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The Tragedy of Coriolanus
 
   
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Brutus complete text
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Brutus. He has no equal. 1.1.265
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Brutus. Mark'd you his lip and eyes? 1.1.267
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Brutus. Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods. 1.1.269
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Brutus. The present wars devour him: he is grown1.1.271
        Too proud to be so valiant. 1.1.272
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Brutus. Fame, at the which he aims,1.1.278
        In whom already he's well graced, can not1.1.279
        Better be held nor more attain'd than by1.1.280
        A place below the first: for what miscarries1.1.281
        Shall be the general's fault, though he perform1.1.282
        To the utmost of a man, and giddy censure1.1.283
        Will then cry out of Marcius 'O if he1.1.284
        Had borne the business!' 1.1.285
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Brutus. Come:1.1.289
        Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius.1.1.290
        Though Marcius earned them not, and all his faults1.1.291
        To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed1.1.292
        In aught he merit not. 1.1.293
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Brutus. Lets along.1.1.298

Exeunt

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Brutus. Good or bad? 2.1.2
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Brutus. He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear. 2.1.10
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Brutus. He's poor in no one fault, but stored with all. 2.1.16
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Brutus. And topping all others in boasting. 2.1.18
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Brutus. We do it not alone, sir. 2.1.31
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Brutus. What then, sir? 2.1.39
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Brutus. Come, sir, come, we know you well enough. 2.1.64
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Brutus. Come, come, you are well understood to be a2.1.79
        perfecter giber for the table than a necessary2.1.80
        bencher in the Capitol. 2.1.81
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Brutus. All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights2.1.212
        Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse2.1.213
        Into a rapture lets her baby cry2.1.214
        While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins2.1.215
        Her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck,2.1.216
        Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,2.1.217
        Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges horsed2.1.218
        With variable complexions, all agreeing2.1.219
        In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens2.1.220
        Do press among the popular throngs and puff2.1.221
        To win a vulgar station: or veil'd dames2.1.222
        Commit the war of white and damask in2.1.223
        Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil2.1.224
        Of Phoebus' burning kisses: such a pother2.1.225
        As if that whatsoever god who leads him2.1.226
        Were slily crept into his human powers2.1.227
        And gave him graceful posture. 2.1.228
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Brutus. Then our office may,2.1.231
        During his power, go sleep. 2.1.232
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Brutus. In that there's comfort. 2.1.236
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Brutus. I heard him swear,2.1.243
        Were he to stand for consul, never would he2.1.244
        Appear i' the market-place nor on him put2.1.245
        The napless vesture of humility;2.1.246
        Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds2.1.247
        To the people, beg their stinking breaths. 2.1.248
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Brutus. It was his word: O, he would miss it rather2.1.250
        Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him,2.1.251
        And the desire of the nobles. 2.1.252
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Brutus. 'Tis most like he will. 2.1.256
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Brutus. So it must fall out2.1.259
        To him or our authorities. For an end,2.1.260
        We must suggest the people in what hatred2.1.261
        He still hath held them; that to's power he would2.1.262
        Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and2.1.263
        Dispropertied their freedoms, holding them,2.1.264
        In human action and capacity,2.1.265
        Of no more soul nor fitness for the world2.1.266
        Than camels in the war, who have their provand2.1.267
        Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows2.1.268
        For sinking under them. 2.1.269
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Brutus. What's the matter? 2.1.277
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Brutus. Let's to the Capitol;2.1.287
        And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,2.1.288
        But hearts for the event. 2.1.289
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Brutus. Which the rather2.2.62
        We shall be blest to do, if he remember2.2.63
        A kinder value of the people than2.2.64
        He hath hereto prized them at. 2.2.65
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Brutus. Most willingly;2.2.69
        But yet my caution was more pertinent2.2.70
        Than the rebuke you give it. 2.2.71
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Brutus. Sir, I hope2.2.81
        My words disbench'd you not. 2.2.82
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Brutus. Mark you that? 2.2.172
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Brutus. You see how he intends to use the people. 2.2.182
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Brutus. Come, we'll inform them2.2.186
        Of our proceedings here: on the marketplace,2.2.187
        I know, they do attend us.2.2.188

