Original Text |
Translated Text |
| Source: Folger Shakespeare Library |
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Enter seven or eight Citizens. FIRST CITIZEN Once, if he do require our voices, we
ought not to deny him. SECOND CITIZEN We may, sir, if we will. THIRD CITIZEN We have power in ourselves to do it, but
it is a power that we have no power to do; for, if 5
he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we
are to put our tongues into those wounds and
speak for them. So, if he tell us his noble deeds, we
must also tell him our noble acceptance of them.
Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the multitude to 10
be ingrateful were to make a monster of the multitude,
of the which, we being members, should
bring ourselves to be monstrous members. FIRST CITIZEN And to make us no better thought of, a
little help will serve; for once we stood up about 15
the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed
multitude. THIRD CITIZEN We have been called so of many; not that
our heads are some brown, some black, some
abram, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely 20
colored; and truly I think if all our wits were to
issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west,
north, south, and their consent of one direct way
should be at once to all the points o’ th’ compass. SECOND CITIZEN Think you so? Which way do you 25
judge my wit would fly? THIRD CITIZEN Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another
man’s will; ’tis strongly wedged up in a blockhead.
But if it were at liberty, ’twould sure
southward. 30 SECOND CITIZEN Why that way? THIRD CITIZEN To lose itself in a fog, where, being three
parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth
would return for conscience’ sake, to help to get
thee a wife. 35 SECOND CITIZEN You are never without your tricks. You
may, you may. THIRD CITIZEN Are you all resolved to give your voices?
But that’s no matter; the greater part carries it. I
say, if he would incline to the people, there was 40
never a worthier man. | At the Forum (a.k.a. the marketplace) in Rome, a bunch of plebeians have gathered to hear Coriolanus speak. Some of them feel like they're being put in a tough spot. They don't really like Coriolanus,
but since he's a war hero, they feel obligated to vote for him if he
shows up, gives them some lip service, and shows them his wounds. |
Enter Coriolanus in a gown of humility, with Menenius. Here he comes, and in the gown of humility. Mark
his behavior. We are not to stay all together, but to
come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos,
and by threes. He’s to make his requests by particulars, 45
wherein every one of us has a single honor
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. Citizens exit. 50 MENENIUS
O sir, you are not right. Have you not known
The worthiest men have done ’t? CORIOLANUS What must I say?
“I pray, sir?”—plague upon ’t! I cannot bring
My tongue to such a pace. “Look, sir, my wounds! 55
I got them in my country’s service when
Some certain of your brethren roared and ran
From th’ noise of our own drums.” MENENIUS O me, the gods!
You must not speak of that. You must desire them 60
To think upon you. CORIOLANUS Think upon me? Hang ’em!
I would they would forget me, like the virtues
Which our divines lose by ’em. MENENIUS You’ll mar all. 65
I’ll leave you. Pray you, speak to ’em, I pray you,
In wholesome manner. He exits. CORIOLANUS Bid them wash their faces
And keep their teeth clean. Enter three of the Citizens. So, here comes a brace.— 70
You know the cause, sir, of my standing here. THIRD CITIZEN
We do, sir. Tell us what hath brought you to ’t. CORIOLANUS Mine own desert. SECOND CITIZEN Your own desert? CORIOLANUS Ay, but not mine own desire. 75 THIRD CITIZEN How, not your own desire? CORIOLANUS No, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble
the poor with begging. THIRD CITIZEN You must think if we give you anything,
we hope to gain by you. 80 CORIOLANUS Well then, I pray, your price o’ th’
consulship? FIRST CITIZEN The price is to ask it kindly. CORIOLANUS Kindly, sir, I pray, let me ha ’t. I have
wounds to show you, which shall be yours in 85
private.—Your good voice, sir. What say you? SECOND CITIZEN You shall ha ’t, worthy sir. CORIOLANUS A match, sir. There’s in all two worthy
voices begged. I have your alms. Adieu. THIRD CITIZEN, to the other Citizens But this is something 90
odd. SECOND CITIZEN An ’twere to give again—but ’tis no
matter. These citizens exit. Enter two other Citizens. CORIOLANUS Pray you now, if it may stand with the
tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have 95
here the customary gown. FOURTH CITIZEN You have deserved nobly of your
country, and you have not deserved nobly. CORIOLANUS Your enigma? FOURTH CITIZEN You have been a scourge to her enemies; 100
you have been a rod to her friends. You have
not indeed loved the common people. CORIOLANUS 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 105
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 practice
the insinuating nod and be off to them most
counterfeitly. That is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment 110
of some popular man and give it bountiful
to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may
be consul. | Coriolanus finally shows up. And yes, he's wearing the special toga (a.k.a. the "gown of humility"). Like a good politician, Coriolanus swallows his pride (sort of) and tells the plebeians what they want to hear (sort of). Even though he goes through all the motions, he's still super arrogant and has a hard time being nice. |
FIFTH CITIZEN We hope to find you our friend, and
therefore give you our voices heartily. 115 FOURTH CITIZEN You have received many wounds for
your country. CORIOLANUS I will not seal your knowledge with showing
them. I will make much of your voices and so
trouble you no farther. 120 BOTH The gods give you joy, sir, heartily. Citizens exit. CORIOLANUS Most sweet voices!
