Coriolanus · Act 3, Scene 1

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Cornets. Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, all the Gentry, COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators
Cornets. Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, all the Gentry, COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators
Coriolanus

Tullus Aufidius then had made new head?

Coriolanus

So Tullus Aufidius has gathered strength again?

Lartius

He had, my lord; and that it was which caused Our swifter composition.

Lartius

Yes, my lord; and that’s what made us hurry our decision.

Coriolanus

So then the Volsces stand but as at first, Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road. Upon’s again.

Coriolanus

So the Volsces are still where they started, Ready to strike when the time comes. They’ll attack us again.

Cominius

They are worn, lord consul, so, That we shall hardly in our ages see Their banners wave again.

Cominius

They’ve been worn down, lord consul, so much, That we’ll be lucky if we ever see their flags fly again.

Coriolanus

Saw you Aufidius?

Coriolanus

Did you see Aufidius?

Lartius

On safe-guard he came to me; and did curse Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely Yielded the town: he is retired to Antium.

Lartius

He came to me under protection; and cursed The Volsces for giving up the city so cowardly. He’s gone back to Antium.

Coriolanus

Spoke he of me?

Coriolanus

Did he say anything about me?

Lartius

He did, my lord.

Lartius

Yes, my lord.

Coriolanus

How? what?

Coriolanus

What did he say?

Lartius

How often he had met you, sword to sword; That of all things upon the earth he hated Your person most, that he would pawn his fortunes To hopeless restitution, so he might Be call’d your vanquisher.

Lartius

He talked about how often he fought you, sword against sword; That of all the people in the world, he hated you the most; That he would risk everything he had, To be called your conqueror.

Coriolanus

At Antium lives he?

Coriolanus

He lives in Antium?

Lartius

At Antium.

Lartius

Yes, in Antium.

Coriolanus

I wish I had a cause to seek him there, To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.

Coriolanus

I wish I had a reason to go there and face him, To confront his hatred head-on. Welcome home.

Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS
Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS
Coriolanus

Behold, these are the tribunes of the people, The tongues o’ the common mouth: I do despise them; For they do prank them in authority, Against all noble sufferance.

Coriolanus

Look, these are the representatives of the people, The voices of the common folk: I hate them; Because they act like they have power, Opposing all noble endurance.

Sicinius

Pass no further.

Sicinius

Don’t go any further.

Coriolanus

Ha! what is that?

Coriolanus

Hah! What’s that?

Brutus

It will be dangerous to go on: no further.

Brutus

It’s dangerous to continue: don’t go any further.

Coriolanus

What makes this change?

Coriolanus

What’s causing this change?

Menenius

The matter?

Menenius

The issue?

Cominius

Hath he not pass’d the noble and the common?

Cominius

Hasn’t he already passed both the nobles and the commoners?

Brutus

Cominius, no.

Brutus

Cominius, no.

Coriolanus

Have I had children’s voices?

Coriolanus

Did I get the votes of children?

First Senator

Tribunes, give way; he shall to the market-place.

First Senator

Tribunes, step aside; he’ll go to the market-place.

Brutus

The people are incensed against him.

Brutus

The people are angry with him.

Sicinius

Stop, Or all will fall in broil.

Sicinius

Stop, Or everything will turn into a riot.

Coriolanus

Are these your herd? Must these have voices, that can yield them now And straight disclaim their tongues? What are your offices? You being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth? Have you not set them on?

Coriolanus

Are these your animals? Must these people be given a voice, even though they can change their minds And immediately take back what they said? What are your responsibilities? You speak for them, so why don’t you control what they say? Didn’t you encourage them?

Menenius

Be calm, be calm.

Menenius

Calm down, calm down.

Coriolanus

It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot, To curb the will of the nobility: Suffer’t, and live with such as cannot rule Nor ever will be ruled.

Coriolanus

This is all planned, it’s part of a scheme To control the power of the nobles: Allow it, and live among those who can’t lead And will never be led.

