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Original Text | Modern Text |
| The tent of Coriolanus. | rnsiCuoalos tnte. |
| Enter CORIOLANUS , AUFIDIUS , and others | NLIRAOOUCS , UIFDIUSA nad neerhtsoter. |
| CORIOLANUS We will before the walls of Rome tomorrow Set down our host. My partner in this action, You must report to the Volscian lords, how plainly I have borne this business. | CLONROUSAI owomrTro well dela ruo amyr to hte alwls of Rmeo. As my etrnpar in tshi akctat, yuo tums trepor to the cosVanil lsdro on owh wadirsfhtgyrtroal vIe ceairrd thsi tou. |
| AUFIDIUS 5 Only their ends You have respected; stoppd your ears against The general suit of Rome; never admitted A private whisper, no, not with such friends That thought them sure of you. | USUIIAFD ouY vahe tpdceeser rhiet msai yentreli dna cbledok ryou srae natsiga teh narleeg laep of oemR. evYuo renve dah neve a tiearvp hwpries hwti your old nfdesir ohw ugthtoh yhet githm dreepasu oyu. |
| CORIOLANUS 10 This last old man, Whom with a crackd heart I have sent to Rome, Loved me above the measure of a father; Nay, godded me, indeed. Their latest refuge Was to send him; for whose old love I have, 15 Though I showd sourly to him, once more offerd The first conditions, which they did refuse And cannot now accept; to grace him only That thought he could do more, a very little I have yielded to: fresh embassies and suits, 20 Nor from the state nor private friends, hereafter Will I lend ear to. Ha! what shout is this? | CLORIOAUNS iThs slta odl man, owhm htiw a krebno rheat Ive nste bkac to Rome, eovld me tbrtee nhta a trfeha. deIned, he ateterd me liek a dgo. irehT tsal esrrot aws to esdn ihm. gouhTh I udrnet imh yawa, uot of lvoe rof him I nagai efdrfeo teh mesa srmet hyet dha uspioryvle fdresue nda own otnnac cactpe. hatT is lal I veah yddeile to he hwo tothhug that he ludco do emor. Ill no onelrg tniles to yan erom apesl, made hreeit by the astte or by my pertiva fesdrni. Ha! tahW suoht is hsit? |
| Shout within | A tosuh esmco mrfo oaefstgf |
| Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow In the same time tis made? I will not. | hlaSl I be tdeetmp to akrbe my vwo in teh aems tmoemn atth I amde it? I illw nto. |
| Enter in mourning habits, VIRGILIA , VOLUMNIA , leading young MARTIUS , VALERIA , and Attendants | IVIRIAGL , UMVONILA , iaelgnd nuogy STAMRUI , IARAELV , nad snataenttd, etenr, in imrgnnou shoclte. |
| My wife comes foremost; then the honourd mould 25 Wherein this trunk was framed, and in her hand The grandchild to her blood. But, out, affection! All bond and privilege of nature, break! Let it be virtuous to be obstinate. What is that curtsy worth? or those doves eyes, 30 Which can make gods forsworn? I melt, and am not Of stronger earth than others. My mother bows; As if Olympus to a molehill should In supplication nod: and my young boy Hath an aspect of intercession, which 35 Great nature cries Deny not. let the Volsces Plough Rome and harrow Italy: Ill never Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand, As if a man were author of himself And knew no other kin. | rHee soecm my weif. nThe my mhoret, het neoaohrlb dlom ofmr chhwi I was sact. nAd in ehr nadh, hte incgdadhrl of her dolob. But tfofniace be enog! dAn erbak lal lartnau siet nad itsgblanooi! Lte it be utvirosu to be uavnbloem.haWt is atht ytsrcu wotrh? Or thoes ode esey, chwhi cna mkae the sodg bekar ierht owvs? I etlm, dna Im no rgsreont hant onaney lsee. For my tomhre to owb to me is as if Mt. sOylump uoldw aedlp eobref a eoilhmll. nAd my guony yob ash an golpniirm oolk, cihhw by enratu I otnd twan to neyd. But tle the sVlsceo yotsder eoRm nda lay geesi on IlayIltl nvree be so waek as to oyeb tnicistn. Indtsea I llwi tsnda frmi, as if a mna ewre his wno eratorc and dah no ylaifm. |
| VIRGILIA 40 My lord and husband! | RLAIIGIV My rldo and dasbunh! |
| CORIOLANUS These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome. | CUROLISNAO nytriEhveg kloso nfetdierf to me ensic I flte Reom. |
| VIRGILIA The sorrow that delivers us thus changed Makes you think so. | IRVIGILA If we look eifftrden to ouy, its ceubesa uor rffnegisu ahs dehancg us. |
| CORIOLANUS Like a dull actor now, 45 I have forgot my part, and I am out, Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh, Forgive my tyranny; but do not say For that Forgive our Romans. O, a kiss Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge! 50 Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss I carried from thee, dear; and my true lip Hath virgind it eer since. You gods! I prate, And the most noble mother of the world Leave unsaluted: sink, my knee, i the earth; | RAOINSOLCU ekiL a bad actro, I veah onttfrego my enlsi. To my lcmetope cadgseir, I tnod nokw hawt to yas. My rdea ilfamy, feorvig my lytcuer ubt dont sak me to rveioFg uro mosaRn. (riVgalii sskeis him) Oh, a ksis as olng as my xleie, dna as twees as my eenegvr! By hte sueojla queen of evhaen, I issk nyol oyu, my rade; my pisl veah awlsay eenb afiufthl. You gsod! Figoevr me for ton agtuinsl het somt lneob ethorm of hte rlowd. ikSn, my eekn, to teh hetar. |
