CORIOLANUS 5.6

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CORIOLANUS 5.6

Antium. A public place.

[Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants]

AUFIDIUS Go tell the lords o' 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 5

The city ports by this hath enter'd and

Intends to appear before the people, hoping

To purge herself with words: dispatch.

[Exeunt Attendants]

[Enter three or four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' faction]

Most welcome!

First Conspirator How is it with our general? 10

AUFIDIUS Even so

As with a man by his own alms empoison'd,

And with his charity slain.

Second Conspirator Most noble sir,

If you do hold the same intent wherein 15

You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you

Of your great danger.

AUFIDIUS Sir, I cannot tell:

We must proceed as we do find the people.

Third Conspirator The people will remain uncertain whilst 20

'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either

Makes the survivor heir of all.

AUFIDIUS I know it;

And my pretext to strike at him admits

A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn'd 25

Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd,

He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery,

Seducing so my friends; and, to this end,

He bow'd his nature, never known before

But to be rough, unswayable and free. 30

Third Conspirator Sir, his stoutness

When he did stand for consul, which he lost

By lack of stooping,--

AUFIDIUS That I would have spoke of:

Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth; 35

Presented to my knife his throat: I took him;

Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way

In all his own desires; nay, let him choose

Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,

My best and freshest men; served his designments 40

In mine own person; holp to reap the fame

Which he did end all his; and took some pride

To do myself this wrong: till, at the last,

I seem'd his follower, not partner, and

He waged me with his countenance, as if 45

I had been mercenary.

First Conspirator 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,-- 50

AUFIDIUS There was it:

For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him.

At a few drops of women's rheum, which are

As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour

Of our great action: therefore shall he die, 55

And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark!

[Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of

the People]

First Conspirator Your native town you enter'd like a post,

And had no welcomes home: but he returns,

Splitting the air with noise.

Second Conspirator And patient fools, 60

Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear

With giving him glory.

Third Conspirator Therefore, at your vantage,

Ere he express himself, or move the people

With what he would say, let him feel your sword, 65

Which we will second. When he lies along,

After your way his tale pronounced shall bury

His reasons with his body.

AUFIDIUS Say no more:

Here come the lords. 70

[Enter the Lords of the city]

All The Lords You are most welcome home.

AUFIDIUS I have not deserved it.

But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused

What I have written to you?

Lords We have. 75

First Lord And grieve to hear't.

What faults he made before the last, I think

Might have found easy fines: but there to end

Where he was to begin and give away

The benefit of our levies, answering us 80

With our own charge, making a treaty where

There was a yielding,--this admits no excuse.

AUFIDIUS He approaches: you shall hear him.

[Enter CORIOLANUS, marching with drum and

colours; commoners being with him]

CORIOLANUS Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier,

No more infected with my country's love 85

Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting

Under your great command. You are to know

That prosperously I have attempted and

With bloody passage led your wars even to

The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home 90

Do more than counterpoise a full third part

The charges of the action. We have made peace

With no less honour to the Antiates

Than shame to the Romans: and we here deliver,

Subscribed by the consuls and patricians, 95

Together with the seal o' the senate, what

We have compounded on.

AUFIDIUS Read it not, noble lords;

But tell the traitor, in the high'st degree

He hath abused your powers. 100

CORIOLANUS Traitor! how now!

AUFIDIUS Ay, traitor, Marcius!

CORIOLANUS Marcius!

AUFIDIUS Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: dost thou think

I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name

Coriolanus in Corioli? 105

You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously

He has betray'd your business, and given up,

For certain drops of salt, your city Rome,

I say 'your city,' to his wife and mother;

Breaking his oath and resolution like 110

A twist of rotten silk, never admitting

Counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears

He whined and roar'd away your victory,

That pages blush'd at him and men of heart

Look'd wondering each at other. 115

CORIOLANUS Hear'st thou, Mars?

AUFIDIUS Name not the god, thou boy of tears!

CORIOLANUS Ha!

AUFIDIUS No more.

CORIOLANUS Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart 120

Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave!

Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever

I was forced to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords,

Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion--

Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him; that 125

Must bear my beating to his grave--shall join

To thrust the lie unto him.

First Lord Peace, both, and hear me speak.

CORIOLANUS Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads,

Stain all your edges on me. Boy! false hound! 130

If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there,

That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I

Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli:

Alone I did it. Boy!

AUFIDIUS Why, noble lords, 135

Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,

Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,

'Fore your own eyes and ears?

All Conspirators Let him die for't.

All The People 'Tear him to pieces.' 'Do it presently.' 'He kill'd 140

my son.' 'My daughter.' 'He killed my cousin

Marcus.' 'He killed my father.'

Second Lord Peace, ho! no outrage: peace!

The man is noble and his fame folds-in

This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us 145

Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius,

And trouble not the peace.

CORIOLANUS O that I had him,

With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe,

To use my lawful sword! 150

AUFIDIUS Insolent villain!

All Conspirators Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!

[The Conspirators draw, and kill CORIOLANUS:

AUFIDIUS stands on his body]

Lords Hold, hold, hold, hold!

AUFIDIUS My noble masters, hear me speak.

First Lord O Tullus,-- 155

Second Lord Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep.

Third Lord Tread not upon him. Masters all, be quiet;

Put up your swords.

AUFIDIUS My lords, when you shall know--as in this rage,

Provoked by him, you cannot--the great danger 160

Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice

That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours

To call me to your senate, I'll deliver

Myself your loyal servant, or endure

Your heaviest censure. 165

First Lord Bear from hence his body;

And mourn you for him: let him be regarded

As the most noble corse that ever herald

Did follow to his urn.

