The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated) (794 page)

and brush their teeth.

And keep their teeth clean.

[Exit MENENIUS.]

So, here comes a couple.

So, here comes a brace:

[Re-enter two citizens.]

You know why I’m here.

You know the cause, sirs, of my standing here.

FIRST CITIZEN.

We do, sir. Tell us how you managed it.

We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't.

CORIOLANUS.

On my own merit.

Mine own desert.

SECOND CITIZEN.

Your own merit?

Your own desert?

CORIOLANUS.

Yes, not because I want to be.

Ay, not mine own desire.

FIRST CITIZEN.

What! You don’t want to be here?

How! not your own desire!

CORIOLANUS.

No. I never wanted to bother the poor by

No, sir, 'twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with

begging for their vote.

begging.

FIRST CITIZEN.

You must realize that if we vote for you we’ll expect to get something in return.

You must think, if we give you anything, we hope to gain by you.

CORIOLANUS.

Well then, what is your price for the consulship?

Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship?

FIRST CITIZEN.

The price is for you to ask for it nicely.

The price is to ask it kindly.

CORIOLANUS.

Well then, kindly let me have it. I have wounds to show you,

Kindly! sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to show you,

which you can enjoy in private. Your vote, sire, what

which shall be yours in private.--Your good voice, sir; what

do you say?

say you?

SECOND CITIZEN.

You will have it, sir.

You shall ha' it, worthy sir.

CORIOLANUS.

Agreed! That’s two good votes I’ve got. I have your

A match, sir.--There's in all two worthy voices begg'd.--I have

charitable promise. Good bye.

your alms: adieu.

FIRST CITIZEN.

But this is strange.

But this is something odd.

SECOND CITIZEN.

And stanger still if he gives something back. But it doesn’t matter.

An 'twere to give again,-- but 'tis no matter.

[Exeunt two citizens.]

[Re-enter other two citizens.]

CORIOLANUS.

If it is agreeable to you that I

Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I

should be consul, I have here the customary gown [that shows his scars].

may be consul, I have here the customary gown.

THIRD CITIZEN.

You have served your country well, but you do not

You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not

deserve reward.

deserved nobly.

CORIOLANUS.

What’s the answer to your riddle?

Your enigma?

THIRD CITIZEN.

You have been a scourge to Rome’s enemies, you have been a help to

You have been a scourge to her enemies; you have been a rod to

her friends, but you have not loved the common people.

her friends: you have not indeed loved the common people.

CORIOLANUS.

You should think more highly of me because I have not been

You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been

indiscriminant in my love. I will flatter my dear friends, the

common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother, the

people, to earn a better opinion from them: that’s what

people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition

they think is noble, and since they would

they account gentle: and since the wisdom of their choice is

rather have my deference than my genuine affection, I will practice

rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the

kissing ass and pull it off very hypocritically. That is,

insinuating nod and be off to them most counterfeitly: that is,

I will imitate the charm of a some common man

sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man

and give generously to whoever wants it. Therefore, I beg you,

and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you,

let me be consul.

I may be consul.

FOURTH CITIZEN.

We hope that you will be our friend, so we give you our votes

We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices

happily.

heartily.

THIRD CITIZEN.

You have received many wounds for your country.

You have received many wounds for your country.

CORIOLANUS.

I will you prove you right by showing them to you. I will use your

I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make

votes well, and leave you now.

much of your voices, and so trouble you no further.

BOTH CITIZENS.

Good luck, sir!

The gods give you joy, sir, heartily!

[Exeunt citizens.]

CORIOLANUS.

What lovely votes! [sarcastic]

Most sweet voices!—

It would be better to starve to death

Better it is to die, better to starve,  

than beg for a reward which I already reserve.

Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.

Why should I stand here in this crappy toga,

Why in this wolvish toge should I stand here,

to beg every Tom, Dick and Harry that bothers to show up for

To beg of Hob and Dick that do appear,

their votes, which should be unnecessary. Tradition makes me do it:

Their needless vouches? custom calls me to't:--

but should we follow every tradition?

What custom wills, in all things should we do't?

The past is old and dusty, traditions never change with the times,

The dust on antique time would lie unswept,

and if it were colossally wrong,

And mountainous error be too highly heap'd

no one would notice. Rather than act like a big fool,

For truth to o'erpeer. Rather than fool it so,

let the high office and the honor go

Let the high office and the honour go

to someone who wants to put up this nonsense. I am halfway done;

To one that would do thus.--I am half through;

I’ve endured half of these people, now I’ll do the other half.

The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.

Here come more voices.

Here come more voices.

[Re-enter other three citizens.]

Your votes! For your votes I have fought;

Your voices: for your voices I have fought;

I’ve stayed up for your votes; for your votes I have

Watch'd for your voices; for your voices bear

over two dozen wounds; I have fought 18

Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six

battles for them; for your votes I have

I have seen and heard of; for your voices have

done many things, big and small. Your votes!

Done many things, some less, some more: your voices:  

I want to be consul.

Indeed, I would be consul.

FIFTH CITIZEN.

He has been a noble man, and every honest man must vote for him.

He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice.

SIXTH CITIZEN.

So let him be consul. I hope he is happy, and that he becomes a

Therefore let him be consul: the gods give him joy, and make him

good friend to the people!

good friend to the people!

ALL THREE CITIZENS.

Amen, amen. God bless you, good consul!

Amen, amen.--God save thee, noble consul!

[Exeunt.]

CORIOLANUS.

Good votes!

Worthy voices!

[Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS and SICINIUS.]

MENENIUS.

You have stood for the allotted time, and the representatives of the people

You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes

can now give you the people’s votes. All that remains

Endue you with the people's voice:--remains

for you to officially take office if for you

That, in the official marks invested, you

to go immediately to meet the Senate.

Anon do meet the senate.

CORIOLANUS.

Is that how it’s done?

Is this done?

SICINIUS.

You have completed the tradition of asking for votes.

The custom of request you have discharg'd:

The people allow you to take to office, and the Senate has been summoned

The people do admit you; and are summon'd

to meet now, in order to confirm you for the position.

To meet anon, upon your approbation.

CORIOLANUS.

Where? At the Senate house?

Where? at the senate-house?  

SICINIUS.

Yes.

There, Coriolanus.

CORIOLANUS.

May I change my clothes?

May I change these garments?

SICINIUS.

You may, sir.

You may, sir.

CORIOLANUS.

Then I’ll do that right away, and once I’m back in my normal clothes

That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again,

I’ll go straight to the Senate.

Repair to the senate-house.

MENENIUS.

I’ll keep you company. Brutus and Sicinius, will you come with us?

I'll keep you company.--Will you along?

BRUTUS.

We’ll wait here for the people.

We stay here for the people.

SICINIUS.

Good bye.

Fare you well.

[Exeunt CORIOLANUS and MENENIUS.]

He has it now, and I think he looks

He has it now; and by his looks methinks

very happy about it.

'Tis warm at his heart.

BRUTUS.

He wore those humble clothes, but he was still proud.

With a proud heart he wore his humble weeds.

Will you tell the people to leave?

Will you dismiss the people?

[Re-enter citizens.]

SICINIUS.

How is everybody? Have you chosen Coriolanus?

How now, my masters! have you chose this man?

FIRST CITIZEN.

He has our votes, sir.

He has our voices, sir.

BRUTUS.

I hope he will deserve your support.

We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.

SECOND CITIZEN.

Amen, sir. As far as I could tell, despite my ignorance,

Amen, sir:--to my poor unworthy notice,