TPTT The Tragedy of Coriolanus: ACT V
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
ACT III
ACT IV
ACT V
SCENE I. Rome. A public place.
SCENE II. Entrance of the Volscian camp before Rome. Two Sentinels on guard.
SCENE III. The tent of Coriolanus.
SCENE IV. Rome. A public place.
SCENE V. The same. A street near the gate.
SCENE VI. Antium. A public place.
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SCENE IV. Rome. A public place.
Enter MENENIUS and SICINIUS
MENENIUS
      See you yond coign o' the Capitol, yond
      corner-stone?
SICINIUS
      Why, what of that?
MENENIUS
      If it be possible for you to displace it with your
5     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
      Is't possible that so short a time can alter the
10    condition of a man!
MENENIUS
      There is differency between a grub and a butterfly;
      yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown
      from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a
      creeping thing.
SICINIUS
15    He loved his mother dearly.
MENENIUS
      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
20    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
25    and a heaven to throne in.
SICINIUS
      Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.
MENENIUS
      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
30    shall our poor city find: and all this is long of
      you.
SICINIUS
      The gods be good unto us!
MENENIUS
      No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto
      us. When we banished him, we respected not them;
35    and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us.
Enter a Messenger
Messenger
      Sir, if you'ld save your life, fly to your house:
      The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune
      And hale him up and down, all swearing, if
      The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,
40    They'll give him death by inches.
Enter a second Messenger
SICINIUS
      What's the news?
Second Messenger
      Good news, good news; the ladies have prevail'd,
      The Volscians are dislodged, and Marcius gone:
      A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,
45    No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins.
SICINIUS
      Friend,
      Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain?
Second Messenger
      As certain as I know the sun is fire:
      Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it?
50    Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide,
      As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you!

Trumpets; hautboys; drums beat; all together

      The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries and fifes,
      Tabours and cymbals and the shouting Romans,
      Make the sun dance. Hark you!
A shout within
MENENIUS
55    This is good news:
      I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia
      Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians,
      A city full; of tribunes, such as you,
      A sea and land full. You have pray'd well to-day:
60    This morning for ten thousand of your throats
      I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!
Music still, with shouts
SICINIUS
      First, the gods bless you for your tidings; next,
      Accept my thankfulness.
Second Messenger
      Sir, we have all
65    Great cause to give great thanks.
SICINIUS
      They are near the city?
Second Messenger
      Almost at point to enter.
SICINIUS
      We will meet them,
      And help the joy.
Exeunt
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