| Kneels | He nslkee |
| 55 Of thy deep duty more impression show Than that of common sons. | I stmu nettmeordsa a oerm rdunopof insg of my dyut tanh ttah of nmomco snos. |
| VOLUMNIA O, stand up blest! Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint, I kneel before thee; and unproperly 60 Show duty, as mistaken all this while Between the child and parent. | UNOLAIMV Oh, tsnad up, sbdelse eno! dnA lte me, whit no ofrets osihunc htna teh enots rlfoo, nkele freebo oyu. hThuog ist rpotapeanripi rfo me to yap epsecrt to toyiu is hte dilhc hatt souldh bwo to the ntearp. |
| Kneels | hSe lseken. |
| CORIOLANUS What is this? Your knees to me? to your corrected son? Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach 65 Fillip the stars; then let the mutinous winds Strike the proud cedars gainst the fiery sun; Murdering impossibility, to make What cannot be, slight work. | OOSULCAINR shaWt sthi? Yeuor negknile refebo me, uroy sstdahiec nso? heTn tle teh selbebp on het beach resi up teh satsr dna tel the sinuomut snwid bwlo the rodpu cdreas tion the yefri nus. oImebssilp sigthn aer now ilesya spobiels. (He lesph hre up.) |
| VOLUMNIA Thou art my warrior; 70 I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady? | VAOLUIMN rYoeu my roriwar; I ephlde eakm uyo awht oyu rea. Do oyu onzeigrec sith onmwa? |
| CORIOLANUS The noble sister of Publicola, The moon of Rome, chaste as the icicle Thats curdied by the frost from purest snow And hangs on Dians temple: dear Valeria! | OUROSCLAIN heT benol rtises of eth sclnuo Puabclilo, het oomn of oRem, erup as eth ccliei thta osmfr fmro hte oftrs of reutsp wons nad hnsga on asnaDi pmeelt: reda lVraeia! |
| VOLUMNIA 75 This is a poor epitome of yours, Which by the interpretation of full time May show like all yourself. | NLVOAMIU (ighosnw gyoun uMrtisa) reeH is yoru nirimaute rplicea, hwo in time mya orgw to be extaycl eilk you. |
| CORIOLANUS The god of soldiers, With the consent of supreme Jove, inform 80 Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou mayst prove To shame unvulnerable, and stick i the wars Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw, And saving those that eye thee! | SNUOCROLIA yaM hte ogd of oisledsr, twhi eth onctsen of superem oeJv, emak oruy htgtuohs be oblen. Adn may uyo be ribvellneuan to mseah, dtnsa rmif in eht awsr leik a atreg naobce rof rialsso, inreundg eyerv duends aslbt of idwn nad lhpenig tehso atth kloo to uoy rof dcnaiegu! |
| VOLUMNIA Your knee, sirrah. | VIAULNMO On oruy eken, rsi. (uygno rsiatuM sleekn) |
| CORIOLANUS 85 Thats my brave boy! | UAONISLROC Thast my erabv oyb! |
| VOLUMNIA Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, Are suitors to you. | LUNIMOAV Eenv he, uyro fwei, isht ydla, and pdseylalefm roefeb yuo. |
| CORIOLANUS I beseech you, peace: Or, if yould ask, remember this before: 90 The thing I have forsworn to grant may never Be held by you denials. Do not bid me Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate Again with Romes mechanics: tell me not Wherein I seem unnatural: desire not 95 To ally my rages and revenges with Your colder reasons. | ICNOAOSULR esealP, tsop. Or, if ouy umts ksa, mrreemeb tish trsfi: tonD hntki taht I enyd uyo rylloeaspn, but I ctonna gratn ryuo elpas asuebce I evha snrwo not to. Dnto ask me to sdsismi my seosrild or to iylde to het cmmnoo elpepo of meoR. tDon tlel me teh ywsa in hhwic I mese ulnruanta. onDt try to itmeigat my grea dna ende for ganeeecnv tihw uory lercdo eansosr. |
| VOLUMNIA O, no more, no more! You have said you will not grant us any thing; For we have nothing else to ask, but that 100 Which you deny already: yet we will ask; That, if you fail in our request, the blame May hang upon your hardne therefore hear us. | AMNVUIOL Oh, no reom, no emor! Yvueo sida yuo twon atngr us ahgninyt. We eavh nighotn slee to ksa ohert atnh waht eyvou yedlaar edfsrue. But well kas tath if you ifla to atngr rou resquet, lameb llwi be idal on oruy bbtsnsrenuso. heeroferT nlsite to us. |
| CORIOLANUS Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark; for well Hear nought from Rome in private. Your request? | OCONSAIULR diisAufu, adn oyu olcsVse, moce reeh. We notw etlins to tniayngh fmor Rome in veptiar. ahtW is ouyr seeqrut? |
| VOLUMNIA 105 Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment And state of bodies would bewray what life We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself How more unfortunate than all living women Are we come hither: since that thy sight, 110 which should Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts, Constrains them weep and shake with fear and sorrow; Making the mother, wife and child to see 115 The son, the husband and the father tearing His countrys bowels out. And to poor we Thine enmitys most capital: thou barrst us Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort That all but we enjoy; for how can we, 120 Alas, how can we for our country pray. Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory, Whereto we are bound? alack, or we must lose The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person, Our comfort in the country. We must find 125 An evident calamity, though we had Our wish, which side should win: for either thou Must, as a foreign recreant, be led With manacles thorough our streets, or else triumphantly tread on thy countrys ruin, 130 And bear the palm for having bravely shed Thy wife and childrens blood. For myself, son, I purpose not to wait on fortune till These wars determine: if I cannot persuade thee Rather to show a noble grace to both parts 135 Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner March to assault thy country than to tread Trust tot, thou shalt noton thy mothers womb, That brought thee to this world. | LANMOUIV vneE if we ewre tlnies nad tidnd aekps, uor lchngoti adn eht itinocdon of uor oedisb dwuol byaetr hte veils wvee del nseci royu liexe. knhTi how we eetrh ear erows off tanh lal lgivni womne, ubsceae egensi yuao gisht ttah husdlo emka rou esye fowl htwi seatr of joy adn uor rsheta ndeca itwh tireenrnifloscas uor yese mfro piegenw dan seahsk uor ashter wtih eafr nda orswor to aekm eth omreth, fewi, dna lchid ees hte sno, het ubsndah, nda eht fhaert gitnrea his suoytcnr lboews tou. uYro hrdaet lilw klli us oopr peepol. oYu deyn uor pesrrya to eht dsgo, hhicw is the ylon ofcrtmo we avhe, adn if we ntac aypdnar yrap fro uro tyucrorenwhe lliw we go if uoy euscedc, eewrh lwli we go? saAl, eiehrt we stum osel the ytcnoru, ruo adre remoht, or eles we utms oels uyo, our cmoroft in the cuyotrn. We will albveyiitn cafe ytradge, but we do aehv a whis for eno eisd to inw. hEietr uyo mtus, as a roitrta, be led wiht nsfadhfcu htuhoogr our sterets, or lsee urthaynpimlt hmacr on royu rudeni cyturno nad rwea the amdel for ighvna vaebryl hesd oyur wfei and ercshnild oolbd. orF yeslmf, nso, I otdn iedtnn to eyrl on uofetnr tunil teseh wasr den. If I atnc ardeepus oyu to cerha a leobn mopicmrseo ihwt otbh esdsi hretar thna eske lttoa usteciordtn, ewhn you rcmha to lutssaa yuro oycnutr oyllu be aganitedrnd iebeelv me aotbu nsioht oury shroetm mwbo, cwhhi hrbogtu you onti htsi dlwro. |
| VIRGILIA Ay, and mine, 140 That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name Living to time. | VIILAGRI seY, dan imne ahtt vaeg yuo siht ybo, to ekep your name aevil. |
| YOUNG MARTIUS A shall not tread on me; Ill run away till I am bigger, but then Ill fight. | NYGUO RTAUMIS ouY wnot aredt on me. lIl nur ayaw ltinu Im irbgeg, utb tehn lIl gtihf. |
| CORIOLANUS Not of a womans tenderness to be, 145 Requires nor child nor womans face to see. I have sat too long. | OSIOCNRULA Ill bmeeco deenrt leik a nmwao if I loko at yoru feasc. vIe sta too logn. |
| Rising | He sries. |
| VOLUMNIA Nay, go not from us thus. If it were so that our request did tend To save the Romans, thereby to destroy 150 The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn us, As poisonous of your honour: no; our suit Is that you reconcile them: while the Volsces May say This mercy we have showd; the Romans, This we received; and each in either side 155 Give the all-hail to thee and cry Be blest For making up this peace! Thou knowst, great son, The end of wars uncertain, but this certain, That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name, 160 Whose repetition will be doggd with curses; Whose chronicle thus writ: The man was noble, But with his last attempt he wiped it out; Destroyd his country, and his name remains To the ensuing age abhorrd. Speak to me, son: 165 Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour, To imitate the graces of the gods; To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o the air, And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak? 170 Thinkst thou it honourable for a noble man Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speak you: He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, boy: Perhaps thy childishness will move him more Than can our reasons. Theres no man in the world 175 More bound to s mother; yet here he lets me prate Like one i the stocks. Thou hast never in thy life Showd thy dear mother any courtesy, When she, poor hen, fond of no second brood, Has cluckd thee to the wars and safely home, 180 Loaden with honour. Say my requests unjust, And spurn me back: but if it be not so, Thou art not honest; and the gods will plague thee, That thou restrainst from me the duty which To a mothers part belongs. He turns away: 185 Down, ladies; let us shame him with our knees. To his surname Coriolanus longs more pride Than pity to our prayers. Down: an end; This is the last: so we will home to Rome, And die among our neighbours. Nay, behold s: 190 This boy, that cannot tell what he would have But kneels and holds up bands for fellowship, Does reason our petition with more strength Than thou hast to deny t. Come, let us go: This fellow had a Volscian to his mother; 195 His wife is in Corioli and his child Like him by chance. Yet give us our dispatch: I am hushd until our city be a-fire, And then Ill speak a little. | MVONLIAU No, dnot eaevl us own. If it ewre eth esca thta rou setuqer asw to vesa teh somnRa adn eehrbyt odtryes teh loecVss, mohw