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The SCENE is partly in Rome; and partly in the Territories of the Volscians and Antiates.

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I.

we become rakes': for the gods know, I speak
this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.
2 Cit. Would you proceed especially against
Caius Marcius?

All. Against him first: he's a very dog to the commonalty.

2 Cit. Consider you what services he has done for his country?

1 Cit. Very well; and could be content to give 10 him good report for 't, but that he pays himself with being proud.

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1 Cit. We are accounted poor citizens; the pa-20 tricians, good; What authority surfeits on, would relieve us: If they would yield us but the superfluity, while it were wholesome, we might guess, they relieved us humanely: but they think, we are too dear: the leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an inventory to particularize their abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them. Let us revenge this with our pikes, ere

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All. Nay, but speak not maliciously.

1 Cit. I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did it to that end: though soft-conscienc'd men can be content to say, it was for his country, he did it to please his mother, and to be partly proud; which he is even to the altitude of his virtue.

2 Cit. What he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in hin: You inust in no way say, he is covetous.

1 Cit. If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations; he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition. [Shouts within.] What shouts are these? The other side o' the city is risen: Why stay we prating here? to the Capitol

All. Come, come.

1 Cit. Soft; who comes here?

'The whole history is exactly followed, and many of the principal speeches exactly copied from the Life of Coriolanus in Plutarch. 2 Good is here used in the mercantile sense. 3 Alluding to the proverb, as lean as a rake; which perhaps owes its origin to the thin taper form of the instrument made use of by hay-makers. Dr. Johnson observes, that Rekel, in Islandick, is said to mean a cur-dog, and this was probably the first use among us of the word rake.—As lean as a rake is, therefore, as lean as a dog too worthless to be fed.

1,

Enter

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pray you.

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And mutually participate, did minister
Unto the appetite and affection common
Of the whole body. The belly answer'd,—
2 Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the belly?
Men. Sir, I shall tell you.-With a kind of
smile,

Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus-
(For, look you, I may make the belly smile
As well as speak) it tauntingly reply'd

That envy'd his receipt; even so most fitly
As you malign our senators, for that
They are not such as you.

S

2 Cit. Our business is not unknown to the se-10To the discontented members, the mutinous parts nate; they have had inkling, this fortnight, what we intend to do, which now we'll shew 'em in deeds. They say,poor suitors have strong breaths; they hall know, we have strong arms too. Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,

Will

you undo yourselves?

2 Cit. We cannot, sir, we are undone already.
Men. I tell you, friends, most charitable care
Have the patricians of you. For your wants,
Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well
Strike at the heaven with your staves, as lift them|
Against the Roman state; whose course will on
The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs
Of more strong link asunder, than can ever
Appear in your impediment: For the dearth,
The gods, not the patricians, make it: and
Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack,
You are transported by calamity

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20

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Thither where more attends you; and you slander 30
The helms o' the state,who care for youlike fathers,
When you curse them as enemies.

2 Cit. Care for us!-True, indeed!-They ne'er car'd for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and

2 Cit. Your belly's answer-What!
The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye,
The counsellor heart', the arm our soldier,
Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,
With other muniments and petty helps

In this our fabrick, if that they

Men. What then?—

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If you'll bestow a small (of what you have little)
Patience, a while, you'll hear the belly's answer.
2 Cit. You are long about it.

Men. Note me this, good friend;
Your most grave belly was deliberate,
Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd:

their store-houses cramm'd with grain; make 35" True is it, my incorporate friends," quoth he,

edicts for usury, to support usurers; repeal daily
any wholesome act established against therich;and
provide more piercing statutes daily; to chain up
and restrain the poor. If the wars eat us not up,
they will; and there's all the love they bear us.
Men. Either you must

Confess yourselves wond'rous malicious,
Or be accus'd of folly. I shall tell you
A pretty tale; it may be, you have heard it;
But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture
To scale't' a little more.

2 Cit. Well, I'll hear it, sir; yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace' with a tale: but, an't please you, deliver.

"That I receive the general food at first, "Which you do live upon; and fit it is; "Because I am the store-house, and the shop "Of the whole body: But, if you do remember, 40" I send it through the rivers of your blood, "Even to the court, the heart, to the seat' o' the

brain;

"And, through the cranks and offices of man, "The strongest nerves, and small inferior veins, 45" From me receive that natural competency "Whereby they live: And though that all at once "You,my good friends," (this says thebelly) mark 2 Cit. Ay, sir; well, well. [me,

Men. "Though all at once cannot

Men. There was a time, when all the body's 50" See what I do deliver out to each;

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"Yet I can make my audit up, that all
"From me do back receive the flour of all,
"And leave me but the bran." What say you to't?
2 Cit. It was an answer: How apply you this?
Men. The senators of Rome are this good belly,
And you the mutinous members: For examine
Their counsels, and their cares; digest things
rightly,

2

To scale is to disperse. The word is still used in the North. The meaning is, Though some of you have heard the story, I will spread it yet wider, and diffuse it among the rest. Disgraces are hardships, injuries. Where for whereas. i.e. with a smile not indicating pleasure, but contempt. ⚫i.e, exactly. The heart was anciently esteemed the seat of prudence. Seat for throne. Touching

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Mar. Thanks.-What's the matter, you dissentious rogues,

That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
Make yourselves scabs?

