No Fear Shakespeare: Coriolanus: Act 4 Scene 6

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Coriolanus

William Shakespeare

Act 4 Scene 6

Original Text

Modern Text

Original Text

Modern Text

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Original Text	Modern Text
Rome. A public place.	Rome. A public place.
Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS	Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS
SICINIUS We hear not of him, neither need we fear him; His remedies are tame i’ the present peace And quietness of the people, which before Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends 5 Blush that the world goes well, who rather had, Though they themselves did suffer by’t, behold Dissentious numbers pestering streets than see Our tradesmen with in their shops and going About their functions friendly.	SICINIUS We hear not of him, neither need we fear him; His remedies are tame i’ the present peace And quietness of the people, which before Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends Blush that the world goes well, who rather had, Though they themselves did suffer by’t, behold Dissentious numbers pestering streets than see Our tradesmen with in their shops and going About their functions friendly.
BRUTUS 10 We stood to’t in good time.	BRUTUS We stood to’t in good time.
Enter MENENIUS	Enter MENENIUS
Is this Menenius?	Is this Menenius?
SICINIUS ’Tis he, ’tis he: O, he is grown most kind of late.	SICINIUS ’Tis he, ’tis he: O, he is grown most kind of late.
BOTH TRIBUNES Hail sir!	BOTH TRIBUNES Hail sir!
MENENIUS Hail to you both!	MENENIUS Hail to you both!
SICINIUS 15 Your Coriolanus Is not much miss’d, but with his friends: The commonwealth doth stand, and so would do, Were he more angry at it.	SICINIUS Your Coriolanus Is not much miss’d, but with his friends: The commonwealth doth stand, and so would do, Were he more angry at it.
MENENIUS All’s well; and might have been much better, if 20 He could have temporized.	MENENIUS All’s well; and might have been much better, if He could have temporized.
SICINIUS Where is he, hear you?	SICINIUS Where is he, hear you?
MENENIUS Nay, I hear nothing: his mother and his wife Hear nothing from him.	MENENIUS Nay, I hear nothing: his mother and his wife Hear nothing from him.
Enter three or four Citizens	Enter three or four Citizens
CITIZENS The gods preserve you both!	CITIZENS The gods preserve you both!
SICINIUS 25 God-den, our neighbours.	SICINIUS God-den, our neighbours.
BRUTUS God-den to you all, god-den to you all.	BRUTUS God-den to you all, god-den to you all.
FIRST CITIZEN Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees, Are bound to pray for you both.	FIRST CITIZEN Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees, Are bound to pray for you both.
SICINIUS Live, and thrive!	SICINIUS Live, and thrive!
BRUTUS 30 Farewell, kind neighbours: we wish’d Coriolanus Had loved you as we did.	BRUTUS Farewell, kind neighbours: we wish’d Coriolanus Had loved you as we did.
CITIZENS Now the gods keep you!	CITIZENS Now the gods keep you!
BOTH TRIBUNES Farewell, farewell.	BOTH TRIBUNES Farewell, farewell.
Exeunt Citizens	Exeunt Citizens
SICINIUS This is a happier and more comely time 35 Than when these fellows ran about the streets, Crying confusion.	SICINIUS This is a happier and more comely time Than when these fellows ran about the streets, Crying confusion.
BRUTUS Caius Martius was A worthy officer i’ the war; but insolent, O’ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking, 40 Self-loving,—	BRUTUS Caius Martius was A worthy officer i’ the war; but insolent, O’ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking, Self-loving,—
SICINIUS And affecting one sole throne, Without assistance.	SICINIUS And affecting one sole throne, Without assistance.
MENENIUS I think not so.	MENENIUS I think not so.
SICINIUS We should by this, to all our lamentation, 45 If he had gone forth consul, found it so.	SICINIUS We should by this, to all our lamentation, If he had gone forth consul, found it so.
BRUTUS The gods have well prevented it, and Rome Sits safe and still without him.	BRUTUS The gods have well prevented it, and Rome Sits safe and still without him.
Enter an Aedile	Enter an Aedile
AEDILE Worthy tribunes, There is a slave, whom we have put in prison, 50 Reports, the Volsces with two several powers Are enter’d in the Roman territories, And with the deepest malice of the war Destroy what lies before ’em.	AEDILE Worthy tribunes, There is a slave, whom we have put in prison, Reports, the Volsces with two several powers Are enter’d in the Roman territories, And with the deepest malice of the war Destroy what lies before ’em.
MENENIUS ’Tis Aufidius, 55 Who, hearing of our Martius’ banishment, Thrusts forth his horns again into the world; Which were inshell’d when Martius stood for Rome, And durst not once peep out.	MENENIUS ’Tis Aufidius, Who, hearing of our Martius’ banishment, Thrusts forth his horns again into the world; Which were inshell’d when Martius stood for Rome, And durst not once peep out.
SICINIUS Come, what talk you 60 Of Martius?	SICINIUS Come, what talk you Of Martius?
BRUTUS Go see this rumourer whipp’d. It cannot be The Volsces dare break with us.	BRUTUS Go see this rumourer whipp’d. It cannot be The Volsces dare break with us.