Brutus

Call’t not a plot: The people cry you mock’d them, and of late, When corn was given them gratis, you repined; Scandal’d the suppliants for the people, call’d them Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness.

Brutus

Don’t call it a plot: The people say you mocked them, and recently, When you gave them free grain, you complained; You slandered the people’s petitioners, called them People-pleasers, flatterers, enemies of nobility.

Coriolanus

Why, this was known before.

Coriolanus

Well, this was already known.

Brutus

Not to them all.

Brutus

Not to all of them.

Coriolanus

Have you inform’d them sithence?

Coriolanus

Have you told them since then?

Brutus

How! I inform them!

Brutus

What! I told them!

Coriolanus

You are like to do such business.

Coriolanus

You seem likely to do that sort of thing.

Brutus

Not unlike, Each way, to better yours.

Brutus

Not at all like it, In every way, it would be better for you.

Coriolanus

Why then should I be consul? By yond clouds, Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me Your fellow tribune.

Coriolanus

Then why should I be consul? By those clouds, Let me deserve as badly as you do, and make me Your fellow tribune.

Sicinius

You show too much of that For which the people stir: if you will pass To where you are bound, you must inquire your way, Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit, Or never be so noble as a consul, Nor yoke with him for tribune.

Sicinius

You’re showing too much of the very thing That gets the people upset: if you’re going to go To where you’re headed, you must ask for directions, And do it in a gentler way, Or you’ll never be as noble as a consul, Nor work with him as tribune.

Menenius

Let’s be calm.

Menenius

Let’s stay calm.

Cominius

The people are abused; set on. This paltering Becomes not Rome, nor has Coriolanus Deserved this so dishonour’d rub, laid falsely I’ the plain way of his merit.

Cominius

The people are being misled; they’ve been stirred up. This bickering Doesn’t suit Rome, and Coriolanus Doesn’t deserve this dishonor, falsely laid In front of everyone in the way of his real worth.

Coriolanus

Tell me of corn! This was my speech, and I will speak’t again--

Coriolanus

Tell me about grain! This was my speech, and I’ll say it again—

Menenius

Not now, not now.

Menenius

Not now, not now.

First Senator

Not in this heat, sir, now.

First Senator

Not in this heat, sir, not now.

Coriolanus

Now, as I live, I will. My nobler friends, I crave their pardons: For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them Regard me as I do not flatter, and Therein behold themselves: I say again, In soothing them, we nourish ’gainst our senate The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, Which we ourselves have plough’d for, sow’d, and scatter’d, By mingling them with us, the honour’d number, Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that Which they have given to beggars.

Coriolanus

Now, as I live, I will. My noble friends, I ask their forgiveness: As for the fickle, foul-smelling masses, let them See me as someone who does not flatter, and In doing so, let them recognize themselves: I say again, In comforting them, we feed the weeds of rebellion, arrogance, and insurrection, Which we ourselves have cultivated, sown, and scattered, By mixing them with us, the honorable ones, Who lack no virtue, no, nor power, except for What they’ve given to beggars.

Menenius

Well, no more.

Menenius

Alright, no more.

First Senator

No more words, we beseech you.

First Senator

Enough talking, we beg you.

Coriolanus

How! no more! As for my country I have shed my blood, Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs Coin words till their decay against those measles, Which we disdain should tatter us, yet sought The very way to catch them.

Coriolanus

What! No more! As for my country, I’ve spilled my blood, Not afraid of outside force, so my lungs Will keep speaking until they’re worn out, against those troubles, Which we refuse to let weaken us, yet we’ve sought The very way to catch them.

Brutus

You speak o’ the people, As if you were a god to punish, not A man of their infirmity.

Brutus

You speak about the people, As if you were a god to punish them, not A man with their flaws.

Sicinius

’Twere well We let the people know’t.

Sicinius

It would be good To let the people know this.