Exeunt

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Brutus. We stay here for the people. 2.3.153
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Brutus. With a proud heart he wore his humble weeds.2.3.157
        will you dismiss the people?2.3.158

Re-enter Citizens

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Brutus. We pray the gods he may deserve your loves. 2.3.161
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Brutus. Could you not have told him2.3.185
        As you were lesson'd, when he had no power,2.3.186
        But was a petty servant to the state,2.3.187
        He was your enemy, ever spake against2.3.188
        Your liberties and the charters that you bear2.3.189
        I' the body of the weal; and now, arriving2.3.190
        A place of potency and sway o' the state,2.3.191
        If he should still malignantly remain2.3.192
        Fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might2.3.193
        Be curses to yourselves? You should have said2.3.194
        That as his worthy deeds did claim no less2.3.195
        Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature2.3.196
        Would think upon you for your voices and2.3.197
        Translate his malice towards you into love,2.3.198
        Standing your friendly lord. 2.3.199
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Brutus. Did you perceive2.3.210
        He did solicit you in free contempt2.3.211
        When he did need your loves, and do you think2.3.212
        That his contempt shall not be bruising to you,2.3.213
        When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies2.3.214
        No heart among you? or had you tongues to cry2.3.215
        Against the rectorship of judgment? 2.3.216
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Brutus. Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends,2.3.225
        They have chose a consul that will from them take2.3.226
        Their liberties; make them of no more voice2.3.227
        Than dogs that are as often beat for barking2.3.228
        As therefore kept to do so. 2.3.229
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Brutus. Lay2.3.240
        A fault on us, your tribunes; that we laboured,2.3.241
        No impediment between, but that you must2.3.242
        Cast your election on him. 2.3.243
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Brutus. Ay, spare us not. Say we read lectures to you.2.3.250
        How youngly he began to serve his country,2.3.251
        How long continued, and what stock he springs of,2.3.252
        The noble house o' the Marcians, from whence came2.3.253
        That Ancus Marcius, Numa's daughter's son,2.3.254
        Who, after great Hostilius, here was king;2.3.255
        Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,2.3.256
        That our beat water brought by conduits hither;2.3.257
        And [Censorinus,] nobly named so,2.3.258
        Twice being [by the people chosen] censor,2.3.259
        Was his great ancestor. 2.3.260
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Brutus. Say, you ne'er had done't--2.3.268
        Harp on that still--but by our putting on;2.3.269
        And presently, when you have drawn your number,2.3.270
        Repair to the Capitol. 2.3.271
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Brutus. Let them go on;2.3.274
        This mutiny were better put in hazard,2.3.275
        Than stay, past doubt, for greater:2.3.276
        If, as his nature is, he fall in rage2.3.277
        With their refusal, both observe and answer2.3.278
        The vantage of his anger. 2.3.279
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Brutus. It will be dangerous to go on: no further. 3.1.32
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Brutus. Cominius, no. 3.1.36
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Brutus. The people are incensed against him. 3.1.39
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Brutus. Call't not a plot:3.1.53
        The people cry you mock'd them, and of late,3.1.54
        When corn was given them gratis, you repined;3.1.55
        Scandal'd the suppliants for the people, call'd them3.1.56
        Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness. 3.1.57
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Brutus. Not to them all. 3.1.59
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Brutus. How! I inform them! 3.1.61
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Brutus. Not unlike,3.1.63
        Each way, to better yours. 3.1.64
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Brutus. You speak o' the people,3.1.103
        As if you were a god to punish, not3.1.104
        A man of their infirmity. 3.1.105
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Brutus. Why, shall the people give3.1.150
        One that speaks thus their voice? 3.1.151
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Brutus. Enough, with over-measure. 3.1.174
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Brutus. Has said enough. 3.1.198
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Brutus. Manifest treason! 3.1.209
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Brutus. The aediles, ho!3.1.211

