Blame for shakespeare/coriolanus/coriolanus.5.6.html

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"
 "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd">
 <html>
 <head>
 <title>SCENE VI. Antium. A public place.
 </title>
 <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
 <LINK rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen"
       href="/shake.css">
 </HEAD>
 <body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000">

<table width="100%" bgcolor="#CCF6F6">
<tr><td class="play" align="center">The Tragedy of Coriolanus
<tr><td class="nav" align="center">
      <a href="/Shakespeare">Shakespeare homepage</A> 
    | <A href="/Shakespeare/coriolanus/">Coriolanus</A> 
    | Act 5, Scene 6
   <br>
      <a href="coriolanus.5.5.html">Previous scene</A>
</table>

<H3>SCENE VI. Antium. A public place.</H3>

<p><blockquote>
<i>Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants</i>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech1><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=1>Go tell the lords o' the city I am here:</A><br>
<A NAME=2>Deliver them this paper: having read it,</A><br>
<A NAME=3>Bid them repair to the market place; where I,</A><br>
<A NAME=4>Even in theirs and in the commons' ears,</A><br>
<A NAME=5>Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse</A><br>
<A NAME=6>The city ports by this hath enter'd and</A><br>
<A NAME=7>Intends to appear before the people, hoping</A><br>
<A NAME=8>To purge herself with words: dispatch.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt Attendants</i></p>
<p><i>Enter three or four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' faction</i></p>
<A NAME=9>Most welcome!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech2><b>First Conspirator</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=10>How is it with our general?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech3><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=11>Even so</A><br>
<A NAME=12>As with a man by his own alms empoison'd,</A><br>
<A NAME=13>And with his charity slain.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech4><b>Second Conspirator</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=14>Most noble sir,</A><br>
<A NAME=15>If you do hold the same intent wherein</A><br>
<A NAME=16>You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you</A><br>
<A NAME=17>Of your great danger.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech5><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=18>Sir, I cannot tell:</A><br>
<A NAME=19>We must proceed as we do find the people.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech6><b>Third Conspirator</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=20>The people will remain uncertain whilst</A><br>
<A NAME=21>'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either</A><br>
<A NAME=22>Makes the survivor heir of all.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech7><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=23>I know it;</A><br>
<A NAME=24>And my pretext to strike at him admits</A><br>
<A NAME=25>A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn'd</A><br>
<A NAME=26>Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd,</A><br>
<A NAME=27>He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery,</A><br>
<A NAME=28>Seducing so my friends; and, to this end,</A><br>
<A NAME=29>He bow'd his nature, never known before</A><br>
<A NAME=30>But to be rough, unswayable and free.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech8><b>Third Conspirator</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=31>Sir, his stoutness</A><br>
<A NAME=32>When he did stand for consul, which he lost</A><br>
<A NAME=33>By lack of stooping,--</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech9><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=34>That I would have spoke of:</A><br>
<A NAME=35>Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth;</A><br>
<A NAME=36>Presented to my knife his throat: I took him;</A><br>
<A NAME=37>Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way</A><br>
<A NAME=38>In all his own desires; nay, let him choose</A><br>
<A NAME=39>Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,</A><br>
<A NAME=40>My best and freshest men; served his designments</A><br>
<A NAME=41>In mine own person; holp to reap the fame</A><br>
<A NAME=42>Which he did end all his; and took some pride</A><br>
<A NAME=43>To do myself this wrong: till, at the last,</A><br>
<A NAME=44>I seem'd his follower, not partner, and</A><br>
<A NAME=45>He waged me with his countenance, as if</A><br>
<A NAME=46>I had been mercenary.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech10><b>First Conspirator</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=47>So he did, my lord:</A><br>
<A NAME=48>The army marvell'd at it, and, in the last,</A><br>
<A NAME=49>When he had carried Rome and that we look'd</A><br>
<A NAME=50>For no less spoil than glory,--</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech11><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=51>There was it:</A><br>
<A NAME=52>For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him.</A><br>
<A NAME=53>At a few drops of women's rheum, which are</A><br>
<A NAME=54>As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour</A><br>
<A NAME=55>Of our great action: therefore shall he die,</A><br>
<A NAME=56>And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark!</A><br>
<p><i>Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the People</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech12><b>First Conspirator</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=57>Your native town you enter'd like a post,</A><br>
<A NAME=58>And had no welcomes home: but he returns,</A><br>
<A NAME=59>Splitting the air with noise.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech13><b>Second Conspirator</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=60>And patient fools,</A><br>
<A NAME=61>Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear</A><br>
<A NAME=62>With giving him glory.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech14><b>Third Conspirator</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=63>Therefore, at your vantage,</A><br>
<A NAME=64>Ere he express himself, or move the people</A><br>
<A NAME=65>With what he would say, let him feel your sword,</A><br>
<A NAME=66>Which we will second. When he lies along,</A><br>
<A NAME=67>After your way his tale pronounced shall bury</A><br>
<A NAME=68>His reasons with his body.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech15><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=69>Say no more:</A><br>
<A NAME=70>Here come the lords.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter the Lords of the city</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech16><b>All The Lords</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=71>You are most welcome home.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech17><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=72>I have not deserved it.</A><br>
<A NAME=73>But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused</A><br>
<A NAME=74>What I have written to you?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech18><b>Lords</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=75>We have.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech19><b>First Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=76>And grieve to hear't.</A><br>
<A NAME=77>What faults he made before the last, I think</A><br>
<A NAME=78>Might have found easy fines: but there to end</A><br>
<A NAME=79>Where he was to begin and give away</A><br>
<A NAME=80>The benefit of our levies, answering us</A><br>
<A NAME=81>With our own charge, making a treaty where</A><br>
<A NAME=82>There was a yielding,--this admits no excuse.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech20><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=83>He approaches: you shall hear him.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter CORIOLANUS, marching with drum and colours; commoners being with him</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech21><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=84>Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier,</A><br>
<A NAME=85>No more infected with my country's love</A><br>
<A NAME=86>Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting</A><br>
<A NAME=87>Under your great command. You are to know</A><br>
<A NAME=88>That prosperously I have attempted and</A><br>