Menenius

What, what? his choler?

Menenius

What, what? His anger?

Coriolanus

Choler! Were I as patient as the midnight sleep, By Jove, ’twould be my mind!

Coriolanus

Anger! If I were as patient as the midnight sleep, By Jove, that would be my choice!

Sicinius

It is a mind That shall remain a poison where it is, Not poison any further.

Sicinius

It’s an attitude That will stay a poison where it is, Not spread any further.

Coriolanus

Shall remain! Hear you this Triton of the minnows? mark you His absolute ’shall’?

Coriolanus

Stay! Do you hear this little fish? Do you notice His firm “shall”?

Cominius

’Twas from the canon.

Cominius

It’s from the law.

Coriolanus

’Shall’! O good but most unwise patricians! why, You grave but reckless senators, have you thus Given Hydra here to choose an officer, That with his peremptory ’shall,’ being but The horn and noise o’ the monster’s, wants not spirit To say he’ll turn your current in a ditch, And make your channel his? If he have power Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake Your dangerous lenity. If you are learn’d, Be not as common fools; if you are not, Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians, If they be senators: and they are no less, When, both your voices blended, the great’st taste Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate, And such a one as he, who puts his ’shall,’ His popular ’shall’ against a graver bench Than ever frown in Greece. By Jove himself! It makes the consuls base: and my soul aches To know, when two authorities are up, Neither supreme, how soon confusion May enter ’twixt the gap of both and take The one by the other.

Coriolanus

“Shall!” Oh, good but terribly foolish nobles! Why, You serious but reckless senators, why have you let Hydra here choose an officer, Who, with his absolute “shall,” which is just The noise of the monster, doesn’t lack the guts To say he’ll redirect your current into a ditch, And make your path his? If he has the power Then hide your ignorance; if not, wake up To your dangerous softness. If you are wise, Don’t be like common fools; if you’re not, Let them sit near you. You are commoners, If they are senators: and they are no better, When, with your voices combined, the biggest influence Tastes the best to them. They choose their magistrate, And one like him, who uses his “shall,” His popular “shall” against a more serious group Than ever frowned in Greece. By Jove himself! It makes the consuls look inferior: and it pains my soul To think that when two authorities are present, Neither supreme, how soon chaos Can fill the gap between them and one will overpower The other.

Cominius

Well, on to the market-place.

Cominius

Well, let’s move to the marketplace.

Coriolanus

Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth The corn o’ the storehouse gratis, as ’twas used Sometime in Greece,--

Coriolanus

Whoever suggested giving away The grain from the storehouse for free, like it was done Once in Greece,--

Menenius

Well, well, no more of that.

Menenius

Alright, alright, no more of that.

Coriolanus

Though there the people had more absolute power, I say, they nourish’d disobedience, fed The ruin of the state.

Coriolanus

Though in Greece the people had more absolute power, I say they encouraged disobedience, fed The destruction of the state.

Brutus

Why, shall the people give One that speaks thus their voice?

Brutus

Why, should the people give Their support to someone who speaks like this?

Coriolanus

I’ll give my reasons, More worthier than their voices. They know the corn Was not our recompense, resting well assured That ne’er did service for’t: being press’d to the war, Even when the navel of the state was touch’d, They would not thread the gates. This kind of service Did not deserve corn gratis. Being i’ the war Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show’d Most valour, spoke not for them: the accusation Which they have often made against the senate, All cause unborn, could never be the motive Of our so frank donation. Well, what then? How shall this bisson multitude digest The senate’s courtesy? Let deeds express What’s like to be their words: ’we did request it; We are the greater poll, and in true fear They gave us our demands.’ Thus we debase The nature of our seats and make the rabble Call our cares fears; which will in time Break ope the locks o’ the senate and bring in The crows to peck the eagles.

