Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/125

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, IV. vi

So incapable of help.

Tribunes. Say not we brought it.

Men. How! Was 't we? We lov'd him; but, like beasts

And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters,

Who did hoot him out o' the city.

Com. But I fear

They'll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius,

The second name of men, obeys his points

As if he were his officer: desperation

Is all the policy, strength, and defence,

That Rome can make against them.

Men. Here come the clusters.

And is Aufidius with him? You are they

That made the air unwholesome, when you cast

Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at

Coriolanus' exile. Now he's coming;

And not a hair upon a soldier's head

Which will not prove a whip: as many coxcombs

As you threw caps up will he tumble down,

And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter;

If he could burn us all into one coal,

We have deserv'd it.

Omnes. Faith, we hear fearful news.

1. Cit. For mine own part,

When I said banish him, I said 'twas pity.

2. Cit. And so did I.

3. Cit. And so did I; and, to say the

 123 clusters: crowds

125 roar again: yell with pain as he returns

126 second men: the most famous man except Coriolanus

points: instructions

127–129 desperation against them; cf. n.

135 coxcombs: fools' heads

138 coal: hot ember

