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The same. A hall in Aufidius’s house.
The same. A hall in Aufidius’s house.
Music within. Enter a Servingman
Music within. Enter a Servingman

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Wine, wine, wine! What service
is here! I think our fellows are asleep.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Wine, wine, wine! What service
is here! I think our fellows are asleep.
Exit
Exit
Enter a second Servingman
Enter a second Servingman

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Where’s Cotus? my master calls
for him. Cotus!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Where’s Cotus? my master calls
for him. Cotus!
Exit
Exit
Enter CORIOLANUS
Enter CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS

5 A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I
Appear not like a guest.

CORIOLANUS

A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I
Appear not like a guest.
Re-enter the first Servingman
Re-enter the first Servingman

FIRST SERVINGMAN

What would you have, friend? whence are you?
Here’s no place for you: pray, go to the door.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

What would you have, friend? whence are you?
Here’s no place for you: pray, go to the door.
Exit
Exit

CORIOLANUS

I have deserved no better entertainment,
10 In being Coriolanus.

CORIOLANUS

I have deserved no better entertainment,
In being Coriolanus.
Re-enter second Servingman
Re-enter second Servingman

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his
head; that he gives entrance to such companions?
Pray, get you out.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his
head; that he gives entrance to such companions?
Pray, get you out.

CORIOLANUS

Away!

CORIOLANUS

Away!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

15 Away! get you away.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Away! get you away.

CORIOLANUS

Now thou’rt troublesome.

CORIOLANUS

Now thou’rt troublesome.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Are you so brave? I’ll have you talked with anon.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Are you so brave? I’ll have you talked with anon.
Enter a third Servingman. The first meets him
Enter a third Servingman. The first meets him

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What fellow’s this?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What fellow’s this?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him
20 out of the house: prithee, call my master to him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him
out of the house: prithee, call my master to him.
Retires
Retires

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid
the house.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid
the house.

CORIOLANUS

Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.

CORIOLANUS

Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What are you?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What are you?

CORIOLANUS

25 A gentleman.

CORIOLANUS

A gentleman.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

A marvellous poor one.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

A marvellous poor one.

CORIOLANUS

True, so I am.

CORIOLANUS

True, so I am.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other
station; here’s no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other
station; here’s no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.

CORIOLANUS

30 Follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits.

CORIOLANUS

Follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits.
Pushes him away
Pushes him away

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a
strange guest he has here.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a
strange guest he has here.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

And I shall.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

And I shall.
Exit
Exit

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Where dwellest thou?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Where dwellest thou?

CORIOLANUS

35 Under the canopy.

CORIOLANUS

Under the canopy.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Under the canopy!

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Under the canopy!

CORIOLANUS

Ay.

CORIOLANUS

Ay.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Where’s that?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Where’s that?

CORIOLANUS

I’ the city of kites and crows.

CORIOLANUS

I’ the city of kites and crows.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

40 I’ the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is!
Then thou dwellest with daws too?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I’ the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is!
Then thou dwellest with daws too?

CORIOLANUS

No, I serve not thy master.

CORIOLANUS

No, I serve not thy master.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

How, sir! do you meddle with my master?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

How, sir! do you meddle with my master?

CORIOLANUS

Ay; ’tis an honester service than to meddle with thy
45 mistress. Thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy
trencher, hence!

CORIOLANUS

Ay; ’tis an honester service than to meddle with thy
mistress. Thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy
trencher, hence!
Beats him away. Exit third Servingman
Beats him away. Exit third Servingman
Enter AUFIDIUS with the second Servingman
Enter AUFIDIUS with the second Servingman

AUFIDIUS

Where is this fellow?

AUFIDIUS

Where is this fellow?

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Here, sir: I’ld have beaten him like a dog, but for
disturbing the lords within.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Here, sir: I’ld have beaten him like a dog, but for
disturbing the lords within.
Retires
Retires

AUFIDIUS

50 Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?
Why speak’st not? speak, man: what’s thy name?