Coriolanus

I’ll give my reasons, Worth more than their votes. They know the grain Was never our payment, because we were sure That it never earned it: pressed to the war, Even when the state’s core was threatened, They wouldn’t open the gates. This kind of service Didn’t deserve free grain. While in the war Their riots and rebellions, in which they showed Most courage, did not work in their favor: the charges They’ve often made against the senate, With no real cause, could never be the reason For our generous donation. Well, what now? How will this blind crowd digest The senate’s generosity? Let actions show What their words will be: “We asked for it; We have the stronger support, and in real fear They gave us what we wanted.” In this way we lower The value of our positions and make the mob Call our concerns fears; which will, in time, Break open the locks of the senate and let The crows come in to pick at the eagles.

Menenius

Come, enough.

Menenius

Come on, that’s enough.

Brutus

Enough, with over-measure.

Brutus

Enough, stop going overboard.

Coriolanus

No, take more: What may be sworn by, both divine and human, Seal what I end withal! This double worship, Where one part does disdain with cause, the other Insult without all reason, where gentry, title, wisdom, Cannot conclude but by the yea and no Of general ignorance,--it must omit Real necessities, and give way the while To unstable slightness: purpose so barr’d, it follows, Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech you,-- You that will be less fearful than discreet, That love the fundamental part of state More than you doubt the change on’t, that prefer A noble life before a long, and wish To jump a body with a dangerous physic That’s sure of death without it, at once pluck out The multitudinous tongue; let them not lick The sweet which is their poison: your dishonour Mangles true judgment and bereaves the state Of that integrity which should become’t, Not having the power to do the good it would, For the in which doth control’t.

Coriolanus

No, take even more: What can be sworn by, both divine and human, Seal what I end with! This double worship, Where one side refuses with reason, the other Insults without reason, where nobility, titles, wisdom, Can’t make decisions except with simple yes or no From the general public’s ignorance,--it must leave out Real needs, and allow trivial things to take priority: with purpose blocked, it follows, Nothing gets done properly. So, I ask you,-- You who are less afraid than careful, Who love the basic structure of the state More than you fear the change to it, who prefer A noble life over a long one, and who would Jump into a dangerous cure That guarantees death without it, at once tear out The many-headed tongue; don’t let them praise The sweetness that is their poison: your dishonor Hurts true judgment and deprives the state Of the integrity it needs, Not being able to do the good it would, Because the power that controls it.

Brutus

Has said enough.

Brutus

That’s enough.

Sicinius

Has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer As traitors do.

Sicinius

He has spoken like a traitor, and will be punished Like a traitor should.

Coriolanus

Thou wretch, despite o’erwhelm thee! What should the people do with these bald tribunes? On whom depending, their obedience fails To the greater bench: in a rebellion, When what’s not meet, but what must be, was law, Then were they chosen: in a better hour, Let what is meet be said it must be meet, And throw their power i’ the dust.

Coriolanus

You scoundrel, may misfortune crush you! What should the people do with these useless tribunes? Relying on them, their loyalty fails To the greater government: in a rebellion, When what isn’t right, but what must be, was law, That’s when they were chosen: in a better time, Let what’s right be called right, And throw their power in the dust.

Brutus

Manifest treason!

Brutus

Clear treason!

Sicinius

This a consul? no.

Sicinius

Is this a consul? No.

Brutus

The aediles, ho!

Brutus

Call the aediles, ho!

Enter an AEdile
Enter an AEdile
Brutus

Let him be apprehended.

Brutus

Let him be arrested.

Sicinius

Go, call the people:

Sicinius

Go, call the people:

Exit AEdile
Exit AEdile
Sicinius

in whose name myself Attach thee as a traitorous innovator, A foe to the public weal: obey, I charge thee, And follow to thine answer.

Sicinius

In whose name I, myself, Charge you as a traitorous troublemaker, An enemy to the public good: obey, I order you, And follow to your trial.

Coriolanus

Hence, old goat! Senators, & C We’ll surety him.

Coriolanus

Get out of here, old fool! Senators, & C We’ll surety him.

