William Shakespeare

Coriolanus William Shakespeare

Enter a company of mutinous Citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weaponsFirst CitizenBefore we proceed any further, hear me speak. AllSpeak, speak. First CitizenYou are all resolved rather to die than to famish?AllResolved. resolved. First CitizenFirst, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people. AllWe know't, we know't. First CitizenLet us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price. Is't a verdict?AllNo more talking on't; let it be done: away, away!Second CitizenOne word, good citizens. First CitizenWe are accounted poor citizens, the patricians good. What authority surfeits on would relieve us: if they would yield us but the superfluity, while it were wholesome, we might guess they relieved us humanely; but they think we are too dear: the leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an inventory to particularise their abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them Let us revenge this with our pikes, ere we become rakes: for the gods know I speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge. Second CitizenWould you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?AllAgainst him first: he's a very dog to the commonalty. Second CitizenConsider you what services he has done for his country?First CitizenVery well; and could be content to give him good report fort, but that he pays himself with being proud. Second CitizenNay, but speak not maliciously. First CitizenI say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did it to that end: though soft-conscienced men can be content to say it was for his country he did it to please his mother and to be partly proud; which he is, even till the altitude of his virtue. Second CitizenWhat he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous. First CitizenIf I must not, I need not be barren of accusations; he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition. Shouts withinWhat shouts are these? The other side o' the city is risen: why stay we prating here? to the Capitol!AllCome, come. First CitizenSoft! who comes here?Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPASecond CitizenWorthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always loved the people. First CitizenHe's one honest enough: would all the rest were so!MENENIUSWhat work's, my countrymen, in hand? where go you With bats and clubs? The matter? speak, I pray you. First CitizenOur business is not unknown to the senate; they have had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, which now we'll show 'em in deeds. They say poor suitors have strong breaths: they shall know we have strong arms too. MENENIUSWhy, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours, Will you undo yourselves?First CitizenWe cannot, sir, we are undone already. MENENIUSI tell you, friends, most charitable care Have the patricians of you. For your wants, Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them Against the Roman state, whose course will on The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs Of more strong link asunder than can ever Appear in your impediment. For the dearth, The gods, not the patricians, make it, and Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack, You are transported by calamity Thither where more attends you, and you slander The helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers, When you curse them as enemies.