Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/63

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, II. ii

Men. It then remains

That you do speak to the people.

Cor. I do beseech you,

Let me o'erleap that custom, for I cannot

Put on the gown, stand naked, and entreat them,

For my wounds' sake, to give their suffrage: please you,

That I may pass this doing.

Sic. Sir, the people

Must have their voices; neither will they bate

One jot of ceremony.

Men. Put them not to 't:

Pray you, go fit you to the custom, and

Take to you, as your predecessors have,

Your honour with your form.

Cor. It is a part

That I shall blush in acting, and might well

Be taken from the people.

Bru. [Aside to Sicinius.] Mark you that?

Cor. To brag unto them, thus I did, and thus;

Show them the unaching scars which I should hide,

As if I had receiv'd them for the hire

Of their breath only!

Men. Do not stand upon 't.

We recommend to you, tribunes of the people,

Our purpose to them; and to our noble consul

Wish we all joy and honour.

Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!

Flourish Cornets, Then exeunt.

Mane[n]t Sicinius and Brutus.

 144 pass this doing: omit this action

145 voices: votes

bate: abate, waive

146 Put to 't: do not force the issue

147 fit you: accommodate yourself

149 with your form: in the conventional manner

155 breath: i.e. votes

156 recommend: entrust

157 Our them: what we propose to them

