Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/71

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, II. iii

Your voices therefore': when we granted that,

Here was, 'I thank you for your voices, thank you,

Your most sweet voices: now you have left your voices,

I have no further with you.' Was not this mockery?

Sic. Why either were you ignorant to see 't,

Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness

To yield your voices?

Bru. Could you not have told him

As you were lesson'd, when he had no power,

But was a petty servant to the state,

He was your enemy, ever spake against

Your liberties and the charters that you bear

I' the body of the weal; and now, arriving

A place of potency and sway o' the state,

If he should still malignantly remain

Fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might

Be curses to yourselves? You should have said

That as his worthy deeds did claim no less

Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature

Would think upon you for your voices and

Translate his malice towards you into love,

Standing your friendly lord.

Sic. Thus to have said,

As you were fore-advis'd, had touch'd his spirit

And tried his inclination; from him pluck'd

Either his gracious promise, which you might,

As cause had call'd you up, have held him to;

Or else it would have gall'd his surly nature,

Which easily endures not article

Tying him to aught; so, putting him to rage,

 182 ignorant to: so dull as not to

185 lesson'd: instructed

188 charters: privileges

189 weal: commonwealth

arriving: attaining

202 call'd you up: summoned you

204 article: condition