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this woolvish toge should I stand here 125
To beg of Hob and Dick that does appear
Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to ’t.
What custom wills, in all things should we do ’t?
The dust on antique time would lie unswept
And mountainous error be too highly heaped 130
For truth to o’erpeer. Rather than fool it so,
Let the high office and the honor go
To one that would do thus. I am half through;
The one part suffered, the other will I do. Enter three Citizens more. Here come more voices.— 135
Your voices! For your voices I have fought;
Watched for your voices; for your voices bear
Of wounds two dozen odd. Battles thrice six
I have seen and heard of; for your voices have
Done many things, some less, some more. Your 140
voices!
Indeed, I would be consul. SIXTH CITIZEN He has done nobly, and cannot go
without any honest man’s voice. SEVENTH CITIZEN Therefore let him be consul. The 145
gods give him joy, and make him good friend to
the people! ALL Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul. Citizens exit. CORIOLANUS Worthy voices! Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Sicinius. MENENIUS
You have stood your limitation, and the Tribunes 150
Endue you with the people’s voice. Remains
That in th’ official marks invested, you
Anon do meet the Senate. CORIOLANUS Is this done? SICINIUS
The custom of request you have discharged. 155
The people do admit you, and are summoned
To meet anon upon your approbation. CORIOLANUS
Where? At the Senate House? SICINIUS There, Coriolanus. CORIOLANUS
May I change these garments? 160 SICINIUS You may, sir. CORIOLANUS
That I’ll straight do and, knowing myself again,
Repair to th’ Senate House. MENENIUS
I’ll keep you company.—Will you along? BRUTUS
We stay here for the people. 165 SICINIUS Fare you well. Coriolanus and Menenius exit. | Nobody calls him on it, and eventually, the plebeians agree to give him their votes and he leaves. |
He has it now; and by his looks, methinks,
’Tis warm at ’s heart. BRUTUS With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people? 170 Enter the Plebeians. SICINIUS
How now, my masters, have you chose this man? FIRST CITIZEN He has our voices, sir. BRUTUS
We pray the gods he may deserve your loves. SECOND CITIZEN
Amen, sir. To my poor unworthy notice,
He mocked us when he begged our voices. 175 THIRD CITIZEN
Certainly, he flouted us downright. FIRST CITIZEN
No, ’tis his kind of speech. He did not mock us. SECOND CITIZEN
Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says
He used us scornfully. He should have showed us
His marks of merit, wounds received for ’s country. 180 SICINIUS Why, so he did, I am sure. ALL No, no. No man saw ’em. THIRD CITIZEN
He said he had wounds, which he could show in
private,
And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn, 185
“I would be consul,” says he. “Agèd custom,
But by your voices, will not so permit me;
Your voices therefore.” When we granted that,
Here was “I thank you for your voices. Thank you.