AUFIDIUS

Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?
Why speak’st not? speak, man: what’s thy name?

CORIOLANUS

If, Tullus,

CORIOLANUS

If, Tullus,
Unmuffling
Unmuffling
Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
55 Commands me name myself.
Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
Commands me name myself.

AUFIDIUS

What is thy name?

AUFIDIUS

What is thy name?

CORIOLANUS

A name unmusical to the Volscians’ ears,
And harsh in sound to thine.

CORIOLANUS

A name unmusical to the Volscians’ ears,
And harsh in sound to thine.

AUFIDIUS

Say, what’s thy name?
60 Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in’t; though thy tackle’s torn.
Thou show’st a noble vessel: what’s thy name?

AUFIDIUS

Say, what’s thy name?
Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in’t; though thy tackle’s torn.
Thou show’st a noble vessel: what’s thy name?

CORIOLANUS

Prepare thy brow to frown: know’st
thou me yet?

CORIOLANUS

Prepare thy brow to frown: know’st
thou me yet?

AUFIDIUS

65 I know thee not: thy name?

AUFIDIUS

I know thee not: thy name?

CORIOLANUS

My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may
My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service,
70 The extreme dangers and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country are requited
But with that surname; a good memory,
And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains;
75 The cruelty and envy of the people,
Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
Have all forsook me, hath devour’d the rest;
And suffer’d me by the voice of slaves to be
Whoop’d out of Rome. Now this extremity
80 Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope-—
Mistake me not—to save my life, for if
I had fear’d death, of all the men i’ the world
I would have ’voided thee, but in mere spite,
To be full quit of those my banishers,
85 Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
Of shame seen through thy country, speed
thee straight,
90 And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it
That my revengeful services may prove
As benefits to thee, for I will fight
Against my canker’d country with the spleen
Of all the under fiends. But if so be
95 Thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes
Thou’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am
Longer to live most weary, and present
My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice;
Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,
100 Since I have ever follow’d thee with hate,
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country’s breast,
And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
It be to do thee service.

CORIOLANUS

My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may
My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service,
The extreme dangers and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country are requited
But with that surname; a good memory,
And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains;
The cruelty and envy of the people,
Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
Have all forsook me, hath devour’d the rest;
And suffer’d me by the voice of slaves to be
Whoop’d out of Rome. Now this extremity
Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope-—
Mistake me not—to save my life, for if
I had fear’d death, of all the men i’ the world
I would have ’voided thee, but in mere spite,
To be full quit of those my banishers,
Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
Of shame seen through thy country, speed
thee straight,
And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it
That my revengeful services may prove
As benefits to thee, for I will fight
Against my canker’d country with the spleen
Of all the under fiends. But if so be
Thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes
Thou’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am
Longer to live most weary, and present
My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice;
Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,
Since I have ever follow’d thee with hate,
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country’s breast,
And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
It be to do thee service.

AUFIDIUS

O Martius, Martius!
105 Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yond cloud speak divine things,
And say ‘’Tis true,’ I’ld not believe them more
Than thee, all noble Martius. Let me twine
110 Mine arms about that body, where against
My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarr’d the moon with splinters: here I clip
The anvil of my sword, and do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
115 As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,
I loved the maid I married; never man
Sigh’d truer breath; but that I see thee here,
Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart
120 Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,
We have a power on foot; and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out
125 Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me;
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat,
And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
130 Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that
Thou art thence banish’d, we would muster all
From twelve to seventy, and pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
Like a bold flood o’er-bear. O, come, go in,
135 And take our friendly senators by the hands;
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
Who am prepared against your territories,
Though not for Rome itself.