Cominius

Aged sir, hands off.

Cominius

Old man, hands off.

Coriolanus

Hence, rotten thing! or I shall shake thy bones Out of thy garments.

Coriolanus

Get out of here, you worthless thing! Or I’ll shake your bones Out of your clothes.

Sicinius

Help, ye citizens!

Sicinius

Help, citizens!

Enter a rabble of Citizens (Plebeians), with the AEdiles
Enter a crowd of Citizens (Plebeians), with the AEdiles
Menenius

On both sides more respect.

Menenius

Show more respect on both sides.

Sicinius

Here’s he that would take from you all your power.

Sicinius

Here’s the man who would take away all your power.

Brutus

Seize him, AEdiles!

Brutus

Seize him, AEdiles!

Citizens

Down with him! down with him! Senators, & C Weapons, weapons, weapons!

Citizens

Down with him! Down with him! Senators, & C Weapons, weapons, weapons!

They all bustle about CORIOLANUS, crying
They all move around CORIOLANUS, shouting
Citizens

’Tribunes!’ ’Patricians!’ ’Citizens!’ ’What, ho!’ ’Sicinius!’ ’Brutus!’ ’Coriolanus!’ ’Citizens!’ ’Peace, peace, peace!’ ’Stay, hold, peace!’

Citizens

’Tribunes!’ ’Patricians!’ ’Citizens!’ ’What, hey!' ’Sicinius!’ ’Brutus!’ ’Coriolanus!’ ’Citizens!' ’Quiet, quiet, quiet!’ ’Stop, hold, quiet!’

Menenius

What is about to be? I am out of breath; Confusion’s near; I cannot speak. You, tribunes To the people! Coriolanus, patience! Speak, good Sicinius.

Menenius

What’s happening? I’m out of breath; Things are falling apart; I can’t speak. You, tribunes, Talk to the people! Coriolanus, be patient! Speak, good Sicinius.

Sicinius

Hear me, people; peace!

Sicinius

Listen to me, people; quiet!

Citizens

Let’s hear our tribune: peace Speak, speak, speak.

Citizens

Let’s listen to our tribune: quiet! Speak, speak, speak.

Sicinius

You are at point to lose your liberties: Marcius would have all from you; Marcius, Whom late you have named for consul.

Sicinius

You’re about to lose your freedoms: Marcius would take everything from you; Marcius, The man you just nominated for consul.

Menenius

Fie, fie, fie! This is the way to kindle, not to quench.

Menenius

Shame on you, shame on you! This is the way to start trouble, not to stop it.

First Senator

To unbuild the city and to lay all flat.

First Senator

To destroy the city and bring everything down.

Sicinius

What is the city but the people?

Sicinius

What is the city if not the people?

Citizens

True, The people are the city.

Citizens

True, The people are the city.

Brutus

By the consent of all, we were establish’d The people’s magistrates.

Brutus

By the agreement of everyone, we were put in charge As the people’s leaders.

Citizens

You so remain.

Citizens

You still have that position.

Menenius

And so are like to do.

Menenius

And you’re likely to keep it.

Cominius

That is the way to lay the city flat; To bring the roof to the foundation, And bury all, which yet distinctly ranges, In heaps and piles of ruin.

Cominius

That’s how you’ll destroy the city; Bring down the roof to the foundation, And bury everything, which still stands apart, In piles of ruin.

Sicinius

This deserves death.

Sicinius

That’s a crime worthy of death.

Brutus

Or let us stand to our authority, Or let us lose it. We do here pronounce, Upon the part o’ the people, in whose power We were elected theirs, Marcius is worthy Of present death.

Brutus

We must either uphold our authority, Or give it up. We declare now, On behalf of the people, who put us in charge, That Marcius deserves to die now.

Sicinius

Therefore lay hold of him; Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence Into destruction cast him.

Sicinius

So take him; Carry him to the Tarpeian rock, and throw him To his death from there.