uoy vsree, oyu tmgih cdnmnoe us rfo nnpgiisoo royu nohor. utB no, rou paapel is fro yuo to cnocerlie twhi hemt so htat hte csloseV yam ysa, We hvea shnwo ycmre, adn eth nRomas aym sya, We cedeveir meycr, nad ohbt seids lwil usalte uyo nad cry, yaM uoy be esbdsel ofr aknmig tish cpeea! Yuo okwn, gerta osn, ttha teh euctmoo of raw is tnnacueir. uBt sti reaitcn ttha if oyu cuernoq eoRm, teh eifbetn uyllo epra in so doign is a mnea owshe rnoteiepit lwli be daeplug thwi euscsr. oluYl be bdmemeerer ihwt htees sdrwo: hTe anm asw blone, utb ihtw shi stla aakctt he veag up hsi iiybontl, eddoterys shi rnytouc, nda sih mena isnemra verofre htade. ekSpa to me, nso. uYove sapierd to ratge ornho, to ehbvea keil a gdo, to rtea rptaa eht kys twih rtedhnu adn yte htowr ryuo gngiitlhn lotb so thta it lwudo lnyo lpsti an oak. yhW tnod yuo ekaps? Do oyu tknih ist aolbonrhe rof a onelb amn to slaywa rmeberem hwo he ash bene wngedor? atDrhgeu, ekepsah dtoens klie uory ipeegnw. akpSe, opayephrbs uryo dlhcinshiess iwll evmo mih eorm tnha uro rnasseo anc. eesThr no nam in eth odwrl rmoe iedt to shi rmtoeh, dan yet rhee he tlse me lrpttae on elik a nommco lnriacim. rveNe in uory ilef evha oyu onde ruoy edar rmehto nya ofrvas, hewil hes, poro oawnm, hwo dtndi wnat to veah henotar cidlh, ash dcera ofr you wihle you erwe at rwa nda eflasy ohem, eedpah with ohrosn. If you hktin my tuqseer is ifnaru, htne utnr me ndow. But if its tno, nteh royue a rali adn het sodg llwi uhsinp you rfo lfngiia to igve me wtah you eow me as a nso. He tunrs aywa. wnoD, elasdi. etsL hmesa mhi by ttnigge on ruo keesn. His snrumae, oausrlnCoi, has more derpi tnah pyti fro uro prseary. owDn! shiT is the end. (heT noewm nad yongu Mtasiru enkle) elWl go emho to Rmoe dna die ongam oru hsoreinbg. Wati, olko. hsiT byo, who notdes ownk aswht nigog to ahnpep to mih but lkseen and ldohs up shi anshd for eofwsllpih, sndel more hrstgent to rou oipeittn hnta you eavh gnrehtts to yedn. mCoe, ltes go. hsiT owlfle has a Viacsoln tmeohr, sih ewfi is in riesoCol, and his hidlc osklo ustj like him by cneahc. edSn us yaaw. llI be neltis unlti ruo ytic is on feri, and thne lIl speak a leitlt. |
| He holds her by the hand, silent | ouoCrinsla shdlo hre by hte nhda, enlist. |
| CORIOLANUS O mother, mother! 200 What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope, The gods look down, and this unnatural scene They laugh at. O my mother, mother! O! You have won a happy victory to Rome; But, for your son,believe it, O, believe it, 205 Most dangerously you have with him prevaild, If not most mortal to him. But, let it come. Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars, Ill frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius, Were you in my stead, would you have heard 210 A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius? | SRIOLOCANU (yrigcn) Oh, ohrmet, mehrto! Wtha eavh uoy eond? Lkoo, eht senveha rae oennigp, het gosd ear nogilko onwd adn nghiulga at tihs lrunntaua necse. Oh, my meohrt, tremoh! Oh! You veha now a apphy icrvoyt rfo oRme. tBu for uoyr eloneiebvs it, oh, leeebvi cbtiaseue ouy avhe cinncdeov hmi, esh now in motarl daenrg. tBu let it omec. uAdisfui, htouhg I nonatc hfgti isth raw for ouy, llI kmea erargna a plaeufce eelmsetttn, afir to btho sdies. Nwo, godo fiidsuuA, if uyo reew in my ecpla, dnolutw you hvea eidsletn to ruoy theorm nda onde as I did, isuAfudi? |
| AUFIDIUS I was moved withal. | ASIUUDFI I wsa vodme by thwa ehs dsia. |
| CORIOLANUS I dare be sworn you were: And, sir, it is no little thing to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, 215 What peace youll make, advise me: for my part, Ill not to Rome, Ill back with you; and pray you, Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife! | NRIAUCOLOS I onwk yuo eewr! dAn, rsi, it is no almls meveitnhaec to amek me ycr sreat of sopnmsocia. uBt, gdoo irs, eltl me htat oluyl aekm capee. rFo my tarp, I owtn go to leImRol go kbac thwi uoy. Adn epelsa, tpupsro me in tish otffre. Oh, torehm! fiWe! |
| AUFIDIUS [Aside] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour 220 At difference in thee: out of that Ill work Myself a former fortune. | FIDAIUSU (sidea) Im ladg ouyev idesgsuntdihi wtbeeen yuro cymre nad oyur ornho. Ill be aelb to idreulb my roferm forntue beesuca of hatt siindtincto. |
| The Ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS. | The elaids kaem isgsn to lnCiasuroo. |
| CORIOLANUS Ay, by and by; | CIOARLSNOU Yes, so it illw go. |
| To VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, c | (To liouaVnm nda liViigar.) |
| But we will drink together; and you shall bear A better witness back than words, which we, 225 On like conditions, will have counter-seald. Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve To have a temple built you: all the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, Could not have made this peace. | utB lwel indkr ttoeergh, nda lyuol gbinr bcka a dneigs aeepc teyrat, nto just rou ordw. omCe with us. eisadL, yuo eserdve to veah a mtelep tibul for yuo. lAl eht owsrds of tyIla and rhe ailesl ucnotdl ahev mead shit peeca. |
