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The Tragedy of Coriolanus
 
   
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Cominius complete text pdf version
 
Cominius. You have fought together. 1.1.238
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Cominius. It is your former promise. 1.1.245
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Cominius. Noble Marcius! 1.1.258
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Cominius. Breathe you, my friends: well fought;1.6.1
        we are come off1.6.2
        Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,1.6.3
        Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,1.6.4
        We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck,1.6.5
        By interims and conveying gusts we have heard1.6.6
        The charges of our friends. Ye Roman gods!1.6.7
        Lead their successes as we wish our own,1.6.8
        That both our powers, with smiling1.6.9
        fronts encountering,1.6.10
        May give you thankful sacrifice.1.6.11

Enter a Messenger

        Thy news? 1.6.12
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Cominius. Though thou speak'st truth,1.6.17
        Methinks thou speak'st not well.1.6.18
        How long is't since? 1.6.19
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Cominius. 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums:1.6.21
        How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour,1.6.22
        And bring thy news so late? 1.6.23
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Cominius. Who's yonder,1.6.28
        That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods1.6.29
        He has the stamp of Marcius; and I have1.6.30
        Before-time seen him thus. 1.6.31
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Cominius. The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabour1.6.33
        More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue1.6.34
        From every meaner man.1.6.35

Enter MARCIUS

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Cominius. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,1.6.37
        But mantled in your own. 1.6.38
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Cominius. Flower of warriors,1.6.43
        How is it with Titus Lartius? 1.6.44
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Cominius. Where is that slave1.6.51
        Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?1.6.52
        Where is he? call him hither. 1.6.53
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Cominius. But how prevail'd you? 1.6.59
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Cominius. Marcius,1.6.63
        We have at disadvantage fought and did1.6.64
        Retire to win our purpose. 1.6.65
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Cominius. As I guess, Marcius,1.6.68
        Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,1.6.69
        Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius,1.6.70
        Their very heart of hope. 1.6.71
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Cominius. Though I could wish1.6.80
        You were conducted to a gentle bath1.6.81
        And balms applied to, you, yet dare I never1.6.82
        Deny your asking: take your choice of those1.6.83
        That best can aid your action. 1.6.84
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Cominius. March on, my fellows:1.6.106
        Make good this ostentation, and you shall1.6.107
        Divide in all with us.1.6.108

Exeunt

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Cominius. If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work,1.9.1
        Thou'ldst not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it1.9.2
        Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles,1.9.3
        Where great patricians shall attend and shrug,1.9.4
        I' the end admire, where ladies shall be frighted,1.9.5
        And, gladly quaked, hear more; where the1.9.6
        dull tribunes,1.9.7
        That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours,1.9.8
        Shall say against their hearts 'We thank the gods1.9.9
        Our Rome hath such a soldier.'1.9.10
        Yet camest thou to a morsel of this feast,1.9.11
        Having fully dined before.1.9.12

Enter TITUS LARTIUS, with his power, from the pursuit

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Cominius. You shall not be1.9.23
        The grave of your deserving; Rome must know1.9.24
        The value of her own: 'twere a concealment1.9.25
        Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement,1.9.26
        To hide your doings; and to silence that,1.9.27
        Which, to the spire and top of praises vouch'd,1.9.28
        Would seem but modest: therefore, I beseech you1.9.29
        In sign of what you are, not to reward1.9.30
        What you have done--before our army hear me. 1.9.31
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Cominius. Should they not,1.9.34
        Well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude,1.9.35
        And tent themselves with death. Of all the horses,1.9.36
        Whereof we have ta'en good and good store, of all1.9.37
        The treasure in this field achieved and city,1.9.38
        We render you the tenth, to be ta'en forth,1.9.39
        Before the common distribution, at1.9.40
        Your only choice. 1.9.41
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Cominius. Too modest are you;1.9.60
        More cruel to your good report than grateful1.9.61
        To us that give you truly: by your patience,1.9.62
        If 'gainst yourself you be incensed, we'll put you,1.9.63
        Like one that means his proper harm, in manacles,1.9.64
        Then reason safely with you. Therefore, be it known,1.9.65
        As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius1.9.66
        Wears this war's garland: in token of the which,1.9.67
        My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him,1.9.68
        With all his trim belonging; and from this time,1.9.69
        For what he did before Corioli, call him,1.9.70
        With all the applause and clamour of the host,1.9.71
        CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS! Bear1.9.72
        The addition nobly ever!1.9.73

Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums

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Cominius. So, to our tent;1.9.81
        Where, ere we do repose us, we will write1.9.82
        To Rome of our success. You, Titus Lartius,1.9.83
        Must to Corioli back: send us to Rome1.9.84
        The best, with whom we may articulate,1.9.85
        For their own good and ours. 1.9.86
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Cominius. Take't; 'tis yours. What is't? 1.9.91
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Cominius. O, well begg'd!1.9.98
        Were he the butcher of my son, he should1.9.99
        Be free as is the wind. Deliver him, Titus. 1.9.100
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Cominius. Go we to our tent:1.9.105
        The blood upon your visage dries; 'tis time1.9.106
        It should be look'd to: come.1.9.107