Brutus

AEdiles, seize him!

Brutus

AEdiles, arrest him!

Citizens

Yield, Marcius, yield!

Citizens

Surrender, Marcius, surrender!

Menenius

Hear me one word; Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.

Menenius

Listen to me for one moment; I beg you, tribunes, just hear me out.

Aedile

Peace, peace!

Aedile

Quiet, quiet!

Menenius

[To BRUTUS] Be that you seem, truly your country’s friend, And temperately proceed to what you would Thus violently redress.

Menenius

[To BRUTUS] Be what you appear to be, truly a friend to your country, And handle this matter calmly, instead of acting So rashly to fix things.

Brutus

Sir, those cold ways, That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous Where the disease is violent. Lay hands upon him, And bear him to the rock.

Brutus

Sir, those gentle methods, That seem like wise solutions, are actually very dangerous When the problem is urgent. Take him, And bring him to the rock.

Coriolanus

No, I’ll die here.

Coriolanus

No, I’ll die right here.

Drawing his sword
Drawing his sword
Coriolanus

There’s some among you have beheld me fighting: Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.

Coriolanus

Some of you have seen me fight: Come, try for yourselves what you saw me do.

Menenius

Down with that sword! Tribunes, withdraw awhile.

Menenius

Stop with that sword! Tribunes, step back for a moment.

Brutus

Lay hands upon him.

Brutus

Lay your hands on him.

Cominius

Help Marcius, help, You that be noble; help him, young and old!

Cominius

Help Marcius, help, You who are noble; help him, whether young or old!

Citizens

Down with him, down with him!

Citizens

Take him down, take him down!

In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the AEdiles, and the People, are beat in
In this riot, the Tribunes, the Aediles, and the People, are being defeated
Menenius

Go, get you to your house; be gone, away! All will be naught else.

Menenius

Go, get to your homes; leave, go away! Everything will be ruined if you stay.

Second Senator

Get you gone.

Second Senator

Leave, go away.

Cominius

Stand fast; We have as many friends as enemies.

Cominius

Stay strong; We have as many friends as we have enemies.

Menenius

Sham it be put to that?

Menenius

Should it really come to that?

First Senator

The gods forbid! I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house; Leave us to cure this cause.

First Senator

The gods forbid! Please, noble friend, go home; Leave us to deal with this problem.

Menenius

For ’tis a sore upon us, You cannot tent yourself: be gone, beseech you.

Menenius

For it’s a wound on us, You can’t fix it yourself: please go, I beg you.

Cominius

Come, sir, along with us.

Cominius

Come, sir, come with us.

Coriolanus

I would they were barbarians--as they are, Though in Rome litter’d--not Romans--as they are not, Though calved i’ the porch o’ the Capitol--

Coriolanus

I wish they were barbarians--like they are, Even though they are in Rome--not Romans--because they’re not, Even though they were born in the shadow of the Capitol--

Menenius

Be gone; Put not your worthy rage into your tongue; One time will owe another.

Menenius

Go away; Don’t let your righteous anger take over your words; Time will repay time.

Coriolanus

On fair ground I could beat forty of them.

Coriolanus

On open ground, I could defeat forty of them.

Cominius

I could myself Take up a brace o’ the best of them; yea, the two tribunes: But now ’tis odds beyond arithmetic; And manhood is call’d foolery, when it stands Against a falling fabric. Will you hence, Before the tag return? whose rage doth rend Like interrupted waters and o’erbear What they are used to bear.

Cominius

I could do it myself, Take down a group of the best of them; yeah, the two tribunes: But now it’s too much to handle, beyond simple math; And bravery looks like foolishness when it goes Against a collapsing system. Will you leave, Before the storm comes back? Their anger tears Like broken-up waves and overpowers What they’re usually able to handle.

Menenius

Pray you, be gone: I’ll try whether my old wit be in request With those that have but little: this must be patch’d With cloth of any colour.

