In honour follows, Coriolanus: Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus! [Flourish. All. Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus! Cor. No more of this; it does offend my heart; Pray now, no more. Look, sir, your mother, Com. Cor. You have, I know, petition'd all the gods For my prosperity. O! [Kneels. Vol. Cor. My gracious silence, hail 23! Would'st thou have laugh'd, had I come coffin'd home, That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear, Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear, And mothers that lack sons. Now the gods crown thee! Men. home; And welcome, general;-And you are welcome all. Men. A hundred thousand welcomes: I could weep, And I could laugh; I am light, and heavy: Welcome : A curse begin at very root of his heart, That is not glad to see thee!-You are three, That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men, We have some old crab-trees here at home, that will not Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors: We call a nettle, but a nettle; and The faults of fools, but folly. Ere in our own house I do shade my head, The good patricians must be visited; From whom I have receiv'd not only greetings, But with them change of honours. Vol. To see inherited my very wishes, I have liv'd And the buildings of my fancy: only there Cor. I had rather be their servant in my way, Than sway with them in theirs. Com. Know, good mother, On, to the Capitol. [Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. The Tribunes come forward. Bru. All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights Are spectacled to see him: Your pratling nurse Into a rapture lets her baby cry, While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins Her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck, Clambering the walls to eye him: Stalls, bulks, win dows, Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges hors'd In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens 24 Sic. I warrant him consul. Bru. On the sudden, Then our office may, During his power, go sleep. Sic. He cannot temperately transport his honours From where he should begin, and end; but will Lose those that he hath won. Bru. In that there's comfort. Sic. Doubt not, the commoners, for whom we stand, But they, upon their ancient malice, will Forget, with the least cause, these his new honours; Which that he'll give them, make I as little question As he is proud to do't. Bru. I heard him swear, Were he to stand for consul, never would he Appear i'the market-place, nor on him put Nor, showing (as the manner is) his wounds To the people, beg their stinking breaths. Sic. "Tis right. Bru. It was his word: O, he would miss it, rather Than carry it, but by the suit o' the gentry to him, And the desire of the nobles. I wish no better, Sic. Bru. 'Tis most like, he will. Sic. It shall be to him then, as our good wills; A sure destruction. Bru. So it must fall out To him, or our authorities. For an end, We must suggest the people, in what hatred He still hath held them; that, to his power, he would Have made them mules, silenc'd their pleaders, and Disproperty'd their freedoms: holding them, In human action and capacity, Of no more soul, nor fitness for the world, Than camels in their war; who have their provand Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows For sinking under them. Sic. This, as you say, suggested At some time when his soaring insolence Shall teach the people, (which time shall not want, If he be put upon't; and that's as easy, As to set dogs on sheep,) will be his fire To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze Shall darken him for ever. Bru. Enter a Messenger. What's the matter? Mess. You are sent for to the Capitol. 'Tis thought, That Marcius shall be consul: I have seen The dumb men throng to see him, and the blind As to Jove's statue; and the commons made Bru. Let's to the Capitol; And carry with us ears and eyes for the time, Sic. Have with you. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The Same. The Capitol. Enter two Officers, to lay cushions. 1 Off. Come, come, they are almost here: How many stand for consulships? 2 Off. Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every one, Coriolanus will carry it. 1 Off. That's a brave fellow; but he's vengeance proud, and loves not the common people. |