UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AT LOS ANGELES
THE GIFT OF
MAY TREAT MORRISON
IN MEMORY OF
ALEXANDER F MORRISON
THE ^i=r
WORKS
O F
SHAKESPEAR
\\
VOLUME the SIXTH.
CONTAINING,
KING LEAR.
TIMON of ATHENS.
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
MACBETH.
CORIOLANUS.
LONDON:
Printed for J. and P. Knapton, S. Birt, T. Longman and
T. Sbewtll, H. Lintott, C. Hitch, J. Brindley, J. and R. Ton.
Son aad S. Draper, R. Wellington, E. New, and B. Dod
MDCCXLVII.
ERRATA.
Page 31. I. 30. for tents read tens. p. 65. I. 3. for beater read
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p. 74. 1. 13. far you are read are you. p. 82. 1. 19. for are fo fophifti-
cated read are fophifticated. p. 306. 1. 23. for lord read lords, p. 332.
1. 17. / to read two. p. 334. 1. 21. for Winds of the rw</ Winds and.
p. 338. 1. 32. for this reW there, p. 339. 1. penult, for ask fuch mti
ask them fuch. p. 347. 1. 30 32 f 33--/o- metaphyfical read rnetaphyfic.
p. 387. 1. 16. /a*- understand read underftood. p. 476. 1. cu for gain
fJ jan.
/7W7 fXri'l ;>Yf:*-%
THE
LIFE and DEATH
% OF
KING LEAR.
VOL. VI. B
PERSONS
LEAR, King of Britain,
King of France.
Duke of Burgundy.
Duke of Cornwall.
Duke of Albany.
Earl of Glo'fler;
Earl of Kent.
Edgar, Son to Glo'fler.
Edmund, Baftard Son to Glo'flerl
Curan, a Courtier*
Do ft or.
Fool.
Ofwald, Steward to Goner ill.
A Captain, employed by Edmund.
Gentleman, Attendant on Cordelia,
A Herald.
Old Man, Tenant to Glo'fter.
Servant to Cornwall.
^' I Servants to Glo'fler.
2d. r
Gonerill, i
Regan, > Daughters to Lear}
Cordelia, 3
attending en the King, Officer -j,
Soldiers and Attendants.
SCENE lyes in Britain,
KING
KING LEAR.
A C T I. S C E N E I.
The KING'S PALACE.
nter Kent, Glo'fter, and Edmund the Bo/lard^
KENT.
Thought, the King had more affefted
the Duke of Albany than Cornwall*
Glo. It did always feem fo to us : but
now, in the Divifion of the Kingdom,
it appears not, which of the Dukes he
values moft} for qualities are fo weigh'd* * that
curiofity in neither can make choice of either'a
moiety.
Kent. Is not this your fon, my lord ?
Glo. His Breeding, Sir, hath been at my charge.
I have fo often blufh'd to acknowledge him, that now
I am braz'd to't.
Kent. I cannot conceive you,
I that curiofity in neither] Curiojity, for exaftcft fcrutinjr. The
fenfe of the whole fentence is, The qualities and properties of
the feveral divifions are fo weighed and balanced againlt one ano-
ther, that the exafteft fcrutiny could not determine in preferring
one ihare co the other,
King
LEAR.
Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could j where*
upon me grew round- womb'd ; and had, indeed, Sir,
a Ton for her cradle, ere fhe had a husband for her
bed. Do you fmell a fault?
Kent. I cannot wifli the fault undone, the ifiue of
it being fo proper.
Glo. But I have a fon, Sir, by order of Jaw, * fome
year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my
account > though this knave came fomewhat fawcily
to the world before he was fent for, yet was his mo-
ther fair ; there was good fport at his making, and
the whorfon muft be acknowledg'd. Do you know
this Nobleman, Edmund?
Edm. No, my lord.
Glo. My lord of Kent-,
Remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.
Edm. My fervices to your Jordmip.
Kent. I muft love you, and fue to know you better.
Edm. Sir, I mall ftudy your deferving.
Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he
mail again. [Trumpets found, within.
The King is coming.
SCENE II.
Enter 'King Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Gonerill, Regan,
Cordelia, and Attendants.
Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy*
GWfter.
Glo. I mail, my Liege. [Exit.
Lear. Meantime we fhall J exprefs our darker purpofe.
2 fame year elder than this,] The Oxford Editor, not underftanding
the common phrafe, akers year to yean. He did not consider, the
Baftard fays,
For that lam fame twelve or fourteen moon-Jhints
Lag of a Brother.
3 exprefs our darker furpoft.] Darktr, for more fecret ; not for
indirect, oblique.
Give
King LEAR.
me the Map here. Know, we have divided,
Jn three, our Kingdom j 4 and 'tis our firft intent,
To fhake all cares and bufmefs from our age j
Conferring them on younger ftrengths, while we
Unburthen'd crawl tow'rd death. Our fon of
Cornwall^
And You, our no lefs loving fbn of Albany^
We. have this hour a conftant will to publifh
Our daughters fev'ral Dow*rs, that future ftrife
May be prevented now. The Princes France and
Burgundy,
Great rivals in our younger daughter's love,
Long in our Court have made their am'rous fojourn,
And here are to be anfwer'd. Tell me, daughters,
(Since now we will diveft us, both of rule,
Int'reft of territory, cares of ftate ;)
Which of you, fhall we fay, doth love us moft ?
That we our largeft bounty may extend ,
Where nature doth with merit challenge. Qonerill^
Our eldeft born, fpeak firtt,
Gon. \ love you, Sir,
Dearer than eye-fight, fpace and liberty j
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare ;
No lels than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour :
As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found.
A love that makes breath poor, and fpeech unable,
5 Beyond all manner of fo much I love you.
4 and "'tis our FAST intent,'] This is an interpolation of
Mr. Lewis Theobald, for want of knowing the meaning of the old
reading in the quarto of 1608, and firit folio of 1633; where
we find it,
"- and ''tii our FIRST intent ,
which is as Sbakefpear wrote it : who makes Lear declare his
purpofe with a dignity becoming his character : That the firfl
reafon of his abdication was the love of his people, that they might
be protected by fuch as were better able to difcharge the truft ; and
bis natural affeftion for his daughters, only the/econd.
5 Beyond all manner &c.] /. e. beyond all expreflion,
B 3 Cor.
6 King L E A R.
Cor What (hall Cordelia do ? love and be filent:
Lear. Of all thefe Bounds, ev'n from this line to
this,
With fhadowy forefls and with champions rich'd,
With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,
We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's ifTue
Be this perpetual.' - What fays our fecond daughter,
Our deareit Regan, wife of Cornwall? fpeak.
Reg. I'm made of that felf-metal as my fitter,
And prize me at her worth, in my true Heart.
I find, me names my very deed of love ;
Only fhe comes too fhort : that I profefs
My Yeif an enemy to all other joys,
f Which the moft precious fquare of fenfe poflefTes j
And find, I am alone felicitate
In your dear Highnefs' love.
Ccr. Then poor Cordelia !
And yet not fo, fince, I am fure, my love's
I More pond'rous than my tongue.
Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever,
Remain this ample third of our fair Kingdom 5
8 No lefs in fpace, validity, and pleafure,
Than that confer'd on Gonerill Now our joy,
Although our lad, not leaft ; to whofe young love,j
The vines of France^ and milk of Burgundy^
Strive to be int'refs'd : what fay you, to draw
6 Which the moft precious fquare cf fenfe poffejfes ;] By the fquare
of fenfe, we are, here, to un<iertfand the four nobler fenfes, <uiz.
the Jigbt, bearing, tafle, and fmell. For a young lady could not,
with decency, infinuate :ha: fhe knew of any pleafures which the
ffth afforded. This is imagined and expreffed with great pro-
priety and delicacy. But the Oxford Editor, for fqupre, reads
Jfirif.
7 Mare posfrous than MY tongue."] We fhould read THEIR
tongue, meaning her fitters.
8 No lefs i fpace, validity,] Validity > for worth, value ; not
$cr integrity, pr good title.
A
'King LEAR.
A third, more opulent than your lifters? fpeak.
Cor. Nothing, my lord.
Lear. Nothing?
Cor. Nothing.
Lear. Nothing can come of nothing ; fpeak again;
Cor. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave
My heart into my mouth : I love your Majefty
According to my bond, no more nor lefs.
Lear. How, how, Cordelia ? mend your fpeech a
little,
Left you may mar your fortunes,
Cor. Good my lord,
You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me. I
Return thofe duties back, as are right fit ;
Obey you, love you, and moil honour you.
Why have my filters husbands, if they fay,
They love you, all ? hap'ly, when I fhall wed,
That lord, whofe hand muft take my plight, malj
carry
Half my love with him, half my care and duty.
Sure, I mail never marry like my filters,
2 To love my father all."
Lear. But goes thy heart with this ?
Cor. Ay, my good lord.
Lear. So young, and fo untender ?
Cor. So young, my lord, and true.
Lear. Let it be fo, thy truth then be thy dower *,
For by the facred radiance of the fun,
The myfteries of Hecate^ and the night,
By all the operations of the orbs,
From whom we do exift, and ceafe to be i
Here I difclaim all my paternal care,
Propinquity, and property of blood,
And as a ftranger to my heart and me
9 To love my father all. ] Thefe words reflored from the firffc
edition, without which the fenfe was not compleat. Mr. Pope,
B 4 Hold
8 King L E A R.
Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barb'rous
Or he that makes his generation mefles,
To gorge his appetite ; (hall to my bofom
Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd,
As thou, my fometime daughter.
Kent. Good my Liege
Lear. Peace, Kent!
Come not between the dragon and his wrath,
I lov'd her moft, and thought to fet my Reft
On her kind nurs'ry. Hence, avoid my fight !
ITo Cor,
So be my grave my peace, as here I give
Her father's heart from her ; Call France ; who ftirs ?
Call Burgundy. " 'Cornwall and Albany,
With my two daughters' dowers digeft the third.
Let pride, which flie calls plainnefs, marry her.
J do inveft you jointly with my Power,
Preheminence, and all the large effeds
That troop with Majefty. Our felf by monthly
courfe,
With refervation of an hundred Knights,
By you to be fuftain'd, (hall our abode
Make with jou by due turns: ' only retain
The name and all th* addition to a King :
The fway, revenue, execution of th* Heft,
Beloved fons, be yours i which to confirm,
This
I only retain
The name, and all tU addition to a King :
The Jiuay, revenue, execution,
Beloved fans, be yours;'] The old books read the lines thus,
Tbefvjay, revenue, execution OF THE REST,
Beloved fans, heyottrs.
This is evidently corrupt, and the editors not knowing what to
jmake of of the rejl , left it out. The true reading, without
doubt, was,
The /'way, revenue, execution OF TH' HEST,
Beloved foni, be yours
King L E A JU
This Cor'onet part between you. [Giving tbe Crown.
Kent. Royal Lear,
Whom I have ever honour'd as my King,
Lov'd as my father, as my mailer folio w'd,
And as my patron thought on in my pray'rs
Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from
the Ihaft.
Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade
The region of my heart ; be Kent unmannerly,
When Lear is mad : what would'ft thou do, old man ?
Think'ft thou, that duty mail have dread to fpeak,
When pow'r to flatt'ry bows ? to plainnefs Honour
Is bound, when Majefty to folly falls.
Referve thy State ; with better judgment check
This hideous rafhnefs ; with my lite I anfwer,
Thy youngeft daughter does not love thee leaft ;
Nor are thofe empty-hearted, whofe low found
Reverbs no hollownefs.
Lear. Kent^ on thy life no more.
Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn
To wage againft thy foes ; nor fear to lole it,
Thy fafety being the motive.
Lear. Out of my fight !
Kent. See better, Lear, and let me (till remain
The true blank of thine eye.
Lear. Now by dpotto
Kent. Now by Apollo, King,
Thou fwear'ft thy gods in vain.
Lear. Ovaflal! mifcreant!
[Laying his band on his
Alb. Corn. Dear Sir, forbear.
Kent. Kill thy phyfician, and thy fee beflow
Upon the foul difeafe , revoke thy doom,
Heft, is an old word for regal command : fo that the fenfe of the
whole is, 1 will only retain the name and all the ceremonious
obfervances that belong to a King; the ejjentiali, as fway, reve-
nue, ad.uiiniftration of the laws, be yours.
Or
IO King LEAR.
Or whilft I can vent clamour from my throat,
1'J] tell thee, thou doft evil.
Lear. Hear me, recreant .'
Since thou haft fought to make us break our vow,
Which we durft never yet ; and with ftrain'd pride,
* To come betwixt our fentence and our power ;
3 Which nor our nature, nor our place, can bear,
Our potency make good ; take thy reward.
Five days we do allot thee for provifion,
To fhield thee from difafters of the world ;
And, on the fixth, to turn thy hated back
Upon our Kingdom ; if, the tenth day following^
Thy banifh'd trunk be found in our dominions,
The moment is thy death : away ! By Jupiter,
This (hall not be revok'd.
Kent. Fare thee well, King ; fith thus thou wiJj
appear,
Freedom lives hence, and banimment is here ;
The gods to their dear flicker take thee, maid*
That juftly think'ft, and haft moft righitly faid ;
And your large fpeeches may your deeds approve,'
That good effects may fpring from words of love :
Thus Kent, O Princes, bids you all adieu,
He'll lhape his old courfe in a country new.
2 To come betwixt our fentence and our power;] Power, for exe-
cution of the fentence.
3 Which nor our nature, nor our place can bear,
Our potency make^W;] Mr. Theobald, by putting the firfl
line into a parenthefis, and altering make to made in the fecond
line, had deftroyed the fenfe of the whole ; which, as it flood be-
fore he corrupted the words, was this : " You have endeavour'd,
fays Lear, to make me break my oath, you have prefumed to
flop the execution of my fentence : the latter of thefe attempts
neither my temper nor high ftation will fuffer me to bear ; and
the other, had I yielded to it, my power could not make good,
or excufe." - Which, in the firft line, referring to both at-
tempts : But the ambiguity of it, as it might refer only to the lat-
ter, has occafioned all the obfcurity of the paflage.
King LEAR.
[inter Glo'fler, with France and Burgundy, and
Attendants.
Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord.
Lear. My lord of Burgundy^
We firft addrefs towr'd you, who with this King
Have rivall'd for our daughter ; what at lead
Wiil you require in prefent dower with her,
Or ceafe your queft of love ?
Bur. Moft royal Majefty,
I crave no more than what your Highnefs offer'd a
Nor will you tender lefs.
Lear. Right noble Burgundy ,
When fhe was dear to us, we held her fo ;
But now her price is fall'n : Sir, there fhe ftands,
If aught within that little feeming fubftance,
Or all of it with our difpleafure piec'd,
And nothing more, may fitly like your Grace,
She's there, and me is yours.
Bur. I know no anfwer.
Lear. Will you with thofe infirmities me owes^
Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate,
Dower'd with our curie, and ftranger'd with, our oatn.j
Take her, or leave her ?
Bur. Pardon, royal Sir ;
Election makes not up on fuch conditions.
Lear. Then leave her, Sir ; for by the pow'r thac
made me,
i tell you all her wealth. For you, great King,
[To France.
il
I would not from your love make fuch a ilray,
To match you where I hate 5 therefore befeech you,
5 T* avert your liking a more worthy way
Than on a wretch, whom nature is afham'd
Almoft t* acknowledge hers.
France. This is moil ftrange !
4 7' avert your liking'] To averf, for to turn, fimply.
That
12 King LEAR.
That Jhe, who ev'n but now was your beft obje&,
Your Praife's argument, balm of your age,
Deareft and beft ; fhould in this trice of time
Commit a thing fo monftrous, to difmantlc
So many folds of favour ! fure, her offence
Muft be of fuch unnatural degree,
That monfters it ; or your fore-vouch'd afiedion
Fall'n into taint : which to believe of her,
Muft be a faith, that reafon without miracle
Should never plant in me.
Cor. I yet befeech your Majefty,
(If, for I want that glib and oily art,
To fpeak and purpofe not ; fmce what I well intend^
I'll do't before I fpeak) that you make known
It is no vicious blot, murther, or foulnefs,
No unchafte aftion, or difhonour'd ftep,
That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour :
But ev'n for want of that, for which I'm richer,
A ftill-folliciting eye, and fuch a tongue,
That I am glad I've not , though, not to have it,
Hath loft me in your liking.
Lear. Better thou
Jiadft not been born, than not have pleas'd me better.
France. Is it but this ? a tardinefs in nature,
"Which often leaves the hiftory unfpoke,
That it intends to do ? my lord of Burgundy,
What fay you to the lady ? Jove's not love,
When it is mingled with regards, that ftand
Aloof * from th' intire point. Say, will you have
her?
She is herfelf a dowry.
Bur. Royal King,
Give but that portion which your felf propos'd,
And here I take Cordelia by the hand,
Dutchefs of Burgundy.
Lear. Nothing : I've fworn.
5 from tb" intire paint.] Intire, for right, true.
Bur*
King LEAR. 13
Bur. I'm forry then, you have fo loft a father,
That you muft lofe a husband.
Cor. Peace be with Burgundy,
Since that refpe&s of fortune are his love,
I fhall not be his wife.
France. Faireft Cordelia, that art moft rich, being
poor,
Moft choice, forfaken ; and moft lov'd, defpis'd !
Thee and thy virtues here I feize upon :
Be't lawful, I take up what's caft away.
,Gods, Gods! 'tis ftrange, that from their cold'ft neglect
My love mould kindle to enflam'd refpect.
Thy dow'rlefs daughter, King, thrown to my chance,
Is Queen of us, of ours, and our fair France :
Not all the Dukes of wat'rim Burgundy
Can buy this unpriz'd, precious, maid of me.
Bid them farewel, Cordelia, tho* unkind ;
Thou lofeft here, a better where to find.
Lear. Thou haft her, France ; let her be thine,
for we
Have no fuch daughter ; nor mail ever fee
That face of hers again ; therefore be gone
Without our grace, our love, our benizon :
Come, noble Burgundy.
[Flourijh. Exeunt Lear and Burgundy,
SCENE IV.
France. Bid farewel to your fifters.
Cor. Ye jewels of our father, with wam'd eyes
Cordelia leaves you : I know what you are,
And, like a fifter, am moft loth to call
Your faults, as they are nam'd. Love well our father :
To your profeffing bofoms I commit him j
But yet, alas ! ftood I within his grace,
I would prefer him to a better place.
So farewel to you both.
Reg.
King LEAR.
Reg. Prefcribe not us our duty.
Gon. Let your fludy
Be to content your lord, who hath receiv'd you
At fortune's alms , you have obedience fcanted,
f And well are worth the Want that you have
vaunted.
Cor. Time mall unfold what plaited cunning hides,
Who covers faults, at Jaft with fhame derides.
Well may you profper!
France. Come, my fair Cordelia.
[Exeunt France and Cordelia,
SCENE V.
Gon. Sifter, it is not little I've to fay,
Of what mod nearly appertains to us both 5
I think our father will go hence to night.
Reg. That's certain, and with you ; next month}
with us.
Gon. You fee how Full of change his age is, the
obfervation we have made of it hath not been little ;
he always lov'd our filter molt, and with what poor
judgment he hath now cafl her off, appears too grolsly.
Reg. 'Tis the infirmity of his age ; yet he hath ever
but flenderly known himfelf.
Gon. The beft and foundeft of his time hath been
but ram ; then muft we look, from his age, to receive
not alone the imperfections of long-engrafted condition,
but therewithal the unruly waywardnefs, that infirm
and cholerick years bring with them.
Reg. Such unconftant (tarts are we like to have
from him, as this of Kent's banifhment.
Gon. There is further complement of leave-taking
between France and him ; pray you, let us hit toge-
6 And welfare worth the Want that you have WANTED.] This
nonfenfe muft be correfted thus,
Andiuellare worth the Want that you have VAUNTED.-
t. e. that diiherifon, which you fo much glory in, you deferve.
ther :
King
LEAR.
ther : if our father carry Authority with fuch difpo-
fition as he bears, this laft furrender of his will but
offend us.
Reg. We fhall further think of it.
jGon. We muft do fomething, and i l th* heat. [Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
Changes to a Caftle belonging to the Earl of
Glo'fter.
Enter EDMUND, with a Letter.
Edm. 1 '""pHou, Nature, art my Goddefs ; to thy
JL law
My fervices are bound ; wherefore mould I
8 Stand in the Plage of cuftom, and permit
9 The (a) curtefie of nations to deprive me,
For that I am fome twelve or fourteen moon- mines
Lag of a Brother? Why baftard? wherefore bafe?
When my dimenfions are as well compaft,
7 Tkou, Nature, art my Goddefs j] He makes his baftard an
Atheift. Italian Atheifm had much infecled the Englijh Court,
as we learn from the beft writers of that time. But this was the
general title thofe Atheifts in their works gave to Nature ; thus
Vanini calls one of his books, De admirandis NATURJE Regime
DE/EQJJE MORTAHUM Arcanis. So that the title here is em-
phatical.
8 Stand in the PLAGUE of cufiom,] To ft and in tie plague of
tu/iom, is an abfurd expreffion. We fhould read,
Stand in the PLAGE of cujlom,
i. e. the place, the country, the boundary of cuftom. As much
as to fay, Why mould J , when I profefs to follow the freedom
of nature in all things, be confined within the narrow limits of
cuftom ? Plage, is a word in common ufe amongft the old Eng-
lifi writers. So Chaucer,
The FLAG is of the North by land and fea.
from plaga.
9 'The curtefie of nations to deprive me.~\ Deprive, of what ?
I believe a line is here loft, that fignified to deprive him of that
right which his Goddefs Nature had given him.
[(a] curtefie. Mr. Theobald - Vulg. curiofity.}
My
1 6 King LEAR*
My mind as gen'rous, and my fhape as true,
As honeft Madam's iffue ? why brand they us
With bafe? with bafenefs? baftardy? bafe, bafe?
" Who, in the lufty ftealth of nature, take
*' More compofition and fierce quality ;
* c Than doth, within a dull, dale, tired bed,
" Go to creating a whole tribe of fops,
** Got 'tween a-fleep and wake? Well then,
Legitimate Edgar , I muft have your land ;
Our father's love is to the baftard Edmund^
As to th' legitimate 5 fine word legitimate-
Well, my legitimate, if this letter fpeed,
And my invention thrive, Edmund the bafe
* Shall be th' legitimate. . . I grow, I profper ;
I Who in the lufy ftealtb of nature, &c. ] Thefe fine lines
are an inftance of our author's admirable art in giving proper fen-
timents to his chara&ers. The BaftartT* is that of a confirmed
Atheift ; and his being made to ridicule judicial aftrology was de-
figned as one mark of fuch a character. For this impious juggle
had a religious reverence paid to it at that time. And therefore
the beft chara&ers in this play acknowledge the force of the
ftars 1 influence. But how much the lines following this, are in
character, may be feen by that monftrous wifti of faniai, the Ita-
lian Atheift, in his trail De admirandit natura, &c. printed at
Parts, 1616, the very year our poet died. O utinam extra le-
gitimum & connubialem thorum effem procreate* ! Ita enim fro-
genitores mei in Venerem incaluiffent ardentius, ae cumulatim
affatimque generofa femina contuliflent, t quibus ego form* blandi-
tiam et elegantiam, robuftas corporis <vires, mentemque innubilam
confequutM fuiffem. At fuia conjugatorum fum foboles, bis orba-
tus fum bonds. Had the book been publiilied but ten or twenty
years fooner, who would not have believed that Shakefpear alluded
to this paffage ? But the divinity of his genius foretold, as it were,
what fuch an Atheift, as Vanini, would fay, when he wrote upon
fuch a fubjeft.
2 Shall be tU legitimate* ] Here the Oxford Editor would
(hew us that he is as good at coining phrafes as his Author, and fo
alters the text thus,
Shall toe th % legitimate.
i. e. (ays he, fland on cvtn ground v:itJ} lim ai he would do with
hit author.
Now,
King LEAR. 17
5 Now, Gods, (land up for bifbrds !
SCENE VII.
20 him, Enter Glo'fter.
Glo. Kent banifh'd thus! and France in choler
parted !
And the King gone to night! 4 fubfcrib'd his pow'rf
Confin'd to exhibition ! all is gone
Upon the gad! Edmund* how now? what news?
Edm. So pleafe your lordfhip, none.
[Putting up the letter.
Glo. Why fo earneftly feek you to put up that
letter ?
Edm. I know no news, my lord.
Glo. What paper were you reading ?
Edm. Nothing, my lord.
Glo. No! what needed then that terrible difpatch of
it into your pocket? the quality of nothing hath not
fuch need to hide itfelf. Let's fee j come if it be no-
thing, I mall not need fpectacles.
Edm. I befeech you, Sir, pardon me, it is a letter
from my brother, that I have not all o'er-read ; and
for fo much as I have perus'd, I find it not fit for your
overlooking.
Glo. Give me the letter, Sir.
Edm. I fhall offend, either to detain, or give it ; the
contents, as in part I underftand them, are to blame.
Glo. Let's fee, let's fee.
Edm. I hope, for my brother's juflification, he wrote
this but as an effay, or tafte of my virtue.
3 Noiv, Gods,Jtandupforbajlardi!} For what reafon ? He
does not tel! us ; but the poet alludes to the debaucheries of the
Pagan Gods, who made heroes of all their baftards.
4 fubfcrib'd bis powr ! ] Sub/criPd, for transferred, alie-
nated.
VOL. VI. C Glo.
i8 King L E A R.
Glo. [reads.] J This policy and reverence of ages makes
the world bitter to the left of our times ; keeps our
fortunes from us, 'till our oldnefs cannot relijh them. I
begin to find an idle and fond bondage in the opprejfion of
aged tyranny ; which fways, not as it hath power , but
as it is fuffered. Come to me, that of this I may fpcak
more. If our father would Jleep, till I ivak'd him^ you
Jhould enjoy half his revenue for ever, and live the be,-
~loved of your brother Edgar. >Hum Confpiracy!
fleep, till I wake him you fhould enjoy
half his revenue' 'My Ton Edgar I had he a hand
to write this ! a heart and brain to breed it in ! When
came this to you ? who brought it ?
Edm. It was not brought me, my lord ; there's the
cunning of it. I found it thrown in at the cafement
of my clolet.
Glo. You know the character to be your brother's ?
Edm. If the matter were good, my lord, I durft
Twear, it were his 5 but in refpect of that, I would
fain think, it were not.
Glo. It is his.
Edm. It is his hand, my lord ; I hope, his heart is
not in the contents.
Glo. Has he never before founded you in this bu-
fmefs ?
Edm. Never, my lord. But I have heard him ofc
maintain it to be fit, that fons at perfect age, and fa-
thers declining, the father fhould be as a ward to the
ion, and the fon manage his revenue.
Glo. O villair , villain ! his very opinion in the
letter. Abhorred villain ! unnatural, detefted, bru-
tifh villain ! worfe than brutifti ! Go, firrah, feek
5 This policy avd reverence of ages'] Ages fignines former times.
So the fenfe of the words is this, what between the policy of fome,
and the fuperltitious reverence of others to old cuftoms, it is now
become an eitablifhed rule, that fathers {hall keep all they have
till they die.
him ;
King LEAR. 19
him ; I'll apprehend him. Abominable villain, where
is he?
Edm. I do not well know, my lord ; if it fhall
pleafe you to fufpend your indignation againft my
brother, 'till you can derive from him better teftimo-
ny of his intent, you fliould run a certain courfe ;
where, if you violently proceed againft him, miftak-
ing his purpofe, it would make a great gap in your
own honour, and make in pieces the heart of his obe-
dience. I dare pawn down my life for him, that he
hath writ this to feel my affedion to your Honour,
and to no other 6 pretence of danger.
Glo. Think you fo?
Edm. If your Honour judge it meet, I will place
you where you mail hear us confer of this, and by an
auricular afTurance have your fatisfaction : and that,
without any further delay than this very evening.
Glo. He cannot be fuch a monfler.
Edm. Nor is not, fure.
Glo. To his Father, that fo tenderly and entirely
loves him- . Heav'n and Earth! Edmund feek
him out ; wind me into him, I pray you ; frame the
bufinefs after your own wifdom. 7 I would unftate
myfelf, to be in a due refolution.
Edm. I will feek him, Sir, prefently : 8 convey
the buiinefs as I fhall find means, and acquaint you
withal.
Glo. Thefe late eclipfes in the fun and moon por-
tend no good to us 5 tho* the wifdom of nature can
reafon it thus and thus, yet nature h^nds itfelf fcourg'd
6 pretence of danger.] Pretence, for purpofe. Danger, for
wickednefs.
7 I would unjlate myfelf, to be in a due refolutlon."\ i. e. I will ^/
throw afide all confideration of my relation to him, that I may
aft as juftice requires.
8 convey the bufinefi\ Convey, for introduce : but convey is a
fine word, as alluding to the praftice of clandeltine conveying
goods fo as not to be found upon the felon.
C 2 by
King LEAR.
by the fequent effects. " Love cools, friendfhip falls
" off, brothers divide. In cities, mutinies ; in coun-
'.' tries, difcord , in Palaces, treafon j and the bond
" crack'd 'twixt fon and father." This villain of mine
comes under the prediction, there's fon againft father -,
the King falls from biafs of nature ; there's father againft
child. " We have feen the beft of our time. Machina-
*' tions, hollownefs, treachery, and all ruinous diforders
" follow us difquietly to our graves! '* Find out this
villain, Edmund ; it ihall lofe thee nothing, do it care-
fully and the noble and true-hearted Kent banifh'd !
his offence, Honefty. 'Tis ftrange. [Exit.
SCENE VIII.
Manet Edmund.
Edm. " 9 This is the excellent foppery of the world,
" that, when we are fick in fortune, (often the fur-
" feits
9 This is the excellent foppery of the ivorld, &c ] In Shakefpear's
belt plays, befides the vices that arife from the fubjeft, there is
generally fome peculiar prevailing Folly, principally ridiculed, that
runs thro' the whole piece. Thus, in the Tempeft, the lying dif-
polition of travellers, and in As you like it, the fantattick hu-
mour of courtiers, is expofed and fatirized with infinite pleafantry.
In like manner, in this play of Lear, the dotages of judicial
aflrology are feverely ridiculed. I fancy, was the date of its firft
performance well confidered, it would be found that fomething or
other happened at that time which gave a more than ordinary run
to this deceit, as thefe words feem to intimate. / am thinking, bro-
ther, of a prediction I read this other day, ivkat Jhould 'follow thefe
eclipfes. However this be, an impious cheat, which had fo little
foundation in nature or reafon, fo deteflable an original, and fuch
fatal confequences on the manners of the people, who were at that
time ftrangely befotted with it, certainly deferved the fevereft lafh
of fatire. It was a fundamental in this noble fcience, that what-
ever feeds of good difpofitions the infant unborn might be endowed
with, either from nature, or tradu&ively from its parents, yet if,
at the time of its birth, the delivery was by any cafualty fo acce-
lerated or retarded, as to fall in with the predominancy of a ma-
lignant conitellation, that momentary influence would entirely
change
King LEAR. 21
*' feits of our own behaviour) we make guilty of our
" difafters, the fun, the moon and (lars, as if we
" were villains on necefficy i fools, by heavenly com*
" pulfioni
change hs nature, and bias it to all the contrary ill qualities. So
wretched and monftrous an opinion did it fet out with.^ But the'
Italians, to whom we owe this, as well as moft other unnatural
crimes and follies of thefe latter ages, fomented its original impiety
to the moll deteflable height of extravagance. Petrus Aponenjls,'
an Italian phyfician of the Xlllth century, affures us that thofe
prayers which are made to God when the moon is in conjunction
with Jupiter in the Dragon's tail, are infallibly heard. But after
him Cardan, with the boldnefs and impiety of an atheill and a
madman, both of which he was, cait the nativity of Jefus Chrift,
and found by the great and illuftrious concourfe of liars at his
birth, that he muft needs have the fortune which befel him, and.
become the author of a Religion which mould fpread itfelf far and
near for many ages. The great Milton with a juft indignation of
this impiety, hath, in his Paradife Regain's 1 , fatirized it in a very
beautiful manner, by putting thefe reveries into the mouth of the
Devil where he addreffes Jefus Chrift in the following manner:
If I read aught in hea<vn,
Or hca<vn write aught of fate, by 'what the Jlars
Voluminous or Jingle characters,
In their conjunction met, gii>e me to fpell,
Sorrows and labours, oppojition, hate
Attends thee t fcorns, reproaches, injuries,
Violence and Jlripes, and lajlly cruel death :
A kingdom they portend thee, but what kingdom*
Real or allegoric, I difctrn not,
Nor when ; eternal fure, as without end,
Without beginning ; fur no date prefixt
Direffs me in the fiarry rubric fet. lib. 4. VCr. 382.
Where it is to be obferved, that the Poet thought it not enough to
difcredit judicial Ajlrology by making it patronifed by the Devil,
without mewing at the fame time the abfurdity of it. He has
therefore very judicioufly made him blunder in the expreffion, of
portendinga kingdom which was without beginning. This deftroys all
he would infmuate. The Poet's conduft is fine and ingenious. Nor
could the licentious Rabelais himfelf forbear to ridicule this impious
dotage, which he does with exquifite addrefs and humour, where
in the fable which he fo agreeably tells from ^fop, of the man
who applied to Jupiter for the lofs of his hatchet, he makes thofe,
who, on the poor man's good fuccefs, had projected to trick Ju-
piter by the fame petition, a kind of aftrologick atheifts, who
C 3 afcribed
LEAR.
*' pulfion; knaves, thieves, and treacherous, by fphe-
" rical predominance , drunkards, Jyars, and adulte-
" rers, by an inforc'd obedience of planetary in-
" fluence ; and all that we are evil in, by a divine
" thrufting on. x An admirable evafion of" whore-
' mafter Man, to lay his goatifh difpofition on the
<c change of a ftar ! my father compounded with my
" mother under the Dragon's tail, and my nativity
" was under Urfa major ; fo that it follows, I am
afcribed this good fortune, that they imagined they were now all
going to partake of, to the influence of fome rare ccnjunclion and
configuration of the ftars. Hen, ben, difent Us Et doncques, telle
eft au temps prefent la revolution des Cieulx, la cancellation des Aflres^
& afpefl des Planetes, que quiconque Coignee perdra, foabdain de-
wiendra ainfi riche ? Nou. Prol. du IV. Livre.
But to return to Sbakefpear. So blafphemous a delufion, there-
fore, it became the honelly of our Poet to expofe. But it was a
tender point, and required managing. For this impious juggle had
in his time a kind of religious reverence paid to it. It was there-
fore to be done obliquely ; and the circumltances of the fcene fur-
nifhed him with as good an opportunity as he could wiih. The
perfons in the drama are all pagans, fo that as, in compliance to
cuftom, his good characters were not to fpeak ill of judicial Aftro-
logy, they could on account of their religion give no reputation to
it. But in order to expofe it the more, he, with great judgment,
makes thefe pagans Fatalifts j as appears by thefe words of Lear,
By ail the operations of the otbt,
Frqfft whom ive do exijl and ceafe to be.
For the dcclrine of fate is the true foundation of judicial Aflro-
logy. Having thus difcredited it by the very commendations given
to it, he was in no danger of having his direct fatire againft it mif-
takcn, by its being put (as he was obliged, both in paying
regard to cuftom, and in following nature) into the mouth of the
villain and atheilt, efpecially when he has added fuch force of rea-
fon to his ridicule, in the words referred to in the beginning of
the note.
I An admirable evafion to lay fas difpcfition on the C H A R G E
ef ajfar!~] We fhould read, CHANGE of aftar! which both the
i'enfe and grammar require. It was the opinion of Aitrologers,
(lee what is faicljull above) that the momentary influence did ail;
apd we do not fay. Lay a thing on the charge, but to the charge.
Tfcfides, change' aniwering to evajion juft above, gives additional
to the expreiiion.
" rough
King LEAR.
" rough and lecherous. I fhould have been what I
" am, had the maidenlieft liar in the firmament
" twinkled on my baftardizing.
S C E N E IX.
To bim> Enter Edgar.
pat! * he comes like the Cataftropheoftheold
" comedy j" my cue is villainous Melancholy, with
2 He comes, like the Cataftrophe of the old comedy ;] This we
are to underftand as a compliment, intended by the Author, on the
natural winding up of the plot in the Comedy of the ancients;
which as it was owing to the artful and yet natural introduction
of the perfons of the Drama into the fcene, juft in the nick of time,
or pat t as our author fays, makes the fimilitude very proper. This,
without doubt, is the fupreme beauty of Comedy, considered as an
attion. And as it depends folely on a Uriel obfervance of the Uni-
ties, it mews that thefe Unities are in nature, and in the reafon
of things, and not in a meer arbitrary invention of the Greeks, as
feme of our own country critics, of a low mechanick genius, have,
by their works, perfuaded our wits to believe. For common fenfc
requiring that the fubject of one comedy mould be one afiion, and
that that action mould be contained nearly within the period of
time which the reprefentation of it takes up ; hence we have the
unities of Time and Action ; and, from thefe, unavoidably arifes
the third, which is that ef Place. For when the whole of one
afiion is included within a proportionable fmall fpace of time,
there is no room to change thefcene, but all muft be done upon
one/pot of ground. Now, from this laft unity (the neceffary iffue
of the two other, which derive immediately from nature) pro-
ceeds all that beauty of the catajlrophe, or the winding up the plot
in the ancient comedy. For all the perfons of the Drama being
to appear and aft on one limited fpot, and being by their feve-
ral inttrefts to embarras, and at length to conduct the action to its
deftin'd period, there is need of consummate skill to bring them on t
and take them off", naturally and nectffarily : for the grace of action
requires the one, and the perfection of it the other. Which con-
duct of the action, muft needs produce a beauty that will give a ju-
dicious mind the higheft pleafure. On the other hand, when a
comic writer has a whole country to range in, nothing is eafier than
\ofind the perfons of the Drama juft where he would have them j
and this requiring no art, the beauty we fpeak of is not to be found.
Confequently a violation of the unities deprives the Drama of one
VOL. VI. C 4 of
King
LEAR.
a figh like font o' Bedlam O, thefe eclipfes portend
thefedivifions! fa, fol, la, me
Edg. How now, brother Edmund^ what ferious con-
templation are you in ?
Edm. I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I
read this other day, what fhould follow thefe eclipfes.
Edg. Do you bufie yourfelf with that ?
Edm. I promife you, the effects, he writes of, fuc-
ceed unhappily. When faw you my father laft ?
Edg. The night gone by.
Edm. Spake you with him ?
Edg. Ay, two hours together.
Edm. Parted you in good terms, found you no dif-
pleafure in him, by word or countenance ?
Edg. None at all.
Edm. Bethink yourfelf, wherein you have offended
him : and at my intreaty, forbear his prefence, until
fome little time hath qualified the heat of his difplea-
fure ; which at this initant fo rageth in him, that with
the mifchief of your perfon it would fcarcely allay.
Edg. Some villain hath done me wrong.
Edm. That's my fear ; I pray you, have a conti-
nent forbearance 'till the fpeed of his rage goes flower :
and, as I fay, retire with me to my lodging, from
whence I will fitly bring you to hear my lord fpeak :
pray you, go, there's my key : if you do ftir abroad,
go arm'd.
Edg. Arm'd, brother!
Edm. Brother, I advife you to the bed ; I am no
honeft man, if there be any good meaning toward
you : I have told you what I have feen and heard, but
of its greateft beauties ; which proves what I afferted, that the
three unities cue no arbitrary mechanic invention, but founded in
, reafon and the nature of things. l fhe lempeft of Shake/pear fuf-
ficiently proves him to be well acquainted with thefe unities ; and
the paffage in queftion mews him to have been ilruck with the
beauty that refulu irom them.
faintly ;
King LEAR. 25
faintly; nothing like the image and horror of it: pray
you, away.
Edg. Shall I hear from you anon? [Exti,
SCENE X.
Edm. I do ferve you in this bufinefs:
A credulous father, and a brother noble,
Whofe nature is fo far from doing harms,
That he fufpeds none ; on whofe foolifh honefty
My practices ride eafie : I fee the bufinefs.
Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit j
All with me's meet, that I can faihion fit, [Exit*
SCENE XL
We Duke of Albany y s Pahce.
Enter Gonerill and Steward.
Con. T^\ID my father ftrike my gentleman for
i>J chiding of his fool ?
Stew. Ay, madam.
Gon. By day and night, he wrongs me ; every hour
He flames into one grofs crime or other,
That fets us all at odds ; I'll not endure it :
His Knights grow riotous, and himfelf upbraids us
On ev'ry trifle. When he returns from hunting
I will not fpeak with him ; fay, I am fick.
If you come flack of former fervices,
You (hall do well ; the fault of it I'll anfwer.
Stew. He's coming, Madam, I hear him.
Gon. Put on what weary negligence you pleafe,
You and your fellows : I'd have it come to queftion.
If he diftafte it, let him to my fifter,
Whofe mind and mine, I know, in that are one,
Not to be over-rul'd : Idle old Man,
That
26 Kivg L E A R.
That ftill would manage thofe Authorities,
That he hath giv'n away! Now, by my Life,
3 Old. Folks are Babes again ; and muft be ufed
With Checks, not FJatt'ries when they're feen abus'd.
Remember, what I have faid.
Stew. Very well, Madam.
Gon. And let his Knights have colder looks among
you: what grows of it, no matter; advife your fel-
lows fo: PJ1 write ftrait to my fifter to hold my
courfe : prepare for dinner. {Exeunt.
3 Old FOOLS are babes again ; and mujl be ufed
With Checks LIKE Flatteries when they re feen abus'd. ] Thus
the old Quarto reads thefe lines. It is plain they are corrupt. But
they have been made worfe by a fruitlefs attempt to correft them.
And firft, for
Old Foo LS are babes again ;
A proverbial expreflion is here plainly alluded to ; but it is a ftrange
proverb which only informs us that fools are innocents. We
fhould read,
Old Fo LKS are Babes again ; -
Thus fpeaks the proverb, and with the ufual good fenfe of one.
The next line is jumbled out of all meaning. }
With Chicks LIKE Flat fries nuken they re feen abus'd.
Mr. Theobald reflores it thus,
With Checks like Flatterers --when they're feen to abufe vs.
Let us confider the fenfe a little. Old Folks, fays the fpeaker, art
Babes again; well, and what then? Why then they muft be ufed
like Flatterers. But when Shakefpear quoted the Proverb, we may
be affured his purpofe was to draw fome inference from it, and not
run rambling after a fimilitude. And that inference was not dif-
ficult to find, had common fenfe been attended, to, which tells us
Shakefpear muft have wrote,
Old Folks are Babes again ; and m*ft be ufed
With Checks, NOT FLATT'RIES it^fa thfre feen abus'd.
i. e. Old folks being grown children again, they mould be ufed
as we ufe children, with Checks, when we find that the little Flat-
fries we employed to quiet them are abus'd, by their becoming
mre peevilh and perverfe by indulgence.
When they're ft en avuid.
i, e. when .we find that thofe Flau'ries are abufc-J.
SCENE
LEAR. 27
SCENE XII.
Changes to an open Place before the Palace,
Enter Kent dijguifd.
1
And can my fpeech diffufe, my good intent
May carry thro* itfelf to that full ifTue,
For which I raz'd my likenefs. Now, banifh'd Keni 9
If thou can*ft ferve where thou do ft ftand condemned,
So may it come, thy matter, whom thou lov'ft,
Shall find thee full of labours.
Horns within. Enter Lear, Knights and Attendants.
Lear. Let me not ftay a jot for dinner, go, get it
ready :
How now, what art thou ? [To Kent.
Kent. A man, Sir.
Lear. Whatdoft thou profefs? what would J ft thou
with us?
Kent. I do profefs to be no lefs than I feem ; to
ferve him truly, that will put me in truft ; to love him
that is honeil ; to converfe with + him that is wife ; to
fay little; to fear judgment ; to fight when I cannot
chufe, 5 and to eat no fifh.
Lear.
4 him that is wife AND SAYS little i\ Tho' faying little may
be the character of wifdom, it was not a quality to chufe a compa-
nion by for his converfation. We fhould read, TO SAY little - t
which was prudent when he chofe a wife companion to profit by. So
that it was as much as to fay, I profefs to talk little myfelf, that I
may profit the more by the converfation of the wife.
5 and to eat nofjb.'] In Queen Elizabeths time the Papifts were
efteemed, and with good reafon, enemies to the government. Hence
the proverbial phrafe of, He*i an honeft man and eats nofijh ; to
fignify he's a friend to the Government and a Proteftant. The
eating fiih, on a religious account, being then efteem'd fuch a badge
of popery, that when it was enjoin'd for a feafon by aft of parlia-
King LEAR.
Lear. What art thou? %
Kent. A very honeft- hearted fellow, and as poor
as the King.
Lear. If thou beeft as poor for a fubjecl:, as he is
for a King, thou art poor enough. What would'ft
thou ?
Kent. Service.
Lear. Whom would'ft thou ferve?
Kent. You.
Lear. Doil thou know me, fellow ?
Kent. No, Sir, but you have that in your counte*
nance-, which I would fain call Mafter.
Lear. What's that ?
Kent. Authority.
Lear. What fervices canft thou do ?
Kent. I can keep honeft counfels, ride, run, marr a
curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain mefiage
bluntly : that which ordinary men are fit for, I am
qualify'd in : and the beft of me is diligence.
Lear. How old art thou ?
Kent. Not fo young, Sir, to love a woman for Ting-
ing ; nor fo old, to doat on her for any thing. I
have years on my back forty eight.
Lear. Follow me, thou flialt ferve me ; if I like
thee no worfe after dinner, I will not part from thee
yet. Dinner, ho, dinner- wherc's my knave? my
fool ? go you, and call my fool hither. You, you,
firrah, where's my daughter ?
menr, for the encouragement of the fifti-towns, it was thought
neceffary to declare the reafon ; hence it was called Cecil's Faft.
To this difgraceful badge of popery, Fletcher alludes in his Woman-
hater, who makes the courtezan fay, when Lfizari/Jo, in fearch of
the Umbrano's head, was feized at her houfe by the Intelligencers,
for a traytor. Gentlemen, 1 am glad you have difcovered him. He
Jhould not have eaten under my roof for twenty pounds. And fur e I
did not like him ivhen b& called for fjh. And Mar/Ion's, Dutch Cour-
tezm. I truft I am none of the wicked that ec.l fjb afrjday.
Enter
King LEAR. 29
Enter Steward.
Stew. So pleafe you {Exit.
Lear. What fays the fellow there ? call the clot-
pole back : vvhere's my fool, ho? I think the
world's afleep : how now ? where's that mungrel ?
Knight. He fays, my lord, your daughter is not
well.
Lear. Why came not the flave back to me when I
call'dhim!
Knight. Sir, he anfwer'd me in the roundel! man-
ner, he would not.
Lear. He would not?
Knight. My lord, I know not what the matter is ;
but, to my Judgment, your Highnefs is not entertain'd
with that ceremonious affection as you were wont ;
there's a great abatement of kindnefs appears as well
in the general dependants, as in the Duke himfelf al
fo, and your daughter.
Lear. Ha! fay 'ft thou fo ?
Knight. I befeech you pardon me, my lord, if I be
miftaken ; for my duty cannot be filent, when I think
your Highnefs is wrong'd.
Lear. Thou but remember'ft me of my own con-
ception. I have perceiv'd a moft faint neglect of late,
which I have rather blamed as my own jealous curiofi-
ty, than as a very 6 pretence and purpofe of unkind-
nefs ; I will look further into't ; but where's my
fool ? I have not feen him thefe two days.
Knight. Since my young lady's going into France^
Sir, the fool hath much pined away.
Lear. No more of that, I have noted it well ; go
you and tell my daughter, I would fpeak with her.
6 pretence an j purpofe of unkindnefs ;] Pretence, for indication.
So the fenfe is, A purpofe of unkindnefs, a defign that that un-
kindnefs fhould be feen.
Go
30 King LEAR.
Go you, call hither my fool. O, you, Sir, come you
hither, Sir ; who am I, Sir ?
Enter Steward.
Stew. My lady's father.
Lear. My lady's father ? my lord's knave f- you
whorfon dog, you flave, you cur.
Stew. I am none of thefe, my lord ; I befeech your
pardon.
Lear. Do you bandy looks with me, you rafcal ?
[Striking him.
Stew. I'll not be ftruck, my lord.
Kent. Nor tript neither, you bafe foot- ball player.
[Tripping up his heels.
Lear. I thank thee, fellow. Thou ierv'il me, and
I'll love thee.
Kent. Come, Sir, arife, away , I'll teach you diffe-
rences : away, away ; if you will meafure your lub-
ber's length again, tarry again ; but away, go to :
have you wifdom ? fo. \_PuJhes the Steward out.
Lear. Now, my friendly knave, I thank theej
there's earneft of thy fervice.
SCENE XIII.
70 them, Enter Fool.
Fool. Let me hire him too, here's my coxcomb.
[Giving bis cap.
Lear. How now, my pretty knave ? how do'ft
thou ?
Fool. Sirrah, you were beft 7 take my coxcomb.
Kent. Why, my boy ?
7 take my coxcomb. ~\ Meaning his cap, called fo, becaufe on the
top of the fool or jefler's cap was fewed a piece of red cloth, re-
fembling the comb of a cock. The word, afterwards, ufed to
denote a vain conceited meddling feliovy.
Fool
King LEAR.
Fool' Why ? for taking one's part, that is out of fa-
vour ; nay, as thou canft not fmile as the wind fits,
thoul't catch cold fhortly. There, take my coxcomb j
why, this fellow has banifh'dtwo of his daughters, and
did the third a bleffing againft his will ; if thou fol-
low him, thou muft needs wear my coxcomb. How
now, uncle? would, I had two coxcombs, and two
daughters.
Lear. Why, my boy ?
Fool. If I give them all my living, I'll keep my
coxcomb myfelf 5 there's mine, beg another of thy
daughters.
Lear. Take heed, Sirrah, the whip.-
Fool. Truth's a dog muft to kennel j he muft be
whipp'd out, when the lady brach may ftand by th* fire
and ftink. *
Lear. A peftilent gall to me.
Fool. Sirrah, I'll teach thee a fpeech, [TbKent.
Lear. Do.
Fool. Mark it, nuncle ;
Have more than thou fhoweft,
Speak lefs than thou knoweft,
Lend lefs than thou oweft,
Ride more than thou goeft,
* Learn more than thou troweft,
Set lefs than thou thro weft,
Leave thy drink and thy whore,
And keep within door,
And thou malt have more
Than two tents to a fcore.
Kent. This is nothing, fool.
Fool. Then it is like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer,
you gave me nothing for't ; can you make no ufe of
nothing, nuncle ?
8 Learn more than thou trowefl, ] To trow, is an old word
which fignifies to believe. The precept is admirable.
Lear.
King LEAR.
Ltar. Why, no, boy ; nothing can be made out of
nothing.
Fool. Pr'ythee, tell him, fo much the rent of his
land comes to : he will not believe a fool. [Zb Kent.
Lear. A bitter fool !