Menenius

Please, go away: I’ll see if my old cleverness is still useful With those who have so little: this situation needs to be fixed With whatever resources we can find.

Cominius

Nay, come away.

Cominius

No, come on.

Exeunt CORIOLANUS, COMINIUS, and others
Exeunt CORIOLANUS, COMINIUS, and others
A Patrician

This man has marr’d his fortune.

A Patrician

This man has ruined his chances.

Menenius

His nature is too noble for the world: He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, Or Jove for’s power to thunder. His heart’s his mouth: What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent; And, being angry, does forget that ever He heard the name of death.

Menenius

His character is too noble for this world: He wouldn’t flatter Neptune for his trident, Or Jupiter for his power to thunder. What he thinks is what he says: What his heart feels, his mouth has to speak; and, when he’s angry, He forgets he’s even heard of death.

A noise within
A noise within
Menenius

Here’s goodly work!

Menenius

Here’s a fine mess!

Second Patrician

I would they were abed!

Second Patrician

I wish they were in bed!

Menenius

I would they were in Tiber! What the vengeance! Could he not speak ’em fair?

Menenius

I wish they were in the Tiber! What the hell! Couldn’t he just speak to them calmly?

Re-enter BRUTUS and SICINIUS, with the rabble
Re-enter BRUTUS and SICINIUS, with the rabble
Sicinius

Where is this viper That would depopulate the city and Be every man himself?

Sicinius

Where is this troublemaker Who wants to destroy the city and Make every man an enemy?

Menenius

You worthy tribunes,--

Menenius

You honorable tribunes,--

Sicinius

He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock With rigorous hands: he hath resisted law, And therefore law shall scorn him further trial Than the severity of the public power Which he so sets at nought.

Sicinius

He will be thrown down from the Tarpeian rock With harsh force: he has resisted the law, And so the law will not allow him any further trial, Except for the harsh punishment of the state, Which he has so openly defied.

First Citizen

He shall well know The noble tribunes are the people’s mouths, And we their hands.

First Citizen

He will soon learn That the noble tribunes are the voice of the people, And we are their hands.

Citizens

He shall, sure on’t.

Citizens

He will, for sure.

Menenius

Sir, sir,--

Menenius

Sir, sir,--

Sicinius

Peace!

Sicinius

Quiet!

Menenius

Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt With modest warrant.

Menenius

Don’t call for chaos, where you should just be Acting with reasonable authority.

Sicinius

Sir, how comes’t that you Have holp to make this rescue?

Sicinius

Sir, how is it that you Helped to make this rescue?

Menenius

Hear me speak: As I do know the consul’s worthiness, So can I name his faults,--

Menenius

Listen to me: Just as I know the consul’s worth, I can also name his flaws,--

Sicinius

Consul! what consul?

Sicinius

Consul! Which consul?

Menenius

The consul Coriolanus.

Menenius

The consul Coriolanus.

Brutus

He consul!

Brutus

He’s consul!

Citizens

No, no, no, no, no.

Citizens

No, no, no, no, no.

Menenius

If, by the tribunes’ leave, and yours, good people, I may be heard, I would crave a word or two; The which shall turn you to no further harm Than so much loss of time.

Menenius

If I may be heard, with the tribunes’ permission, and yours, good people, I would ask for a word or two; Which will harm you no more Than wasting a bit of time.

Sicinius

Speak briefly then; For we are peremptory to dispatch This viperous traitor: to eject him hence Were but one danger, and to keep him here Our certain death: therefore it is decreed He dies to-night.

Sicinius

Speak quickly then; For we are determined to get rid of This venomous traitor: to throw him out now Is one danger, and to keep him here Means certain death for us: so it is decided He dies tonight.

Menenius

Now the good gods forbid That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude Towards her deserved children is enroll’d In Jove’s own book, like an unnatural dam Should now eat up her own!