AUFIDIUS

O Martius, Martius!
Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yond cloud speak divine things,
And say ‘’Tis true,’ I’ld not believe them more
Than thee, all noble Martius. Let me twine
Mine arms about that body, where against
My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarr’d the moon with splinters: here I clip
The anvil of my sword, and do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,
I loved the maid I married; never man
Sigh’d truer breath; but that I see thee here,
Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart
Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,
We have a power on foot; and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out
Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me;
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat,
And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that
Thou art thence banish’d, we would muster all
From twelve to seventy, and pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
Like a bold flood o’er-bear. O, come, go in,
And take our friendly senators by the hands;
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
Who am prepared against your territories,
Though not for Rome itself.

CORIOLANUS

You bless me, gods!

CORIOLANUS

You bless me, gods!

AUFIDIUS

140 Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
The one half of my commission; and set down—
As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st
Thy country’s strength and weakness,—thine own ways;
145 Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
To fright them, ere destroy. But come in:
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
150 And more a friend than e’er an enemy;
Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!

AUFIDIUS

Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
The one half of my commission; and set down—
As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st
Thy country’s strength and weakness,—thine own ways;
Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
To fright them, ere destroy. But come in:
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
And more a friend than e’er an enemy;
Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!
Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. The two Servingmen come forward
Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. The two Servingmen come forward

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Here’s a strange alteration!

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Here’s a strange alteration!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with
a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a
155 false report of him.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with
a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a
false report of him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

What an arm he has! he turned me about with his
finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

What an arm he has! he turned me about with his
finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in
him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought,—I
160 cannot tell how to term it.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in
him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought,—I
cannot tell how to term it.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

He had so; looking as it were—would I were hanged,
but I thought there was more in him than I could think.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

He had so; looking as it were—would I were hanged,
but I thought there was more in him than I could think.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

So did I, I’ll be sworn: he is simply the rarest
man i’ the world.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

So did I, I’ll be sworn: he is simply the rarest
man i’ the world.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

165I think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

I think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Who, my master?

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Who, my master?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Nay, it’s no matter for that.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Nay, it’s no matter for that.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Worth six on him.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Worth six on him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the
170greater soldier.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the
greater soldier.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that:
for the defence of a town, our general is excellent.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that:
for the defence of a town, our general is excellent.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Ay, and for an assault too.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Ay, and for an assault too.
Re-enter third Servingman
Re-enter third Servingman

THIRD SERVINGMAN

O slaves, I can tell you news,—news, you rascals!

THIRD SERVINGMAN

O slaves, I can tell you news,—news, you rascals!

FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN

175What, what, what? let’s partake.

FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN

What, what, what? let’s partake.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as
lieve be a condemned man.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as
lieve be a condemned man.

FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN

Wherefore? wherefore?

FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN

Wherefore? wherefore?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Why, here’s he that was wont to thwack our general,
180Caius Martius.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Why, here’s he that was wont to thwack our general,
Caius Martius.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Why do you say ‘thwack our general’?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Why do you say ‘thwack our general’?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I do not say ‘thwack our general;’ but he was always
good enough for him.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I do not say ‘thwack our general;’ but he was always
good enough for him.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too
185 hard for him; I have heard him say so himself.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too
hard for him; I have heard him say so himself.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth
on’t: before Corioli he scotched him and notched
him like a carbon ado.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth
on’t: before Corioli he scotched him and notched
him like a carbon ado.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

An he had been cannibally given, he might have
190 broiled and eaten him too.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

An he had been cannibally given, he might have
broiled and eaten him too.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

But, more of thy news?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

But, more of thy news?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son
and heir to Mars; set at upper end o’ the table; no
question asked him by any of the senators, but they
195 stand bald before him: our general himself makes a
mistress of him: sanctifies himself with’s hand and
turns up the white o’ the eye to his discourse. But
the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i’
the middle and but one half of what he was
200 yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty
and grant of the whole table. He’ll go, he says,
and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he
will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son
and heir to Mars; set at upper end o’ the table; no
question asked him by any of the senators, but they
stand bald before him: our general himself makes a
mistress of him: sanctifies himself with’s hand and
turns up the white o’ the eye to his discourse. But
the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i’
the middle and but one half of what he was
yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty
and grant of the whole table. He’ll go, he says,
and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he
will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

