Make your eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comfort, Constrains them weep, and shake with fear and Making the mother, wife, and child, to see Our wish, which side should win for either thou demn us, As poisonous of your honour: No; our suit This we receiv'd; and each in either side The end of war's uncertain; but this certain, bose chronicle thus writ,-The man was noble, But with his last attempt he wip'd it out; Destroyed his country: and his name remains To the ensuing age, abhorr'd. Speak to me, Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour, To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o'the air, Thma'st thou it honourable for a noble man thee, That thou restrain'st from me the duty, which To a mother's part belongs.-He turns away: Down, ladies; let us shame him with our knees. To his surname Coriolanus 'longs more pride, Cor. O mother, mother! [Holding VOLUMNIA by the Hands, silent. What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope, The gods look down, and this unnatural scene Were you in my stead, say, would you have heard Cor. I dare be sworn you were: Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife! Auf. I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy hononr At difference in thee: out of that I'll work [Aside. [The ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS, Cor. Ay, by and by: [To VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, &c. But we will drink together; and you shall bear A better witness back than words, which we, On like conditions, will have counter-seal'd. Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve To have a temple built you all the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, Could not have made this peace. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Rome.-A public Place. Enter MENENIUS and SICINIUS. Men. See you yond' coign⚫ o'the Capitol : yond' corner stone? Sic. Why, what of that? Men. If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. But I say, there is no hope in't; our throats are sentenced, and stay † upoù execution. Sic. Is't possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a man? Men. There is differency between a grub and a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown from man to dragon; he has wings! he's more than a creeping thing. Sic. He loved his mother dearly. Men. So did he me: and he no more remembers his mother now, than an eight year old horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes. When he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like a knell and his hum is a battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made § for Alexander. What he bids be done, is finished with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity, and a heaven to throne in. Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. 1 Chair of stalpo • Angle. Stay but for it. Men. I paint him in the character. Mark what | Enter Three or Four CONSPIRATORS of Auvimercy his mother shall bring from him: There DIUS'S Faction. is no more mercy in him, than there is milk in a Most welcome! male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and all that is 'long of you. Sic. The gods be good unto us! Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him, we respected not them: and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us. Enter a MESSENGER. Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your house: The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, Enter another MESSENGER. Sic. What's the news? Mess. Good news, good news :-The ladies have prevail'd, The Volsces are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone : Sic. Friend, Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain? Mess. As certain as I know the sun is fire: Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it! Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide, As the recoinforted through the gates. Why hark you; [Trumpets and Hautboys sounded, and Drums beaten, all together. Shouting also within. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance. Hark you! Men. This is good news: [Shouting again. I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia A sea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; Mess. Sir, we have al Great cause to give great thanks, Sic. They are near the city? Mess. Almost at point to enter. Sic. We will meet them, And help the joy. [Going. Welcome! [A flourish with Drums and Trumpets. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-Antium.-A Public Place. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants. Auf. Go tell the lords of the city, I am here: Deliver them this paper: having read it, Bid them repair to the market-place; where I, Even in theirs and in the commons' ears, Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse, The city ports by this hath enter'd, and Intends to appear before the people, hoping To purge himself with words: Despatch. [Exeunt Attendants. 1 Con. How is it with our general? As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, 2 Con. Most noble Sir, If you do hold the same intent wherein Auf. Sir, I cannot tell : We must proceed, as we do find the people. 3 Con. The people will remain uncertain, whilst 'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. ten'd, He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery, 3 Con. Sir, his stoutness, When he did stand for consul, which he lost Auf. That I would have spoke of: 1 Con. So he did, my lord: The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, When he had carried Rome, and that we look'd For no less spoil than glory,— Auf. There was it ; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. [Drums and Trumpets sound, with great 1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2 Con. And patient fools, whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear, With giving him glory. 3 Con. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, Which we will second. When he lies along, After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury His reasons with his body. Auf. Say no more: Here come the lords. Enter the LORDS of the City. Lords. You are most welcome home. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus d Lords. We have. Auf. He approaches, you shall hear him. Enter CORIOLANUS, with Drums and Colours; a Crowd of CITIZENS with him. Cer. Hail, lords! I am returned your soldier; Do more than counterpoise, a full third part, Auf. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor in the highest degree Cor. Traitor!-How now? Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: Dost thou think Il grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf Name not the god, thou boy of tears,Cor. Ha! Auf. No more. + Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave !Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever I was fore'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, Mast give this car the lie and his own notion My beating to his grave,) shall join to thrust 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volsces: men and lads, Stan all your edges on me.-Boy! False hound! li you save writ your annals true, 'tis there, *Drops of tears. ↑ No more than a boy of tears, | That like an eagle in a dove-cote, I Flutter'd your voices in Corioli: Alone I did it.-Boy! Auf. why, noble lords, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? Con. Let him die for't. [Several speak at once. Cit. [Speaking promiscuously.] Tear him to pieces, do it presently. He killed my son :-my daughter;-He killed my cousin Marcius;-He my father. killed 2 Lord. Peace, ho ;-no outrage ;-peace. The man is noble, and his fame folds in This orb o'the earth. His last offence to us Shall have judicious+ hearing.—Stand, Autìdius, And trouble not the peace. Cor. Oh that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, Auf. Insolent villain! Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him! [AUFIDIUS and the CONSPIRATORS draw, and kill CORIOLANUS, who falls, and AUFIDIUS stands on him. Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold! Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak. 1 Lord. O Tullus! 2 Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. 3 Lord. Tread not upon him.-Masters, all, be Put up your swords. [quiet: Auf. My lords, when you shall know (as in this rage, Provok'd by him, you cannot,) the great danger 1 Lord. Bear from hence his body, 2 Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Let's make the best of it. Auf. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow.-Take him up: ABOUT the middle of February, A.U.C. 709, a riotous festival sacred to Pan, and called Lupercalia, was held i honour of Cesar, when the regal crown was offered him by Antony. In the middle of the following Marc be was assassinated. November 27, 710, the Triumvirs, Antony, Lepidus, and Octavius, met at a small island formed by the river Rhenus, near Bononia, and there agreed upon the cruel proscription introduced in Ac IV.---In 711, Brutus and Cassius were totally defeated at Philippi.---Shakspeare appears to have produced thi play about the year 1607: one, upon the same subject, had been written by a young Scotch Nobleman, the Ear of Sterline; and in many passages of each, a strong similarity may be traced :---this was probably occasione by both authors drawing their materials from the same source.---A Latin play on this subject, by Dr. Eedes, o Oxford, who is enumerated amongst the best tragic authors of that era, was published in 1582.---Dr. Johnso says of this tragedy :---"Many particular passages deserve regard, and the contention and reconcilement o Brutus and Cassius are universally celebrated, but I have never been strongly agitated in perusing it, an think it somewhat cold and unaffecting, compared with some other of Shakspeare's plays: his adherence t tae real story, and to Roman manners, seems to have impeded the natural vigour of his genius." SCENE: the first three acts at Rome: afterwards at an Island near Mutina, at Sardis; and nea Philippi. ACT I. SCENE 1.-Rome.-A Street. Enter FLAVIUS, MARULLUS, and a Rabble of Flav. Hence! home, you idle creatures, get Is this a holiday? What! know you not, Of your profession ?-Speak, what trade art thou? Mar. Where is thy leather apron, and thy rule ? 2 Cit. Truly, Sir, in respect of a fine workman? I ani but, as you would say, a cobler. Mar. But what trade art thou? Answer me directly. 2 Cit. A trade, Sir, that I hope I may use with a safe conscience; which is, indeed, Sir, a meuder of bad soals. Mar. What trade, thou knave! thou naughty knave, what trade? 2 Cit. Nay, I beseech you, Sir, be not out with me yet, if you be out, Sir, I can mend you. Mar. What meanest thou by that? Mend me, thou saucy fellow? 2 Cit. Why, Sir, cobble you. 2 Cit. Truly, Sir, all that I live by is, with the awl: I meddle with no tradesman's matters nor woman's matters, but with awl. I am are in great danger, I recover them. As prope indeed, Sir, a surgeon to old shoes; when the men as ever trod upon neats-leather, have gon upon my handy-work. Flav. But wherefore art not in thy shop to-day Why dost thou lead these men about the streets 2 Cit. Truly, Sir, to wear out their shoes, t get myself into more work. But, indeed, Sh we make holiday to see Cesar, and to rejoice i his triumph. Mar. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest bring What tributaries follow him to Rome, things? O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, And do you now put on your best attire ? Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, [Exeunt CITIZENS. You know it is the feast of Lupercal. Flar. It is no matter; let no images [Exeunt. Cas. Brutus, I do observe you now of late: I have not from your eyes that gentleness, And show of love-as I was wont to have: You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand Over your friend that loves you. Bru. Cassius, Be not deceiv'd: if I have veil'd my look, But let not therefore my good friends be griev'd: Cus. Then, Brutus, I have inuch mistook your By means whereof, this breast of mine hath Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. And it is very much lamented, Brutus, SCENE 11.-The same.-A public Place. Ces. Calphartia,— Costa. Peace, ho! Cesar speaks. Ces. Calpurnia,- Ces. Stand you directly in Antonins' way, When he doth run his course. —Antonius. Ant. Cesar, my lord. Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. That you would have me seek into myself Cas. Therefore, good Brutus, he prepar'd s Ces. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, To touch Calphurnia: for our elders say, The barren touched in this holy chase, Shake off their steril curse. Ant. I shall remember: When Cesar says, Do this, it is perform'd. 643. Set on; and leave no ceremony out. Sonth. Cesar! Crs. Ha! who calls? [Music. Casca. Bid every noise be still :-Peace yet [Music ceases. Cer. Who is it in the press that calls on me? 1 bear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry, Cesar !—Speak; Cesar is turned to hear. South. Beware the ides of March. Ors. What man is that? Bra. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. Cer. Set him before me, let me see his face. Cesar. Cer. What say'st thou to me now? Speak once again. Both. Beware the ides of March. C. He is a dreamer: let us leave him ;-pass. "Sennet. Ereunt all but BRU. and CAS. far. Will you go see the order of the course? Bru. Not L tas. I pray you, do. Choose Cesar for their king. Cas. Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so. But wherefore do you hold me here so long! Cas. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, I was born free as Cesar; so were you: Bra. I am not gamesome: I do lack some part Endure the winter's cold, as well as he. of that quick spirit that is in Antony. Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires; ra leave you. |