Act II.]

CORIOLANUS.

281

As if he (lid contemn what he requestedShould be in them to give.

Bra . Come, we’ll inform themOf our proceedings here: on the market-place,

I know, they do attend us. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. —The same. The Forum.

Enter several Citizens.

1 Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, weought not to deny him.

2 Cit. We may, sir, if we will.

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 show us his wounds, and tell us hisdeeds, we are to put our tongues into thosewounds, and speak for them; so, if he tell us hisnoble deeds, we must also tell him our nobleacceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous :and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were tomake a monster of the multitude ; of the which,we being members, should bring ourselves to bemonstrous members.

1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of,a little help will serve: for once, when we stoodup about the corn, he himself stuck not to callus the many-headed multitude.

3 Cit. We have been called so of many; notthat our heads are some brown, some black, someauburn, some bald, but that our wits are so di-versely coloured: and truly I think, if all ourwits were to issue out of one skull, they wouldfly east, west, north, south ; and their consentof one direct way should be at once to all thepoints o’the compass.

2 Cit. Think you so? Which way, do youjudge, my wit would fly ?

3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not so soon out asanother man’s will, ’tis strongly wedged up in ablock-head: but if it were at liberty, ’twould,sure, southward.

2 Cit. Why that way ?

3 Cit. To lose itself in a fog; where beingthree parts melted away with rotten dews, thefourth would return for conscience’ sake, to helpto get thee a wife.

2 Cit. You are never without your tricks :—You may, you may.

3 Cit. 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, therewas never a worthier man.

Enter Cokiolanus and Menenius .

Here he comes, and in the gown of humility;mark his behaviour. We are not to stay all to-gether, but to come by him where he stands, byones, by twos, and by threes. He’s to make hisrequests by particulars: wherein every one ofus has a single honour, in giving him our ownvoices with our own tongues : therefore followme, and I’ll direct you how you shall go by him.

All. Content, content. [Exeunt.

Men. 0 sir, you are not right: have you notknown

The worthiest men have done it ?

Cor. What must I say ?—

I pray, sir,—Plague upon’t! I cannot bringMy tongue to such a pace:—Look, sir;—mywounds-

I got them in my country’s service, whenSome certain of your brethren roar’d, and ranFrom the noise of our own drums.

Men. 0 me, the gods !

You must not speak of that ; you must desirethem

To think upon you.

Cor. Think upon me ? Hang ’em!

I would they would forget me, like the virtuesWhich our divines lose by them.

Men. You’ll mar all;

I’ll leave you: Pray you, speak to them, I prayyou,

In wholesome manner. [Exit.

Enter two Citizens.

Cor. Bid them wash their faces,

And keep their teeth clean.—So, here comes abrace.

You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.

1 Cit. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought

you to’t.

Cor. Mine own desert.

2 Cit. Your own desert ?

Cor. Ay, not

Mine own desire.

1 Cit. How! not your own desire ?

Cor. No, sir:

’Twas never my desire yet,

To trouble the poor with begging.

1 Cit. You must think, if we give you any

tl'ing,

We hope to gain by you.

Cor. Well then, I pray, your price o’the con-sulship ?

1 Cit. The price is, sir, to ask it kindly.

Cor. Kindly?

Sir, I pray let me ha’t: I have wounds to showyou,

Which shall be yours in private.—Your goodvoice, 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:—

I have your alms; adieu.

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 thetune of your voices, that I may be consul, Ihave here the customary gown.

3 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your coun-try, and you have not deserved nobly.