| Exeunt | llA ietx. |
Original Text | Modern Text |
| The tent of Coriolanus. | rnsiCuoalos tnte. |
| Enter CORIOLANUS , AUFIDIUS , and others | NLIRAOOUCS , UIFDIUSA nad neerhtsoter. |
| CORIOLANUS We will before the walls of Rome tomorrow Set down our host. My partner in this action, You must report to the Volscian lords, how plainly I have borne this business. | CLONROUSAI owomrTro well dela ruo amyr to hte alwls of Rmeo. As my etrnpar in tshi akctat, yuo tums trepor to the cosVanil lsdro on owh wadirsfhtgyrtroal vIe ceairrd thsi tou. |
| AUFIDIUS 5 Only their ends You have respected; stoppd your ears against The general suit of Rome; never admitted A private whisper, no, not with such friends That thought them sure of you. | USUIIAFD ouY vahe tpdceeser rhiet msai yentreli dna cbledok ryou srae natsiga teh narleeg laep of oemR. evYuo renve dah neve a tiearvp hwpries hwti your old nfdesir ohw ugthtoh yhet githm dreepasu oyu. |
| CORIOLANUS 10 This last old man, Whom with a crackd heart I have sent to Rome, Loved me above the measure of a father; Nay, godded me, indeed. Their latest refuge Was to send him; for whose old love I have, 15 Though I showd sourly to him, once more offerd The first conditions, which they did refuse And cannot now accept; to grace him only That thought he could do more, a very little I have yielded to: fresh embassies and suits, 20 Nor from the state nor private friends, hereafter Will I lend ear to. Ha! what shout is this? | CLORIOAUNS iThs slta odl man, owhm htiw a krebno rheat Ive nste bkac to Rome, eovld me tbrtee nhta a trfeha. deIned, he ateterd me liek a dgo. irehT tsal esrrot aws to esdn ihm. gouhTh I udrnet imh yawa, uot of lvoe rof him I nagai efdrfeo teh mesa srmet hyet dha uspioryvle fdresue nda own otnnac cactpe. hatT is lal I veah yddeile to he hwo tothhug that he ludco do emor. Ill no onelrg tniles to yan erom apesl, made hreeit by the astte or by my pertiva fesdrni. Ha! tahW suoht is hsit? |
| Shout within | A tosuh esmco mrfo oaefstgf |
| Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow In the same time tis made? I will not. | hlaSl I be tdeetmp to akrbe my vwo in teh aems tmoemn atth I amde it? I illw nto. |
| Enter in mourning habits, VIRGILIA , VOLUMNIA , leading young MARTIUS , VALERIA , and Attendants | IVIRIAGL , UMVONILA , iaelgnd nuogy STAMRUI , IARAELV , nad snataenttd, etenr, in imrgnnou shoclte. |
| My wife comes foremost; then the honourd mould 25 Wherein this trunk was framed, and in her hand The grandchild to her blood. But, out, affection! All bond and privilege of nature, break! Let it be virtuous to be obstinate. What is that curtsy worth? or those doves eyes, 30 Which can make gods forsworn? I melt, and am not Of stronger earth than others. My mother bows; As if Olympus to a molehill should In supplication nod: and my young boy Hath an aspect of intercession, which 35 Great nature cries Deny not. let the Volsces Plough Rome and harrow Italy: Ill never Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand, As if a man were author of himself And knew no other kin. | rHee soecm my weif. nThe my mhoret, het neoaohrlb dlom ofmr chhwi I was sact. nAd in ehr nadh, hte incgdadhrl of her dolob. But tfofniace be enog! dAn erbak lal lartnau siet nad itsgblanooi! Lte it be utvirosu to be uavnbloem.haWt is atht ytsrcu wotrh? Or thoes ode esey, chwhi cna mkae the sodg bekar ierht owvs? I etlm, dna Im no rgsreont hant onaney lsee. For my tomhre to owb to me is as if Mt. sOylump uoldw aedlp eobref a eoilhmll. nAd my guony yob ash an golpniirm oolk, cihhw by enratu I otnd twan to neyd. But tle the sVlsceo yotsder eoRm nda lay geesi on IlayIltl nvree be so waek as to oyeb tnicistn. Indtsea I llwi tsnda frmi, as if a mna ewre his wno eratorc and dah no ylaifm. |
| VIRGILIA 40 My lord and husband! | RLAIIGIV My rldo and dasbunh! |
| CORIOLANUS These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome. | CUROLISNAO nytriEhveg kloso nfetdierf to me ensic I flte Reom. |
| VIRGILIA The sorrow that delivers us thus changed Makes you think so. | IRVIGILA If we look eifftrden to ouy, its ceubesa uor rffnegisu ahs dehancg us. |
| CORIOLANUS Like a dull actor now, 45 I have forgot my part, and I am out, Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh, Forgive my tyranny; but do not say For that Forgive our Romans. O, a kiss Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge! 50 Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss I carried from thee, dear; and my true lip Hath virgind it eer since. You gods! I prate, And the most noble mother of the world Leave unsaluted: sink, my knee, i the earth; | RAOINSOLCU ekiL a bad actro, I veah onttfrego my enlsi. To my lcmetope cadgseir, I tnod nokw hawt to yas. My rdea ilfamy, feorvig my lytcuer ubt dont sak me to rveioFg uro mosaRn. (riVgalii sskeis him) Oh, a ksis as olng as my xleie, dna as twees as my eenegvr! By hte sueojla queen of evhaen, I issk nyol oyu, my rade; my pisl veah awlsay eenb afiufthl. You gsod! Figoevr me for ton agtuinsl het somt lneob ethorm of hte rlowd. ikSn, my eekn, to teh hetar. |
| Kneels | He nslkee |
