Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/91

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, III. ii

Which I can scarcely bear.

Cor. What must I do?

Men. Return to the tribunes.

Cor. Well, what then? what then?

Men. Repent what you have spoke.

Cor. For them! I cannot do it to the gods;

Must I then do 't to them?

Vol. You are too absolute;

Though therein you can never be too noble,

But when extremities speak. I have heard you say,

Honour and policy, like unsever'd friends,

I' the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me,

In peace what each of them by th' other lose,

That they combine not there.

Cor. Tush, tush!

Men. A good demand.

Vol. If it be honour in your wars to seem

The same you are not,—which, for your best ends,

You adopt your policy,—how is it less or worse,

That it shall hold companionship in peace

With honour, as in war, since that to both

It stands in like request?

Cor. Why force you this?

Vol. Because that now it lies you on to speak

To the people; not by your own instruction,

Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you,

But with such words that are but rooted in

Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables

Of no allowance to your bosom's truth.

 39 absolute: positive, peremptory

41 But speak: except under the command of necessity

42 policy: craft

45 combine: join

48 adopt: adopt as

51 stands request: is equally valuable

force: urge

52 lies on: is incumbent upon you

53 by instruction: as your nature teaches you

55, 56 are tongue: have their roots no deeper than your tongue; cf. n.

57 of to: unapproved by

