Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/149

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, V. v

A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd

Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd,

He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery,

Seducing so my friends; and, to this end,

He bow'd his nature, never known before

But to be rough, unswayable, and free.

3. Con. Sir, his stoutness

When he did stand for consul, which he lost

By lack of stooping,—

Auf. That I would have spoke of:

Being banish'd for 't, he came unto my hearth;

Presented to my knife his throat: I took him;

Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way

In all his own desires; nay, let him choose

Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,

My best and freshest men; serv'd his designments

In mine own person; holp to reap the fame

Which he did end all his; and took some pride

To do myself this wrong: till, at the last,

I seem'd his follower, not partner; and

He wag'd me with his countenance, as if

I had been mercenary.

1. Con. So he did, my lord:

The army marvell'd at it; and, in the last,

When we had carried Rome, and that we look'd

For no less spoil than glory,—

Auf. There was it;

For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him.

 21 good construction: justification

23 By flattery he increased his power in his new environment

26 free: independent

32 way: freedom of action

34 files: troops

35, 36 serv'd person: personally assisted him in his designs

37 end: garner, store away

40 wag'd: rewarded

countenance: patronizing favor

42 in the last: finally

45 my sinews stretch'd: I shall exert all my force

