I got them in my country's service, when Men. O me, the gods ! You must not speak of that; you must desire them To think upon you. Cor. I would they would forget me, like the virtues Think upon me? Hang’em ! You'll mar all; Which our divines lose by them. Men. I'll leave you: Pray you, speak to them, I pray you, In wholesome manner. [Exit. * Cor. Enter Two Citizens. Bid them wash their faces, And keep their teeth clean.-So, here comes a brace.. You know the cause, sir, of my standing here. 1 Cit. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought 'Twas never my desire yet, To trouble the poor with begging. 1 Cit. You must think, if we give you any thing, We hope to gain by you. Cor. Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship? 1 Cit. The price is, sir, to ask it kindly. Cor. Kindly? Sir, I pray let me ha't: I have wounds to show you, Which shall be yours in private. Your good voice, sir; What say you? 2 Cit. You shall have it, worthy sir. Cor. A match, sir :— There is in all two worthy voices begg'd:- 1 Cit. But this is something odd. 2 Cit. An 'twere to give again, But 'tis no matter. [Exeunt two Citizens. Enter two other Citizens. Cor. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices, that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown. 3 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. Cor. Your enigma? 3 Cit. You have been a scourge 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 sworn brother the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition they account gentle and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly; that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man, and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul. 4 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. 3 Cit. You have received many wounds for your country. Cor. I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further. Both Cit. The gods give you joy, sir, heartily! [Exeunt. Cor. Most sweet voices! Better it is to die, better to starve, Than crave the hire which first we do deserve. To one that would do thus. — I am half through; Enter three other Citizens. Here come more voices, Your voices for your voices I have fought; voices: Indeed, I would be consul. 5 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice. 6 Cit. Therefore let him be consul: The gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people! All. Amen, Amen. Jove save thee, noble consul! [Exeunt Citizens. Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS, and SICINIUS. Men. You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes Endue you with the people's voice: Remains, 4 Over-look. That, in the official marks invested, you Cor. Is this done? Sic. The custom of request you have discharg❜d: Sic. Sic. There, Coriolanus. You may, sir. Cor. That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again, Repair to the senate-house. Men. I'll keep you company.-Will you along? Bru. We stay here for the people. Sic. Fare you well. [Exeunt CORIOL. and MENEN. He has it now; and by his looks, methinks, 'Tis warm at his heart. Bru. With a proud heart he wore His humble weeds: Will you dismiss the people? Re-enter Citizens. Sic. How now, my masters? have you chose this man? 1 Cit. He has our voices, sir. Bru. We pray the gods, he may deserve your loves. 2 Cit. Amen, sir: To my poor unworthy notice, He mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices. 3 Cit. He flouted us down-right. Certainly, 1 Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock us. 2 Cit. Not one amongst us save yourself, but says, He us❜d us scornfully: he should have show'd us His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for his country. Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure. Cit. No; no man saw 'em. [Several speak. 3 Cit. He said, he had wounds, which he could show in private ; And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn, you, Your most sweet voices: now you have left your voices, I have no further with you: mockery? Was not this Sic. Why, either, you were ignorant to see 't? Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness To yield your voices? Bru. He was your enemy; ever spake against Sic. › Plebeians, common people. |