Then exeunt. Manent Sicinius and Brutus.

 

BRU.

You see how he intends to use the people.

SIC.

May they perceive 's intent! He will require them

As if he did contemn what he requested

Should be in them to give.

BRU.

Come, we'll inform them

Of our proceedings here on th' market-place;

I know they do attend us.

 

[Exeunt.]

 

 

[Scene III]

Enter seven or eight Citizens.

 

1. CIT. Once if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.

2. CIT. We may, sir, if we will.

3. 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 his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them; so, if he tell us his 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 the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.

1. CIT. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many- headed multitude.

3. CIT. We have been call'd so of many, not that our heads are some brown, some black, some abram, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely color'd; and truly I think if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south, and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points a' th' compass.

2. CIT. Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would fly?

3. CIT. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will; 'tis strongly wadg'd up in a block-head; but if it were at liberty, 'twould sure southward.

2. CIT. Why that way?

3. CIT. To lose itself in a fog, where being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience' sake to help to get thee a wife.

2. CIT. You are never without your tricks; you may, you may.

3. CIT. 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 behavior. 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 honor, 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.]

 

MEN.

O sir, you are not right.