No Fear Shakespeare: Coriolanus: Act 2 Scene 3

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Coriolanus

William Shakespeare

Act 2 Scene 3

Original Text

Modern Text

Original Text

Modern Text

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Original Text	Modern Text
The same. The Forum.	The same. The Forum.
Enter seven or eight Citizens	Enter seven or eight Citizens
FIRST CITIZEN Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.	FIRST CITIZEN Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.
SECOND CITIZEN We may, sir, if we will.	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 5 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, 10 were to make a monster of the multitude: of the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.	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 15 himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude.	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 20 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.	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?	SECOND CITIZEN Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would fly?
THIRD CITIZEN 25 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.	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?	SECOND CITIZEN Why that way?
THIRD CITIZEN To lose itself in a fog, where being three parts 30 melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife.	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.	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 35 say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man.	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	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 40 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 45 you shall go by him.	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.	ALL Content, content.
Exeunt Citizens	Exeunt Citizens
MENENIUS O sir, you are not right: have you not known The worthiest men have done’t?	MENENIUS O sir, you are not right: have you not known The worthiest men have done’t?
CORIOLANUS What must I say? 50 ‘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.’	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 55 O me, the gods! You must not speak of that: you must desire them To think upon you.	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 60 Which our divines lose by ’em.	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.	MENENIUS You’ll mar all: I’ll leave you: pray you, speak to ’em, I pray you, In wholesome manner.
Exit	Exit
CORIOLANUS Bid them wash their faces 65 And keep their teeth clean.	CORIOLANUS Bid them wash their faces And keep their teeth clean.
Re-enter two of the Citizens	Re-enter two of the Citizens
So, here comes a brace.	So, here comes a brace.
Re-enter a third Citizen	Re-enter a third Citizen
You know the cause, air, of my standing here.	You know the cause, air, of my standing here.
THIRD CITIZEN We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to’t.	THIRD CITIZEN We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to’t.
CORIOLANUS Mine own desert.	CORIOLANUS Mine own desert.
SECOND CITIZEN 70Your own desert!	SECOND CITIZEN Your own desert!
CORIOLANUS Ay, but not mine own desire.	CORIOLANUS Ay, but not mine own desire.
THIRD CITIZEN How not your own desire?	THIRD CITIZEN How not your own desire?
CORIOLANUS No, sir,’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.	CORIOLANUS No, sir,’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.
THIRD CITIZEN 75You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to gain by you.	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?	CORIOLANUS Well then, I pray, your price o’ the consulship?
FIRST CITIZEN The price is to ask it kindly.	FIRST CITIZEN The price is to ask it kindly.
CORIOLANUS Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha’t: I have wounds to 80show you, which shall be yours in private. Your good voice, sir; what say you?	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.	SECOND CITIZEN You shall ha’ it, worthy sir.

Original Text	Modern Text
The same. The Forum.	The same. The Forum.
Enter seven or eight Citizens	Enter seven or eight Citizens
FIRST CITIZEN Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.	FIRST CITIZEN Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.
SECOND CITIZEN We may, sir, if we will.	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 5 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, 10 were to make a monster of the multitude: of the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.	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 15 himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude.	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 20 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.	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?	SECOND CITIZEN Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would fly?
THIRD CITIZEN 25 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.	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?	SECOND CITIZEN Why that way?
THIRD CITIZEN To lose itself in a fog, where being three parts 30 melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife.	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.	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 35 say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man.	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	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 40 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 45 you shall go by him.	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.	ALL Content, content.
Exeunt Citizens	Exeunt Citizens
MENENIUS O sir, you are not right: have you not known The worthiest men have done’t?	MENENIUS O sir, you are not right: have you not known The worthiest men have done’t?
CORIOLANUS What must I say? 50 ‘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.’	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 55 O me, the gods! You must not speak of that: you must desire them To think upon you.	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 60 Which our divines lose by ’em.	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.	MENENIUS You’ll mar all: I’ll leave you: pray you, speak to ’em, I pray you, In wholesome manner.
Exit	Exit
CORIOLANUS Bid them wash their faces 65 And keep their teeth clean.	CORIOLANUS Bid them wash their faces And keep their teeth clean.
Re-enter two of the Citizens	Re-enter two of the Citizens
So, here comes a brace.	So, here comes a brace.
Re-enter a third Citizen	Re-enter a third Citizen
You know the cause, air, of my standing here.	You know the cause, air, of my standing here.
THIRD CITIZEN We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to’t.	THIRD CITIZEN We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to’t.
CORIOLANUS Mine own desert.	CORIOLANUS Mine own desert.
SECOND CITIZEN 70Your own desert!	SECOND CITIZEN Your own desert!
CORIOLANUS Ay, but not mine own desire.	CORIOLANUS Ay, but not mine own desire.
THIRD CITIZEN How not your own desire?	THIRD CITIZEN How not your own desire?
CORIOLANUS No, sir,’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.	CORIOLANUS No, sir,’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.
THIRD CITIZEN 75You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to gain by you.	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?	CORIOLANUS Well then, I pray, your price o’ the consulship?
FIRST CITIZEN The price is to ask it kindly.	FIRST CITIZEN The price is to ask it kindly.
CORIOLANUS Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha’t: I have wounds to 80show you, which shall be yours in private. Your good voice, sir; what say you?	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.	SECOND CITIZEN You shall ha’ it, worthy sir.