Enter an AEdile

        Let him be apprehended. 3.1.212
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Brutus. Seize him, AEdiles! 3.1.226
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Brutus. By the consent of all, we were establish'd3.1.247
        The people's magistrates. 3.1.248
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Brutus. Or let us stand to our authority,3.1.256
        Or let us lose it. We do here pronounce,3.1.257
        Upon the part o' the people, in whose power3.1.258
        We were elected theirs, Marcius is worthy3.1.259
        Of present death. 3.1.260
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Brutus. AEdiles, seize him! 3.1.264
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Brutus. Sir, those cold ways,3.1.273
        That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous3.1.274
        Where the disease is violent. Lay hands upon him,3.1.275
        And bear him to the rock. 3.1.276
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Brutus. Lay hands upon him. 3.1.281
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Brutus. He consul! 3.1.354
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Brutus. Merely awry: when he did love his country,3.1.382
        It honour'd him. 3.1.383
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Brutus. We'll hear no more.3.1.387
        Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence:3.1.388
        Lest his infection, being of catching nature,3.1.389
        Spread further. 3.1.390
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Brutus. If it were so,-- 3.1.397
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Brutus. Go not home. 3.1.415
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Brutus. In this point charge him home, that he affects3.3.1
        Tyrannical power: if he evade us there,3.3.2
        Enforce him with his envy to the people,3.3.3
        And that the spoil got on the Antiates3.3.4
        Was ne'er distributed.3.3.5

Enter an AEdile

        What, will he come? 3.3.6
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Brutus. How accompanied? 3.3.8
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Brutus. And when such time they have begun to cry,3.3.25
        Let them not cease, but with a din confused3.3.26
        Enforce the present execution3.3.27
        Of what we chance to sentence. 3.3.28
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Brutus. Go about it.3.3.32

Exit AEdile

        Put him to choler straight: he hath been used3.3.33
        Ever to conquer, and to have his worth3.3.34
        Of contradiction: being once chafed, he cannot3.3.35
        Be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks3.3.36
        What's in his heart; and that is there which looks3.3.37
        With us to break his neck. 3.3.38
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Brutus. But since he hath3.3.103
        Served well for Rome,-- 3.3.104
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Brutus. I talk of that, that know it. 3.3.106
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Brutus. There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd,3.3.143
        As enemy to the people and his country:3.3.144
        It shall be so. 3.3.145
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Brutus. Now we have shown our power,4.2.4
        Let us seem humbler after it is done4.2.5
        Than when it was a-doing. 4.2.6
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Brutus. Dismiss them home.4.2.10

Exit AEdile

        Here comes his mother. 4.2.11
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Brutus. Why? 4.2.13
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Brutus. They have ta'en note of us: keep on your way.4.2.15

Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and MENENIUS

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Brutus. I would he had. 4.2.44
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Brutus. Pray, let us go. 4.2.49
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Brutus. Well, well, we'll leave you. 4.2.56
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Brutus. We stood to't in good time.4.6.10

Enter MENENIUS

        Is this Menenius? 4.6.11
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Brutus. God-den to you all, god-den to you all. 4.6.26
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Brutus. Farewell, kind neighbours: we wish'd Coriolanus4.6.30
        Had loved you as we did. 4.6.31
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Brutus. Caius Marcius was4.6.37
        A worthy officer i' the war; but insolent,4.6.38
        O'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking,Self-loving,-- 4.6.39
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Brutus. The gods have well prevented it, and Rome4.6.46
        Sits safe and still without him.4.6.47

Enter an AEdile

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Brutus. Go see this rumourer whipp'd. It cannot be4.6.61
        The Volsces dare break with us. 4.6.62
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Brutus. Not possible.4.6.73

Enter a Messenger

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Brutus. Raised only, that the weaker sort may wish4.6.90
        Good Marcius home again. 4.6.91
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Brutus. But is this true, sir? 4.6.130
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Brutus. I do not like this news. 4.6.195
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Brutus. Let's to the Capitol. Would half my wealth4.6.197
        Would buy this for a lie! 4.6.198
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Brutus. Only make trial what your love can do5.1.46
        For Rome, towards Marcius. 5.1.47
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Brutus. You know the very road into his kindness,5.1.68
        And cannot lose your way. 5.1.69
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