Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/59

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, II. ii

As the main point of this our after-meeting,

To gratify his noble service that

Hath thus stood for his country: therefore, please you,

Most reverend and grave elders, to desire

The present consul, and last general

In our well-found successes, to report

A little of that worthy work perform'd

By Caius Martius Coriolanus, whom

We meet here both to thank and to remember

With honours like himself.

1. Sen. Speak, good Cominius:

Leave nothing out for length, and make us think

Rather our state's defective for requital,

Than we to stretch it out. [To the Tribunes.] Masters o' the people,

We do request your kindest ears, and, after,

Your loving motion toward the common body,

To yield what passes here.

Sic. We are convented

Upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts

Inclinable to honour and advance

The theme of our assembly.

Bru. Which the rather

We shall be bless'd to do, if he remember

A kinder value of the people than

He hath hereto priz'd them at.

Men. That's off, that's off;

I would you rather had been silent. Please you

To hear Cominius speak?

 45 gratify: reward

46 stood for: supported

49 well-found: auspicious

53 like himself: worthy of him

55 defective: insufficient

56 Than out: than we deficient in seeking to make the largest requital

58 motion toward: proposal to

59 passes: is voted

convented: called together

60 treaty: proposal

62 theme: subject, i.e. Coriolanus

63 bless'd: happy

64 kinder value: more favorable opinion

65 off: amiss

