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Speeches (Lines) for Sicinius Velutus
in "Coriolanus"

Total: 117

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# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

I,1,275

Coriolanus. Nay, let them follow:
The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither
To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners,
Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.
[Citizens steal away. Exeunt all but SICINIUS]
and BRUTUS]

Sicinius Velutus. Was ever man so proud as is this CORIOLANUS?


2

I,1,277

Junius Brutus. He has no equal.

Sicinius Velutus. When we were chosen tribunes for the people,—


3

I,1,279

Junius Brutus. Mark'd you his lip and eyes?

Sicinius Velutus. Nay. but his taunts.


4

I,1,281

Junius Brutus. Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods.

Sicinius Velutus. Be-mock the modest moon.


5

I,1,284

Junius Brutus. The present wars devour him: he is grown
Too proud to be so valiant.

Sicinius Velutus. Such a nature,
Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow
Which he treads on at noon: but I do wonder
His insolence can brook to be commanded
Under Cominius.


6

I,1,297

Junius Brutus. Fame, at the which he aims,
In whom already he's well graced, can not
Better be held nor more attain'd than by
A place below the first: for what miscarries
Shall be the general's fault, though he perform
To the utmost of a man, and giddy censure
Will then cry out of CORIOLANUS 'O if he
Had borne the business!'

Sicinius Velutus. Besides, if things go well,
Opinion that so sticks on CORIOLANUS shall
Of his demerits rob Cominius.


7

I,1,305

Junius Brutus. Come:
Half all Cominius' honours are to CORIOLANUS.
Though CORIOLANUS earned them not, and all his faults
To CORIOLANUS shall be honours, though indeed
In aught he merit not.

Sicinius Velutus. Let's hence, and hear
How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion,
More than his singularity, he goes
Upon this present action.


8

II,1,922

Menenius Agrippa. Not according to the prayer of the people, for they
love not CORIOLANUS.

Sicinius Velutus. Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.


9

II,1,924

Menenius Agrippa. Pray you, who does the wolf love?

Sicinius Velutus. The lamb.


10

II,1,934

Junius Brutus. He's poor in no one fault, but stored with all.

Sicinius Velutus. Especially in pride.


11

II,1,960

Menenius Agrippa. Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting,
proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as
any in Rome.

Sicinius Velutus. Menenius, you are known well enough too.


12

II,1,1160

Junius Brutus. All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him: your prattling 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, windows,
Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges horsed
With variable complexions, all agreeing
In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens
Do press among the popular throngs and puff
To win a vulgar station: or veil'd dames
Commit the war of white and damask in
Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil
Of Phoebus' burning kisses: such a pother
As if that whatsoever god who leads him
Were slily crept into his human powers
And gave him graceful posture.

Sicinius Velutus. On the sudden,
I warrant him consul.


13

II,1,1164

Junius Brutus. Then our office may,
During his power, go sleep.

Sicinius Velutus. He cannot temperately transport his honours
From where he should begin and end, but will
Lose those he hath won.


14

II,1,1168

Junius Brutus. In that there's comfort.

Sicinius Velutus. 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 will give them make I as little question
As he is proud to do't.


15

II,1,1180

Junius Brutus. I heard him swear,
Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i' the market-place nor on him put
The napless vesture of humility;
Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.

Sicinius Velutus. 'Tis right.


16

II,1,1184

Junius Brutus. It was his word: O, he would miss it rather
Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him,
And the desire of the nobles.

Sicinius Velutus. I wish no better
Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
In execution.


17

II,1,1188

Junius Brutus. 'Tis most like he will.

Sicinius Velutus. It shall be to him then as our good wills,
A sure destruction.


18

II,1,1201

Junius Brutus. 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's power he would
Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and
Dispropertied their freedoms, holding them,
In human action and capacity,
Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
Than camels in the war, who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.

Sicinius Velutus. This, as you say, suggested
At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall touch 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.


19

II,1,1222

Junius Brutus. Let's to the Capitol;
And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,
But hearts for the event.

