Original Text
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Modern Text
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VOLUMNIA
Thou art my warrior;
70I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady?
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VOLUMNIA
You’re my warrior; I helped make you what you are. Do you recognize this woman?
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CORIOLANUS
The noble sister of Publicola,
The moon of Rome, chaste as the icicle
That’s curdied by the frost from purest snow
And hangs on Dian’s temple: dear Valeria!
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CORIOLANUS
The noble sister of the consul Publicola, the moon of Rome, pure as the icicle that forms from the frost of purest snow and hangs on Diana’s temple: dear Valeria!
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VOLUMNIA
75This is a poor epitome of yours,
Which by the interpretation of full time
May show like all yourself.
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VOLUMNIA
(showing young Martius) Here is your miniature replica, who in time may grow to be exactly like you.
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CORIOLANUS
The god of soldiers,
With the consent of supreme Jove, inform
80Thy 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!
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CORIOLANUS
May the god of soldiers, with the consent of supreme Jove, make your thoughts be noble. And may you be invulnerable to shame, stand firm in the wars like a great beacon for sailors, enduring every sudden blast of wind and helping those that look to you for guidance!
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VOLUMNIA
Your knee, sirrah.
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VOLUMNIA
On your knee, sir. (young Martius kneels)
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CORIOLANUS
85That’s my brave boy!
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CORIOLANUS
That’s my brave boy!
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VOLUMNIA
Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself,
Are suitors to you.
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VOLUMNIA
Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself—plead before you.
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CORIOLANUS
I beseech you, peace:
Or, if you’ld ask, remember this before:
90The thing I have forsworn to grant may never
Be held by you denials. Do not bid me
Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate
Again with Rome’s mechanics: tell me not
Wherein I seem unnatural: desire not
95To ally my rages and revenges with
Your colder reasons.
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CORIOLANUS
Please, stop. Or, if you must ask, remember this first: Don’t think that I deny you personally, but I cannot grant your pleas because I have sworn not to. Don’t ask me to dismiss my soldiers or to yield to the common people of Rome. Don’t tell me the ways in which I seem unnatural. Don’t try to mitigate my rage and need for vengeance with your colder reasons.
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