And he’s as like to do’t as any man I can imagine.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

And he’s as like to do’t as any man I can imagine.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

205 Do’t! he will do’t; for, look you, sir, he has as
many friends as enemies; which friends, sir, as it
were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as
we term it, his friends whilst he’s in directitude.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Do’t! he will do’t; for, look you, sir, he has as
many friends as enemies; which friends, sir, as it
were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as
we term it, his friends whilst he’s in directitude.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Directitude! what’s that?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Directitude! what’s that?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

210 But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again,
and the man in blood, they will out of their
burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with
him.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again,
and the man in blood, they will out of their
burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with
him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

But when goes this forward?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

But when goes this forward?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

215 To-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the
drum struck up this afternoon: ’tis, as it were, a
parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they
wipe their lips.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

To-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the
drum struck up this afternoon: ’tis, as it were, a
parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they
wipe their lips.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Why, then we shall have a stirring world again.
220 This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase
tailors, and breed ballad-makers.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Why, then we shall have a stirring world again.
This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase
tailors, and breed ballad-makers.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as
day does night; it’s spritely, waking, audible, and
full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy;
225 mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more
bastard children than war’s a destroyer of men.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as
day does night; it’s spritely, waking, audible, and
full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy;
mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more
bastard children than war’s a destroyer of men.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

’Tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to
be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a
great maker of cuckolds.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

’Tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to
be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a
great maker of cuckolds.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

230 Ay, and it makes men hate one another.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Ay, and it makes men hate one another.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Reason; because they then less need one another.
The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap
as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Reason; because they then less need one another.
The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap
as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising.

ALL

235 In, in, in, in!

ALL

In, in, in, in!
Exeunt
Exeunt

Original Text

Modern Text
The same. A hall in Aufidius’s house.
The same. A hall in Aufidius’s house.
Music within. Enter a Servingman
Music within. Enter a Servingman

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Wine, wine, wine! What service
is here! I think our fellows are asleep.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Wine, wine, wine! What service
is here! I think our fellows are asleep.
Exit
Exit
Enter a second Servingman
Enter a second Servingman

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Where’s Cotus? my master calls
for him. Cotus!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Where’s Cotus? my master calls
for him. Cotus!
Exit
Exit
Enter CORIOLANUS
Enter CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS

5 A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I
Appear not like a guest.

CORIOLANUS

A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I
Appear not like a guest.
Re-enter the first Servingman
Re-enter the first Servingman

FIRST SERVINGMAN

What would you have, friend? whence are you?
Here’s no place for you: pray, go to the door.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

What would you have, friend? whence are you?
Here’s no place for you: pray, go to the door.
Exit
Exit

CORIOLANUS

I have deserved no better entertainment,
10 In being Coriolanus.

CORIOLANUS

I have deserved no better entertainment,
In being Coriolanus.
Re-enter second Servingman
Re-enter second Servingman

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his
head; that he gives entrance to such companions?
Pray, get you out.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his
head; that he gives entrance to such companions?
Pray, get you out.

CORIOLANUS

Away!

CORIOLANUS

Away!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

15 Away! get you away.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Away! get you away.

CORIOLANUS

Now thou’rt troublesome.

CORIOLANUS

Now thou’rt troublesome.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Are you so brave? I’ll have you talked with anon.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Are you so brave? I’ll have you talked with anon.
Enter a third Servingman. The first meets him
Enter a third Servingman. The first meets him

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What fellow’s this?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What fellow’s this?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him
20 out of the house: prithee, call my master to him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him
out of the house: prithee, call my master to him.
Retires
Retires

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid
the house.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid
the house.

CORIOLANUS

Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.

CORIOLANUS

Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What are you?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What are you?

