The Tragedy of Coriolanus
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The Tragedy of Coriolanus
William Shakespeare
The Tragedy of Coriolanus
THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS
PERSONS REPRESENTED
CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS, a noble Roman
TITUS LARTIUS, General against the Volscians
COMINIUS, General against the Volscians
MENENIUS AGRIPPA, Friend to Coriolanus
SICINIUS VELUTUS, Tribune of the People
JUNIUS BRUTUS, Tribune of the People
YOUNG MARCIUS, son to Coriolanus
A ROMAN HERALD
TULLUS AUFIDIUS, General of the Volscians
LIEUTENANT, to Aufidius
Conspirators with Aufidius
A CITIZEN of Antium
TWO VOLSCIAN GUARDS
VOLUMNIA, Mother to Coriolanus
VIRGILIA, Wife to Coriolanus
VALERIA, Friend to Virgilia
GENTLEWOMAN attending on Virgilia
Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, Aediles, Lictors,
Soldiers, Citizens, Messengers, Servants to Aufidius, and other
Attendants
SCENE: Partly in Rome, and partly in the territories of the Volscians and AntiatesACT I
SCENE I. Rome. A street
[Enter a company of mutinous citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons.]
FIRST CITIZENBefore we proceed any further, hear me speak.ALLSpeak, speak.FIRST CITIZENYou are all resolved rather to die than to famish?ALLResolved, resolved.FIRST CITIZENFirst, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people.ALLWe know't, we know't.FIRST CITIZEN. Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price. Is't a verdict?ALLNo more talking on't; let it be done: away, away!SECOND CITIZENOne word, good citizens.FIRST CITIZEN. We are accounted poor citizens; the patricians 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 we become rakes: for the gods know I speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.SECOND CITIZENWould you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?FIRST CITIZENAgainst him first: he's a very dog to the commonalty.SECOND CITIZENConsider you what services he has done for his country?FIRST CITIZEN. Very well; and could be content to give him good report for't, but that he pays himself with being proud.SECOND CITIZENNay, but speak not maliciously.FIRST CITIZEN. I say unto you, what he hath done famously he did it to that end: though soft-conscienced 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.SECOND CITIZEN. What he cannot help in his nature you account a vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous.FIRST CITIZEN. 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!ALLCome, come.FIRST CITIZENSoft! who comes here?SECOND CITIZENWorthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always loved the people.FIRST CITIZENHe's one honest enough; would all the rest were so![Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA.]
MENENIUSWhat work's, my countrymen, in hand? where go youWith bats and clubs? the matter? speak, I pray you.FIRST CITIZEN. Our business is not unknown to the senate; they have had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, which now we'll show 'em in deeds. They say poor suitors have strong breaths; they shall know we have strong arms too.MENENIUSWhy, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,Will you undo yourselves?FIRST CITIZENWe cannot, sir; we are undone already.MENENIUSI tell you, friends, most charitable careHave the patricians of you. For your wants,Your suffering in this dearth, you may as wellStrike at the heaven with your staves as lift themAgainst the Roman state; whose course will onThe way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbsOf more strong link asunder than can everAppear in your impediment: for the dearth,The gods, not the patricians, make it; andYour knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack,You are transported by calamityThither where more attends you; and you slanderThe helms o' th' state, who care for you like fathers,When you curse them as enemies.FIRST CITIZEN. Care for us! True, indeed! They ne'er cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their storehouses crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich, 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.MENENIUSEither you mustConfess yourselves wondrous malicious,Or be accus'd of folly. I shall tell youA pretty tale: it may be you have heard it;But, since it serves my purpose, I will ventureTo stale't a little more.FIRST CITIZEN. 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.MENENIUSThere was a time when all the body's membersRebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it: —That only like a gulf it did remainI' the midst o' the body, idle and unactive,Still cupboarding the viand, never bearingLike labour with the rest; where th' other instrumentsDid see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,And, mutually participate, did ministerUnto the appetite and affection commonOf the whole body. The belly answered, —FIRST CITIZENWell, sir, what answer made the belly?MENENIUSSir, 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 smileAs well as speak, – it tauntingly repliedTo the discontented members, the mutinous partsThat envied his receipt; even so most fitlyAs you malign our senators for thatThey are not such as you.FIRST CITIZENYour 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 helpsIs this our fabric, if that they, —MENENIUSWhat then? —'Fore me, this fellow speaks! – what then? what then?FIRST CITIZENShould by the cormorant belly be restrain'd,Who is the sink o' the body, —MENENIUSWell, what then?FIRST CITIZENThe former agents, if they did complain,What could the belly answer?MENENIUSI will tell you;If you'll bestow a small, – of what you have little, —Patience awhile, you'll hear the belly's answer.FIRST CITIZENYou are long about it.MENENIUSNote me this, good friend;Your most grave belly was deliberate,Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd:'True is it, my incorporate friends,' quoth he,'That I receive the general food at firstWhich you do live upon; and fit it is,Because I am the storehouse and the shopOf the whole body: but, if you do remember,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 veinsFrom me receive that natural competencyWhereby they live: and though that all at onceYou, my good friends,' – this says the belly, – mark me, —FIRST CITIZENAy, sir; well, well.MENENIUS'Though all at once cannotSee what I do deliver out to each,Yet I can make my audit up, that allFrom me do back receive the flour of all,And leave me but the bran.' What say you to't?FIRST CITIZENIt was an answer: how apply you this?MENENIUSThe senators of Rome are this good belly,And you the mutinous members; for, examineTheir counsels and their cares; digest things rightlyTouching the weal o' the common; you shall findNo public benefit which you receiveBut it proceeds or comes from them to you,And no way from yourselves. – What do you think,You, the great toe of this assembly?FIRST CITIZENI the great toe? why the great toe?MENENIUSFor that, being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest,Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,Lead'st first to win some vantage. —But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs:Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;The one side must have bale. —[Enter CAIUS MARCIUS.]