Fool. Doft thou know the difference, my boy, be-
tween a bitter fool and a fweet one ?
Lear. No, lad, teach me.
Fool. That Lord, that counfel'd thee to give away
thy Land,
Come, place him here by me! do Thou for him (land ;
The fweet and bitter Fool will prefently appear,
The One in motely here; the Other found out there.
Lear. Doft thou call me fool, boy ?
Fcol. ' All thy other titles thou haft given away 5
that thou waft born with.'
Kent. ' This is not altogether fool, my lord.'
Fool. ' No, faith ; Lords, and great men will not
' let me j 9 if I had a monopoly on't, they would
' have part on't: nay, the Ladies too, they'll not let
' me have all fool to myfelf, they'll be fnatching.*
Give me an egg, nuncle, and I'll give thee two
crowns.
Lear. What two crowns (hall they be?
Fool. Why, after I have cut the egg i'th* middle
and eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg ; when
thou cloveft thy Crown i'th' middle and gav'ft away
both parts, thou bor'ft thine afs on thy back o'er the
dirt ; thou hadft little wit in thy bald crown, when
thou gav'ft thy golden one away : if I fpeak like my
felf in this, ' let him be whip'd that firft finds it
footh.
9 Jf I had a monopoly c??t, they ivould have apart ont : } A fa-
tire on the grofs abufcs of monopolies at that time ; and the cor-
ruption and avarice of the courtiers, who commonly went (hares
with the patentee.
i let him be iulnf"d that firjl fads it so.] We fhould read SOOTH,
i. e. truth; alluding to the Latin proverb, Sui ca+>:t Hie facit.
FooL
King LEAR. 33
fools ne'er bad lefs grace in ayear, [Singing.
For wife men are grown foppijh ;
And know not how their wits to wear,
Their manners are fo apijh.
Lear. When were you wont to be To full of fongs,
firrah ?
Fool. I have ufed it, nuncle, e'er fince thou mad'ft
thy daughters thy mothers ; for when thou gav'ft
them the rod, and put'il down thy own breeches,
'Then they for fudden joy did weep, [Singing.
And I for forrow fung \
That fitch a King Jhould flay bo-peep ,
And go the fools among.
Pr'ythee, nuncle^ keep a fchool-mafter that can teach
thy fool -to lie i I would fain learn to lie.
Lear. If you lie, firrah, we'll have you whipt.
Fool. I marvel, what kin thou and thy daughters
are : they'll have me whipt for fpeaking true, thoul'c
have me whipt for lying ; and, fbmetimes, I am whipc
for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind
o'thing than a fool, and yet I would not be thee,
nuncle i thou haft pared thy wit o'both fides, and left
nothing i'th* middle : here comes one o'ch* parings.
SCENE XIV.
70 them^ Enter Gonerill.
Lear. How now, daughter, what makes that front-
let on ? you are too much of late i'th' frown.
Fool. Thou waft a pretty fellow, when thou hadft
no need to care for her frowning ; now thou art an
O without a figure ; I am better than thou art now ,
VOL. VJ. D I
24 -Kwg LEAR*
I am a fool, thou art nothing. Yes, Forfooth, I
will hold my tongue ; [70 Gonerill.] fo your face
bids me, tho* you fay nothing.
Mum, mum, he that keeps nor crufl nor crum, [Singing.
Weary of all, flail want feme'.
* Thou art a fheal'd peafcod. [Speaking to Lear.
Gon. Not only, Sir, this your all-licens'd fool,
But other of your infolent retinue,
Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth
In rank and not to be endured riots.
I thought, by making this well known unto you,
T' have found a fafe redrefs ; but now grow fearful,
By what yourfelf too late have fpoke and done,
That you protect this courfe, 3 and put it on
By your allowance ; if you mould, the fault
Would not 'fcape cenfure, nor the redrefles deep ;
Which, in the tender of a wholefome weal,
Might in their working do you that offence,
(Which elfe were lhame,) that then neceffity
Will call difcreet proceeding.
Fool. For you know, nuncle,
The hedge-narrow fed the Cuckoo fo long^
'That it had its head bit off by its Toung -,
So out went the candle, and we were left darkling.
Lear. Are you our daughter ?
Gon. I would, you would make ufe of your good
wifdom,
Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away
Thefe difpofitions, which of late tranfport you
From what you rightly are.
2 THAT'S a Jheal'd peafcod. .] This has no kind of fenfe. We
fhould read, THOU ART a fheal'd peafcod. Speaking to Lear,
and comparing him to a pea/cod, from whence the peas are fheal'd
or taken out. Which was his condition, having parted with his
power.
5 and put it on\ i, e. promote, put it forward.
Fool
King LEAR.
Fool. May not an Afs know when the cart draws
the horfe ? whoop, Jug, I love thee.
Lear. Does any here know me ? this is not Lear :
Does Lear walk thus ? fpeak thus ? where are his eyes ?
Either his notion weakens, his difcernings
Are lethargied Ha ! waking 'tis not fo ;
Who is it that can tell me who I am ?
Lear's fhadow ? I would learn ; 4 for by the marks
Of fovereignty of knowledge, and of reafon,
I mould be falfe perfuaded I had daughters.
Your name, fair gentlewoman ?
Gon. This admiration, Sir, is much o'th* favour
Of other your new pranks. I do befeech you,
To underftand my purpofes aright.
* You, as you're old and reverend, mould be wife.
Here do you keep a hundred Knights and Squires,
Men fo diforder'd, fo debauch'd and bold,
That this our Court, infected with their manners,
Shews like a riotous Inn ; Epicurifm and luft
Make it more like a tavern or a brothel,
5 Than a grac'd Palace. Shame itfelf doth fpeak
For inftant remedy. Be then defir'd
By her, that elfe will take the thing (he begs,
for by the marks
Offo'-vereignty, of knowledge, and of reafon^] His daughters
prove fo unnatural, that, if he were only to judge by the reafon
of things, he mutt conclude, they cannot be his daughters. This
is the thought. But how docs his kingfhip or fovereignty enable
him to judge in this matter. The line, by being falfe-pointed,
has loit its ienfe. We ihould read,
Offavereignty of knowledge,
i. e. the underltanding. He calls it, by an equally fine phrafe,
in Hamlet, Sovereignty of reafon. And it is remarkable that the
Editors had depraved it there too. See Note, d8 I. Scene 7. of
that play.
* You, as you re old and reverend, Jbouldle wife.] i.e. long
experience fhould have gain'd you wiidomj and the reverence due
to years requires you to put it in practice.
5 Than a grac'd Palace.'] i. e. a palace grac'd with the pre-
fence of its fovereign.
VOL. VI. D 2 Of
King LEAR.
6 Of fifty to difquantity your train ;
And the remainders, * that fhall ftill depend,
To be fuch men as may befort your age,
And know themfelves and you.
Lear. Darknefs and devils !
Saddle my horfes, call my train together.
Degen'rate baftard ! I'll not trouble thee ;
Yet have I left a daughter. [rabble
Gon. You ftrike my people, and your diforder'd
Make fervants of their betters.
SCENE XV.
20 tbem, Enter Albany.
Lear. Woe ! that too late repents O, Sir, are you
come ?
Is it your will, fpeak, Sir ? prepare my horfes.
\fo Albany.
Ingratitude ! thou marble-hearted fiend,
More hideous, when thou Ihew'ft thee in a child,
Than the fea-monfter.
Alb, Pray, Sir, be patient.
Lear. Detefted kite ! thou lieft. [To Gonerill.
My train are men of choice and rareft parts,
That all particulars of duty know ;
And in the moft exact regard fupport
The worfhips of their names. O moft fmall fault !
How ugly didft thou in Cordelia fhew ?
j* Which, like an engine,- wrenchtmy frame of nature
From the fixt place ; drew from my heart all love,
And added to the gall, O Lear, Lear, Lear!
6 A little is the common reading ; but it appears, from what
Lear fays in the next Scene, that this number fifty was requir'd
to be cut off, which ( as the edition flood ) is no where fpecify'd
by G an e rill. Mr. Pope.
* that fhall ftill depend,] Depend, for continue in fervice.
\ Which, like an engine, &c.^ Alluding to the famous boaft
of AicJ.'imedes.
Beat
King LEAR. 37
Beat at this gate that let thy folly in,
[Striking his bead.
And thy dear judgment out. -Go, go, my people.
Aib. My lord, I'm guiltlefs, as I'm ignorant,
Of what hath moved you.
Lear, it may be fo, my lord
Hear, Nature, hear j dear Goddefs, hear a Father!
Sufpend thy purpofe, if thou didft intend
To make this creature fruitful :
Into her womb convey fteriliry,
Dry up in her the organs of increafe,
And 7 from her derogate body never fpring
A Babe to honour her! If me muft teem,
Create her child of fpleen, that it may Jive,
And be a thwart difnatur'd torment to her i
Let it ftamp wrinkles in her brow of youth,
* With candent tears fret chanels in her cheeks :
Turn all her mother's pains and benefits
To laughter and contempt ; that me may feel,
How fharper than a ferpent's tooth it is,
To have a thanklefs child. Go, go, my people.
Alb. Now, Gods, that we adore, whereof comes
this?
Gon. Never affli<5t yourfelf to know of it :
But let his difpofuion have that fcope,
That dotage gives it. ,
Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap ?
Within a fortnight?-
Alb. What's the matter, Sir ?
Lear. I'll tell thee life and death! I am aftiam'd
That thou haft power to ihake my manhood thus ,
[To Qonerill.
That thefe hot tears, which break from me perforce,
Should
7 -from her derogate body] Derogate, for unnatural.
8 With cadent tears ] We fliould read candent, \. e. hot,
folding. More agreeable to the paffionate imprecation of ti.e
D 3 ipeaker;
432677
38 King LEAR.
Should make thee worth them, blafts and fogs
upon thee!
9 Th* untented woundings of a father's curie
Pierce every fence about thee ! Old fond eyes,
Beweep this Caufe again, I'll pluck ye out,
And caft you, with the waters that you lofe,
To temper clay. Ha ! is it come to this ?
Let it be fo : I have another daughter,
Who, I am fure, is kind and comfortable ;
When fhe fhall hear this of thee, with her nails
She'll flea thy wolfifh vifage. Thou malt find,
That I'Jl refume the fhape, which thou doft think
J have caft off for ever. [#. Lear and Attendants,
SCENE XVI,
Gon. Do you mark that ?
Ally. I cannot be fo partial, Gonerill,
To the great Jove I bear you,
Gon. Pray you, be content. What, Ofwald, ho !
You, Sir, more knave than fool, after your matter.
Fool. Nuncle Lear, nuncle l^ear > tarry, take thq
fool with thee :
A Fox, when one has caught her,
And fuch a daughter,
Should fure to The ilaughter,
fpeaker; and to his ufual phrafeology: as where he fays pre>
fently after,
tbefe hot tears that break from me perforce,
and again my own tears
Do fcald like molten lead.
9 TV untented nvoun dings of a father's eurfe
Pierce every SENSE about thee ! ] As plaufible as this read-
ing is, it is certainly corrupt. We ftiould read,
Pierce every FENCE about thee !
i- ?. guard, fecarity, barrier. Let nothing (land againft a father's
Curfe.
If
King LEAR. 39
If my cap would buy a halter,
So the fool follows after. [Exit.
Gon. This man hath had good counfel a hundred
Knights ?
'Tis politick, and fafe, to let him keep
A hundred Knights ; yes, that on ev'ry dream,
Each buz, each fancy, each complaint, diflike,
He may enguard his dotage with their pow'rs,
And hold our lives at mercy : Ofaald, I fay.
Alb. Well, you may fear too far ; -
Gon. Safer than truft too far.
Let me dill take away the harms I fear,
Not fear ftill to be harm'd. I know his heart \
What he hath utter'd, I have writ my fitter ;
If me'll fuftain him and his hundred Knights,
When I have iliew'd th* unfitnefs
Enter Steward.
How now, Ofwald?
What, have you writ that letter to my fitter ?
Stew. Ay, Madam.
Gon. Take you fome company, and away to horfej
Inform her full of my particular fears,
And thereto add fuch reafons of your own,
1 As may compact it more. So get you gone,
And haften your return. [Exit Steward.
No, no, my lord,
This milky gentlenefs and courfe of yours,
Though I condemn it nor, yet, under pardon,
You are much more at task for want of wifdom,
Than prais'd for harmful mildnefs.
Alb. How far your eyes may pierce, I cannot tell j
Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.
Gon. Nay then
Alb. Well, well, th' event. [Exeunt.
i As may compaft // more.'] Comfaft, for confirm.
D 4 SCENE
S~^
V_I
King LEAR.
SCENE XVII.
A Court- Yard belonging to the Duke of
Albany'.* Palace.
Re-enter Lear, Kent, Gentlemen and Fool.
O you before to Gtffter with thefe letters ;
_I acquaint my daughter no further with any
thing you know, than comes from her demand out of
the letter , if your diligence be not fpeedy, I fhall be
there afore you.
Kent. I will not fleep, my lord, 'till I have deli-
vered your letter. [Exit,
Fool. If a man's brain were in his heels, wer't not
in danger of kibes ?
I, ear. Ay, boy.
Fool. Then, 1 pr'ythee, be merry, thy wit fhall not
go flip-Ihod.
Lear. Ha, ha, ha.
Fool. Shalt fee, thy other daughter will ufe thee
kindly , for though (he's as like this as a crab's like
an apple, yt I can tell what I can tell.
Lear. What can'ft tell, boy ?
Fool. She will tafte as like this, as a crab does to a
crab. Canft thou tell, why one's nofe ftands i'th' mid-
dle of one's face ?
Lear. No.
Fool. Why, to keep one's eyes of either fide one's
nofej that what a man cannot fmell out, he may
fpy into.
Lear. I did her wrong - -
Fool. Can'ft tell how an oyfter makes his mell ?
Lear. No.
Fool. Nor I neither ; but I can tell, why a fnail
has a houfe.
Lear. Why?
Foci
King LEAR. 41
Fool. Why, to put's head in, not to give it away to
his daughters, and leave his horns- without a cafe.
Lear. I will forget my nature : fo kind a father !
be my horfes ready ?
Fool. Thy afles are gone about 'em ; the reafon,
why the feven ftars are no more than feven, is a pret-
ty reafon.
Lear. Becaufe they are not eight.
Fool. Yes, indeed ; thou would'ft make a good
fool.
Lear. To take't again perforce! monfter in-
gratitude !
Fool. If you were my fool, nuncle, I'd have thec
beaten for being old before thy time.
Lear. How's that ?
Fool. Thou fhould'ii not have been old, 'till thou
had'ft been wife.
Lear. O, let me not be mad, not mad, fweet heav'n!
Keep me in temper, I would not be mad.
Enter Gentleman.
How now, are the horfes ready ?
Gent. Ready, my lord.
Lear. Come, boy.
Fool. She that's a maid now, and laughs at my
departure,
Shall not be a maid long, unlefs things be cut fhorter.
[Exeunt.
ACT
42 King LEAR.
A C T II. S C E N E L
A Cajlle belonging to the Earl of Glo'fter,
Enter Edmund and Curan, federally.
S
EDMUND,
AVE thee, Curan.
Cur. And you, Sir. I have been with your fa-
ther, and given him notice that the Duke of Corn-
wall, and Regan his Dutchefs, will be here with him
this night.
Edm. Flow comes that ?
Cur. Nay, I know not ; you have heard of the
news abroad ; I mean, the whifper'd ones ; for they
are yet but ear-kitting arguments.
Edm. Not I ; pray you, what are they ?
Cur. Have you heard of no likely wars toward,
? twixt the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany ?
Edm. Not a word.
Cur. You may do then in time. Fare you well,
Sir. [Exit,
SCENE II.
Edm. The Duke be here to night ! the better! beft J
This weaves itfelf perforce into my bufinefe ;
My father hath fet guard to take my brother,
And I have one thing of a queazy queftion
Which I muft act: briefnefs, and fortune work!
Brother, a word ; defcend - y Brother, I fay j
To him, Enter Edgar.
My father watches -, O Sir, fly this place,
Intelligence is giv'n where you are hid ;
You've
King LEAR.
You've now the good advantage of the night
Have you not fpoken 'gainft the Duke of Cornwall ?
He's coming hither now i'th' night, i'th' hafte,
And Regan with him ; have you nothing faid
Upon his Party 'gainft the Duke of Albany ?
Advife yourfelf.
Edg. I'm fure on't, not a word.
Edm. I hear my father coming. Pardon me
In cunning, I muftdraw my fword upon you
Draw, feem to defend yourfelf.
Now quit you well- -
Yield come before my father light hoa, here !
Fly, brother Torches! fo farewel [Ex. Edgar.
Some blood, drawn on me, would beget opinion
[PFounds bis arm.
Of my more fierce endeavour. I've feen drunkards
Do more than this in fport. Father ! father I
Stop, Hop, no help? -
SCENE III.
*To him, Enter Glo'fter, and fervants with torches.
Glo. Now, Edmund, Where's the villain?
Edm. Here flood he in the dark, his fharp fword
out,
1 Mumbling of wicked Charms, conj'ring the moon
To (land 's aufpicious miftrefs.
Glo. But where is he ?
Edm. Look, Sir, I bleed.
Glo. "Where is the villain, Edmund?
Edm. Fled this way, Sir, when by no means he
could
I Mumbling of wicked Charms, conj'ring the moon] This was a
proper circumftance to urge to Glofler ; who appears, by what
paffed between him and his baftard fon in a foregoing fcene, to be
very fuperftitious with regard to this matter.
Glo,
King LEAR.
Gk. Purfue him, ho I go after. By no means,
what ? -
Edm. Perfuade me to the murther of your lord mi p j
But that, I told him, the revenging Gods
'Gainft Parricides did all the thunder bend,
Spoke with how manifold and ftrong a bond
The child was bound to th' father Sir, in fine,
Seeing how lothly oppofite I ftood
To his unnat'ral purpofe, in fell motion
With his prepared fword he charges home
My unprovided body, lanc'd my arm ;
And when he faw my beft alarmed fpirits,
Bold in the quarrel's right, rous'd to th' encounter,
Or whether gafted by the noife I made,
Full fuddenly he fled.
Glo. Let him fly far;
* Not in this land (hall he remain uncaught ;
And found, difpatch'd. the noble Duke my matter,
3 My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night ;
By his authority I will proclaim it,
That he, who finds him, (hall deferve our thanks,
Bringing the murth'rous coward to the flake :
He that conceals him, death.
Edm. When I difTwaded him from his intent,
And found him pight to do it, with curft fpeech
1 threaten'd to difcover him ; he replied,
Thou unpoffcfling Baftard ! do'ft thou think,
2 AW in this land Jball be remain uncaught ',
4 nd found difpatcb the noble Duke, &c ] This nonfenfe
fhould be read and pointed thu<,
Nat in ibis land Jh all he remain uncaught ',
And found, difpatch'd.
it. he fhall not remain uncaught, and as foon as he is found he
fhali be difj-atch'd or executed.
3 My ivottby arch and patron ] So the old Editions reid it ; and
rigfitly. Arch is horn af^ot, chief. But Mr. Theobald alters
ic co,
Mj vjortby and arch patron.
If
King LEAR.
If I would ftand againft thee, * would the repofal
Of any truft, virtue, or worth in thee
Make thy words faith'd ? * no ; when I fhould deny.
(As this I would, although thou didfl produce
My very character) I'd turn it all
To thy fuggeftion, plot, and damned pra&ice ;
And thou muft make a dullard of the world,
If they not thought the profits of my death
Were very pregnant and potential fpurs
To make thee leek it. [Trumpets within.
Gk. O ftrange, faften'd villain !
Would he deny his letter ? I never got him.
Hark, the Duke's trumpets! I know not why he
comes-
All Ports I'll bar ; the villain mall not 'fcape ;
The Duke muft grant me that ; befides, his picture
I will fend far and near, that all the Kingdom
May have due note of him ; and of my land,
(Loyal and natural Boy ! ) I'll work the means
To make thee capable.
SCENE IV.
"Enter Cornwall, Regan, and attendants.
Corn. How now, my noble friend ? fince I came
hither,
Which I can call but now, I have heard flrange news;
Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too Ihort,
Which can purfue th' offender ; how does my lord?
4 would the repofal ] i. e. would any opinion that men
have repofed in thy truft, virtue, &c .
* no ; WHAT I Jhould deny.] The fenfe and grammar
acquires we fhould read, and point,
no, WHEN I Jhould deny.
VOL. VI, Gk.
King
LEAR.
Gb. O Madam, my old heart is crack'd, it's
crack'd.
Reg. What, did my father's godfon feek your life ?
* He whom my father nam'd? Your Edgar?
Glo. O lady, lady, Shame would have it hid.
Reg. Was he not companion with the riotous
Knights,
That tend upon my father?
Glo. I know not, Madam : 'tis too bad, too bad.
Edm. Yes, Madam, he was of that confort.
Reg. No marvel then, though he were ill affecled ;
"Tis they have put him on the old man's death,
To have th* expence and wafte of his revenues.
I have this prelent evening from my fifter
Been well iriform'd of them ; and with fuch cautions,
That if they come to fojourn at my houfe,
I'll not be there.
Corn. Nor I, I aflure thee, Regan ;
Edmund, I hear, that you have ihewn your father
A child-like office.
Edm. 'Twas my duty, Sir.
Gb. He did bewray his practice, and received
This hurt you fee, driving to apprehend him.
Corn. Is he puriued ?
Glo. Ay, my good lord.
Corn. If he be taken, he fhall never more
Be fear'd of doing harm : make your own purpofe,
How in my ftrcngth youpleafe. As for you, Edmund y
Whofe virtue and obedience 6 in this inltance
5 He whom my father nam'd > ycur Edgar ? ] It fiiould be pointed
thus,
Hf it'bom my father namd?
-, * named at the Font. Was it him ? Was it your Edgar ?. For
here the Poet forgets his pagan fjritem.
DOTH this INSTANT
So much commend iff elf ^ ] Sure It ihculd be,
- - I N tbit INSTANCE
So
King LEAR. 47
So much commends itfelf, you fliall be ours ;
Natures of fuch deep Truft we fhall much need :
You we firft feize on.
Edm. I fhall ferve you, Sir,
Truly, however elfe.
Glo. I thank your Grace.
Corn. You know not why we came to vifit you-
Reg. Thus out of feafon threading dark-ey'd night i
7 Occafions, noble Glo'fter, of fome poife,
Wherein we muft have ufe of your advice.'
Our father he hath writ, fo hath our fitter,
Of differences, which I beft thought it fit
To anfwer from our home : the fev'ral meflengers
From hence attend difpatch. Our good old friend,
Lay Comforts to your bofom ; and beftow
Your needful counfel to our bufmefles,
Which crave the inftant ufe.
Glo. I ferve you, Madam :
Your Graces are right welcome: [Exeunt.
SCENE V.
Enter Kent, and Steward, federally.
Stew. 8 Good downing to thee, friend j art of this
houfe ?
Kent. Ay.
Stew. Where may we fet our horfes ?
Kent. I'th' mire.
Stew. Pr'ythee, if thou lov'ft me, tell me.
7 Occafam, noble Glo'fter, of fomt PRIZE,] We fhould read,
r OISE, i.e. weight.
8 Good evening] In the common editions it is GOOD DAWN-
ING, tho' the time be apparently night. The Editors therefore
have altered it to Good evening. But this was not Shake/pear's
phrafe. The common editions were corrupt indeed, and mould
have given it us, as the poet wrote it, GOOD DOWNING, i. e.
good reft, the common evening-falutation of that time.
Kent.
48 King LEAR.
Ksnt. I love thee not.
Stew. Why then I care not for thee.
Kent. If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would
make thee care for me.
Stew. Why doft thou ufe me thus ? I know thee not.
Kent. Fellow, I know thee.
Stew. What doft thou know me for ?
Kent. A knave, a rafcal, an eater of broken meats,
a bafe, proud, mallow, beggarly, three- fuited, hun-
dred-pound, filthy worfted-ftocking knave ; a lilly-
liver'd, action-taking, knave ; a whorfon, glafs-
gazing, fuper-ferviceable, finical rogue ; one-trunk-
inheriting flave ; one that would'ft be a bawd in way
of good fervice; and art nothing but the compofuion
of a knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the fon and
heir of a mungril bitch j one whom I will beat into
clamr'ous whining, if thou deny'ft the leaft fyllable of
thy addition.
Stew. Why, what a monflrous fellow art thou, thus
to rail on one, that is neither known of thee, nor
knows thee ? +
Kent. What a brazen-fac'd varlet art thou, to deny
thou know'ft me? is it two days ago, fince I tript
up thy heels, and beat thee before the King? draw,
you rogue ; for tho* it be night, yet the moon mines ;
9 I'll make a fop o'th* moonmine of you ; you whor-
fon, cullionly, barber-monger, draw.
[Drawing hisfword.
9 ril make a. fop o"tH' moonJJ/me pf you ; ] This is equivalent to
our modern phrafe of making tie funjhlnt thro any one. But. al-
luding to the natural philofophy of that time, it is obfcure. The
Peripatetics thought, tho' faifly, that the rays of the moon wtre
cold and moift. The fpeaker therefore fays, he would make a
fop of his antagoniit, which Ihould abibrb the humidity of the
moon's rays, by Jetting them into his guts. For this reafon, Shake-
/pear in Romeo and "Juliet fays,
the msonjbinis vvatry beams.
And in MiJftunmer-Ni^bft dream,
in the (baft teams of tie watry moon.
Stew.
King LEAR. 49
Stew. Away, I have nothing to do with thce.
Kent. Draw, you rafcal ; you come with letters
againft the King ; and take Vanity, the Puppet's part,
againft the royalty of her father j draw, you rogue,
or I'll fo carbonado your fhanks draw, you rafcal,
come your ways.
Stew. Help, ho! murther! help!
Kent. Strike, you Have , (land, rogue, (land, you
neat flavc, flrike. [Beating him.
Stew. Help ho! murther ! murther !
SCENE VI.
Enter Edmund, Cornwall, Regan, Glo'fter, and
Servants.
Edm. How now, what's the matter ? Part
Kent. With you, goodmanboy, if you pleafe; come,
I'll fkfh ye 5 come on, young mafter.
GIo. Weapons? arms? what's the matter here?
Corn. Keep peace, upon your lives ; he dies, that
flrikes again ; what's the matter ?
Reg. The meficngers from our fitter and the King ?
Com. What is your difference ? fpeak.
Stew. I am fcarce in breath, my lord.
Kent. No marvel, you have fo beftir'd your valour j
you cowardly rafcal ! nature difclaims all (hare in thee :
a tailor made thee.
Corn. Thou art a ftrange fellow ; a tailor make a
man ?
Kent. I, a tailor, Sir ; a ftone-cutter, or a painter
could not have made him fo ill, tho' they had been
but two hours o'th' trade.
Corn. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel ?
Stew. This ancient ruffian, Sir, whofe life I have
fjpar'd at fuic of his grey beard
VOL. VI. E Kent*
LEAR.
Kent. Thou whorfon zed ! thou unneceflary letter!
my lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread
1 this unbolted villain into mortar, and daub the wall
of a jakes with him. Spare my grey beard ? you
wagtail !
Corn. Peace, Sirrah !
You beaftiy knave, know you no reverence ?
Kent. Yes, Sir, but anger hath a privilege.
Corn. Why art thou angry?
Kent. That fuch a (lave as this fhou'd wear a fword.
"Who wears no honefty , fuch fmiling rogues as thefe,
* Like rats, oft bite the holy cords in twain
Too 'intrinficate t'unloofe: footh every pafiion,
That in the nature of their lords rebels:
Bring oil to fire, Ihow to their colder moods ;
Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks
With ev'ry Gale and Vary of their matters ;
As knowing nought, like dogs, but following.
A plague upon your epileptick vifage !
Smile you my fpeeches, as I were a fool ?
Goofe, if I had you upon Sarum-ph'm,
I'd drive ye cackling home to 3 Camelot.
Corn. What art thou mad, old fellow !
Glo. How fell you out ? fay that.
Kent. No contraries hold more antipathy,
Than I and fuch a knave.
Corn. Why doft thou call him knave ? what is his
fault ?
1 this unbolted villaia] i. e. unrefined by education, the bran
yet in him. Metaphor from the bakehoufe.
2 Like rats, oft bite the holy cords in twain
Too 'intrivficate Sunlooje : ] By thefe holy cords the poet means
the natural union between parent.- and children. The metaphor is
taken from the cords of the fan flu ary ; and the fomenters of family
differences are compared to iheie lacrilegious rats. The expreffion
is fine and noble.
3 Camelot > Was the rlace where the romances fay, King
Arthur kept his court in the well ; fo this alludes to feme prover-
bial fpetch in thofe romances
Kent.
King LEAR.
Kent. His countenance likes me not.
Corn. No more perchance, does mine, nor his,
nor hers.
Kent. Sir, 'tis my occupation to be plain 5
I have feen better faces in my time,
Than ftand on any moulder that I fee
Before me at this inftant.
Corn. " This is fome fellow,
Who having been prais'd for bluntnefs, doth affecl:
A fawcy roughnefs j 4 and conftrains the garb,
Quite from his nature. He can't flatter, he,
An honed mind and plain, he muft fpeak truth i
An they will take it, fo ; if not, he's plain.
" Thefe kind of knaves I know, which in this
plainnefs
" Harbour more craft, and more corrupter ends,
" $ Than twenty filky ducking obfervants,
' That ftretch their duties nicely.
Kent. Sir, in good faith, in fincere verity,
Under th' allowance of your grand afpect,
Whofe irrfluence, like the wreath of radiant fire
On flickering Phebnf front
Corn. What mean'ft by this ?
4 j - conjirains the garb,] Garb, for habit, cuftom.
5 Than twenty SILLY ducking obfervants, ] The epithet SILLY
cannot be right, ill, Becaufe Cornwall, in this beautiful fpeech, is
not talking of the different fuccefs of thefe two kind of parafites, but
of their different corruption of heart, z. Becaufe he fays thefe duck-
ing obfervants know bow to ftretch their duties nicely,. I am per-
fuaded we fliould read,
Than twenty SILKY ducking obfervants,
Which not only alludes to the garb of a court fycophant, but ad-
mirably well denotes the fmoothnefs of his cbarafler. But what
is more, the poet generally gives them this epithet in other places.
So in Richard III. he calls them
Silky, fly, injinuating Jacks.
And in Corio/anus,
' when Jleel grows
Soft as tht parafue's lilk,
E 2 Kent.
52 King LEAR.
Kent. To go out of my dialect, which you difcom-
mend fo much : I know, Sir, I am no flatterer ; he,
that beguil'd yoa in a plain accent, was a plain knave -,
which for my part I will not be, though i fhould win
your difpleafure to intreat me to't.
Corn. What was th' offence you gave him ?
Stew. I never gave him any :
It pleas'd the King his matter very lately
To ftrike at me upon his mifconftruction :
When he conjunct, and flatt'ring his difpleafure,
Tript me behind ; being down, infulted, rail'd,
And put upon him fuch a deal of man, that
That worthied him ; got praiies of the King,
For him attempting who was felf-fubdu'd ;
And, in the flefhment of this dread exploit,
Drew on me here again.
Kent. None of thefe rogues and cowards,
6 But Ajax is their fool.
Corn. Fetch forth the Stocks.
You ftubborn ancient knave, you rev'rend braggart,
We'll teach you
Kent. Sir, I am too old to learn :
. Call not your Stocks for me, I ferve the King ;
On whofe imployment I was fent to you.
You fhall do fmall refpecl, fhew too bold malice
Aga'mft the grace and perfon of my matter,
Stocking his mefrenger.
Ccrn. Fetch forth the Stocks ;
As I have life and honour, there (hall he fit till noon.
Reg. 'Till noon ! till night, my lord, and all night
too.
Kent. Why, Madam, if I were your father's dog,
You could not ufe me fo.
6 But Ajax is their FOOL.] I fhould rather read FOIL. So
in Hamlet.
rilbt thy foil, Laertes.
King LEAR.
Reg. Sir, being his knave, I will.
[Stocks "brought out*
Corn. This is a fellow of the felf-fame nature
Our fitter fpeaks of. Come, bring away the Stocks.
Glo. Let me befeech your Grace not to do fo ;
His fault is much, and the good King his mafter
Will check him for'tj your purpos'd low correction
Is fuch, as bafeft and the meaneft wretches
For pilf 'rings, and moil common trefpafTes,
Are punifh'd with. The King muft take it ill,
That he, fo flightly valued in his metfenger,
Should have him thus reftrain'd.
Corn. I'll anfwer that.
Reg. My Sifter may receive it much more worfe,
To have her Gentleman abus'd, afiaulted,
For following her affairs. Put in his Jegs
[Kent is put in the Stocks.
Come, my lord, away.
[Exeunt Regan and Cornwall,
SCENE VII.
Glo. Pm forry for thee, friend; 'tis the Duke's
pleafure,
Whofe difpofition, all the world well knows,
I Will not be rubb'd nor ftop'd. I'll intreat for thee.
Kent. Pray, do not, Sir. I've watch'd and travell'd
hard ;
Some time I mall fleep out, the reft I'll whiftle :
A good man's fortune may grow out at heels ;
Give you good morrow.
Glo. The Duke's to blame in this, 'twill be ill taken.
[Exit.
Kent. Good King, that muft approve the common
Saw,
7 Will not le rubb'd nor flop'd. ] Metaphor from bowling.
E 3 Thou
King LEAR.
Thou out of heaven's benediction com'ft
To the w.irm fun !
Approach, thou beacon to this under-globe,
[Looking up to the moon.
That by thy comfortable beams I may
Perufe this letter. Nothing almoft fees miracles,
But mifery. I know, 'tis from Cordelia ;
Who hath mcft fortunately been inform'd
Of my obfcured courfe. I fhall find time
From this enormous ftate, and feek to give
LofTes their remedies. All weary and o'er- watch'd,
Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold
This fhametul lodging.
Fortune, good night ; fmile once more, turn thy wheel.
[Hefieeps.
Enter Edgar.
Edg. I've heard myfelf proclaim'd j
And, by the happy hollow of a tree,
Efcap'd the hunt. No port is free, no place,
That Guard and moft unufual vigilance
Does not attend my taking. While I may 'fcape,
I will preferve myfelf: and am bethought
To take the bafefi and the pooreft fhape,
That ever Penury in contempt of man
Brought near to beaft : my face I'll grime with filth $
Blanket my loins; elfe all my hair in knots ;
And with preferred nakednefs out-face
The winds, and perfecutions of the sky.
The country gives me proof and prefident
Of bedlam beggars, who, with roaring voices,
Strike in their numb'd and mortify'd bare arms
Pins, wooden pricks, nai!s, fprigs of rofemary ;
And with this horrible object, from low farms,
8 Poor pelting villages, fheep-coats and mills,
8 Poor pelting villages, ] Pelting is ufed by Shakefpear in
the fenfe of beggarly; 1 fuppoie from pe/t a skin. The poor being
generally clothed in leather.
Some-
King LEAR.
Sometimes with lunatick bans, fometimes with pray'rs,
I nforce their charity 5 ' poor Turlygood! poor 'Tom!
That's fomething yet: Edgar I nothing am. [Exit.
SCENE IX.
Changes again to the Earl of Glo'fter's Caftle.
Enter Lear, Fool, and Gentleman.
Lear.' Hp IS (Irange, that they mould fo depart
A from home,
And not fend back my meflenger.
Gent. As I karn'd,
The night before, there was no purpofe in them
Of this remove.
Kent. Hail to thee, noble mafter !
Lear. Ha ! mak'ft thou thy fhame thy paftime ?
Kent. No, my lord.
Fool. Ha, ha, he wears cruel garters; horfes are
ty'd by the heads, dogs and bears by th' neck, mon-
keys by th' loins, and men by th' legs-, when a man
is over-lufty at legs, then he wears wooden nether
flocks.
9 Inforce their charity ; ] I fhould rather think Shakefpear wrote,
Inforce reer charity ;
An old word for flow, backward, and unwilling to (hew itfelf. The
author in this play afterwards, ufes a fimilar expreffion,
-force their /canted court ejle.
I poor TURLYGOOD! poor Tom!] We (hould read
TUR LUPIN. Jn the fourteenth century there was a new fpecies
of gipfiei, called Turlupins, a fraternity of naked beggars, which
ran up and down Europe. However the Church of Rome hath dig-
nified them with the name of Hereticks, and aftually twrn'd foma
of them at Paris. But what fort of Religionifts they were, np-
pears from Genebrard""^ account of them. Turelitpifi-Cynicontm ftc-
tam fufcitantes. de nuditate pudendarum, & publico altu. Plainly,
nothing but a band of Tom-o 1 -bedlams.
E 4 Lear.
56 King LEAR.
Lear. Whai's he, that hath fo much thy Place
miftook,
To fet thee here ?
Kent. It is both he and fhe,
Your ion and daughter.
Lear. No.
Kent. Yes.
Lear. No, I fay.
Kent. I fay, yea.
Lear. By Jupiter, I fwear, no.
Kent. By Juno, I fwear, ay.
Lear. They durft not do't.
They could not, would not do't 5 'tis vvorfe than
murther,
* To do upon refpect fuch violent outrage :
3 Refolve me with all modeft hafte, which way
Thou might'ft deferve, or they impofe this ufage,
Coming from us ?
Kent. My lord, when at their home
I did commend your Highnefs' letters to them,
Ere I was rifen from the place, that fhew'd
My duty kneeling, came a reeking Pod,
Stew'd in his hafte, half breathlefs, panting forth
From Gonerill his miftrefs, falutation ;
+ Delivered letters fpight of intermiflion,
Which prefently they read : on whofe contents
5 They fummon'd up their meiny, flrait took horfe;
Commanded me to follow, and attend
The leifure of their anfwer ; gave me cold looks ;
2 To do upon refpeft fuch 'violent outrage:] RefpeB, for one in
honourable employment.
3 Rfjolve me 'with all modeft bajle, ] ModeJI, for reafonable.
4 Dctive r" .-' letter: fpigbt cf intermiflion,] Inter mijjion, for ano-
ther mefiage whicft they had then before them, to confider of;
called internr.f:on t becaufc it came between their leifure and the
Steward's melf >ge.
5 Theyjust'iiifnt! up ^f;>jneinv, ] Meiny , *. ^.people.
Mr. Pope.
And
King LEAR.
And meeting here the other mefienger,
Whofe welcome, I perceiv'd, had poifon'd mine ;
(Being the very fellow, which of late
Difplay'd fo faucily againft your Highnefs,)
Having more man than wit about me, I drew;
He rais'd the houfe with loud and coward cries :
Your fon and daughter found this trefpafs worth
The fhame which here it fuffers.
Fool. Winter's not gone yet, if the wild geefe fly
that way.
Fathers, that wear rags,
Do make their children blind ;
But fathers, that bear bags,
Shall fee their children kind.
Fortune, that arrant whore,
Ne'er turns the key to th* poor.
But, for all this, thou fhalt have as many dolours from
Thy dear daughters, as thou canft tell in a year.
Lear. Oh, how this mother fwells up tow'rd my
heart !
Hyfterica pqffio, down, thou climbing forrow,
Thy element's below , where is this daughter ?
Kent. With the Earl, Sir, here within.
Lear. Follow me not; (lay here. [Exit.
Gent. Made you no more offence,
But what you fpeak of?
Kent. None.
How chance the King comes with fo fmall a number?
Fool. An thou hadft been fet i'th' (locks for that
queftion, thou'dft well deferved it.
Kent. Why, fool ?
Fool. We'll fet thee to fchool to an Ant, to teach
thee there's no lab'ring i'th' winter. All, that follow
their nofes are led by their eyes, but blind men ; and
there's not a nofe among twenty, but can fmell him
that's (linking let go thy hold, when a great wheel
runs down a hill, left it break thy neck with follow-
ing
58 King LEAR.
ing it ; b|Ut the great one that goes upward, let him
draw thee after. 6 When a wife man gives thee better
counfel, give me mine again ; I would have none but
knaves follow it, fince a fool gives it.
That Sir, which ferves for gain,
And follows but for form,
Will pack, when it begins to rain,
And leave thee in the ttorrn :
But I will tarry, the fool will ftay,
And let the wife man fly :
The knave turns tool, that runs away ;
The fool no knave, perdy.
Kent. Where learn'd you this, fool ?
Fool. Not i'th* Stocks, fool.
SCENE X.
Enter Lear and Glo'fter.
Lear. Deny to fpeak with me? they're fick, they're
weary,
They have travell'd all the night ? mere fetches,
7 The images of revolt and flying off,
Bring me a better anfwer
Glo. My dear lord,
You know the fiery quality of the Duke:
How unremovable, and fixt he is
In his own courfe.
Lear. Vengeance! plague! death! confufion!
6 When a ivife man gives tbee &c.] One cannot too much com-
mend the caution which our moral poet ufes, on all occaiions, to
prevent his fentiments from being perverfly taken. So here, having
given an ironical precept in commendation of perfidy and baie
defertion of the unfortunate, for fear it fhould be understood fe-
rioyfty, tho' delivered by his buffoon or jefix-r, he has the precau-
tion to add this beautiful corrective, full of fine fenfe: / would
Fiery ?
none but knaves follow it. fence a fool gives it.
7 The images of revolt ] Images, for indications.
King LEAR.
Fiery ? what fiery quality ? why, Glo'fter,
I'd fpeak with the Duke of Cornwall^ and his wife.
Glo. Well, my good lord, I have inform'd them fo.
Lear. Inform'd them ? doft thou underftand me,
man ?
Glo. Ay, my good lord?
Lear. The King would fpeak with Cornwall^ the
dear father
Wou'd with his daughter fpeak; commands her
fervice :
Are they inform'd of this ? my breath and blood !
" Fiery ? the fiery duke ? tell the hot Duke, that
" No, but not yet ; may be, he is not well ;
" Infirmity doth ftill neglect ail office,
" Whereto our health is bound ; we're not ourlelves,
" When Nature, being oppreft, commands the mind
" To fuffer with the body." I'll forbear ;
And am fall'n out with my more headier will,
To take the indifpos'd and fickly fit
For the found man. Death on my ftate! but wherefore!
Should he fit here? this Act perfuades me,
That this remotion of the Duke and her
Is practice only. Give me my fervant forth ;
Go, tell the Duke and's wife, I'd fpeak with them :
Now, prefently, bid them come forth and hear me,
Or at their chamber-door I'll beat the drum,
Till it cry, fleep to death.
Glo, I would have all well betwixt you. [Exit.
Lear. Oh me, my heart! my rifing heart! but
down.
Fool. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the
Eels, when me put them i'th' Pafty alive; me rapt
'em o' th* coxcombs with a flick, and cry'd, down
wantons, down ; 'Twas her brother, that in pare kind-
ncfs to his horfe butter'd his hay.
SCENE
60 King LEAR.
SCENE XL
Enter Cornwall, Regan, Glo'iter, and Servants.
Lear. Good morrow to you both.
Corn. Hail to your Grace! [Kent is fit at liberty.
Reg. I am glad to fee your Highnefs.
Lear. Regan, I think, you are ; I know, what reafon
I have to think fo ; if thou wert not glad,
I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb,
Sepulchring an adult'refs. O, are you free ? [jTo Kent.
Some other time for that. Beloved Regan ^
Thy filter's naught : oh Regan, 8 fhe hath tied
" Sharp-tooth'd unkindnefs like a vulture here ;
[Points to bis heart.
I can fcarce fpeak to thee ; thou'lt not believe,
With how deprav'd a quality oh Regan!
Reg. I pray you, Sir, take patience i I have Hope,
You Jefs know how to value her defeit,
Than fhe to fcant her duty.
Lear. Say? How is that?
Reg. I cannot think my filter in the leaft
Would fail her obligation. If, perchance,
She have reftrain'd the riots of your followers ;
'Xis on fuch ground, and to fuch wholefom end,
As clears her from all blame.
Lear. My curfes on her !
Reg. O Sir, you are old,
Nature in you Itands on the very verge
Of her confine ; you mould be rul'd and led
By fome difcretion, that difcerns your ftate
Better than you your Self: therefore, I pray you,
That to our fifter you do make return ;
Say, you have wrong'd her, Sir.
8 Jhe katb lied
Sharp-tootHd unkindnejs like a <vulture b, f re'i\ Alluding to the fable
of Prometheus.
Lear.
King LEAR. 6 r
Lear. Ask her forgivenefs?
Do you but mark, how this becomes the Houfe ?
Dear daughter, I confefs, that I am old i
Age is unneceflfary : On my knees I beg,
That you'll vouchfafe me raiment, bed, and food.
Reg. Good Sir, no more j thefe are unfightly tricks :
Return yt>u to my lifter.
Lear. Never, Regan:
She hath abated me of half my train ;
1 Look'd black upon me ; ftruck me with her tongue,
Mod fsrpent-like, upon the very heart.
All the ftor'd vengeances of heaven fall
On her ingrateful Top ! ftrike her young bones,
You taking airs, with lamenefs!
Corn. Fie, Sir! fie!
Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding
flames
Into her fcornful eyes ! in feel: her beauty,
You fen-fuck'd fogs, drawn by the pow'rful fun
To fall, and blaft her pride.
Reg. Othebleft Gods!
<j Do you tut mark, how this becomes the Houfe.] Mr. Theobald
fay?, This phrafe is to him unintelligible, and feems to fay little to
the purpofe ; and therefore alters it to,
1 "becomes the ufe,
which fignifies lefs. The Oxford Editor who liked neither, makes
him ftill more familiar becomtfb us. Whereas, all this choping
and changing proceeds from an utter ignorance of a great, a noble,
and a molt expieffive phrafe,
becomes the Haufe ;
which fignifies the order of families, the duties of relation, which
are fcandaloufly difturbed by the father's fubmulion to the
Daughter.
I Look' d black upon me ;] So all the editions. Mr. Theobald al-
ters it to blank. A linall alteration, only turning black to wuKtt.
His reafon is, becaufe to look black upon him is a phrafe he does not
underftand. I believe fo. But it alludes to a ferpent's turning
black t when it fwells with rage and venom, the very creature to
which Lear here compares his daughter.
So
62 King LEAR.
So will you wifh on me, when the ram mood is on.
Lear. No, Regan, thou fhalt never have my curfe :
Thy tender-hefted nature ihall not give
Thee o'er to harfhnefs ; her eyes are fierce, but thine
Do comfort, and not burn. 'Tis not in thee
To grudge my pleafures, to cut off my train,
To bandy hafty words, to fcant my fizes,
And, in conclufion, to oppofe the bolt
Againft my coming in. Thou better know'ft
The offices of nature, bond of child-hood,
Effects of courtefie, dues of gratitude :
Thy half o'th' Kingdom thou haft not forgot,
Wherein I thee endow'd.
Reg. Good Sir, to th' purpofe. [Trumpet within.
Lear. Who put my man i' th' Stocks ?
Enter Steward.
Corn. What trumpet's that ?
Reg. I know't, my fitter's : this approves her letter,
That me would foon be here. Is your lady come?
Lear. This is a flave, * whofe eafie- borrowed pride
Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows.
Out, varlet, from my fight.
Corn. What means your Grace ?
SCENE XII.
Enter Gonerill.
Z^r.Who ftockt my fervant? Regan, I've good hope,
Thou didft not know on't. Who comes here?
O Heav'ns,
3 If you do love old men, if your fweet fway
Hallow
wlmfe eafie- borrowed pride] Eafy borrowed, afineexpref-
11 on, for natural to him.
3 If you do love old men, if your fweet faav
ALLOW obedience, if your Jel<ves are old. \ Could it be a quef-
tion whether heaven allowed obedience ? The poet wrote,
HALLOW obedience. .
King LEAR. 63
Hallow obedience, if yourfelves are old,
Make it your caufe j lend down, and take my part;
Art not afham'd to look upon this beard ?
O Regan, will you take her by the hand ?
Gon. Why not by th' hand, Sir ? how have I of-
fended ?
4 All's not offence, that indifcretion finds,
And dotage terms fo.
Lear. O fides, you are too tough !
Will you yet hold ? how came my man i' th'
Stocks ?
Corn. I fet him there, Sir : but his own diforders
Deferv'd much lefs advancement.
Lear. You ? did you ?
Reg. 3 I pray you, Father, being weak, deem't fo.
If, 'till the expiration of your month,
You will return and fojourn with my filter,
DifmifTmg half your train, come then to me ;
I'm now from home, and out of that provifion
Which mail be needful for your entertainment.
i. e . if paternal government here be fo much the image of the
mild government of heaven, that it fandlifies the obedience due to
parents, andeiteems the violators of it impious, make it your caufe.
He adds, if yourfelves are old. This perhaps may appear low
and ridiculous to the unlearned reader ; but we are to confider this
pagan King as alluding to the ancient heathen Theology, which
teaches that Car/us, or Outanus, or Heaven, was depofed by his
fon Saturn, who rebelled and rofe in arms againft him. His cafe,
then, being the fame with Lear's, he was the fitteit tp be addrefled
to on this occafion.
4 AW snot cjfence that indifcretion FINDS,] lam almoft per-
fuaded that Shake f pear wrote fines, i. e. .cen Cures ; the common
reading being fiarce fenfe.
5 I pray you, Father, being weak, SEE M fo.] This is a very odd
requeft. She furely aiked fomething more reasonable. We
fhould read,
bting 'weak, DEEM'T fo,
i. e. believe that my husband teJls you true, that Kent's diforders
deferved a more ignominious punifhmsnt.
Lear.
64 King LEAR.
Lear. Return to her, and fifty men difmifs'd ?
* No, rather I abjure all roofs, and chufe
To wage againft the enmity o' th' air ;
To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,
Neceffity's (harp pinch Return with her ?
Why, the hot-blooded France, that dow'rlefs took
Our youngeft born, 1 could as well be brought
To knee his throne, and 'Squire-like penfion beg,
To keep bafe life a-foot; Return with her?
Perfuade me rather to be a flave, and fumpter,
To this detefted groom.
Gon. At your choice, Sir.
Lear. I pr'ythee, daughter, do not make me mad;
I will not trouble thee, my child. Farewel ;
< { We'll no more meet, no more fee one another ;
" But yetthouart my flefii, my blood, my daughter,
" Or rather a difeafe that's in my flefli,
* Which I mud needs call mine ; thou art a bile,
" A plague-fore, or imbofied carbuncle,
6 No, rather I abjure all roofs, and chufe
To wage againft the enmity dttf air;
To be a comrade with the tvclf and owl,
Nece/fity'ifoarp pinch ! ] Thus mould thefe lines (in the
order they were read, in all the editions 'till Mr. Theobald**) be point-
ed. The want of which pointing contributed, perhaps, to mif-
lead him in tranfpofing the fecond and third Jines, on which ima-
ginary regulation he thus defcants, The breath cf the ftnfe here is
a manifejl proof that thefe lines were tranfpcfed by tie frji Editors.
Neither can there be any fyntax cr grammatical coherence, unlefs we
fuppofe [neceflity's fharp pinch] to be the accusative to [wage].