MENENIUS Cannot be! We have record that very well it can, 65 And three examples of the like have been Within my age. But reason with the fellow, Before you punish him, where he heard this, Lest you shall chance to whip your information And beat the messenger who bids beware 70 Of what is to be dreaded.	MENENIUS Cannot be! We have record that very well it can, And three examples of the like have been Within my age. But reason with the fellow, Before you punish him, where he heard this, Lest you shall chance to whip your information And beat the messenger who bids beware Of what is to be dreaded.
SICINIUS Tell not me: I know this cannot be.	SICINIUS Tell not me: I know this cannot be.
BRUTUS Not possible.	BRUTUS Not possible.
Enter a Messenger	Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER The nobles in great earnestness are going 75 All to the senate-house: some news is come That turns their countenances.	MESSENGER The nobles in great earnestness are going All to the senate-house: some news is come That turns their countenances.
SICINIUS ’Tis this slave;— Go whip him, ’fore the people’s eyes:—his raising; Nothing but his report.	SICINIUS ’Tis this slave;— Go whip him, ’fore the people’s eyes:—his raising; Nothing but his report.
MESSENGER 80 Yes, worthy sir, The slave’s report is seconded; and more, More fearful, is deliver’d.	MESSENGER Yes, worthy sir, The slave’s report is seconded; and more, More fearful, is deliver’d.
SICINIUS What more fearful?	SICINIUS What more fearful?
MESSENGER It is spoke freely out of many mouths— 85 How probable I do not know—that Martius, Join’d with Aufidius, leads a power ’gainst Rome, And vows revenge as spacious as between The young’st and oldest thing.	MESSENGER It is spoke freely out of many mouths— How probable I do not know—that Martius, Join’d with Aufidius, leads a power ’gainst Rome, And vows revenge as spacious as between The young’st and oldest thing.
SICINIUS This is most likely!	SICINIUS This is most likely!
BRUTUS 90 Raised only, that the weaker sort may wish Good Martius home again.	BRUTUS Raised only, that the weaker sort may wish Good Martius home again.
SICINIUS The very trick on’t.	SICINIUS The very trick on’t.
MENENIUS This is unlikely: He and Aufidius can no more atone 95 Than violentest contrariety.	MENENIUS This is unlikely: He and Aufidius can no more atone Than violentest contrariety.
Enter a second Messenger	Enter a second Messenger
SECOND MESSENGER You are sent for to the senate: A fearful army, led by Caius Martius Associated with Aufidius, rages Upon our territories; and have already 100 O’erborne their way, consumed with fire, and took What lay before them.	SECOND MESSENGER You are sent for to the senate: A fearful army, led by Caius Martius Associated with Aufidius, rages Upon our territories; and have already O’erborne their way, consumed with fire, and took What lay before them.
Enter COMINIUS	Enter COMINIUS
COMINIUS O, you have made good work!	COMINIUS O, you have made good work!
MENENIUS What news? what news?	MENENIUS What news? what news?
COMINIUS You have holp to ravish your own daughters and 105 To melt the city leads upon your pates, To see your wives dishonour’d to your noses,—	COMINIUS You have holp to ravish your own daughters and To melt the city leads upon your pates, To see your wives dishonour’d to your noses,—
MENENIUS What’s the news? what’s the news?	MENENIUS What’s the news? what’s the news?
COMINIUS Your temples burned in their cement, and Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined 110 Into an auger’s bore.	COMINIUS Your temples burned in their cement, and Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined Into an auger’s bore.
MENENIUS Pray now, your news? You have made fair work, I fear me.—Pray, your news?— If Martius should be join’d with Volscians,—	MENENIUS Pray now, your news? You have made fair work, I fear me.—Pray, your news?— If Martius should be join’d with Volscians,—
COMINIUS If! 115 He is their god: he leads them like a thing Made by some other deity than nature, That shapes man better; and they follow him, Against us brats, with no less confidence Than boys pursuing summer butterflies, 120 Or butchers killing flies.	COMINIUS If! He is their god: he leads them like a thing Made by some other deity than nature, That shapes man better; and they follow him, Against us brats, with no less confidence Than boys pursuing summer butterflies, Or butchers killing flies.
MENENIUS You have made good work, You and your apron-men; you that stood so up much on the voice of occupation and The breath of garlic-eaters!	MENENIUS You have made good work, You and your apron-men; you that stood so up much on the voice of occupation and The breath of garlic-eaters!
COMINIUS 125 He will shake Your Rome about your ears.	COMINIUS He will shake Your Rome about your ears.
MENENIUS As Hercules Did shake down mellow fruit. You have made fair work!	MENENIUS As Hercules Did shake down mellow fruit. You have made fair work!
BRUTUS 130 But is this true, sir?	BRUTUS But is this true, sir?
COMINIUS Ay; and you’ll look pale Before you find it other. All the regions Do smilingly revolt; and who resist Are mock’d for valiant ignorance, 135 And perish constant fools. Who is’t can blame him? Your enemies and his find something in him.	COMINIUS Ay; and you’ll look pale Before you find it other. All the regions Do smilingly revolt; and who resist Are mock’d for valiant ignorance, And perish constant fools. Who is’t can blame him? Your enemies and his find something in him.
