The Capitol. Enter two Officers, to lay cushions First Officer Come, come, they are almost here. How many stand for consulships? Second Officer Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every one Coriolanus will carry it. First Officer That's a brave fellow; but he's vengeance proud, and loves not the common people. Second Officer Faith, there had been many great men that have flattered the people, who ne'er loved them; and there be many that they have loved, they know not wherefore: so that, if they love they know not why, they hate upon no better a ground: therefore, for Coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate him manifests the true knowledge he has in their disposition; and out of his noble carelessness lets them plainly see't. First Officer If he did not care whether he had their love or no, he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good nor harm: but he seeks their hate with greater devotion than can render it him; and leaves nothing undone that may fully discover him their opposite. Now, to seem to affect the malice and displeasure of the people is as bad as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love. Second Officer He hath deserved worthily of his country: and his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those who, having been supple and courteous to the people, bonneted, without any further deed to have them at an into their estimation and report: but he hath so planted his honours in their eyes, and his actions in their hearts, that for their tongues to be silent, and not confess so much, were a kind of ingrateful injury; to report otherwise, were a malice, that, giving itself the lie, would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it. First Officer No more of him; he is a worthy man: make way, they are coming.
A sennet. Enter, with actors before them, COMINIUS the consul, MENENIUS, CORIOLANUS, Senators, SICINIUS and BRUTUS. The Senators take their places; the Tribunes take their Places by themselves. CORIOLANUS stands MENENIUS Having determined of the Volsces and To send for Titus Lartius, it remains, As the main point of this our after-meeting, To gratify his noble service that Hath thus stood for his country: therefore, please you, Most reverend and grave elders, to desire The present consul, and last general In our well-found successes, to report A little of that worthy work perform'd By Caius Marcius Coriolanus, whom We met here both to thank and to remember With honours like himself. First Senator Speak, good Cominius:
Leave nothing out for length, and make us think Rather our state's defective for requital Than we to stretch it out.
To the Tribunes Masters o' the people, We do request your kindest ears, and after, Your loving motion toward the common body, To yield what passes here. SICINIUS We are convented Upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts Inclinable to honour and advance The theme of our assembly. BRUTUS Which the rather We shall be blest to do, if he remember A kinder value of the people than He hath hereto prized them at. MENENIUS That's off, that's off;
I would you rather had been silent. Please you To hear Cominius speak? BRUTUS Most willingly;
But yet my caution was more pertinent Than the rebuke you give it. MENENIUS He loves your people But tie him not to be their bedfellow.
Worthy Cominius, speak.
CORIOLANUS offers to go away Nay, keep your place. First Senator Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear What you have nobly done. CORIOLANUS Your horror's pardon:
I had rather have my wounds to heal again Than hear say how I got them. BRUTUS Sir, I hope My words disbench'd you not. CORIOLANUS No, sir: yet oft, When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.