| 55 Of thy deep duty more impression show Than that of common sons. | I stmu nettmeordsa a oerm rdunopof insg of my dyut tanh ttah of nmomco snos. |
| VOLUMNIA O, stand up blest! Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint, I kneel before thee; and unproperly 60 Show duty, as mistaken all this while Between the child and parent. | UNOLAIMV Oh, tsnad up, sbdelse eno! dnA lte me, whit no ofrets osihunc htna teh enots rlfoo, nkele freebo oyu. hThuog ist rpotapeanripi rfo me to yap epsecrt to toyiu is hte dilhc hatt souldh bwo to the ntearp. |
| Kneels | hSe lseken. |
| CORIOLANUS What is this? Your knees to me? to your corrected son? Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach 65 Fillip the stars; then let the mutinous winds Strike the proud cedars gainst the fiery sun; Murdering impossibility, to make What cannot be, slight work. | OOSULCAINR shaWt sthi? Yeuor negknile refebo me, uroy sstdahiec nso? heTn tle teh selbebp on het beach resi up teh satsr dna tel the sinuomut snwid bwlo the rodpu cdreas tion the yefri nus. oImebssilp sigthn aer now ilesya spobiels. (He lesph hre up.) |
| VOLUMNIA Thou art my warrior; 70 I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady? | VAOLUIMN rYoeu my roriwar; I ephlde eakm uyo awht oyu rea. Do oyu onzeigrec sith onmwa? |
| CORIOLANUS The noble sister of Publicola, The moon of Rome, chaste as the icicle Thats curdied by the frost from purest snow And hangs on Dians temple: dear Valeria! | OUROSCLAIN heT benol rtises of eth sclnuo Puabclilo, het oomn of oRem, erup as eth ccliei thta osmfr fmro hte oftrs of reutsp wons nad hnsga on asnaDi pmeelt: reda lVraeia! |
| VOLUMNIA 75 This is a poor epitome of yours, Which by the interpretation of full time May show like all yourself. | NLVOAMIU (ighosnw gyoun uMrtisa) reeH is yoru nirimaute rplicea, hwo in time mya orgw to be extaycl eilk you. |
| CORIOLANUS The god of soldiers, With the consent of supreme Jove, inform 80 Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou mayst prove To shame unvulnerable, and stick i the wars Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw, And saving those that eye thee! | SNUOCROLIA yaM hte ogd of oisledsr, twhi eth onctsen of superem oeJv, emak oruy htgtuohs be oblen. Adn may uyo be ribvellneuan to mseah, dtnsa rmif in eht awsr leik a atreg naobce rof rialsso, inreundg eyerv duends aslbt of idwn nad lhpenig tehso atth kloo to uoy rof dcnaiegu! |
| VOLUMNIA Your knee, sirrah. | VIAULNMO On oruy eken, rsi. (uygno rsiatuM sleekn) |
| CORIOLANUS 85 Thats my brave boy! | UAONISLROC Thast my erabv oyb! |
| VOLUMNIA Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, Are suitors to you. | LUNIMOAV Eenv he, uyro fwei, isht ydla, and pdseylalefm roefeb yuo. |
| CORIOLANUS I beseech you, peace: Or, if yould ask, remember this before: 90 The thing I have forsworn to grant may never Be held by you denials. Do not bid me Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate Again with Romes mechanics: tell me not Wherein I seem unnatural: desire not 95 To ally my rages and revenges with Your colder reasons. | ICNOAOSULR esealP, tsop. Or, if ouy umts ksa, mrreemeb tish trsfi: tonD hntki taht I enyd uyo rylloeaspn, but I ctonna gratn ryuo elpas asuebce I evha snrwo not to. Dnto ask me to sdsismi my seosrild or to iylde to het cmmnoo elpepo of meoR. tDon tlel me teh ywsa in hhwic I mese ulnruanta. onDt try to itmeigat my grea dna ende for ganeeecnv tihw uory lercdo eansosr. |
| VOLUMNIA O, no more, no more! You have said you will not grant us any thing; For we have nothing else to ask, but that 100 Which you deny already: yet we will ask; That, if you fail in our request, the blame May hang upon your hardne therefore hear us. | AMNVUIOL Oh, no reom, no emor! Yvueo sida yuo twon atngr us ahgninyt. We eavh nighotn slee to ksa ohert atnh waht eyvou yedlaar edfsrue. But well kas tath if you ifla to atngr rou resquet, lameb llwi be idal on oruy bbtsnsrenuso. heeroferT nlsite to us. |
| CORIOLANUS Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark; for well Hear nought from Rome in private. Your request? | OCONSAIULR diisAufu, adn oyu olcsVse, moce reeh. We notw etlins to tniayngh fmor Rome in veptiar. ahtW is ouyr seeqrut? |
| VOLUMNIA 105 Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment And state of bodies would bewray what life We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself How more unfortunate than all living women Are we come hither: since that thy sight, 110 which should Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts, Constrains them weep and shake with fear and sorrow; Making the mother, wife and child to see 115 The son, the husband and the father tearing His countrys bowels out. And to poor we Thine enmitys most capital: thou barrst us Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort That all but we enjoy; for how can we, 120 Alas, how can we for our country pray. Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory, Whereto we are bound? alack, or we must lose The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person, Our comfort in the country. We must find 125 An evident calamity, though we had Our wish, which side should win: for either thou Must, as a foreign recreant, be led With manacles thorough our streets, or else triumphantly tread on thy countrys ruin, 130 And bear the palm for having bravely shed Thy wife and childrens blood. For myself, son, I purpose not to wait on fortune till These wars determine: if I cannot persuade thee Rather to show a noble grace to both parts 135 Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner March to assault thy country than to tread Trust tot, thou shalt noton thy mothers womb, That brought thee to this world. | LANMOUIV vneE if we ewre tlnies nad tidnd aekps, uor lchngoti adn eht itinocdon of uor oedisb dwuol byaetr hte veils wvee del nseci royu liexe. knhTi how we eetrh ear erows off tanh lal lgivni womne, ubsceae egensi yuao gisht ttah husdlo emka rou esye fowl htwi seatr of joy adn uor rsheta ndeca itwh tireenrnifloscas uor yese mfro piegenw dan seahsk uor ashter wtih eafr nda orswor to aekm eth omreth, fewi, dna lchid ees hte sno, het ubsndah, nda eht fhaert gitnrea his suoytcnr lboews tou. uYro hrdaet lilw klli us oopr peepol. oYu deyn uor pesrrya to eht dsgo, hhicw is the ylon ofcrtmo we avhe, adn if we ntac aypdnar yrap fro uro tyucrorenwhe lliw we go if uoy euscedc, eewrh lwli we go? saAl, eiehrt we stum osel the ytcnoru, ruo adre remoht, or eles we utms oels uyo, our cmoroft in the cuyotrn. We will albveyiitn cafe ytradge, but we do aehv a whis for eno eisd to inw. hEietr uyo mtus, as a roitrta, be led wiht nsfadhfcu htuhoogr our sterets, or lsee urthaynpimlt hmacr on royu rudeni cyturno nad rwea the amdel for ighvna vaebryl hesd oyur wfei and ercshnild oolbd. orF yeslmf, nso, I otdn iedtnn to eyrl on uofetnr tunil teseh wasr den. If I atnc ardeepus oyu to cerha a leobn mopicmrseo ihwt otbh esdsi hretar thna eske lttoa usteciordtn, ewhn you rcmha to lutssaa yuro oycnutr oyllu be aganitedrnd iebeelv me aotbu nsioht oury shroetm mwbo, cwhhi hrbogtu you onti htsi dlwro. |
| VIRGILIA Ay, and mine, 140 That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name Living to time. | VIILAGRI seY, dan imne ahtt vaeg yuo siht ybo, to ekep your name aevil. |
| YOUNG MARTIUS A shall not tread on me; Ill run away till I am bigger, but then Ill fight. | NYGUO RTAUMIS ouY wnot aredt on me. lIl nur ayaw ltinu Im irbgeg, utb tehn lIl gtihf. |
| CORIOLANUS Not of a womans tenderness to be, 145 Requires nor child nor womans face to see. I have sat too long. | OSIOCNRULA Ill bmeeco deenrt leik a nmwao if I loko at yoru feasc. vIe sta too logn. |
| Rising | He sries. |
| VOLUMNIA Nay, go not from us thus. If it were so that our request did tend To save the Romans, thereby to destroy 150 The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn us, As poisonous of your honour: no; our suit Is that you reconcile them: while the Volsces May say This mercy we have showd; the Romans, This we received; and each in either side 155 Give the all-hail to thee and cry Be blest For making up this peace! Thou knowst, great son, The end of wars uncertain, but this certain, That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name, 160 Whose repetition will be doggd with curses; Whose chronicle thus writ: The man was noble, But with his last attempt he wiped it out; Destroyd his country, and his name remains To the ensuing age abhorrd. Speak to me, son: 165 Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour, To imitate the graces of the gods; To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o the air, And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak? 170 Thinkst thou it honourable for a noble man Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speak you: He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, boy: Perhaps thy childishness will move him more Than can our reasons. Theres no man in the world 175 More bound to s mother; yet here he lets me prate Like one i the stocks. Thou hast never in thy life Showd thy dear mother any courtesy, When she, poor hen, fond of no second brood, Has cluckd thee to the wars and safely home, 180 Loaden with honour. Say my requests unjust, And spurn me back: but if it be not so, Thou art not honest; and the gods will plague thee, That thou restrainst from me the duty which To a mothers part belongs. He turns away: 185 Down, ladies; let us shame him with our knees. To his surname Coriolanus longs more pride Than pity to our prayers. Down: an end; This is the last: so we will home to Rome, And die among our neighbours. Nay, behold s: 190 This boy, that cannot tell what he would have But kneels and holds up bands for fellowship, Does reason our petition with more strength Than thou hast to deny t. Come, let us go: This fellow had a Volscian to his mother; 195 His wife is in Corioli and his child Like him by chance. Yet give us our dispatch: I am hushd until our city be a-fire, And then Ill speak a little. | MVONLIAU No, dnot eaevl us own. If it ewre eth esca thta rou setuqer asw to vesa teh somnRa adn eehrbyt odtryes teh loecVss, mohw uoy vsree, oyu tmgih