But this is fuppofing the verb 'wage, to want an accufative, which
it does not. To wage, or wager again/} any one was a common
expreflion ; and, being a fpecies of acting, (namely, acting in op-
pofition) was as proper as to fay, att againft anycne. co, to wage
againft the enmity dth* air, was to ftrive or fight againft it. Ne-
cejfity'sjbarp pinch, therefore, is not the accufative to wage, but de-
clarative of the condition of him who is a comrade to the wolf and
owl: in which the verb [;'j] is underftood. The confequence of
all this is, that it was the lajl editors, and not the firfl, who tranf-
pofed the lines from the order the poet gave then. For the Ox-
ford Editor follows Mr. Theobald.
In
King LEAR. 65
In my corrupted blood ; but I'll not chide thee.
" Let fhame come when it will, I do not call it ;
I do not bid the thunder-beater moot,
c Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove.
" Mend when thou canft ; be better at thy leifure."
I can be patient, I can (lay with Regan ;
I, and my hundred Knights.
Reg. Not altogether fo ;
I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided
For your fit welcome ; give ear to my fifter ;
For thofe that mingle reafon with your pafiion, s
Muft be content to think you old, and fo
But fhe knows what fhe does.
Lear. Is this well fpoken ?
Reg. I dare avouch it, Sir ; what fifty followers ?
Is it not well ? what mould you need of more ? ?,
Yea, or fo many ? fince both charge and danger
Speak 'gain ft fo great a number: how in one houfc
Should many people under two commands
Hold amity ? 'tis hard, almoft impofTible.
Gon. Why might not you, my lord, receive at-
tendance
From thofe that me calls fervants, or from mine ?
Reg. Why not, my lord ? if then they chanc'd to
flack ye,
We could controul them ; if you'll come to me,
(For now I fpy a danger) I intreat you
To bring but five and twenty ; to no more
Will I give place or notice.
Lear. I gave you all
Reg. And in good time you gave it.
Lear. Made you my Guardians, my depofitarics ;
But kept a refervation to be follow'd
With fuch a number; muft I come to you
With five and twenty ? Regan^ faid you fo ?
Reg. And fpeak'c again, my lord, no more
with me.
VOL, VI. F Lear.
66 *Sg LEAR.
Lear. 7 Thofe wrinkled creatures yet do look well-
favour'd,
When others are more wrinkled. Not being word,
Stands in fome rank of praife ; I'll go with theej
Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty ;
And thou art twice her love.
Gon. Hear me, my lord ;
What need you five and twenty, ten, or five,
To follow in a houfe, where twice fo many
Have a command to tend you?
Reg. What needs one?
Lear. u O, reafon not the need: or bafeft
beggars
" Are in the pooreft thing fuperfluous ;
" Allow not nature more than nature needs,
" Man's life is cheap as beads," Thou art a lady ;
j Thofe WICKED creatures yet do look well-favour d,
When others are more WICKED.] As a little before, in the
text [like flatterers} the editors had made a fimilitude where the
author intended none; fo here, where he did, they are not in the
humour to give it us, becaufe not introduced with the formulary
word, like. Lear's fecond daughter proving ftill more unkind
than the firft, he begins to entertain a better opinion of this, from
the other's greater degree of inhumanity ; and exprefles it by a fi-
militude taken from the deformities which old age brings on.
Thofe WRINKLED creatures yet do look well-favour'd,
When others are more WRINKLED:
For fo, inftead of wicked, it {hould be read in both places : which
correction the word well-favoured might have led to. Learcon-
fiders the unnatural behaviour of his daughters under this idea,
both in and out of his fenfes. So again, fpeaking of them, in his
diftraftion, he fays, Andheris another whofe WARPT /. oks pro-
claim what Jlore her heart is made of. Shakefpear has the cha-
racter of a very incorrect writer, and fo, indeed, he is. But
this character being received, as well as given, in the lump, has
made him thought an unfit fubjeft for critical conjecture : which
perhaps may be true, with regard to thofe who know no more
of his genius than a general character of it conveys to them.
But we mould diftinguifh. I neon-eft nefs of ftile may be divided in-
to two parts : an inconfiftency of the terms employed with one
another ;
King LEAR. 67
If only to go warm were gorgeous,
Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'ft,
Which fcarcely keeps thee warm , but for true need,
You heav'ns, give me that patience which I need !
" You fee me here, you Gods, a poor old man,
" As full of grief as age ; wretched in both !
* If it be you, that ftir thefe daughters* hearts
" Againft their father, fool me not fo much
<c To bear it tamely -, 8 touch me with noble anger ;
* c O let not women's weapons, water-drops,
" Stain
another ; and an incongruity in the conftru&ion of them. In the
firit cafe he is rarely faulty ; in the fecond, negligent enough. And
this could hardly be otherwife. For his ideas being the cleared, and
his penetration in difcovering their agreement, difagreement, and
relation to each other, the deepeft that ever was in any Poet, his
terms of courfe muft be well put together : Nothing occafioning
the jumbling of difcordant terms, from broken metaphors, but the
cloudinefs of the underftanding, and the confequent obfcurity of
the ideas : Terms being nothing bat the painting of ideas, which
he, who fees clearly, will never employ in a difcordant colouring.
On the contrary, a congruity in the conurudlion of thele terms
(which anfwers to drawing, as the ufeofthetermsdoes to colouring)
is another thing. And Sbakefpear, who owed all to nature, and was
hurried on by a warm attention to his ideas, was much lefs exaft
in the conftru&ion and grammatical arrangement of his words.
The conclufion is, that where we find grois inaccuracies, in the
relation of terms to one another, there we may be confident, the
text has been corrupted by his editors : and, on the contrary, that
the offences againft fyntax are generally his own. Had the Oxford
Editor attended to this diltin&ion, he would not perhaps have made
it the principal objeft in bis rejlored Sbakefpear, to make his au-
thor always fpeak in itrift grammar and meafure. But it is much
eafier to reform fuch flips as never obfcure the fenfe, and are fet
light by a grammar-rule or a finger-end, than to reduce a de-
praved expreffion, which makes' nonfenfe of a whole fentence,
and whofe reformation requires you to enter into the author's way
of thinking.
8 ' touch me with noble anger ; ] It would puzzle one at
firft to find the fenfe, the drift, and the coherence of this peti-
tion. For if the Gods fent this evil for his punifhment, how could
he expeft that they mould defeat their own defign, and affiit him to
revenge his injuries ? The folution is, that Shakefpear here makes
VOL. VI. F 2 Jii
68 King LEAR.
" Stain my man's cheeks. No, you unnat'ral hags,
* I will have fuch revenges on you both,
" That all the world fhall 9 I will do fuch
things,
" What they are, yet I know not ; but they fhall be
The terrors of the earth : you think, I'll weep :
No, I'll not weep. I have full caufe of weeping:
This heart fliall break into a thoufand flaws
Or ere I weep. O fool, I fhall go mad.
[Exeunt Lear, Glo'lter, Kent and FooL
SCENE XIII.
Corn. Let us withdraw, 'twill be a ftorm.
[Storm andtempeft.
Reg. This houfe is little ; the old man and his people
Cannot be well beftow'd.
Gon. 'Tis his own blame hath put himfelf from reft,
And muft needs tafte his folly.
Reg. For his particular, I'll receive him gladly;
But not one follower.
Gon. So am I purposed.
Where is my Lord of Glo'fter ?
his fpeaker allude to what the ancient poets tell us of the misfor-
tunes of particular families : Namely, that when the anger of the
Gods, for an aft of impiety was raifed againft an offending
houfe, their method of puniihmentwas, firft to inflame the breafts
of the children to unnatural afts againft their Parents ; and then,
of the parents againft their children, in order to deftroy one ano-
ther: and that both thefe outrages were the inftigation of the
Gods. To consider Lear as alluding to this divinity, makes his
prayer exceeding pertinent and fine.
g I will da fuch things,
What they are yet I know not ; but they Jhall be
Ihe terrors of the tuorld J
Haud quid Jit f do.
Sedgrande quiddam ejl. Senec. Thyeft. A& 2.
1 nefcio quidferox
Decrevit animus intits s & sondumjibi audetfateri. Medea.
Enttr
King LEAR. 69
Enter Glo'fter.
torn. Folio w'd the old man forth ; he is
return'd.
Glo. The king is in high rage, and will I know-
not whither.
Corn. 'Tis beft to give him way, he leads himfclf.
Gon. My lord, intreat him by no means to (lay.
Glo. Alack, the night comes on : and the high winds
Do forely ruffle, for many miles about
There's fcarce a bufh.
Reg. O Sir, to wilful men,
The injuries, that they themfelves procure,
Muft be their fchool- matters : fhut up your doors ;
He is attended with a defp'rate train ;
And what they may incenfe him to, being apt
To have his ear abus'd, wifdom bids fear.
Corn. Shut up your doors, my lord, 'tis a wild night.
My Regan counfels well : come out o' th* ftorm.
\_Exeunt.
ACT III. SCENE I.
A HEATH.
A ftorm is heard, with thunder and lightning. Enter
Kent, and a Gentleman^ federally.
KENT.
WH O 's there, befides foul weather ?
Gent. One minded like the weather, mod
unquietly.
Kent. I know you ; where's the King ?
Gent. Contending with the fretful elements ;
Bids the wind blow the earth into the lea i
F 3 Or
70 King LEAR.
Or fwell the curled waters 'bove the main,
That things might change, or ceaie : ' tears his white
hair ;
[( * Which the impetuous blafts with eyelefs rage
Catch in their fury, and make nothing of.)]
Strives in his little World of Man t' outfcorn
The to-and-fro-conflicting Wind and Rain.
5 This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would
couch,
The lion, and the belly-pinched wolf
Keep their furr dry ; unbonnetted he runs,
And bids what will, take all.
Kent. But who is with him ?
Gent. None but the Fool, who labours to out-jeft
His heart- ftruck injuries.
Kent. Sir, I do know you,
And dare upon the warrant of my note,
Commend a dear thing to you. There's divifion
(Although as yet the face of it is cover'd
With mutual cunning) 'twixt Albany and Cornwall :
Who have (as who have not, whom their great ftars
Throne and fet high ?) fervants, who feem no lefs i
Which are to France the fpies and fpeculations
Intelligent of our ftate. What hath been feen,
Either in fnuffs and packings of the Dukes ;
Or the hard rain, which both of them have borne
Againft the old kind king; or fomething deeper,
1 tears his white hair',"] The fix following verfes were
omitted in all the late Editions : I have replaced them from the firft,
for they are certainly Shakefpear's. Mr. Pope.
2 Which the impetuous blajis, &c.j Thefe two lines, fome play-
er's trafh.
3 This night wherein the Cub-drawn bear would couch,] Cub-
drawn has been explained to fignify Jraivn try nature to it* young:
whereas it means, ivbofe dugs are drni-jn dry by its young. For
no animals leave their dens by night but for prey. So that the
meaning is, " that even hunger, and the fupport of its young,
" would not force the bear to leave his den in fuch a rieht."
(Whereof,
King LEAR.
(Whereof, perchance, thefe are but furnifhings )
4 But true it is, 5 from France there comes a power
Into this fcathed kingdom ; who already,
Wife in our negligence, have fecret feize
In fome of our belt ports, and are at point
To Ihow their open banner Now to you,
If on my credit you dare build fo far
To make your fpeed to Dover, you mail find
Some that will thank you, making juft report
Of how unnatural and bemadding forrow
The King hath caufe to plain.
4 But true it is, &c.] In the old editions are the five following
lines, which I have inferted in the text, which feem neceflary to the
plot, as a preparatory to the arrival of the French army with Cor-
delia in Ail 4. How both thefe, and a whole fcene between
Kent and this gentleman in the fourth aft, came to be left out in
all the later editions, I cannot tell : they depend upon each
other, and very much contribute to clear that incident. Mr. Pope.
5 from France there comes a power
Into this SCATTER' D kingdom ; who already,
Wife in our negligence, b awe fecret SEA
In fame of our left ports ] Scatter 'd kingdom, if it have
any fenfe, gives us the idea of a kingdom fallen into an anarchy :
But that was not the cafe. It fubmitted quietly to the govern-
ment of Lear ^ two fons-in-law. It was divided, indeed, by this
means, and fo hurt, and weaken'd. And this was what Shake-
/pear meant to fay, who, without doubt, wrote,
SCATHED kingdom,
i. e. hurt, wounded, impaired. And fo he frequently ufes feath
for hurt or damage. Again, what a ftrange phrafe is, having fta
in a port, to fignify a fleet's lying at anchor ? which is all it can
fignify. And what is ftranger ftill, a fecret fia, that is, lying in-
cognito, like the army at Knights-bridge in the Rehearfal. With-
out doubt the poet wrote,
have fecret SEIZE
In fome of our left ports
/. e. they are fecretly fecure of fome of the bed ports, by having
a party in the garriibn ready to fecond any attempt of their friends,
fcfc. The exaftnefs of the expreffion is remarkable; he fays,
fecret feixe in fame, not of fome. For the firil implies a confpi-
racy ready to feize a place on warning; the other, a place already
feized.
F 4 I
72 King LEAR.
I am a gentleman of blood and breeding,
And from fome knowledge and aflurance of you,
Offer this office.
Gent. I'll talk further with you.
Kent. No, do not :
For confirmation that I am much more
Than my out-wall, open this purfe and take
What it contains. If you fhall fee Cordelia^
(As, fear not, but you fhall) fliew her that Ring,
And me will tell you who this fellow is,
That yet you do not know. Fie on this florm !
I will go feek the King.
Gent. Give me your hand, have you no more to fay ?
Kent. Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet ;
That, when we have found the King, (in which you
take
That way, I this;) he that firft lights on him,
Halloo the other. [Exeunt federally.
SCENE II.
Storm fill. Enter Lear and Fool.
Lear. Blow winds, and crack your cheeks ; rage,
blow !
You cataracts, and hurricanoes, fpout
'Till you have drencht our fleeples, drown'd the
cocks !
6 You fulph'rous and thought- executing fires,
[Vaunt-couriers of oak-cleaving thunder-bolts,]
Singe
6 You fulptfrous and thought executing firei,
Vaunt-couritrf of oak cleaving thunder-bolts.
Singe my 'white head. ] The fecond of thefe lines muft
needs be the players' fpurious iffue. The reafon is demonftrative.
The poet tells us in the fir ft and third lines, truly, that it is the
flam which does the execution; but in the fecond he talks of an
imaginary thunder-bolt (diftinft from the fhfh or fire, which fire
he calls only the vaunt couriers or fore-runners of it) which he
felfly
King LEAR. 73
Singe my white head. And thou all-fiiaking thunder,
Strike fiat the thick rotundity o* th' world ;
Crack nature's mould, all (a) germins fpill at once
That make ingrateful man.
Fool. O nuncle, court-holy-water in a dry houfe is
better than the rain-waters out o' door. Good nuncle,
in, and ask thy daughters bleffing : here's a night, that
pities neither wife men nor fools.
Lear. Rumble thy belly full, fpit fire, fpout rain ;
Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters 5
I tax not you, you elements, with unkindnefs ,
I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children ;
7 You owe me no fubfcription. Then let fall
Your horrible pleafure ; 8 here I (land, your
Brave ;
A poor, infirm, weak, and defpis'd old man 1
But yet I call you fervile minifters,
That have with two pernicious daughters join'd
Your high-engender'd battles, 'gainft a head
So old and white as this. Oh! oh! 'tis foul.
Fool. He that has a houfe to put's head in, has a
good head -piece:
The codpiece that will houfe before the head has any,
The head and he mall lowfe j fo beggars marry many.
falfly fays does it. This is fo glaring a contradiction as makei
it impolfible to be all of one hand.
7 You oiue me no fubfcription. ] Sulfcription, for obedience.
8 here IJland your SLAVE;] But why fo ? It is true, he
fays, that they owed him no fubfcription ; yet fure he owed them
none. We fhould read,
here I jland your BRAVE ;
/. e. I defy your worft rage, as he had laid juft before. What led
the editors into this blunder was what fhould have kept them out of
it, namely tne following line,
A poor, injirm, weak, and defpis'd old man!
And this was the wonder, that fuchaone fhould brave them all.
[(*) getmins or feeds. Mr. Theobald. Vu'g gerrr.ainj.]
That
74 & n g LEAR.
That man that makes his toe, what he his heart fhould
make,
Shall of a corn cry woe, and turn his fleep to wake.
For there was never yet fair woman, but (he made
mouths in a glafs.
SCENE III.
To tbem> Enter Kent.
Lear. No, I will be the pattern of all patience,
I will fay nothing.
Kent. Who's there ?
Fool. Marry here's grace, and a cod-piece, that's a
wifeman and a fool.
Kent. Alas, Sir, you are here? things that love
night,
Love not fuch nights as thefe: the wrathful skies
9 Callow the very wand'rers of the dark,
And make them keep their Caves : fince I was man,
Such meets of fire, fuch burfts of horrid thunder,
Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never
Remember to have heard. Man's nature cannot carry
Th' affliction, nor the force.
Lear. " Let the great Gods,
tc That keep this dreadful pudder o'er our heads,
" Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch,
" That haft within thee undivulged crimes,
*' Unwhipt of juftice. Hide thee, thou bloody hand a
" Thou Perjure, l - thou Simular of virtue,
" That
9 Callow the very ivand"ren of the dark,] Gallaw, a weft-coun-
try word, fignifies to fear or frighten.
I tbou Simular of virtue.] Shake fpear has here kept exadly
to the Latin propriety of the term. But his editor, Mr. Theobald,
has unluckily blundered himfelf out of it, in his comment upon it.
He, [Shake/pear} (fays the critic) would ufe a limular of virtue to
Jfgnijy a falfe prettnder to it, a DISSEMBLER that would make an
iut-ivard Jhciv of it. But his author knew well that he who makes
King LEAR.
" That art inceftuous : caitiff, fhake to pieces,
' * That under covert, and convenient feeming,
" Haft praftis'd on man's life! Clofc pent-up
guilts,
" Rive your concealing continents, and ask
Thefe dreadful fummoners grace. I am a man..
More finn'd againft, than finning.
Kent. Alack bare-headed ?
Gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel ;
Some friendfhip will it lend you 'gainft the tempeft,
Repofe you there, while I to this hard houfe
(More hard than is the ftone whereof 'tis rais'd ;
Which even but now, demanding after you,
Deny'd me to come in) return, and force,
Their fcanted courtefie.
Lear. My wits begin to turn.
Come on, my boy. How doft, my boy ? art cold ?
I'm cold myfelf. Where is the ftraw, my fellow ?
an outward Jht"M of what he has not, could not, with propriety,
be called a dijftmbler, but zfembler : or, as he exprelfes it, ajimu-
lar : and he that hides 'what he bas, a dffimhler. So when Saluft
would inform us, that Catiline put on the {hew of every virtue he
had not, and difguifed every vice he had, he calls him, Cujujli-
bet rei fimulator ac diffimuhtor. I will only obferve, that our
author feems to have imitated Skelton in making a fubftantive of
Simular, as the other did of Dijfimular,
With other foure of theyr ajffynyte,
Dyfdayne, ryotte, Diffymuler, Jubtylte.
The bouge of Courte.
2 That under COVERT AND convenient feeming] This may
be right. And if fo, convenient is ufed for commodious or friend-
ly. But I rather think the poet wrote,
Tkat under COVER OF convivial feeming,
i. e. under cover of a frank, open, focial converfation. This
raifes the fenfe, which the poet expreffes more at large in Ti-
man of Athens, where he fays,
. <The fellow that
Sifs next him now, parts bread with him, and fledges
The breath of him in a divided draught ;
Is th* readiefl man to kill him.
The
VOL. VI.
7 6 King LEAR.
The art of our neceffities is ftrange,
That can make vile things precious. Come, your hove!;
Poor fool and knave, I've (a} one firing in my heart,
That's forry yet for thee.
.FooJ. He that has an a little tynie wit,
With heigh ho^ the wind and the ram ;
Muft make content with his fortunes //,
Though the rain it raineth every day.
Lear. True, my good boy : come bring us to this
hovel. [Exit.
Fool. ' 'Tis a brave night to cool a curtezan.
4 I'll fpeak a prophecy or two ere I go.
When priefts are more in words than matter,
When brewers marr their malt with water;
When
3 '7?j a brave night, &c ] This fpcech not in the old edition.
Mr. Pope,
4 P II freak a prophecy ar ere I go ;
When priejls are more in words than matter ;
When brewers marr their malt with water ;
When nobles are their tailors'' tutors ;
No hereticks burnd, but v:enchts' fuitors j
IVhen every cafe in law if right,
No ''Squire in aebt, nor no poor Knight ;
When Jlanders do not li<ve in tongues.
And cut pur (cs come not to throngs \
When ufurers tell their gold *' /// field,
And bawds, and whores do churches build:
Then Jhall the realm of Albion
Come to great confufon,
'Then comes the time, who lives to fee t.
That Going Jhall be us'd luith feet. ] The judicioas
reader will obferve through this heap of nonfenfe and confufion,
that this I? not onr, but ftco prophecies. The firft, a fatyri-
cal defcription of the prrfent manners as future : And the fe-
cond, a fatyrical defcription of future manners, which the corrup-
tion of the prefent ivould prevent from ever happening. Each of
thefe prophecies has its proper inference or deduction : yet, by an
unaccountable llupidity, the firft editors took the whole to be all one
prophecy,
' [ (a) we firing* Oxford Editor *- Vulg. one thing,]
King LEAR. 77
J When nobles are their tailors* tutors ;
No hereticks burnt, but wenches' fuitors ;
Then comes the time, who lives to fee't,
That Going {hall be us'd with feet.
When every cafe in law is right,
No fquire in debt, and no poor knight ;
When (landers do not live in tongues ;
And cut-purfes come not to throngs ;
When ufurers tell their gold i' th' field ;
And bawds and whores do churches build :
Then mall the realm of Albion
Come to great confufion.
This prophecy Merlin (hall make, for I do live be-
fore his time. [Exit.
prophecy, and fo jumbled the two contrary inferences together.
The whole then fhould be read as follows, only premifing that
the firft line is corrupted by the lofs of a word or ere I go t is
not Englfo, and (hould be helped thus,
1 . Til fpeak a prophecy or two ere I go.
When priejis are mart in ivords than matter.
When brewers marr their malt with water ;
When noblei are their tailors' tutors ;
No hereticks burnt but wenches fuiton ;
'Then comes the time, who li<ves to fee 't,
That Going Jhall be US' 1 d with feet, i. e. No\V.
2. When every cafe in law is right
No fquire in debt, and no poor knight i
When Jlanders do not live in tongues ',
dnd cut-purfes come not to throngs ;
When ufurers tell their gold /" th" field;
And banuds and whores do churches build :
Then Jhall the realm of Albion
Come to great confufion. i. e. Never.
5 When noilts are their tailors' tutors;} i. e. Invent fafhions for
them.
SCENE
78 King LEAR.
SCENE IV.
An Apartment in Glo'fter'.r caftle.
Enter Glo'fter, and Edmund.
Gk. \ LACK, alack, t Edmund, I like not this
JL\ unnatural dealing ; when I defir'd their leave
that I might pity him, they took from me the ufe
of mine own houfe ; charg'd me on pain of perpetual
difpleafure, neither to fpeak of him, entreat for him,
or any way fuftain him.
Edm. Moft favage and unnatural !
Glo. Go to ; fay you nothing. There is divifion
between the Dukes, and a worfe matter than that : I
have receiv'd a letter this night, 'tis dangerous to be
fpoken -, (I have lock'd the letter in my clofet :)
thefe injuries the King now bears, will be revenged
home ; there is part of a power already footed ; we
muft incline to the King -, I will look for him, and
privily relieve him ; go you, and maintain talk with
the Duke, that my charity be not of him perceived ;
if he ask for me, I am ill, and gone to bed j if I die
for it, as no lefs is threaten'd me, the King my old
mafter mull be relieved. There are ftrange things to-
ward Edmund; pray, you, be careful. [Exit.
Edm. This courtefie, forbid thee, mall the Duke
Inftantly know, and of that letter too.
This feems a fair deferving, and muft draw me
That which my father lofes ; no lefs than all.
The younger riles, when the old doth fall. \JLxit.
SCENE
King LIAR. 79
SCENE V.
Changes to a fart of the Heath 'with a Hovel.
Enter Lear, Kent, and Fool.
Kent. TT E R E is the place, my lord 3 good my
JLJL lord, enter.
The tyranny o' the open night's too rough
For nature to endure. [Storm fill.
Lear. Let me alone.
Kent. Good my lord, enter here.
Lear. Will't break my heart ?
Kent. I'd rather break mine own , good my lord,
enter.
Lear. Thou think'ft 'tis much, that this conten-
tious ftorm
Invades us to the skin j fo 'tis to thee ;
But where the greater malady is fixt,
The leffer is fcarce felt. Thou'dft fhun a bear ;
But if thy flight lay toward the roaring fea,
Thou'dft meet the bear i j th' mouth. When the mind's
free,
The body's delicate ; the temped in my mind
Doth from my fenfes take all Feeling elfe,
Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude !
Is it not, as this mouth mould tear this hand
For lifting food to't? " But I'll punilh home 5
" No, I will weep no more In fuch a night,
" To fhut me out? pour on, I will endure:
" In fuch a night as this ? O Regan, Gonerill,
" Your old kind father, whofe frank heart gave all
" O, that way madnefs lies } let me fhun that ;
< No more of that.
Kent. Good my lord, enter here.
Lear. Pr'ythee, go in thyfelf, feek thine own cafe ;
*' This temped will not give me leave to ponder
' On
Kivg LEAR.
<e On things would hurt me more but I'll go ini"
In, boy, go firft. You houfelefs poverty-
Nay, get thee in ; I'll pray, and then I'll fleep
Poor naked wretches, wherefoe'er you are,
That bide the pelting of this pitilefs ftorm !
How fhall your houfdefs heads, and unfed fides,
Your loop'd and window'd raggednefs, defend you
From feaibns fuch as thefe? '* O I have ta'en
" Too little care of this ! take phyfick, Pomp i
4t Expofe thyfdf to feel what wretches feel,
<c That thou may'fl fhake the fuperflux to them,
" And mew the Heavens morejuft." [poor Tom*
Edg. \_within.~] Fathom and half, fathom and half!
Fool. Come not in here, nuncle, here's a fpirit ; help
me, help me. [T'he Fool runs out from the hovel.
Kent. Give me thy hand, who's there?
Fuel. A fpirit, a fpirit ; he fays his name's poor
Tom.
Kent. What art thou, that doft grumble there i' th*
draw ? come forth.
SCENE VI.
Enter Edgar, difguu'd like a Madman.
Edg. Away ! the foul fiend follows me. Through
the fharp hawthorn blows the cold wind. Humph,
go to thy bed and warm thee.
Lear. Didft thou give all to thy daughters ? and
art thou come to this ?
Edg. Who gives any thing to poor Tom? whom
the foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame,
through ford and whirlpool, o'er bog and quagmire ;
that hath laid knives under his pillow, and halters in
his pew ; fct ratsbane by his Porridge, made him
proud of- heart, to ride on a bay trotting horfe, over
four inch'd bridges, to courfe his own fhadow for a
traitor, bids thy five wits i Tom's a- cold. O do,
King LEAR. 81
de, do, de, do, de; blefs thee from whirl-winds,
ftar-blafling, and raking ; do poor Tom fome cha-
rity, whom the foul fiend vexes. There could I have
him now, and there, and here again, and there.
[Storm Jlill.
Lear. What, have his daughters brought him to
this pafs ?
Could'ft thou fave nothing ? did'ft thou give 'em all ?
Fool. Nay, he referv'd a blanket, elfe we had been
all mamed.
Lear. Now all the plagues, that in the pendulous air
Hang fated o'er mens' faults, light on thy daughters!
Kent. He hath no daughters, Sir.
Lear. Death ! traitor, nothing could have fubdu'd
nature
To fuch a lownefs, but his unkind daughters.
Is it the fafhion that difcarded fathers
Should have thus little mercy on their flefh ?
Judicious punifnnient! 'twas this flefh begot
Thofe pelican daughters.
Edg. Pillicock iat on pillicock-hill, halloo, halloo,
loo, loo!
Fool. This cold night will turn us all to fools, and
madmen.
Edg. Take heed o' th* foul fiend ; obey thy pa-
rents ; keep thy word juftly ; fwear not ; commit not
with man's fworn fpoufe ; fet not thy fweet heart on
proud array. Tom's a-cold.
Lear. What haft thou been?
Edg. A ferving-man, proud in heart and mind ;
that curl'd my hair, 6 tfcore gloves in my cap, ferv'd
the luft of my miflrefs's heart, and did the acl: of
darknefs with her : fwore as many oaths as J fpake
6 'wore gloves in my cap,'] That is, his Miftrefs's favours : which
was the falhion of that time. So in the play called Campafpt,
Thy men turned to women, thy fofdiers to lovers, gloves worn in
velvet caps in/lead of plumes in graven hclmett.
VOL. VI. G words,
82 &v LEAR.
words, and broke them in the fweet face of heav'n.
One that flept in the contriving luft, and wak'd to
do it. Wine lov'd I deeply ; dice early ; and in wo-
man, out-paramour'd-the Turk. Falfe of heart, 7 light
of car, bloody of hand ; hog in floth, fox in ftealth,
wolf in greedinefs, dog in madnefs, lion in prey. Let
not the creaking of fhoes, nor the ruftling of fiiks be-
tray thy poor heart to woman. Keep thy foot out of
brothels, thy hand out of plackets, thy pen from len-
'ders' books, and defie the foul fiend. Still through
the hawthorn blows the cold wind : fays fuum, mun,
nonny, dolphin my boy, boy, Sejfty : let him trot by.
\_StormJlill.
Lear. Thou wert better in thy grave, than to an-
fwer with thy uncover'd body this extremity of the
skies. " Is man no more than this ? Confider him
*' well. Thou ow'ft the worm no fiik, the bcaft no
" hide, the fheep no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha!
u here's three of us are fo fophifticated. Thou art
** the thing itfelf ; unaccommodated man is no more
" but fuch a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art.
" Of?, off, you lendings ; come unbutton here.
[Tearing off bis clctbes.
Fool. Pr'ythee, nuncle, be contented -, 'tis a naughty
night to fwim in. Now a little fire in a wild field
\vere like an old lecher's heart, a fmall fpark, and all
the reft on's body cold ; look, here comes a walking
fire.
Edg. This is the foul Flibbertigibbet i he begins
at curfew, and walks till the firft cock j he gives the
web and the pin, fquints the eye, and makes the hair-
lip: mildews the white wheat, and hurts the poor
creature of the earth.
7 light ofear,1 j. t. credulous.
King LEAR. 83
8 Saint Withold footed thrice the (a) wold t
He met the night-mare, and her name told t
Bid her alight , and her troth plight ^
And aroynt thee, witch^ aroynt thee right.
Kent. How fares your Grace ?
SCENE VIL
Enter Glo'fter, with a Torch.
Lear. What's he ?
Kent. Who's there ? what is't you feek ?
8 Saint Withold footed thrice the wdd,
He met the night-mare, and her NINE-FOLD,
Bid her alight, and her troth plight,
And aroynt thee, ivitch, aroynt thee * J We fhould read
it thus,
Saint Withold footed thrice the wold.
He met the night mare, and her NAME TOLD,
Bid her alight, and her troth plight,
And aroynt ihet, <witch, aroynt thee RIGHT.
i. e. Saint Witbold traverling the Wold, or Downs, met the
night-mare ; who having told her name, he obliged her to alight
from thofe perfons whom fhe rides, and plight her troth to do no
more mifchief. This ii taken from a ftory of him in his legend.
Hence he was invoked .15 the patron faint againft that diftemper.
And thefe verfes were no other than a popular charm, or night Jpell
againft the Epialtes, The laft line is the formal execration or
apoftrophe ot the fpeaker of the charm to the witch, aroynt thee
right, i. e. depart forthwith. Bedlams, Gipfies, and filch-like
vagabonds, ufcd to fell thefe kind of fpells or charms to the people.
They were of various kinds for various diforders, and addreffed
to various faints. We have another of them in the Monjleur
Ihomas of Fletcher, which he exprefly calls a night-fpell, and is
in thefe words,
Saint George, Saint George, our Lady's Knight t
He walks by day, fo he does by night ;
And when he had her found,
He her beat and her bound;
Until to him her troth fhe plight,
She would not Jli, from him that night.
[ { a ) Wold. Mr. Bifhop. -Vulg. #]
VOL. VI. G 2 Glo.
84 King LEAR.
Glo. What are you there ? your names ?
Edg. Poor Tom, that eats the fwimming frog, the
toad, the tod-pole ; the wall- newt, and the water-newt ;
that in the fury of his heart, when the foul fiend rages,
cats cow-dung for fallets ; fwallows the ,old rat, and
the ditch-dog ; drinks the green mantle of the ftand-
ing-pool ; who is whipt from tything to tything, and
ftock-punifh'd, and imprifon'd : who hath had three
fuits to his back, fix ihirts to his body ; horfe to ride,
and weapon to wear :
But mice, and rats, andfuch fmall geer (a)
Have been Tom's food for feven long year.
Beware my follower. Peace, Smolkin, peace, thou
fiend!
Glo. What, hath your Grace no better company ?
Edg. The Prince of Darknefs is a gentleman 5 Mode
he's call*d, and Mabu.
Glo. Our flefh and blood, my Jord, is grown fo
vile,
That it doth hate what gets it.
Edg. Tom's a-cold.
Glo. Go in with me ; my duty cannot fuffer
T'obey in all your Daughters' hard commands :
Though their injunction be to bar my doors,
And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you ;
Yet have I ventur'd to come feek you out,
And bring you where both fire and food is ready.
Lear. Firft, let me talk with this Philofopher ;
What is the caufe of thunder ?
Kent. My good lord, take his offer,
Go into th' houfe.
Lear. Pll talk a word with this fame learned Theban :
What is your ftudy ?
Edg. How to prevent the fiend, and to kill vermin.
Lear. Let us ask you one word in private.
- fmall geer. Oxford Editor. - Vulg. fmall
Kent.
King LEAR. 85
Kent. Importune him once more to go, my lord;
His Wits begin t' unfettle.
Glo. Can'ft thou blame him? {Storm Jlill.
His Daughters feek his death: ah, that good Kent!
He faid, it would be thus ; popr banifh'd man !
Thou fay*ft, the King grows mad ; I'll tell thee, friend,
I'm almoft mad myfelf ; I had a fon,
Now out-law'd from my blood ; he fought my life,
But lately, very latej I lov'd him, friend,
No father his fon dearer : true to tell thee,
The grief hath craz'd my wits. What a night's this?
I do befeech your Grace,
Lear. O cry you mercy, Sir :
Noble Philofopher, your company.
Edg. Tom's a-cold.
Glo. In, fellow, into th* hovel ; keep thee warm*
Lear. Come, let's in all.
Kent. This way, my lord.
Lear. With him ;
I will keep ftill with my Philofopher.
Kent. Good my lord, footh him ; let him take the
fellow.
Glo. Take him you on.
Kent. Sirrah, come on ; along with us.
Lear. Come, good Athenian.
Glo. No words, no words, hum.
Edg. 9 Child Rowland to the dark tower camt 5
His wor d was ftill) fie i fob, and f urn ,
I fmett the blood of a Britifh man. \Exeunt*
9 Child Rowland ] In the old times of chivalry, the noble
youth who were candidates for knighthood, during the feafon of
their probation were called Infans, Par lets, Damsyfe/s, Bacbtlitrs.
The moil noble of the youth particularly, Infans. Here a ftory
is told, in feme old ballad, of the famous hero and giant-killer
Roland, before he was knighted, who is, therefore, called Iitfaati
which the ballad-maker tranflated, Child Roland.
G 3 SCENE
86 King LEAR.
SCENE VIII.
Changes to Glo'fter'j Caftle.
Enter Cornwall, and Edmund.
Corn.T Will have revenge, ere I depart his houfe.
JL Edm. How, my lord, I may be cenfur'd,
that Nature thus gives way to Joyalty, fomething
fears me to think of.
Corn. I now perceive, it was not altogether your
brother's evil difpoficion made him feek his death: ' but
a provoking merit, fet a-work by a reprovable bad-
nefs in himfcif.
Edm. How malicious is my fortune, that I mud
repent to be juft ? this is the letter, which he fpoke of;
which approves him an intelligent party to the advan-
tages of France. Oh heavens ! that this treafon were
not; or not I the detedor!
Corn. Go with me to the Dutchefs.
Edm. If the matter of this paper be certain, you
have mighty bufmefs in hand.
Corn. True or falfe, it hath made thee Earl of
Glo 9 fter : feek out where thy father is, that he may
be ready for our Apprehenfion.
Edm. If I find him comforting the King, it will
(luff his fufpicion more fully [aftde^] I will perfe-
vere in my courfe of loyalty, though the conflict be
fore between that and my blood.
Corn. I will Jay truft upon thee ; and thou malt find
a dearer father in my love. [Exeunt.
i but a provoking merit,] i. e. a merit which being neglefted
by the father, was provoked to an extravagant aft. The Oxford
Editor, not underlianding this, alters it to provoked jpirit.
SCENE
King LEAR. 87
SCENE IX.
A Chamber, in a Farm-koufe.
Enter Kent and Glo'iler.
Clo. |"T ERE is better than the open Air, taka
JT1 it thankfully : I will piece out the com-
fort with what addition I -can ; I will not be long
from you. [#//.
Kent. All the power of his wits has given way to
his impatience : the Gods reward your kindnefs!
Enter Lear, Edgar, and Fool.
Edg. Fraterreto calls me, and tells me, Nero is an
angler in the lake of darknefs : pray innocent, and
beware the foul fiend.
Fool. Pr'ythee, nuncle, tell me, whether a madman
be a gentleman, or a yeoman ?
Lear. A King, a King.
Fool. No, he's a yeoman that has a gentleman to
his Ion : for he's a mad yeoman, that fees his fon a
gentleman before him.
Lear. To have a thoufand with red burning fpits
* Come hizzing in upon 'em
Edg. The foul fiend bites my back.
Fool. He's mad that trufts in the tamenefs of a
wolf, 3 the heels of a horfe, the love of a boy, or the
oath of a whore.
Lear. It mail be done, I will arraign 'em ftrait.
Come, fit thou here, moft learned jufticer ;
2 Come bizzing in upon ""em ] Then follow in the old edition
feveral fpeeches in the mad way, which probably were lefc out by
the Players, or by Sbakefpear himfelf ; I ftiall however infert
them here, and leave them to the reader's mercy. Mr. Pope.
3 the HEALTH of a borfo,] Without doubt we fhould read
HEELS, i. t. to ftand behind him.
G 4 Thou
88 King LEAR.
Thou fapient Sir, fit here now, ye fhe- foxes!
Edg. Look, where fhe (lands and glares. Wanteft
thou eyes
At tryal, Madam ?
Come o'er the Broom, BefTy, to me.
Fool. Her Boat hath a Leak, and fhe mujl not
Why flje dares not come over to thee.
Edg. The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice
of a nightingale. Hopdance cries in Tom's belly for
two white Herrings. Croak not, black angel, I have
no food for thee.
Kent. How do you, Sir? ftand you not fo amaz'd ;
"Will you lye down, and reft upon the Culhions ?
Lear. I'll fee their tryal firft, bring me in the evi-
dence.
Thou robed man of juftice, take thy place j
And thou his yoke-fellow of equity,
Bench by his fide. You are o'th' commifiion, fit you
too.
Let us deal juftly.
6'leepeft, or wakej} thou, jolly Shepherd ?
Thy Sheep be in the Corn ;
And for one Blaft of thy minikin Mouth,
Thy Jheep Jhall take no Harm.
Purre^ the Cat, is grey.
Lear. Arraign her firft, 'tis GoneriH. I here take
my Oath before this honourable AfTembly, fhe kick'd
the poor King her Father.
Fool Come hither, Miftrefs, is your name Gonerili?
Lear. She cannot deny it.
Fool. Cry you mercy, I took you for a Joint-ftool.
Lear. And here's another, whofe warpt Looks
proclaim
What ftore her Heart is made of. Stop her there >
Arms, arms, fword, fire, Corruption in the place!
Falfe jufticer, why haft thou let her 'fcape?
Edg. Blefs thy five wits.
Kent.
King LEAR. 89
Kent. O pity! Sir, where is the patience now,
That you To oft have boafted to retain ?
Edg. My tears begin to take his part fo much,
They mar my counterfeiting. [Afide.
Lear. The little dogs and all,
Tray, Blanch, and Sweet-heart, fee, they bark at me
Edg. Tom Will throw his head at them -, avaunt,
you curs!
Be thy mouth or black or white,
Tooth that poifons if it bite ;
Maftiff, grey-hound, mungril grim,
Hound or fpaniel, 4 brache, or hym ;
Or bobtail tike, or trundle-tail,
I'om will make him weep and wail :
For, with throwing thus my head,
Dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled.
Do, de, de, de : Sefley, come, march to wakes and
fairs,
And market towns ; poor lorn, thy horn is dry.
Lear. Then let them anatomize Regan fee what
breeds about her heart Is there any caufe in nature
that makes thefe hard hearts P " You, Sir, I entertain
" for one of my hundred; only, I do not like the faihion
" of your garments. You will fay, they are Perfian ;
" but let them be chang'd.
Re-enter Glo'fter.
Kent. Now, good my lord, lye here and reft a
while.
Lear. Make no noife, make no noife, draw the
curtains ;
So, fo, we'll go to fupper i* th' morning.
Fool. And I'll go to bed at noon.
Glo. Come hither, friend ; where is the King, my
m after ?
4 trade, or fym, &c.] Names of particular forts of
dog, Mr:,*.
go King LEAR.
Kent. Here, Sir, but trouble him not ; his wits are
gone.
Glo. Good friend, I pr'ythee, take him in thy arms :
I have o'er-heard a plot of death upon him :
There is a litter ready, lay him in't,
And drive tow'rd Dover, friend, where thou fhalt meet
Both welcome and protection. Take up thy mafter.
If thou fhould'ft dally half an hour, his life,
With thine, and all that offer to defend him,
Stand in allured lofs. Take up, take up,
And follow me, that will to fome provifion
Give thee quick conduct.
Kent. Oppreft Nature fleeps :
This Reft might yet have balm'd thy broken Senfes,
Which, if Conveniency will not allow,
Stand in hard Cure. Come, help to bear thy Mafter j
Thou muft not ftay behind. [20 Fool.
Glo. Come, come, away.
[Exeunt , bearing of the King.
Manet Edgar.
Edg. When we our Betters fee bearing our Woes,
We fcarcely think our Miferies our Foes.
Who alone fuffers, fuffers moft i'th* Mind ;
1 Leaving free things, and happy Shows behind :
But then the Mind much Suff'rance does o'erskip,
When Grief hath Mates, and Bearing Fellowlhip.
How light, and portable, my pain feems now,
When That, which makes me bend, makes the King
bow;
He childed, as I father'd ! Tom, away ;
Mark the high Noifes, 6 and thyfelf bewray, * * *
5 Leaving free things, ] Free, for undifturbed.
6 and thyfelf bewray] Between this and the fol-
lowing words fomething is wanting, which makes the following
words unconne&ed and obfcure, and thefe unintelligible, as being
only the beginning of a fentence.
When
King LEAR. 91
When Falfe Opinion, whofe wrong Thought defiles
thee,
In thy juft Proof repeals, and reconciles thee.
What will, hap more to Night ; fafe 'fcape the King !
Lurk, Lurk {Exit Edgar.
SCENE X.
Changes to Glo'fter'j Caftle.
Enter Cornwall, Regan, Gonerill, Edmund, and
Servants.
Corn.Y)OST fpeedily to my lord your husband,
JL fhew him this letter ; the army of France is
landed ; feek out the traitor Glo'fter.
Reg. Hang him inftantly.
Gon. Pluck out his eyes.
Corn. Leave him to my difpleafure. Edmund, keep
you our fifter company ; the revenges we are bound to
take upon your traiterous father, are not fit for your
beholding. Advife the Duke, where you are going,
to a moft feftinate preparation ; we are bound to the
like. Our Pofts (hall be fwift, and intelligent betwixt
us, Farewel, dear fifter; farewel, my lord ofGh'Jler.
Enter Steward.
How now ? where's the King ?
Stew. My lord of Glo'fter hath convey'd him hence.
Some five or fix and thirty of his Knights,
Hot Queftrifts after him, met him at gate ;
Who with fome other of the Lords dependants,
Are gone with him tow'rd Dover ; where they boaft
To have well-armed friends.
Corn. Get horfes for your miftrefs.
Gon. Farewel, fweet lord, and fifter.
[Exeunt Gon. and Edm.
Corn.
King LEAR.
Corn. Edmund, farewel: go feek the traitor
Glo'Jler ;
Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us :
Though well we may not pafs upon his life
Without the form of juftice ; yet our pow'r
Shall do a court'fie to our wrath, which men
May blame, but not controul.
SCENE XL
Enter Glo'fter, brought in by Servants.
Who's there? the traitor?
Reg. Ingrateful fox ! 'tis he.
Corn. Bind fad his corky arms.
Glo. What mean your Graces ? Good my Friends,
confider.
You are my Guefts: Do me no foul play, friends.
Corn. Bind him, I fay. [?bey bind him.
Reg. Hard, hard : O filthy traitor !
Glo. Unmerciful lady as you are ! I'm none.
Corn. To this chair bind him. Villain, thou malt
find
Glo. 7 By the kind gods, 'tis moft ignobly done
To pluck me by the beard.
Reg.
7 By ike kind gods, ] We are not to underftand by this the
Gods in general, who are beneficent and kind to men; but that
particular fpecies of them called by the ancients Dii bcfyitales, kind
Gods. So Plautus in Pcenulo.
Deum hofpitalem ac tefieram mecurn fero.
This was a beautiful exclamation, as thofe whoinfulted the fpeaker
were his Guefts, whom he had bofpitablj received into his houfe.
But to fay the truth, Shakcfyear never makes his people fwear at
random. Of his propriety in this matter take the following in-
fiances. In Troilus and Crejjida, dSneas, in an expollulation with
DiomeJt, fwears by the hand of his mother Venus, as a covert re-
proof for Diomedis brucality in wounding the Goddefs of Beauty
in the hand, and a fecret intimation that he would revenge her in-
juries. In Coriolanus when that Hero is exafperated at the fickle
inconflant
King LEAR.
Reg. So white, and fuch a traitor ?
Glo. Naughty lady,
Thefe hairs, which thou doft ravifh from my chin,
Will quicken and accufe thee ; I'm your Hoft ;
With robbers' hands, 8 my hofpitable favour
You mould not ruffle thus. What will you do ?
Corn. Come, Sir, what letters had you late from
France ?
Reg. Be (a] fimple-anfwer'd, for we know the truth.
Corn. And what confed'racy have you with the
traitors,
Late footed in the kingdom ?
Reg. To whofe hands
Have you fent the lunatick King ? fpeak.
Glo. I have a letter guefiingly fet down,
Which came from one that's of a neutral heart,
And not from one oppos'd.
Corn. Cunning-
Reg. And falle.
Corn. W here haft thou fent the King ?
Glo. To Dover.
Reg. Wherefore to Dover?
Waft thou not charg'd, at peril
Corn. Wherefore to Dover? let him firftanfwerthat.
Glo. I am ty'd to th' ftake, and I muft ftand the
courfe.
inconftant temper of the multitude, he fwears by the clouds ; and
again when he meets his wife after a long abfence, by the jealous
>ueen of Heaven ; for Juno was fuppofed the aveng'refs of conju-
gal infidelity. In Othello the double lago is made to fwear by
Janus. And in this very play of Lear, a pagan much given to ju-
dicial Aftrology, very confonantly to his character, fwears
By all the operations of the orbs,
By whom we do exij), and ceafe to be.
8 my hofpitable FAVOURS] It is nonfenfe to underftand
it of gifts, kindneffes, &c. We mould read FAVOUR, /'. e. vifege.
For they plucked him by the beard.
{(a] fimple-anfiuer'J. Oxford Editor Vulg. fmple-anf'werer.'}
Reg.
04. K* n LEAR.
Reg. Wherefore to Dover ?
Glo. Becanfe I would not fee thy cruel nails
Pluck out his poor old eyes ; nor thy fierce fitter
In his anointed flefh ftick boarifh phangs.
9 The fea, with fuch a ftorm as his bare head
In hell- black night indur'd, would have boil'd up,
And quench'd the ' ftelled fires ;
Yet poor old heart, he help'd the heav'ns to rain.
If wolves had at thy gate howl'd that ftern time,
Thou fhould'ft have faid, " go, porter turn the key ;
* All cruels elfe fubfcrib'd ; but I fhall fee
The winged vengeance overtake fuch Children.
Corn. See'tfhaltthou never. Fellows, hold the chair.
Upon thefe eyes of thine I'll fet my foot.
[Glo'fter is held down^ while Cornwall treads
out one of his eyes.
Glo. He, that will think to live 'till he be old,
Give me fome help. O cruel ! O you gods !
Reg. One fide will mock another ; th' other too.
Corn. If you fee vengeance
Serv. Hold your hand, my lord:
I've ferv'd you, ever fince I was a child ;
But better fervice have I never done you,
Than now to bid you hold.
Reg. How now, you dog ?
Serv. If you did wear a beard upon your chin,
I'd make it on this quarrel. What do you mean ?
Corn. My villain !
-would have BUO Y'D up,
And quencttd the fielled fires i\ The word luoyd cannot be
applied to water, but to fomething in it fpecifically lighter. Be-
fides its buoying up, i. e . not fubfiding, had not a tendency to
effeft what he talks of. We fliould read,
BOIL'D up.
1 ft tiled, fpelt right by Mr. Theobald.
2 All cruel s elfe fulfcr ft d',-] Subfcrile, for foften.
Serv.
King LEAR.
Serv. Nay then come on, and take the chance of
anger.
[Fight ; in the Scuffle Cornwall is wounded \
Reg. Give me thy iword. A peafant ftand up
thus ? [Kills him.
Serv. Oh, I am (lain my lord, you have one
eye left
To fee fome mifchief on him. Oh [Dies.
Corn. Left it fee more, prevent it; out, vile gelly :
Where is thy luftre now ? [Breads the other out.
Glo. All dark and comfortlefs where's my fon
Edmund ?
Edmund^ enkindle all the fparks of nature
To quit this horrid act.
Reg. Out, treacherous villain.
Thou call'ft on him, that hates thee: It was he,
That made the overture of thy treafons to us :
Who is too good to pity thee.
Glo. O my follies !
Then Edgar was abus'd. Kind gods, forgive
Me that, and profper him !
Reg. Go thruft him out
At gates, and let him fmell his way to Dover.
[Exit with Glo'fterj
How is't, my lord, how look you ?
Corn. I have receiv'd a hurt ; follow me, lady.- 1
Turn out that eyelefs villain ; throw this (lave
Upon the dunghil. Regan^ I bleed apace.
Untimely comes this hurt. Give me your arm.
[Exit Corn, led by Regan.
\ft Serv. I'll never care what Wickednefs I do,
If this Man come to Good.
id Serv. If She live long,
And, in the End, meet the old courfe of Death,
Women will all turn Monfters.
