SCENE changes to the Forum: Cit.ON Enter feven or eight Citizens. NCE, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. 2 Cit. We may, Sir, if we will.I. 3 Cit. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do; for if he fhew us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds, and speak for them: fo, if he tells us his noble deeds, we must alfo tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monftrous; and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which, we being members, should bring ourselves to be monftrous members. 1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will ferve: for once, when we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude. 3 Cit. We have been call'd fo of many; not that our heads are fome brown, fome black, fome auburn, fome bald; but that our wits are fo diverfly colour'd; and truly, I think, if all our wits were to iffue out of one fcull, they would fly Eaft, Weft, North, South; and their confent of one direct way would be at once to all points o'th' compass. 2 Cit. Think you fo? which way, do you judge, my wit would fly? 3 Git. Nay, your wit will not fo foon out as another man's will, 'tis ftrongly wedg'd up in a block-head: but if it were at liberty, 'twould, fure, fouthward. 2 Cit. Why that way? 3 Cit. To lofe itself in a fog; where being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for confcience fake, to help to get thee a wife. 2 Cit. You are never without your tricks-you may, you may 3 Cit. Are you all refolv'd to give your voices? but that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I fay, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man. Enter Coriolanus in a gown, 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 ftands, by one's, by two's, and by three's. He's to make his requefts by particulars, wherein every one of us has a fingle 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. Content, content. Men. Oh, Sir, you are not right; have you not known, The worthieft men have done't? Cor. What must I say? I pray, Sir,-plague upon't, I cannot bring Some certain of your brethren roar'd, and ran Men. Oh me, the Gods! You must not speak of that; you must defire them Cor. Think upon me? hang 'em. I would, they would forget me, like the virtues Men. You'll mar all. I'll leave you; pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you, In wholfome manner.. Citizens approach. Cor. Bid them wash their faces, [Exit. And keep their teeth clean.-So, here comes a brace: You know the cause, Sirs, of my standing here. 1 Cit. We do, Sir; tell us what hath brought you to't. Cor. Mine own defert. 2 Cit. Your own defert ? VOL. VI. Cor. Ay, not mine own defire. 1 Cit. How! not your own defire? Cor. No, Sir, 'twas never my defire yet to trouble the poor with begging. 1 Cit. You muft think, if we give you any thing, we hope to gain by you. Cor. Well then, I pray, your price o'th' Confulfhip? 1 Cit. The price is, to afk it kindly. Cor. Kindly, Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to fhew you, which fhall be yours in private: your good voice, Sir; what fay you? 2 Cit. You shall ha't, worthy Sir. Cor. A match, Sir; there's in all two worthy voices begg'd; I have your alms, adieu. 1 Cit. But this is fomething odd. 2 Cit. An 'twere to give again :—but 'tis no matter. Two other Citizens. [Exeunt. Cor. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices, that I may be Conful, I have here the customary gown. 1 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. Cor. Your ænigma. 1 Cit. You have been a fcourge to her enemies; you have been a rod to her friends; you have not, indeed, loved the common people. Cor. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love: I will, Sir, flatter my fworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer eftimation of them; 'tis a condition they account gentle and fince the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my cap than my heart, I will practise the infinuating nod, and be off to them moft counterfeitly: that is, Sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of fome popular man, and give it bountifully to the defirers: therefore, beseech you, I may be Conful. 2 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. 1 Cit. You have received many wounds for your country. Cor. I will not feal your knowledge with fhewing them. I will make much of your voices, and fo trouble you no further. Both. The Gods give you joy, Sir, heartily! [Exeunt. Cor. Moft fweet voices Better it is to die, better to ftarve, Than crave the hire, which firft we do deserve. Their needlefs voucher? cuftom calls me to't→→→→ To one that would do thus.I am half through; Three Citizens more. Here come more voices. Your voices for your voices I have fought, voices: Indeed, I would be Conful. -your 1 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honeft man's voice. 2 Cit. Therefore let him be Conful, the Gods give him joy, and make him a good friend to the people. God fave thee, noble Conful. All. Amen, amen. Cer. Worthy voices! [Exeunt. Men. You've food your limitation: and the Tribunes Endue you with the people's voice." Remains, That in th' official marks invefted, you Anon do meet the Senate. Cor. Is this done? Sic. The custom of requeft you have difcharg'd: Cor. Where? at the Senate-house ? 1 Cor. May I change thefe garments ? *11*452* Cor. That I'll ftrait do and, knowing myfelf again, Repair to the Senate-house. Men. I'll keep you company. Will Sic. Fare you well. you along? [Exeunt Coriol, and Men. He has it now, and by his looks, methinks, mica Libebshow in 28 1.dl 'Tis warm at's heart. 101 boot ad tcdw asa? Bru. With a proud heart he wore His humble weeds: will you difmifs the people' Enter Plebeians,snił toy gaibe. East vad ct endT Sic. How now, my masters, have you chofe this man? 1 Cit. He has our voices, Sirsilon ad b13 Bru. We pray the Gods, he may deferve your loves! 2 Cit. Amen, Sir to my poor unworthy notice, He mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices. 3 Cit. Certainly, he flouted us down-right. ༣ 1 Cit. No, tishis kind of fpeech, he did not mock.us. 2 G. Not one among us, fave yourself, but fays, He us'd us fcornfully: be fhould have fhew'd us His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for's country, Sic. Why, fo he did, I am fure. AlNo, no man faw 'em. 3 Cit. He faid, he'd wounds, which he could thew bed in private; And |