Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/100

88

Even from this instant, banish him our city,

In peril of precipitation

From off the rock Tarpeian, never more

To enter our Rome gates: i' the people’s name,

I say, it shall be so.

All. It shall be so.—It shall be so.—Let him away.—

He's banish'd, and it shall be so.

Com. Hear me, my masters, and my common friends,—

Sic. He's sentenc'd; no more hearing.

Com. Let me speak:

I have been consul, and can show for Rome

Her enemies' marks upon me. I do love

My country's good with a respect more tender,

More holy, and profound, than mine own life,

My dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase,

And treasure of my loins; then if I would

Speak that—

Sic. We know your drift: speak what?

Bru. There's no more to be said but he is banish'd,

As enemy to the people and his country.

It shall be so.

All. It shall be so,—it shall be so.

Cor. You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate

As reek o' the rotten fens, whose loves I prize

As the dead carcasses of unburied men

That do corrupt my air, I banish you;

And here remain with your uncertainty!

Let every feeble rumour shake your hearts!

Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes,

Fan you into despair! Have the power still

 112 estimate: reputation

122 remain: do you remain

uncertainty: inconstancy of mind

