Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/23

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, I. i

Your valour puts well forth; pray, follow.

Exeunt [Martius, Cominius, Titus, etc.].

Citizens steal away.

Mane[n]t Sicin. & Brutus.

Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Martius?

Bru. He has no equal.

Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the people,—

Bru. Mark'd you his lip and eyes?

Sic. Nay, but his taunts.

Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods.

Sic. Bemock the modest moon.

Bru. The present wars devour him! he is grown

Too proud to be so valiant.

Sic. Such a nature,

Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow

Which he treads on at noon. But I do wonder

His insolence can brook to be commanded

Under Cominius.

Bru. Fame, at the which he aims,

In whom already he's well grac'd, cannot

Better be held nor more attain'd than by

A place below the first; for what miscarries

Shall be the general's fault, though he perform

To th' utmost of a man; and giddy censure

Will then cry out of Martius 'O! if he

Had borne the business.'

Sic. Besides, if things go well,

Opinion, that so sticks on Martius, shall

Of his demerits rob Cominius.

Bru. Come:

Half all Cominius' honours are to Martius,

 257 puts forth: shows well (ironic)

257 S.d. Manent: remain on the stage

265 to be: of being

266, 267 disdains noon; cf. n.

274 giddy censure: fickle opinion

278 demerits: merits