Hail, noble Marcius!MARCIUSThanks. – What's the matter, you dissentious roguesThat, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,Make yourselves scabs?FIRST CITIZENWe have ever your good word.MARCIUSHe that will give good words to thee will flatterBeneath abhorring. – What would you have, you curs,That like nor peace nor war? The one affrights you,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 ic,Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue isTo make him worthy whose offence subdues him,And curse that justice did it. Who deserves greatnessDeserves your hate; and your affections areA sick man's appetite, who desires most thatWhich would increase his evil. He that dependsUpon your favours swims with fins of lead,And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye!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,That in these several places of the cityYou cry against the noble senate, who,Under the gods, keep you in awe, which elseWould feed on one another? – What's their seeking?MENENIUSFor corn at their own rates; whereof they sayThe city is well stor'd.MARCIUSHang 'em! They say!They'll sit by th' fire and presume to knowWhat's done i' the Capitol; who's like to rise,Who thrives and who declines; side factions, and give outConjectural marriages; making parties strong,And feebling such as stand not in their likingBelow their cobbled shoes. They say there's grain enough!Would the nobility lay aside their ruthAnd let me use my sword, I'd make a quarryWith thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as highAs I could pick my lance.MENENIUSNay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;For though abundantly they lack discretion,Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,What says the other troop?MARCIUSThey are dissolved: hang 'em!They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth proverbs, —That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat,That meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent notCorn for the rich men only: – with these shredsThey vented their complainings; which being answer'd,And a petition granted them, – a strange one,To break the heart of generosity,And make bold power look pale, – they threw their capsAs they would hang them on the horns o' the moon,Shouting their emulation.MENENIUSWhat is granted them?MARCIUSFive tribunes, to defend their vulgar wisdoms,Of their own choice: one's Junius Brutus,Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. – 'Sdeath!The rabble should have first unroof'd the cityEre so prevail'd with me: it will in timeWin upon power, and throw forth greater themesFor insurrection's arguing.MENENIUSThis is strange.MARCIUSGo get you home, you fragments![Enter a MESSENGER, hastily.]
MESSENGERWhere's Caius Marcius?MARCIUSHere: what's the matter?MESSENGERThe news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.MARCIUSI am glad on't: then we shall ha' means to ventOur musty superfluity. – See, our best elders.[Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other SENATORS; JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTUS.]
FIRST SENATORMarcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us: —The Volsces are in arms.MARCIUSThey have a leader,Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't.I sin in envying his nobility;And were I anything but what I am,I would wish me only he.COMINIUSYou have fought together.MARCIUSWere half to half the world by the ears, and heUpon my party, I'd revolt, to makeOnly my wars with him: he is a lionThat I am proud to hunt.FIRST SENATORThen, worthy Marcius,Attend upon Cominius to these wars.COMINIUSIt is your former promise.MARCIUSSir, it is;And I am constant. – Titus Lartius, thouShalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.What, art thou stiff? stand'st out?TITUS LARTIUSNo, Caius Marcius;I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with the otherEre stay behind this business.MENENIUSO, true bred!FIRST SENATORYour company to the Capitol; where, I know,Our greatest friends attend us.TITUS LARTIUSLead you on.Follow, Cominius; we must follow you;Right worthy your priority.COMINIUSNoble Marcius!FIRST SENATORHence to your homes; be gone![To the Citizens.]