<A NAME=89>With bloody passage led your wars even to</A><br>
<A NAME=90>The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home</A><br>
<A NAME=91>Do more than counterpoise a full third part</A><br>
<A NAME=92>The charges of the action. We have made peace</A><br>
<A NAME=93>With no less honour to the Antiates</A><br>
<A NAME=94>Than shame to the Romans: and we here deliver,</A><br>
<A NAME=95>Subscribed by the consuls and patricians,</A><br>
<A NAME=96>Together with the seal o' the senate, what</A><br>
<A NAME=97>We have compounded on.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech22><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=98>Read it not, noble lords;</A><br>
<A NAME=99>But tell the traitor, in the high'st degree</A><br>
<A NAME=100>He hath abused your powers.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech23><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=101>Traitor! how now!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech24><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=102>                  Ay, traitor, Marcius!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech25><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=103>Marcius!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech26><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=104>Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: dost thou think</A><br>
<A NAME=105>I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name</A><br>
<A NAME=106>Coriolanus in Corioli?</A><br>
<A NAME=107>You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously</A><br>
<A NAME=108>He has betray'd your business, and given up,</A><br>
<A NAME=109>For certain drops of salt, your city Rome,</A><br>
<A NAME=110>I say 'your city,' to his wife and mother;</A><br>
<A NAME=111>Breaking his oath and resolution like</A><br>
<A NAME=112>A twist of rotten silk, never admitting</A><br>
<A NAME=113>Counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears</A><br>
<A NAME=114>He whined and roar'd away your victory,</A><br>
<A NAME=115>That pages blush'd at him and men of heart</A><br>
<A NAME=116>Look'd wondering each at other.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech27><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=117>Hear'st thou, Mars?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech28><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=118>Name not the god, thou boy of tears!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech29><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=119>Ha!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech30><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=120>No more.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech31><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=121>Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart</A><br>
<A NAME=122>Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave!</A><br>
<A NAME=123>Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever</A><br>
<A NAME=124>I was forced to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords,</A><br>
<A NAME=125>Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion--</A><br>
<A NAME=126>Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him; that</A><br>
<A NAME=127>Must bear my beating to his grave--shall join</A><br>
<A NAME=128>To thrust the lie unto him.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech32><b>First Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=129>Peace, both, and hear me speak.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech33><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=130>Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads,</A><br>
<A NAME=131>Stain all your edges on me. Boy! false hound!</A><br>
<A NAME=132>If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there,</A><br>
<A NAME=133>That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I</A><br>
<A NAME=134>Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli:</A><br>
<A NAME=135>Alone I did it. Boy!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech34><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=136>Why, noble lords,</A><br>
<A NAME=137>Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,</A><br>
<A NAME=138>Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,</A><br>
<A NAME=139>'Fore your own eyes and ears?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech35><b>All Conspirators</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=140>Let him die for't.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech36><b>All The People</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=141>'Tear him to pieces.' 'Do it presently.' 'He kill'd</A><br>
<A NAME=142>my son.' 'My daughter.' 'He killed my cousin</A><br>
<A NAME=143>Marcus.' 'He killed my father.'</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech37><b>Second Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=144>Peace, ho! no outrage: peace!</A><br>
<A NAME=145>The man is noble and his fame folds-in</A><br>
<A NAME=146>This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us</A><br>
<A NAME=147>Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius,</A><br>
<A NAME=148>And trouble not the peace.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech38><b>CORIOLANUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=149>O that I had him,</A><br>
<A NAME=150>With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe,</A><br>
<A NAME=151>To use my lawful sword!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech39><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=152>Insolent villain!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech40><b>All Conspirators</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=153>Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!</A><br>
<p><i>The Conspirators draw, and kill CORIOLANUS: AUFIDIUS stands on his body</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech41><b>Lords</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=154>Hold, hold, hold, hold!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech42><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=155>My noble masters, hear me speak.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech43><b>First Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=156>O Tullus,--</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech44><b>Second Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=157>Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech45><b>Third Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=158>Tread not upon him. Masters all, be quiet;</A><br>
<A NAME=159>Put up your swords.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech46><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=160>My lords, when you shall know--as in this rage,</A><br>
<A NAME=161>Provoked by him, you cannot--the great danger</A><br>
<A NAME=162>Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice</A><br>
<A NAME=163>That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours</A><br>
<A NAME=164>To call me to your senate, I'll deliver</A><br>
<A NAME=165>Myself your loyal servant, or endure</A><br>
<A NAME=166>Your heaviest censure.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech47><b>First Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=167>Bear from hence his body;</A><br>
<A NAME=168>And mourn you for him: let him be regarded</A><br>
<A NAME=169>As the most noble corse that ever herald</A><br>
<A NAME=170>Did follow to his urn.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech48><b>Second Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=171>His own impatience</A><br>
<A NAME=172>Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.</A><br>
<A NAME=173>Let's make the best of it.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech49><b>AUFIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=174>My rage is gone;</A><br>
<A NAME=175>And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up.</A><br>
<A NAME=176>Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one.</A><br>
<A NAME=177>Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully:</A><br>
<A NAME=178>Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he</A><br>
<A NAME=179>Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one,</A><br>
<A NAME=180>Which to this hour bewail the injury,</A><br>
<A NAME=181>Yet he shall have a noble memory. Assist.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt, bearing the body of CORIOLANUS. A dead march sounded</i></p>