\fl Serv. Let's follow the old Earl, and get the
Bedlam
To
96 King LEAR.
To lead him where he would j his roguifh Madnefs
Allows itfclf to any Thing.
zdServ. Go thou-, I'll fetch fome Flax and whites
of Eggs
T* apply to's bleeding Face. Now, Heav'n help him !
\Exeunt federally.
ACT IV. SCENE I.
An open Country.
Enter EDGAR.
YE T better thus, and known to be contemn'd,
Than ftill contemn'd and flatter'd. To be worft,
The loweft, moft dejected thing of Fortune,
Stands ftill in efperance ; lives not in fear.
The lamentable change is from the beft ;
The wqrft returns to laughter. Welcome then,
Thou linfubftantial air, that I embrace !
The wretch, that thou haft blown unto the word,
Owes nothing to thy blafts.
Enter Glo'fter, led loy an old man.
But who comes here ?
-My father poorly led? World, world, ' O world!
But tHat thy ftrange Mutations make us hate thee,
Life would not yield to age. Old
j O 'world I
But that thy ftrange Mutations make us hate thee,
Life would not yield to age.] The fenfe of this obfcure paffage
is, O world ! fo much are human minds captivated with thy plea-
fares that were it not for thofe fucceffive miferies, each \vorfe than
the other, which overload the fcenes of life, we fhould never be
willing to fubmit to death, tho' the infirmities of old age would teach
us to chufe it as a proper afylum. Befides, by uninterrupted pro-
fperiry, which leaves the mind at eafe, the body would generally
preferve fuch a ftate of vigour as to bear up long againft the decays
of time. Thefe are the two reafons, I fuppofc, why he 1'aid,
Life
King LEAR* 97
Old Man. O my good Lord, I have been your
tenant, and your father's tenant, thefe fourfcore years.
Glo. Away, get thee away : good friend, be gone j
Thy comforts can do me no good at all,
Thee they may hurt.
Old Man. You cannot fee your way.
Glo. I have no way, and therefore want no eyes :
I ftumbled when I faw. Full oft 'tis feen,
4 Our mean fecures us ; and our meer defecls
Prove our commodities. O dear fon
The food of thy abufed father's wrath ;
Might I but live to fee thee in my Touch,
I'd fay, I had eyes again !
Old Man. How now? who's there?
Edg. O Gods! J who is't can fay, I'm at the word?
Life would not yield to age.
And how much the pleafures of the body pervert the mind's judg-
ment, and the perturbations of the mind diforder the body's frame,
is known to all. Shakefpear feems to allude to this thought in the
two lait lines of the pjay ;
The oldejl hath borne mojl ; c we, that are young,
Shall never fee fo much, nor live fo long.
Why not ? Cecaufe thefe misfortunes, which the publick diftrac-
tions of civil war bring along With them to the fubjecl:, came to thafe
firtt mentioned, in their old age, but to thefe, in the vigour of their
life, which would fo break them, that they (hould never arrive at the
age of their fathers. But the Oxford Editor alters the iaft line to,
Shall never fee fo much, live e'er/0 long;
And fo deprives the concluding words (which were always defigned
to convey a fentiment of inftruction) of all thought ; or at bell gives
it a trivial and a falfe one.
2 Our mean fee ures us ; ] /. e. moderate, mediocre condition.
3 - who is't can fay, I'maf the nvorjl?
--- - - -. the worjl is not,
So long as we can fay, this is the ivor/l ] i. e. While we live;
for while we yet continue to have a fenie of feeling, iome-
thing worfe than the prefent may ftill happen. What occafion'd this
reflexion was his ralhly faying in the beginning of this fcene,
The lonxefl, mcfl dejeEied thing of fortune, &C.
Tke ivretcb, tbat twit baft blown unto the ivorjl.
VOL, VI. H I'm
King LEAR.
I'm worfe, than e'er I was.
Old Man. 'Tis poor mad 2bm.
Edg. And worfe I may be yet : the word is not,
So long as we can fay, this is the worft.
Old Man. Fellow, where goeft?
Glo. Is it a beggar-man ?
Old Man. Madman, and beggar too.
Glo. He has fome reafon, elfe he could not beg.
I'th' laft night's ftorm I fuch a fellow faw ;
Which made me think a man a worm. My fon
Came then into my mind ; and yet my mind
Was then fcarce friends with him. I've heard more
fince.
As flies to wanton boys, are we to th* Gods ;
They kill us for their fport.
Edg. How fhould this be ?
Bad is the trade muft play the fool to forrow,
(a) Ang'ifhing itfelf and others. Blefs thee, matter.
Glo. Is that the naked fellow ?
Old Man. Ay, my lord.
Glo. Get thee away : if, for my fake,
Thou wilt o'ertake us nence a mile or twain
I'th' way tow'rd Dover > do it for ancient love ;
And bring fome Covering for this naked foul,
Whom i'll intreat to lead me.
Old Man. Alack, Sir, he is mad.
Glo. 'Tis the time's plague, when madmen lead the
blind :
Do as 1 bid, or rather do ihy pleafure ;
Above the reft, be gone.
Old Man. I'll bring him the beft 'parrel that I have,
Come on't, what will. [Exit.
Glo. Sirrah, naked fellow.
Edg. Poor Tom's a-cold ; * I cannot daub it further.
4 7fao/daub;/ ] /. e. Difguife.
[() Angijblng. Oxford Editor. Vulg. Angring]
King LEAR. 99
Glo. Come hither, fellow.
Edg. And yet I muft ;
Blefs thy fvveet eyes, they bleed.
Glo. Know'ft thou the way to Dover?
Edg. Both ftile and gate, horfe-way and foot-path :
poor Tom hath been fcar*d out of his good wits. Blefs
thee, good man, from the foul fiend. Five fiends have
been in poor 'Tom at once; of Luft, as Obidicut ;
Hobbididen, Prince of dumbnefs; Mahu> of ftealing ;
Mobil, of murder; and Flibbertigibbet^ of mopping
and mowing ; vvhofmce 5 poflefles chamber-maids and
waiting-women.
5 Vffijfi* chamber-maids and waiting-women. ] Shakefpear has
made Edgar, in his feigned diltraclion, frequently allude to a vile
impolture ot iome Englijb Jefuits, at that time much the fubjedl
of converfauor. ; the niltory of it having been jull then cora-
pofed with great art and vigour of ftile and compofition by Dr. S.
Harfenet, afterwards archbifhop of York, by order of the Privy-
Council, in a work intitled, A Declaration of egregious Popijh im-
poftitres, to withdraw her Majejlfs fubjefisfrom their Allegiance, &c.
under pretence of cafting out devils, prafiifed by Edmunds, alias
Wefton, a Jefuit, and divers Romiih Priefts bis wicked officiates.
Printed 1603. The impofture was in fubftance this, while the
Spaniards were preparing their Armado againft England, the Je-
fuits were here bufy at work to promote it, by making converts;
one method they employed was todifpoflefs pretended aemoniack?,
by which artifice they made feveral hundred converts amongft the
common people. The principal fcene of this farce was laid in the
family of one Mr. Edmund Peckkam* a Roman Catholick, where
Marivood, a fervant of Anthony Babingtons, (who was afterwards
executed for Treafon) Trayford, an attendant upon Mr. Pecklam %
and Sarah and Frifwood Williams* and Anne Smith, three cham~
bermaids in that family, were fuppofed to be pofiHFed with De-
vils, and came into the Prieii's hands for cure. But the difcipline
of the patients was fo long and fevere, and the Priefts fo elate and
carelefs with their fuccefs, that the plot was difcovered on the con-
fellion of the parties concerned, and the contrivers of it defe-rvedly
punifhed. The five Devils here mentioned, are the names of five
of thofe who were made to acl in this farce upon the chamber-maids
and waiting-women; and they were generally fo riciiculouily nick-
named, that Harfenet has one chapter on the flrange names of their
Devils ; left, fays he, meeting them oiberivife by chance, you miflakt
them for the name of Tapjlers or.Juzglen.
H 2 Glo.
King LEAR.
Glo. Here, take this purfe, thou whom the heavens*
plagues
Have humbled to all ftrokes. That I am wretched,
Makes thee the happier: heavens deal fo ftill!
6 Let the fuperfluous, and luft dieted man,
That braves your ordinance, that will not fee
Becaufe he do's not feel, feel your power quickly :
So diftribution mould undo excefs,
And each man have enough. Do'ft thou know Dover?
Edg. Ay, matter.
Glo. There is a cliff, whofe high and bending head
Looks fearfully on the confined deep:
Bring me but to the very brim of ir,
And I'll repair the mifery, thou do'ft bear,
With fomething rich about me: from that place
I (hall no leading need.
Edg. Give me thy arm ;
Poor Tom mall lead thee. [Exeunt.
SCENE II.
The Duke of Albany'^ Palace.
Enter Gonerill, and Edmund.
G0.\ Y7 ELC OME, my lord. I marvel, our mild
VV husband
Not met us on the way.
6 Let the fuperfluous, and luft dieted man,
'That si. AVES your ordinance.] Superfluous is here ufed for one
living in abundar ce. But the next line is corrupt. The only fenfe
I know of, in which Jlaves your ordinance can be underftood, is
when men employ the torm or femblance of religion to com paf, their
ill dehgns. But this will not do here. Glofter is fpeakuig of fuch
who by an uninterrupted courfe of profperity are grown wanton,
and callous to the mi.-fortums of others ; fuch as thofe who fearing
no reverfe, flight and negledt, and therefore may be faid to B R A v E
the ordinance of heaven. Which is certainly the right reading And
this is the (econd time in which JIavtt has, in this play, been read
for braves.
Enter
King LEAR. 101
Enter Steward.' \">'> '/ : -.
Now, where's your Mafter ?
Stew. Madam, within ; but never man fo chang'd :
I told him of the army that was landed:
He fmil'd at it. I told him, you were coming,
His anfwer was, the worfe. Of Glo'fter's treachery,
And of the loyal fervice of his fon,
When I inform'd him, then he call'd me fot ;
And told me, I had turn'd the wrong fide out.
What moft he fhould diflike, feems pleafant to him ;
What like, offenfive.
Gon. Then {hall you go no further.
It is the cowifh tcrrour of his fpirit,
That dares not undertake : he'Jl not feel wrongs,
Which tie him to an anfwer , our wifhes on the way
May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother ;
Haften his mutters, and conduct his powers.
I muft change arms at home, and give the diftafF
Into my husband's hands. This trufty fervant
Shall pafs between us: you ere long fh. ill hear,
If you dare venture in your own behalf,
A miftrefs's command. Wear this , fpare fpeech ;
Decline your head. This kifs, if it durft fpeak,
Would ftretch thy fpirits up into the air :
Conceive, and fare thee well.
Edm. Yours in the ranks of death.
Gon. My moft dear Glo'fter ! . [Exit Edmund,
Oh, the ftrange difference of man, and man !
To thee a woman's fervices are due,
My fool ulurps my body.
Stew. Madam, here comes my lord.
Enter Albany.
Gon. I have been worth the whittle.
Alb. Oh Goner'tll,
You are not worth the duft which the rude wind
H 3 Blows
King LEAR.
. Blows m your face-.. 7 1 fear your difpofiti'on :
>'T.hat,Naf;ur.ei- which contemns its origine,
8 Cannot beborder'd certain in itfelf ;
9 She that hcrfelf will (liver, and disbranch,
1 From her material fap, perforce muft wither,
And
j I f'ar year cliff afition :] Thefe and the fpeech enfuing
are in the edition of 1608, and are but necefiary to explain the
reafons of the detelhtion which Albany here exprefTes to his wife.
Mr. Pope.
8 Car.nct be border d certain ] Certain, for within the
bounds that nature prescribes.
9 She that her fclf will SHIVER, and disbranch,] Thus all the
Editions, but the oid quarto, that reads SLIVER, which is right.
Shiver means to make or fly a-piecea ino fplinters. As he fays
afterwards,
Thou <Tjl fhiver'd like an egg.
"BMtJlwer fignifies to tear off or disbranch. So in Mackbetb,
flips of yew
Sliver'd in the means eclipfe.
I From her material fap, ] Thus all the Editions 'till Mr.
Theobald's, who alters material to maternal ; and for thefe wife rea-
fons, Material fap, (fays he) 1 oiun is a phrafe that I dont un-
derjland. Toe mother-tree is the true technical term, and conjldering
our author had faid juft before, That Nature, which contemns its
origine there is no room to quejlion but be Derate, From her
maternal tty. And to prove that we may fay maternal fap, he
gives many authorities from the claflics, and fays he could produce
more, where words equivalent to maternal jlock are ufed ; which is
quite another thing, as we fhall now fee. In making his emenda-
tion, the editor did not confiderthe difference between material fap
and material body, or trunk or flock : The latter expreffion be-
ing indeed not fo well ; maternal being a properer epithet for body.
But the firft is right j and we fhould fay, material fap, not mater-
nal. For material fap fignifies, that whereby a branch is nou-
rifhed, and increafes in bulk by frefh accefiion of matter. On
which account material is elegant. Indeed fap, when applied to
the tuhole tree, might be called maternal, but could not be fo
when applkd to a branch only. For tho' fap might, in feme fenfe,
be faid to be maternal to the tree, yet it is the tree that is maternal
to the branch, and not the fap : but here the epithet is applied to
the branch. From all this, we conclude that the old reading is the
true. But what if, after all, material was ufed by the writers
of thefe times in the very fenfe of. maternal? It would feem fo by
the
King LEAR.
a And come to deadly ufe.
Con. No more ; 'tis foolifh.
Alb. Wifdom and goodnefs to the vile feem vile ;
Filths favour but themfelves What have you
done;
Tygers, not daughters, what have you perform'd ?
A father, and a gracious aged man,
Molt barb'rous, mod degenerate, have you madded.
Cou'd my good Brother fuffer you to do it,
3 A man, a Prince by him fo benefited ?
If that the heav'ns do not their vifible Spirits
Send quickly down to tame the vile offences,
Humanity muft perforce prey on itfelf,
Like monfters of the deep.
Gon. Milk-liver'd man !
That bear'ft a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs ;
Who haft not in thy brows an eye difcerning
Thine honour, from thy fuffering: that not know'ft,
the title of an (AdEnglifi tranflation of FroiJ/arfs Chronicle.which
runs in thefe words, Syr John Froi/art's Chronicle tranflated out of
Frenche into our MATERIAL Englijh tongue by John Bouchier,
printed 1525.
2 And come to deadly uff.~] Alluding to the ufe that witches and
inchanters are faid to make of wither* d branches in their charms.
A fine infmuation in the fpeaker, that me was ready for the moft
unnatural mifchief, and a preparative of the poet to her plotting
with the baitard againll her husband's life.
3 A man, a Prince by him fo benefited? ~\ After this line, I fufpeft
a line or two to be wanting, which upbraids her for her fitter's cru-
elty to Glojler. And my reafon is, that in her anfwer we find
thefe words,
Tools do thefe 'villains pity, ivho are punifl) d
Ere they have done their ml/chief
which evidently allude to Glojler's cafe. Now I cannot conceive
that (he would here apologize for what was not objected to her.
But I fuppofe the Players thought the fpeech too long ; which has
occafion'd thro'out, and more particularly in this play, the retrench-
ment of numerous lines and fpeechcs; many of which have been
reftored by the care and difcernmem of Mr. Pope.
H 4 Fools
King LEAR.
Fools do thefe villains pity, who are punim'd
Ere they have done their mifchef. Where's thy
Drum ?
France fpreads his Banners in our noifelefs land,
With plumed helm thy flayer begins his threats ;
Whilft thou, a moral fool, fit'ft ftill, and cry'ft,
" Alack ! why does he fo ? " .
Alb. See thyfelf, devil :
4 Proper deformity feems not in the fiend
So horrid as in woman.
Gon. O vain fool !
Alb. Thou chang'd, and felf-converted thing I For
fhame,
Be-monfter not thy feature. Wer't my fitnefs
To let thefe hands obey my [boiling] blood,
They're apt enough to diflocate and tear
Thy flefli and bones. Howe'er thou art a fiend,
A woman's fhape doth fhield thee.
Gon. Marry, your manhood now!
Enter Meffenger.
Mef. Oh, my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall's
dead :
Slain by his fervant, going to put out
The other eye of Glo'Jler.
Alb. Gtffter** eyes !
Mef. A fervant, that he bred, chrill'd with remorfe,.
Oppos'd againft the ac*l ; bending his fword
To his great mailer: who, thereat enrag'd,
Flew on him, and amongit them fell'd him dead :
But now without that harmful flroke, which fince
Hath pluck'd him after.
Alb. This fhews you are above,
You Juftices, that thefe our nether crimes
4 Proper deformity ] /. e. diabolic qualities appear not ib hor-
rid in the devil to whom they belong, as in woman who unnatu-
jrajly affumes them.
So
King LEAR. 105
So fpeedHy can venge. But O poor Glo'Jler !
Loft he his other eye ?
Mef. Both, both, my lord.
This letter, Madam, craves a fpeedy anfwer :
'Tis from your fifter.
Gon. One way, I like this well j
But being widow, and my Glo'fter with her,
May all the building in my fancy pluck
Upon my hateful life. Another way,
The news is notfo tart. I'll read, and anfwer. [Exit.
Alb. Where was his fon, when they did take his
eyes ?
Mef. Come with my lady hither.
Alb. He's not here.
Mef. No, my good lord, I met him back again.
Alb. Knows he the wickednefs?
Mef. Ay, my good lord, 'twas he inform'd againft
him,
And quit the houfe of purpofe, that their punifhment
Might have the freer courfe.
Alb. Glower, I live
To thank thee for the love thou fhew'dft the King,
And to revenge thine eyes. Come hither, friend,
Tell me, what more thou know'ft. \_Exeunt.
'SCENE III.
D O V E R.
Enter Kenti and a Gentleman.
Kent. ~-T* H E King of France fo fuddenly gone
1 back !
Know you the reafon ?
Gent.
5 SCENE III.] This Scene left out in all the common book?, is
reftored from the old edition j it being manifeftiy of Shake/pear's
writing
io6 King LEAR.
Gent. Something he left imperfect in the State,
Which fince his coming forth is thought of, which
Imports the Kingdom fo much fear and danger,
That his return was moft required and neceifary.
Kent. Whom hath he left behind him General ?
Gent. The Marefchal of France, Monfieur le Far.
Kent. Did your letters pierce the Queen to any de-
monftration of grief?
Gent. I, Sir, fhe took 'em, read 'em in my pre-
fence ;
And now and then an ample tear trill'd down
Her delicate cheek : it feem'd, me was a Queen
Over her paffion, which, moft rebel-like,
Sought to be King o'er her.
Kent. O, then it mov*d her.-
Gent. But not to Rage. " Patience and Sorrow
ftrove
" Which ihould exprefs her goodlieft; you have feen
" Sun-mine and rain at once 6 her Smiles and
Tears
" Were like a wetter May. Thofe happicft fmiles,
" That play'd on her ripe lip, feem'd not to know
" Whatguefts were in her Eyesj which parted thence,
" As pearls from diamonds dropt.- In brief,
Sorrow would be a rarity moft belov'd,
If all could fo become it.
Kent. 7 Made fhe no verbal queft ?
Gent.
writing, and necefiary to continue the ftory of Cordelia, whofe be-
haviour is here moll beautifully painted. Mr. Pope.
6 her Smiles and Tears
Were like a BETTER DAY. ] It is plain, we fhould read,
^WETTER MAY.
/. e. a fpring feafon wetter than ordinary.
7 Made Jhe no serial QUESTION ?] Why, what kind of quef-
tion could (he make but verbal ? Does not the word queftion imply
it. This is enough to prove fomething wrong. The anfwer (hews
where it is. For tho' the Gentleman fay? yes to the queftion ; yet,
inftead
King LEAR.
Gent. Yes, once, or twice, me heav'd the Name of
Father
Pantingly forth, as if it preft her heart.
Cry'd, fillers! fitters! Shame of Ladies ! lifters!
Kent! Father! Sifters! what? i'th'ftorm? i'th' night?
Let Pity ne'er believe it ! there fhe fhook
The holy water from her heav'nly Eyes ;
8 And, Clamour- motion'd, then away fhe ftarted
To deal with grief alone.
Kent. 9 It is the Stars,
The Stars above us, govern our conditions:
1 Elfe one felf-mate and mate could not beget
Such difY 'rent ifiues. Spoke you with her fince ?
Gent. No.
Kent. Was this before the King return'd ?
Gent. No, fince.
Kent. Well, Sir; the poor diftrefied Lear's in
town i
inftead of proving his words, he runs out into a long ftory of Cor -
deltas complaints and exclamations. The queftion then evidently
was,
Made Jbe no verbal qu E ST ?
From queflus, complaint, /. e. did me lament and complain m
words ? And this was a proper queftion, becaufe fhe might have
done it in fighs, and inarticulate exclamations. The anfwer too,
is proper, and to the point, as the reader may fee. But the edi-
tors not underftanding the fhort word jueft, lengthened it into one,
they did : And fo made Kent ask a nonfenfical queftion, and the
Gentleman give as impertinent an anfwer.
8 And, C/flwoar-moiften'd,] Tho' Clamour may diftort the
mouth, it is not wont to moiften the eyes. Read clamour-?e//0V,
which conveys a very beautiful idea of grief in Cordelia, and exaft-
ly in character. She bore her grief hitherto, fays the relater, in
fiience ; but being no longer able to contain it, fhe flies away, and
retires to her clofet to deal with it in private. This he finely calls,
Clamour-motion 1 d; or provok'd to a loud expreffion of her forrow,
which drives her from company.
9 Itistkeftars, &c.] See the note Aft i. Scene 8.
I Elfe one felf-mate and mate ] Self, for felf-fame, i. t.
one mate the felf-fame with the other. Becaufe if the parents were
of different conditions, fo might the iflbe ; fome refembling the
father, fome the mother.
Who
io8 King LEAR.
Who fometimes, in his better tune, remembers
What we are come about ; and by no means
Will yield to fee his daughter.
Gent. Why, good Sir ?
Kent. A fov'reign flume fo bows him ; his un-
kindnefs,
That ftript her from his benedi&ion, turn'd her
To foreign cafualties, gave her dear rights
To his dog- hearted daughters : * Thefe things fting
him
So venomoufly, that burning fhame detains him
From his Cordelia.
Gent. Alack, poor gentleman !
Kent. Of Albany's^ and Cornwall's Pow'rs you heard
not ?
Gent. 3 'Tis faid they are a- foot.
Kent. Well, Sir, I'll bring you to our matter Lear^
And leave you to attend him. 4 Some dear caufe
Will in Concealment wrap me up a while:
When I am known aright, you mail not grieve
Lending me this acquaintance. Pray, along with me.
[Exeunt.
z ' Tbefe things fting him
So veromoufly, that burning Jhame ] The metaphor here
preferved with great knowledge of nature. The venom of poifon-
ous animals being a high cauftic fait, that has all the tffrdt of
jire upon the part.
3 '7/jso tlty art a foot.'] This is no anfwer to the queftion.
We :Tiould read,
'TiV SAID they are a- foot.
4 -Some dear caujt} Dear, for important.
SCENE
King LEAR. 109
SCENE IV.
A CAMP.
Enter Cordelia, Phyfician, and Soldiers.
Cor. " ALACK, 'tis he \ why, he was met even
JL\ now
" As mad as the vext fea ; finging aloud ;
" Crown'd with rank fumiterr, and furrow- weeds
<c With hardocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers,
" Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow
" In our fuftaining corn. Send forth a cent'ry ;
Search evr'y acre in the high-grown field,
And bring him to our eye. What can man's Wifdom
In the reftoring his bereaved fenfe,
He, that helps him, take all my outward worth.
Phyf. There are means, Madam :
Our fofter nurfe of nature is repofe ;
The which he lacks ; that to provoke in him,
Are many Simples operative, whofe power
Will clofe the eye of anguifh.
Cor. " All bleft Secrets,
" All you unpublim'd Virtues of the Earth,
" Spring with my tears; be aidant, and remediate
t In the good man's diftrefs! feek, feek for him ;
Left his ungovern'd rage diflblve the life,
That wants the means to lead it.
Enter a Mejfcnger.
Mef. News, Madam :
The Britijh Pow'rs are marching hitherward.
Cor. 'Tis known before. Our preparation Hands
In expectation of them. O dear father,
It is thy bufmefs that I go about : therefore great
France
My Mourning and important Tears hadi pitied.
No,
no
LEAR.
No blown ambition doth our arms incite,
But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right :
Soon may I hear, and fee him! [Exeunt.
SCENE V.
R E G A N'J PALACE.
Enter Regan and Steward.
Reg.T) U T are my Brother's Powers fet forth ?
J3 Stew. Ay, Madam.
Reg. Himfelf in perfon there ?
Stew. With much adoe.
Your filler is the better foldier.
Reg. Lord Edmund fpake not with your lady at
home?
Stew. No, Madam.
Reg. What might import my fitter's letter to him ?
Stew. I know not, lady.
Reg. Faith he is potted hence on ferious matter.
It was great ign'rance, Glo'fter's eyes being out,
To let him live ; where he arrives, he moves
All hearts againft us : Edmund, I think, is gone,
In pity of his mifery, to difpatch
His nighted life : moreover, to defcry
The ftrength o' th* enemy.
Stew. I muft needs after him, Madam, with my
letter.
Reg. Our troops fet forth to morrow : (lay with us :
The ways are dangerous.
Stew. I may not, Madam ;
My lady charg'd my duty in this bufmefs.
Reg. Why fhould fhe write to Edmund ? might
not you
Tranfpprt her purpofes by word ? Belike,
Something - 1 know not what - I'll lovethce
much -
L-t
King LEAR. in
Let me unfeal the letter.
Stew. Madam, I had rather
Reg. I know, your lady do's not love her husband :
I'm fure of that ; and, at her late being here,
5 She gave ceiliads, and moft fpeaking looks
To noble Edmund. I know, you're of her bofom.
Stew. I, Madam ?
Reg. I fpeak in underftanding : you are -, I know't ;
Therefore, I do advife you, take this note.
My lord is dead ; Edmund and I have talk'd,
And more convenient is he for my hand,
Than for your lady's : you may gather more :
If you do find him, pray you, give him this ;
And when your Miftrefs hears thus much from you,
I pray, defire her call her wifdom to her. So farewel.
If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.
Stew. 'Would I could meet him, Madam, I fhould
Ihew
What party I do follow
Reg. Farethee well. [Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
The Country, near Dover.
Enter Glo'iler, and Edgar as a Peafant.
C/0. \T7HEN fliall I come to th' top of that
^ W fame hill ?
Edg. You do climb up it now. Look, how we
labour.
Glo. Methinks, the ground is even.
Edg. Horrible fteep.
Hark, do you hear the fea ?
Glo. No, truly.
5 She gave him ceiliads] OeillaJes, French, for glances.
Mr. P
King LEAR.
Edg. Why then your other fenfes grow imperfect
By your eyes' anguifh.
Glo. So may it be, indeed.
Methinks, thy voice is alter'd 5 and thou fpeak'ft
In better phrafe and matter than thou didft.
Edg. You're much deceiv'd : in nothing am I
chang'd,
But in my garments.
Glo. Sure you're better fpoken.
Edg. Come on, Sir, here's the place- ftandftilL
8 How fearful
And dizzy 'tis, to caft one's eyes fo low !
The crows and choughs, that wing the midway air,
Shew fcarce fo grofs as beetles. Half way down
Hangs one, that gathers Samphire ; dreadful trade !
Methinks, he feems no bigger than his head.
The fifher-men, that walk upon the beach,
Appear like mice ; and yond tall anchoring bark,
Diminifh'd to her cock ; her cock, a buoy
Almoft too fmall for fight. The murmuring furge,
That on th* unnumbred 6 idle pebbles chafes,
Cannot be heard fo high. I'll look no more,
Left my brain turn, and the deficient fight,
Topple down headlong.'
Glo. Set me, where you (land,
Edg. Give me your hand : you're now within a
foot
OF th' extream verge : ' for all below the moon
Would I not leap outright.
6 idle pebbles'] Idle, for barren, uncultivated.
7 for all below the mocn
Would I not leap UPRIGHT.] But what danger in leaping
upright or upwards ? He who leaps thus mutt needs fall again on
his feet upon the place from whence he roie. We Ihould read,
Would I not leap OUTRIGHT.
j e. forward : and then being on the verge of a precipice he muft
needs fall headlong.
Glo.
King LEAR. 1 1
Glo. Let go my hand :
Here, friend, *s another purfe, in it a Jewel
Well worth a poor man's taking. Fairies, and Gods,
Profper it with thee ! Go thou further off,
Bid me farewel, and let me hear thee going.
Edg. Now fare ye well, good Sir. [Seems to go.
Glo. With all my heart.
Edg. Why do I trifle thus with his defpair ?
'Tis done to cure it.
Glo. " O you mighty Gods!
" This world I do renounce 5 and in your fights
* c Shake patiently my great affliction off :
" If I could bear it longer, and not fall
" To quarrel with your great oppofelefs Wills,
" My fnuff and loathed part of nature fhould
cc Burn itfelf out. If Edgar live, O blefs him!
Now, fellow, fare thee well.
[He leaps, and falls dong.
Edg. Good Sir, farewel.
And yet I know not how Conceit may rob
The treafury of life, when life itfelf
Yields to the theft. Had he been where he thought,
By this, had thought been paft. Alive or dead ?
Hoa, you, hear you, friend ! Sir ! Sir ! fpeak !
Thus might he pafs, indeed yet he revives.
What are you, Sir ?
Glo. Away, and let me die.
Edg. Had'ft thou been aught but Gofs'mcr, fea-
thers, air,
So many fathom down precipitating,
Thou'd'ft (hiver'd like an egg : but thou doft breathe,
Hift heavy fubftance, bleed'ft not ; (peak, art found ?
8 Ten mafts attacht make not the altitude,
8 Ten ma/ft AT EACH make not the altitude,'] So Mr Popt
found it in the old editions! and feeing ic corrupt, judicioully
corrected it to attacht. But Mr. Zbtobald reports again the old
nonfente, / each.
Vol. VI. I Which
H4 King LEAR.
Which thou haft perpendicularly fall'n.
Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again.
Glo. But have I fall'n, or no ?
Edg. From the dread fummit of this chalky bourn !
Look up a- height, the mrill-gorg'd Lark fo far
Cannot be feen or heard : do but look up.
Glo. Alack, I have no eyes.
" Is wretchednefs depriv'd that benefit,
" To end itfelf by death ? 'twas yet fome comfort,
' When mifery could beguile the tyrant's rage,
" And fruftrate his proud will."
Edg. Give me your arm.
Up, fo how is't ? feel you your legs ? you Hand.
Glo. Too well, too well.
Edg. This is above all ftrangenefs.
Upon the crown o'th* cliff, what thing was that,
Which parted from you ?
Glo. A poor unfortunate beggar.
Edg. As I flood here, below, methought, his eyes
Were two full moons ; he had a thoufand nofes,
9 Horns welk'd, and wav'd like the enridged fea :
It was fome fiend. Therefore, thou happy father,
* Think, that the cleareft gods, who make them
honours
Of men's impoflibilities, have preferv'd thee.
Glo. I do remember now : henceforth I'll bear
Affliction, 'till it do cry out itfelf,
Enough, enough, and die. That thing you fpeak of,
I took it for a man -, often 'twould fay,
The fiend, the fiend he led me to that place.
Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.
9 Horns welk'd,] i. e. twifted. Mr. Pope.
i Think, tkatthe cleareft c<//,] Charejl, for moft righteous.
SCENE
King LEAR.
SCENE VII.
Enter Lear, drejl madly with flowers.
But who comes here ?
* The fober fenfe will ne'er accommodate
His matter thus.
Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coyning : I am
the King himfelf.
Edg. O thou fide-piercing fight !
Lear. Nature's above art in that lefpecl:. There's
your prefs-mony. That fellow handles his bow like
a crow-keeper : draw me a clothier's yard. Look,
Jook, a moufe! Peace, peace ; this piece of toafted
cheefe will do't there's my gauntlet, I'll prove it
on a giant. Bring up the brown bills. J O, well
flown, Barb! i'th* clout, i'th' clout: hewgh. Give
the word.
Rdg. Sweet marjoram.
Lear. Pafs.
Glo. I know that voice.
Lear. Ha! G oner ill ! ha! Regan! they flatter'd me
like a dog, and told me, I had white hairs in my
beard, ere the black ones were there. To fay ay,
and no, to every thing that I faid- "-Ay, and no k
too was no good divinity. When the rain came to
wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter ;
when the thunder would not peace at my bidding ;
2 The SAFER feftfe will ne'er accommodate} Without doubt
Sbakefyear wrote,
if the SOBER fenfe,
i. e. while the underftanding is in a right frame it will never thus
accommodate its owner : alluding to Lear's txtravagant drtft*
Thence he concludes him to be mad.
4 O well Jloiun Bird,] Lear is here raving of archery, and (hoot-
ing at huts, as is plain by the words f tV clout, that is, the white
mark they fet up and aim at : hence the phrafe, to bit the ivbite.
So that we mud read, O nuill-flown > Barb! i. e. the barbed, or
i>tarde& Anew,
I a there
King LEAR.
there I found 'em, there I fmek 'em out. Go to,
they are not men o* their words ; they told me I was
every thing : 'tis a lie, I am not ague-proof.
Glo. 4 The trick of that voice I do well remember:
Is't not the King ?
Lear. Ay, every inch a King.
When I do flare, fee, how the Subject quakes.
I pardon that man's life. What was the caufe ?
Adultery ? thou malt not die ; die for adultery ? no,
the wren goes to't, and the fmall gilded flie does letcher
in my fight. Let copulation thrive: for Glower's
baftard-fon was kinder to his father, than my daugh-
ters got 'tween the lawful meets. To't, luxury, pell-
mell; for I lack foldiers. Behold yon fimpering
Dame, 5 whofe face 'tween her forks prcfages fnow ;
that minces virtue, and does fhake the head to hear of
pleafure's name. 6 The fitchew, nor the 7 flailed horfe,
goes to't with a more riotous appetite : down from
the wafte they are centaurs, though women all above :
but to the girdle do the Gods inherit, beneath it is all
the fiends. There's hell, there's darknefs, there is
the fulphurous pit, burning, fcalding, flench, con-
fumption : fie, ne, fie ; pah, pah ; give me an ounce
of civet, good apothecary, to fwecten my imagi-
nation ! there's money for thee.
Glo. O, let me kifs that hand.
Lear. Let me wipe it firft, it fmells of mortality.
Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature ! this great world
Shall fo wear out to nought. Do'ft thou know me ?
Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough : dofl
thou fquiny at me ? no, do thy worft, blind Cupid \
4 Tat trick of tuat voice] z. e. the particular tore and manner
of (peaking. As the air of a face iignifies the particular turn and
fpirit of the features.
5 Wboftfact 'tween her forks] i. e. her hand held before her
face in fign of modeily, with the fingers fpread out, forky.
6 Thi titchew,] A kind of Polecat. Mr. Pope.
7 nor tht s or LED borfe,] I read STALLED korfe.
King LEAR. 117
I'll not love. Read thou this challenge, mark but
the penning of it.
Glo. Were all the letters funs, I could not fee one.
Edg. I would not take this from report ; it is,
And my heart breaks at it.
Lear. Read.
Glo. What, with this cafe of eyes ?
Lear. Oh, ho, are you there with me ? no eyes in
your head, nor no mony in your purfe? your eyes
are in a heavy cafe, your purfe in a light ; yet you
fee how this world goes.
Glo. I fee it feelingly.
Lear. What, art mad ? a man may fee how this
world goes, with no eyes. Look with thine ears :
fee, how yond juftice rails upon yond fimple thief.
Hark in thine ear : change Places* and handy-dandy,
which is the juftice, which is the thief? Thou haft
feen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar.
Glo. Ay, Sir.
Lear. And the creature run from the cur ? there
thou might'ft behold the great image of authority ; a
dog's obey'd in office
Thou rafcal beadle, hold thy bloody hand :
Why doft thou lafh that whore ? ftrip thy own back y
Thou hotly luft'ft to ufe her in that kind,
For which thou whip'ft her. Th* ufurer hangs the
cozener.
Through tatter'd cloaths fmall vices do appear ;
Robes and furred gowns hide all. Plate fin with gold*
And the ftrong lance of juftice hurtlefs breaks :
Arm it in rags, a pigmy's ftraw doth pierce it.
None does offend, none, I fay, none j 8 I'll able 'em j
Take that of me, my friend, who have the pow'r
8 f II able ''em ;] An old phrafe fignifying to qualify, or
uphold them. So Scogan, contemporary with Chaucer, fays,
Set all my life after thyne ordinaunce.
And able me ta mtrcie or thou dene.
But the Oxford Editor alters it, to alfofae.
I 3 To
1 1 8 King LEAR.
T6 feal th' accufer's lips. Get thee glafs eyes,
And, like a fcurvy politician, feem
To fee the things thou doft not.
Now, now, now, now. Pull off my boots : harder,
harder fo.
Edg. O matter and impertinency mixt,
Reafon in madnefs !
Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my
eyes.
I know thee well enough, thy name is Glo'fter ;
Thou muft be patient ; we came crying hither :
Thou know'ft, the firft time that we fmell the air,
We wawle and cry. I will preach to thee : mark
Glo. Alack, alack the day !
Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we are
come
To this great ftage of fools. This a good block! -
It were a delicate ftratagem to moe
A troop of horfe with Felt ; I'll put't in proof ;
And when I've ftoln upon thefe fons-in-law,
Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.
SCENE VIII.
Enter a Gentleman^ with Attendants.
Gent. O, here he is, lay hand upon him ; Sir,
Your moft dear daughter
Lear. No refcue ? what, a prifoner ? I am even
The natural fool of fortune. Ufe me well,
You fhall have ranlbm. Let me have furgeons,
J am cut to th' brains.
Gent. You fhall have any thing.
Lear. No feconds ? all my felf ?
Why, this would make a man, a man of fait j
To ufe his eyes for garden- water-pots,
A-d laying autumn's duft. I will di<
dit* bravely.
King LEAR. 119
Like a fmug bridegroom. What? I will be jovial :
Come, come, I am a King. My Matters, know you
that ?
Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you.
Lear. Then there's life in't. Come, an you get it,
You mall get it by running : fa, fa, fa, fa. [Exit.
Gent. A light moft pitiful in the meaneft wretch,
Pad fpeaking of in a King. Thou haft one daughter,
Who redeems nature from the general curfe
Which twain have brought her to.
Edg, Hail, gentle Sir.
Gent. Sir, fpeed you : what's your Will ?
Edg. Do you hear aught, Sir, of a battle toward ?
Gent. Moft fure, and vulgar ; every one hears that,
Which can diftinguifli found.
Edg. But by your favour,
How near's the other army ?
Gent. Near, and on fpeedy foot : the main defcry
Stands on the hourly thought.
Edg. I thank you, Sir : That's all.
Gent. Though that the Queen on fpecial caufe is
here
Her army is mov'd on. [Exit.
Edg. I thank you, Sir.
Glo. You ever gentle Gods, take my breath from
me;
Le not my worfer fpirit tempt me again
To die before you pleafe !
Edg. Well pray you, father.
Glo. Now, good Sir, what are you ?
Edg. A moft poor man, made tame to fortune's
blows,
9 Who, by the art of known and feeling forrows,
9 Who, by the art of known and feeling forrows.'} i. e. forrows
pail and prefent ; But the Oxford Editor lofes all tnis fenfe, by al-
tering it to
' ' ..... knowing and feeling .
I 4 Am
120 King LEAR.
Am pregnant to good pity; Give me your hand*
1'Jl lead you to fome biding.
Glo. Hearty thanks ;
The bounty and the benizon of heav'n
Tc boot, and boot !
SCENE IX.
Enter Steward.
Stew. A proclaimed prize! moft happy?
That eyelefs head of thine was firft fram'd flefli*
To raife my fortunes. Old unhappy traitor,
1 Briefly thy felf remember : the fword is out,
That muft deftroy thee.
Glo. Let thy friendly hand
Put flrength enough to't.
Stew. Wherefore, bold peafant,
Dar'ft thou fupport a publifh'd traitor? hence^
Left that th' infection of his fortune take
Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.
Edg. Chill not let go, Zir, without vurther 'cafion.
Stew. Let go, flave, or thou dy'ft.
Edg. Good gentleman, go your gate, and let poor
volk pafs: and 'chud ha* been zwagger*d out of my
life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vort-
night. Nay, come not near th' old man: keep out,,
che vor'ye, or ice try whether your coftard or my bat
be the harder , chill be plain with you.
Stew. Out, dunghill !
Edg. Chill pick your teeth, Zir : come, no matter
vor your foyns. [Edgar knocks Mm down.
Stew. Slave, thou haftflainme: villain, take my.
purfe ;
If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body s
i Briefly thy felf remember :~\ i.e. quickly recoiled the pall of-
fences of thy life, and recommend thy felf to heaven.
And
King LEAR. 121
And give the letters, which thou find'ft about me,
Fo Edmund Earl of Glo'fter : feek him out
Upon the Englijh party : Oh, untimely death!
[Z>;^
Edg. I know thee well, a ferviceable villain j
As duteous to the vices of thy Miftrefs,
As badnefs would defire.
Glo. What, is he dead?
Edg. Sit you down, father : reft you.
Let's fee thefe pockets ; the letters, that he fpeaks of,
May be my friends : he's dead ; I'm only forry,
He had no other death's-man. Let us fee -
By your leave, gentle wax- and manners blame
us not:
* To know our enemies' minds, we rip their hearts 5
Their papers arc more lawful.
Reads the Letter.
LE T our reciprocal Vows be remembred. Ton have
many opportunities to cut him off: if your Will
want not, time and place will le fruitfully offered. There
is nothing done y if he return the conqueror* Then am I
the pr if oner, and his bed my goal; from the loathed
warmth whereof deliver me y and fupply the place for
your labour.
Tour (wife, fo I would fay) affeclionate Servant^
Goneril!.
? Oh, undiftinguilh'd fpace of woman's Will !
A plot upon her virtuous husband's life,
And
2 To knona our enemies' minds, <wt rip their hearts ;
Their papers are more lawful.'] This is darkly expreffed : The
meaning is, Our enemies are put upon the rack, and torn in pieces
to extort confeffion of their iecrets; to tear open their letters i*
more lawful.
3 Oh, undiflinguijh* d fpace of 'woman's Wit !] So the fift Qtarto
reads, but the firft Folio better, Will. I hare no idea of the mean-
ing of the firft reading, but the other is extremely fatirical ; the
122 King LEAR.
And the exchange my brother. Here, i'th* lands
Thee I'll rake up, the pod unfanctified
Of murth'rous lechers : and in the mature time,
With this ungracious paper ftrike the fight
Of the death- practised Duke: for him 'tis well,
That of thy death and bufmefs I can tell.
Glo. The King is mad : how ftiff is my vile fenfe,
That I (land up, 4 and have ingenious Feeling
Of my huge forrows ! better I were diftrat,
$o mould my thoughts be fever'd from my griefs ;
[Drum afar off.
And woes, by wrong imaginations, lofe
The knowledge of themfelves.
Edg. Give me your hand :
Far off, methinks, 1 hear the beaten drum.
Come, father, I'll beftow you with a friend. [Exeunt*
SCENE X.
Changes to a Chamber.
Enter Cordelia, Kent, and Phyfician.
Cor. /~\ Thou good Kent, how mail I live and work
Vx To match thy Goodnefs ? life will be too
Ihort,
And ev'ry meafure fail me.
<-jarlum fc? mutalile femper, of Virgil, more flrongly a^d happily
exprefifed. The mutability of a woman's Will, which is fo fuddcn
that there is no fpace or diftance between the prefent Will and the
next. Honeft Sancao explains this thought with infinite humour,
Entrf el fi y el no de la muger, no me atreveria yo a poner una junta
Aifi'er. Between a woman's yes and no / 'would not undertake
to tbruft a pins point.
4 and have ingenious Feeling] Ingenious feeling figni-
fies a feeling from an underftanding not d.fturbed or difordered, but
which, reprefenting things as they are, makes the fenfe of pain the
more exquifite.
Kent,
King LEAR. 123
Kent. To be acknowledg'd, Madam, is o'erpaid ;
All my reports go with the modeft truth.
Nor more, nor dipt, but fo.
Cor. Be better fuited ;
Thefe weeds are memories of thofe worfer hours :
I pr'ythee, put them off.
Kent. Pardon, dear Madam,
Yet to be known, J fhortens my laid intent;
My boon I make it, that you know me not,
'Till time and I think meet.
Cor. Then be it To,
My lord. How does the King ?
[70 the Phyfician.
Phyf. Madam, deeps (till.
Cor. O you kind Gods !
Cure this great breach in his abufed nature ;
Th' untun'd and jarring fenfes, O, wind up
Of this child-changed father.
Phyf. Pleafe your Majefty,
That we may wake the king, he hath flept long?
Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed
Pth' fway of your own will : is he array'd ?
Enter Lear in a chair, carried by Servants.
Phyf. Ay, Madam ; in the heavinefs of deep,
We put frefh garments on him. -
Be by, good Madam, when we do awake him ,
I doubt not of his temperance.
Cor. O my dear father ! 6 Reftauration, hang
5 Jhartem my MADE intent ;] There is a diffonancy
of terms in made intent', one implying the idea of a thing done,
the other, undone. I fuppofe Sbaktfptar wrote LAID intent ;
;. e. projedled.
6 Refiauratioa, hang
Thy medicine on my lips ; ] This is fine. She invokes the
Goddefs of Health, Hjtffia, under the name of Reji duration, to
make her the minifter of her Rites, in this holy office of recover.
ing her father's loft fenfes.
Thy
LEAR.
" Thy medicine on my lips -, and let this kifs
Repair thofe violent harms, that my two fitters
Have in thy reverence made !
Kent. Kind and deareft Princefs!
Cor. Had you not been their Father, thefe white
flakes
Did challenge pity of them. Was this a face,
To be expos'd againft the warring winds?
To (land againft the deep, dread-bolted Thunder?
In the moft terrible and nimble Stroke
Of quick, crofs Lightning ? 7 To watch, poor Perdu !
With this thin Helm? My very Enemy's Dog,
Though he had bit me, fhou'd have flood that Night
Againll my fire : And waft thou fain, poor father,
To hovel thee with fwine and rogues forlorn,
In mort and mufty ftraw? alack, alack!
'Tis wonder, that thy life and wits, at once,
. 8 Had not concluded. Ah! he wakes j fpeak to him.
Phyf. Madam, do you, 'tis fitted.
Cor. How does my royal lord? how fares your
Majefty ?
Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o'th' grave ;
Thou art a foul in biifs, but I am bound
Upon a wheel of fire ^ that mine own tears
7 Tit watch poor Perdue :
With Ms thin helm? ] It ought to be read and pointed
thus,
To watch, poor Perdu !
With this thin Helm ?
The allufion is to the forlorn-hope in an army, which are put upon
defperate adventures, and called inFrcr.cb, cnfans perdus; fhe there-
fore calls her father poor Per da-, Perdue, which is the common read-
ing, being the feminine. Thefe enfant perdui being always flight!/
and badly armed, is the reafon fhe adds,
With this thin Helm i. e. bareheaded.
8 Had net concluded ALL] All what? we fhould read and
point it thus,
Had not concluded. Ah !
An exclamation on perceiving her father wake
Do
King LEAR. i 25
Do fcald like molten lead.
Cor. Sir, do you know me?
Lear. You are a fpiric, I know ; when did you die ?
Cor. Still, ftill, far wide
Phyf. He's fcarce awake, let him alone a while.
Lear. Where have I been ? where am 1? fair day-
light ?
I'm mightily abus'd ; I fliould even die with Pity,
To fee another thus. I know not what to fay ;
I will not fwear, thefe are my hands : let's fee,
I feel this pin prick : 'would I were affur'd
Of my condition.
Cor. O look upon me, Sir,
And hold your hand in benediction o'er me.
No, Sir, you muft not kneel.
Lear. Pray, do not mock me ;
I am a very foolifh fond old man,
Fourfcore and upward ; and, to deal plainly,
I fear, I am not in my perfect mind.
Methinks, I mould know you, and know this man ;
Yet I am doubtful: For I'm mainly ignorant,
What place this is ; and all the skill I have,
Remembers not thefe garments ; nay, I know not
Where I did lodge laft night. Do not laugh at me,
For, as I am a man, I think, this lady
To be my child Cordelia.
Cor. And fo I am , I am.
Lear. Be your tears wet ? yes, faith ; I pray you,
weep not.
If you have poifon for me, I will drink it ;
I know, you do not love me ; for your fillers
Have, as I do remember, done me wrong.
You have fome caufe, they have not.
Cor. No caufe, no caule.
Lear. Am I in France ?
Kent. In your own kingdom, Sir. (.
Lear, Do not abufe me.
Pbyf.
2 6 King LEAR.
Pbyf. Be comforted, good Madam ; the great Rage,
You fee, is cur'd in him: and, yet, 'twere danger
9 To make him even o'er the Time, h'as loft.
Defire him to go in ; trouble him no more,
'Till further fettling.
Cor. Will't pleafe your Highnefs walk ?
Lear. You muft bear with me ;
Pray you now, forget and forgive ;
I am old and toolifh.
[Exeunt Lear, Cord. Phyf. and attendants,
Manent Kent and Gentleman.
Gent. Holds it true, Sir, that the Duke of Cornwall
was fo (lain ?
Kent. Moft certain, Sir.
Gent. Who is Conductor of his people?
Kent. As 'tis faid, the Baftard Son of Gtffter.
Gent. They fay, Edgar ^ his baniflit Son, is with the
Earl of Kent in Germany.
Kent. Report is changeable: 'Tis time to look
about : the Powers of the Kingdom approach apace.
Gent. The Arbitrement is like to be bloody. t -
Fare you well, Sir. [Exit Gent.
Kent. My Point and Period will be throughly
wrought,
Or well, or ill, as this day's Battle's fought.
[Exit Kent.
, 9 To make him even oir t-be %in:e, ] /. e. to reconcile it to
his apprchenfion.
ACT
King LEAR. 127
ACTV. SCENE I.
A CAMP.
Enter Edmund, Regan, Gentleman and Soldiers.
EDMUND.
NO W of the Duke, if his laft purpofe hold 5
Or whether fince he is advis'd by aught,
To change the cosrfe? he's full of Alteration,
And felf-reproving : bring his conftant pleafure.
Reg. Our fitter's man is certainly mifcarry'd.
Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, Madam.
Reg. Now, fweet lord,
You know the goodnefs I intend upon you:
Tell me but truly, but then fpeak the truth,
Do you not love my fifter ?
Edm. In honour'd love.
Reg. But have you never found my brother's way
To the fore- fended place ?
Edm. No, by mine honour, Madam.
Reg. I never lhall endure her ; dear my lord,
Be not familiar with her.
Edm. Fear not ; Ihe, and the Duke her husband *
Enter Albany, Gonerill, and Soldiers.
Gon. I'd rather lofe the Battle, than that Sifter
Should Joofen him and Me."