Your most sweet voices! Now you have left your 190
voices,
I have no further with you.” Was not this mockery? | The tribunes (Sicinius and Brutus) show up and want to hear all the dirt. Some of plebeians say they think Coriolanus was kind of a jerk, and someone even chimes in that, hey, Coriolanus never actually showed off his
battle wounds. So why did they vote for him, anyway? Nobody can give them a good answer. |
SICINIUS
Why either were you ignorant to see ’t
Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness
To yield your voices? 195 BRUTUS Could you not have told him
As you were lessoned? When he had no power,
But was a petty servant to the state,
He was your enemy, ever spake against
Your liberties and the charters that you bear 200
I’ th’ body of the weal; and, now arriving
A place of potency and sway o’ th’ state,
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to th’ plebeii, your voices might
Be curses to yourselves. You should have said 205
That as his worthy deeds did claim no less
Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature
Would think upon you for your voices, and
Translate his malice towards you into love,
Standing your friendly lord. 210 SICINIUS Thus to have said,
As you were fore-advised, had touched his spirit
And tried his inclination; from him plucked
Either his gracious promise, which you might,
As cause had called you up, have held him to; 215
Or else it would have galled his surly nature,
Which easily endures not article
Tying him to aught. So putting him to rage,
You should have ta’en th’ advantage of his choler
And passed him unelected. 220 BRUTUS Did you perceive
He did solicit you in free contempt
When he did need your loves, and do you think
That his contempt shall not be bruising to you
When he hath power to crush? Why, had your 225
bodies
No heart among you? Or had you tongues to cry
Against the rectorship of judgment? SICINIUS
Have you ere now denied the asker? And now
Again, of him that did not ask but mock, 230
Bestow your sued-for tongues? THIRD CITIZEN He’s not confirmed.
We may deny him yet. SECOND CITIZEN And will deny him.
I’ll have five hundred voices of that sound. 235 FIRST CITIZEN
I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece ’em. BRUTUS
Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends
They have chose a consul that will from them take
Their liberties, make them of no more voice
Than dogs that are as often beat for barking 240
As therefor kept to do so. | Sicinius and Brutus get the plebeians all riled up and tell them that
they should take back their votes so Coriolanus can't be named consul of
Rome. Otherwise, they say, the guy will take away everyone's
"liberties." |
SICINIUS Let them assemble
And, on a safer judgment, all revoke
Your ignorant election. Enforce his pride
And his old hate unto you. Besides, forget not 245
With what contempt he wore the humble weed,
How in his suit he scorned you; but your loves,
Thinking upon his services, took from you
Th’ apprehension of his present portance,
Which most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion 250
After the inveterate hate he bears you. BRUTUS Lay
A fault on us, your tribunes, that we labored,
No impediment between, but that you must
Cast your election on him. 255 SICINIUS Say you chose him
More after our commandment than as guided
By your own true affections, and that your minds,
Preoccupied with what you rather must do
Than what you should, made you against the grain 260
To voice him consul. Lay the fault on us. BRUTUS
Ay, spare us not. Say we read lectures to you,
How youngly he began to serve his country,
How long continued, and what stock he springs of,
The noble house o’ th’ Martians, from whence came 265
That Ancus Martius, Numa’s daughter’s son,
Who after great Hostilius here was king,
Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,
That our best water brought by conduits hither;
And Censorinus, that was so surnamed, 270
And nobly namèd so, twice being censor,
Was his great ancestor. SICINIUS One thus descended,
That hath besides well in his person wrought
To be set high in place, we did commend 275
To your remembrances; but you have found,
Scaling his present bearing with his past,
That he’s your fixèd enemy, and revoke
Your sudden approbation. BRUTUS Say you ne’er had done ’t— 280
Harp on that still—but by our putting on.
And presently, when you have drawn your number,
Repair to th’ Capitol. ALL We will so. Almost all
Repent in their election. Plebeians exit. 285 | Then they're all "Oh, but don't tell anyone we put you up to this. If anyone asks, we're the ones who told you to vote for Coriolanus. Okay?" The plebeians run off to get their riot on. |
BRUTUS Let them go on.
This mutiny were better put in hazard
Than stay, past doubt, for greater.
If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
With their refusal, both observe and answer 290
The vantage of his anger. SICINIUS To th’ Capitol, come.
We will be there before the stream o’ th’ people,
And this shall seem, as partly ’tis, their own,
Which we have goaded onward. 295 They exit. | Meanwhile, Sicinius and Brutus hang back and brag about how they've stirred up a ton of trouble for Coriolanus. |