Printable version of this page

The Tragedy of Coriolanus: Act 4 Scene 2

Scene II The same. A street near the gate.

[Enter SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and an AEdile]

SICINIUS

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.

BRUTUS

Now we have shown our power,

Let us seem humbler after it is done

Than when it was a-doing.

SICINIUS

Bid them home:

Say their great enemy is gone, and they

Stand in their ancient strength.

BRUTUS

Dismiss them home.

[Exit AEdile]

Here comes his mother.

SICINIUS

Let's not meet her.

BRUTUS

Why?

SICINIUS

They say she's mad.

BRUTUS

They have ta'en note of us: keep on your way.

[Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and MENENIUS]

VOLUMNIA

O, ye're well met: the hoarded plague o' the gods

Requite your love!

MENENIUS

Peace, peace; be not so loud.

VOLUMNIA

If that I could for weeping, you should hear,--

Nay, and you shall hear some.

[To BRUTUS]

Will you be gone?

VIRGILIA

[To SICINIUS] You shall stay too: I would I had the power

To say so to my husband.

SICINIUS

Are you mankind?

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

O blessed heavens!

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

What then?

VIRGILIA

What then!

He'ld make an end of thy posterity.

VOLUMNIA

Bastards and all.

Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome!

MENENIUS

Come, come, peace.

SICINIUS

I would he had continued to his country

As he began, and not unknit himself

The noble knot he made.

BRUTUS

I would he had.

VOLUMNIA

'I would he had'! 'Twas you incensed the rabble:

Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth

As I can of those mysteries which heaven

Will not have earth to know.

BRUTUS

Pray, let us go.

VOLUMNIA

Now, pray, sir, get you gone:

You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this:--

As far as doth the Capitol exceed

The meanest house in Rome, so far my son--

This lady's husband here, this, do you see--

Whom you have banish'd, does exceed you all.

BRUTUS

Well, well, we'll leave you.

SICINIUS

Why stay we to be baited

With one that wants her wits?

VOLUMNIA

Take my prayers with you.

[Exeunt Tribunes]

I would the gods had nothing else to do

But to confirm my curses! Could I meet 'em

But once a-day, it would unclog my heart

Of what lies heavy to't.

MENENIUS

You have told them home;

And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll sup with me?

VOLUMNIA

Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself,

And so shall starve with feeding. Come, let's go:

Leave this faint puling and lament as I do,

In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come.

MENENIUS

Fie, fie, fie!

[Exeunt]