Alb. Our very loving fifter, well be met:
1 Sir, this I hear, the King is come to his daughter,
With
i Sir, tt>is Hear, to make oppofe, ] This is a very plain
fpeech, and the meaning is, The King and others whom we have
oppofed, are come to Cordelia. I could never be valiant but in a
jutt quarrel. We muft diftinguifli; it is juft in one fer.fe and unjuft
in another. As Frame inrtdes our la^)d I am concerned to repel
128 Jftfl LEAR.
With others, whom the rigour of our ftate
Forc'd to cry out. * Where I could not be honeft,
1 never yet was valiant : for this bufmefs,
It toucheth us, as France invades our Land,
Not holds the King, with others, whom, I fear,
Moft juft and heavy caufes make oppofe,
Edm. Sir, you fpeak nobly.
Reg. Why is this reafon'd ?
Gon. Combine together 'gainft the enemy :
For thefe domeftick and particular broils
Are not the queftion here.
Edm. I mall attend you prefently at your Tent.
Alb. Let's then determine with th* Antient of war
On our proceeding.
Reg. Sifter, you'll go with us ?
Gon. No.
him, but as he holds, entertains and fupports the King, and other*
rjjhom Ifc*r manyyz^# and heavy caufes make, or compel, as it were,
to eppofe us, I efteem it unjuft to engage againft them. This fpeech,
thus interpreted according to the common reading, is likewife very
neceflary ; for otherwife, Albany, who is charadleris'd as a man of
honour and obferver of juftice, gives no reafon for going to war
with thofe, whom he owns had been much injured under the coun-
tenance of his power. Notwithftanding this, Mr. Theobald, by an
unaccountable turn of thought, reads the fourth line thus,
1 never yet was <valiant: 'fore this bujineft, &c.
"puts the two laft lines in a parenthefis, and then paraphrafes the
whole in this manner. Sir, if concerns me (the? not the King and
the difcontented p&rty) to quejlion about your inter eft in ourjifter, and
the event of the war. What he means by this I am not able to
find out ; but he gives a reafon why his reading and fenfe fliould be
^preferred. And Regan and Gonerill in their replies feem both ap-
prehen/tve that this fubjel was coming into debate. Now all that
we can colled from their replies, is that they were apprehenfive
he was going to blame their cruelty to Lear, Glower, and others;
which it is plain, from the common reading and the fenfe of the laft
line, he was.
Mtftjufl and heavy caufes mait oppofe,
2 - Where I could not be honejt, &c.] The four next lines are
added from the old Edition. Mr. Pope.
Reg.
King LEAR. 129
Reg. *Tis moft convenient, pray you, go with us.
Gon. Oh ho, I know the riddle, I will go.
SCENE II.
As they are going out, Enter Edgar difguis'd.
Edg. If e'er your Grace had fpeech with man fo
poor,
Hear me one word.
Alb. 1*11 overtake you : fpeak.
[Exeunt Edm. Reg. Gon. and Attendants.
Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
If you have vid'ry, let the trumpet found
For him that brought it: wretched though I feem,
1 can produce a Champion, that will prove
What is avouched there. If you mifcarry,
Your bufinefs of the world hath fo an end,
And machination ceafes. Fortune love you!
Alb. Stay 'till I've read the letter.
Edg. \ was forbid it.
When time mail ferve, let but the herald cry,
And I'll appear again. [Exit.
Alb. Why, fare thee well ; I willo'erlook thy paper.
Re-enter Edmund.
Edm. The Enemy's in view, draw up your Powers.
Hard is the guefs of their true ftrength and forces,
By diligent difcovery ; but your hafte
Is now urg'd on you.
Alb. We will greet the time. [Exit.
SCENE III.
Edm. To both thefe fitters have I fworn my love:
Each jealous of the other, as the flung
Are of the adder. Which of them mail I take ?
VOL, VI. K Both
130 King LEAR.
Both ? one ? or neither ? neither can be en joy*d,
If both remain alive: to take the widow,
Exafperates, makes mad her fitter Gonerill;
And hardly mail I carry out my fide,
Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll ufe
His countenance for the battle ; which being done,
Let her, who would be rid of him, devife
His fpeedy taking off. As for the mercy
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia^
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never fee his pardon : for my ftate
Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [Exit.
S ,C E N E IV.
Another open Field.
dlarum within. Enter with drum and colours^ Lear,
Cordelia, and foldiers over the ft age ^ and exeunt.
Enter Edgar and Glo'fter.
ERE, father, take the fhadow of this tree
For your good Hoft ; pray, that the right
may thrive :
If ever I return to you again,
I'll bring you comfort.
Glo. Grace be with you, Sir! [Exit Edgar.
[Alarum* and retreat, within.
Re- enter Edgar.
Edg. Away, old man ; give me thy hand, away j
King Lear hath loft, h- and his daughter ta'en,
Give me thy hand. Come on.
Glo. No further, Sir ; a man may rot even here.
Edg. What, in ill thoughts again ? men muft endure
Their going hence, ev'n as their coming hither:
Ripenefs is all ; come on.
Glq. And that's true too. [Exeunt.
SCENE
TT
JTl
King LEAR.
SCENE V.
Enter in Conqueft, with Drum and Colours, Edmund ;
Lear and Cordelia, asprifoners ; Soldiers, Captain.
Edm. Some Officers take them away ; good guard,
Until their greater pleafures firft be known,
That are to cenfure them.
Cor. We're not the firft,
Who with beft meaning have incurred the worft:
For thee, oppreffed King, am I caft down ;
Myfelf could elfe out- frown falfe fortune's frown.
Shall we not ice thefe daughters and thefe fitters?
Lear. No, no, no, no; come, let's aw^y toprifons
We two alone will fing, like birds i' th'cage:
When thou doft ask me Bleffing, I'll kneel down,
And ask of thee Forgivenefs : fo we'll live,
And pray, and fing, " and tell old tales, and laugh
* At gilded butterflies; and hear poor rogues
*' Talk of Court-news, and we'll talk with them too,
" Who lofes and who wins ; who's in, who's out:
" 3 And take upon's the myftery of things,
" As if we were God's fpies. And we'll wear out,
" In a wall'd prifon, packs and fefts of Great ones,
" That ebb and flow by th' moon."
Edm. Take them away.
Lear. u * Upon fuch facrifices, my Cordelia,
" The
3 And take upon's the myftery of things,
As if we were GoeTs fpies. ] This whole fpeech is exqui-
fitely fine, and an admirable defcription of the idle life of a coffee-
houfe politician. The meaning of thCi- two lines, which are a little
ambiguous, is this. We will take upon ns to interpret and jadge of
the defigns of Providence in the various fortunes and revolutions of
men and governments, as if we were placed for fpies over God Al-
mighty, to watch his motions : GocTs Jpies fignifying either fpies em-
ployed by him or fet upon him, is the occallon of the obfcurity.
4 Upon fuch facrijices, my Cordelia,
TheGodsthemJelves throw incenfe. ] The thought is extremely
ncble.aUd exprcffed in afublime of imag'ry that Seneca fell fhort of on
K 2 the
LEAR.
" The Gods themfelves throw incenfe." Have I
caught thee?
He that parts us, (hall bring a brand from heav'n,
And fire us hence, like foxes; wipe thine eye,
The (a) goujeres fhall devour them, flelh and fell,
Ere they fhall make us weep ; we'll fee them ftarv'd firft.
Come. [Exeunt Lear and Cordelia guarded.
Edm. Come hither, Captain, hark.
Take thou this note; go, follow them to prifon.
One ftep I have advanc'd thee j if thou doft
As this inftru&s thee, thou doft make thy way
To noble fortunes : know thou this, that men
Are as the time is ; to be tender-minded
Do's not become a fword ; 5 thy great Employment
Will not bear queftion; either fay, thou'lt do'tj
Or thrive by other means.
Capt. I'll do't, my lord.
Edm. About it, and write happy, when thou'lt done.
Mark, I fay, inftantly ; and carry it fo,
As I have fet it down. [Exit Captain.
the like occafion. Ecce jpectaculum dignum ad quod refptciat, inten-
tus operi fuo Deus: Ecce par Deo dignum, -virfortif cum mala for tuna
campojttus.
5 thy great Employment
Will not bear quejllon ; ] Mr. Theobald could not let this alone,
but would alter it to
My great Employment,
Becaufe (he fays) the perfon fpoken to was of no higher degree than a.
captain. But he miftakes the meaning of the words. By great Em-
ployment was meant the commijjlon given him for the murder; and
this, the Baflard tells us afterwards, was figned byGatierill&nd him-
felf. Which was fufficient to make this Captain unaccauntablt lor
the execution.
[() gwjtrts. (Trench pox.] Oxford Editor Vulg. gooajnt ]
SCENE
King LEAR. 133
SCENE VI.
Flourijh. Enter Albany, Gonerill, Regan, and
Soldiers.
Alb. Sir, you have fhew'd to day your valiant drain,
And fortune led you well : you have the Captives,
Who were the oppofites of this day's ftrife :
We do require them of you, fo to ufe them,
As we mall find their merits and our fafety
May equally determine.
Edm. Sir, I thought it fit
To fend the old and miferable King
To fomc retention, and appointed guard ;
Whofe age has charms in it, whofe title more,
To pluck the common bofoms on his fide ;
And turn our impreft launces in our eyes,
Which do command them. With him I fent the
Queen ;
My reafon all the fame; and they are ready
To morrow, or at further fpace, t'appear
Where you {hall hold your Seflion. At this time,
We fweat and bleed ; the Friend hath loft his Friend i
And the beft Quarrels, in the Heat, are curfl
By thofe that feel their Sharpnefs.
The Queftion of Cordelia, and her Father,
Requires a fitter Place.
Alb. Sir, by your patience,
I hold you but a Subject of this war,
Not as a Brother.
Reg. That's as we lift to grace him,
Methinks, our pleafure might have been demanded,
Ere you had fpoke fo far. He led our Pow'rs ;
* Bore the Commifiion of my Place and Perfon 5
6 Bore the Commiffion of ] Commi/ion, for authority.
K 3 The
134 %* n & LEAR.
7 The which immediacy may well ftand up,
And call itfelf your brother.
Gon. Not fo hot :
In his own grace he doth exalt himfelf,
More than in your advancement.
Reg. In my Right,
By me invefted, he compeers the beft.
Alb. That were the moft, if he fhould husband you.
Reg. Jefters do oft prove Prophets.
Gon. Holla, Holla!
That eye, that told you fo, look'd but a-fquint.
Reg. Lady, I am not well, elfe I mould anfwer
From a full-flowing ftomach. General,
Take thou my foldiers, prifoners, patrimony,
Difpofe of them, of me; s the walls are thine:
Witnefs the World, that 1 create thee here
My lord and matter.
Gon. Mean you to enjoy him ?
Alb. The Lett alone lyes not in your good Will.
dm. Nor in thine, lord.
Alb. Half-blooded fellow, yes.
Reg. Let the drum ftrike, and prove my Title thine.
Alb. Stay yet ; hear reafon : Edmund^ I arreft thee
On capital treafon ; and, in thy Arreft,
This gilded Serpent ; for your claim, fair fitter,
I bar it in the intereft of my wife ;
'Tis me is fab-contracted to this lord,
And I her husband, contradict your banes.
If you will marry, make your loves to me,
My lady is befpoke.
Gon. An enterlude!
Alb. Thou art arm'd, Glo'fter-, let the trumpet
found :
7 The ivbicb immediacy ] Immediacy, for reprefentation.
8 the ivalh are tbine:] A metaphorical pferafe taken from
the camp, and fignifying, to furrender at dijcretion. But the Oxford
Editor, for a plain reafon, alters it to,
they all art tbine*
King LEAR. 135
If none appear to prove upon thy perfon
Thy heinous, manifeft, and many treafons,
There is my Pledge : I'll prove it on thy heart,
Ere I tafte bread, thou art in nothing lefs
Than I have here proclaimed thee.
Reg. Sick, O fick
Gon. If not, I'll ' ne'er truft poifon. [Afide.
Edm. There's my exchange ; what in the world he is,
That names me Traitor, villain-like he lies ;
Call by thy trumpet : he that dares approach,
On him, on you, (who not?) I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly.
Alb. A herald, ho!
Enter a Herald.
Truft to thy fingle virtue ; for thy foldiers,
All levied in my name, have in my name
Took their difcharge.
Reg. This iicknefs grows upon me.
Alb. She is not well, convey her to my Tent.
[Exit Regan, ltd.
SCENE VII.
Come hither, herald, let the trumpet found,
And read out this. [A trumpet founds.
Herald reads.
IF any man of Quality , or Degree, within the lifts of
the army, will maintain upon Edmund fttppofed Earl
of Glo'fter, that he is a manifold traitor, let him ap-
pear by the third found of the trumpet : be is bold in bis
defence. I trumpet.
Her. Again. 2 trumpet.
Her. Again. 3 trumpet.
[Trumpet anfaers, within.
K 4 Enter
136 King LEAR.
Enter Edgar, armed.
Alb. Ask him his purpofes, why he appears
Upon this Call o'th' trumpet.
Her. What are you ?
Your name, your quality, and why you anfwer
This prefent fummons ?
Edg, Know, my name is loft ;
By treafon's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit j
Yet am I noble, as the Adverfary
I come to cope.
Alb. Which is that Adverfary ?
Edg. What's he, that fpeaks for Edmund Earl of
Gb'fter ?
Edm. Himfelf; what fay'ft thou to him?
Edg. Draw thy fword,
That if my fpeech offend a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee juftice ; here is mine:
9 Behold, it is the privilege of mine Honours,
My Oath, and my Profefllon. I proteft,
JMaugre thy ftrength, place, youth, and eminence,
Spite of thy vidor- fword, and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour, and thy heart, thou art a traitor ;
Falfe to thy Gods, thy brother, and thy father j
Confpirant 'gainft this high illuftrious Prince,
And from th' extreameft upward of thy head,
To the defcent and duft below thy foot,
g Behold, it is the privilege of mine Honour?,
My Oath, and my Proteffion. ] The charge he is here going
to bring againft the Baftard, he calls tie privilege ', Sic. To underftand
which phrafeology, we muft confider that the old Rites of Knight-
hood are here alluded to ; whofe oath and profeflion required him
to difcover all treafons, and whofe privilege it was to have his chal-
lenge accepted, or otherwife to have his charge taken pro confe/o.
For if one who was no Knight accufed another who was, that other
was under no obligation to accept the challenge. On this account
it was neceflary as Edgar came difguifed, to tell the Baftard he
was a Knight,
A
King LEAR. 137
A moft toad-fpotted traitor. Say thou, no-,
This fword, this arm, and my beft fpirits are bent
To prove upon thy hearr, whereto I fpeak,
Thou lieft.
Edm. In wifdom I mould ask thy name;
But fince thy out-fide looks fo fair and warlike,
1 And that thy tongue fome 'Say of Breeding breathes;
What fafe and nicely I might well delay
By rule of Knight-hood, I difdain and fpurn:
Back do I tofs thefe treafons to thy head.
With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart;
Which (for they yet glance by, and fcarcely bruife)
This fword of mine (hall give them inftant way,
Where thou malt reft for ever. Trumpets, fpeak.
[Alarm. Fight.
Gon. O, fave him, fave him 5 This is Practice,
GWJlcr:
By th f law of war, thou waft not bound to anfwer
An unknown oppofite ; thou art not vanquifh'd,
But cozen'd and beguil'd.
Alb. Shut your mouth, Dame,
Or with this paper fhall I ftop it;
Thou worfe than any thing, read thine own evil :
No tearing, lady j I perceive, you know it.
Gon. Say, if I do ; the Laws are mine, not thine ;
Who can arraign me for't ?
Alb. Monfter, know'ft thou this paper ?
Gon. Ask me not, what I know [Exif Gon.
Alb. Go after her, fhe's defperate, govern her.
SCENE VIII.
Edm. What you have charg'd me with. That I have
done,
i And that thy tongut fomt 'Say efBrttding breatbtx] 'Say, for
fome ^ ew or probability. Mr. Pope.
And
138 King LEAR.
And more, much more ; the time will bring it out.
'Tis paft, and fo am I : but what art thou,
That haft this fortune on me? If thou'rt noble,
I do forgive thee.
Edg. Let's exchange charity :
I am no Jefs in blood than thou art, Edmund ;
If more, the more thou'll wrong'd me.
My name is Edgar^ and thy father's fon.
" The Gods are juft, and of our pleafant vices
"' Make inftruments to fcourge us :
The dark and vicious place, where thee he got,
Coft him his eyes.
Edm. Thou'ft fpoken right, 'tis true,
The wheel is come full circle ; I am here.
Alb. Methought, thy very gate did prophefie
A royal Noblenefs : I muft embrace thee :
Let Sorrow fplit my heart, rf ever I
Did hate thee, or thy father!
Edg. Worthy Prince, I know't.
Alb. Where have you hid yourfelf ?
How have you known the miferies of your father ?
Edg. By nurfing them, my lord. Lift a brief tale,
And, when 'tis told,O, that my heart would burft!
The bloody Proclamation to efcape
That follow'd me fo near, (O our lives' fweetnefs!
That we the pain of death would hourly bear,
Rather than die at once) " taught me to fhift
*' Into a mad-man's rags ; t'affume a Semblance,
** The very Dogs difdain'd : and in this habit
" Met I my father with his bleeding rings,
" Their precious gems new loft } became his guide,
" Led him, beg'd for him, fav'd him from defpair;
" Never (O fault!) reveal'd myfelf unto him,
<c Until fome half hour paft, when I was arm'd,
" Not fure, though hoping, of this good fuccefs,
' I ask'd his bleffing, and from firft to Jaft
" Told him my pilgrimage. But his flaw'd heart,
Alack,
King LEAR. 139
" Alack, too weak the Conflict to fupport,
ct 'Twixt two extremes of paffion, joy and grief,
" Burft fmilingly.
Edm. This fpeech of yours hath mov'd me,
And (hall, perchance, do good ; but fpeak you on,
You look, as you had fomething more to fay.
Alb. If there be more, more vvoful, hold it in,
For I am almoft ready to diffolve,
Hearing of this.
Edg. a This would have feem'd a Period. But fuch,
As love to amplify another's Sorrow,
To much, would make much more, and top extremity.
" Whilft I was big in Clamour, came there a Man,
** Who having feen me in my worfer State,
" Shun'd my abhorr'd Society ; but now finding
" Who 'twas, had fo endur'd, with his ftrong Arms
<c He faften'd on my Neck ; and bellow'd out,
8 As he'd burft Heaven ; threw him on my Father ;
* Told the moft piteous Tale of Lear and him,
' That ever Ear receiv'd ; which in recounting
' His Grief grew puiflfant, and the Strings of Life
' Began to crack." Twice then the Trumpets
founded,
And there I left him traunc'd.
Alb. But who was this?
2 Tb'n would have feem'd a Period
To fuck as lovi not for row : But ANOTHER,
To amplify TOO much, would, make much mart,
And top extremity ! ] The reader eafily fees that this re-
flexion refers to the Baftard's defiring to hear morej and, to Al~
bany's thinking he had faid enough. But it is corrupted into mi-
ferable nonfenie. We (hould read it thus,
This would ba<ve Jeemd a Period. But fuch
As love to amplify another's Sorrow,
To much, 'would make much more, and top extr unity,
i. e. This to a common humanity would have been thought the
utmoft of my fufferings ; but fuch as love cruelty are always for
adding more to much, till they reach the extremjty of mifery.
140 King LEAR.
Edg. Kent, Sir ; the banim'd Kent^ who in difguife
Follow'd his enemy King, and did him Service
Improper for a Slave.
SCENE IX.
Enter a Gentleman.
Gent. Help, help!
Edg. What kind of help?
Alb. Speak, man.
Edg. What means this bloody knife?
Gent. 'Tis hot, it fmoaks j it came even from the
heart
Of O! fhe'sdead.
Alb. Who's dead ? fpeak, man.
Gent. Your lady, Sir, your lady ; and her filler
By her is poifon'd ; fhe confefles it.
Edm. I was contracted to them both ; all three
Now marry in an inftant.
Edg. Here comes Kent.
Enter Kent.
Alb. Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead.
[Gonerill and Regan'j Bodies brought out.
This Judgment of the heav'ns, that makes us tremble,
Touches us not with pity. O! is this He?
The time will not allow the compliment,
Which very manners urge.
Kent. I am come
To bid my King and Matter aye good night ;
Is he not here ?
Alb. Great thing of us forgot!
Speak, Edmund, whcre's the King? and where's
Cordelia ?
See'ft thou this Object, Kent ?
Kent. Alack, why thus ?
Edm*
King LEAR. 14.1
Edm. Yet Edmund was belov'd :
The one the other poifon'd for my fake,
And after flew herfelf.
All}. Even fo ; cover their faces.
Edm. I pant for life ; fome Good I mean to do,
Defpight of mine own nature. Quickly fend,
(Be brief) into the Caftle j for my Writ
Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia :
Nay, fend in time.
M. Run, run, O run -
Edg. To whom, my lord ? who has the office ? Send
Thy token of reprieve.
Edm. Well thought on, take my fword,
Give it the Captain
Edg. Hafte thee for thy life. [Exit Mefenger.
Edm. He hath Commifiion from thy wife and me
To hang Cordelia in the prifon, and
To lay the blame upon her own defpair.
Alb. The Gods defend her! bear him hence a while,
[Edmund is borne of.
SCENE X.
Enter Lear, with Cordelia dead in bis arms.
Lear. Howl, howl, howl, howl, O, you are men
of ftone ;
Had I your tongues and eyes, I'd ufe them fo,
That heaven's vault mould crack : fhe's gone for ever !
I know, when one is dead, and when one lives ;
She's dead as earth ! lend me a looking- glafs,
If that her Breath will mift or ftain the ftone,
Why then fhe lives.
Kent. Is this the promis'd End ?
Lear. This feather ftirs, fhe lives ; if it be fo,
It is a Chance which do's redeem all forrows,
That ever I have felt.
Kent,
142 King LEAR.
Kent. O my good matter! [Kneeling.
Lear. Pr'ythee, away
Edg. 'Tis noble Kent, your friend.
Lear. A plague upon you, murth'rous traitors all !
J might have fav'd her ; now fhe's gone for ever !
Cordelia, Cordelia, flay a little. Ha !
What is't thou fay'ft? her voice was ever foft,
Gentle, and low j an excellent thing in woman,
I kill'd the flave, that was a hanging thee.
Gent. 'Tis true, my lords, he did.
Lear. Did I not, fellow?
I've feen the day, with my good biting faulchion
I would have made them skip : I am old now,
And thefe fame crofTes fpoil me. Who are you?
Mine eyes are none o'th' beft. I'll tell you ftraif.
Kent. Jf fortune brag of two me lov'd and hated,
One of them we behold.
Lear. Are you not Kent ?
Kent. The fame ; your fervant Kent ;
Where is your fervant Caius ?
Lear. 'Twas a good fellow, I can tell you that,
He'd ftrike, and quickly too: he's dead and rotten.
Kent. No, my good lord, I am the very man, -
Lear. I'll fee that ftrait.
Kent. Thar, from your firft J of difference and decay,
Have follow'd your fad fteps
Lear. Your'e welcome hither.
Kent. Nor no man elfe ; all's cheerlefs, dark, and
dead:
Your eldeft daughters have fore-done themfelves,
And defp'rately are dead.
Lear. Ay, fo I think.
Alb. He knows not what he fays ; and vain is it,
That we prefcnt us to him.
Edg. Very bootlefs.
3 of difference and decay,] Dtcaj, for misfortunes.
Enter
King LEAR. 14 j
Enter a Meffenger.
Meffl Edmund is dead, my lord.
Alb. That's but a trifle.
You lords and noble friends, know our intent ;
4 What Comfort to this great Decay may come,
Shall be apply'd. For us, we will refign,
During the life of this old Majefty,
To him our abfolute Power : to you, your Rights,
[To Edgar.
With boot, and fuch addition as your honours
Have more than merited. All friends mall tafte
The wages of their virtue, and all foes
The cup of their defervings : O fee, lee
Lear. And my poor fool is hang'd : no, no, no life.
Why mould a dog, a horfe, a rat have life,
And thou no breath at all ? thou'lt come no more,
Never, never, never, never, never
Pray you, undo this button. Thank you, Sir ;
Do you fee this ? look on her, look on her lips
Look there, look there [He dies.
Edg. He faints, my lord,
Kent. Break heart, I pr'ythee break !
Edg. Look up, my lord.
Kent. Vex not his ghoft : O, let him pafs ! He
hates him,
That would upon the rack of this rough world
Stretch him out longer.
Edg. He is gone, indeed.
Kent. The wonder is, he hath endur'd fo long :
He but ufurpt his life.
Alb. Bear them from hence, our prefent bufinefs
Is general woe : * friends of my foul, you twain
Rule in this Realm, and the gor'd State fuftain.
4 What Comfort to this great Decay may come,'] Decay, for De-
folation.
5 friends of my font,] A Sfani/k phrafe. Amiga de mi alma.
Kent.
44 Kg LEAR.
Kent. I have a journey, Sir, fliortly to go ;
My mafter calls me ; I muft not fay, no. [Dies.
Alb. The weight of this fad time we muft obey,
Speak what we feel, not what we ought to fay.
The oldeft hath borne moft ; we, that are young,
Shall never fee fo much, nor live fo long.
[Exeunt with a dead March.
T I M O N
T I M O N
OF
A r H E N S.
VOL. VI. I,
DRAMATIS PERSONJE.
T I M O N, A nolle Athenian.
LucullusJ
Apemantus, a churli/h Philofopher.
Sempronius, another flattering Lord.
Alcibiades, an Athenian General.
Flavius, Steward to Timon.
Flaminius, f
Lucilius, > Timon'sfervattts.
Servilius, 3
Caphis,
Varro,
Titus' V I* 1 Servant * to
Lucius,
Hortenfius,
Ventidius, one of Tlmon'sfalfe Friends.
Cupid and Maskers.
fbieves, Senators, Poet, Painter, Jeweller, Mercer and
Merchant -, with divers fervants and Attendants.
SCENE, Athens ; and the Woods not far
from it.
TIMON
TIMON of ATHENS.
ACT I. SCENE L
A Hall in Timon'^ Houfe.
Enter Poet, Painter, Jeweller, Merchant, and Mercer*
at federal doors.
POET.
JOOD day, Sir.
Pain. I am glad y" are well.
Poet. I have not feen you long j how
goes the world ?
Pain. It wears, Sir, as it goes.
Poet. Ay, that's well known.
1 But what particular rarity ? what fo ftrange,
l But what particular rarity? &C.] Our author, itisbbftr-
vable, has made his poet in this play a knave. But that it might
not refleft upon the profejfllon, he has made him only a pretender to
it, as appears from his having drawn him, all the way, with a fall*
tafte and judgment. One infallible mark of which, is a fondnels
for every thing iirange, furprizing and portentous ; and a difre-
gard for whatever is common, or in nature. Sbakefpear therefore
has with great delicacy of judgment put his poetafter upon thi
' Which
148 TIM o N of AT H E N s.
Which manifold Record not matches ? fee,
(Magick of Bounty !) all thefe Spirits thy power
Hath conjur'd to attend. I know the merchant.
Pain. 1 know them both ; th' other's a jeweller.
Mer. O 'tis a worthy lord !
Jew. Nay, that's mod fixt.
Mer. A mod incomparable man, breath'd as it
were
To an untirable and continuate goodnefs.
He pafles'
Jew. I have a jewel here.
Mer. O, pray, let's fee't :
For the lord fimon, Sir ?
Jew. If he will touch the eftimate : but for that-
Poet. * When we for recommence have prais'd the
vile,
It Jlaim the glory in that happy verfe
Which aptly fmgs the good.
Mer. 'Tis a good form. [Looking on the jewel.
Jew. And rich ; here is a water, look ye.
Pain. You're rapt, Sir, in fome work, fome de-
dication
To the great lord.
Poet. A thing flipt idly from me.
Our Poefie is as a Gum, which iflues
From whence 'tis nourifhed. The fire i* th' flint
Shews not, *till it be flruck : our gentle flame
Provokes itfelf, and like the current flies
3 Each Bound it chafes. What have you there ?
Pain. A picture, Sir: when comes your book
forth ?
Poet. Upon the heels of my preferment, Sir.
Let's fee your piece.
2 When iv f for recompence &c.] We muft here fuppofe the poet
bufy reading his own work ; and that thefe three lines are the in-
trodu&ion of the pcem addrcfTed to Ttmon, which he afterward*
gives the painter an account oF. * -
3 Each Bound it chafes.] Thus the folio reads, and rightly.
Pain.
T I M O N of A T H E N S.
Pain. Tis a good piece.
Poet. So 'tis,
4 This comes off well and excellent.
Pain. Indiff'rent.
Poet. Admirable ! s how this grace
Speaks his own ftanding ? what a mental power
This eye moots forth ? how big imagination
Moves in this lip ? to th* dumbnefs of the gefture
One might interpret.
Pain. It is a pretty mocking of the life :
Here is a touch is't good ?
Poet. I'll fay of it,
It tutors Nature ; 6 artificial ftrife
Lives in thofe touches, livelier than life.
Enter certain Senators.
Pain. How this lord is followed !
Poet. The Senators of Athens / happy (a) man !
Pain. Look more!
Poet. You fee this confluence, this great flood of
vifiters.
4 This comes off well and excellent."] By this we are to under-
hand what the painters call the goings of of a. picture, which re-
quires the nicelt execution.
ij how this grace
Speaks its onun ftanding ? ] This relates to the attitude of the
figure ; and means that it ftands judicioufly on its own centre. And
not only fo, but that it has a graceful ftanding likewife. Of
which the poet in Hamlet, fpeaking of another picture, fays,
A Station like the Herault, Mercury ,
Neiu-ligbted on a hta<v n-kijjing hill.
which lines Milton feems to have had in view, where he fays of
Raphael,
At once en th* eaftern Clifof Paradife
He lights, and to bis proper Jbape returns.
Like Maia's fon he flood.
6 " artificial Suite] Strife, for action or motion.
[(a) man. Mr. Theobald. Vulg. men ]
150 TIMON0/" ATHENS.
I have, in this rough Work, fhap'd out a Man,
Whom this beneath- world doth embrace and hug
With ampleft entertainment. My free drift
Halts not particular, but moves itfelf
7 In a wide fea of wax ; 8 no leven'd malice
Infers one Comma in the courfe I hold,
** But flies an eagle-flight, bold, and forth on,
** Leaving no tract behind."
Pain. How (hall I underftand you ?
Poet. I'll unbolt to you.
You fee, how all conditions, how all minds,
As well of glib and flipp'ry (a} natures, as
Of grave and auftere quality, tender down
Their Service to lord 1'imon : his large fortune,
Upon his good and gracious nature hanging,
Subdues and properties to his love and tendance
All forts of hearts; yea, from the glafs-fac'd flatterer
To /Ipemantits, that few things loves better
9 Than to abhor himfelf; ev'n he drops down
The knee before him, and returns in peace
Moft rich in Timon's nod.
Pain. I faw them fpeak together.
Pcet. I have upon a high and pleafant hill
Feign'd Fortune to be thron'd. The Bale o* th* mount
Is rank'd with all deferts, all kind of natures,
That labour on the bofom of this fphcre
7 /* a "jaid: fta if wax ;] Anciently they wrote upon waxen
tables with an iron iiile. Oxford Editor.
8 no LEVELL'D malice} Why this epithet to malice?
w! ich belongs to all actions whatfoever, which have their aim or
Jci/el. Skakejpear wrote,
: no LEVEN'D malice,
which is not only a proper epithet for the acidity of that paflpon,
but anfwers well to the next words infefis, and, leaving no trafl
behind, as any thing fermenting or corrofive docs.
9 Than to abbcr kimfelf;'} For, to quarrel with himfelf.
[(*) natures. Oxford Editor. Yulg. crtaturti."}
T I M O N of A T H E N S. 151
* To propagate their ftates ; amongft them all,
Whofeeyes are on this fov'reign lady fixt,
One do I peribnate of Timon's frame,
Whom Fortune with her iv'ry hand wafts to her,
Whofe prefent grace to prefent (laves and fervants
Tranflates his rivals.
Pain. 'Tis conceiv'd, to fcope,
This throne, this Fortune, and this Hill, methinks,
With one man becken'd from the reft below,
Bowing his head againft the fteepy mount
To climb his happinefs, would be well expreft
* In our condition.
Poet. Nay, but hear me on r
All thofe which were his fellows but of late,
Some better than his value, on the moment
Follow his ftrides ; his lobbies fill with tendance ;
3 Rain facrificial whifp'rings in his ear ;
Make facred even his ftirrop j and through him
Drink the free air.
Pain. Ay, marry, what of thefe ?
Poet. When Fortune in her mift and change of
mood
Spurns down her late belov'd, all his Dependants
(Which labour'd after to the mountain's top,
Even on their knees and hands,) let him flip down,
Not one accompanying his declining foot.
Pain. 'Tis common :
1 To propagate their Jiates ; ] To. propagate, for to make.
2 In our condition.~\ Condition, for art.
3 Rain facrificial <whiff>*t -ings in bis ear ; ]: The fenfe is obvious,
and means, in general, flattering him. The particular kind of flat-
tery may be collected from the circumitance of its being offered
up in 'wMfpen : Which Ihews it was the calumniating thofe whom
< Ti.mon hated or envied, or whofe vices were opposite to his own.
TThis offering up, to the pcrfon flattered, the murder'd reputation
of others, Shakefpear with the utmoft beauty of thought and ex-
preffion calls facrifidal whiff rings, alluding to the viclinu of-
isr'd up to Idols,
L . A
52 Tl M O N of AT H E N S,
A thoufand moral Paintings I can mew,
That lhall demonftrace thefe quick blows of fortune
More pregnantlv than words. Yet you do well
To Ihew ioru limon^ that mean eyes have fcen
The foot above the head.
SCENE II.
Trumpets found. Enter Timon, addreffmg Umfelf
courteoujly to every fuitor.
Tim. Imprifon'd is he, fay you? [To a Mejfcnger.
Mef. Ay, my good lord ; five talents is his debt,
His means moft ihort, his creditors mod ftraight :
Your honourable letter he defires
To thofe have fhut him up, which failing to him
Periods his comfort.
Tim. Noble Ventidius ! well
I am not of that feather to make off
My friend when he moft needs me. I do know
him
A gentleman that well deferves a help,
Which he fhall have, I'll pay the debt and free him.
Mef. Your lordfhip ever binds him.
Tim. Commend me to him, I will fend his ranfom 5
And, being enfranchiz'd, bid him come to me ;
Tis not enough to help the feeble up,
But to fupport him after. Fare you well.
Mef, All happinefs to your Honour ! [#//.
Enter an old Athenian.
Old Atb. Lord Timon, hear me fpeak,
Tim. Freely, good father.
Old Ath. Thou haft a fervant nam'd Lualius.
Tint. I have fo : what of him ?
Old Atb. Moft noble Ttmon, call the man before
thee.
Tim. Attends he here or no ? Luci/ius /
Enter
*Tl M O N of AT H E N S.
Enter Lucilius.
tut. Here, at your lordfhip's fervice.
Old Ath. This fellow here, lord Timon, this thy
creature
By night frequents my houfe. I am a man
That from my firft have been inclin'd to thrift,
And my eftate deferves an heir more rais'd,
Than one which holds a trencher.
Tim. Well : what further ?
Old Ath. One only daughter have I, no kin die,
On whom I may confer what I have got:
The maid is fair, o* th f youngeft for a bride,
And I have bred her at my dcareft cod,
In qualities of the bed. This man of thine
Attempts her love: I pray thee, noble lord,
Join with me to forbid him her refort ;
My felf have fpoke in vain.
Tim. The man is honeft.
Old Ath. 4 Therefore he will be, Timon.
His honefly rewards him in itfelf,
It muft not bear my daughter.
Tim. Does Ihe love him ?
Old Ath. She is young, and apt :
Our own precedent paffions do inftrufl us,
What levity*s in youth.
Tim. Love you the maid ?
Luc. Ay, my good lord, and fhe accepts of it.
Old Ath. If in her marriage my content be miffing,
I call the Gods to witnefs, I will chufe
Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world,
And difpoflefs her all.
4 Therefore he 'will be, Timon.] The thought is dofely ex-
prefs'd, and obfcure : but this feems the meaning. If the
man be hcnfft, my lord, for that reafon he will be fa in this ; and
not endeavour at thf Mfvflfft cf gaining my daughter without >y
'cnjent.
Tim,
T I M O N of A T H E N $.
Tim. How mall flic be endowed,
If fhe be mated with an equal husband ?
Old Aib. Three talents on the prefent, in future all.
Tim. This gentleman of mine hath ferv'd me long \
To build his fortune I will drain a little,
For 'tis a bond in men. Give him thy daughter:
What you beftow, in him I'll counterpoife,
And make him weigh with her.
OldAth. Mod noble lord,
Pawn me to this your honour, fhe is his.
Tim. My hand to thee, mine honour on my pro-
mife.
Luc. Humbly I thank your Lordfhip : J never may
That ftate, or fortune, fall into my keeping,
\Vhich is not own'd to you.
[Exeunt Lucilius and old Athenian.
Poet. Vouchfafe my labour, and long live your
lordfhip \
Tim. I thank you, you fhall hear from me anon :
Go not away. What have you there, my friend ?
Pain. A piece of Painting, which I do befeech
Your lord (hip to accept.
Tim. Painting is welcome.
The painting is almoft the natural man :
For fince difhonour trafficks with man's nature,
He is but outfide : pencil'd figures are
Ev'n fuch as they give out. 1 like your Work 5
And you (hall find, I like it : wait attendance
'Till you hear further from me.
Thatflaie, or fortune, fall into my keeping,
Which is not OW'D to you ! ] /'. e. may I never have any
acceflion of fortune which you are not the author of. Aa odd
ftrain of complaifance. We fhould read,
Wkich is not o WN'D to you.
i. t. which I wiJl not acknowledge you laid the foundation of HI
this generous aft.
Tl M O N of AT H E N S.
Pain. The Gods preferve ye!
Tim. Well fare you, gentleman ; give me your
hand,
We muft needs dine together: Sir, your jewel
Hath fuffer'd under praife.
Jew. What, my lord ? difpraife ?
*fim. A meer fatiety of commendations :
If I fhould pay you for't as 'tis extolPd,
It would unclew me quite.
Jew. My lord, 'tis rated
As thofe, which fell, would give : but you well
know,
Things of like value, differing in the owners,
Are by their matters priz'd ; Believ't, dear lord,
You mend the jewel by the wearing it.
fim. Well mock'd.
Mer. No, my gjpod lord, he fpeaks the common
tongue,
Which all men fpeak with him.
I'm. Look, who comes here s
SCENE III.
f Enter Apemantus.
Will you be chid?
Jew. We'll bear it with your lordfhip.
Mer. He'll fpare none.
Tim. 7 Good morrow to thee, gentle Apemantus /
Apem. 'Till I be gentle, flay for thy good morrow.
* * * *
Apcm.
6 Enter Apemantus.} See this chara&er of a Cynic finely drawn
by Lxfian, in h\s4uflion of the Philofofbers ; and how well Sbakt-
fpear has copied it.
7 Tim. Good morr.onu to thce, gentle Apemantus f
A pern. Till 1 be gentle, fay for thy good morroiv ;
When thou art '1 imon'j dog , and thtfe kra<ve.! honrftJ} The
firft line of Apemantuf* anfvver is to the purpofc ; the fecond ab-
TlMON of AT HENS.
Apem. When thou artTimon's dog> and thefe knaves
honeft.
'Tim. Why doft thou call them knaves, thou know'ft
them not ?
Apem. Are they not Athenians?
rim. Yes.
Apem. Then I repent not.
Jew. You know me, Apemantus.
Apem. Thou know'ft 1 do, I call'd thee by thy
name.
Tim. Thou art proud, Apemantus.
Apem. Of nothing fo much, as that I am not like
Timon.
I'm. Whither art going ?
Apem. To knock out an honeft Atbttnarh brains.
Tim. That's a deed thou'lt die for.
Apem. Right, if doing nothing be death by the law.
Tim. How lik'ft thou this Picture, Apemantus ?
Apem. The beft, for the innocence.
Tim. Wrought he not well, that painted it ?
Apem. He wrought better, that made the Painter :
and yet he's but a filthy piece of work,
Paint. Y'are a dog.
Apem. Thy mother's of my generation : what's fhe,
if I be a dog ?
Tim. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus ?
Apem. No, I eat not lords.
Tim. If thou fhould'ft, thou'dft anger ladies.
Apem. O, they eat lords ; fo they come by great
bellies.
Tim. That's a lafcivious apprehenfion.
furd and nonfenfical ; which proceeds from the lofs of a fpeech
dropt from between them, that mould be thus reitorcd,
Tim. Good morrow to tbee, gentle Apemantus .'
Apem. 'Tif// / be gentle, flay for tk% good morrow.
[Poet. When will that be ?]
Apera. When tbou art Timon'j dog, and thefe knavis koneft.
TIMON of ATHENS.
Apem. So thou apprehend'ft it. Take it for thy
labour.
Tim. How doft thou like this jewel, Apemantus?
Apem. Not fo well as Plain-dealing, which will
not cod a man a doit.
Tim. What doft thou think 'tis worth ?
Apem. Not worth my thinking How now, Poet?
Poet. How now, Philofopher ?
Apem. Thou Heft.
Poet. Art thou not one ?
Apem. Yes.
Poet. Then I lie not.
Apem. Art not a poet ?
Poet. Yes.
Apem. Then thou Heft : look in thy laft work,
where thou haft feign'd him a worthy fellow.
Poet. That's not feign'd, he is fo.
Apem. Yes, he is worthy o' thee, and to pay thee
for thy labour. He that loves to be flattered, is wor-
thy o' th' flatterer. Heav'ns, that I were a lord !
Tim. What would'ft do then, Apemantus ?
Apem. Ev'n as Apemantus does now, hate a lord
with my heart.
Tim. What, thyfelf ?
Apem. Ay.
Tim. Wherefore ?
Apem. ' That I had fo hungry a wit, to be a lord. i
Art thou not a Merchant ?
Mer. Ay, Apemantus.
Apem. Traffic confound thee, if the Gods will not!
Mer. If Traffick do it, the Gods do it.
8 That I had NO A N c RT ivit, to It a lord,'] This reading is ab-
furd, and unintelligible. But, as I have reilor'd the text, it is fa-
tirical enough of confcience, viz. I would hate myfelf, for having
no more wit than to covet fo infignificant a tide. In the fame fenfe
Shakefptar ufes lean-iuitttd in his Richard lid.
lunatick, lean-witted,/>Z
158 TIMON*?/" ATHENS.
Apem. Traffick's thy God, and thy God confound
thee!
Trumpets found. Enter a MeJJenger.
tfm. What trumpet's that ?
Mef. 'Tis AlcibiadeSy and fome twenty horfc
All of companionfhip.
Tim. Pray, entertain them, give them guide to us *
You muft needs dine with me : go not you hence,
'Till I have thankt you ; and when dinner's done,
Shew me this piece. I'm joyful of your fights.
Enter Alcibiades with the reft.
Moft welcome, Sir! [Bowing and embracing.
Apem. So, fo ! Aches contract, and ftarve, your
fupple joints ! that there fhould be fmall love amongft
thefe fweet knaves, and all this courtefie ! the drain of
man's bred out into baboon and monkey.
Ale. You have fav'd my longing, and I feed
Moft hungerly on your fight.
Tim. Right welcome, Sir.
Ere we do part, we'll fhare a bounteous time
In different pleafures. Pray you, let us in. [Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
Manet Apemantus. Enter Lucius and Lucullus*
Luc. What time a day is't, Apemantus?
Apem. Time to be honed.
Luc. That time ferves dill.
Apem. The mod accurfed thou, that dill omitt'ft
it.
Lucul. Thou art going to lord Timon's fead.
Apem. Ay, to fee meat fill knaves, and wine heat
Fools.
Lucul. Fare thee well, fare thee well.
Apem. Thou art a fool to bid me farewel twice.
LucuL
TIMON of ATHENS. 159
Lucul Why, dpemantm ?
dpem. Thou mould' ft have kept one to thyfelf, for
I mean to give thee none.
Luc. Hang thyfelf.
Apem. No, I will do nothing at thy bidding : make
thy requefts to thy friend.
Lucul. Away, unpeaceable dog, or I'll fpurn
thee hence.
Apem. I will fly, like a dog, the heels o' th' afs.
Luc. He's oppofite to humanity.
Come, fhall we in, and tafte lord limon's bounty ?
He, fure, outgoes the very heart of kindnefs.
Lucul. He pours it out. Plufus, the God of gold,
Is but his Steward : no meed but he repays
Seven-fold above itfclf ; no gift to him,
But breeds the giver a Return exceeding
All ufe of quittance.
Luc. The nobleft mind he carries,
That ever governed man.
Lucul. Long may he live in fortunes ! (hall we in ?
IMC. I'll keep you company. [Exeunt.
SCENE V.
'Another Apartment in Timon'j Houfe.
fJautloys playing, loud mufick. A great banquet fertfd
in; and then enter Timon, Lucius, Lucullus, Sem-
pronius, and other Athenian fenators, with Venti-
dius. Then comss > dropping after all, Apemantus
difcontentedly.
yen.\/fOST honour'd Timon, it hath pleas'd the
iVl Gods
To call my father's age unto long peace.
o Alluftofquittanct.] i.t. All thccuftomary returns made in
idifcharge of obligations.
He
160 T i M o N of ATHENS.'
He is gone happy, and has left me rich.
Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound
To your free heart, I do return thofe talents,
Doubled with thanks and fervice, from whofe help
I deriv'd liberty.
ftm. O, by no means,
Honeft Pentidius : you miftake my love ;
I gave it freely ever, and there's none
Can truly fay he gives, if he receives :
1 If our Betters play at that game, we muft not.
Apem. Dare to imitate them : Faults that are rich,
are fair.
Ven. A noble fpirit.
Tim. Nay, ceremony was but devis'd at firft,
To fet a glofs on faint deeds, hollow welcomes,
* Recanting goodnefs, forry ere 'tis mown :
But where there is true friendfhip, there needs none.-
Pray, fit j more welcome are ye to my fortunes,
Than they to me. [They fit down.
Lite. We always have confeft it.
Apem. Ho, ho, confeft it ? hang'd it, have you not ?
fim. O, Apemantus ! you are welcome.
Apem, No; you fhall not make me welcome. I
come to have thee thruft me out of doors.
1 If our Betters play at that game, ive muft not dart
To imitate them. Faults that are rich are fair.'] Thefc tWO
lines are abfurdly given to Timon. They fliould be read thus,
Tim. If our betters play at that game, we muft not.
Apem. Dare to imitate them : faulti that art rich are fair.
This is faid fatirically and in character. It was a fober reflexion
in Timoni who by our betters meanc the Gods, which require
to be repaid for benefits received ; but it would be impiety in men
to expert the fame obfervance for the trifling good they do.
jfpentaatttt, agreeably to his character, perverts this fentiment; as
if Timon had fpoke of earthly grandees and potentates, who expeft
largeft returns for their favours ; and therefore, ironically, replies
as above.
2 Recanting goodsefs, ferry ere 'tis fawn:"] Goodnefs, for be
neficencc.
TiMON0/ ATHENS. 161
Tim. Fie, th' arc a churle ; ye have got a humour
there
Does not become a man, 'tis much to blame :
They fay, my lords, that Ira, furor brevis eft,
But yonder man is ever angry.
Go, let him have a Table by himfelf :
For he does neither affect company,
Nor is he fit for't, indeed.
Apem. Let me ftay at thy peril, Timon\ I come to
obferve, I give thee warning on't.
Tim. I take no heed of thee ; th' art an Athenian^
therefore welcome -, I my felf would have no power
pr'ythee, let my meat make thee filent.
Apem. J I fcorn thy meat ; 'twould choak me, 'fore
I mould e'er flatter thee. O you gods ! what a num-
ber of men eat7an0#i and he fees 'em not? It grieves
me to fee
So many dip their meat in one man's blood,
And, all the madnefs is, 4 he cheers them up too.
I wonder, men dare truft themfelves with men !
Methinks, they mould invite them without knives :
Good for their meat, and fafer for their lives.
There's much example for't ; the fellow, that
Sits next him now, parts bread with him, and pledges
The breath of him in a divided draught,
Is th' readiefl man to kill him. 'Thas been prov'd.
Were I a Great man, I mould fear to drink,
Left they mould fpy my wind-pipe's dangerous notes:
Great men mould drink with hamefs on their throats.
3 1 fcorn t j jy meat, 'tiuould choak me : FOR 1 Jbould NE'ER
flatter tbee^\ A very pretty reafon why his meat would choak
him, Ifcaufe he fhould never flatter him. We fliould read and
point this nonfenfe thus,
I fcorn thy meat: ? would cboak me 'FORE
IJhould E'ER flatter thee.
i. t. before I mould ever flatter thee.
4 be cheers them up TOO.] I believe Sbaktfyear wrote upto't.
VOL. VI. M Tim.
1 62 TIMON of ATHENS.
Tim. My lord, in heart; and let the health go
round.
Lucul Let it flow this way, my good lord.
Apem. Flow this way! a brave fellow! he
keeps his tides well ; thofe healths will make thee and
thy ftate look ill, Timon. Here's that which is top
weak to be a (inner, honed water, which ne'er left
man i' th j mire :
This and my food are equal, there's no odds ;
Feafts are too proud to give thanks to the Gods,
Apemantus'j grace.
Immortal Gods, I crave no pelf ' 9
I pray for no man but myfelf\
Grant, I may never prove fo fond
To truft man on his oath, or bond-*
Or a harlot for her weeping ;
Or a dog, that feems ajleeping ;
Or a keeper with my freedom ;
Or my friends, if I Jhould need 'em.
Amen, Amen \ So fall to't :
Rich men fin, and I eat root.
Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus /
Tim. Captain, Alcibiades^ your heart's in the field
now.
Ale, My heart is ever at your fervice, my lord.
Tim. You had rather been at a breakfaft of enemies,
than a dinner of friends.
Ale. So they were bleeding new, my lord, there's
no meat like 'em. I could wilh my friend at fuch a
feaft.
Apem. Would all thefe flatterers were thine enemies
then ; that thou might'ft kill 'em, and bid me to 'em !
Luc. Might we but have the happinefs, my lord,
that you would once ufc our hearts, whereby we might
exprefs
TlMONtf/ATEHNS. 163
exprefs fome part of our zeals, we fhould think our-
felves for ever perfect.
Vim. Oh, no doubt, my good friends, but the Gods
themfelves have provided that I (hall have as much
help from you : 5 how had you been my friends elfe ?
why have you that charitable title .from thoufands,
did not you chiefly belong to my heart ? I have told
more of you to myfelf, than you can with modefty
fpeak in your own behalf. And thus far I confirm
you. Oh you Gods -, (think I,) what need we have
any friends, if we fhould never have need of 'em ?
they would moft refemble fweet Inflruments hung up
in cafes, that keep their founds to themfelves. Why,
I have often wifht myfelf poorer, that I might come
nearer to you : we are born to do benefits. And what
better or properer can we call our own, than the riches
of our friends? O, what a precious comfort 'tis to
have fo many, like brothers, commanding one ano-
ther's fortunes ! O joy, e'en (a) made a joy ere't can
be born j mine eyes cannot hold water, methinks : to
forget their faults, I drink to you.
