Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/94

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Com. Come, come, we'll prompt you.

Vol. I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said

My praises made thee first a soldier, so,

To have my praise for this, perform a part

Thou hast not done before.

Cor. Well, I must do 't:

Away, my disposition, and possess me

Some harlot's spirit! My throat of war be turn'd,

Which quir'd with my drum, into a pipe

Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice

That babies lulls asleep! The smiles of knaves

Tent in my cheeks, and school-boys' tears take up

The glasses of my sight! A beggar's tongue

Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees,

Who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his

That hath receiv'd an alms! I will not do 't,

Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth,

And by my body's action teach my mind

A most inherent baseness.

Vol. At thy choice then:

To beg of thee it is my more dishonour

Than thou of them. Come all to ruin; let

Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear

Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death

With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list,

Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me,

But owe thy pride thyself.

Cor. Pray, be content:

Mother, I am going to the market-place;

 113 quir'd: harmonized

114 virgin: nurse-maid's

116 Tent: encamp

take up: fill

117 The sight: my eyes

121 surcease to honour: cease to have respect for

124 my dishonour: more dishonor for me

125 thou: for thee to beg

125–127 let stoutness: let my anxiety concerning thy dangerous obstinacy give place to such pride as thou feelest

130 owe: own