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Men. Nay,theseare almost thoroughlypersuaded;
For though abundantly they lack discretion,
Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech
What says the other troop?
[you,

Mar. They are dissolv'd: Hang'em! [verbs;
They said, they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth pro-
That, hunger broke stone walls; that, dogs must
eat;-
[sent not
That, meat was made for mouths; that, the gods
10 Corn for the rich men only:-With these shreds
They vented their complainings; which being

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Men. What is granted them?
Mar. Five tribunes, to defend their vulgar wis-

20 Of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus,
Sicinius Velutus, and I know not

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2 Cu. We have ever your good word. [flatter
Mar. He that will give good words to thee, will
Beneath abhorring.-What would have, you curs,
That like nor peace, nor war? the one affrights you, 25
The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,
Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
Where foxes, geese: You are no surer, no,
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,
Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is,
To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him,
And curse that justice did it. Who deserves great-
Deserves your hate: and your affections are [ness,
A sick man's appetite, who desires most that
Which would increase his evil. He that depends 35
Upon your favours, swims with fins of lead, [ye?
And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust
With every minute you do change a mind;
And call him noble, that was now your hate,

Him vile, that was your garland. What's the matter, 40
That in these several places of the city
You cry against the noble senate, who,
Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else
Would feed on one another?-What's their seek-

ing?

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[they say,

Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof, The city is well stor❜d.

Mar. Hang 'em! They say?

They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know What's done i' the Capitol: who's like to rise, Who thrives, and who declines: side factions, and give out

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Conjectural marriages; making parties strong,
And feebling such as stand not in their liking,
Below their cobbled shoes. They say, there's grain 55
Would the nobility lay aside their ruth', [enough!
And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry
With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high
As I could pitch my lance.

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s'death!

The rabble should have first unroof'd the city,
Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time
Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes
For insurrection's arguing.

Men. This is strange.

Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments!
Enter a Messenger.

Mes. Where's Caius Marcius?
Mar. Here: What's the matter?

Mes. The news is, sir, the Volces are in arms.
Mar. I am glad on't; then we shall have means

to vent

Our musty superfluity:-See, our best elders. Enter Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senators; Junius Brutus, and Sicinius Velutus.

1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have lately The Volces are in arms. [told us;

Mar. They have a leader,

Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to 't.

I sin in envying his nobility:

And were I any thing but what I am,

I would wish me only he.

Com. You have fought together.

[and he

Mar. Were half to half the world by the ears, Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make

Only my wars with him: He is a lion

That I am proud to hunt.

1 Sen. Then, worthy Marcius,

Attend upon Cominius to these wars.
Com. It is your former promise.
Mar. Sir, it is;

And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou
Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face:
What, art thou stiff? stand'st out?

Tit. No, Caius Marcius;

I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other, Ere stay behind this business.

The meaning is, Thou art a hound, or running dog of the lowest breed, lead'st the pack, when any thing is to be gotten. 2 Bale is an old Saxon word for misery or calamity. i. e. their pity, compassion. The old copy reads-picke my lance; and so the word is still pronounced in Stafordshire, where they say-picke me such a thing, that is, throw any thing that the demander wants. "Meaning, To give the final blow to the nobles. Generosity is high birth. viz. that the Volces Men.

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That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone,
Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think,
I have the letter here; yes, here it is:

They have press'd a power, but it is not known [Reading. "Whether for east, or west: The dearth is great ; The people mutinous: and it is rumour'd, Coninius, Marcius your old enemy,

(Who is of Rome worse hated than of you) "And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, "These three lead on this preparation

Mar. Nay, let them follow:
[ther, 10"
The Volces have much corn; take these rats thi-
To gnaw their garners:-Worshipful mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.-

[Exeunt.
Citizens steal away. Manent Sicinius, and Brutus.15
Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?
Bru. He has no equal.

[ple,

Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the peo-
Bru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes?
Sic. Nay, but his taunts.

[gods. 20 [grown

Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to'gird the
Sic. Be-mock the modest moon.

Bru. The present wars devour him he is
Too proud to be so valiant.