Sicinius Velutus. Have with you.


20

II,2,1288

First Senator. Speak, good Cominius:
Leave nothing out for length, and make us think
Rather our state's defective for requital
Than we to stretch it out.
[To the Tribunes]
Masters o' the people,
We do request your kindest ears, and after,
Your loving motion toward the common body,
To yield what passes here.

Sicinius Velutus. We are convented
Upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts
Inclinable to honour and advance
The theme of our assembly.


21

II,2,1395

Coriolanus. I do beseech you,
Let me o'erleap that custom, for I cannot
Put on the gown, stand naked and entreat them,
For my wounds' sake, to give their suffrage: please you
That I may pass this doing.

Sicinius Velutus. Sir, the people
Must have their voices; neither will they bate
One jot of ceremony.


22

II,2,1417

Junius Brutus. You see how he intends to use the people.

Sicinius Velutus. May they perceive's intent! He will require them,
As if he did contemn what he requested
Should be in them to give.


23

II,3,1579

Coriolanus. Is this done?

Sicinius Velutus. The custom of request you have discharged:
The people do admit you, and are summon'd
To meet anon, upon your approbation.


24

II,3,1583

Coriolanus. Where? at the senate-house?

Sicinius Velutus. There, Coriolanus.


25

II,3,1585

Coriolanus. May I change these garments?

Sicinius Velutus. You may, sir.


26

II,3,1590

Junius Brutus. We stay here for the people.

Sicinius Velutus. Fare you well.
[Exeunt CORIOLANUS and MENENIUS]
He has it now, and by his looks methink
'Tis warm at 's heart.


27

II,3,1597

(stage directions). [Re-enter Citizens]

Sicinius Velutus. How now, my masters! have you chose this man?


28

II,3,1608

Second Citizen. Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says
He used us scornfully: he should have show'd us
His marks of merit, wounds received for's country.

Sicinius Velutus. Why, so he did, I am sure.


29

II,3,1620

Third Citizen. He said he had wounds, which he could show
in private;
And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,
'I would be consul,' says he: 'aged custom,
But by your voices, will not so permit me;
Your voices therefore.' When we granted that,
Here was 'I thank you for your voices: thank you:
Your most sweet voices: now you have left
your voices,
I have no further with you.' Was not this mockery?

Sicinius Velutus. Why either were you ignorant to see't,
Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness
To yield your voices?


30

II,3,1638

Junius Brutus. Could you not have told him
As you were lesson'd, when he had no power,
But was a petty servant to the state,
He was your enemy, ever spake against
Your liberties and the charters that you bear
I' the body of the weal; and now, arriving
A place of potency and sway o' the state,
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might
Be curses to yourselves? You should have said
That as his worthy deeds did claim no less
Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature
Would think upon you for your voices and
Translate his malice towards you into love,
Standing your friendly lord.

Sicinius Velutus. Thus to have said,
As you were fore-advised, had touch'd his spirit
And tried his inclination; from him pluck'd
Either his gracious promise, which you might,
As cause had call'd you up, have held him to
Or else it would have gall'd his surly nature,
Which easily endures not article
Tying him to aught; so putting him to rage,
You should have ta'en the advantage of his choler
And pass'd him unelected.


31

II,3,1655

Junius Brutus. Did you perceive
He did solicit you in free contempt
When he did need your loves, and do you think
That his contempt shall not be bruising to you,
When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies
No heart among you? or had you tongues to cry
Against the rectorship of judgment?

Sicinius Velutus. Have you
Ere now denied the asker? and now again
Of him that did not ask, but mock, bestow
Your sued-for tongues?


32

II,3,1668

Junius Brutus. Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends,
They have chose a consul that will from them take
Their liberties; make them of no more voice
Than dogs that are as often beat for barking
As therefore kept to do so.

Sicinius Velutus. Let them assemble,
And on a safer judgment all revoke
Your ignorant election; enforce his pride,
And his old hate unto you; besides, forget not
With what contempt he wore the humble weed,
How in his suit he scorn'd you; but your loves,
Thinking upon his services, took from you
The apprehension of his present portance,
Which most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion
After the inveterate hate he bears you.


