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<tr><td class="play" align="center">The Tragedy of Coriolanus
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    | Act 4, Scene 6
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<H3>SCENE VI. Rome. A public place.</h3>

<p><blockquote>
<i>Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS</i>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech1><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=1>We hear not of him, neither need we fear him;</A><br>
<A NAME=2>His remedies are tame i' the present peace</A><br>
<A NAME=3>And quietness of the people, which before</A><br>
<A NAME=4>Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends</A><br>
<A NAME=5>Blush that the world goes well, who rather had,</A><br>
<A NAME=6>Though they themselves did suffer by't, behold</A><br>
<A NAME=7>Dissentious numbers pestering streets than see</A><br>
<A NAME=8>Our tradesmen with in their shops and going</A><br>
<A NAME=9>About their functions friendly.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech2><b>BRUTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=10>We stood to't in good time.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter MENENIUS</i></p>
<A NAME=11>Is this Menenius?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech3><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=12>'Tis he,'tis he: O, he is grown most kind of late.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech4><b>Both Tribunes</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=13>Hail sir!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech5><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=14>        Hail to you both!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech6><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=15>Your Coriolanus</A><br>
<A NAME=16>Is not much miss'd, but with his friends:</A><br>
<A NAME=17>The commonwealth doth stand, and so would do,</A><br>
<A NAME=18>Were he more angry at it.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech7><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=19>All's well; and might have been much better, if</A><br>
<A NAME=20>He could have temporized.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech8><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=21>Where is he, hear you?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech9><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=22>Nay, I hear nothing: his mother and his wife</A><br>
<A NAME=23>Hear nothing from him.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter three or four Citizens</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech10><b>Citizens</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=24>The gods preserve you both!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech11><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=25>God-den, our neighbours.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech12><b>BRUTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=26>God-den to you all, god-den to you all.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech13><b>First Citizen</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=27>Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees,</A><br>
<A NAME=28>Are bound to pray for you both.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech14><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=29>Live, and thrive!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech15><b>BRUTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=30>Farewell, kind neighbours: we wish'd Coriolanus</A><br>
<A NAME=31>Had loved you as we did.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech16><b>Citizens</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=32>Now the gods keep you!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech17><b>Both Tribunes</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=33>Farewell, farewell.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt Citizens</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech18><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=34>This is a happier and more comely time</A><br>
<A NAME=35>Than when these fellows ran about the streets,</A><br>
<A NAME=36>Crying confusion.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech19><b>BRUTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=37>                  Caius Marcius was</A><br>
<A NAME=38>A worthy officer i' the war; but insolent,</A><br>
<A NAME=39>O'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking,</A><br>
<A NAME=40>Self-loving,--</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech20><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=41>                  And affecting one sole throne,</A><br>
<A NAME=42>Without assistance.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech21><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=43>I think not so.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech22><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=44>We should by this, to all our lamentation,</A><br>
<A NAME=45>If he had gone forth consul, found it so.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech23><b>BRUTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=46>The gods have well prevented it, and Rome</A><br>
<A NAME=47>Sits safe and still without him.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter an AEdile</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech24><b>AEdile</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=48>Worthy tribunes,</A><br>
<A NAME=49>There is a slave, whom we have put in prison,</A><br>
<A NAME=50>Reports, the Volsces with two several powers</A><br>
<A NAME=51>Are enter'd in the Roman territories,</A><br>
<A NAME=52>And with the deepest malice of the war</A><br>
<A NAME=53>Destroy what lies before 'em.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech25><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=54>'Tis Aufidius,</A><br>
<A NAME=55>Who, hearing of our Marcius' banishment,</A><br>
<A NAME=56>Thrusts forth his horns again into the world;</A><br>
<A NAME=57>Which were inshell'd when Marcius stood for Rome,</A><br>
<A NAME=58>And durst not once peep out.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech26><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=59>Come, what talk you</A><br>
