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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 resolv'd 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.

Enter CORIOLANUS, in a gown of humility,

with MENENIUS

Here he comes, and in the gown of humility. Mark his behaviour.

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'll direct you how you shall go by him.

ALL.

Content, content. Exeunt citizens

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 th' 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. Exit

Re-enter three of the citizens

CORIOLANUS.

Bid them wash their faces

And keep their teeth clean. So, here comes a brace.

You know the cause, sir, 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, 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 anything, we hope to gain by you.

CORIOLANUS.

Well then, I pray, your price o' th' 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 begg'd.

I have your alms. Adieu.

THIRD CITIZEN.

But this is something odd.

SECOND CITIZEN.

An 'twere to give again- but 'tis no matter.

Exeunt the three citizens

Re-enter two other citizens

CORIOLANUS.

Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your

voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown.

FOURTH CITIZEN.

You have deserved nobly of your country, and you

have not deserved nobly.

CORIOLANUS.

Your enigma?

FOURTH CITIZEN.

You have been a scourge to her enemies; you have

been a rod to her friends. You have not indeed loved the common people.

CORIOLANUS.

You should account me the more virtuous, that I have

not been common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn

brother, the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them;

'tis a

condition they account gentle; and since the wisdom of their

choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise

the insinuating nod and be off to them most counterfeitly.

That

is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man

and give it bountiful to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you

I

may be consul.

FIFTH CITIZEN.

We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give

you our voices heartily.

FOURTH CITIZEN.

You have received many wounds for your country.

CORIOLANUS.

I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I

will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no farther.

BOTH CITIZENS.

The gods give you joy, sir, heartily!

Exeunt citizens

CORIOLANUS.

Most sweet voices!

Better it is to die, better to starve,

Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.

Why in this wolvish toge should I stand here

To beg of Hob and Dick that do appear