33

II,3,1682

Junius Brutus. Lay
A fault on us, your tribunes; that we laboured,
No impediment between, but that you must
Cast your election on him.

Sicinius Velutus. Say, you chose him
More after our commandment than as guided
By your own true affections, and that your minds,
Preoccupied with what you rather must do
Than what you should, made you against the grain
To voice him consul: lay the fault on us.


34

II,3,1699

Junius Brutus. Ay, spare us not. Say we read lectures to you.
How youngly he began to serve his country,
How long continued, and what stock he springs of,
The noble house o' the Marcians, from whence came
That Ancus CORIOLANUS, Numa's daughter's son,
Who, after great Hostilius, here was king;
Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,
That our beat water brought by conduits hither;
And [Censorinus,] nobly named so,
Twice being [by the people chosen] censor,
Was his great ancestor.

Sicinius Velutus. One thus descended,
That hath beside well in his person wrought
To be set high in place, we did commend
To your remembrances: but you have found,
Scaling his present bearing with his past,
That he's your fixed enemy, and revoke
Your sudden approbation.


35

II,3,1719

Junius Brutus. Let them go on;
This mutiny were better put in hazard,
Than stay, past doubt, for greater:
If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
With their refusal, both observe and answer
The vantage of his anger.

Sicinius Velutus. To the Capitol, come:
We will be there before the stream o' the people;
And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own,
Which we have goaded onward.


36

III,1,1756

Coriolanus. I wish I had a cause to seek him there,
To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.
[Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS]
Behold, these are the tribunes of the people,
The tongues o' the common mouth: I do despise them;
For they do prank them in authority,
Against all noble sufferance.

Sicinius Velutus. Pass no further.


37

III,1,1766

Junius Brutus. The people are incensed against him.

Sicinius Velutus. Stop,
Or all will fall in broil.


38

III,1,1794

Coriolanus. Why then should I be consul? By yond clouds,
Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me
Your fellow tribune.

Sicinius Velutus. You show too much of that
For which the people stir: if you will pass
To where you are bound, you must inquire your way,
Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit,
Or never be so noble as a consul,
Nor yoke with him for tribune.


39

III,1,1832

Junius Brutus. You speak o' the people,
As if you were a god to punish, not
A man of their infirmity.

Sicinius Velutus. 'Twere well
We let the people know't.


40

III,1,1838

Coriolanus. Choler!
Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,
By Jove, 'twould be my mind!

Sicinius Velutus. It is a mind
That shall remain a poison where it is,
Not poison any further.


41

III,1,1925

Junius Brutus. Has said enough.

Sicinius Velutus. Has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer
As traitors do.


42

III,1,1936

Junius Brutus. Manifest treason!

Sicinius Velutus. This a consul? no.


43

III,1,1940

Junius Brutus. The aediles, ho!
[Enter an AEdile]
Let him be apprehended.

Sicinius Velutus. Go, call the people:
[Exit AEdile]
in whose name myself
Attach thee as a traitorous innovator,
A foe to the public weal: obey, I charge thee,
And follow to thine answer.


44

III,1,1951

Coriolanus. Hence, rotten thing! or I shall shake thy bones
Out of thy garments.

Sicinius Velutus. Help, ye citizens!
[Enter a rabble of Citizens (Plebeians), with]
the AEdiles]


45

III,1,1955

Menenius Agrippa. On both sides more respect.

Sicinius Velutus. Here's he that would take from you all your power.


46

III,1,1967

Menenius Agrippa. What is about to be? I am out of breath;
Confusion's near; I cannot speak. You, tribunes
To the people! Coriolanus, patience!
Speak, good Sicinius.

Sicinius Velutus. Hear me, people; peace!


47

III,1,1969

Citizens. Let's hear our tribune: peace Speak, speak, speak.