CORIOLANUS

25 A gentleman.

CORIOLANUS

A gentleman.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

A marvellous poor one.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

A marvellous poor one.

CORIOLANUS

True, so I am.

CORIOLANUS

True, so I am.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other
station; here’s no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other
station; here’s no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.

CORIOLANUS

30 Follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits.

CORIOLANUS

Follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits.
Pushes him away
Pushes him away

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a
strange guest he has here.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a
strange guest he has here.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

And I shall.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

And I shall.
Exit
Exit

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Where dwellest thou?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Where dwellest thou?

CORIOLANUS

35 Under the canopy.

CORIOLANUS

Under the canopy.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Under the canopy!

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Under the canopy!

CORIOLANUS

Ay.

CORIOLANUS

Ay.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Where’s that?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Where’s that?

CORIOLANUS

I’ the city of kites and crows.

CORIOLANUS

I’ the city of kites and crows.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

40 I’ the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is!
Then thou dwellest with daws too?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I’ the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is!
Then thou dwellest with daws too?

CORIOLANUS

No, I serve not thy master.

CORIOLANUS

No, I serve not thy master.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

How, sir! do you meddle with my master?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

How, sir! do you meddle with my master?

CORIOLANUS

Ay; ’tis an honester service than to meddle with thy
45 mistress. Thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy
trencher, hence!

CORIOLANUS

Ay; ’tis an honester service than to meddle with thy
mistress. Thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy
trencher, hence!
Beats him away. Exit third Servingman
Beats him away. Exit third Servingman
Enter AUFIDIUS with the second Servingman
Enter AUFIDIUS with the second Servingman

AUFIDIUS

Where is this fellow?

AUFIDIUS

Where is this fellow?

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Here, sir: I’ld have beaten him like a dog, but for
disturbing the lords within.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Here, sir: I’ld have beaten him like a dog, but for
disturbing the lords within.
Retires
Retires

AUFIDIUS

50 Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?
Why speak’st not? speak, man: what’s thy name?

AUFIDIUS

Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?
Why speak’st not? speak, man: what’s thy name?

CORIOLANUS

If, Tullus,

CORIOLANUS

If, Tullus,
Unmuffling
Unmuffling
Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
55 Commands me name myself.
Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
Commands me name myself.

AUFIDIUS

What is thy name?

AUFIDIUS

What is thy name?

CORIOLANUS

A name unmusical to the Volscians’ ears,
And harsh in sound to thine.

CORIOLANUS

A name unmusical to the Volscians’ ears,
And harsh in sound to thine.

AUFIDIUS

Say, what’s thy name?
60 Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in’t; though thy tackle’s torn.
Thou show’st a noble vessel: what’s thy name?

AUFIDIUS

Say, what’s thy name?
Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in’t; though thy tackle’s torn.
Thou show’st a noble vessel: what’s thy name?

CORIOLANUS

Prepare thy brow to frown: know’st
thou me yet?

CORIOLANUS

Prepare thy brow to frown: know’st
thou me yet?

AUFIDIUS

65 I know thee not: thy name?

AUFIDIUS

I know thee not: thy name?

CORIOLANUS

My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may
My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service,
70 The extreme dangers and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country are requited
But with that surname; a good memory,
And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains;
75 The cruelty and envy of the people,
Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
Have all forsook me, hath devour’d the rest;
And suffer’d me by the voice of slaves to be
Whoop’d out of Rome. Now this extremity
80 Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope-—
Mistake me not—to save my life, for if
I had fear’d death, of all the men i’ the world
I would have ’voided thee, but in mere spite,
To be full quit of those my banishers,
85 Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
Of shame seen through thy country, speed
thee straight,
90 And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it
That my revengeful services may prove
As benefits to thee, for I will fight
Against my canker’d country with the spleen
Of all the under fiends. But if so be
95 Thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes
Thou’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am
Longer to live most weary, and present
My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice;
Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,
100 Since I have ever follow’d thee with hate,
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country’s breast,
And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
It be to do thee service.