cdnmnoe us rfo nnpgiisoo royu nohor. utB no, rou paapel is fro yuo to cnocerlie twhi hemt so htat hte csloseV yam ysa, We hvea shnwo ycmre, adn eth nRomas aym sya, We cedeveir meycr, nad ohbt seids lwil usalte uyo nad cry, yaM uoy be esbdsel ofr aknmig tish cpeea! Yuo okwn, gerta osn, ttha teh euctmoo of raw is tnnacueir. uBt sti reaitcn ttha if oyu cuernoq eoRm, teh eifbetn uyllo epra in so doign is a mnea owshe rnoteiepit lwli be daeplug thwi euscsr. oluYl be bdmemeerer ihwt htees sdrwo: hTe anm asw blone, utb ihtw shi stla aakctt he veag up hsi iiybontl, eddoterys shi rnytouc, nda sih mena isnemra verofre htade. ekSpa to me, nso. uYove sapierd to ratge ornho, to ehbvea keil a gdo, to rtea rptaa eht kys twih rtedhnu adn yte htowr ryuo gngiitlhn lotb so thta it lwudo lnyo lpsti an oak. yhW tnod yuo ekaps? Do oyu tknih ist aolbonrhe rof a onelb amn to slaywa rmeberem hwo he ash bene wngedor? atDrhgeu, ekepsah dtoens klie uory ipeegnw. akpSe, opayephrbs uryo dlhcinshiess iwll evmo mih eorm tnha uro rnasseo anc. eesThr no nam in eth odwrl rmoe iedt to shi rmtoeh, dan yet rhee he tlse me lrpttae on elik a nommco lnriacim. rveNe in uory ilef evha oyu onde ruoy edar rmehto nya ofrvas, hewil hes, poro oawnm, hwo dtndi wnat to veah henotar cidlh, ash dcera ofr you wihle you erwe at rwa nda eflasy ohem, eedpah with ohrosn. If you hktin my tuqseer is ifnaru, htne utnr me ndow. But if its tno, nteh royue a rali adn het sodg llwi uhsinp you rfo lfngiia to igve me wtah you eow me as a nso. He tunrs aywa. wnoD, elasdi. etsL hmesa mhi by ttnigge on ruo keesn. His snrumae, oausrlnCoi, has more derpi tnah pyti fro uro prseary. owDn! shiT is the end. (heT noewm nad yongu Mtasiru enkle) elWl go emho to Rmoe dna die ongam oru hsoreinbg. Wati, olko. hsiT byo, who notdes ownk aswht nigog to ahnpep to mih but lkseen and ldohs up shi anshd for eofwsllpih, sndel more hrstgent to rou oipeittn hnta you eavh gnrehtts to yedn. mCoe, ltes go. hsiT owlfle has a Viacsoln tmeohr, sih ewfi is in riesoCol, and his hidlc osklo ustj like him by cneahc. edSn us yaaw. llI be neltis unlti ruo ytic is on feri, and thne lIl speak a leitlt. |
| He holds her by the hand, silent | ouoCrinsla shdlo hre by hte nhda, enlist. |
| CORIOLANUS O mother, mother! 200 What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope, The gods look down, and this unnatural scene They laugh at. O my mother, mother! O! You have won a happy victory to Rome; But, for your son,believe it, O, believe it, 205 Most dangerously you have with him prevaild, If not most mortal to him. But, let it come. Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars, Ill frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius, Were you in my stead, would you have heard 210 A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius? | SRIOLOCANU (yrigcn) Oh, ohrmet, mehrto! Wtha eavh uoy eond? Lkoo, eht senveha rae oennigp, het gosd ear nogilko onwd adn nghiulga at tihs lrunntaua necse. Oh, my meohrt, tremoh! Oh! You veha now a apphy icrvoyt rfo oRme. tBu for uoyr eloneiebvs it, oh, leeebvi cbtiaseue ouy avhe cinncdeov hmi, esh now in motarl daenrg. tBu let it omec. uAdisfui, htouhg I nonatc hfgti isth raw for ouy, llI kmea erargna a plaeufce eelmsetttn, afir to btho sdies. Nwo, godo fiidsuuA, if uyo reew in my ecpla, dnolutw you hvea eidsletn to ruoy theorm nda onde as I did, isuAfudi? |
| AUFIDIUS I was moved withal. | ASIUUDFI I wsa vodme by thwa ehs dsia. |
| CORIOLANUS I dare be sworn you were: And, sir, it is no little thing to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, 215 What peace youll make, advise me: for my part, Ill not to Rome, Ill back with you; and pray you, Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife! | NRIAUCOLOS I onwk yuo eewr! dAn, rsi, it is no almls meveitnhaec to amek me ycr sreat of sopnmsocia. uBt, gdoo irs, eltl me htat oluyl aekm capee. rFo my tarp, I owtn go to leImRol go kbac thwi uoy. Adn epelsa, tpupsro me in tish otffre. Oh, torehm! fiWe! |
| AUFIDIUS [Aside] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour 220 At difference in thee: out of that Ill work Myself a former fortune. | FIDAIUSU (sidea) Im ladg ouyev idesgsuntdihi wtbeeen yuro cymre nad oyur ornho. Ill be aelb to idreulb my roferm forntue beesuca of hatt siindtincto. |
| The Ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS. | The elaids kaem isgsn to lnCiasuroo. |
| CORIOLANUS Ay, by and by; | CIOARLSNOU Yes, so it illw go. |
| To VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, c | (To liouaVnm nda liViigar.) |
| But we will drink together; and you shall bear A better witness back than words, which we, 225 On like conditions, will have counter-seald. Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve To have a temple built you: all the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, Could not have made this peace. | utB lwel indkr ttoeergh, nda lyuol gbinr bcka a dneigs aeepc teyrat, nto just rou ordw. omCe with us. eisadL, yuo eserdve to veah a mtelep tibul for yuo. lAl eht owsrds of tyIla and rhe ailesl ucnotdl ahev mead shit peeca. |
| Exeunt | llA ietx. |
