Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/92

80

Now this no more dishonours you at all

Than to take in a town with gentle words,

Which else would put you to your fortune and

The hazard of much blood.

I would dissemble with my nature where

My fortunes and my friends at stake requir'd

I should do so in honour: I am in this,

Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;

And you will rather show our general louts

How you can frown than spend a fawn upon 'em,

For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard

Of what that want might ruin.

Men. Noble lady!

Come, go with us; speak fair; you may salve so,

Not what is dangerous present, but the loss

Of what is past.

Vol. I prithee now, my son,

Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand;

And thus far having stretch'd it,—here be with them,—

Thy knee bussing the stones,—for in such business

Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th' ignorant

More learned than the ears,—waving thy head,

Which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart,

Now humble as the ripest mulberry

That will not hold the handling: or say to them,

Thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils

Hast not the soft way which, thou dost confess,

Were fit for thee to use as they to claim,

 59 take in: get possession of

60 put fortune: force you to risk the fortune of war

64 I am: I am at stake

66 general louts: the good-for-nothings of the community

68 safeguard: for the security

69 that want: the want of their loves

71, 72 Not past; cf. n.

73 this bonnet: that which Coriolanus wears

74, 75 And stones; cf. n.

78 Which often: a concilatory gesture which you are to repeat often

83 as they: as for them