MENENIUS We are all undone, unless The noble man have mercy.	MENENIUS We are all undone, unless The noble man have mercy.
COMINIUS Who shall ask it? 140 The tribunes cannot do’t for shame; the people Deserve such pity of him as the wolf Does of the shepherds: for his best friends, if they Should say ‘Be good to Rome,’ they charged him even As those should do that had deserved his hate, 145 And therein show’d like enemies.	COMINIUS Who shall ask it? The tribunes cannot do’t for shame; the people Deserve such pity of him as the wolf Does of the shepherds: for his best friends, if they Should say ‘Be good to Rome,’ they charged him even As those should do that had deserved his hate, And therein show’d like enemies.
MENENIUS ’Tis true: If he were putting to my house the brand That should consume it, I have not the face To say ‘Beseech you, cease.’ You have made fair hands, 150 You and your crafts! you have crafted fair!	MENENIUS ’Tis true: If he were putting to my house the brand That should consume it, I have not the face To say ‘Beseech you, cease.’ You have made fair hands, You and your crafts! you have crafted fair!
COMINIUS You have brought A trembling upon Rome, such as was never So incapable of help.	COMINIUS You have brought A trembling upon Rome, such as was never So incapable of help.
BOTH TRIBUNES Say not we brought it.	BOTH TRIBUNES Say not we brought it.
MENENIUS 155 How! Was it we? we loved him but, like beasts And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters, Who did hoot him out o’ the city.	MENENIUS How! Was it we? we loved him but, like beasts And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters, Who did hoot him out o’ the city.
COMINIUS But I fear They’ll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius, 160 The second name of men, obeys his points As if he were his officer: desperation Is all the policy, strength and defence, That Rome can make against them.	COMINIUS But I fear They’ll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius, The second name of men, obeys his points As if he were his officer: desperation Is all the policy, strength and defence, That Rome can make against them.
Enter a troop of Citizens	Enter a troop of Citizens
MENENIUS Here come the clusters. 165 And is Aufidius with him? You are they That made the air unwholesome, when you cast Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at Coriolanus’ exile. Now he’s coming; And not a hair upon a soldier’s head 170 Which will not prove a whip: as many coxcombs As you threw caps up will he tumble down, And pay you for your voices. ’Tis no matter; if he could burn us all into one coal, We have deserved it.	MENENIUS Here come the clusters. And is Aufidius with him? You are they That made the air unwholesome, when you cast Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at Coriolanus’ exile. Now he’s coming; And not a hair upon a soldier’s head Which will not prove a whip: as many coxcombs As you threw caps up will he tumble down, And pay you for your voices. ’Tis no matter; if he could burn us all into one coal, We have deserved it.
CITIZENS 175 Faith, we hear fearful news.	CITIZENS Faith, we hear fearful news.
FIRST CITIZEN For mine own part, When I said, banish him, I said ’twas pity.	FIRST CITIZEN For mine own part, When I said, banish him, I said ’twas pity.
SECOND CITIZEN And so did I.	SECOND CITIZEN And so did I.
THIRD CITIZEN And so did I; and, to say the truth, so did very 180 many of us: that we did, we did for the best; and though we willingly consented to his banishment, yet it was against our will.	THIRD CITIZEN And so did I; and, to say the truth, so did very many of us: that we did, we did for the best; and though we willingly consented to his banishment, yet it was against our will.
COMINIUS Ye are goodly things, you voices!	COMINIUS Ye are goodly things, you voices!
MENENIUS You have made 185 Good work, you and your cry! Shall’s to the Capitol?	MENENIUS You have made Good work, you and your cry! Shall’s to the Capitol?
COMINIUS O, ay, what else?	COMINIUS O, ay, what else?
Exeunt COMINIUS and MENENIUS	Exeunt COMINIUS and MENENIUS
SICINIUS Go, masters, get you home; be not dismay’d: These are a side that would be glad to have This true which they so seem to fear. Go home, 190 And show no sign of fear.	SICINIUS Go, masters, get you home; be not dismay’d: These are a side that would be glad to have This true which they so seem to fear. Go home, And show no sign of fear.
FIRST CITIZEN The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let’s home. I ever said we were i’ the wrong when we banished him.	FIRST CITIZEN The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let’s home. I ever said we were i’ the wrong when we banished him.
SECOND CITIZEN So did we all. But, come, let’s home.	SECOND CITIZEN So did we all. But, come, let’s home.
Exeunt Citizens	Exeunt Citizens
BRUTUS 195 I do not like this news.	BRUTUS I do not like this news.
SICINIUS Nor I.	SICINIUS Nor I.
BRUTUS Let’s to the Capitol. Would half my wealth Would buy this for a lie!	BRUTUS Let’s to the Capitol. Would half my wealth Would buy this for a lie!
SICINIUS Pray, let us go.	SICINIUS Pray, let us go.
Exeunt	Exeunt