enter Cecinius and Brutus.

In this point charge him home, that he affects tyrannical power. If he evade us there, enforce him with his envy to the peoples. and that the spoil got on the antiates was ne'er distributed enter an idyle what will he come he's coming how accompanied with old menenius and those senators that always favored him.

Have you a catalogue of all the voices that we have procured set down by the pole.

I have tis ready.

Have you collected them by tribes i have assemble presently the people hither and when they bear me say, it shall be so i' the right and strength o' the commons, be it either for death, for fine, or banished. then let them if i say fine cry fine if death cry death insisting on the old prerogative and power i the truth o the cause i shall.

Inform them and when such time they have begun to cry let them not cease but with a din confused enforce the present execution of what we chance to sentence adolfo very well.

Adolfo make them be strong and ready for this hint when we shall hap to give to them.

Go about it exit a delay.

Put him to choler straight he hath been used ever to conquer and to have his worth of contradiction being once chafed he cannot be reigned again to temperance Then he speaks what's in his heart, and that is there which looks with us to break his neck.

Well, here he comes.

Enter Coriolanus, Meninius, and Cominius, with senators and patricians.

Calmly, I do beseech you. I, as an hostler, that for the poorest peace will bear the knave by the volume. The honoured gods keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice supplied with worthy men. Plant love among us, throng our large temples with the shows of peace, and not our streets with war. Amen, amen.

A noble wish.

Re-enter Idelae with citizens.

Draw near, ye people.

List to your tribunes.

Audience, peace, I say.

First, hear me speak.

Well, say. Peace, ho!

Shall I be charged no further than this present? must all determine here.

I do demand, if you submit you to the people's voices, allow their officers, and are content to suffer lawful censure for such faults as shall be proven upon you.

I am content.

Lo, citizens, he says he is content the warlike service he has done. Consider, think upon the wounds his body bears, which show like graves in the holy churchyard.

Scratches with briars, scars to move laughter only.

Consider further that when he speaks not like a citizen you find him like a soldier do not take his rougher accents for malicious sounds but as i say such as become a soldier rather than envy you well well no more.

What is the matter that being passed for consul with full voice i am so dishonoured at the very hour you take it off again answer to us say then tis true i ought so.

We charge you that you have contrived to take from rome all seasoned office and to wind yourself into a power tyrannical for which you are a traitor to the.

People how traitor nay temperately your promise.

The fires i the lowest hell-fold in the people call me their traitor thou injurious tribune within thine eye sat twenty thousand deaths in thy hand clutched as many millions in thy lying tongue both numbers i would say thou liest unto thee with a voice as free as i do pray the gods.

Mark you this people peace we need not put new matter to his charge what you have seen him do and heard him speak beating your officers cursing yourselves 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 but since he hath served well for rome what.

Do you prate of service.

I talk of that that know it.

You is this the promise that you made your mother no i pray you.

I know no further let them pronounce the steep tarpeian death vagabond exile flaying pent to linger but with a grain a day i would not buy their mercy at the price of one fair word nor check my courage for what they can give to have it with saying good.

Morrow for that he has 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 do 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 tarpion never more to enter our Rome gates. In the people's name, I say it shall be so.

It shall be so. It shall be so. Let him away. He's banished, and it shall be so.

Hear me, my masters and my common friends.

He's sentenced. No more hearing.

Let me speak. I have been counsel, and can show for Rome her enemy's marks upon me. i do love my country's good with a respect more tender more holy and profound than mine own life my dear wife's estimate her womb's increase and treasure of my loins then if i would speak that.

We know your drift speak what there is no more to be said but he is banished as enemy to the people and his country it shall be so.

Whose breath I hate as reek of the rotten fens, whose loves I prize as the dead carcasses of unburied men that do corrupt my air, I banish you, and here remain with your uncertainty. Let every feeble rumour shake your hearts. Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes, fan you into despair. Have the power still to banish your defenders, Till at length your ignorance, which finds not till it feels, Making not reservation of yourselves, Still your own foes, deliver you as most abated captives To some nation that won you without blows. Despising for you the city, thus I turn my back, There is a world elsewhere.

The people's enemy is gone, is gone.

Our enemy is banished, he is gone.

Shouting and throwing up their caps.

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.

Come, come. Let's see him out the gates. Come. The gods preserve our noble tribunes.

Come.

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