Second Lord His own impatience 170

Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.

Let's make the best of it.

AUFIDIUS My rage is gone;

And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up.

Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one. 175

Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully:

Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he

Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one,

Which to this hour bewail the injury,

Yet he shall have a noble memory. Assist. 180

[Exeunt, bearing the body of CORIOLANUS. A dead

march sounded]

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AUFIDIUS	Go tell the lords o' 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	5
	The city ports by this hath enter'd and
	Intends to appear before the people, hoping
	To purge herself with words: dispatch.
	[Exeunt Attendants]
	[Enter three or four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' faction]
	Most welcome!

AUFIDIUS		Even so
		As with a man by his own alms empoison'd,
		And with his charity slain.

Second Conspirator	Most noble sir,
	If you do hold the same intent wherein	15
	You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you
	Of your great danger.

AUFIDIUS		Sir, I cannot tell:
		We must proceed as we do find the people.

Third Conspirator	The people will remain uncertain whilst	20
	'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either
	Makes the survivor heir of all.

AUFIDIUS	I know it;
	And my pretext to strike at him admits
	A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn'd	25
	Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd,
	He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery,
	Seducing so my friends; and, to this end,
	He bow'd his nature, never known before
	But to be rough, unswayable and free.	30

Third Conspirator		Sir, his stoutness
		When he did stand for consul, which he lost
		By lack of stooping,--

AUFIDIUS	That I would have spoke of:
	Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth;	35
	Presented to my knife his throat: I took him;
	Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way
	In all his own desires; nay, let him choose
	Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,
	My best and freshest men; served his designments	40
	In mine own person; holp to reap the fame
	Which he did end all his; and took some pride
	To do myself this wrong: till, at the last,
	I seem'd his follower, not partner, and
	He waged me with his countenance, as if	45
	I had been mercenary.

First Conspirator	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,--	50

AUFIDIUS	There was it:
	For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him.
	At a few drops of women's rheum, which are
	As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour
	Of our great action: therefore shall he die,	55
	And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark!
	[Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of
	the People]

First Conspirator		Your native town you enter'd like a post,
		And had no welcomes home: but he returns,
		Splitting the air with noise.

Second Conspirator	And patient fools,	60
	Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear
	With giving him glory.

Third Conspirator	Therefore, at your vantage,
	Ere he express himself, or move the people
	With what he would say, let him feel your sword,	65
	Which we will second. When he lies along,
	After your way his tale pronounced shall bury
	His reasons with his body.

AUFIDIUS	Say no more:
	Here come the lords.	70
	[Enter the Lords of the city]

AUFIDIUS		I have not deserved it.
		But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused
		What I have written to you?

First Lord	And grieve to hear't.
	What faults he made before the last, I think
	Might have found easy fines: but there to end
	Where he was to begin and give away
	The benefit of our levies, answering us	80
	With our own charge, making a treaty where
	There was a yielding,--this admits no excuse.

AUFIDIUS		He approaches: you shall hear him.
		[Enter CORIOLANUS, marching with drum and
		colours; commoners being with him]

CORIOLANUS	Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier,
	No more infected with my country's love	85
	Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting
	Under your great command. You are to know
	That prosperously I have attempted and
	With bloody passage led your wars even to
	The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home	90
	Do more than counterpoise a full third part
	The charges of the action. We have made peace
	With no less honour to the Antiates
	Than shame to the Romans: and we here deliver,
	Subscribed by the consuls and patricians,	95
	Together with the seal o' the senate, what
	We have compounded on.

AUFIDIUS	Read it not, noble lords;
	But tell the traitor, in the high'st degree
	He hath abused your powers.	100

AUFIDIUS	Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: dost thou think
	I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name
	Coriolanus in Corioli?	105
	You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously
	He has betray'd your business, and given up,
	For certain drops of salt, your city Rome,
	I say 'your city,' to his wife and mother;
	Breaking his oath and resolution like	110
	A twist of rotten silk, never admitting
	Counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears
	He whined and roar'd away your victory,
	That pages blush'd at him and men of heart
	Look'd wondering each at other.	115

CORIOLANUS	Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart	120
	Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave!
	Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever
	I was forced to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords,
	Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion--
	Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him; that	125
	Must bear my beating to his grave--shall join
	To thrust the lie unto him.

CORIOLANUS	Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads,
	Stain all your edges on me. Boy! false hound!	130
	If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there,
	That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I
	Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli:
	Alone I did it. Boy!

AUFIDIUS	Why, noble lords,	135
	Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,
	Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,
	'Fore your own eyes and ears?

All The People	'Tear him to pieces.' 'Do it presently.' 'He kill'd	140
	my son.' 'My daughter.' 'He killed my cousin
	Marcus.' 'He killed my father.'

Second Lord	Peace, ho! no outrage: peace!
	The man is noble and his fame folds-in
	This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us	145
	Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius,
	And trouble not the peace.

CORIOLANUS	O that I had him,
	With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe,
	To use my lawful sword!	150

All Conspirators		Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!
		[The Conspirators draw, and kill CORIOLANUS:
		AUFIDIUS stands on his body]

Third Lord		Tread not upon him. Masters all, be quiet;
		Put up your swords.

AUFIDIUS	My lords, when you shall know--as in this rage,
	Provoked by him, you cannot--the great danger	160
	Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice
	That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours
	To call me to your senate, I'll deliver
	Myself your loyal servant, or endure
	Your heaviest censure.	165

First Lord		Bear from hence his body;
		And mourn you for him: let him be regarded
		As the most noble corse that ever herald
		Did follow to his urn.