Sicinius Velutus. You are at point to lose your liberties:
CORIOLANUS would have all from you; CORIOLANUS,
Whom late you have named for consul.


48

III,1,1975

First Senator. To unbuild the city and to lay all flat.

Sicinius Velutus. What is the city but the people?


49

III,1,1986

Cominius. That is the way to lay the city flat;
To bring the roof to the foundation,
And bury all, which yet distinctly ranges,
In heaps and piles of ruin.

Sicinius Velutus. This deserves death.


50

III,1,1992

Junius Brutus. Or let us stand to our authority,
Or let us lose it. We do here pronounce,
Upon the part o' the people, in whose power
We were elected theirs, CORIOLANUS is worthy
Of present death.

Sicinius Velutus. Therefore lay hold of him;
Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence
Into destruction cast him.


51

III,1,2067

(stage directions). [Re-enter BRUTUS and SICINIUS, with the rabble]

Sicinius Velutus. Where is this viper
That would depopulate the city and
Be every man himself?


52

III,1,2071

Menenius Agrippa. You worthy tribunes,—

Sicinius Velutus. He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock
With rigorous hands: he hath resisted law,
And therefore law shall scorn him further trial
Than the severity of the public power
Which he so sets at nought.


53

III,1,2081

Menenius Agrippa. Sir, sir,—

Sicinius Velutus. Peace!


54

III,1,2084

Menenius Agrippa. Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt
With modest warrant.

Sicinius Velutus. Sir, how comes't that you
Have holp to make this rescue?


55

III,1,2089

Menenius Agrippa. Hear me speak:
As I do know the consul's worthiness,
So can I name his faults,—

Sicinius Velutus. Consul! what consul?


56

III,1,2097

Menenius Agrippa. If, by the tribunes' leave, and yours, good people,
I may be heard, I would crave a word or two;
The which shall turn you to no further harm
Than so much loss of time.

Sicinius Velutus. Speak briefly then;
For we are peremptory to dispatch
This viperous traitor: to eject him hence
Were but one danger, and to keep him here
Our certain death: therefore it is decreed
He dies to-night.


57

III,1,2108

Menenius Agrippa. Now the good gods forbid
That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
Towards her deserved children is enroll'd
In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam
Should now eat up her own!

Sicinius Velutus. He's a disease that must be cut away.


58

III,1,2118

Menenius Agrippa. O, he's a limb that has but a disease;
Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy.
What has he done to Rome that's worthy death?
Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost—
Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath,
By many an ounce—he dropp'd it for his country;
And what is left, to lose it by his country,
Were to us all, that do't and suffer it,
A brand to the end o' the world.

Sicinius Velutus. This is clean kam.


59

III,1,2135

Junius Brutus. If it were so,—

Sicinius Velutus. What do ye talk?
Have we not had a taste of his obedience?
Our aediles smote? ourselves resisted? Come.


60

III,1,2149

First Senator. Noble tribunes,
It is the humane way: the other course
Will prove too bloody, and the end of it
Unknown to the beginning.

Sicinius Velutus. Noble Menenius,
Be you then as the people's officer.
Masters, lay down your weapons.


61

III,1,2153

Junius Brutus. Go not home.

Sicinius Velutus. Meet on the market-place. We'll attend you there:
Where, if you bring not CORIOLANUS, we'll proceed
In our first way.


62

III,3,2352

Aedile. With old Menenius, and those senators
That always favour'd him.

Sicinius Velutus. Have you a catalogue
Of all the voices that we have procured
Set down by the poll?


63

III,3,2356

Aedile. I have; 'tis ready.

Sicinius Velutus. Have you collected them by tribes?


64

III,3,2358

Aedile. I have.

Sicinius Velutus. Assemble presently the people hither;
And when they bear me say 'It shall be so
I' the right and strength o' the commons,' be it either
For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them
If I say fine, cry 'Fine;' if death, cry 'Death.'
Insisting on the old prerogative
And power i' the truth o' the cause.


65

III,3,2371

Aedile. Very well.