Sic. Such a nature,

Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow
Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder,
His insolence can brook to be commanded
Under Cominius.

Bru. Fame, at the which he aims,-
In whom already he is well grac'd, cannot
Better be held, nor more attain'd, than by
A place below the first: for what miscarries
Shall be the general's fault, though he perform
To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure
Will then cry out on Marcius, O, if he
Had borne the business!

Sic. Besides, if things go well,
Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall
Of his demerits 3 rob Cominius.

Bru. Come:

Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius,

Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults
To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed,
In aught he merit not.

Sic. Let's hence, and hear

How the dispatch is made; and in what fashion,
More than his singularity, he goes
Upon this present action.

Bru. Let's along.

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The Senate-House in Corioli.
Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Senators.

1 Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius,

Whither 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you! "Consider of it."

1 Sen. Our army's in the field: We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready

To answer us.

Auf. Nor did you think it folly,

To keep your great pretences veíl'd, 'till when
They needs must shew themselves; which in the
hatching,

It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery,
We shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was,
To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome
25 Should know we were afoot.

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Enter Volumnia, and Virgilia: They sit down on two low stools, and sew.

Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express [Exeunt. 50 yourself in a more comfortable sort: If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed,where he would shew most love. When yet he was but tender-body'd, and 55the only son of my womb; when youth with comeliness pluck'd all gaze his way; when, for a day of king's entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I,-considering how honour would become such a person; that it

That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels,
And know how we proceed.

Auf. Is it not yours?

What ever hath been thought on in this state,

To sneer, to gibe. 2 The sense is, that the present wars annihilate his gentler qualities.

3 Me

rits and demerits had anciently the same meaning. * i. e. We will learn what he is to do, besides going himself; what are his powers, and what is his appointment. siege us, bring up your army to remove them.

That is, If the Romans be

was

was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir,-was pleas'd to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak: I tell thee, 5 daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man.

Vir. But had he died in the business, madam ;| how then?

flet it go again; and after it again; and over and
over he comes, and up again; catch'd it again:
or whether his fall enrag'd him, or how 'twas, he
did so set his teeth, and tear it; O, I warrant,
how he mammock'd 'it!

Vol. One of his father's moods.
Val. Indeed la, 'tis a noble child.
Vir. A crack, madam.

Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must 10have you play the idle huswife with me this after

Vol. Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely:-Had I a dozen sons,—each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius,—I had rather had eleven die 15 nobly for their country, than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.

Enter a Gentlewoman.

Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you.

[self.

noon.

Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of doors.

Val. Not out of doors!
Vol. She shall, she shall.

Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, 'till my lord return from the

wars.

Vul. Fie, you confine yourself most unreason20ably: Come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.

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Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire my-
Vol. Indeed, you shall not.
Methinks, I hither hear your husband's drum;
See him pluck down Aufidius by the hair;
Aschildren from a bear, the Volces shunning him:
Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus,-
Come on, you cowards; you were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes; 301
Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow
Or all, or lose his hire.

Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood!
Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man,
Than gilt his trophy: The breasts of Hecuba,
When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier 35
Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood
At Grecian swords' contending.-Tell Valeria,
We are fit to bid her welcome. [Exit Gent.
Vir. Heavens bless my lord from feϡ Aufidius !
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Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,
And tread upon his neck.

Enter Valeria, with an Usher, and a Gentlewoman.
Val. My ladies both, good day to you.
Vol. Sweet madam,-

Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship.

Val. How do you both? you are manifest house-keepers. What, are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith.-How does your little

son?

Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum,

Than look upon his school-master.

Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you?

Vir. 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.

Val. You would be another Penelope : yet, they say, all the yarn, she spun in Ulysses' ab would, your cambrick were sensible as your sence, did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come; finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall with us. go Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.

Val. In truth la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.

Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.

Vir. Indeed, madain ?

Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is:-The Volces have an army torth; against whom Cominius the general is gon, with one part of our Roman power: your lord 45 and Titus Lartius are set down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine hcnour; and so, I pray, go with us.

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Val. O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 55 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I look'd upon him o' Wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirm'd countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he

Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every thing hereafter.

Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, sh will but disease our better mirth.

Val. In troth, I think, she would:-Fare you well then.-Come, good sweet lady.-Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemnness out o' door, and go along with us.

Vir. No: at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I wish you much mirth. Val. Well, then farewell.

[Excunt.

The crown given by the Romans to him that saved the life of a citizen, and was accounted more honourable than any other. 2 Gilt is an obsolete word, meaning a superficial display of gold. 1To mammock is a phrase still used in Staffordshire, and implies to cut in pieces, or to tear. + Crack signifies a boy child.

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SCENE

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