The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 6 of 9 vols.] — Part 216

_First Sen._ He cannot but with measure fit the honours[2957][2958][2959] 120 Which we devise him.[2958]

_Com._ Our spoils he kick'd at, And look'd upon things precious, as they were The common muck of the world: he covets less[2960] Than misery itself would give; rewards[2961][2962] His deeds with doing them, and is content[2961] 125 To spend the time to end it.[2963]

_Men._ He's right noble:[2964] Let him be call'd for.[2964]

_Men._ The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleased[2967] To make thee consul.[2967]

_Cor._ I do owe them still[2967] 130 My life and services.[2967]

_Men._ It then remains[2967] That you do speak to the people.[2967]

_Cor._ I do beseech you,[2968] 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[2969][2970] 135 That I may pass this doing.[2969]

_Sic._ Sir, the people[2969][2971] Must have their voices; neither will they bate[2969][2972] One jot of ceremony.[2969]

_Men._ Put them not to't:[2969] Pray you, go fit you to the custom, and[2969][2973] Take to you, as your predecessors have,[2969][2974] 140 Your honour with your form.[2975]

_Cor._ It is a part[2976] That I shall blush in acting, and might well[2976] Be taken from the people.[2976][2977]

_Cor._ To brag unto them, thus I did, and thus;[2978] Show them the unaching scars which I should hide,[2978][2979] 145 As if I had received them for the hire Of their breath only!

_Men._ Do not stand upon't. We recommend to you, tribunes of the people,[2980] Our purpose to them: and to our noble consul[2981] Wish we all joy and honour. 150

_Senators._ To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!

[_Flourish of cornets. Exeunt all but Sicinius and Brutus._[2982]

_Bru._ You see how he intends to use the people.

_Sic._ May they perceive's intent! He will require them,[2983] As if he did contemn what he requested Should be in them to give.

_Bru._ Come, we'll inform them 155 Of our proceedings here: on the market-place,[2984] I know, they do attend us. [_Exeunt._[2985]

_First Cit._ Once, if he do require our voices, we ought[2987] not to deny him.

_Third Cit._ We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he show us 5 his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues[2988] into those wounds and speak for them; so, if he tell us his[2989] noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous: and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude; of 10 the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.