MARCIUSNay, let them follow:The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thitherTo gnaw their garners. – Worshipful mutineers,Your valour puts well forth: pray follow.[Exeunt Senators, COM., MAR, TIT., and MENEN. Citizens steal away.]
SICINIUSWas ever man so proud as is this Marcius?BRUTUSHe has no equal.SICINIUSWhen we were chosen tribunes for the people, —BRUTUSMark'd you his lip and eyes?SICINIUSNay, but his taunts!BRUTUSBeing mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods.SICINIUSBemock the modest moon.BRUTUSThe present wars devour him: he is grownToo proud to be so valiant.SICINIUSSuch a nature,Tickled with good success, disdains the shadowWhich he treads on at noon: but I do wonderHis insolence can brook to be commandedUnder Cominius.BRUTUSFame, at the which he aims, —In whom already he is well grac'd, – cannotBetter be held, nor more attain'd, than byA place below the first: for what miscarriesShall be the general's fault, though he performTo th' utmost of a man; and giddy censureWill then cry out of Marcius 'O, if heHad borne the business!'SICINIUSBesides, if things go well,Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shallOf his demerits rob Cominius.BRUTUSCome:Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius,Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faultsTo Marcius shall be honours, though, indeed,In aught he merit not.SICINIUSLet's hence and hearHow the dispatch is made; and in what fashion,More than in singularity, he goesUpon this present action.BRUTUSLet's along.[Exeunt.]
SCENE II. Corioli. The Senate House
[Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS and certain SENATORS.]
FIRST SENATORSo, your opinion is, Aufidius,That they of Rome are enter'd in our counselsAnd know how we proceed.AUFIDIUSIs it not yours?What ever have been thought on in this state,That could be brought to bodily act ere RomeHad circumvention! 'Tis not four days goneSince I heard thence; these are the words: I thinkI have the letter here; yes, here it is:[Reads.]
'They have pressed a power, but it is not knownWhether for east or west: the dearth is great;The people mutinous: and it is rumour'd,Cominius, 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 preparationWhither 'tis bent: most likely 'tis for you:Consider of it.'FIRST SENATOROur army's in the field:We never yet made doubt but Rome was readyTo answer us.AUFIDIUSNor did you think it follyTo keep your great pretences veil'd till whenThey needs must show themselves; which in the hatching,It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discoveryWe shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was,To take in many towns ere, almost, RomeShould know we were afoot.SECOND SENATORNoble Aufidius,Take your commission; hie you to your bands;Let us alone to guard Corioli:If they set down before's, for the removeBring up your army; but I think you'll findThey've not prepared for us.AUFIDIUSO, doubt not that;I speak from certainties. Nay, more,Some parcels of their power are forth already,And only hitherward. I leave your honours.If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,'Tis sworn between us we shall ever strikeTill one can do no more.ALLThe gods assist you!AUFIDIUSAnd keep your honours safe!FIRST SENATORFarewell.SECOND SENATORFarewell.ALL. Farewell.[Exeunt.]
SCENE III. Rome. An apartmnet in MARCIUS' house
[Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA; they sit down on two low stools and sew.]
VOLUMNIA. I pray you, daughter, sing, or express 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 show most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb; when youth with comeliness pluck'd 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 person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by th' wall if renown made it not stir; – was pleased to let him seek danger where he was to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he returned his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, 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.VIRGILIABut had he died in the business, madam? how then?VOLUMNIA. 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 nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.[Enter a GENTLEWOMAN.]
GENTLEWOMANMadam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.VIRGILIABeseech you, give me leave to retire myself.VOLUMNIAIndeed you shall not.Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum;See him pluck Aufidius down by the 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 got in fearThough you were born in Rome:' his bloody browWith his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes,Like to a harvest-man that's tasked to mowOr all, or lose his hire.VIRGILIAHis bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood!VOLUMNIAAway, you fool! It more becomes a manThan gilt his trophy: the breasts of Hecuba,When she did suckle Hector, looked not lovelierThan Hector's forehead when it spit forth bloodAt Grecian swords contending. – Tell ValeriaWe are fit to bid her welcome.[Exit GENTLEWOMAN.]
VIRGILIAHeavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!VOLUMNIAHe'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,And tread upon his neck.[Re-enter GENTLEWOMAN, with VALERIA and her Usher.]