Menenius

May the gods forbid That our celebrated Rome, whose gratitude For her deserving citizens is written In Jove’s own book, like an unnatural mother Should now destroy her own children!

Sicinius

He’s a disease that must be cut away.

Sicinius

He’s a disease that must be removed.

Menenius

O, he’s a limb that has but a disease; Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy. What has he done to Rome that’s worthy death? Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost-- Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath, By many an ounce--he dropp’d it for his country; And what is left, to lose it by his country, Were to us all, that do’t and suffer it, A brand to the end o’ the world.

Menenius

Oh, he’s just a part that’s diseased; Mortal to cut it off; easy to cure. What has he done to Rome that deserves death? Killing our enemies, the blood he’s lost-- Which, I swear, is more than what he has, By far--he shed it for his country; And what remains, to lose it for his country, Would be a disgrace to all of us who do it and endure it, A stain on the world forever.

Sicinius

This is clean kam.

Sicinius

This is pure nonsense.

Brutus

Merely awry: when he did love his country, It honour’d him.

Brutus

Completely wrong: when he loved his country, It honored him.

Menenius

The service of the foot Being once gangrened, is not then respected For what before it was.

Menenius

If the army’s foot soldiers become seriously injured, they’re no longer valued for what they were before.

Brutus

We’ll hear no more. Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence: Lest his infection, being of catching nature, Spread further.

Brutus

We don’t want to hear any more. Go after him to his house and drag him out: In case his illness, being something that spreads easily, infects others.

Menenius

One word more, one word. This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find The harm of unscann’d swiftness, will too late Tie leaden pounds to’s heels. Proceed by process; Lest parties, as he is beloved, break out, And sack great Rome with Romans.

Menenius

One more thing, just one more. This wild, uncontrolled anger, when it finds the consequences of reckless speed, will too late tie heavy burdens to his feet. Proceed carefully; Otherwise, as he is loved by the people, they might rebel, and sack the great city of Rome with Romans.

Brutus

If it were so,--

Brutus

If that’s how it is,--

Sicinius

What do ye talk? Have we not had a taste of his obedience? Our aediles smote? ourselves resisted? Come.

Sicinius

What are you talking about? Haven’t we already seen his disobedience? Our officers were attacked? We fought back? Come on.

Menenius

Consider this: he has been bred i’ the wars Since he could draw a sword, and is ill school’d In bolted language; meal and bran together He throws without distinction. Give me leave, I’ll go to him, and undertake to bring him Where he shall answer, by a lawful form, In peace, to his utmost peril.

Menenius

Think about this: he’s been trained in the military since he was old enough to hold a sword, and he’s not good with words, mixing up everything without care. Let me go, I’ll talk to him, and try to bring him where he’ll face the consequences in a proper legal way, and in peace, risking his life.

First Senator

Noble tribunes, It is the humane way: the other course Will prove too bloody, and the end of it Unknown to the beginning.

First Senator

Noble tribunes, This is the compassionate way: the other option will end in bloodshed, and we won’t know how it started or how it ends.

Sicinius

Noble Menenius, Be you then as the people’s officer. Masters, lay down your weapons.

Sicinius

Noble Menenius, Then you be the people’s representative. Everyone, put down your weapons.

Brutus

Go not home.

Brutus

Don’t go home.

Sicinius

Meet on the market-place. We’ll attend you there: Where, if you bring not Marcius, we’ll proceed In our first way.

Sicinius

Meet us at the marketplace. We’ll wait for you there: If you don’t bring Marcius, we’ll continue with our original plan.

Menenius

I’ll bring him to you.

Menenius

I’ll bring him to you.

To the Senators
To the Senators
Menenius

Let me desire your company: he must come, Or what is worst will follow.

Menenius

Let me ask for your company: he has to come, or the worst will happen.

First Senator

Pray you, let’s to him.

First Senator

Please, let’s go to him.

Exuent
Exuent

End of Act 3, Scene 1

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