Coriolanus Page #3

Is he not wounded?

He was wont to come home wounded.

O yes, he is wounded.

I thank the gods for it.

O, so do I too,

if it be not too much.

Brings a victory in his pocket,

the wounds become him.

Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?

Titus Lartius said they fought together,

but Aufidius got off.

In truth, there's wondrous

things spoke of him.

Gods grant them true.

- True.

- I'll be sworn they're true.

Where is he wounded?

In the shoulder and in the left arm.

There will be large

scars to show the people

when he shall stand for his place.

He had, before this last expedition,

- 25 wounds upon him.

- Now it's 27.

Every gash was an enemy's grave.

Before him he carries noise,

and behind him he leaves tears.

Death, that dark spirit,

in his nervy arm doth lie.

Which, being advanced,

declines, and then men die.

Be it known,

as to us, to all the world,

that Caius Martius

wears this war's garland.

And, from this time,

for what he did before Corioles,

call him, with all the applause

and clamor of the host:

"Caius Martius Coriolanus."

Bear the addition nobly ever.

Caius Martius Coriolanus!

No more of this. It does offend

my heart. Pray now, no more.

Look, sir, your mother.

O, you have, I know, petitioned

all the gods for my prosperity.

Nay, my good soldier, up.

Ah, my gentle Martius, worthy Caius,

and by deed-achieving honor

newly named... What is it?

"Coriolanus" must I call thee?

But, O, thy wife...

My gracious silence, hail.

Wouldst thou have laughed

had I come coffined home,

that weeps to see me triumph?

Aye, my dear, such eyes

the widows in Corioles wear,

and mothers that lack sons.

- Now, the gods crown thee!

- And live you yet?

I could weep and I could laugh.

I'm light and heavy.

I know not where to turn.

O, you are welcome home.

You are welcome all.

- A hundred thousand welcomes!

- Welcome all!

Welcome, Coriolanus!

Welcome!

'Tis thought that

Martius shall be consul.

I have seen the dumb men

throng to see him,

and the blind to hear him speak.

Matrons flung gloves,

ladies and maids their scarves

and handkerchiefs

upon him as he passed.

The nobles bended as to Jove's statue.

And the commons made a shower

and thunder with their caps and shouts.

I never saw the like.

Was ever a man

so proud as is this Martius?

He has no equal.

When we were chosen tribunes

for the people...

- Marked you his lip and eyes?

- Nay, but his taunts.

The augurer tells me

we shall have news tonight.

Good or bad?

Not according to the prayer of

the people, for they love not Martius.

Nature teaches beasts

to know their friends.

You blame Martius for being proud?

- We do it not alone, sir.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes