Act 3. Scene III

SCENE III. The same. The Forum.

Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS
BRUTUS
In this point charge him home, that he affects
Tyrannical power: if he evade us there,
Enforce him with his envy to the people,
And that the spoil got on the Antiates
Was ne'er distributed.

Enter an AEdile

What, will he come?

AEdile
He's coming.

BRUTUS
How accompanied?

AEdile
With old Menenius, and those senators
That always favour'd him.

SICINIUS
Have you a catalogue
Of all the voices that we have procured
Set down by the poll?

AEdile
I have; 'tis ready.

SICINIUS
Have you collected them by tribes?

AEdile
I have.

SICINIUS
Assemble presently the people hither;
And when they bear me say 'It shall be so
I' the right and strength o' the commons,' be it either
For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them
If I say fine, cry 'Fine;' if death, cry 'Death.'
Insisting on the old prerogative
And power i' the truth o' the cause.

AEdile
I shall inform them.

BRUTUS
And when such time they have begun to cry,
Let them not cease, but with a din confused
Enforce the present execution
Of what we chance to sentence.

AEdile
Very well.

SICINIUS
Make them be strong and ready for this hint,
When we shall hap to give 't them.

BRUTUS
Go about it.

Exit AEdile

Put him to choler straight: he hath been used
Ever to conquer, and to have his worth
Of contradiction: being once chafed, he cannot
Be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks
What's in his heart; and that is there which looks
With us to break his neck.

SICINIUS
Well, here he comes.

Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, and COMINIUS, with Senators and Patricians

MENENIUS
Calmly, I do beseech you.

CORIOLANUS
Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece
Will bear the knave by the volume. The honour'd gods
Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice
Supplied with worthy men! plant love among 's!
Throng our large temples with the shows of peace,
And not our streets with war!

First Senator
Amen, amen.

MENENIUS
A noble wish.

Re-enter AEdile, with Citizens

SICINIUS
Draw near, ye people.

AEdile
List to your tribunes. Audience: peace, I say!

CORIOLANUS
First, hear me speak.

Both Tribunes
Well, say. Peace, ho!

CORIOLANUS
Shall I be charged no further than this present?
Must all determine here?

SICINIUS
I do demand,
If you submit you to the people's voices,
Allow their officers and are content