The Tragedie of Coriolanus
Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.
Enter a Company of Mutinous Citizens, with Staues, Clubs, andotherweapons.
1. Citizen. Before we proceed any further, heare me speake
All. Speake, speake
1.Cit. You are all resolu'd rather to dy then
to famish?
All. Resolu'd, resolu'd
1.Cit. First you know, Caius Martius is chiefe enemyto the people
All. We know't, we know't
1.Cit. Let vs kill him, and wee'l haue Corne at our own
price. Is't a Verdict?
All. No more talking on't; Let it be done, away, away
2.Cit. One word, good Citizens
1.Cit. We are accounted poore Citizens, the Patriciansgood: what Authority surfets one, would releeuevs. If they would yeelde vs but the superfluitie while itwere wholsome, wee might guesse they releeued vs humanely:But they thinke we are too deere, the leannessethat afflicts vs, the obiect of our misery, is as an inuentoryto particularize their abundance, our sufferance is againe to them. Let vs reuenge this with our Pikes, erewe become Rakes. For the Gods know, I speake this inhunger for Bread, not in thirst for Reuenge
2.Cit. Would you proceede especially against CaiusMartius
All. Against him first: He's a very dog to the Commonalty
2.Cit. Consider you what Seruices he ha's done for hisCountry? 1.Cit. Very well, and could bee content to giue himgood report for't, but that hee payes himselfe with beeingproud
All. Nay, but speak not maliciously
1.Cit. I say vnto you, what he hath done Famouslie,he did it to that end: though soft conscienc'd men can becontent to say it was for his Countrey, he did it to pleasehis Mother, and to be partly proud, which he is, euen tothe altitude of his vertue
2.Cit. What he cannot helpe in his Nature, you account
a Vice in him: You must in no way say he is couetous
1.Cit. If I must not, I neede not be barren of Accusations
he hath faults (with surplus) to tyre in repetition.
Showts within.
What showts are these? The other side a'th City is risen:why stay we prating heere? To th' Capitoll
All. Come, come
1 Cit. Soft, who comes heere?
Enter Menenius Agrippa.
2 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa, one that hath alwayeslou'd the people
1 Cit. He's one honest enough, wold al the rest wer so
Men. What work's my Countrimen in hand?
Where go you with Bats and Clubs? The matter
Speake I pray you
2 Cit. Our busines is not vnknowne to th' Senat, theyhaue had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, wnow wee'l shew em in deeds: they say poore Suters hauestrong breaths, they shal know we haue strong arms too
Menen. Why Masters, my good Friends, mine honest
Neighbours, will you vndo your selues?
2 Cit. We cannot Sir, we are vndone already
Men. I tell you Friends, most charitable care
Haue the Patricians of you for your wants.
Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well
Strike at the Heauen with your staues, as lift them
Against the Roman State, whose course will on
The way it takes: cracking ten thousand Curbes
Of