Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/15

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, I. i  2. Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that

hath always loved the people.

1. Cit. He's one honest enough: would all the

rest were so!

Men. What work's, my countrymen, in hand? Where go you

With bats and clubs? The matter? Speak, I pray you.

2. Cit. Our business is not unknown to the

senate; they have had inkling this fortnight what

we intend to do, which now we'll show 'em in

deeds. They say poor suitors have strong

breaths: they shall know we have strong arms

too.

Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,

Will you undo yourselves?

2. Cit. We cannot, sir; we are undone

already.

Men. I tell you, friends, most charitable care

Have the patricians of you. For your wants,

Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well

Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them

Against the Roman state, whose course will on

The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs

Of more strong link asunder than can ever

Appear in your impediment. For the dearth,

The gods, not the patricians, make it, and

Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack!

You are transported by calamity

Thither where more attends you; and you slander

The helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers,

When you curse them as enemies.

 58 bats: heavy sticks

74 curbs: restraining chains 

80 more: more calamity

81 helms: pilots