Sicinius Velutus. Make them be strong and ready for this hint,
When we shall hap to give 't them.


66

III,3,2381

Junius Brutus. Go about it.
[Exit AEdile]
Put him to choler straight: he hath been used
Ever to conquer, and to have his worth
Of contradiction: being once chafed, he cannot
Be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks
What's in his heart; and that is there which looks
With us to break his neck.

Sicinius Velutus. Well, here he comes.
[Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, and COMINIUS,]
with Senators and Patricians]


67

III,3,2394

(stage directions). [Re-enter AEdile, with Citizens]

Sicinius Velutus. Draw near, ye people.


68

III,3,2400

Coriolanus. Shall I be charged no further than this present?
Must all determine here?

Sicinius Velutus. I do demand,
If you submit you to the people's voices,
Allow their officers and are content
To suffer lawful censure for such faults
As shall be proved upon you?


69

III,3,2423

Coriolanus. What is the matter
That being pass'd for consul with full voice,
I am so dishonour'd that the very hour
You take it off again?

Sicinius Velutus. Answer to us.


70

III,3,2425

Coriolanus. Say, then: 'tis true, I ought so.

Sicinius Velutus. We charge you, that you have contrived to take
From Rome all season'd office and to wind
Yourself into a power tyrannical;
For which you are a traitor to the people.


71

III,3,2438

Coriolanus. The fires i' the lowest hell fold-in the people!
Call me their traitor! Thou injurious tribune!
Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths,
In thy hand clutch'd as many millions, in
Thy lying tongue both numbers, I would say
'Thou liest' unto thee with a voice as free
As I do pray the gods.

Sicinius Velutus. Mark you this, people?


72

III,3,2440

Citizens. To the rock, to the rock with him!

Sicinius Velutus. Peace!
We need not put new matter to his charge:
What you have seen him do and heard him speak,
Beating your officers, cursing yourselves,
Opposing laws with strokes and here defying
Those whose great power must try him; even this,
So criminal and in such capital kind,
Deserves the extremest death.


73

III,3,2462

Coriolanus. I know no further:
Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death,
Vagabond exile, raying, pent to linger
But with a grain a day, I would not buy
Their mercy at the price of one fair word;
Nor cheque my courage for what they can give,
To have't with saying 'Good morrow.'

Sicinius Velutus. For that he has,
As much as in him lies, from time to time
Envied against the people, seeking means
To pluck away their power, as now at last
Given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence
Of dreaded justice, but on the ministers
That do distribute it; in the name o' the people
And in the power of us the tribunes, we,
Even from this instant, banish him our city,
In peril of precipitation
From off the rock Tarpeian never more
To enter our Rome gates: i' the people's name,
I say it shall be so.


74

III,3,2478

Cominius. Hear me, my masters, and my common friends,—

Sicinius Velutus. He's sentenced; no more hearing.


75

III,3,2487

Cominius. Let me speak:
I have been consul, and can show for Rome
Her enemies' marks upon me. I do love
My country's good with a respect more tender,
More holy and profound, than mine own life,
My dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase,
And treasure of my loins; then if I would
Speak that,—

Sicinius Velutus. We know your drift: speak what?


76

III,3,2513

(stage directions). [Shouting, and throwing up their caps]

Sicinius Velutus. Go, see him out at gates, and follow him,
As he hath followed you, with all despite;
Give him deserved vexation. Let a guard
Attend us through the city.


77

IV,2,2588

(stage directions). [Enter SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and an AEdile]

Sicinius Velutus. Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further.
The nobility are vex'd, whom we see have sided
In his behalf.


78

IV,2,2594

Junius Brutus. Now we have shown our power,
Let us seem humbler after it is done
Than when it was a-doing.

Sicinius Velutus. Bid them home:
Say their great enemy is gone, and they
Stand in their ancient strength.


79

IV,2,2600

Junius Brutus. Dismiss them home.
[Exit AEdile]
Here comes his mother.

Sicinius Velutus. Let's not meet her.


