Enter VOLUMNIA. I talk of you: Why did you wish me milder? would you have me I would have had you put your power well on, Cor. Let go. Vol. You might have been enough the man you are, With striving less to be so: lesser had been The thwartings of your dispositions, if You had not show'd them how ye were disposed Cor. Vol. Ay, and burn too. Let them hang. Enter MENENIUS and Senators. Men. Come, come, you have been too rough, something too rough; You must return and mend it. First Sen. Unless, by not so doing, our good city There's no remedy; Pray, be counsell'd: Cleave in the midst, and perish. Vol. I have a heart as little apt as yours, 20 30 as the plebeians as much Coriolanus can, but she would choose her own time to show her wrath. Cf. 11. 29 and 62. Cf. also Menenius in iii. 1. 262 for a similar attitude. Men. Well said, noble woman! Cor. What must I do? Men. Return to the tribunes. Cor. Well, what then? what then? Men. Repent what you have spoke. Cor. For them! I cannot do it to the gods; Vol. I' the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me, In peace what each of them by the other lose, Cor. Men. Tush, tush! A good demand. Vol. If it be honour in your wars to seem With honour, as in war, since that to both Cor. Why force you this? Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables 55. roted, learnt by heart, not spontaneous. 40 50 Than to take in a town with gentle words, I would dissemble with my nature where Men. Noble lady! Come, go with us; speak fair: you may salve so, Vol. I prithee now, my son, Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand; And thus far having stretch'd it-here be with Thy knee bussing the stones-for in such business That will not hold the handling: or say to them, 69. that want, the want of that inheritance. 75. bussing, kissing. 77. waving, repeatedly bowing. 78. Which often, thus, correcting, etc. If the text is right, 'humble' must be an imperative. 'Humble (your 60 70 80 head), correcting thy pride with submissive gestures, like these.' The passage barely yields sense; but of the many alterations proposed (such as Johnson's 'with for which') none can be called convincing. Prof. Littledale proposes instead of ' often,' 'offer' (as if for decapitation). In asking their good loves, but thou wilt frame As thou hast power and person. Men. This but done, Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours; As words to little purpose. Vol. Prithee now, Go, and be ruled: although I know thou hadst rather Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf Than flatter him in a bower. 90 Here is Cominius. Enter COMINIUS. Com. I have been i' the market-place; and, sir, 'tis fit You make strong party, or defend yourself By calmness or by absence: all's in anger. Com. I think 'twill serve, if he Can thereto frame his spirit. Vol. Cor. Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce? You have put me now to such a part which never Com. Come, come, we 'll prompt you. 99. unbarbed sconce head without a helmet. 100 102. this single plot, my single person. My praises made thee first a soldier, so, Cor. Well, I must do 't : Away, my disposition, and possess me Some harlot's spirit! my throat of war be turn'd, Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice That babies lulls asleep! the smiles of knaves At thy choice, then: Vol. Cor. Pray, be content: Mother, I am going to the market-place; Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves, beloved 110 120 130 |