<A NAME=60>Of Marcius?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech27><b>BRUTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=61>Go see this rumourer whipp'd. It cannot be</A><br>
<A NAME=62>The Volsces dare break with us.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech28><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=63>Cannot be!</A><br>
<A NAME=64>We have record that very well it can,</A><br>
<A NAME=65>And three examples of the like have been</A><br>
<A NAME=66>Within my age. But reason with the fellow,</A><br>
<A NAME=67>Before you punish him, where he heard this,</A><br>
<A NAME=68>Lest you shall chance to whip your information</A><br>
<A NAME=69>And beat the messenger who bids beware</A><br>
<A NAME=70>Of what is to be dreaded.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech29><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=71>Tell not me:</A><br>
<A NAME=72>I know this cannot be.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech30><b>BRUTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=73>Not possible.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter a Messenger</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech31><b>Messenger</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=74>The nobles in great earnestness are going</A><br>
<A NAME=75>All to the senate-house: some news is come</A><br>
<A NAME=76>That turns their countenances.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech32><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=77>'Tis this slave;--</A><br>
<A NAME=78>Go whip him, 'fore the people's eyes:--his raising;</A><br>
<A NAME=79>Nothing but his report.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech33><b>Messenger</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=80>Yes, worthy sir,</A><br>
<A NAME=81>The slave's report is seconded; and more,</A><br>
<A NAME=82>More fearful, is deliver'd.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech34><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=83>What more fearful?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech35><b>Messenger</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=84>It is spoke freely out of many mouths--</A><br>
<A NAME=85>How probable I do not know--that Marcius,</A><br>
<A NAME=86>Join'd with Aufidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome,</A><br>
<A NAME=87>And vows revenge as spacious as between</A><br>
<A NAME=88>The young'st and oldest thing.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech36><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=89>This is most likely!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech37><b>BRUTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=90>Raised only, that the weaker sort may wish</A><br>
<A NAME=91>Good Marcius home again.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech38><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=92>The very trick on't.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech39><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=93>This is unlikely:</A><br>
<A NAME=94>He and Aufidius can no more atone</A><br>
<A NAME=95>Than violentest contrariety.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter a second Messenger</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech40><b>Second Messenger</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=96>You are sent for to the senate:</A><br>
<A NAME=97>A fearful army, led by Caius Marcius</A><br>
<A NAME=98>Associated with Aufidius, rages</A><br>
<A NAME=99>Upon our territories; and have already</A><br>
<A NAME=100>O'erborne their way, consumed with fire, and took</A><br>
<A NAME=101>What lay before them.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter COMINIUS</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech41><b>COMINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=102>O, you have made good work!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech42><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=103>What news? what news?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech43><b>COMINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=104>You have holp to ravish your own daughters and</A><br>
<A NAME=105>To melt the city leads upon your pates,</A><br>
<A NAME=106>To see your wives dishonour'd to your noses,--</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech44><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=107>What's the news? what's the news?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech45><b>COMINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=108>Your temples burned in their cement, and</A><br>
<A NAME=109>Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined</A><br>
<A NAME=110>Into an auger's bore.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech46><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=111>Pray now, your news?</A><br>
<A NAME=112>You have made fair work, I fear me.--Pray, your news?--</A><br>
<A NAME=113>If Marcius should be join'd with Volscians,--</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech47><b>COMINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=114>If!</A><br>
<A NAME=115>He is their god: he leads them like a thing</A><br>
<A NAME=116>Made by some other deity than nature,</A><br>
<A NAME=117>That shapes man better; and they follow him,</A><br>
<A NAME=118>Against us brats, with no less confidence</A><br>
<A NAME=119>Than boys pursuing summer butterflies,</A><br>
<A NAME=120>Or butchers killing flies.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech48><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=121>You have made good work,</A><br>
<A NAME=122>You and your apron-men; you that stood so up much</A><br>
<A NAME=123>on the voice of occupation and</A><br>
<A NAME=124>The breath of garlic-eaters!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech49><b>COMINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=125>He will shake</A><br>
<A NAME=126>Your Rome about your ears.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech50><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=127>As Hercules</A><br>
<A NAME=128>Did shake down mellow fruit.</A><br>
<A NAME=129>You have made fair work!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech51><b>BRUTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=130>But is this true, sir?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech52><b>COMINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=131>Ay; and you'll look pale</A><br>