Apem. (b) Thou weep'ft but to make them drink
thee, Timon.
Lucul. Joy had the like conception in our eyes,
And at that inftant like a babe fprung up.
5 b<nv bad you been my friends elfe? ivty have you that chari-
table title from tboufands,] The Oxford Editor alters charitable
title to character and title. He did not know that charitable
fignifies dear, endearing: nor confequently underftood what Mil-
ton meant by,
Relations dear, and all the Chanties
Of father, fan, and brother
Alms, in Englijh, are called Charities, and from thence we may
colled that our anceftors knew well in what the virtue of alms-
giving confifted ; not in the al y out the difpofoion.
[(a) made a joy. Oxford Editor - Vulg. m
[() Thou weep" ft but to make them drink thee. Oxford Editor
Vulg. Thou i>jeefft to make them drink ]
M 2 Apcm*
164- Tl M O N of AT H E N S.'
Apem. Ho, ho ! I laugh to think that babe abaflard,
3 Lord. I promife you, my lord, you mov'd me
much.
Apem. Much !
Sound Tucket.
Tim. What means that trump? how now?
Enter Servant.
Ser. Pleafe you, my lord, there are certain ladies
moft defirous of admittance.
Tim. Ladies ? what are their wills ?
Seru. There comes with them a fore-runner, my lord,
whch bears that office to fignifie their pleafures.
Tim. I pray, let them be admitted.
SCENE VI.
Enter Cupid with a Mafqiie cf Ladies y as A mazons.
Cup. Hail to thee, worthy ftmon, and to all
That of his bounties tafte ! the five beft Senfes
Acknowledge thee their patron ; and do come
Freely to gratulate thy plenteous bofom :
* Th* Ear, Tafte, Touch, Smell, pleas'd from thy Ta
ble rife,
T hefe only now come but to feaft thine eyes.
'
6 There ta/le, touch, all pleas'd from thy Table rife,
They only now ] Theyfo* i'enfes are talked of by CupiJ, bat
three of them only are made out ; and thofe in a very heavy unin-
ttlligible manner. It is plain therefore \ve fhould lead,
T H' EAR, tafle, touch, s M LL, pleas' J from thy Table rife,
THESE only no<w Sec.
;'. f. the five fenfes, Timon, acknowledge thee their patron ; four of
them, viz. the htaring, touch, tafle and Jmell, are all feafted at thy
board ; and thefe ladies come with me to entertain yourjigbt in a
Mafque. Maffingtr, in his Duke of Mi Maine, copied the paf-
TlM ON 0f ATHENS. I 65
7tm. They're welcome all ; let 'em have kind ad-
mittance.
Let mufick make their welcome.
Luc. You fee, my lord, how amply you're belov'd.
Apem. Hoyday ! what a fweep of vanity comes
this way!
7 They dance, they are mad women.
Like madnefs, is the glory of this life ;
****#
As this pomp mews to a little oyl and root.
We make ourfelves fools, to difport ourfelves ;
And fpend our flatteries, to drink thofe men,
* Upon whofe age we void it up again,
With poifonous fpight and envy
Who lives, that's not depraved or depraves?
fa ge from Shakefpear; and, apparently, before it was thus cor-
rupted j where, ipeaking of a banquet, he fay?,
All that may be had
To pleafe the eye, the ear, tafte, touch or fmell,
Are carefully provided. " '
7 They dance, they are mad 'women.
Like madnefs , is the glory of this life ;
As this pompjhenvs to a little oyl and root.] This is Apt-
mantus''s refle&ion on the Mask of Ladies: and, for its obfcurity,
would become any pagan philolopher. Tliefrft line is a compleat
fentence: the fecond is the beginning of a new reflection ; and the
third, the conclufion of it by a fimilitude. Hence it appears, that
fome lines are dropt out and loft from between the fecond and third
verfes. I conjecture the fenfe of the whole might be this, Theglary
of human lift is like the madnefs of this Mask ; it is a falfe aim at
-happinefs, which is to be obtained only by fobriety and tempe-
rance in a private and retired life. But fuperficial judges will al-
ways prefer pomp and glory ; becaufe in outward appearance
it has fo greatly the advantage : as great as this pompous fupper
appears to have above my oil and root. This, in my opinion,
was the fentiment that connected the fecond and third lines toge-
ther: which for the future mould be read with afterisks between
them.
8 Upon whofe age w* void it ] Age, for decay of fortune,
poverty.
M Who
66 TIMONO/*ATHENS.
Who dies that bears not one fpurn to their graves
Of their friends' gift ?
I fliould fear, thole, that dance before me now,
Would one day ftamp upon me : 'T has been done ;
Men ihut their doors againft the fetting fun.
^he Lords rife from table^ with much adoring ofTi-
mon; each fmglmg out an Amazon, and all
dance, men with women j a lofty Jlrain or two to
the hautboys, and ceafe.
Vim. You have done our pleafures much grace,
fair ladies,
Set a fair famion on our entertainment,
Which was not half fo beautiful and kind :
You've added worth unto't, and lively luftre,
And entertain'd me with mine own device.
J am to thank you for it.
Luc. My lord, you take us even at the beft.
Apem. Faith, for the worft is filthy, and would
not hold taking, I doubt me.
tfm. Ladies, there is an idle banquet attends you.
PJeafe you to difpofe yourfelves.
All La. Moft thankfully, my lord. [Exeunt.
I'im. FlaviuS'
Flav. My lord.
Tim. The little casket bring me hither.
Flav. Yes, my lord. More jewels yet ? there is no
crofllng him in's humour,
Elfe I fhould tell him well i'faith, I fhould,
When all's fpent, he'd be crofs'd then if he could :
Tis pity, Bounty has not eyes behind ;
That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind.
Lucul. Where be our men ?
Serv. Here, my lord, in readmefs.
Luc. Our Horfes.
Tim. O my good friends !
J have one word to fay to you 3 look, my lord,
TIMON of ATHENS.
I muft entreat you, honour me fo much '
As to advance this jewel, accept and wear it,
Kind my lord!
Luc. [ am fo far already in your gifts .
All. So are we all. [Exe. Lucius, Lucullus, &c.
SCENE VII.
Enter a Servant.
Serv. My lord, there are certain nobles of the Se-
nate newly alighted, and come to vifit you.
Tim. They are fairly welcome.
Re-enter Flavius.
Flav. I befeech your Honour, vouchfafe me a word ;
k does concern you near.
Tim. (a) Me near? Why then another time I'll
hear thee.
I pr'ythee, let's be provided to mew them entertain-
ment.
Flav. I fcarce know how.
Enter another Servant.
2 Serv. May it pleafe your Honour, lord Lucius^
out of his free love, hath prefented to you four milk-
white horfes trapt in filver.
Tim. I fliall accept them fairly : let the Prefcnts
Be worthily entertain'd.
Enter a third Servant.
How now ? what news ?
3 Serv. Pleafe you, my lord, that honourable gen-
tleman, Lord Lucullus , entreats your company to
morrow to hunt with him, and has fent your Honour
two brace of grey-hounds.
[(a) Me near? Oxford Editor Vulg. near.]
M 4 Tim*
68 TIMON of ATHENS.
Tun. I'll hunt with him ; and let them be received,
not without fair reward.
Flav. "What will this come to ? he commands us to
provide, and give great gifts, and all out of an empty
coffer : Nor will he know his purfe, or yield me this,
To (hew him what a beggar his heart is,
Being of no power to make his wifhes good ;
His promifes fly fo beyond his flate,
That what he fpeaks is all in debt ; he owes for ev'ry
word :
He is fo kind that he pays intereft for't :
His land's put to their books. Well, would I were
Gently put out of office, ere I were forc*d!
Happier is he that has no friend to feed,
Than fuch that do e'en enemies exceed.
I bleed inwardly for my lord. [Exit.
Tim. You do yourfelves much wrong, you bate
too much of your own merits. Here, my lord, a
trifle of our love.
1 Lord. With more than common thanks I will re-
ceive it.
3 Lord. He has the very foul of bounty.
Tim. And now I remember, my lord, you gave
good words the other day of a bay courfer I rode on.
,'Tis yours, becaufe you lik'd it.
2 Lord. Oh, I befeech you, pardon me, my lord,
in that.
Tim. You may take my word, my lord: I know
no man can juftly praife, but what he does affect. I
weigh my friend's affection with my own -, I tell you
true. I'll call on you.
All Lords. O, none fo welcome.
Tim. I take all, and your feveral vifitations
So kind to heart, 'tis not enough to give
(a) My thanks, I could deal Kingdoms to my friends,
[() My tkanks. Oxford Editor .Vulg. mt&ints. ]
And
TIMON of ATHENS. 169
And ne'er be weary. Alcibiades,
Thou art a foldier, therefore fddom rich,
It comes in charity to thee ; thy living
Is 'mongft the dead ; and all the lands thou haft
Lye in a pitcht field.
Ale. I defie land, my lord.
1 Lord. We are fo virtuoufly bound
Tim. And fo am I to you.
2 Lord. So infinitely endear'd
Tun. All to you. Lights! more lights, more lights.
3 Lord. The beft of happinefs, honour and fortunes,
Keep with you, lord Timon
Tim. Ready for his friends. [Exeunt Lords.
SCENE VIII.
Apem. What a coil's here,
6 Serring of becks and jutting out of bums !
I doubt, whether their legs be worth the fums
That are giv'n for 'em. Friendship's full of dregs ;
Methinks, falfe hearts fhould never have found legs.
Thus honeft fools lay out their wealth on court'fies.
Tim. Now Apemantus^ if thou wert not fullen,
I would be good to thee.
Apem. No, PJ1 nothing; for if I fhould be brib'd
too, there would be none left to rail upon thee, and
then thou wouldlt fin the fafter. Thou giv'ft fo long,
Timon, 7 1 fear me, thou wilt give away thyfelf in
proper
6 SERVING of leeks ] This nonfenfe fhould be read,
SERRING of becks.
from the French, ferrer, ' to join clofe together. A metaphor
taken from the billing of pigeons.
7 I fear me, thou <voiltgi<ve away thyfelf in paper Jbortly.~\ i. e. be
ruin'd by his fecurities entered into. But this fenfe is flat, and re-
lifhes very little of the fait in Apemantus* other reflections. We
ihould read,
give away thy ftlf in proper Jkortty.
* ',
TIMON of ATHENS.
proper Ihortly. What need thefe feafts, pomps, and
vain-glories ?
Tim. Nay, if you begin to rail on fociety once, I
am fworn not to give regard to you. Farewcl, and
come with better mufick.
Apem. So thou wilt not hear me now, thou
malt not then.
I'll lock thy heaven from thee :
Oh, that men's ears fhould be
To counfel deaf, but not to flattery ! \Exit.
ACT II. SCENE I.
A publick Place in the City.
Enter a Senator.
SE NATOR.
AND late, five thoufand : to Farroznd tQlfidore
He owes nine thoufand, befides my former Sum ;
Which makes it five and twenty. - Still in motion
Of raging wafte ? It cannot hold, it will not.
If I want gold, (leal but a Beggar's dog,
And give it Timon^ why, the dog coins gold.
If I would fell my horfe, and buy ten more
Better than he ; why, give my horfe to Timon.
Ask nothing, give it him, it foals me ftraight
(a) Ten able horfe. No porter at his gate,
But rather one that fmiles, and ftill invites
7. *. in perfon; thy proper felf. This latter is an expreflion of
our author's in
And eifn ivitb fucb like valour men bang and drown
Iheir proper felves.
[() Tea. Mr, TMfU. - Vulg. An.]
TiMoN0/ ATHENS. 171
All that pafs by it. It cannot hold ; no reafon
Can found his ilate in fafety. Capbis, hoa!
Cafbis, I fay.
Enter Caphis.
Cap. Here, Sir, what is your pleafure ?
Sen. Get on your cloak, and hafte you to lord
Importune him for monies, be not ceaft
With flight denial} nor then filenc'd with
tl Commend me to your mafler - and the cap
Plays in the right hand, thus : but tell him, firrah,
IVly ufes cry to me, I muft ferve my turn
Out of mine own ; his days and times are pad,
And my reliance on his fradled dates
Has fmit my credit. I love and honour him ;
But muft not break my back, to heal his finger.
Immediate are my needs, and my relief
Muft not be toft and turn'd to me in words,
But find Supply immediate. Get you gone.
Put on a moft importunate afpect,
A vifage of demand : for I do fear,
When every feather flicks in his own wing,
Lord Timon will be left a naked Gull,
1 Who flames now a Phoenix - Get you gone.
Cap. I go, Sir.
Sen. I go, Sir ? Take the bonds along with you,
And have the dates in (a) Compt.
Cap. I will, Sir.
Sen. Go. [Exeunt.
i Who flames nonv a Phesnix] Alluding not only to the beaukful
plumes of that imaginary bird, but to the ftory of its being born
in flames.
[(a) Compt. Mr. TbtolaU. - Vulg. /.]
SCENE
172 TIMON of ATHENS.
SCENE II.
Changes to Timon'* Hall.
Enter Flavius, with many Mis in his hand.
Flav. "V 7 O care, no flop ? fo fenfelefs of expence,
1.N That he will neither know how to main-
tain it,
Nor ceafe his flow of riot ? Takes no account
How things go from him, and refumes no care
Of what is to continue: * never Mind
Was, to be fo unwife, to be fo kind.
What fhall be done? he will not hear, 'till feel :
I muft be round with him, now he comes from hunting.
Fie, fie, fie, fie.
Enter Caphis, Ifidore, and Varro.
Cap. Good evening, Var,o\ what, you come for
money ?
Var. Is't not your bufmefs too ?
Cap. It is ; and your's too ? Ifidore ?
Ifid. Itisfo.
Cap. 'Would we were all difcharg'd!
Var. I fear it.
Cap. Here comes the lord.
Enter Timon, and his train.
Ti?n. So foon as dinner's done, we'll forth again.
My Alcibiades, Well, what's your Will?
[They prefent their. bills.
' 2 never Mind
Was, tole fo un'wife, fo be fo kind."] Nuthing can be worfe, or
more obfcurely expreffed: And all for the fake of a wretched
rhime. To make it fenfe and grammar, it ihould be fupplied thus,
1 never Mind
Was [made] to be fo unwife, [in order] to be fo kind,
i. e. Nature in order to make a profufe mind never before endowed
ny man with fo large a fliare of folly.
Cap.
T I M O N of A T H E N S. I 73
Cap. My lord, here is a note of certain dues.
Tim. Dues ? whence arc you ?
Cap. Of dtbens here, my lord.
Tim. Go to my Steward.
Cap. Pleafe it your lordmep, he hath put me off
To the fucccfiion of new days, this month :
My matter is awak'd by great occafion,
To call upon his own j and humbly prays you,
That with your other noble parts you'll fuit,
Jn giving him his Right.
Tim. Mine honeft friend,
I pr'ythee, but repair to me next morning.
Cap. Nay, good my lord
Tim. Contain thyfelf, good friend.
Var. One Farro's fervant, my good lord
Jfid. From Ifidore^ he prays your fpeedy payment
Cap. If you did know, my lord, my matter's wants
Var. 'Twas due on forfeiture, my lord, fix weeks,
and paft.
Jfid. Your Steward puts me off, my lord, and I
Am fent exprefsly to your lordlhip.
Tim. Give me breath:
I do befeech you, good my lords, keep on,
[Exeunt lords.
I'll wait upon you inftantly. Come hither :
Hows goes the world, that I am thus encountred
With clam'rous claims of debt, of broken bonds,
And the detention of long-fmce-due debts,
Againft my honour ?
Flat). Pleafe you, gentlemen,
The time is unagreeable to this bufinefs :
Your importunity ceafe, 'till after dinner;
That I may make his lordfhip underftand
Wherefore you are not paid.
Tim. Do fo, my friends ; fee them well entertain'd.
[Exit Timon.
Flat;. Pray, draw near. [Exit Flavius.
SCENE
174 T i M o N of ATHENS.
SCENE III.
Enter Apemantus, and Fool.
Cap. Stay, ftay, here comes the Fool with Ape-
mantus, let's have fome fport with s em.
Var. Hang him, he'll abufe us.
Jfid, A plague upon him, dog!
Var. How doft, fool ?
Apem. Doft dialogue with thy fhadow ?
Var. I fpeak not to thee.
Apem. No, 'tis to thyfelf. Come away.
Jfid. There's the fool hangs on your back already.
Apem. No, thou ftand'ft fingle.
Cap. Thou art not on him yet.
Where's the fool now ?
Apem. He laft ask'd the Queftion. Poor rogues'
and ufurers* men ! bawds between gold and want !
All. What are we, Apemantus ?
Apem. Afles.
All. Why?
Apem. That you ask me what you are, and do not
know yourfelves. Speak to 'em, fool.
Pool. How do you, Gentlemen ?
All. Gramercies, good Fool : how does your
miftrefs ?
Fool. She's e'en fetting on water to fcald fuch
chickens as you are. 3 'Would, we could fee you at
Corinth.
Apem. Good ! gramercy !
Enter
3 ''Would, tve could fee you at Corinth.] A cant name for a bawdy-
houfe, I fuppofe from the diftblutenefs of that ancient Greek city ;
Of which .Alexander ab Alexandra has thefe words, CORINTHI
fuper mi lie Proflituta? in Templo Veneris ajjtduts degere, & irflam-
nata libidine qu&Jiui meretricio operam dare, et *velut Sacrorutn
Minijlra De&famulari folebant. Milton, in his Apology for Smec-
tymnuut, fays, Qr fear cbing for me at the Bordellos, where it may
bt
TIMON 0f ATHENS;
Enter Page.
Fool. Look you, here comes my miftrefs's page.
Page. Wiiy how now, captain ? what do you in
this wife company? how doft thou, Apemantus?
Apem.' Would I had a rod in my mouth, that I might
anfwer thee profitably.
Page. Pr'ythee, Ape?nantus, read me the Super-
fcription of thefe letters ; I know not which is which.
Apem. Can* ft not read ?
Page. No.
Apem. There will little learning die then, that
day thou art hang'd. This is to lord Timon^ this to
Alcibiades. Go, thou waft born a baftard, and thou'lt
die a bawd.
Page. Thou waft whelpt a dog, and thou fhalt fa-
mifh, a dog's death. Anfwer not, 1 am gone. \Exit.
Apem. Ev'n fo thou out-run'ft grace.
Fool, I will go with you to lord fimon's.
Fool. Will you leave me there?
Apem. If Timon ftay at home
You three ferve three Ufurers ?
AIL I would they ferv'd us.
Apem. So would I as good a trick as ever hang-
man ferv'd thief.
Fool. Are you three ufurers* men?
All. Ay, fool.
Fool. I think, no ufurer but has a fool to his fervant.
My miftrefs is one, and I am her fool ; when men
come to borrow of your mafters, they approach fadly,
and go away merrily , but they enter my miftrefs's
houfe merrily, and go away fadly. The reafon of
this ?
Var. I could render one.
le be has lojl himfelf, and raps up, without pity, the fage and rheu-
malick old Prelatefs, -with all her yovng Corinthian Laity, to enquire
for fuch a one.
Apem.
76 TIMON <?/ ATHENS.
Apem. Do it then, that we may account thee a
whoremafter, and a knave ; which notwithftanding,
thou malt be no lefs efteem'd.
Var. What is a whoremafter, fool ?
Fool. A fool in good Cloaths, and fomething like
thee. 'Tis a fpirit ; fometimes it appears like a lord,
fometimes like a lawyer, fometimes like a philofo-
pher, with two ftones more than's artificial one. He is
very often like a knight ; and generally, in all fhapes
that man goes up and down in, from fourfcore to
thirteen, this Spirit walks in.
Par. Thou art not altogether a fool.
Fool. Nor thou altogether a wife man ; as much
foolery as I have, fo much wit thou lack'ft.
Apem. That anfwer might have become Apemantus.
Ml. Afidc, afide, here comes lord Timon.
Enter Timon and Flavius.
Apem. Come with me, fool, come.
Fool. I do not always follow lover, elder brother,
and woman ; fometime, the philofopher.
Flay. Pray you, walk near, I'll fpeak with you anon.
[Exeunt Creditors, Apemantus and Fool.
SCENE IV.
Tim. You make me marvel; wherefore, ere this
time,
Had you not fully laid my flate before me ?
That I might fo have rated my expence,
As I had leave of means.
Flaw. You would not hear me j
At many leifures I propos'd.
fim. Go to :
Perchance, fome fingle vantages you took,
When my indifpofition put you back :
And
TiMON0/ ATHENS. 177
And that unaptnefs made you minifter
Thus to excuie yourfelfi
Flaw. O my good lord!
At many times 1 brought in my accounts,
Laid them before you j you would throw them off,
And fay, you found them in mine honefty.
When, for fome trifling Prefent, you have bid me
Return fo much, I've (hook my head, and wept ;
Yea, 'gainft th* authority of manners, pray'd you
To hold your hand more clofe. I did endure
Not feldom, nor no flight, checks; when I have
Prompted you in the ebb of your eftate,
And your great flow of debts. My dear-lov'd Lord$
4 Though you hear now too late, yet now's a time - t
The greateft of your Having lacks a half
To pay your prefent debts,
fim. Let all my land be fold.
Flav. 'Tis all engag'd, fome forfeited and gone;
And what remains will hardly ftop the mouth
Of prefent dues ; the future comes apace :
What mail defend the interim, * and at length
Hold good our reck'ning ?
Tim. To Lacedamn did my land extend.
4 Though you hear o c w too late, yet now's a time ;] /'. e. Tho' it
be now too late to retrieve your former fortunes, yet it is not too
late to prevent, by the affiftance of your friends, your future mi-
feries. Had the Oxford Editor underitood the fenfe, he would not
have alter'd the text to,
Though you hear me now, yet tiovu's tot late a time.
5 ' and at length
How GOES our reck'ning?] This Steward talks very wildly.
The Lord indeed might have asked, what a Lord feldom knows,
How goes our reck'ning ?
But the Steward was too well fatisfied in that matter. I would
read therefore,
HOLD cooDcwr reckoning ?
The Oxford Editor would appropriate this emendation to himfelf,
by altering it to, make good.
VOL. VJ. N
178 TIMON of ATHENS.
Flav. 6 O my good lord, the world is but a word 5
Were it all yours, to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone!
tfm. You tell me true.
Flav. If you fufpect my husbandry, or falfhood,
Call me before th f exa6teft Auditors,
And fet me on the proof. So the Gods blefs me,
When all our Offices have been oppreft
With riotous feeders , when our vaults have wept
With drunken fpilth of wine ; when every room
Hath blaz'd with lights, and bray'd with minftrelfie j
I have retir'd me to ' a wafteful cock,
And fet mine eyes at flow.
JM. Pr'ythee, no more.
Flav. Heav'ns! have I faid, the bounty of this lord!
How many prodigal bits have (laves and peafants
This night englutted ! who now is not Timor? $1
What heart, head, fvvord, force, means, but is lord
Yimon's ?
Graet tfmon, noble, worthy, royal ftmon's ?
Ah! when the means are gone, that buy this praife,
The breath is gone whereof this praife is made :
Feaft-won, fad-loft: one cloud of winter Ihowres,
Thefe flies are coucht.
TirVw. Come, fermon me no further.
No villainous bounty yet hath pad my heart j
Unwifely, not ignobly, have I given.
Why doft thou weep ? 8 canft thou the confcience lack,
To think I (hall lack friends? fecure thy heart ;
6 O my good lord, the world it but a WORLD;] The Folio reads,
but a WORD;
And this is the right. The meaning is, as the world itfelf may be
comprifed in a word, you might give it away in a breath.
7 - a wafteful cock,~\ i.e. a cockloft, a garret. And
a luajleful c ock fignines a garret lying in waile, negleded, put to
no ufe. Oxford Editor.
8 canft tbou tbt confcience lack.] Confcience, for faith.
If
TIMON of ATHENS* 179
If I would broach the veffels of my love,
9 And try the arguments of hearts by borrowing,
Men and men's fortunes could I frankly uie,
As I can bid thee fpeak.
Flat). Afiurance blefs your thoughts!
Tim. And in fome fort thefe wants of mine arecrownM*
That I account them bleffings ; for by thefe
Shall I try friends. You fhail perceive how you
Miftake my fortunes: In my friends I'm wealthy.
Within there, Ho ! FUmimus^ Servilius !
SCENE V.
Enter Flaminius, Servilius, and otber fervants.
Serv. My lord, my lord.
I'm. I will difpatch you fev'rally.
You to lord Lucius to lord Lucullus you, I hunted
with his Honour to day you to Sempronius com-
mend me to their loves ; and I am proud, fay, that my
occafions have found time to ufe 'em toward a fupply
of mony -, let the requeft be fifty talents.
Flam. As you have faid, my lord.
Flav. Lord Lucius and Lucullus ? hum > -
Tim. Go, you, Sir, to the Senators-, [To Flavius.
Of whom, even to the State's beft health, I have
Deferv'd this hearing; bid 'em fend o'th' inftant
A thoufand talents to me.
Flav. I've been bold,
(For that ' I knew it the moft gen'ral way)
To them to ufe your fignet and your name j
But they do fhake their heads, and I am here
No richer in Return.
Tim. Is't true? can't be?
Flav. ' They anfwer in a joint and corporate voice,
That now they are at Fall, want Treafure, cannot
9 And try the arguments ] Arguments, for natures.
I - Ikneiu it the mojl gen'ral <iva>>] General, for fpeedy.
N 2 'Do
T I M O H of A T H E N S.
4 Do what they would i are forry You are honou-
rable
But yet they could have wifht they know not
Something hath Ixen amifs a noble nature
May catch a wrench would all were well- 'tis pity
And fo intending other ferious matters,
After diftafteful looks, a and thefe hard fractions,
With certain halt-caps, and cold- moving nods,
They froze me into filence.
2"//. You Gods re ward them!
I pr'ythee, man, look cheerly. " Thefe old fellows
" J Have their Ingratitude in them hereditary :
" Their blood is cak'd, 'tis cold, it feldom flows,
' 'Tis lack of kindly warmth, they are not kind ;
' And nature, as it grows again tow'rd earth,
" Is fafhion'd for the journey, dull and heavy.
Go to Ventidius pr'ythee, be not fad,
Thou'rt true, and juft ; ingenuoufly I fpeak,
No Blame belongs to thcc : Ventidius lately
Bury'd his father, by whole death he's ftepp'd
Into a great eftate ; when he was poor,
Imprifon'd, and in fcarcity of friends,
I clear'd him with five talents. Greet him from me-,
Bid him fuppofe, fome good neceflhy
Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd
With thole five talents. That had, give't thefe fellows
To whom 'tis inftant due. Ne'er fpeak, or think,
That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can fink.
Stew. 'Would, I could not: that thought is boun-
ty's foe ;
Being free itfelf, it thinks all others fo. [Exeunt t
2 and thefe hard fractions.] An equivocal allufion to
frafiions in decimal arithmetick. So Flavius had, like Littleivit
in Btrtttkmnv-Fair, a conceit left in his mifery.
3 Have their Ingratitude in them hereditary :] Hereditary, for
by natural constitution. But fome diftempers of natural conftitu-
lion being called hereditary, he calls their Ingratitude fo.
ACT
I
TIMON of ATHENS. 1 8
ACT III. SCENE I.
LucullusV Houfe in Athens.
Flaminius waiting^ Enter afsrvant to him,
S E RVA N T.
H AV E told my lord of you ; he is coming down
to you.
Flam. 1 thank you, Sir.
Enter Lucullus.
Ser. Here's my lord.
Lucul. One of lord Tirnon's men ; a gift, I warrant
Why, this hits right : I dreamt of a filver bafon and
ewre to night. Flamimus, honeft Flaminius^ you are
very refpeclively welcome, Sir ; fill me fome wine.
And how does that honourable, compleat, free-hearted
Gentleman of Atbens^ thy very bountiful good lord
and mafter?
Flam. His health is well, Sir.
Lucul. I am right glad that his health is well, Sir ;
and what had thou there under thy cloak, pretty Fla-
minius ?
Flam. Faith, nothing but an empty box, Sir, which,
in my lord's behalf, I come to entreat your Honour
to fupply i who, having great and inftant occafion to
ufe fifty talents, hath fent to your lordfhip to furnifh
him, nothing doubting your prefcnt affiftance therein.
Lucul. La, la, la, la, -Nothing doubting, fays
he? alas, good lord, a noble gentleman 'tis, if he
would not keep fo good a houfe. Many a time and
often 1 ha' din'd with him, and told him on'tj and
come again to fupper to him, on purpofe to have him
fpend kfs. And yet he would embrace no counfel,
N 3 take
1 82 Tl M O N of AT H E N S.
take no warning by my Coming ; every man hath his
fauir, and honelty is his. I ha' told him on't, but I
could never get him from't.
Enter a fervaxf, with wine.
Ser. Pleafe your lordlhip, here is the wine.
Lucul. Flamimus, I have noted thee always wife.
Here's to thee.
Flam. Your lord (hip fpeaks your pleafure.
Lucul. I have obierv'd thee always for a tovvardly
prompt fpirit, give thee thy due : and one that knows
what belongs to reafon , and canft ufe the time well,
if the time ufe thee well. Good parts in thee
Get you gone, firrah. [To the fervant, who gees out.~]
Draw nearer, honeft Plaminius ; thy lord's a bountiful
gentleman, but thou art wife, and thou knoweft well
enough (altho* thou corned to me) that this is no
time to lend money, efpecially upon bare friendfnip
without fecurity. Here's three Solidares for thee ;
good boy, wink at me, and fay, thou faw'fl me not.
Fare thee well.
Flam. Is't pofiible the world fhould fo much differ,
1 And we alive that liv'd ? fly, damned bafenefs,
To him that worfhips thee. [Thriving the money away.
Lucul. Ha! now I fee thou art a fool, and fit for
thy matter. [Exit Lucullus.
Flam, May thefe add to the number that may fcald
thee:
Let molten coin be thy damnation,
Thou difeafe of a friend, and not himfelf !
Has friendship fach a faint and milky heart,
It turns in Jefs than two nights? O you Gods!
1 feel my matter's paffion. This Have
Unto this hour has my lord's meat in him :
Why mould it thrive, and turn to nutriment,
I And we alive that Ifo'd?] i.e. And we who were alive then,
alive now. 4s much as to fay, in fo Jhcrt a time.
T I M O N of A T H E N S. 183
When he is turn'd to poifon ?
O! may difeafes only work upon't :
And when he's fick to death, let not that part
(a) Of nurture, my lord paid for, be of power
To expel ficknefs, but prolong his hour! [Exit.
SCENE II.
A publick Street.
Enter Lucius, with three grangers.
he * s m y ver y gd
friend, and an honourable gentleman.
1 S tran. We know him for no lefs, tho' we are but
flrangers to him. But I can tell you one thing, my
lord, and which I hear from common rumours, now
lord Timon's happy hours are done and paft, and his
eftate mrinks from him.
Luc. Fye, no, do not believe it : he cannot want for
money.
2 Stran. But believe you this, my lord, that not
long ago one of his men was with the lord Lucullus,
to borrow fifty talents, nay, urg'd extremely for'r,
and fhewed what necefllty belong*d to't, and yet was
deny'd.
Luc. How?
2 Stran. I tell you, deny'd, my lord.
IMC. What a ftrange cafe was that ? now, before
the Gods, I am afham'd on't. Deny'd that honour-
able man ? there was very little honour fhew'd in that.
For my own part, I muft needs confefs, 1 have receiv-
ed fomc fmall kindnefles from him, as mony, plate,
jewels, and fuch like trifles, nothing comparing to
[ (a ) Of nurture. Oxford Editor. Vulg. Ofnatur(.~\
N 4 his j
184 T I M O N of A T H E N S.
his -, * yet had he miflook'd him, and fent him to me,
I mould ne'er have deny'd his occafion Ib many
talents.
Enter Scrvilius.
Ser. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord, I have
fweat to fee his Honour. My honour'd lord
[To Lucius,
Luc. Servilius! you are kindly met, Sir. Fare thee
well, commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord,
my very exquifite friend.
Ser. May it pleafe your Honour, my lord hath
fent
Luc. Ha ! What hath he fent ? I am fo much en-
dear'd to that lord ; he's ever fending : how (hall I
thank him, think'fl thou ? and what has he fent
now ?
Ser. H*as only fent his prefent occafion now, my
lord; requefting your lordmip to fupply his inftant
ufe, with fifty talents.
Luc. I know, his lordfhip is but merry with me ;
He cannot want (a) fifty times five hundred ta-
lents.
Ser. But in the mean time he wants lefs, my Lord.
3 If his occafion were not virtuous,
I Ihould not urge it 4 half fo faithfully.
2 yet bad be MISTOOK him, and fent him to me,] We Ihould
read,
M is LOOKED him,
i. e. overlooked, neglefted to fer.d to him.
3 If bis oecafon were not virtuous,] Virtuous, for flrong, force-
able, preffing.
4 ha lf 'f faithfully.] Faithfully, for fervently. Therefore,
without more ado, the Oxford Editor alters the text to fervently .
But he might have feen, that Sbakefpear ufed faithfully for fer-
vemly, as in the former part of the iencence he had ufed virtuous
for forceable.
[ ( a ) ffiy times five bunded, Oxford Editor. Vulg. fifty
Jive b*ndred.\
TiMON0/ ATHENS. 185
Luc. Doft thou fpeak ferioufly, Servilius ?
Sfr. Upon my foul, 'tis true, Sir.
Luc. What a wicked bead was I, to disfurnifh my
felf againft fuch a good time, when I might ha* fliewn
my felf honourable ? how unluckily it hap'ned, that I
mould purchafe the day before for a little part, and
undo a great deal of honour ? Servilius, now before
the gods, I am not able to do (the more bead, I
fay) 1 was fending to ufe lord Timon myfeif, thefe
gentlemen can witncfs ; but I would not, for the
wealth of Athens^ I had don't now. Commend me
bountifully to his good lordfhip, and, I hope, his Ho-
nour will conceive the faireft of me, becaufe I have
no power to be kind. And tell him this from me, I
count it one of my greateft afflictions, that I cannot
pleafure fuch an honourable gentleman. Good Ser-
vilius, will you befriend me fo far, as to ufe my own
words to him ?
Ser. Yes, Sir, I mall. [Exit Servilius.
Luc. I'll look ye out a good turn, Servilius
True, as you faid, Timon is Ihrunk, indeed ;
And he, that's once deny'd, will hardly fpeed. [Exit.
1 Stran. Do you obferve this, Hoftilius ?
2 Stran. Ay, too well.
i Stran. Why, this is the world's foul ;
Of the fame piece * is every flatterer's fpirit :
Who can call him his friend,
That dips in the fame dim? for, in my knowing,
Timon has been to this lord as a father,
And kept his credit with his bounteous purfe :
Supported his eftate -, nay, ffmon's mony
Has paid his men their wages. He ne'er drinks,
But Timon's filver treads upon his lip j
" And yet, oh, fee the monftroufnefs of man,
" When he looks out in an ungrateful mape!
5 is (vervfltitterer's fpcrt.] Read /firit,
He
1 86 TIMON of ATHENS.
He does deny him ( 6 in refpect of his)
What charitable men afford to beggars.
3 Stran. Religion groans at it.
i Stran. For mine own part,
I never tafted Timon in my life ;
Nor any of his bounties came o'er me,
To mark me for his friend. Yet, T proteft,
For his right noble mind, illuftrious virtue,
And honourable carriage,
Had his neceffity made ufe of me,
I would have put my wealth into donation,
And the beft half Ihould (a) have attorn'd to him,
So much I love his heart ; but, I perceive.
Men muft learn now with pity to difpence,
For policy fits above confcien.ee. [Exeunt.
SCENE III.
Enter a third Servant with Sempronius.
Sem. Muft he needs trouble me in't ? 'bove all
others ?
He might have tried lord Lucius, or Lucullus^
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
Whom he redeem'd from prifon : All thefe three
Owe their eftates unto him.
Ser. Oh, my lord,
They've all been touch'd, and all are found bafe metal j
For they have all deny'd him.
Sem. How ? deny'd him ?
Ventidius and Lucullus both deny'd him ?
And does he fend to me ? three ! hum-
It mews but little love or judgment in him.
6 (in refpeft ofhis)~\ i. e. confidering 7i'/o's claim for
what he asks.
[ ( a ) faw attorn d to bim. Oxford Editor - Vu)g. have
returned la bim.~\
Muft
TIMON of ATHENS. 187
Muft I be his laft refuge? his friends, like phyficians,
Thriv'd, give him over ? muft I take the cure
On me ? h'as much difgrac'd me in't ; Pm angry.
He might have known my Place > I fee no fenfe for't.
But his occafions might have wooed me firft :
For, in my confcience, I was the firft man
That e'er received gift from him.
And does he think fo backwardly of me,
That I'll requite it laft? no:
So it may prove an argument of laughter
To th* reft, and 'mongft lords I be thought a fool ;
I'd rather than the worth of thrice the fum,
H'ad fent to me firft, but for my mind's fake :
I'd fuch a courage to have done him good.
But now return,
And with their faint Reply this Anfvver join ;
Who bates mine honour, fhall not know my coin . [Exk*
Ser. Excellent! your lordmip's a goodly villain.
The devil knew not what he did, when he made
man politick; he crofs'd himfelf by't ; and I cannot
think, but in the end the villanies of man 7 will fee
him clear. How fairly this lord ftrives to appear
foul ? 8 takes virtuous copies to be wicked : like thofe
that under hot, ardent, zeal would fet whole Realms
on fire. Of fuch a nature is his politick love.
7 will fet him char] Sef him clear does not mean acquit him
before heaven ; for then the Devil muft be fuppofed to kvsia
what he did : But it fignifies puzzle him, outdo him at his own
weapons.
B takes virtuous copies to bt nvicked : like thofe, &c.] This is a
reflection on the Puritans of that time. Thefe people were then fet
upon a project of new-modelling the ecclefiaftical and civil go-
vernment according to fcripture rules and examples. Which
makes him fay, that under zeal for the word of God, they would
Jet nvbole realms on fire. So Sempronius pretended to that warm
affection and generous jealoufy of friendfhip, that is affronted, if
any other be apr;i:ed to before it. At bell the fimilitude is an
one : but it fitted the audience, tho' not the Speaker.
This
1 88 TIMONO/ ATHENS.
This was my lord's beft hope; now all are fled,
Save the Gods only. Now his friends are dead ;
Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards
Many a bounteous year, muft be employ'd
Now to guard fure their matter.
And this is all a liberal courfe allows -,
Who cannot keep his wealth, muft keep his houfe.
[Exit.
SCENE IV.
Changes to Timon'i Hall.
Enter Varro, Titus, Hortenfius, Lucius, and other
fervants of Timon'j creditors, who wait for bis com-
ing out.
Far. \17ELL met, good morrow, fit us and
W Hortenfius.
Tit. The like to you, kind Varro.
Hor. Lucius^ why do we meet together ?
Luc. I think, one bufmefs does command us all.
For mine is mony.
fit. So is theirs, and ours.
Enter Philo.
Luc. And Sir Pbilo's too.
Phi. Good day, at once.
Lue. Welcome, good brother. What d'you think
the hour?
Phi. Labouring for nine.
Luc . So much ?
Phi. Is not my lord feen yet ?
Luc. Not yet.
Phi. I wonder : he was wont to mine at feven.
Luc. Ay, but the days are waxed fhorter with him :
You muft confider that a Prodigal's courfe
Is like the fun's, but not like his recoverable, I fear :
*Tis
TIMON 0/ ATHENS. 189
'Tis deepeft winter in lord Timon's purfc ;
That is, one may reach deep enough, and yet
Find little.
Phi. I am of your fear for that.
Tit. PJ1 (hew you how t' obferve a ftrange event:
Your lord fends now for money.
Hor. True, he does.
Tit. And he wears jewels now ofTimon's gift,
For which I wait for mony.
Hor. Againft my heart.
Luc . How ftrange it Ihows,
Timon in this mould pay more than he owes !
And e'en as if your lord mould wear rich jewels,
And fend for mony for 'em.
Hor. I'm weary of this charge, the Gods can wit-
nefs :
I know, my lord hath fpent of Timor?* wealth ',
Ingratitude now makes it worfe than ftealth.
Par. Yes, mine's three thoufand crowns : what's
yours ?
Luc. Five thoufand.
Var. Tis too much deep; and, it mould feem by
th' fum,
9 Your matter's confidence was above mine ;
Elfe, furely, his had equall'd.
Enter Flaminius.
Tit. One of lord Timor? s men.
Luc. Flaminius! Sir, a word : pray, is my lord
Ready to come forth ?
Flam. No, indeed, he is nor.
Tit. We attend hislordfhip ; pray, fignifie fo much.
Flam. I need not tell him that, he knows you arc
too diligent.
9 Tour mafttr'f confidence ] Play on the word confidtHct. '
Enter
\ 90 T I M O N of A T H E N S.
Enter Flavius in a cloak muffled.
Luc. Ha ! is not that his Steward muffled fo ?
He goes away in a cloud : call him, call him.
Tit. Do you hear, Sir*
Far. By your leave, Sir.
Flav. What do you ask of me, my friend ?
fH/. We wait for certain mony here, Sir.
Flav. If mony were as certain as your waiting,
'Twere fure enough.
Why then preferr'd you not your fums and bills,
When your falfe mafters eat of my lord's meat ?
Then they would fmile and fawn upon his debts,
And take down th' intereft in their glutt'nous maws 5
You do your felves but wrong to ftir me up,
Let me pafs quietly :
Believe't, my lord and I have made an end 5
I have no more to reckon, he to fpend.
Luc. Ay, but this anfwer will not ferve.
Flav. If 'twill not ferve, 'tis not fo bafe as you ;
For you ferve knaves. [Exit.
Far. How! what does his cafhier'd worfhip mutter?
lit. No matter, what he's poor, and that's re-
venge enough. Who can fpeak broader than he that
has no houfe to put his head in ? Such may rail againft
great Buildings.
Enter Servilius.
Tit. Oh, here's Servilius , now we mall have fomc
anfwer.
Ser. If I might befeech you, gentlemen, to repair
fome other hour, I mould derive much from it. For
take it of my foul,
My lord leans wondroufly to difcontent :
His comfortable temper has forfook him,
He is much out of health, and keeps his chamber.
Luc. Many do keep their chambers, are not fick :
And
Tl MONO/ AT HENS.
And if he be fo far beyond his health,
Methinks, he fhould the fooner pay his debts,
And make a clear way to the Gods.
Ser. Good Gods!
Tit. We cannot take this for an anfwer.
Flam, [within] Servitius, help my lord ! my lord.
SCENE V.
Enter Timon in a rage.
Tim. What, are my doors oppos'd againft my
paffage ?
Have I been ever free, and muft my houfe
Be my retentive enemy, my goal ?
The place, which I have feafted, does it now,
Like all mankind, (hew me an iron-heart ?
Luc. Put in now, Titus.
Tit. My lord, here's my bill.
Luc. Here's mine.
Var. And mine, my lord.
Cap. And ours, my lord.
Phi. And our bills.
Tim. Knock me down with 'em cleave me to
the girdle.
Luc. Alas! my lord.
Tim. Cut out my heart in fums.
fit. Mine, fifty talents.
Tim. Tell out my blood.
Luc. Five thoufand crowns, my lord.
Tim. Five thoufand drops pay that.
What yours and yours?
Var. My lord
Cap. My lord
Tim. Here tear me, cake me, and the Gods fall on
you. {Exit.
Hor.
92 Ti M o N of AT H E N s."
Hor. Faith, I perceive, our Matters may throw
their caps at their mony , thefe debts may be well
calPd defperate ones, for a mad man owes 'em.
[Exeunt.
Re-enter Timon and Flavius.
Tim. They have e'en put my breath from me, the
flaves. Creditors! devils.
Flav. My dear lord,
Tim. What if it fliould be fo?.
Flav. My dear lord,
Tim. I'll have it fo My fteward !
Flav. Here, my lord.
Tim. So fitly ! -Go, bid all my friends again,
Lucius, Liicullus^ and Sempronius. AIL-
I'll once more feaft the rafcals.
Flav. O my lord !
You only fpeak from your diffracted foul 3
There's not fo much left as to furnifh out
A moderate table.
Tim. Be it not thy care :
Go, and invite them all, let in the tide
Of knaves once more : my Cook and I'll provide.
[Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
Changes to the Senate-Houfe.
Senators and Alcibiades.
I Sen. \ J[ Y lord, you have my voice to't, the fault's
IVJL bloody ;
'Tis necefifary he mould die:
Nothing emboldens fin fo much as mercy.
2 Sen. Mod truej the law fhall bruife 'cm.
Ale. Health, Honour, and Compafiicn to the fenate !
I Sen. Now, Captain.
4l(. I am an humble fuitor to your Virtues :
For
TiMON0/ ATHENS. 193
For Pity is the virtue of the law,
And none but Tyrants ufe it cruelly.
it pleafes time and fortune to lie heavy
Upon a friend of mine, who in hot blood
Hath ftept into the law, which is paft depth
To thofe that without heed do plunge into't.
He is a man, l fetting his fault afide,
Of virtuous honour, which buys out his fault j
Nor did he foil the fact with cowardife,
But with a noble fury, and fair fpirit,
Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,
He did oppofe his foe :
And with fuch fober * and unnoted paffion
9 He did behave his anger ere 'twas fpent,
As if he had but prov*d an argument.
i Sen. You undergo too ftri6t a Paradox,
Striving to make an ugly Deed look fair:
Your words have took fuch pains, as if they JabourM
To bring Man- {laughter into form, " fet quarrelling
" Upon the head of valour ; which, indeed,
<c Is valour mis-begot, and came into the world
" When fects and factions were but newly born.
He's truly valiant that can wifely fuffer
The worft that man can breathe, 4 and make his
wrongs
1 fetting ft is fauit afidt,] We mull read*
T H is fault.
2 and unnoted pajfion] Unnoted, for common* bounded.
3 He did behave hit anger ] Behave, for curb, manage. But
the Oxford Editor equips the old Poet with a more modiih phrafe,
He did behave ins anger
A paltry dipt jargon of modern fops, for behave himfelf.
-and make his wrongs
His o u T s i D E s ; 'wear THEM like hit raiment, carehjly ;] It
ihould be read and pointed thus,
i and make his <u>rongs
His outfide 'wear ; hang like his rayment t carlejly,
VOL. VI, O His
TIM ON of ATHENS.
His out-fide wear 5 hang like his rayment, cariefly:
And ne'er prefer his Injuries to his heart,
To bring it into danger.
If wrongs bi. evils, and inforce us kill,
What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill ?
Me. My lord,
1 Sen. You cannot make grofs fins look clear ;
It is not valour to revenge, but bear.
Ale. My lords then, under favour, pardon me,
If I fpeak like a Captain.
Why do fond men expofe themfelves to battle,
And not endure all threatnings, fleep upon't,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats,
Without repugnancy ? but if there be
Such valour in the bearing, what make we
Abroad ? why then, fure, women are more valiant,
That (lay at home, if bearing carry it ,
The afs, more than the lion ; and the fellow,
Loaden with irons, wifer than the judge ;
If wifdom be in fufPring. Oh, my lords,
As you are great, be pitifully good :
Who cannot condemn Rafhnefs in cold blood ?
To kill, I grant, is s fin's extreameft guft,
But, in defence,- 6 by mercy, 'tis made juft.
To be in anger is impiety :
But who is man, that is not angry ?
Weigh but the crime with this.
2 Sen. You breathe in vain.
Ale. In vain ? his Service done
At Ltcedamon, and Byzantium*
Were a fufficient briber for his life.
1 Sen. What's that?
Ale. I fay, my lords, h'as done fair fervice,
5 Jin's extremefl gu/i,'] Gujl, for aggravation.
6 by mercy, 'm moft juftj] By mercy is meant equity. But
we MUST read,
^ ' '/f'j MADE jttjl.
And
T i M o N of A r H E N s. 195
And (lain in battle many of your enemies ;
How full of valour did he bear himfelf
In the laft conflict, and made plenteous wounds ?
2 Sen. He has made too much plenty with *em,
7 He's a fwoln rioter ; he has a fin
That often drowns him, and takes valour prifoner.
Were there no foes, That were enough alone
To overcome him. In that beaftly fury
He has been known to commit outrages,
f And cherifh factions. 'Tis inferr'd to us,
His days are foul, and his Drink dangerous.
i Sen. He dies.
Ale. Hard fate ! he might have died in war.
My lords, if not for any parts in him,
(Though his right arm might purchafe his own time.
And be in debt to none ; ) yet more to move you,
Take my Deferts to his, and join 'em both.
And for I know, your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories,
My Honours to you, on his good returns.
If by this crime he owes the law his life,
Why, let the war receiv*t in valiant gore ;
For Jaw is drift, and war is nothing more.
1 Sen. We are for law, he dies, urge it no more,
On height of our difpleafure : friend, or brother
He forfeits his own blood, that fpills another.
Ale. Muft it be fo ? it mull not be :
My lords, I do befeech you, know me.
2 Sen. How ?
Ale. Call me to your remembrances.
7 He's a SWORN rioter ; be bas a Jin
That often drowns hitn, and takes vatcurfrifsntr.] What is a
fivern rioter ? We fhould read,
He's a SWOLN rioter.
that is, given to all exceffss, as he fays of another in another
place, fo furfeit- fvjoln or fwell'd.
8 And cbtrijo faftions,] Faflions, for tumulti,
O 2 3 Sen.
196 T i M o N / ATHENS.
3 Sen. What!
Ale. I cannot think, but your age hath forgot me -,
It could not fife be, 9 1 fhould prove fo bafe,
To fue, and be deny'd iuch common grace.
My wounds ake at you.
i Sen. Do you dare our anger?
'Tis in few words, but fpacious in effect *,
We banifh thee for ever.
Ale. Banifh me !
Banifh your Dotage, banifh Ufury,
That make the Senate ugly.
i Sen. If, after two day's mine, Athens contains thee,
Attend our weightier judgment.
1 And, (now to fwell your fpirit,)
He mail be executed prefently. [Exeunt.
Ale. Gods keep you old enough, that you may live
Only in bone, that none may look on you !
I'm worfe than mad : I have kept back their foes,
While they have told their mony, and let out
Their coin upon large intereft; I myfelf,
Rich only in large hurts. All thofe, for this?
Is this the balfam that the ufuring fenate
Pours into Captains' wounds? ha! Banifliment?
It comes not ill : I hate not to be banifht,
It is a caufe worthy my fpleen and fury,
That I may ftrike at Athens. I'll cheer up
My difcontented troops, a and lay for hearts.
