The Forum. Enter seven or eight Citizens First Citizen Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. Second Citizen We may, sir, if we will. Third Citizen We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do; for if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them; so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude: of the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members. First Citizen And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude. Third Citizen We have been called so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely coloured: and truly I think if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south, and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points o' the compass. Second Citizen Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would fly? Third Citizen Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will;'tis strongly wedged up in a block-head, but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward. Second Citizen Why that way? Third Citizen To lose itself in a fog, where being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife. Second Citizen You are never without your tricks: you may, you may. Third Citizen Are you all resolved to give your voices?
But that's no matter, the greater part carries it.
I say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man.
Enter CORIOLANUS in a gown of humility, with MENENIUS Here he comes, and in the gown of humility: mark his behavior. We are not to stay all together, but to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to make his requests by particulars; wherein every one of us has a single honour, in giving him our own voices with our own tongues: therefore follow me, and I direct you how you shall go by him. All Content, content.
Exeunt Citizens MENENIUS O sir, you are not right: have you not known The worthiest men have done't? CORIOLANUS What must I say?
'I Pray, sir'--Plague upon't! I cannot bring My tongue to such a pace:--'Look, sir, my wounds!
I got them in my country's service, when Some certain of your brethren roar'd and ran From the noise of our own drums.' MENENIUS O me, the gods!
You must not speak of that: you must desire them To think upon you. CORIOLANUS Think upon me! hang 'em!
I would they would forget me, like the virtues Which our divines lose by 'em. MENENIUS You'll mar all:
I'll leave you: pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you, In wholesome manner.
Exit CORIOLANUS Bid them wash their faces And keep their teeth clean.
Re-enter two of the Citizens So, here comes a brace.
Re-enter a third Citizen You know the cause, air, of my standing here. Third Citizen We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't. CORIOLANUS Mine own desert. Second Citizen Your own desert! CORIOLANUS Ay, but not mine own desire. Third Citizen How not your own desire? CORIOLANUS No, sir,'twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging. Third Citizen You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to gain by you. CORIOLANUS Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship? First Citizen The price is to ask it kindly. CORIOLANUS Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to show you, which shall be yours in private. Your good voice, sir; what say you? Second Citizen You shall ha' it, worthy sir. CORIOLANUS A match, sir. There's in all two worthy voices begged. I have your alms: adieu. Third Citizen But this is something odd. Second Citizen An 'twere to give again,--but 'tis no matter.
Exeunt the three Citizens Re-enter two other Citizens CORIOLANUS Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown. Fourth Citizen You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. CORIOLANUS Your enigma? Fourth Citizen You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends; you have not indeed loved the common people. CORIOLANUS You should account me the more virtuous that I have not been common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition they account gentle: and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod and be off to them most counterfeitly; that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man and give it bountiful to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul. Fifth Citizen We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. Fourth Citizen You have received many wounds for your country. CORIOLANUS I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further. Both Citizens The gods give you joy, sir, heartily!
Exeunt CORIOLANUS Most sweet voices!
Better it is to die, better to starve, Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this woolvish toge should I stand here, To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear, Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to't:
What custom wills, in all things should we do't, The dust on antique time would lie unswept, And mountainous error be too highly heapt For truth to o'er-peer. Rather than fool it so, Let the high office and the honour go To one that would do thus. I am half through;
The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.
Re-enter three Citizens more Here come more voices.
Your voices: for your voices I have fought;
Watch'd for your voices; for Your voices bear Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six I have seen and heard of; for your voices have Done many things, some less, some more your voices:
