It makes the consuls base: and my soul aches, May enter 'twixt the gap of both, and take Com. Well,-on to the market-place. Cor. Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth The corn o'the storehouse gratis, as 'twas us'd Sometime in Greece, Men. Well, well, no more of that. Cor. (Though there the people had more abso lute power,) I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed The ruin of the state. Bru. One, that speaks thus, their voice? Cor. Why, shall the people give I'll give my reasons, More worthier than their voices. They know, the corn Was not our recompense; resting well assur'd 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, The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express Call our cares, fears: which will in time break ope Men. Come, enough. No, take more: Bru. Enough, with over-measure. Cor. 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 of't; that prefer To jump a body with a dangerous physick Of that integrity which should become it; Not having the power to do the good it would, For the ill which doth control it. Bru. He has said enough. Stc. He has spoken like a traitor, and shall an swer As traitors do. Cor. 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. Bru. Manifest treason. Sic. This a consul? no. Bru. The ædiles, ho!-Let him be apprehended. Sic. Go, call the people; [Exit Brutus.] in whose name, myself Attach thee, as a traitorous innovator, A foe to the publick weal: Obey, I charge thee, And follow to thine answer. Cor. Sen. and Pat. We'll surety him. Com. Hence, old goat! Aged sir, hands off. Cor. Hence, rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones Out of thy garments. Sic. Help, ye citizens. Re-enter Brutus, with the Ediles, and a rabble of [Several speak. Cit. Down with him, down with him! 2 Sen. Weapons, weapons, weapons! [They all bustle about Coriolanus. Tribunes, patricians, citizens!-what ho!- Cit. Peace, peace, peace; stay, hold, peace! Men. 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. Sic. Hear me, people;-Peace. Cit. Let's hear our tribune:-Peace. speak, speak. Sic. You are at point to lose your liberties: Marcius would have all from you; Marcius, Whom late you have nam'd for consul. Speak, Fie, fie, fie! Men. Cit. The people are the city. True, Bru. By the consent of all, we were establish'd The people's magistrates. Cit. You so remain. Men. And so are like to do. Cor. That is the way to lay the city flat; Sic. This deserves death. Bru. Or let us stand to our authority, Sic. Therefore, lay hold of him; Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence Into destruction cast him. Bru. Cit. Yield, Marcius, yield. Men. Ediles, seize him. Hear me one word. Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word. Edi. Peace, peace. Men. Be that you seem, truly your country's friend, And temperately proceed to what you would Thus violently redress. Bru. 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. Cor. No; I'll die here. [Drawing his sword. There's some among you have beheld me fighting; Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me. |