Exeunt

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Cominius. Look, sir, your mother! 2.1.166
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Cominius. Ever right. 2.1.195
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Cominius. On, to the Capitol!2.1.211

Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. BRUTUS and SICINIUS come forward

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Cominius. I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus2.2.97
        Should not be utter'd feebly. It is held2.2.98
        That valour is the chiefest virtue, and2.2.99
        Most dignifies the haver: if it be,2.2.100
        The man I speak of cannot in the world2.2.101
        Be singly counterpoised. At sixteen years,2.2.102
        When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought2.2.103
        Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator,2.2.104
        Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight,2.2.105
        When with his Amazonian chin he drove2.2.106
        The bristled lips before him: be bestrid2.2.107
        An o'er-press'd Roman and i' the consul's view2.2.108
        Slew three opposers: Tarquin's self he met,2.2.109
        And struck him on his knee: in that day's feats,2.2.110
        When he might act the woman in the scene,2.2.111
        He proved best man i' the field, and for his meed2.2.112
        Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age2.2.113
        Man-enter'd thus, he waxed like a sea,2.2.114
        And in the brunt of seventeen battles since2.2.115
        He lurch'd all swords of the garland. For this last,2.2.116
        Before and in Corioli, let me say,2.2.117
        I cannot speak him home: he stopp'd the fliers;2.2.118
        And by his rare example made the coward2.2.119
        Turn terror into sport: as weeds before2.2.120
        A vessel under sail, so men obey'd2.2.121
        And fell below his stem: his sword, death's stamp,2.2.122
        Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot2.2.123
        He was a thing of blood, whose every motion2.2.124
        Was timed with dying cries: alone he enter'd2.2.125
        The mortal gate of the city, which he painted2.2.126
        With shunless destiny; aidless came off,2.2.127
        And with a sudden reinforcement struck2.2.128
        Corioli like a planet: now all's his:2.2.129
        When, by and by, the din of war gan pierce2.2.130
        His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit2.2.131
        Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate,2.2.132
        And to the battle came he; where he did2.2.133
        Run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if2.2.134
        'Twere a perpetual spoil: and till we call'd2.2.135
        Both field and city ours, he never stood2.2.136
        To ease his breast with panting. 2.2.137
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Cominius. Our spoils he kick'd at,2.2.141
        And look'd upon things precious as they were2.2.142
        The common muck of the world: he covets less2.2.143
        Than misery itself would give; rewards2.2.144
        His deeds with doing them, and is content2.2.145
        To spend the time to end it. 2.2.146
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Cominius They are worn, lord consul, so,3.1.7
        That we shall hardly in our ages see3.1.8
        Their banners wave again. 3.1.9
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Cominius. Hath he not pass'd the noble and the common? 3.1.35
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Cominius. The people are abused; set on. This paltering3.1.75
        Becomes not Rome, nor has Coriolanus3.1.76
        Deserved this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely3.1.77
        I' the plain way of his merit. 3.1.78
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Cominius. 'Twas from the canon. 3.1.118
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Cominius. Well, on to the market-place. 3.1.142
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Cominius. Aged sir, hands off. 3.1.220
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Cominius. That is the way to lay the city flat;3.1.251
        To bring the roof to the foundation,3.1.252
        And bury all, which yet distinctly ranges,3.1.253
        In heaps and piles of ruin. 3.1.254
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Cominius. Help Marcius, help,3.1.282
        You that be noble; help him, young and old! 3.1.283
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Cominius. Stand fast;3.1.288
        We have as many friends as enemies. 3.1.289
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Cominius. Come, sir, along with us. 3.1.296
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Cominius. I could myself3.1.305
        Take up a brace o' the best of them; yea, the3.1.306
        two tribunes:3.1.307
        But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetic;3.1.308
        And manhood is call'd foolery, when it stands3.1.309
        Against a falling fabric. Will you hence,3.1.310
        Before the tag return? whose rage doth rend3.1.311
        Like interrupted waters and o'erbear3.1.312
        What they are used to bear. 3.1.313
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Cominius. Nay, come away.3.1.318