Tis
9 / Jhtnld prove fo la/e,'] Bafe, for difhonour'd.
i And, (not to Jewell OUR jpirit,}'] What this nonfenfe was in-
tended to mean I don't know ,- buc 'tis plan Sbakffpear wrote,
And NOW to faill YOUR Jpirit t
i. t. to provoke you ftill more.
and lay for hearts.
''Tis honour <u::tb mo ft LANDS to be at cddi ] But furely, even
in a foldier's fenfe of honour, there is vtry little in being at odds
with all about him : which (hews rather a quarrelfome difpofition
than a valiant one. Befides, this was not Alnlnadtt cafe. He was
only
T i M o N 0/ ATHENS, 197
'Tis honour with mod hands to be at odds ;
Soldiers as little mould brook wrongs, as Gods. [Exif.
SCENE VII.
Changes to T i M o N 'i HOUSE.
Enter divers Senators at feveral doors.
I Sen.^T^ H E good time of the day to you, Sir.
JL 2 Sen. I alfo wifh it to you: I think,
this honourable lord did but try us this other day.
1 Sen. Upon that were my thoughts tiring, when
we encountred. I hope, it is not to low with him,
as he made it feem in the tryal of his feveral friends.
2 Sen. It fliould not be, by the perfwafion of his
new feafting.
1 Sen. I mould think fo: he hath fent me an earneft
inviting, which many my near occafions did urge me
to put off: but he hath conjur*d me beyond them,
and I muft needs appear.
2 Sen. In like manner was I in debt to my impor-
tunate bulinels ; but he would not hear my excufe. I
am forry, when he fent to borrow of me, that my
provifion was out.
i Sen. I am fick of that grief too, as I underftand
how all things go.
only fallen out with the Athenians. A phrafe in. the foregoing line
will direft us to the right reading. I will lay, fays he, for hearts ;
which is a metaphor taken from card-play, and Ugnifies to game
deep and boldly. It is plain then the figure was continued in the
following line, which mould be read thus,
'Tis honour <witb mojl HANDS to be at odds'*
t. e. to fight upon odds, or at difadvantage ; as he muft doagainft
the united ftrengrh of Athens : And this, by foldiers, is accounted
honourable. Sbakefpear ufes the fame metaphor, on the fame oc-
cafion, in Coriolanus.
He lurch'd all faordt*
O3 I $*
j g 8 TlMONtff ATHENS.
i Sen. Ev'ry man here's fo. What would he have
borrow'd of you ?
j Sen. A thoufand pieces.
z Sen. A thoufand pieces !
i Sen. What of you?
3 Sen. He fent to me, Sir here he comes.
Enter Timon and attendants
Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen both and
how fare you ?
1 Sen. Ever at the beft, hearing well of your
lord/hip.
2 Sen. The fwallow follows not fummer more
willingly, than we your lordmip.
'Tim. Nor more willingly leaves winter : fuch fum-
mer birds are men Gentlemen, our dinner will
not recompenfe this long ftay : fcaft your ears with.
the mufick a while ; if they will fare fo hurmly as on
the trumpet's found: we ihall to't prefently.
1 Sen. I hope, it remains not unkindly with your
lordfliip, that I return'd you an empty meffcnger.
Tim. O Sir, let it not trouble you.
2 Sen. My noble lord.
'Tim. Ah, my good friend, what cheer?
[flbe banquet brought in.
2 Sen. Moft honourable lord, I'm e'en fick of fhame,
that when your lordfhip t'other day fent to me, I was
fo unfortunate a beggar.
Tim. Think not on'c, Sir.
2 Sen. If you had fent but two hours before
Tim. Let it not cumber your better remembrance.
Come, bring in all together.
2 Sen. All cover'd dim.es !
i Sen. Royal cheer, I warrant you.
3 Sen. Doubt not that, if mony and the feafon can
yield it.
i Sen. How do you? what's the news?
3 Sen.
TIMON<?/ATEHNS. 199
3 Sen. Alcilnades is banifh'd : hear you of it ?
Both. Aldbiades banifh'd !
3 Sen. *Tis fo, be fure of it.
1 Sen. How ? how ?
2 Sen. I pray you, upon what ?
'Jim. My worthy friends, will you draw near?
3 Sen. 1*11 tell ye more anon. Here's a noble feaft
toward.
2 Sen. This is the old man dill.
3 Si. Will't hold ? will't hold ?
2 $>#. It does, but time will, and fo -
3 Sen. I do conceive.
Tini. Each man to his (tool, with thai fpur as he
would to the lip of his Miftrefs : your diet fhall be in
all places alike. Make not a city-feaft of it, to let
the meat cool ere we can agree upon the firft place.
Sit, fit.
The Gods require our thanks.
Tou great Benefactors, fprinkle our fociety with thank-
fulnefs. For your own gifts make yourfelves prais'd; lut
referee ftill to give^ left your Deities be defpifed. Lend
to each man enough, that one need not lend to another.
For were your Godheads to borrow of men, men would
forfake the Goth. Make the meat beloved, more than the
man that gives it. Let no affembly of twenty be without
a fcore of villains. If there fit twelve women at the
table, let a dozen of them be as they are ' 'The reft of
your foes, OGods, the fenators of Athens, together with
the common lag of people, what is amifs in them, you
Gods, make fuitable for deftruftion. For thefe my friends
as they are to me nothing, fo in nothing biffs them,
and to nothing are they welcome.
Uncover, dogs, and lap.
Some fpeak. What does his lordfhip mean?
Some other. I know not.
i Th reft of your FEES.] We fhould read FOES.
O 4 Tim.
2oo T i M o N of ATHENS.
e Tim. May you a better feaft never behold,
You knot of mouth-friends : finoke, and lukewarm
water
f Is your perfection. This is Ttmon's lad ;
"Who ftuck J and fpangled with your flatteries,
\Vafhes it off, and fpringles in your faces
Your reaking villany. Live loath'd, and long,
Moft fmiling, fmooth, detefted Parafites,
Courteous dcftroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,
You fools of fortune, trencher- friends, time- flies,
Cap-and-knee flaves, vapors, and minute-jacks;
Of man and bead the infinite malady
Cruft you quite o'er! - What doft thou go?
Soft, take thy phyfick firft thou too and thou
\hro i wing the dijhes at them, and drives 'em out.
Stay, I will lend thee mony, borrow none.
What! all in motion? henceforth be no feaft,
Whereat a villain's not a welcome gueft.
Burn Houfe, fink Athens, henceforth hated be
Of limon, man, and all humanity ! [Exit*
Re-enter the Senators.
1 Sen. How now, my lords?
2 Sen. Know you the quality of lord 77*c*s fury!
3 Sen. Plha! did you fee my cap?
4 Sen. I've loft my gown.
1 Sen. He's but a mad lord, and nought but hu-
mour fways him. He gave me a jewel th' other day,
and now he has beat it out of my cap. Did you fee
my jewel ?
2 Sen. Did you fee my cap .*
3 Sen. Here 'tis.
2 // your p erfcftion. - ] Perfeaian, for cxaa or perfeft
likenefs.
and fpangled YOU w i T H flattt riei, ] We fhould cer-
lead,
-- - and fpangled WITH wviflatttritt.
TIMON 0/ ATHENS. 201
4 Sen. Here lies my gown.
1 Sen. Let's make no (lay.
2 Sen. Lord Timotfs mad.
3 ?#. I feel't upon my bones:
4 &//. One day he gives us diamonds, next day
ftones. [Exeunt.
'A C T IV. SCENE I.
Without the Walls of Athens.
Enter TIMON.
c T E T me look back upon thee, O thou Wall,
* JL* That girdlcft in thofe wolves ! dive in the earth,
* And fence not Athens! Matrons, turn incontinent ;
* Obedience fail in children -, flaves and fools
c Pluck the grave wrinkled Senate from the bench,
* And mimfter in their fteads: To general filths
* Convert o'th' inftant, green Virginity 1
' Do't in your parents' eyes. Bankrupts, hold faft ;
* Rather than render back, out with your knives,
e And cut your trufters* throats. Bound fervants,
fteal;
* Large-handed robbers your grave matters are,
' And pill by law. Maid, to thy matter's bed ;
* Thy miftrefs is o'th' brothel. Son of fixteen,
Pluck the lin'd crutch from thy old limping fire,
* And with it beat his brains out ! Fear and Piety,
* Religion to the Gods, peace, juftice, truth,
* Domeftick awe, night-reft, and neighbourhood,
* Inftruction, manners, myfteries and trades,
* Degrees, obfervances, cuftoms and laws,
i A8 4, The incidents of almoft all the following fcenes are
|aken from the Timon of Lucian,
Decline
202 Ti M o N cf ATHENS.
Decline to your confounding contraries !
And yet Confufion live! Plagues, incident to men,
* Your potent and infectious fevers heap
On Athene ripe for ftroke ! Thou cold Sciatica,
Cripple our fenators, that their limbs may halt
As lamely as their manners. Luft and Liberty
Creep in the minds and marrows of our youth,
That 'gainft the ftream of virtue they may ftrive,
And drown themfelves in riot! Itches, Blains y
Sow all the Athenian bofoms, and their Crop
Be general Leprofie : breath infect breath,
That their fociety fas their friendfhip) may
Be meerly poifon. Nothing I'll bear from thec,
But nakednefs, thou deteftable town !
Take thou that too, with multiplying banns :
Timon will to the Woods, where he fhall find
Th' unkindeft beaft much kinder than mankind.
The God, confound (hear me, ye good Gods all)
Th* Athenians both within and out that wall ;
And grant, as Timon grows, his hate may grow,
To the whole Race of Mankind, high and Jow !
[*/*..
SCENE II.
Changes to Timon'j Houfe.
Enter Flavius, with two or three few ants.
i Ser. TT EAR you, good matter fieward, where's
JTJL our mailer?
.Are we undone^ caft off, nothing remaining ?
Flav.. Alack, my fellows, what fhould I fay to
you?
Let me be recorded by the righteous Gods,
I am as poor as you,
2 Tour potent and infectious fevers] Thb is exprefled with
knowledge. A fever attending all peftilential diftempers.
i Ser*
TIMON of ATHENS, 303.
1 Ser. Such a Houfe broke !
So noble a mafter fall'n ! all gone ! and not
One friend to take his fortune by the arm,
And go along with him?
2 Sw. * AJS we do turn our backs
From our companion, thrown into his grave,
So his familiars () from his. buried fortunes
Slink all away j leave their falfe vows with him,
Like empty purfes pick'd : and his poor felf,
A dedicated beggar to the air,
With his difeafe of all-lhunn'd poverty,
Walks, like Contempt, alone. More of our fellows.
Enter other few ants.
Flaw. All broken implements of. a ruin'd houfe!
3 Ser. Yet do our hearts, wear Timon's livery,
That fee I by our faces j we are felJows ftill,
Serving alike in forrow. Leak'd is our bark,
And we poor mates, ftand on the dying deck,
Hearing the furges threat : we muft all part
Into the fea of- air.
Flaw. Good fellows all,
The lateft of my wealth I'll fhare amongfl you.
Where-ever we mall meet, for Tiwon's fake,
Let's yet be fellows : (hake our heads, and fay,
(As 'twere a knell unto our matter's fortunes)
We have feen better days. Let each take fome ;
Nay put out all your hands ; not one word more,
Thus part we rich in forrow, parting poor.
[He gives them many, they embrace, anb
fan fever al IK ays.
' Oh, the firft wretchednefs that glory brings us!
Who would not wifli to be from wealth exempt,
Since riches point to mifery and contempt ?
[ (a] from bis lurita fortunes. Oxford Editor Vulg. to bis lu-
r led fortunes]
Who'd
204. TIMON of ATHENS.
Who'd be fo mock'd with glory, as to Jive
But in a dream of friend mip ?
To have his Pomp, and all what State compounds,
But only painted, like his varnim'd friends !
Poor honeft lord! brought low by his own heart,
Undone by goodnefs: Itrange unufual blood,
When man's worfl fin is, he does too much good.
Who then dares to be half fo kind again ?
For bounty, that makes Gods, does (till mar men.
My deareft lord, bleft to be moft accurs'd,
Rich only to be wretched ; thy great fortunes
Are made thy chief afflictions. Alas, kind lord !
He's flung in rage from this ungrateful Seat
Of monftrous friends -, nor has he with him to
Supply his life, or that which can command it :
I'll follow and enquire him out.
I'll ever ferve his mind with my bed will ,
Whilft I have gold, I'll be his Steward ftill. [Exit.
SCENE IH.
WOODS.
Enter Timon.
" Tim. r /"X Bleffing-breeding Sun, draw from the
VJ earth
" Rotten humidity : below thy fitter's orb
" Infect the air. Twinn'd brothers of one womb,
" Whofe procreation, refidence, and birth
*' Scarce is dividant, touch with feveral fortunes.
3 O BLESSED, breeding fun, ] The fenfe, as well as elegance
of the exprtffion, requires that we ihould read,
O BLESS IN C-BREE DING fun, -
i. e. Thou that before ufedft to breed bleffings, now breed curfes
and contagion ; as afterwards he fays,
, that comfort 1 ft, bur a.
The
T 1 M O N of A T H E N S. 205
sc The greater fcorns the leffer. 4 Not ev'n nature,
tf To whom all fores lay fiege, can bear great fortune
" But by contempt of nature.
* * Raife me this beggar, and denude that lord,
4 " - not eifn nature,
To whom all fores lay Jitge, - ] He had faid the brother
could not bear great fortune without defpifing his brother. He now
goes further, and afierts that even human nature itfelf cannot bear
it, but with contempt of its common nature. The fentence is am-
biguous, and, befides that, otherwife obfcure. I am perfuaded that
our author had Alexander here principally in mind ; whofe unin-
terrupted courfe of fucceffe?, as we learn from hiftory, turned his
head, and made him fancy himfelf a God, and contemn his hu-
man origin. The Poet fays, e-vn nature, meaning nature in its
greateft perfection : And Alexander is reprefented by the ancients
as the moft accomplifti'd perfon that ever was, both for his quali-
ties of mind and body, a kind of mafterpiece of nature. He adds,
To 'whom all fores layjiege,
i. e. Altho' the imbecillity of the human condition might eafiljr
have informed him of his error. Here Sbakefpear feems to have
had an eye to Plutarch, who, in his life of Alexander, tells us, that
it was that which ftagger'd him in his fober moments concerning
the belief of his Divinity. *tA^/j' <Ti //<*A/r avvwui
uv \K r* x.a.fevj'iiv K.O.I (rvvK<ria.- lv ' *">
Raife me this Beggar, oWdeny't that Lord,'] Where is the fenfe
Englijboi denft that Ltrd? Deny him what? What preceding
Noun is there, to which the pronoun // is to be referr'd ? And ic
would be abfurd to think the Poet meant, deny to raift that Lord,
The Antitbejif muft be, let fortune raife this beggar, and let her
flrip and defpoil that lord of all his pomp and ornaments, c^r.
which fenfe is compleated by this flight alteration,
- - and denude that lord.
So lord Rea in his relation of M. Hamilton* plot, written in 1630,
All thefe Hamiltons had denuded themfehes of their fortunes and
eftates. And Charles the Firft, in his meflage to the parliament^
fays, Denude ourfel-ves of all. > Clar. Vol. 3. p. 15. Q&avo edit.
But the Oxford Editor alters it to degrade; for, according to his
canon of criucifm, a tranfcriber who blunder'd the right word,
whatever it was, into denyt, muft needs underftand the meaning
of dtnude, tho' it was an old word rarely ufed ; and yet be at a lofs
for the meaning of degrade, tho' it was a common one; and fo
changed it to denyt, tiiat has no traces of the word degrade t tho*
denude has all the marks of the corruptions proceeding from it.
" The
2CO T 1 M O N of A T H E N S*
u The fenator fliall bear contempt hereditary,
u The beggar native honour :
" 6 It is the Pafture lards the Weather's fides,
<c The Want that makes him lean. Who dares, who
dares,
" In purity of manhood fland upright,
" And fay, this man's a flatterer ? if one be,
*' So are they all, 7 for every greeze of fortune
"Is fmooth'd by that below. The learned pate
44 Ducks to the golden fool : All is oblique ;
46 There*s nothing level in our curfed natures,
" But dired villany." Then be abhorr'd,
All feafts, focieties, and throngs of men !
His Semblable, yea, himfelf, Timon difdains.
Deftruction phang mankind ! Earth, yield me roots!
[Digging the earth.
" Who feeks for better of thee, fawce his palate
" With thy moft operant poifon ! What is here?
" Gold? yellow, glittering, precious gold ?
*' 8 No, Gods, I am no idle votarift.
6 // is the Pajiure lards the BeggarVy?^,] This, as the editor*
have order'd it, is an idle repetition at the bell; fuppofing it did,
indeed, contain the fame fentiment as the foregoing lines. But
Shake/pear meant a quite different thing : and having, like a fen-
fible writer made a fmart obfervation, he illuitrates it by a fimili-
tude thus:
It is the Pafture lards the Weather'* Jidts,
The Want that makes him lean.
And the fimilitude is extremely beautiful, as conveying this fatiri-
cal reflexion; there is no more difference between man and man ia
the elleem of fuperficiai or corrupt judgments, than between a fat
fiicep and a lean one.
7 - for every greeze of fortune] Greeze, or ftep or degree.
Mr.Popt.
8 No, GeJs, 1 am no idle votarijl ] This is well explained by
the following lines of Perfeus,
Sub rajlro ere pet argent i mibi feria dtxtre
Htrcult!
Roots,
Tl M O N of A T H E N S. 207
** Roots, you clear heav'ns ! thus much of this will make
" Black, white , fair, foul ; wrong, right ;
*' Bafe, noble 5 old, young ; coward, valiant.
' You Gods ! why this ? what this ? you Gods ! 9 why,
this
Will lug your priefts and fervants from your fides :
1 PlucK ftout men's pillows from below their heads.
This yellow Have
Will knit and break religions , blefs th'accurs'd ;
Make the hoar leprofie ador'd ; place thieves,
And give them title, knee, and approbation,
With fenators on the bench : this is it,
* That makes the waped widow wed again ;
She whom the fpittle-houfe, and ulcerous fores
Would caft the gorge at, this embalms and fpices
To th' April day again. Come, damned earth,
Thou common whore of mankind, that putt'ft odds
Among the rout of nations, I will make thee
Do thy right nature. [March afar ojfr\ Ha, a
drum? thou'rt quick,
But yet I'll bury thee thou'lt go, (ftrong thief)
When gouty keepers of thee cannot ftand.
Nay, ftay thou out for earneft. [Keeping fome gold.
Will lug your priefts and fervants from your fides :] AriJIoftm-
ties in his Plutus, Aft 5 . Scene 2. makes the prieit of Jupiter deferC
his fervice to live with P//J.
1 Pluck ftout men? pillmvs fram lelo<w tktir heads.] i. e. mea
who have itrength yet remaining to ftruggle with their diftemper.
This alludes to an old cuftom of drawing away the pillow from
under the heads of men in their laft agonies, to make their depar-
ture the eaficr. But the Oxford Editor, fuppofingy?o/ to fignify
healthy, alters it to fick ; and this he eails emending.
2 That makes the ivap.ptn'd luidoin wed again \\ Waped or ivaf-
pen"d fignifies both fonowful and terriiied, either for the lofs of a
good husband, or by the treatment of a bad. But gold, he fays,
Caa overcome both her affc&ion and her fears.
SCENE
TIMON of ATHENS.
SCENE IV.
Enter Alcibiades with drum and fife in warlike
manner, and Phrynia and Timandra.
Ale. What art thou there ? fpeak.
Tim- A beaft, as thou art. Cankers gnaw thy heart*
For fhewing me again the eyes of man !
Ale. What is thy name? is man fo hateful to thee,
That art thyfelf a man ?
Tim. 3 I am Mifantbropos, and hate mankind.
For thy part, I do wifh thou wert a dog,
That I might love thee fomething.
Ale. I know thee well :
But in thy fortunes am unlearn'd, and ftrange.
Tim. I know thee too, and more than that I know
thee,
I not defire to know. Follow thy drum,
" With man's blood paint the ground ; gules, gules $-
" Religious Canons, civil Laws are cruel ;
ct Then what mould war be ? this fell whore of thine
" Hath in her more deftruftion than thy fword,
** For all her cherubin look.
Pbry. Thy lips rot off !
Tim. I will not kifs thee, then the Rot returns
To thine own lips again.
Ale. How came the noble Timon to this change ?
Tim. As the moon does, by wanting light to give:
But then renew I could not, like the moon 5
There were no funs to borrow of.
3 I am Mifanthropos, ] Molitre has wrote a fine comedy, called
from the hero of the piece, The Mifantbrope, which our Wycbtrlty
has imitated, calling it The Plain dealer. Now, in faft, it hap-
pens, that Mali ere" 6 Mifantbrope is but a Plain-dealer, and Wycber-
lty\ Plain-dealer is a direft Mifantbrope. Whether this was owing
to the different genius of the nations, or to the different judgments
of the pcets, 1 leave for the criticks to determine.
Me.
TIM ON ^ATHENS. 209
Ale. Noble Timon, what friendfhip may I do thee ?
'Tim. None, but to maintain my Opinion.
Ale. What is it, Timon ?
Tim. .Promife me friendfhip, but perform none. If
thou wilt not promife, the Gods plague thee, for thou
art a man : if thou doft perform, confound thee, for
thou art a man !
Ale. I've heard in fome fort of thy miferies.
I'm. Thou faw'ft them when I had profperity. 1
Ale. I fee them now, then was a bleffed time.
Tim. As thine is now, held with a brace of harlots.
Timan. Is this th' Athenian minion, whom the
world
Voic'd fo regardfully ?
Tim. Art thou ftmandra?
Timan. Yes.
Tim. Be a whore ftill: they love thee not, that
ufe thee :
Give them difeafes, leaving with thee their luft :
Make ufe of thy fait hours, feafon the flaves
For tubs and baths, bring down the rofe-cheek'd youtfy
* To th' Tub-fad, and the diet.
Timan. Hang thee, monfter !
Ale. Pardon him, fweet Timandray for his wits
Are
4 To the Fub-faft, and the diet. ] One might make a very
long and vain fearch, yet not be able to meet with this pre-
potterous word Fub-faft, which has notwithftanding pafs'd cur-
rent with all the editors. We Ihould read TUB-FAST.
The author is alluding to the Lues Venerea, and its effefts.
At that time, the cure of it was perform'd either by Guaiacum,
or Mercurial unftions : and in both cafes the patient was kept
up very warm and clofe ; that in the firft application the fweat
might be promoted ; and left, in the other, he mould take
cold, which was fatal. The regimen for the courfe o/"Guaiacum
(fays Dr. Friend in his Hift. of Phyfick, Vol. z. p. 380.^ tutu at
fir ft Jirangely circumftantial; and fo rigorous, that the patient nuat
put into a dungeon in order to make him five at ; and in that man-
ner, as Fallopius exprejfes it, the bones and the very man himfelf
was macerated. Wifeman fays, in England they ufed a Tul for this
purpofe, as abroad, a cave, or oven, or dungeon. And as for the
Vot. VI. P Vn8i9*
21 o TiMON0/"ATHENS.
Arc drown'd and loft in his calamities.
I have but little gold of late, brave 7/w<?#,
The want whereof doth daily make revolt
In my penurious band, I hear'd and griev'd,
How curfed Athens, mindlefs of thy worth,
Forgetting thy great deeds, when neighbour ftates,
But for thy fword and fortune, trod upon them
7im. I pr'ythee beat thy drum, and get thee gone.
Ak. I am thy friend, and pity thee, dear Timon.
Tim. How doft thou pity him, whom thou doft
trouble ?
I 'ad rather benlone.
Ale. Why, fare thee well,
Here's gold for thee.
'Tim. Keep it, I cannot eat it.
Ale. When I have laid proud Athens on a heap
Tim. Warr'ft thou 'gainft Athens ?
Ale. Ay, Timon, and have cauie.
'Tim. The Gods confound them all then in thy
Conqueft,
And, after, Thee, when thou haft conquered!
Ale. Why me, ttmon ?
Tim. That by killing of villains
Thou waft born to conquer my Country.
Put up thy gold. Go on, here's gold, go on ;
s Be as a planetary plague, when Jove
* Will o'er fome high-vic'd city hang his poifon
* In the fick air : Let not thy fword skip one,
Pity not honour'd age for his white beard,
He is an ufurer. Strike me the matron,
Unffion, it was fometimes continued for thirty feven days ; (as he
obferves, p. 375) and during this time there was necefTarily an
extraordinary abjlinence requir'd. Hence the term of the 7a-
fajl,
5 Be at a planetary plague, when Jove
Will o'er fome bigh-vic d city bang his poifon
In the fed air: ] This is wonderfully fublime and
pifturefque.
'It
TIMON of ATHENS. 111
* It is her habit only that is honeft,
6 Herfelf 's a bawd. Let not the virgin's cheek
Make foft thy trenchant fword; for thofe milk-paps,
6 That through the window-lawn bore at mv...'s eyes,
Are not within the leaf of pity writ ;
Set them down horrible traitors. Spare not the babe,
Whofe dimpled fmiks from fools (a) extort their
mercy j
Think it a baftard, whom the oracle
Hath doubtfully pronounc'd thy throat mail cut,
And mince it fans remorfe. Swear againft objeds,
Put armour on thine ears, and on thine ^yes ;
Whofe proof, nor yells of mothers, maius, nor babes,
Nor fight of prieft in holy veftments bleeding,
Shall pierce a jot. There's gold to pay thy foldiers.
Make large confufion ; and, thy fury fpent,
Confounded be thyfelf ! fpeak not, be gone.
Ale. Haft thou gold yet ?
I'll take the gold thou giv'ft me, n jt thy counfd.
Tim. Doft thou, or doft thou not, heav'n's curfe
upon thee !
Both. Give us fome gold, good Timon : haft thou
more?
Tim. Enough to make a whore forfwear her trade,
* And to make whole a bawd. Hold up, you fluts,
Your
6 That through the 'vnndovD-harn\ How the words come to be
blunder M into this ilrangc nonienfe, ii hard to conceive. But it i
plain Shake/pear wrote,
. ______ Window-lawn,
i, e. lawn almoft as tranfparent as glafs windows.
7 And to mak: whore a ba-ivd.] The power of gold, indeed,
may be fuppos'd great, that can make a whore forfake her trade ;
but what mighty difficulty was there in making a whore turn
bawd ? And yet, 'tis plain, here he is defcribing the mighty power
of gold. He had before fhewn, how gold can perluade to any
villany !
[() extort their mercy. Oxford Editor. Vulg. exhauft their
mercy.] f 2
212 TIMON cf ATHENS.
Your aprons mountant -, you're not othable,
Although, I know, you'll fvvear ; terribly fwear
Into ftrong fhudders, and to heav'nly agues,
Th' immortal Gods that hear you. Spare your oaths :
I'll truft to your conditions, be whores ftill.
And he whofe pious breath feeks to convert you,
Be ftrong in whore, allure him, burn him up.
Let your clofe fire predominate his fmoak,
And be no turn-coats : s yet may your pains fix
months
Be quite contrary. Make falfe hair, and thatch
Your poor thin roofs with burthens of the dead,
(Some that were hang'd, no matter :- )
Wear them, betray with them ; and whore on ftill :
Paint 'till a horfe may mire upon your face-,
A pox of wrinkles !
Both. Well, more gold what then?
Believe, that we'll do any thing for gold.
lim. Confumptions fow
In hollow bones of man, ftrike their fharp fhins,
And mar mens' fpurring. " Crack the lawyer's voice,
villany; he now {hews that it has ftill a greater force, and can
even turn from vice to the practice, cr, at leaft, the femblance of
virtue. We muft therefore read, to reftore fenfe toourauthor,
And to make whole a Ea-j^d
*. e. not only make her quit her calling, but thereby reftore her
to reputation.
8 jet may your pains Jix months
Be quite contrary ] This is obfcure, partly from the ambi-
guity of the word pains, and partly from the generality of the ex-
prefiion. The meaning is this, he had laid before, follow con-
liantly your trade of debauchery : that is, (fays he) for fix months
in the year. Let the other fix be employed in quite contrary
pains and labour, namely, in the fevere ditcipline necefTary for
the repair of tbofe diforders that your debaucheries occafion, in
order to fit you anew to the trade ; and thus let the whole year
be fpent in thefe different occupations. On this account he goes
on, and lays, Make falfe hair &c. But for, fains fix months,
the Oxford Editor reads, paint exterior. What he means I
Jcoownot.
" That
T I M O N of A T H E N S. 213
<e That he may never more falfe Title plead,
*' Nor found his quillets fhrilly. Hoar the Flamen 9
<e That fcolds againft the quality of fiefh,
<: And not believes himfelf. Down with the nofe,
" Down with it flat ; take the bridge quite away
t Of him, 9 that his particular to forefend,
*' Smells from the gen'ral weal. Make curl'd-pate
ruffians bald,
cc And let the unfcarr'd braggarts of the war
" Derive fome pain from you. Plague all ;
That your activity may defeat, and quell
The fource of all erection. There's more gold.
DJ yon damn others, and let this damn you,
And ditches grave you all !
Both. More counfel with more money, bounteous
Timcn.
I'm. More whore, more mifchief, firft ; I've given
you earned.
Ale. Strike up the drum tow'rds Athens ; farewe!,
If I thrive well, I'll vifit thee again.
Tim. If I hope well, I'll never fee thee more.
Ale. I never did thee harm.
Tim. Yes, thou fpok'ft well of me.
Ale. CalPft thou that harm?
27//Z. Men daily find it. Get thee hence, away.
9 - that bis particular to FORESEE] In this beautiful paf-
fags there is a ftrauge jumble of metaphors. To fmell in order to
forefee, is ufing the benefit of the fenfes in a^vcry abfurd way. The
fe-ile too, is as bad as the expreflion : Men do not forfake and be-
tray the public in order to forefee their own particular advantage,
but to provide for it. Forefeeing is not the confequence of betray-
ing, but one of the caufes of it. Without doubt we fhould read,
Of him, that, bis particular to FOREFEND,
Smells from the gen'ral wcal -
i.e. provide for, fecure. Fore find has a great force and beauty
in this place, as ngni Tying not barely to fecure , buc to make a. pre-
vious provijion for jecurir.g.
P 3 And
T I M O N 0/" A T H N S.
And take thy beagles with thee.
Ale. We but offend him : fir ike.
[Exeunt Alcibiad. Phryn. and Timand,
SCENE V.
'Tim. ' That nature being Tick of man's unkindnefs,
' Should yet be hungry ! Common mother, thou
' Whofe womb unmeafurable, and infinite breaft
' Teems, and feeds all j oh thou ! whofe felf-fame
mettle
' (Whereof thy proud child, arrogant man, is puft)
* Engenders the black toad, arid adder blue,
' The gilded newt, and eyelefs venom'd worm ;
* With all th* abhorred births * below cript heav'n,
c Whereon Hyperion's quickning fire doth mine ;
' Yield him, who all thy human fons does hate,
e From forth thy plenteous bofom, one poor root !
' Enfear thy fertile and conceptious womb;
c 3 Let it no more bring out to ingrateful man.
* Go great with tygers, dragons, wolves and bears,
* Teem with new monfters, 4 whom thy upward-
face
1 Whofe *wom& unmeafuralle, and infinite breajf] This image is
t?Jkcn from the ancient ftatues of Diana Epbefia Muhimammia,
called Ttfcat/cAcf q>v<rt{ 'TTAVTKV MHTM? ; and is a very good com-
ment on thofe extraordinary figures. See Montfaucon, rdntiquite
expliquee, 1. 3. c. 15. Hefiod alluding to the fame reprefentations,
calls the earth FA1' F.TPTSTEPNOS.
2 bilonu CRISP bea<vn,~\ We mould read cript, i.e. vaulted,
from the Latin Crypfa, a vault.
3 Let it no more bring out ungrateful man.] This is an abfurd
reading. Shake/pear wrote,
bring out to ungrateful man,
i. e. fruits for his fuftinence and iupport ; but let it rather teem
wkh monfters to his deftru&ion. Nor is it to be pretended that this
alludes to the fable : For he is fpeaking of what the earth now
brings forth ; which thought he repeats afterwards,
Dry up thy barro^ud *v eins, and plow-torn leas, &C.
^ ~-ivhom thy upward-face] Upward-fate, for furface.
* Hath
TIMON of ATHENS.
c Hath to the marbled manfion all above
Never prefented O, a root dear thanks!
* * Dry up thy harrow*d veins, and plough-torn leas,
e Whereof ingrateful man with liqu'rifh draughts
* And morfels unctious, greafes his pure mind,
* That from it all confideration flips.
SCENE VI,
Enter Apemantus.
More man ? plague ! plague !
dpem. I was directed hirher. Men report,
Thou doft affect my manners, and doft ufe them.
?wz. J Tis then, becaufe thou doft not keep a dog
Whom I would imitate ; confumption catch thee !
Apem. " This is in thee a nature but affected,
" A poor unmanly melancholy, fprung
" From change of fortune. Why this fpade ? this
place ?
" This (lave-like habit, and thefe looks of care?
" Thy flatt*rers yet wear filk, drink wine, lie foft ;
" 6 Hug their difeas'd perfumes, and have forgot
5 Dry up thy MARROWS veins and pttnv torn leas,'] The in-
tegrity of che metaphor abfolutely requires that we mould read,
Dry itp thy HARROW'D 'veins, and plow- torn teas.
Mr. Theobald owns that this gives a new beauty to the verfe, yet
as unflious morfels follows, marrows might have gone before, and
mean the fat of the land. That is, becaufe there is a metaphor
afterwards that fuits it, it may be admitted, tho' it violates the
metaphor in the place it is ufed in. But this unhappy critic ne-
ver confider'd that men ought to earn t\\\sfal before they eat it.
From this emendation the Oxford Editor has fprung another,
and reads,
Dry up thy Meadows, Vineyards
6 Hug their difeas'd perfumes, ] Difeas'd, for caufing difeafes,
This is, indeed, verbum ardens ; and has fomcthing of greater
force than Pirgift
Nee cajid liqutdi corrumpitur ufus olivL
P 4 That
1 6 T I M O N of A T H E N S.
" That ever Timcn was. 7 Shame not thefe weeds,
By putting on 8 the cunning of a carper.
Be thou a flatt'rer now, and feek to thrive
By that which has undone thee, hinge thy knee,
And let his very breath, whom thou'lt obferve,
Blow off thy cap; praife his moft vicious (train,
And call it excellent. Thou waft told thus :
Thou gav'ft thine ears, like tapfters, that bid welcome
To knaves, and all approaches : 'Tis moft juft
That thou turn rafcal : hadft thou wealth again,
Rafcals mould have't. Do not aflfume my likenefs.
Tim. Were I like thee, I'd throw away my lei f.
Apem. Thou*fl caft away thyfelf, being like thy-
felf,
So long a mad-man, now a fool. What, think'ft thou,
' That the bleak air, thy boifterous chamberlain,
' Will put thy fhirt on warm ? will thefe (a) mofs'd
trees,
* That have out-liv'd the eagle, page thy heels,
e And skip when thou point'tt out? will the cold
brook,
6 Candied with ice, cawdle thy morning tafte
c To cure thy o'er-night's forfeit ? Call the creatures,
c Whofe naked natures live in all the fpight
' Of wreakful heav'n, whofe bare unhoufed trunks,
J Shame not thefe woods.] But how did Timon any more fhamc
the woods by affuming the charafter of a Cynic, than dpfmantus
did ? The poet ceitamly meant to make Apemanlus fay, Don't
difgracc this garb, which thou haft only ajfetted to affume ; and
to leem the creature thou art not by nature, but by the force and
compulfion of poverty. We muft therefore reilore,
Shame not thefe weeds.
Jptmantus, in feveral other paffages of the fcene, reproaches him
>vith his change of garb.
g /^cunning of a carper.] For the Philofophy of a Cynic,
pf which feet Jptauaitus was : and therefore he concludes,
5 Do not affitme my likenefs.
[() moffd trees. Oxford Editor. Valg. mcijl trees ]
< To
TIMON of ATHENS.
1 To the conflicting elements expos'd,
6 Anfwer meer nature j bid them flatter thee ;
4 Oh ! thou fhalt find-
Tim. A fool of thee ; depart.
Apem. I love thee better now, than e'er I did.
Tim. I hate thee worie.
Apem. Why?
Tim, Thou flatt'reft mifery.
Apem. 1 flatter not ; but lay, thou art a caytiff.
Tim. Why do(l thou feek me out ?
Apem. To vex tntc.
Tim. Always a villain's office, or a fool's.
Do'ft pleafethyiclfin't?
Apem. Ay.
Tim. (a) What a knave thou !
Apem. " If thou didft put this fowre cold habit on
" To caftigate thy pride, 'twere well ; but thou
" Doft it enforcedly : thou'dft Courtier be,
*' Wert thou not beggar. Willing mifery
Outlives incertain pomp ; is crown'd before:
The one is filling dill, never compleat j
The other, at high wifh: Bcft ftates, contentlefs,
Have a diftracied and moft wretched being ;
Worfe than the word, content.
Thou fhouldft defire to die, being miferable.
Tim. Not by his breath, that is more miferable.
Thou art a (lave, whom fortune's tender arm
With favour never cLifpt ; 9 but bred a dog.
Had ft thou, like us, from our firft fwath proceeded
Through fweet degrees that this brief world affords,
To fuch as may the paffive drugs of it
Freely command ; thou wouldft have plung'd thy-
felf
q lut bred a dog.] Alluding to the word Cynic, of which
fctt S~ t x:antus was.
[(/) What a knave tkou ! Oxford Editor. Vulg. What?
#k'iu<ve too?~\
' la
TIMON of ATHENS.
4 In general riot, melted down thy youth
* In different beds of luft, and never learn'd
* The icy precepts of refpect, but followed
* The fugar'd game before thee. But my felf,
c Who had the world as my con feel ionary,
c The mouths, the tongues, the eyes, the hearts of
men
* At duty, more than I could frame employments ;
* That numbsrlefs upon me ftuck, as leaves
* Do on the oak ; have with one winter's brufh
* Fall'n from their boughs, and left me open, bare
c For every itorm that blows. I to bear this,
' That never knew but better, is fome burthen.
c Thy nature did commence in fuff'rance, time
c Hach made thee hard in*t. Why friouldftthou hate
men ?
They never flatter'd thee. What had thou given ?
c If thou wilt curfe, thy father, that poor rag,
* Muft be thy lubjeft; who in fpight put ftufF
4 To fome fhe-beggar, and compounded thee
* Poor rogue hereditary. Hence! be gone' -
1 If thou hadft not been born the word of men,
Thou hadft been knave and flatterer.
Apem. Art thou proud yet ?
2lfj0. Ay, that I am not thee.
Apem. I, that I was no prodigal.
Tim. I, that I am one now.
Were all the wealth I have, fhut up in thee,
I'd give thee leave to hang it. Get thee gone-
That the whole life of Athens were in this !
Thus would I eat it. [Eating a root.
dpem. Here, I will mend thy feaft.
Tim. Firft mend my company, take away thyfelf.
Apem. So I fhall mend my own, by th* lack of
thine.
I If tbou kadjl not been born tie worft of men,'] Worjt, for
toweft.
Tim.
Tl M O N of AT H E N S. 219
'Tim. 'Tis not well mended fo, it is but botcht ;
If not, I would it were.
Apem. What would'ft thou have to Athens?
Tim. Thee thither in a whirlwind ; if thou wilt,
Tell them there, I have gold , look, fo I have.
Apem. Here is no ufe for gold.
Tim. The beft and trueft :
For here it fleeps, and does no hired harm.
Apem. Where ly'ft o'nights, Timon ?
Tim. Under that*s above me.
Where feed'ft thou o'days, Apemantus ?
Apem. Where my ftomach finds meat ; or rather,
where I eat it.
Tim. 'Would poifon were obedient, and knew my
mind !
Apem. Where would'ft thou fend it ?
Tim. To fawce thy dimes.
Apem. The middle of humanity thou never kneweft,
but the extremity of both ends. When thou waft in
thy gilt, and thy perfume, they mockt thee * for too
much curiofity , in thy rags thou knoweft none, but
art defpis'd for the contrary. There's a medlar for
thee, eat it.
Tim. On what I hate I feed not.
Apem. Doft hate a medlar ?
Tim. Ay, though it look like thee.
Apem. An th' hadft hated medlers fooner, thou
fliould'ft have loved thyfelf better now. What man
didft thou ever know unthrift, that was beloved after
his means ?
2 for too much curiofity ;] i. e. for too much finical delicacy.
The Oxford Editor alters it to courtefy. But Apemantus is not
fpeaking of Timon $ wealth in general, but of that which he applied
to his own ufe in gilt and perfume : fo that his courtefy had no-
thing to do with this, but his curiofity which occafioned it. Com-
mon fenfe (hews us the pertinence of the common reading, and the
impertinence of the alteration.
Vim,
220 T 1 M O N of A T H E N S.
'Tim. Who, without thofe means thou talk'ft of,
didft thou ever know beloved ?
Apem. Myfclf,
Tim. I underftand thee, thou hadft fome means to
keep a dog.
Ajxtn. What things in the world canfl thou neareft
compare to thy flatterers ?
I'm. Women neareft ; but men, men, are the things
themfelves. What wouldft thou do with the world,
Apemantus, if it lay in thy power ?
Apem. Give it the beafts, to be rid of the men.
Tim. Wouldft thou have thyfelf fall in the confufion
of men, or remain a beaft with the beafts?
Afcm. Ay, Timon.
Tim. * A beaftly ambition, which the Gods grant
thee to attain to ! Jf thou wert a lion, the fox
would beguile thee ; if thou wert a lamb, the fox
would eat thee ; if thou wert the fox, the lion would
fufpect thee, when, peradventure, thou wert accus'd
by the afs , if thou wert the afs, thy dulnefs would
torment thee ; and ftill thou liv'dft but as a break-
faft to the wolf. If thou wert the wolf, thy gree-
dinefs would afflict thee -, and oft thou fhouldft
hazard thy life for thy dinner. Wert thou the uni-
corn, pride and wrath would confound thee, and
make thine own felf the conqueft of thy fury. Wert
thou a bear, thou wouldft be kill'd by the horfe ;
wert thou a horfe, thou wouldft be feiz'd by the
leopard ; wert thou a leopard, thou wert german to
the lion, and the fpots of thy kindred were jurors
on thy life. All thy fafety were remotion, and
thy defence abfence. What beaft couldft thou be,
that were not fubject to a beaft ? and what a beaft
art thou already, and feeft not thy lofs in transfor-
mation ! '
Apem. If thou couldft pleafe me with fpeaking
to me, thou might'ft have hit upon it here. The
Common-
TIMON of ATHENS. 221
Commonwealth of Athens is become a foreft of
beads.
Tim. How has the afs broke the wall, that thou
art out of the City ?
Apem. Yonder comes a Poet, and a Painter. The
Plague of Company light upon thee ! I will fear to
catch it, and give way. When I know not whatelfc
to do, I'll fee thee again.
Tim. When there is nothing living but thee, thou
flialt be welcome.
I had rather be a Beggar's dog, than Apemantus.
Apem. J Thou art the cap of all the fools alive.
Tim. Would, thou were clean enough to fpit upon*
A plague on thee !
Apem. Thou art too bad to curfe.
Tim. All villains, that do (land by thee, are pure.
Apem. There is no leprofie but what thou fpeak'iK
Tim. If I name thee. PJl beat-thee ; but I fhouH
infeft my hands.
Apem. I would my tongue could rot them off!
Tim. Away, thou irTue of a mangy dog !
Choler does kill me, that thou art alive :
I fwoon to fee thee.
Apem. 'Would, thou wouldft burft !
Tim. Away, thou tedious rogue, I am forry I (hall
lofe a (lone by thee.
Apem. Beaft !
Tim. Slave!
Apem. Toad !
Tim. Rogue ! rogue ! rogue !
[Apem. retreats backward, as going* .
I am fick of this falfe world, and will love nought
But ev'n the meer necefiities upon it.
Then, Timon, prefently prepare thy grave ;
Lye where the light foam of the fea may bent
Thy grave-ftone daily ; make thine epitaph ;
3 Thou art the cap &c.] / e. the property, the bubble.
That
in TIMON of ATHENS.
That death in me at other's lives may laugh.
O thou fweet king-killer, and dear divorce
[Locking on the gold,
'Twixt natural fon and fire! thou bright defiler
Of Hymen's pureft bed ! thou valiant Mars !
Thou ever young, frefh, lov'd, and delicate wooer,
* Whofe blufh doth thaw the confecrated fnow,
That lies on Dian's lap ! thou vifible God,
That fouldreft clofe impoffibilities,
c And mak'ft them kifs! that fpeak'ft with every
tongue,
* To every purpofe ! Oh, thou Touch of hearts !
c Think, thy Have man rebels ; and by thy virtue
* Set them into confounding odds, that beafts
* May have the world in empire.'
Apem. 'Would 'twere fo,
But not 'till I am dead ! I'll fay, thou haft gold :
Thou wilt be throng'd to fhortly.
Tim. Throng'd to?
Apem. Ay.
Tim. Thy back, I pr'ythee.
Apem. Live, and love thy mifery !
Tim. Long live fo, and fo die ! I am quit.
Apem. Mo things like men Eat, Timon* and
abhor them. [Exit Apem.
4 Whofe bluflj doth thaiv the confecrated fnon.v.
That lies on Dian'j lap! ] The imagery is here exquifitely
beautiful and fublime : and that ftill heightened by allufion to a
fable and cuftom of antiquity ; viz. the itory of Danat, and the
golden (hower ; and the ufe of confecrating to a god or goddefs,
that which, from a fimilarity of nature, they were fuppofed to
hold in eiteem.
SCENE
TIMON of ATHENS. 213
SCENE VIL
Enter Thieves.
1 Thief. Where fhould he have this gold ? It is fomc
poor fragment, fome flender ort of his remainder:
the meer want of gold, and the falling off of friends,
drove him into this melancholy.
2 Thief. It is nois'd, he hath a mafs of treafure.
3 Thief. Let us make the afiay upon him -, if he
care not for't, he will fupply us eafily: if he cove-
toufly referve it, how (hall's get it ?
2 Thief. True ; for he bears it not about him :
'tis hid.
1 Thief. Is not this he ?
All. Where ?
2 Thief. 'Tis his defcription.
3 Thief. He ; I know him.
All. Save thee, Timon.
Tim. Now, thieves.
All. Soldiers ; not thieves.
Tim. Both too, and womens' ions.
All. We are not thieves, but men that much do
want.
Tim. Your greatefl want is, you want much of
(a} meet.
" Why fhould you want ? behold, the earth hath
roots ;
44 Within this mile break forth an hundred fprings ;
" The oaks bear mafts, trie briars fcarlet hips :
" The bounteous hufwife nature on each bufh
" Lays her full mefs before you. Want? why want?"
i Tbief. We cannot live on grafs, on berries, water,
As beads, and birds, and fifties.
Tim. Nor on the beads themfelves, the birds and
fifhcs;
[(*) meet. Mr. Theobald Vulg. meat.}
You
224 T I M O N 0/ A T H E N S.
You muft: eat men. Yet thanks I muft you con,
*' That you are thieves profeft : that you work not
" In holier fhapesi for there is boundleis theft
* s In limited profeffions. Rafcals, thieves,
ic Here's gold. Go, fuck the fubtle biood o'th' grape,
cc Till the high fever feeth >our blood to froth,
*' And fo 'fcape hanging. Truft not the phyfician,
" His antidotes are poifon, and he flays
" More than you rob, (a) takes wealth and life to-
gether,
" Do villany, do, fince you profefs to do'r,
" Like workmen ; I'll example you with thievery.
" The Sun's a thief, and with his great attra&ion
" Robs the vaft Sea. The Moon's an arrant thief,
" And her pale fire me fnatches from the Sun.
*' 6 The Sea's a thief, whofe liquid furge refolves
" The Mounds into fait tears. The earth's a thief,
" That feeds and breeds by a compofture ftoln
" From gen'ral excrements : each thing's a thief.
" The laws, your curb and whip, in their rough
power
" Have uncheck'd theft." Love not yourfelves, away,
Rob one another, there's more gold ; cut throats ;
All that you meet are thieves : to Athens go,
Break open mops, for nothing can you fteal
But thieves do lofe it : fteal not leis for what
5 In limited profejfions. ] Limited, for legal.
6 The Sea's a thief, ivboje liquid furge refolves
The MOON into fait tears. ] The Sea melting the Moon into
tears, is, J believe, a fecret in pnilofcphy, which no body but
Shakefpear's deep Editors ever dream'd of. There is another opi-
nion, which 'tis more reafonable to believe that our Author may
allude to; viz. that the faltnefs of the Sea is caufed by ievcral
ranges, or Mounds of rock-falt under water, with which refolding
liquid the Sea was impregnated. This I think a fufficieni autho-
rity for changing Moon into MOUNDS.
[(a) Takes wealth and life together. Oxford Editor Vulg.
Take wealth and li<ve together. \
TIMON of ATHENS. 225
I give, and gold confound you howfoever! Amen.
[Exit.
3 Thief. H'as almoft charm'd me from my profcf-
fion, by perfuading me to it.
i 'Thief, 4 'Tis in the malice of mankind, that he
thus advifes us, not to have us thrive in our myftery.
L Thief. I'll believe him as an enemy i and give over
my trade.
1 Thief. * Let us firft fee peace in Athens.
2 Thief. There is no time fo miferable, but a man
may be true. [Exeunt.
ACT V. SCENE I.
The Woods, and Timon'j Cave.
Enter Flavius.
F L A 7 I U S.
OH, you Gods !
Is yon defpis'd and ruinous man my lord ?
Full of decay and failing? oh, monument
And wonder of good deeds, evilly beftow'd !
4 'Tis in the malice of mankind, that he thus advifes us, not te
have us thrive in our myfteryJ] i. t. 'Tis the common malice of
mankind that makes One give fuch advice to Another, as may prove
to his detriment. One would think this eafy enough. But the
Oxford Editor reads, '7/V in his malice to mankind, that he that
advifes us, not to have us thrive in our myjiery. Which is making
compleat nonfenfe of the whole reflexion : For if Timon gave this
advice, out of his malice to his fpecies, he was in earneit, and fo
far from having any defign that they jbould not thrive in their my
Jiery, that his utmoft wiih was that they might.
5 Let us frft fee peace in Athens, &c J This and rhe concluding
little fpeech have in all the editions been placed to one fpeaker^
But, 'tis evident, the latter words ought to be put in the mouth
of thefecond thief, who is repenting, and leaving off his trade.
VOL. VI. O What
226 T i M o N of ATHENS.
1 What change of humour defp'rate want has made?
\Vhat viler thing upon the earth, than friends,
Who can bring nobleft minds to bafeft ends ?
1 How rarely does it meet with this time's guile,
1 When man was will'd to love his enemies :
* Grant, I may ever love, and rather too,
Thofe that would mifchief me, than thofe that woo!
H'as caught me in his eye, I will prefent.
My honeft grief to him ; and, as my lord,
Still ferve him with my life. My deareft matter!
Timon comes forward from his Cave.
Tim. Away ! what art thou ?