80

IV,2,2602

Junius Brutus. Why?

Sicinius Velutus. They say she's mad.


81

IV,2,2614

Virgilia. [To SICINIUS] You shall stay too: I would I had the power
To say so to my husband.

Sicinius Velutus. Are you mankind?


82

IV,2,2619

Volumnia. Ay, fool; is that a shame? Note but this fool.
Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship
To banish him that struck more blows for Rome
Than thou hast spoken words?

Sicinius Velutus. O blessed heavens!


83

IV,2,2625

Volumnia. More noble blows than ever thou wise words;
And for Rome's good. I'll tell thee what; yet go:
Nay, but thou shalt stay too: I would my son
Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him,
His good sword in his hand.

Sicinius Velutus. What then?


84

IV,2,2631

Menenius Agrippa. Come, come, peace.

Sicinius Velutus. I would he had continued to his country
As he began, and not unknit himself
The noble knot he made.


85

IV,2,2647

Junius Brutus. Well, well, we'll leave you.

Sicinius Velutus. Why stay we to be baited
With one that wants her wits?


86

IV,6,3006

(stage directions). [Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS]

Sicinius Velutus. We hear not of him, neither need we fear him;
His remedies are tame i' the present peace
And quietness of the people, which before
Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends
Blush that the world goes well, who rather had,
Though they themselves did suffer by't, behold
Dissentious numbers pestering streets than see
Our tradesmen with in their shops and going
About their functions friendly.


87

IV,6,3018

Junius Brutus. We stood to't in good time.
[Enter MENENIUS]
Is this Menenius?

Sicinius Velutus. 'Tis he,'tis he: O, he is grown most kind of late.


88

IV,6,3021

Menenius Agrippa. Hail to you both!

Sicinius Velutus. Your Coriolanus
Is not much miss'd, but with his friends:
The commonwealth doth stand, and so would do,
Were he more angry at it.


89

IV,6,3027

Menenius Agrippa. All's well; and might have been much better, if
He could have temporized.

Sicinius Velutus. Where is he, hear you?


90

IV,6,3032

Citizens. The gods preserve you both!

Sicinius Velutus. God-den, our neighbours.


91

IV,6,3036

First Citizen. Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees,
Are bound to pray for you both.

Sicinius Velutus. Live, and thrive!


92

IV,6,3042

(stage directions). [Exeunt Citizens]

Sicinius Velutus. This is a happier and more comely time
Than when these fellows ran about the streets,
Crying confusion.


93

IV,6,3049

Junius Brutus. Caius CORIOLANUS was
A worthy officer i' the war; but insolent,
O'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking,
Self-loving,—

Sicinius Velutus. And affecting one sole throne,
Without assistance.


94

IV,6,3052

Menenius Agrippa. I think not so.

Sicinius Velutus. We should by this, to all our lamentation,
If he had gone forth consul, found it so.


95

IV,6,3068

Menenius Agrippa. 'Tis Aufidius,
Who, hearing of our CORIOLANUS' banishment,
Thrusts forth his horns again into the world;
Which were inshell'd when CORIOLANUS stood for Rome,
And durst not once peep out.

Sicinius Velutus. Come, what talk you
Of CORIOLANUS?


96

IV,6,3080

Menenius Agrippa. Cannot be!
We have record that very well it can,
And three examples of the like have been
Within my age. But reason with the fellow,
Before you punish him, where he heard this,
Lest you shall chance to whip your information
And beat the messenger who bids beware
Of what is to be dreaded.

Sicinius Velutus. Tell not me:
I know this cannot be.


97

IV,6,3087

Messenger. The nobles in great earnestness are going
All to the senate-house: some news is come
That turns their countenances.

Sicinius Velutus. 'Tis this slave;—
Go whip him, 'fore the people's eyes:—his raising;
Nothing but his report.


98

IV,6,3093

Messenger. Yes, worthy sir,
The slave's report is seconded; and more,
More fearful, is deliver'd.

Sicinius Velutus. What more fearful?


