text
stringlengths
0
63
Second Citizen:
Why that way?
Third Citizen:
To lose itself in a fog, where being three parts
melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return
for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife.
Second Citizen:
You are never without your tricks: you may, you may.
Third Citizen:
Are you all resolved to give your voices? But
that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I
say, if he would incline to the people, there was
never a worthier man.
Here he comes, and in the gown of humility: mark his
behavior. We are not to stay all together, but to
come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and
by threes. He's to make his requests by
particulars; wherein every one of us has a single
honour, in giving him our own voices with our own
tongues: therefore follow me, and I direct you how
you shall go by him.
All:
Content, content.
MENENIUS:
O sir, you are not right: have you not known
The worthiest men have done't?
CORIOLANUS:
What must I say?
'I Pray, sir'--Plague upon't! I cannot bring
My tongue to such a pace:--'Look, sir, my wounds!
I got them in my country's service, when
Some certain of your brethren roar'd and ran
From the noise of our own drums.'
MENENIUS:
O me, the gods!
You must not speak of that: you must desire them
To think upon you.
CORIOLANUS:
Think upon me! hang 'em!
I would they would forget me, like the virtues
Which our divines lose by 'em.
MENENIUS:
You'll mar all:
I'll leave you: pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you,
In wholesome manner.
CORIOLANUS:
Bid them wash their faces
And keep their teeth clean.
So, here comes a brace.
You know the cause, air, of my standing here.
Third Citizen:
We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't.
CORIOLANUS:
Mine own desert.
Second Citizen:
Your own desert!
CORIOLANUS:
Ay, but not mine own desire.
Third Citizen:
How not your own desire?
CORIOLANUS:
No, sir,'twas never my desire yet to trouble the
poor with begging.
Third Citizen:
You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to
gain by you.
CORIOLANUS:
Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship?
First Citizen:
The price is to ask it kindly.
CORIOLANUS:
Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to
show you, which shall be yours in private. Your
good voice, sir; what say you?
Second Citizen:
You shall ha' it, worthy sir.
CORIOLANUS:
A match, sir. There's in all two worthy voices