Exeunt CORIOLANUS, COMINIUS, and others

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Cominius. I have been i' the market-place; and, sir,'tis fit3.2.112
        You make strong party, or defend yourself3.2.113
        By calmness or by absence: all's in anger. 3.2.114
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Cominius. I think 'twill serve, if he3.2.116
        Can thereto frame his spirit. 3.2.117
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Cominius. Come, come, we'll prompt you. 3.2.128
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Cominius. Away! the tribunes do attend you: arm yourself3.2.164
        To answer mildly; for they are prepared3.2.165
        With accusations, as I hear, more strong3.2.166
        Than are upon you yet. 3.2.167
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Cominius. Well, well, no more. 3.3.73
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Cominius. Know, I pray you,-- 3.3.109
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Cominius. Hear me, my masters, and my common friends,-- 3.3.132
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Cominius. Let me speak:3.3.134
        I have been consul, and can show for Rome3.3.135
        Her enemies' marks upon me. I do love3.3.136
        My country's good with a respect more tender,3.3.137
        More holy and profound, than mine own life,3.3.138
        My dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase,3.3.139
        And treasure of my loins; then if I would3.3.140
        Speak that,-- 3.3.141
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Cominius. I'll follow thee a month, devise with thee4.1.42
        Where thou shalt rest, that thou mayst hear of us4.1.43
        And we of thee: so if the time thrust forth4.1.44
        A cause for thy repeal, we shall not send4.1.45
        O'er the vast world to seek a single man,4.1.46
        And lose advantage, which doth ever cool4.1.47
        I' the absence of the needer. 4.1.48
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Cominius. O, you have made good work! 4.6.102
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Cominius. You have holp to ravish your own daughters and4.6.104
        To melt the city leads upon your pates,4.6.105
        To see your wives dishonour'd to your noses,-- 4.6.106
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Cominius. Your temples burned in their cement, and4.6.108
        Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined4.6.109
        Into an auger's bore. 4.6.110
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Cominius. If!4.6.114
        He is their god: he leads them like a thing4.6.115
        Made by some other deity than nature,4.6.116
        That shapes man better; and they follow him,4.6.117
        Against us brats, with no less confidence4.6.118
        Than boys pursuing summer butterflies,4.6.119
        Or butchers killing flies. 4.6.120
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Cominius. He will shake4.6.125
        Your Rome about your ears. 4.6.126
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Cominius. Ay; and you'll look pale4.6.131
        Before you find it other. All the regions4.6.132
        Do smilingly revolt; and who resist4.6.133
        Are mock'd for valiant ignorance,4.6.134
        And perish constant fools. Who is't can blame him?4.6.135
        Your enemies and his find something in him. 4.6.136
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Cominius. Who shall ask it?4.6.139
        The tribunes cannot do't for shame; the people4.6.140
        Deserve such pity of him as the wolf4.6.141
        Does of the shepherds: for his best friends, if they4.6.142
        Should say 'Be good to Rome,' they charged him even4.6.143
        As those should do that had deserved his hate,4.6.144
        And therein show'd like enemies. 4.6.145
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Cominius. You have brought4.6.151
        A trembling upon Rome, such as was never4.6.152
        So incapable of help. 4.6.153
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Cominius. But I fear4.6.158
        They'll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius,4.6.159
        The second name of men, obeys his points4.6.160
        As if he were his officer: desperation4.6.161
        Is all the policy, strength and defence,4.6.162
        That Rome can make against them.4.6.163

Enter a troop of Citizens

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Cominius. Ye re goodly things, you voices! 4.6.183
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Cominius. O, ay, what else?4.6.186

Exeunt COMINIUS and MENENIUS

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Cominius. He would not seem to know me. 5.1.8
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Cominius. Yet one time he did call me by my name:5.1.10
        I urged our old acquaintance, and the drops5.1.11
        That we have bled together. Coriolanus5.1.12
        He would not answer to: forbad all names;5.1.13
        He was a kind of nothing, titleless,5.1.14
        Till he had forged himself a name o' the fire5.1.15
        Of burning Rome. 5.1.16
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Cominius. I minded him how royal 'twas to pardon5.1.20
        When it was less expected: he replied,5.1.21
        It was a bare petition of a state5.1.22
        To one whom they had punish'd. 5.1.23
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Cominius. I offer'd to awaken his regard5.1.26
        For's private friends: his answer to me was,5.1.27
        He could not stay to pick them in a pile5.1.28
        Of noisome musty chaff: he said 'twas folly,5.1.29
        For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt,5.1.30
        And still to nose the offence. 5.1.31
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Cominius. He'll never hear him. 5.1.73
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Cominius. I tell you, he does sit in gold, his eye5.1.75
        Red as 'twould burn Rome; and his injury5.1.76
        The gaoler to his pity. I kneel'd before him;5.1.77
        'Twas very faintly he said 'Rise;' dismiss'd me5.1.78
        Thus, with his speechless hand: what he would do,5.1.79
        He sent in writing after me; what he would not,5.1.80
        Bound with an oath to yield to his conditions:5.1.81
        So that all hope is vain.5.1.82
        Unless his noble mother, and his wife;5.1.83
        Who, as I hear, mean to solicit him5.1.84
        For mercy to his country. Therefore, let's hence,5.1.85
        And with our fair entreaties haste them on.5.1.86

Exeunt

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