<A NAME=132>Before you find it other. All the regions</A><br>
<A NAME=133>Do smilingly revolt; and who resist</A><br>
<A NAME=134>Are mock'd for valiant ignorance,</A><br>
<A NAME=135>And perish constant fools. Who is't can blame him?</A><br>
<A NAME=136>Your enemies and his find something in him.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech53><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=137>We are all undone, unless</A><br>
<A NAME=138>The noble man have mercy.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech54><b>COMINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=139>Who shall ask it?</A><br>
<A NAME=140>The tribunes cannot do't for shame; the people</A><br>
<A NAME=141>Deserve such pity of him as the wolf</A><br>
<A NAME=142>Does of the shepherds: for his best friends, if they</A><br>
<A NAME=143>Should say 'Be good to Rome,' they charged him even</A><br>
<A NAME=144>As those should do that had deserved his hate,</A><br>
<A NAME=145>And therein show'd like enemies.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech55><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=146>'Tis true:</A><br>
<A NAME=147>If he were putting to my house the brand</A><br>
<A NAME=148>That should consume it, I have not the face</A><br>
<A NAME=149>To say 'Beseech you, cease.' You have made fair hands,</A><br>
<A NAME=150>You and your crafts! you have crafted fair!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech56><b>COMINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=151>You have brought</A><br>
<A NAME=152>A trembling upon Rome, such as was never</A><br>
<A NAME=153>So incapable of help.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech57><b>Both Tribunes</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=154>Say not we brought it.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech58><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=155>How! Was it we? we loved him but, like beasts</A><br>
<A NAME=156>And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters,</A><br>
<A NAME=157>Who did hoot him out o' the city.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech59><b>COMINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=158>But I fear</A><br>
<A NAME=159>They'll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius,</A><br>
<A NAME=160>The second name of men, obeys his points</A><br>
<A NAME=161>As if he were his officer: desperation</A><br>
<A NAME=162>Is all the policy, strength and defence,</A><br>
<A NAME=163>That Rome can make against them.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter a troop of Citizens</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech60><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=164>Here come the clusters.</A><br>
<A NAME=165>And is Aufidius with him? You are they</A><br>
<A NAME=166>That made the air unwholesome, when you cast</A><br>
<A NAME=167>Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at</A><br>
<A NAME=168>Coriolanus' exile. Now he's coming;</A><br>
<A NAME=169>And not a hair upon a soldier's head</A><br>
<A NAME=170>Which will not prove a whip: as many coxcombs</A><br>
<A NAME=171>As you threw caps up will he tumble down,</A><br>
<A NAME=172>And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter;</A><br>
<A NAME=173>if he could burn us all into one coal,</A><br>
<A NAME=174>We have deserved it.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech61><b>Citizens</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=175>Faith, we hear fearful news.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech62><b>First Citizen</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=176>For mine own part,</A><br>
<A NAME=177>When I said, banish him, I said 'twas pity.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech63><b>Second Citizen</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=178>And so did I.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech64><b>Third Citizen</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=179>And so did I; and, to say the truth, so did very</A><br>
<A NAME=180>many of us: that we did, we did for the best; and</A><br>
<A NAME=181>though we willingly consented to his banishment, yet</A><br>
<A NAME=182>it was against our will.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech65><b>COMINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=183>Ye re goodly things, you voices!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech66><b>MENENIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=184>You have made</A><br>
<A NAME=185>Good work, you and your cry! Shall's to the Capitol?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech67><b>COMINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=186>O, ay, what else?</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt COMINIUS and MENENIUS</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech68><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=187>Go, masters, get you home; be not dismay'd:</A><br>
<A NAME=188>These are a side that would be glad to have</A><br>
<A NAME=189>This true which they so seem to fear. Go home,</A><br>
<A NAME=190>And show no sign of fear.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech69><b>First Citizen</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=191>The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let's home.</A><br>
<A NAME=192>I ever said we were i' the wrong when we banished</A><br>
<A NAME=193>him.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech70><b>Second Citizen</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=194>So did we all. But, come, let's home.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt Citizens</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech71><b>BRUTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=195>I do not like this news.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech72><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=196>Nor I.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech73><b>BRUTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=197>Let's to the Capitol. Would half my wealth</A><br>
<A NAME=198>Would buy this for a lie!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech74><b>SICINIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=199>Pray, let us go.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt</i></p>
</blockquote>
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