CORIOLANUS

My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may
My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service,
The extreme dangers and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country are requited
But with that surname; a good memory,
And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains;
The cruelty and envy of the people,
Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
Have all forsook me, hath devour’d the rest;
And suffer’d me by the voice of slaves to be
Whoop’d out of Rome. Now this extremity
Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope-—
Mistake me not—to save my life, for if
I had fear’d death, of all the men i’ the world
I would have ’voided thee, but in mere spite,
To be full quit of those my banishers,
Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
Of shame seen through thy country, speed
thee straight,
And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it
That my revengeful services may prove
As benefits to thee, for I will fight
Against my canker’d country with the spleen
Of all the under fiends. But if so be
Thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes
Thou’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am
Longer to live most weary, and present
My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice;
Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,
Since I have ever follow’d thee with hate,
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country’s breast,
And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
It be to do thee service.

AUFIDIUS

O Martius, Martius!
105 Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yond cloud speak divine things,
And say ‘’Tis true,’ I’ld not believe them more
Than thee, all noble Martius. Let me twine
110 Mine arms about that body, where against
My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarr’d the moon with splinters: here I clip
The anvil of my sword, and do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
115 As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,
I loved the maid I married; never man
Sigh’d truer breath; but that I see thee here,
Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart
120 Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,
We have a power on foot; and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out
125 Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me;
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat,
And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
130 Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that
Thou art thence banish’d, we would muster all
From twelve to seventy, and pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
Like a bold flood o’er-bear. O, come, go in,
135 And take our friendly senators by the hands;
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
Who am prepared against your territories,
Though not for Rome itself.

AUFIDIUS

O Martius, Martius!
Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yond cloud speak divine things,
And say ‘’Tis true,’ I’ld not believe them more
Than thee, all noble Martius. Let me twine
Mine arms about that body, where against
My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarr’d the moon with splinters: here I clip
The anvil of my sword, and do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,
I loved the maid I married; never man
Sigh’d truer breath; but that I see thee here,
Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart
Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,
We have a power on foot; and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out
Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me;
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat,
And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that
Thou art thence banish’d, we would muster all
From twelve to seventy, and pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
Like a bold flood o’er-bear. O, come, go in,
And take our friendly senators by the hands;
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
Who am prepared against your territories,
Though not for Rome itself.

CORIOLANUS

You bless me, gods!

CORIOLANUS

You bless me, gods!

AUFIDIUS

140 Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
The one half of my commission; and set down—
As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st
Thy country’s strength and weakness,—thine own ways;
145 Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
To fright them, ere destroy. But come in:
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
150 And more a friend than e’er an enemy;
Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!

AUFIDIUS

Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
The one half of my commission; and set down—
As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st
Thy country’s strength and weakness,—thine own ways;
Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
To fright them, ere destroy. But come in:
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
And more a friend than e’er an enemy;
Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!
Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. The two Servingmen come forward
Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. The two Servingmen come forward

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Here’s a strange alteration!

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Here’s a strange alteration!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with
a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a
155 false report of him.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with
a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a
false report of him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

What an arm he has! he turned me about with his
finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

What an arm he has! he turned me about with his
finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in
him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought,—I
160 cannot tell how to term it.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in
him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought,—I
cannot tell how to term it.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

He had so; looking as it were—would I were hanged,
but I thought there was more in him than I could think.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

He had so; looking as it were—would I were hanged,
but I thought there was more in him than I could think.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

So did I, I’ll be sworn: he is simply the rarest
man i’ the world.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

So did I, I’ll be sworn: he is simply the rarest
man i’ the world.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

165I think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

I think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Who, my master?

