Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/77

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, III. i

Sic. You show too much of that

For which the people stir; if you will pass

To where you are bound, you must inquire your way,

Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit;

Or never be so noble as a consul,

Nor yoke with him for tribune.

Men. Let's be calm.

Com. The people are abus'd; set on. This palt'ring

Becomes not Rome, nor has Coriolanus

Deserv'd this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely

I' the plain way of his merit.

Cor. Tell me of corn!

This was my speech, and I will speak 't again—

Men. Not now, not now.

Senat. Not in this heat, sir, now.

Cor. Now, as I live, I will. My nobler friends,

I crave their pardons:

For the mutable, rank-scented meiny, let them

Regard me as I do not flatter, and

Therein behold themselves: I say again,

In soothing them we nourish 'gainst our senate

The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition,

Which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd and scatter'd,

By mingling them with us, the honour'd number;

Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that

Which they have given to beggars.

Men. Well, no more.

Senat. No more words, we beseech you.

 51 that: that defect of character

56 yoke: join in service

57 abus'd: deceived

set on: incited

59 dishonour'd rub: shameful obstruction

falsely: treacherously

65 meiny: multitude

66 Regard flatter: heed my unflattering presentation

69 cockle: noxious weed