VALERIAMy ladies both, good-day to you.VOLUMNIASweet madam.VIRGILIAI am glad to see your ladyship.VALERIA. How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers. What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith. – How does your little son?VIRGILIAI thank your ladyship; well, good madam.VOLUMNIA. He had rather see the swords and hear a drum than look upon his schoolmaster.VALERIA. O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o' Wednesday, half an hour together: has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught it he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; catched it again; or whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth and tear it; O, I warrant, how he mammocked it!VOLUMNIAOne on's father's moods.VALERIAIndeed, la, 'tis a noble child.VIRGILIAA crack, madam.VALERIA. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.VIRGILIANo, good madam; I will not out of doors.VALERIANot out of doors!VOLUMNIAShe shall, she shall.VIRGILIA. Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the threshold till my lord return from the wars.VALERIA. Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably; come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.VIRGILIA. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither.VOLUMNIAWhy, I pray you?VIRGILIA'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.VALERIA. You would be another Penelope; yet they say all the yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. – Come, you shall go with us.VIRGILIANo, 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.VIRGILIAO, good madam, there can be none yet.VALERIA. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.VIRGILIAIndeed, 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 Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.VIRGILIA. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in everything hereafter.VOLUMNIA. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but disease our better mirth.VALERIA. In troth, I think she would. – Fare you well, then. – Come, good sweet lady. – Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o' door and go along with us.VIRGILIANo, at a word, madam; indeed I must not. I wish you much mirth.VALERIAWell then, farewell.[Exeunt.]
SCENE IV. Before Corioli
[Enter, with drum and colours, MARCIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, Officers, and soldiers.]
MARCIUSYonder comes news: – a wager they have met.LARTIUSMy horse to yours, no.MARCIUS'Tis done.LARTIUSAgreed.[Enter a Messenger.]
MARCIUSSay, has our general met the enemy?MESSENGERThey lie in view; but have not spoke as yet.LARTIUSSo, the good horse is mine.MARCIUSI'll buy him of you.LARTIUSNo, I'll nor sell nor give him: lend you him I willFor half a hundred years. – Summon the town.MARCIUSHow far off lie these armies?MESSENGERWithin this mile and half.MARCIUSThen shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours. —Now, Mars, I pr'ythee, make us quick in work,That we with smoking swords may march from henceTo help our fielded friends! – Come, blow thy blast.[They sound a parley. Enter, on the Walls, some Senators and others.]
Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?FIRST SENATORNo, nor a man that fears you less than he,That's lesser than a little.[Drum afar off]
Hark, our drumsAre bringing forth our youth! we'll break our wallsRather than they shall pound us up: our gates,Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes;They'll open of themselves.[Alarum far off.]
Hark you far off!There is Aufidius; list what work he makesAmongst your cloven army.MARCIUSO, they are at it!LARTIUSTheir noise be our instruction. – Ladders, ho![The Volsces enter and pass over.]
MARCIUSThey fear us not, but issue forth their city.Now put your shields before your hearts, and fightWith hearts more proof than shields. – Advance, brave Titus:They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,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 edge.[Alarums, and exeunt Romeans and Volsces fighting. Romans are beaten back to their trenches. Re-enter MARCIUS.]
MARCIUSAll the contagion of the south light on you,You shames of Rome! – you herd of – Boils and plaguesPlaster you o'er, that you may be abhorr'dFarther than seen, and one infect anotherAgainst the wind a mile! You souls of geeseThat bear the shapes of men, how have you runFrom slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell!All hurt behind; backs red, and faces paleWith flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge home,Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foeAnd make my wars on you: look to't: come on;If you'll stand fast we'll beat them to their wives,As they us to our trenches.[Another alarum. The Volsces and Romans re-enter, and the fight is renewed. The Volsces retire into Corioli, and MARCIUS follows them to the gates.]
So, now the gates are ope: – now prove good seconds:'Tis for the followers fortune widens them,Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like.[He enters the gates]
FIRST SOLDIERFool-hardiness: not I.SECOND SOLDIERNor I.[MARCIUS is shut in.]
FIRST SOLDIERSee, they have shut him in.ALLTo th' pot, I warrant him.[Alarum continues]
[Re-enter TITUS LARTIUS.]
LARTIUSWhat is become of Marcius?ALLSlain, sir, doubtless.FIRST SOLDIERFollowing the fliers at the very heels,With them he enters; who, upon the sudden,Clapp'd-to their gates: he is himself alone,To answer all the city.LARTIUSO noble fellow!Who sensible, outdares his senseless sword,And when it bows stands up! Thou art left, Marcius:A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldierEven to Cato's wish, not fierce and terribleOnly in strokes; but with thy grim looks andThe thunder-like percussion of thy soundsThou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the worldWere feverous and did tremble.[Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy.]
FIRST SOLDIERLook, sir.LARTIUSO, 'tis Marcius!Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.[They fight, and all enter the city.]
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