99

IV,6,3099

Messenger. It is spoke freely out of many mouths—
How probable I do not know—that CORIOLANUS,
Join'd with Aufidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome,
And vows revenge as spacious as between
The young'st and oldest thing.

Sicinius Velutus. This is most likely!


100

IV,6,3102

Junius Brutus. Raised only, that the weaker sort may wish
Good CORIOLANUS home again.

Sicinius Velutus. The very trick on't.


101

IV,6,3201

(stage directions). [Exeunt COMINIUS and MENENIUS]

Sicinius Velutus. Go, masters, get you home; be not dismay'd:
These are a side that would be glad to have
This true which they so seem to fear. Go home,
And show no sign of fear.


102

IV,6,3211

Junius Brutus. I do not like this news.

Sicinius Velutus. Nor I.


103

IV,6,3214

Junius Brutus. Let's to the Capitol. Would half my wealth
Would buy this for a lie!

Sicinius Velutus. Pray, let us go.


104

V,1,3315

Menenius Agrippa. For one poor grain or two!
I am one of those; his mother, wife, his child,
And this brave fellow too, we are the grains:
You are the musty chaff; and you are smelt
Above the moon: we must be burnt for you.

Sicinius Velutus. Nay, pray, be patient: if you refuse your aid
In this so never-needed help, yet do not
Upbraid's with our distress. But, sure, if you
Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue,
More than the instant army we can make,
Might stop our countryman.


105

V,1,3322

Menenius Agrippa. No, I'll not meddle.

Sicinius Velutus. Pray you, go to him.


106

V,1,3331

Menenius Agrippa. Well, and say that CORIOLANUS
Return me, as Cominius is return'd,
Unheard; what then?
But as a discontented friend, grief-shot
With his unkindness? say't be so?

Sicinius Velutus. Yet your good will
must have that thanks from Rome, after the measure
As you intended well.


107

V,1,3353

Cominius. He'll never hear him.

Sicinius Velutus. Not?


108

V,4,3732

Menenius Agrippa. See you yond coign o' the Capitol, yond
corner-stone?

Sicinius Velutus. Why, what of that?


109

V,4,3738

Menenius Agrippa. If it be possible for you to displace it with your
little finger, there is some hope the ladies of
Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him.
But I say there is no hope in't: our throats are
sentenced and stay upon execution.

Sicinius Velutus. Is't possible that so short a time can alter the
condition of a man!


110

V,4,3744

Menenius Agrippa. There is differency between a grub and a butterfly;
yet your butterfly was a grub. This CORIOLANUS is grown
from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a
creeping thing.

Sicinius Velutus. He loved his mother dearly.


111

V,4,3755

Menenius Agrippa. So did he me: and he no more remembers his mother
now than an eight-year-old horse. The tartness
of his face sours ripe grapes: when he walks, he
moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before
his treading: he is able to pierce a corslet with
his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum is a
battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made for
Alexander. What he bids be done is finished with
his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity
and a heaven to throne in.

Sicinius Velutus. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.


112

V,4,3761

Menenius Agrippa. I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his
mother shall bring from him: there is no more mercy
in him than there is milk in a male tiger; that
shall our poor city find: and all this is long of
you.

Sicinius Velutus. The gods be good unto us!


113

V,4,3772

(stage directions). [Enter a second Messenger]

Sicinius Velutus. What's the news?


114

V,4,3777

Second Messenger. Good news, good news; the ladies have prevail'd,
The Volscians are dislodged, and CORIOLANUS gone:
A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,
No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins.

Sicinius Velutus. Friend,
Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain?


115

V,4,3796

(stage directions). [Music still, with shouts]

Sicinius Velutus. First, the gods bless you for your tidings; next,
Accept my thankfulness.


116

V,4,3800

Second Messenger. Sir, we have all
Great cause to give great thanks.

Sicinius Velutus. They are near the city?


117

V,4,3802

Second Messenger. Almost at point to enter.

Sicinius Velutus. We will meet them,
And help the joy.


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