Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/81

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, III. i

Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech you,—

You that will be less fearful than discreet,

That love the fundamental part of state

More than you doubt the change on 't, that prefer

A noble life before a long, and wish

To jump a body with a dangerous physic

That's sure of death without it, at once pluck out

The multitudinous tongue; let them not lick

The sweet which is their poison. Your dishonour

Mangles true judgment, and bereaves the state

Of that integrity which should become 't,

Not having the power to do the good it would,

For th' ill which doth control 't.

Bru. H'as said enough.

Sic. H'as spoken like a traitor, and shall answer

As traitors do.

Cor. Thou wretch! despite o'erwhelm thee!

What should the people do with these bald tribunes?

On whom depending, their obedience fails

To the greater bench. In a rebellion,

When what's not meet, but what must be, was law,

Then were they chosen: in a better hour,

Let what is meet be said it must be meet,

And throw their power i' the dust.

Bru. Manifest treason!

Sic. This a consul? no.

Bru. The ædiles, ho!

 149 less discreet: prudent rather than timid

150, 151 That on 't: whose devotion to the essentials of good government exceeds your fear of innovations in politics

153 jump: put in hazard

155 multitudinous tongue: i.e. voting power of the rabble

160 H'as: he has

161 answer: abide the penalty

163 despite: malice

166 greater bench: senate

167 what's be: inevitable necessity, however unfitting

172 ædiles: ædiles of the people, assistants to the tribunes