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Who, my master?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Nay, it’s no matter for that.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Nay, it’s no matter for that.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Worth six on him.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Worth six on him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the
170greater soldier.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the
greater soldier.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that:
for the defence of a town, our general is excellent.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that:
for the defence of a town, our general is excellent.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Ay, and for an assault too.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Ay, and for an assault too.
Re-enter third Servingman
Re-enter third Servingman

THIRD SERVINGMAN

O slaves, I can tell you news,—news, you rascals!

THIRD SERVINGMAN

O slaves, I can tell you news,—news, you rascals!

FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN

175What, what, what? let’s partake.

FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN

What, what, what? let’s partake.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as
lieve be a condemned man.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as
lieve be a condemned man.

FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN

Wherefore? wherefore?

FIRST SERVINGMAN AND SECOND SERVINGMAN

Wherefore? wherefore?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Why, here’s he that was wont to thwack our general,
180Caius Martius.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Why, here’s he that was wont to thwack our general,
Caius Martius.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Why do you say ‘thwack our general’?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Why do you say ‘thwack our general’?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I do not say ‘thwack our general;’ but he was always
good enough for him.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I do not say ‘thwack our general;’ but he was always
good enough for him.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too
185 hard for him; I have heard him say so himself.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too
hard for him; I have heard him say so himself.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth
on’t: before Corioli he scotched him and notched
him like a carbon ado.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth
on’t: before Corioli he scotched him and notched
him like a carbon ado.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

An he had been cannibally given, he might have
190 broiled and eaten him too.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

An he had been cannibally given, he might have
broiled and eaten him too.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

But, more of thy news?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

But, more of thy news?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son
and heir to Mars; set at upper end o’ the table; no
question asked him by any of the senators, but they
195 stand bald before him: our general himself makes a
mistress of him: sanctifies himself with’s hand and
turns up the white o’ the eye to his discourse. But
the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i’
the middle and but one half of what he was
200 yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty
and grant of the whole table. He’ll go, he says,
and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he
will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son
and heir to Mars; set at upper end o’ the table; no
question asked him by any of the senators, but they
stand bald before him: our general himself makes a
mistress of him: sanctifies himself with’s hand and
turns up the white o’ the eye to his discourse. But
the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i’
the middle and but one half of what he was
yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty
and grant of the whole table. He’ll go, he says,
and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he
will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

And he’s as like to do’t as any man I can imagine.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

And he’s as like to do’t as any man I can imagine.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

205 Do’t! he will do’t; for, look you, sir, he has as
many friends as enemies; which friends, sir, as it
were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as
we term it, his friends whilst he’s in directitude.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Do’t! he will do’t; for, look you, sir, he has as
many friends as enemies; which friends, sir, as it
were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as
we term it, his friends whilst he’s in directitude.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Directitude! what’s that?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Directitude! what’s that?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

210 But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again,
and the man in blood, they will out of their
burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with
him.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again,
and the man in blood, they will out of their
burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with
him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

But when goes this forward?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

But when goes this forward?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

215 To-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the
drum struck up this afternoon: ’tis, as it were, a
parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they
wipe their lips.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

To-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the
drum struck up this afternoon: ’tis, as it were, a
parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they
wipe their lips.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Why, then we shall have a stirring world again.
220 This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase
tailors, and breed ballad-makers.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Why, then we shall have a stirring world again.
This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase
tailors, and breed ballad-makers.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as
day does night; it’s spritely, waking, audible, and
full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy;
225 mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more
bastard children than war’s a destroyer of men.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as
day does night; it’s spritely, waking, audible, and
full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy;
mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more
bastard children than war’s a destroyer of men.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

’Tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to
be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a
great maker of cuckolds.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

’Tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to
be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a
great maker of cuckolds.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

230 Ay, and it makes men hate one another.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Ay, and it makes men hate one another.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Reason; because they then less need one another.
The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap
as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Reason; because they then less need one another.
The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap
as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising.

ALL

235 In, in, in, in!

ALL

In, in, in, in!
Exeunt
Exeunt
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