Flav. Have you forgot me, Sir ?
Tim. Why doft thou ask That? I have forgot all
men.
Then, if thou granted that thou art a man,
I have forgot thee.
Flav. An honeft fervant,
Tim. Then I know thee not :
1 What change of HONOUR defp'rate want hat made?"\ We
fliould read,
What change of HUMOUR
2 How rarely does it meet ] Rarefy, for fit; not for feldom.
3 When man ivas WISHT ] We fhould read WILL'D. He
forgets his pagan fyftem here again.
4 Grant, I may ever love, and rather *v o o
ttofe that would mifchief me, than thofe that DO/' But why
fo ? Was there ever fuch an afs, I mean, as the tranfcriber ? Shake-
fpear wrote it,
Grant, I may ever love, and rather TOO
Thofe that would mifchief me, than thofe that woo/
The Steward, affefted with his matter's misfortunes and meditating
on the caufe of it, fays, What an excellent precept is that of loving
our jjnemies ; grant that I may love them to chufe, rather than
flatterers. All here is fenfible, and to the purpofe, and makes the
whole coherent. But when once the tranfcribers had blundered too to
woo. in the firft line, they were obliged, in their own defence, in the
fccoad line, to alter iveo to da.
I
0f ATHENS. 227
t ne'er had honeft man about me, all
I kept were knaves, to ferve in meat to villains.
Flav. The pods are witnefs,
Ne'er did poor fteward wear a truer grief
For his undone lord, than mine eyes for you.
Tim. What, dolt thou weep ? come nearer, then I
love thee,
Becaufe thou art a woman, and difclaim'il
Flinty mankind ; whofe eyes do' never give
But or through luft, or laughter. Pity's fleeping;
Strange times, that weep with laughing, not with
weeping!
Flav. I beg of you to know me, good my lord,
T'accept my grief, and, whilft this poor wealth lads
To entertain me as your fteward (till.
Tjiy. Had I a fteward
So true, fo juft, and now fo comfortable?
, J It almoft turns my dangerous nature mild.
Let me behold thy face: furely, this man
Was born of woman.
" Forgive my gen'ra and exceptlefs rafhnefs,
" Perpetual, fober Gods! I do proclaim
" One honeft man: miftake rne not, but one:
" No more, I pray ; and he's a fteward.
" How fain would I have hated all mankind,
" And thou redeem'ft thyfelf : but all, fave thee,
" 1 fell with curfes,
" Methinks, thou art more honeft now, than wife ;
" For, by opprefling and betraying me,
*' Thou might'ft have fooner got another fervice :
5 // almoft turns my dangerous nature wi LD.] /'. e. It almoft
turns my dangerous nature to a dangerous nature ; for, by dangerous
nature, is meant lulldnefs. Shakejpear wrote,
// almoji turns my dangerous nature MILD.
. <f. It almoft reconciles me again to mankind. For fear of that,
he puts in a caution immediately after, that he makes an exception
.but for one man. To which the Oxford Editor fays, reRe.
2 " For
228 TIMON of ATHENS.
' For many fo arrive at fecond matters,
" Upon their firft lord's neck. Buc tell me true,
" (For I muft ever doubt, though ne'er fo fure)
' Is not thy kindnefs fubtle, covetous,
' A uluring kindnefs, as rich men deal gifts,
Expecting in return twenty for one?
Flam. No, my moft worthy mafter, (in whofe breaft
Doubt and Sufpect, alas, are plac'd too late,)
You mould have fear*d falfe times, when you did feaft }
Sufpcb ftill comes, where an eftate is leaft.
That which I Ihew, heav'n knows, is rneerly love,
Duty, and Zeal, to your unmatched mind,
Care of your food and living : and, believe it,
For any benefit that points to me
Either in hope, or prefent, I'd exchange
For this one wifh, that you had power and wealth
To requite me by making rich yourfelf.
Tim. Look thee, 'tis fo ; thou fmgly honed man,
Here, take ; the Gods out of my mifery
Have fent thee treafure. Go, live rich and happy :
But thus condition*d , Thou malt build from men :
Hate all, curfe all, Ihew charity to none ;
But let the famifht flefh flide from the bone,
Ere thou relieve the beggar. Give to dogs
What thou deny'ft to men. Let prifons fwallow 'em,
Debts wither 'ern } be men like blafted woods,
And may difeafes lick up their falfe bloods !
And fo farewel, and thrive.
Flay. O, let me (lay, and comfort you, my matter,,
Tim. If thou hat'ft curfes,
Stay not, but fly, whilft thou art bleft and free ;
Ne'er ice thou man, and let me ne*er fee thee.
[ Exeunt federally.
SCENE
TlMONO/" ATHENS. 229
SCENE II.
Enter Poet and Painter.
Pain. As I took note of the place, it can't be far
where he abides.
Poet. What's to be thought of him ? does the ru-
mour hold for true, that he's fo full of gold ?
Pain. Certain. Aiciliades reports it : Phrynia and
tfimandra had gold of him : he likewife enrich'd poor
ftragling foldiers with great quantity. J Tis faid, he
gave his fteward a mighty fum.
Poet. Then this breaking of his has been but a tryal
of his friends?
Pain. Nothing elfe: you fhall fee him a palm in
Athens again, and flourim with the higheft. There-
fore, *cis not amifs, we tender our loves to him, in this
fuppos'd diftrefs of his : it will (hew honeftly in us,
and is very likely to load our purpofes with what they
travel for, if it be a juft and true report that goes of
his Having.
Poet. What have you now to prefent unto him ?
Pain. Nothing at this time but my vifitation : only
I will promife him an excellent piece.
Poet. I mud ferve him fo too ; tell him of an intent
that's coming toward him.
Pain. Good as the beft : " Promifmg is the very
air o' th' time -, it opens the eyes of expectation.
Performance is ever the duller for his act, and, but
in the plainer and fimpler kind of people, the deed
is quite out of ufe. To promife, is moft courtly,
and fafliionable ; performance is a kind of will or
teftament, which argues a great ficknefs in his
judgment that makes it.
Re- enter Tim from bis Cave , unfeen.
Tim. Excellent workman ! thou caoft not paint a
man fo bad as thyfelf.
270 T I M O N of A T H E N S.
Poet. " I am thinking, what I (hall fay I have pro-
' vided for turn: 6 it muft be a perfonating of him-
" felf ; a fatyr againft the foftriefs of profperity, with
" a difcovery of the infinite flatteries that 7 follow
*' youth and opulency.
%im. Muft thou needs ftand for a villain in thine
own work ? wilt thou whip thine own faults in other
men ? do fo, I have gold for thee.
Poet. Nay, let's leek him.
Then do we fin againft our own eftate,
When we may profit meet, and come too late.
Pain. True.
Poet. ? While the day ferves, before black-corner'd
night,
Find what thou want'ft, by free and offer'd light.
Come.
7. I'll meet you at the turn
What a God's gold, that he is worfhipped
In bafer temples, than where Swine do feed !
'Tis thou that rigg'ft the bark, and plow'ft the foam,
Setdeft admired rev'rence in a (lave -,
To thee be worfhip, and thy faints for aye
Be crown'd with plagues, that thee alone obey !
'Tis fit I meet them.
Poet. Hail ! worthy T"imon.
Pain. Our late noble mafter.
37/w. Have I once liv'd to fee two honeft men ?
6 itmufileapeThnztmgofbimfelf;'] Perfonating, for reprefent-
ing fimply. For the fubjecl of this projected fatire was Ti man's cafe,
not hisperfon.
7 follow youth and opulency. ] i. e. The flatteries of lovers and
legacy hunters.
8 While the day ferves, before BLACK-CORNER'D night] We
Ihould read,
" BLACK-CORNETTE night.
A corvette is a woman's head-drefs for the night. 'So in another
place he calls her, black-lro*w *d night.
Pcet.
T I M O N of A T H E N S. 23 1
Poet. Sir, having often of your bounty tafted,
Hearing you were retir'd, your friends fal'n off,
Wbofe thanklcfs natures, (oh abhorred fpirits !)
Not all the whips of heav'n are large enough
What! to you!
Whofe (tar- like noblenefs gave life and influence
To their whole being ! I am rapt, and cannot
Cover the monftrous bulk of this ingratitude
With any fize of words.
Tim. 9 Let it go naked, men may fee't the better :
You that are honeft, by being what you are,
Make them belt feen and known.
Pain. He, and myfelf,
Have travell'd in the great mower of your gifts,
And fweetly felt it.
Tim. Ay, you*re honeft men.
Pain. We're hither come to offer you our fervice.
Tim. Mod honeft men! why, how ihall I requite
you ?
Can you eat roots, and drink cold water ? no.
Both. What we can do, we'll do, to do you fervice.
Tim. Y'are honeft men; you've heard, that I have
gold ;
I'm fure, you have ; fpeak truth, y* are honeft men.
Pain. So it is faid, my noble lord, but therefore
Came not my friend, nor I.
Tim. Good honeft man , thou draw'ft a counterfeit
Beft in all Athens ; thou'rt, indeed, the beft ;
Thou counter feit'ft moft lively.
Pain. So, fo, my lord.
Tim. E'en fo, Sir, as I fay And for thy fiction,
9 Let It go naked, men may fee't the letter:'} The humour of this
reply is incomparable. It infmuates not only the higheft contempt
of the flatterer in particular, but this ufeful leffon in general, that
the images of things are cleared feen through a fimplicity of phrafe;
of which in the words of the precept, and in thofe which occafion'd
it, he has given us examples.
0.4 Why,
23 * T i M o N 0/ ATHENS.
Why, thy verfe fwells with fluff fo fine and fmooth,
That thou art even natural in thine art.
But for all this, my honeft-natur'd friends,
1 muft needs fay, you have a little fault ;
Marry, not monllrous in you ; neither wifh I,
You take much pains to mend.
Both. Befeech your Honour
To make it known to us.
Tim. You'll take it ill.
Both. Moft thankfully, my lord.
Tim. Will you, indeed?
Both. Doubt it not, worthy lord.
Tim. There's ne'er a one of you but trufts a knave,
That mightily deceives you.
Both. Do we, my lord ?
Tim. Ay, and you hear him cogg, fee him diflemble,
Know his grofs Patchery, love him, and feed him?
Keep in your bofom, yet remain afiur'd,
That he*s a made-up villain.
Pain. I know none fuch, my lord.
Poet. Nor I.
Tim. Look you, I love you well, I'll give you gold,
Rid me thefe villains from your companies j
Hang them, or (lab them, drown them in a draught,
Confound them by fome courfe, and come to me,
I'll give you gold enough.
Both. Name them, my lord, let's know them.
Tim. You that way, and you this ; ' But two in
company
Each man apart, all fmgle and alone,
Yet an arch villain keeps him company.
If where thou art, two villains mall not be,
[To the Painter.
Come not near him. If thou wouldft not refide
[To the Poet.
5 S tt t pwo in company ] This is an imperfed fen-
tence, and is to be fupplied thus, But two in company ffoils all
But
TIMON of ATHENS. 233
But where one villain is, then him abandon.
Hence, pack, there's gold ; ye came for gold, ye
flaves ;
You have work for me ; there's your payment, hence 1
You are an Alchymift, make gold of that:
Out, rafcal dogs! [Beating^ and driving *em out.
SCENE III.
Enter Flavius and two Senators.
Flav. It is in vain that you would fpeak witk
Tim on:
For he is fet fo only to himfelf,
That nothing but himfelf, which looks like man,
Is friendly with him.
i Sen. Bring us to his Cave.
It is our part and promife to th' Athenians
To fpeak with Timon.
i Sen. At all times alike
Men are not ftill the fame ; 'twas time and griefs
That fram'd him thus. Time, with his fairer hand
Offering the fortunes of his former days,
The former man may make him ; bring us to him,
And chance it as it may.
Flav. Here is his Cave :
Peace and Content be here, lord Timon! 'Timon!
Look out, and fpeak to friends, th' Athenians
By two of their moft rev'rend fenate greet thee 5
Speak to them, noble Timon.
Enter Timon out of his Cave.
Tim. Thou Sun, that comfort'ft, burn!
Speak, and be hang'd ;
For each true word a blifter, and each falfe
Be cauterizing to the root o'th' tongue,
Confuming it with fpeaking!
i Sen.
2-4 TIMONO/ATHENS.
1 Sen. Worthy Timon,-
tfm.Otnone but fuch as you, and you of Timon.
2 Sen. The fenators of Athens greet thee, fimon.
Tim. I thank them. And would fend them back the
plague,
Could I but catch it for them.
1 Sen. O, forget
What we are forry for oufelves, in thee :
The Senators, with one confent of Jove,
Intreat thee back to Athens ; who have thought
On fpecial dignities, which vacant lie
For thy beft ufe and wearing.
2 Sen. They confefs
Tow'rd thee forgetful nefs, too general, .grofs ;
Which now the publick body, (which doth feldom
Play the recanter) feeling in itfelf
A lack of Timon^ aid, hath fenfe withal
* Of its own Fall, reftraining aid to Timom>
And fends forth us to make their forrowed Tender,
Together with a recompence more fruitful
Than their offence can weigh down by the dram ;
Ay, ev'n fuch heaps and fums of love and wealth,
As mall to thee blot out what wrongs were theirs ;
And write in thee the figures of their love,
Ever to read them thine.
Tim. You witch me in it,
Surprize me to the very brink of tears :
Lend me a fool's heart, and a woman's eyes,
And I'll be weep thefe comforts, worthy fenators.
i Sen. Therefore fo pleafe thee to return with us,
And of our Athens^ thine and ours, to take
The Captainfhip : thou (halt be met with thanks,
2 Of its own Fall, ] The Oxford Editor alters Fall to Fault,
not knowing that Shakefpear ufes Fall to fignify dilhonour, not
deftru&ion. So in Hamlet,
What a falling off was there !
Hallow'd
TIMON of ATHENS. 235
J Hallow'd with abfolute power, and thy good name
Live with authority : (bon we mall drive back
Of dlcibiade* th' approaches wild,
Who, like a boar too favage, doth root up
His country's peace.
2 Sen. And (hakes his threatning fwqrd
Againft the walls of Athens.
i Sen. Therefore, Ttmon - -
Tim. Well, Sir, I will; therefore I will, Sir;
thus
If Alcibiades kill my countrymen,
Let Alcibiades know this of Ztmon,
That I'imon cares not. If he fack fair Athens^
And take our goodly aged men by th' beards,
Giving our holy virgins to the (lain
Of contumelious, beaftly, mad-brain'd war;
Then let him know, and tell him, Timon fpeaks it;
In pity of our aged, and our youth,
I cannot chufe but tell him, that I care not.
And let him take't at worfl ; for their knives care not,
While you have throats to anfwer. For rnyfelf,
There's not a whittle in th' unruly camp,
But I do prize it at my love, before
The reverend'ft throat in Athens. So I leave you
4 To the protection of the profp'rous Gods,
As thieves to keepers.
Flav. Stay not, all's in vain.
3 Allow d ivitb alfolute power, ] This is neither Englr/b
nor fenfe. We ihould read,
Hallow'd with abfolute power,*
i. e. Thy perfon fhall be held faered. For abfolute power being an at-
tribute of the Gods,the ancients thought that he who had it inlociety,
was become faered, and his perfon inviolable : On which account,
the Romans called the Tribunkial-power of the Emperors, Sacra-
Jan 8 a poteflas.
4 To the protection of the profp'roUB Gotf*,] Proffrous, for bappy.
The claffical epithet of the Gods.
Tim.
TIMON of ATHENS.
Tim. Why, I was writing of my epitaph,
It will be fecn to morrow. My long ficknefs
Of health and living now begins to mend,
And nothing brings me all things. Go, live ftill ;
Be Aldbiades your plague ; you his ;
And laft fo long enough !
i Sen. We fpeak in vain.
'Tim. But yet I love my Country, and am not
One that rejoices in the common wreck,
As common Bruite doth put it.
i Sen. That's well fpoke.
Tim. Commend me to my loving countrymen.
1 Sen. Thefe words become your lips, as they pafs
thro* them.
2 Sen. And enter in our ears, like great triumphers
In their applauding gates.
Tim. Commend me to them,
And tell them, that to eafe them of their griefs,
Their fears of hoftile ftrokes, their aches, lofles,
Their pangs of love, with other incident Throes,
That nature's fragile vefiel doth fuftain
In life's uncertain voyage, I will do
Some kindnefs to them, teach them to prevent
Wild Aldbiades 9 wrath.
2 Sen. I like this well, he will return again.
Tim. I have a Tree, which grows here in my Clofe,
That mine own ufe invites me to cut down,
And fhortly mud I fell it. Tell my friends,
Tell Athens , in the frequence of degree,
From high to low throughout, that whofo pleafe
To flop affliction, let him take his Hafte ;
Come hither, ere my Tree hath felt the ax,
And hang himfelf 1 pray you, do my Greeting.
Fl*v. Vex him no further, thus you dill mall find
him.
Tim. Come not to me again, but fay to Athens,
Timon hath made his everlafting manfion
Upon
TlMON of A T H E N S. 237
Upon the beached verge of the fait flood ;
Which once a-day with his embofied froth
The turbulent furge fhall cover: Thither come,
And let my grave-ftone be your oracle.
Lips, let four words go by, and language end:
What is amifs, plague and infection mend !
Graves only be men's works, and death their gain!
Sun, hide thy beams ! Timon hath done his Reign.
[Exit Timon.
1 Sen. His difcontents are unremoveably coupled to
his nature.
2 Sen. Our hope in him is dead ; let us return,
And ftrain what other means is left unto us
5 In our dear peril.
1 Sen. It requires fwift foot. [Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
Changes to the Walls of Athens.
Enter two other Senators^ with a Mejfenger. '
i Sen. np HOU haft painfully difcover'd ; are his files
1 As full as thy report ?
Mef. I have fpoke the leaft.
Bcfides, his expedition promifes
Prefent Approach.
2 Sen. We ftand much hazard, if they bring not
1'imon.
Mef. I met a courier, one mine ancient friend ;
Who, though in general part we were oppos'd,
Yet our old love made a particular force,
And made us fpeak like friends. This man was riding
5 In our dear peril. ] So the Folios, and rightly. The Oxford
Editor alters dear to dread, not knowing that dear, in the language
of that tims, fignified dread, ajid is fo ufed by Shakefptar in num-
berlefs places.
From
238 Ti M o N of ATHENS.
From dlcibiades to Timor?* Cave,
With letters of intreaty, which imported
His fellowfhip i'th Caufe againft your City,
In part for his fake mov'd.
Enter the other Senators.
i Sen. Here come our Brothers.
3 Sen. No talk of Timon, nothing of him expect. *
The enemies' Drum is heard, and fearful Scouring
Doth choak the air with duft. In, arjd prepare ;
Ours is the fall, I fear, our foes the fnare. [fLxeunt.
Enter a Soldier in the Woods ^feeking Ti-mon.
Sol. By all Dcfcription this fhould be the place.
Who's here? fpeak, ho.- No #nfwer? What is
this?
"fimon is dead, who hath out-ftretch'd his fpan ;
6 Some beaft rear'd this ; here does not live a man.
Dead, fure, and this his grave ; what's on this tomb?
I cannot read ; the character I'll take with wax i
Our Captain hath in every figure skill,
An ag'd interpreter, tho' young in days :
Before proud Athens he's fet down by this,
Who's Fall the mark of his ambition is. [Exit.
6 Some beaft read tits', here does not live a man.*\ Some beaft
read what ? The foldier had yet only feen the rude pile of earch
heap'd up for Timons grave, and noc the Infcription upon it. We
Ihould read,
Some beaft REAR'D this ;
The foldier feeking, by order, for Timon, fees fuch an irregular
mole, as he concludes mutt have been the \vorkmanfnip of fome
beaft inhabiting the wood^ ; and fuch a cavity, as either muft have
been fo over-arch'd, or happen'd by the calual falling in of the
ground.
SCENE
T i M o N of AT HENS. 239
SCENE V.
Before the Walls of Athens.
Crumpets found. Enter Alcibiades with bis Powers.
Ale. Q O U N D to this coward and Jafcivious town
tj Our terrible Approach.
{Sound a parley. The Senators appear
upon the walls.
'Till now you have gone on, and fill'd the time
With all licentious meafure, making your wills
The fcope of juftice. 'Till now myfelf, and fuch
As flept within the fhadow of your Power,
Have wander'd with our traverft arms, and breath'd
Our fufferance vainly. Now the time is flulh,
7 When crouching marrow in the bearer ftrong
Cries, of itfelf, no more: now breathlefs wrong
Shall fit and pant in your great Chairs of eafe,
And purfy Infolence fhall break his wind
With fear and horrid flight.
i Sen. Noble and young,
When thy firft griefs were but a meer conceit,
Ere thou hadft power, or we had caufe to fear 5
We fent to thee, to give thy rages balm,
To wipe out our ingratitude, with loves
* Above their quantity.
z Sen. So did we woo
Transformed Timon to our city's love
7 When crouching marrow in the learer ftrong
Cries, of itfelf, no more :] The marrow was fuppofed to be the
original of ftrength. The image is from a camel kneeling to take
up his load, who rifes immediately when he finds he has as much
laid on as he can bear.
8 Move their quantity.] Thtir refers to rages,
By
TIM ON of ATHENS.
By humble meflfage, and by promis'd (a) 'mends :
We were not all unkind, nor all deferve
The common ftroke of war.
1 Sen. Thefe walls of ours
Were not creeled by their hands, from whom
You have receiv'd your griefs : nor are they fuch,
That thefe great tow'rs, trophies, and fchools mould
fall
For private faults in them.
2 Sen. Nor are they living,
Who were the motives that you firft went out:
Shame that they wanted cunning, in excefs
Hath broke their hearts. March on, oh, noble lord,
Into our city with thy banners fpread j
By decimation and a tithed death,
If thy revenges hunger for that food
Which nature loaths, take thou the deftin'd tenth :
And by the hazard of the fpotted die,
Let die the fpotted.
1 Sen. All have not offended :
For thofe that were, it is not fquare to take
On thofe that are, revenge : Crimes, like to lands,
Are not inherited. Then, dear countryman,
Bring in thy ranks, but leave without thy rage i
Spare thy Athenian cradle, and thofe kin,
Which in the blufter of thy wrath muft fall
With thofe that have offended ; like a fhepherd,
Approach the fold, and cull th' infected forth -,
But kill not all together.
2 Sen. What thou wilt,
Thou rather malt enforce it with thy fmile,
Than hew to't with thy fword.
i Sen. Set but thy foot
Againftour rampir'd gates, and they (hall ope:
So thou wilt fend thy gentle heart before,
[(a) ''mends. Mr. Theobald. Vulg. means.]
To
TIMON o/ ATHENS. 141
To fay, thou'Ic enter friendly.
2 Sen. Throw thy glove,
Or any token of thine Honour elfe,
That thou wilt ufe the wars as thy redrefs,
And not as our confufion : all thy Powers
Shall make their harbour in our town, till we
Have fcal'd thy full defire.
Ale. Then there's my glove ;
Defcend, and open your uncharged potts ;
Thole enemies of TimotfSj and mine own,
Whom you yourfelves (hall fet out for reproof,
Fall, and no more; and to atone your fears
With my more noble meaning, not a man
Shall pafs his quarter, or offend the ftream
Of regular juftice in your city's bounds ;
But mail be remedied by publick laws
At heavieft anfwer.
Both. 'Tis mod nobly fpoken.
Ale. Defcend, and keep your words.
Enter a Soldier.
Sol. My noble General, 'fimon is dead ;
Entomb'd upon the very hem o'th* fea ;
And on the grave-ftone this Infculpture, which
With wax I brought away , whofe foft imprefllon
Interpreted for my poor ignorance.
[Alcibiades reads the epitaph.}
Here lies a wretched coarfe, of wretched foul bereft :
Seek not my name: a plague con fume you caitiffs left !
Here lye I Timon, who all living men did bate,
Pafs by, and curfe thy fill, but jlay not here thy gaite.
Thefe well exprefs in thee thy latter fpirits :
Tho* thou abhor'dft in us our human griefs,
VOL. VI. R Scorn'd
24* TIMON of ATHENS.
Scorn'd our (a] brine's flow, and thofe our droplets,
which
From niggard nature fall -, yet rich conceit
Taught thee to make vaft Neptune weep for aye
On thy low grave. On : faults forgiven. -Dead
Js noble Titncn, of whole memory
Hereafter more' Bring me into your City,
And I will ufe the Olive with my fword j
Make War breed Peace ; make Peace Hint War }
make each
Prefcribe to Other, as each other's Leach.
Let our drums ilrike.- [Exeunt.
[(a) brine's flow. Oxford Editor- Vulg. Iraini 1 Jlo'w.~\
TITUS
T I T tJ S
ANDRONICUS.
DRAMATIS PERSONS.
Saturninus, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, and
afterwards declared Emperor himfelf.
Bafiianus, Brother to Saturninus, in Love with Lavinia.
Titus Andronicus, a Noble Roman, General againft
the Goths.
Marcus Andronicus, Tribune of the People, and Brother
to Titus.
Marcus, ~\
Andronicus -
Mutius, j
Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius.
Publius, Son to Marcus the Tribune? and Nephew to
Titus Andronicus.
Sempronius.
Alarbus, 1
Chiron, > Sons to Tamora.
Demetrius, )
Aaron, a Moor, belov'd by Tamora.
Captain, from Titus'* Camp.
jEmilius, a Meffenger.
Goths, and Romans.
Clown.
Tamora, Queen of the Goths, and afterwards married
to Saturninus.
Lavinia, Daughter to Titus Andronicus.
Nurfe, with a Black- a-moor Child.
Senators, Judges, Officers, Soldiers, and other Attendants.
SCENE, Rome; and the Country near it.
TITUS
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
ACT I. SCENE I.
Before the Capitol in ROME.
Enter the Tribunes and Senators aloft, as In the Senate.
Enter Saturninus and his follower^ at one door ; and
Baffianus and his followers, at the other , tnitb Drum
and Colours.
SATU RNINUS.
O B L E Patricians, Patrons of my
Right,
Defend the juftice of my Caufe with
arms :
And Countrymen, my loving followers,
Plead my fuccefiive title with your fwords.
I am the firft-born Son of him, that laft
Wore the imperial Diadem of Rome :
Then let my father's honours live in me,
Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.
Baf. Romans* friends, followers, favourers of my
Right,
If ever Bqflianus^ Gofer's fon,
Were gracious in the eyes of royal Romt y
R 3 Keep
246 TITUS ANDRONICUS,
Keep then this paflage to the Capitol ;
And fuffer not difhonour to approach
Th' imperial Seat, to virtue confecrate,
To juftice, continence, and nobility :
But let Dcfcrt in pure election fhine j
And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.
Enter Marcus Andronicus aloft ^ with the Crown.
Mar. Princes, that ftrive by factions, and by friends,
Ambitioufly for Rule and Empery !
Know, that the people of Rome* for whom we ftand
A fpecial party, have by common voice,
In election for the Roman Empery,
Chofen Andronicus^ fur-named Pius,
For many good and great deferts to Rome.
A nobler man, a braver warrior,
Lives nor this day within our city-walls.
He by the Senate is accited home,
From weary wars againft the barb'rous Goths >
That with his fons (a terror to our foes)
Hath yoak'd a nation ftrong, train'd up in arms.
Ten Years are fpent, fince firft he undertook
This Caufc of Rente, and chaftifed with arms
Our enemies' pride. Five times he hath return'd
Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant fons
In coffins from the field.
And now at laft laden with honour's Spoils,
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
Let us intreat, by honour of his Name,
Whom (worthily) you would have now fucceed,
And in the Capitol and Senate's Right,
"Whom you pretend to honour and adore,
That you withdraw you, and abate your ftrength ;
Difmifs your followers, and, as fuitors mould,
Plead your deferts in peace and humblenefs.
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 247
Sat. How fair the Tribune fpeaks, to calm my
thoughts!
Eaf. Alan-us Andronicus, fo I do affie
In thy uprightnds and integrity,
And fo I love and honour thee and thine-,
Thy noble brother Titus, and his fons,
And her to whom our thoughts are humbled all,
Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich Ornament ;
That I will here difmifs my loving friends;
And to my fortunes, and the people's favour,
Commit my Caufe in ballance to be weigh'd.
[_Exeunt Soldiers*
Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my
Right,
I thank you all, and here difmifs you all ;
And to the love and favour of my country
Commit myfelf, my perfon and the Caufe:
Rome, beasjuifr and gracious unto me,
As I am confident and kind to thee.
Open the gates, and let me in.
Baf. Tribunes, and Me, a poor Competitor.
\fThey go up into the Scnat&-houfe.
SCENE II.
Enter a Caftain.
Cap. Romans^ make way : the good Andronicus*
Patron of virtue, Rome's bed champion*
Succefsful in the battels that he fights,
With honour and with fortune is return'd,
From whence he circumfcribed with his fword,
And brought to yoke the enemies of Rome*
R 4 Sound
248 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Sound Drums and Trumpets, and then enter Mutius and
Marcus : after them, two men bearing a coffin co-
ver'd wtb black ; then Quintus and Lucius, dftcr
tbem> Titus Andronicusj and then Tamora, the
Queen of Goths, Alarbus, Chiron, and Demetrius,
with Aaron the Moor, prifoners j foldiers, and other
attendants. They fet down the coffin^ and Titus
J peaks.
'fit. ' Hail, Rome, victorious in my mourning weeds !
Lo, as the Bark, that hath difcharg'd her freight,
Returns with precious lading to the bay,
From whence at firft me weigh'd her anchorage j
Cometh Andromcus with laurel boughs,
To re-falute his Country with his tears ;
Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.
Thou great Defender of this Capitol,
Stand gracious to the Rites that we intend !
Romans, of five and twenty valiant fons,
Half of the number that King Priam had,
Behold the poor Remains, alive and dead !
Thefe, that furvive, let Rome reward with love ;
Thcfe, that I bring unto their lateft home,
With burial among their Anceftors.
Here Goths have given me leave to fheath my fword :
y?/aj, unkind, and carelefs of thine own,
"Why fuffer'ft thou thy Sons, unburied yet,
To hover on the dreadful more of Styx?
Make way to lay them by their brethren.
[They open the 'Tomb.
There greet in filence, as the dead are wont,
And fleep in peace, flain in your country's wars :
l Hail, Rome, viflorious in thy mourning Wteds /] I fufpeft
that the poet wrote,
in my mourning Weeds.
i. e. Titus would fay ; Thou, Rome, art victorious, tho' I am z
mourner for thofe Sons which I have loil in obtaining that
v:aory.
o
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 249
O facred receptacle of my joys,
Sweet cell of virtue and nobility,
How many fons of mine haft thou in ftore ;
That thou wilt never render to me more ?
Luc. Give us the proudeft prifoncr of the Gotbs 9
That we may hew his limbs, and on a pile,
Ad manes Fratrum facrifice his flefh,
Before this earthly prifon of their bones :
That fo the fhadows be not unappeas'd,
Nor we difturb'd with prodigies on earth.
lit. I give him you, the nobleft that furvives :
The eldeft fon of this diftrcffed Queen.
'Tarn. Stay, Roman brethren, gracious Conqueror,
Victorious TJ/J, rue the tears I med,
A mother's tears in paffion for her fon :
And, if thy fons were ever dear to thee,
O, think my fons to be as dear to me.
Sufficeth not that we are brought to Rome,
To beautify thy Triumphs and Return,
Captive to thee and to thy Roman yoak ?
But muft my fons be Qaughter'd in the flreets,
For valiant doings in their country's caufe ?
O ! if to fight for King and Common- weal
Were Piety in thine, it is in thefe :
AndronicuS) (lain not thy tomb with blood.
Wilt thou draw near the nature of the Gods ?
Draw near them then in being merciful \
Sweet Mercy is Nobility's true badge.
Thrice-noble 7V/j, fpare my firft-born fon.
Tit. Patient yourfelf, Madam, and pardon me.
Thefe are their brethren, whom you Gctbs behold
Alive and dead, and for their brethren ilain
Religioufly they ask a Sacrifice j
To this your fon is markt, and die he muft,
T'appeafe their groaning fhadows that are gone.
Luc. A way, with him, and make a fire ftraighr.
And with our fwords, upon a pile of wood.
Let's
TlTUS ANDRONICUS.
Let's hew his limbs, 'till they be clean confum'd.
[Exeunt Mutius, Marcus, Quintus and Lucius
with Alarbus.
yam. O cruel, irreligious, piety !
Chi. Was ever Scythia half fo barbarous?
Dem. Oppofe me, Scythia, to ambitious Rome.
Alarbus, go to reft ! and we furvive
To tremble under Titus' threatning looks.
Then, Madam, ftand refolv'd ; but hope withal,
The felf-fame Gods, that arm'd the Queen of 'Troy
With opportunity of fharp revenge
Upon the Tbracian tyrant in her Tent,
IViay favour Tajnora, the Queen of Goths,
(When Goths were Goths, and Tamora was Queen)
To quit her bloody wrongs upon her foes.
Enter Mutius, Marcus, Quintus and Lucius.
Luc. See, lord and father, how we have perform'd
Our Roman rites : Alarbu? limbs are Jopt 5
And intrails feed the facrificing fire ;
Whofe fmoke, like incenfe, doth perfume the sky.
Remaineth nought but to inter our brethren,
And with loud Marums welcome them to Rome.
Tit. Let it be fo, and let dnrlrcnicus
Make this his lateft farewel to their fouls.
[Then found trumpets, and lay the coffins in the tomb.
In peace and honour reft you here, my fons,
Rome's readieft champions, repofe you here,
Secure from worldly chances and mifhaps :
Here lurks no treafon, here no envy fwells ;
Here grow no damned grudges, here no ftormSj
No noife : but filence and eternal fleep :
In peace and honour reft you here, my fons !
SCENE
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 251
SCENE III.
Enter Lavinia.
Lav. In peace and honour live lord 'Titus long,
My noble lord and father, live in fame !
Lo ! at this tomb my tributary tears
I render, for my brethrens' obfequies :
And at thy feet I kneel, with tears of joy
Shed on the earth, for thy Return to Rome.
O, blefs me here with thy vi&orious hand,
Whofe fortune Rome's bed citizens applaud.
Tit. Kind Rome, that haft thus lovingly referv'd
The Cordial of mine age, to glad mine heart !
Lftvinia, live; out-live thy father's days,
* In Fame's eternal Date for virtue's praife !
Mar. Long live lord Titus, my beloved brother,
Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome !
Tit. Thanks, gentle Tribune, noble brother Marcus^
Mar. And welcome, Nephews, from fuccefsfql
wars,
You that furvive, and you that fleep in fame :
Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all,
That in your country's fervice drew your fwords.
But fafer triumph is this funeral pomp,
That hath afpir'd to Solon's happinefs;
And triumphs over chance, in Honour's bed.
Titus Andronicus, the people of Romc^
"Whofe friend injufticethou haft ever been,
Send thee by me their Tribune, and their truft,
This Palliamcnt of white and fpotlefs hue;
And name thee in eledtion for the Empire,
With thefe our late-deceafed Emperor's fons :
Be Candidatus then, and put it on j
And help to fet a head on headlefs Rome,
2 AND famfs eternal date for virtue's praife ] This abfur'd witfi
is made lenfe of by changing and into i H.
Tit.
2-2 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Tit. A better head her glorious body fits,
Than his, thac makes for age and feeblenefs :
What! fnouid I don this robe, and trouble you?
Be chofe with Proclamations to day,
To morrow yield up Rule, refign my life,
And fet abroach new bufinefs for you all ?
Rome, I have been thy foldier forty years,
And led my country's flrength fuccefsfully ;
And buried one and twenty valiant fons,
Knighted in field, flain manfully in arms,
In Right and Service of their noble Country.
Give me a ftaff of honour for mine age,
But not a fceptre to controul the world.
Upright he held it, lords, that held it lad.
Mar. Titus, thou malt obtain and ask the Empery.
Sat. Proud and ambitious Tribune, canft thou
tell
Tit. Patience, Prince Saturninus. -
Sat. Romans, do me Right.
Patricians, draw your fwords, and fheath them not
'Till Siiturmnus be Rome's Emperor.
Ar.drcmcus, would thou wert fhipt to hell,
Rather than rob me of the people's hearts.
Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the Good
That noble-minded 'fitus means to thee.-
2?/; Content thee, Prince ; I will reftore to thee
The people's hearts, and wean them from themfelves.
Baf. AndrQnicus, I do not flatter thee,
But honour thee, and will do 'till I die i
My faclion if thou ttrengthen with thy friends,
I will moft thankful be ; and Thanks to men
Of noble minds is honourable meed.
Tit. People of Rome, and noble Tribunes here,
I ask your voices, and your fuffrages ;
Will you beftow them friendly on AndronicM, ?
Mar. To gratify the good Androriuus
And grarulate his fafe Return to Rome,
The
TITUS A N B R o N i c u s. 253
The people will accept whom he admits.
Tit. Tribunes, I thank you, and this fuit I make,
That you create your Emperor's elcleft fon,
Lord Saturnine; whofe virtues will, I hope,
Reflect on Rome, as Titan's rays on earth,
And ripen juftice in this Common- weal.
Then if you will elect by my advice,
Crown him, and fay,- Long live our Emperor?
Mar. With voices and applaufe of every fort,
Patricians and Plebeians, we create
Lord Saturninus, Rome's great Emperor ;
And fay, Long live our Emperor Saturnine !
[A long flourifo, till they come down,
Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done
To us in our Election this day,
I give thee thanks in part of thy deferts,
And will with deeds requite thy gentlenefs :
And for an onfet, Titus, to advance
Thy name, and honourable family,
Lavima will I make my Emperefs,
Rome's royal Miftrefs, Miftrefs of my heart,
And in the facred Pantheon her efpoufe :
Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion pleafe thee ?
Tit. It doth, my worthy lord ; and, ir this match,
I hold me highly honour'd of your Grace :
And here in fight of Rome, to Saturninus,
King and Commander of our Common-weal,
The wide world's Emperor, do I confecrate
My fword, my chariot, and my prifoners ;
Prefents well worthy Rome's imperial lord.
Receive them then, the Tribute that I owe,
Mine Honour's Enfigns humbled at thy feet.
Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life!
How proud I am of thee, and of thy gifts,
Rome mail record ; and when I do forget
The Jeaft of thefe unfpeakable deferts,
Romans, forget your fealty to me.
Tit.
TITUS ANDRONICUS*
Tit. Now, Madam, are you prifoner to an Em-
peror j
To him, that for your honour and your ftatc
"Will ufe you nobly, and your followers.
Sat. A goodly lady, truft me, of the hue
[To Tamora,
That I would chufe, were I to chufe anew :
Clear up, fair Queen, that cloudy countenance ;
Tho* chance of war hath wrought this change of
cheer,
Thou com'ft not to be made a fcdrn in Rome :
Princely mail be thy ufage every way.
Reft on my word, and let not difcontent
Daunt all your hopes : Madam, who comforts you,
Can make you greater than the Queen of Goths.
Lavinia^ you are not difpleas'd with this?
Lav. Not I, my lord ; fith true nobility
Warrants thefe words in princely courtefie.
Sat. Thanks, fweet Lavinia -, Romans, let us go.
Ranfomlefs here we fet our prifoners free ;
Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum.
af. Lord Titus t by your Leave, this Maid is mine.
[Seizing Lavinia.
Tit. How, Sir ? are you in earned then, my lord ?
Baf. Ay, noble Titus ; and refolv'd withal,
To do my lei f this Reafon and this Right.
[The Emperor courts Tamora in dumb Jhew.
Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman juftice :
This Prince in juftice feizcth but his own.
Luc. And that he will, and mail, if Lucius live.
Tit. Traitors, avant ! where is the Emperor's Guard ?
Treafon, my lord ; Lavinia is furpriz'd.
Sat. Surpriz'd ! by whom ?
Baf. By him that juftly may
Bear his betroth'd from all the world away.
[Exit Bafiianus with Lavinia.
SCENE
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 255
SCENE IV.
Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence away,
And with my fword I'll keep this door fecure.
Tit. Follow, my lord, and Til foon bring her back.
Mut. My lord, you pafs not here.
Tit. What! villain-boy,
Barr'ft me my way in Rome ? [He kills him*
Mut. Help, Lucius, help!
Luc. My lord, you are unjuft, and more than fo ;
In wrongful quarrel you have flain your Ion.
Tit. Nor thou, nor he, are any fons of mine :
My fons would never fo dimonour me.
Traitor, reftore Lavinia to the Emperor.
LKC. Dead, if you will, but not to be his wife,
That is another's lawful promis'd love.
Sat. No, Titus, no, the Emperor needs her not i
Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy ftock j
I'll truft by leifure him, that mocks me once :
Thee never, nor thy traiterous haughty fons,
Confederates all, thus to dimonour me.
Was there none elfe in Rothe to make a Stale of,
But Saturnine ? full well, Andronicus,
Agree thefe deeds with that proud Brag of thine,
That faid'ft, 1 begg'd the Empire at thy hands.
Tit. O monilrous ! what reproachful words are
thefe !
Sat. But go thy ways : go give that changing
piece,
To him that flourim'd for her with his fword;
A valiant fon-in-law thou malt enjoy :
One fit to bandy with thy lawlefs fons
To ruffle in the Commonwealth of Rome.
Tit. Thefe words are razors to my wounded heart.
Sat. And therefore, Jovely Tamora, Queen of Goths,
That, like the (lately Pbcebe 'mong her Nymphs,
Doft over-fhine the gallant'ft Dames of Rom*-,
56 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
If thou be pleas'd with this my fudden choice,
Behold I chufe thee, Tamom, for my bride,
And will create thee Emperefs of Rome.
Speak, Queen of Goths, doft thou applaud my choice?
And here I fwear by all the Roman Gods,
(Sith pried and holy water are fo near,
And tapers burn fo bright, and every thing
In readinefs for Hymeneus (lands,)
I will not re-falute the ftreets of Rome,
Or climb my Palace, 'till from forth this place
I lead efpous'd my bride along with me.
Tarn. And here in fight of heav'n to Rome I fwear,
If Saturnine advance the Queen of Gotbs,
She will a handmaid be to his defires,
A loving nurfe, a mother to his youth.
Sat. Afcend, fair Queen, Pantheon ; lords, accompany
Your noble Emperor, and his lovely bride,
Sent by the heavens for Prince Saturnine ;
Whofe wifdom hath her fortune conquered :
There (hall we confummate our fpoufal rites. [Exeunt.
SCENE V.
Manet Titus Andronicus.
fit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride.
tttus, when wert thou wont to walk alone,
Difhonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs ?
Enter Marcus Andronicus, Lucius, Quintus, and
Marcus.
Marc. Oh, Tttus, fee, oh, fee, what thou haft done!
In a bad quarrel (lain a virtuous fon.
Tit. No, fooiifh Tribune, no : no fon of mine,
Nor thou, nor thefe confederates in the deed,
That hath difhonoured all our family ;
Unworthy brother, and unworthy fons.
Luc.
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Luc. But let us give him burial, as becomes ;
Give Mutius burial with our bretheren.
Tit. Traitors, away ! he refts not in this tomb ;
This monument five hundred years hath ftood,
Which I have fumpcuoufly re-edified :
Here none but foldiers, and Rome's Servitors,
Repofe in fame : none bafely (lain in brawls.
Bury him where you can, he comes not here.
Alar. My lord, this is impiety in you ;
My nephew Mutiu? deeds do -plead for him :
He mull be buried with his bretheren.
[Titus*; fans fpeak.
Sons. And mall, or him we will accompany.
Tit. And (hall ? what villain was it fpake that word ?
[Titus*jy<?# f peaks.
Quin. He, that wojuld vouch't in any place but
here.
9"z>. What, would you bury him in my defpight?
Mar. No, noble Titus ; but intreat of thee
To pardon Mutius ', and to bury him.
Tit. Marcus^ ev'n thou haft ftruck upon my Creft,
And with thefe boys mine Honour thou haft wounded.
My foes I do repute you every one,
So trouble me no more, but get you gone.
Luc. He is not himfelf, let us withdraw.
Quin. Not I, 'till Mutius 9 bones be buried.
[The brother and the fons kneel.
Mar. Brother, for in that name doth nature plead.
Quin. Father, and in that name doth nature fpeak.
Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the reft will fpeed.
Mar. Renowned Titus* more than half my foul,
Luc. Dear father, foul and fubftanceof us all, -
Mar. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter
His noble Nephew here in virtue's neft,
That died in honour, and Lavinia's caufe.
Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous.
The Greeks, upon advice, did bury Ajax*
VOL. VI. S That
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
That flew himfelf ; and wife Laertes, 9 fon
Did gracioufly plead for his funerals.
Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy,
Be barr'd his entrance here.
Tit. Rife, Marcus, rife
The difmall'ft day is this, that e'er I faw,
To be diflionour'd by my fons in Rome :
Well ; bury him, and bury me the next.
[They put him in the tomb.
Luc. There lie thy bones, fweet Mutius> with thy
friends,
'Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb !
[They all kneel and fay ;
No man med tears for noble Mutius ;
He lives in fame, that died in virtue's caufe.
Mar. My lord, to ftep out of thefe dreary dumps,
How comes it that the fubtle Queen of Goths
Is of a fudden thus advanc'd in Rome?
Tit. I know not Marcus ; but, I know, it is :
If by device or no, the heav'ns can tell :
Is flic not then beholden to the man,
That brought her for this high good Turn fo far ?
Yes ; and will nobly him remunerate.
SCENE VI.
Flounjh. Re-enter the Emperor^ Tamora, Chiron,
and Demetrius, with Aaron the Moor, at one door.
At the other door , Baffianus and Lavinia ijoith others.
Sat. So, Bqflianus, you have plaid your prize ;
God give you joy, Sir, of your gallant bride.
Baf. And you of yours, my lord ; I fay no more,
Nor vvim no lefs, and fo I take my leave.
Sat. Tray tor, if Rome have law, or we have power,
Thou and thy faction mall repent this Rape.
af. Rape call you it, my tord, to feize my own,
My
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 259
My true-betrothed love, and now my wife?
But let the laws of Rome determine all ;
Mean while I am pofieft of that is mine.
Sat. *Tis good, Sir -, you are very fhort with us,
But, if we live, we'll be as (harp with you.
Baf. My lord, what I have done, as bed I may,
Anfwer I muft, and mall do with my life ;
Only thus much I give your Grace to know,,
By all the duties which 1 owe to Rome*
This noble gentleman, lord Titus here,
Is in opinion and in honour wrong'd ;
That in the refcue of Lavima,
With his own hand did flay his youngefl: fbn^
In zeal to you, and highly mov'd to wrath
To be controul'd in that he frankly gave ;
Receive him then to favour, Saturnine ;
That hath expreft himfclf in all his deeds,
A father and a friend to thee, and Rome.
Tit. Prince Bqffianus, leave to plead my deeds,
'Tis thou, and thofe, that have difhonour'd me:
Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge,
How I have lov'd and honoured Saturnine.
'Tarn. My worthy lord, if ever Tamora
Were gracious in thofe princely eyes of thine,
Then hear me fpeak, indifferently* for all ,
And at my fuit (fweet) pardon what is pad.
Sat. What, Madam ! be difhonour'd openly,
And bafely put it up without revenge ?
Tarn. Not fo, my lord ; the Gods of Rome fore-
fend,
I fhould be author to difhonour you !
But, on mine honour dare I undertake
For good lord Titus 9 innocence in ail ;
Whofe fury, not diffembled, fpeaks his griefs :
Then, at my fuit, look gracioully on him,
Lofe not fo noble a friend on vain Suppofe,
Nor with four looks afflift his gentle heart.
S 2 My
260 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
My lord, be rul'd by me, be won at laft, "
Piflcmble all your griefs and difcontents :
You are but newly planted in your Throne ;
Left then the People and Patricians too,
Upon a juft furvey, take Titus' part ,
And fo fupplant us for ingratitude,
Which Rcme reputes to be a heinous fin,
Yield at intreats, and then let me alone ;
I'll find a day to maffacre them all,
And raze their faction, and their family,
The cruel father, and his traiterous fons,
To whom I fued for my dear fon's life:
And make them know, what 'tis to let a Queen
Kneel intheftreets, and beg for grace in vain J
Come, come, fweet Emperor, come, Andronicus
Take up this good old man, and chear the heart,
That dies in tempeft of thy angry frown.
Sal. Rife, Titus, rife ; my Emprefs hath prevail'd,
Til. I thank your Majefty, and her ; my ford,
Thefe words, thefe looks infufe new life in me.
Tarn. Titus, I am incorporate in Romt,
A Reman now adopted happily :
And muft advife the Emperor for his good.
This day all quarrels die, Andromcus^
And Jet it be my honour, good my lord,
That I have reconciled your friends and you.
For you, Prince Bajfianus, I have paft
My word and promife to the Emperor,
That you will be more mild and traceable.
And fear not, lords-, and you, Lavinia,
By my advice all-humbled on your knees,
You mail ask pardon of his Majefty.
Luc. We do, and vow to heaven and to his
Highnefs,
That what we did was mildly, as we might,
Tendring our fitter's honour and our own.
Mar. That en mine honour here I do proteft.
Sat.
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 261
Sat. Away, and talk not ; trouble us no more
Tarn. Nay, nay, fweet Emperor, we muft all be
friends.
The Tribune and his Nephews kneel for grace,
I will not be denied i fweet heart, look back.
Sat. Marcus* for thy fake, and thy brother's here,
And at my lovely Tamorefs intreats,
I do remit thefe young men's heinous faults.
Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,
I found a friend ; and lure, as death, I fwore,
I would not part a batchelor from the prieft.
Come, if the Emperor's Court can feaft two brides ;
You are my gueft, Lavinia, and your friends ;
This day mall be a love-day, Tamora.
'Tit. To morrow an it pleafe your Majefty,
To hunt the Panther and the Hart with me,
With horn and hound, we'll give your Grace Eon-
jour.
Sat. Be it fo Titus > and gramercy too. [Exeunt.
ACT II. SCENE I.
Before the PALACE.
Enter Aaron alone.
A A RON.
NO W climbeth Tamora Olympus' top,
Safe out of fortune's mot j and fits aloft,
Secure of thunder's crack, or lightning flafli-,
Advanc'd above pale envy's threatning reach.
As when the golden fun falutes the morn,
And, having gilt the ocean with his b^ams,
Gallops the Zodiack in his glillring coach,
S 3 And
262 TITUS ANDROKICUS.
And over-looks the higheft-peering hills:
bo Taivorz'
1 Upon her will dorh earthly honour wait,
And virtue (loops and trembles at her frown.
Then, Aaron, arm thy heart, and fit thy thoughts,
To mount aloft with thy imperial miftrefs,
And mount her pitch j whom thou in triumph long
Haft prifoner held, fetter'd in amorous chains ;
And fatter bound to Aaron's charming eyes,
Than is Promsihcus ty'd toCaucafas.
Away with flavifb weeds, and idle thoughts,
] will be bright and Ihine in pearl and gold,
To wait upon this new-made Emperefs.
To wait, faid I ? to wanton with this Queen,
This Goddefs, this Se/niramis ; this Queen,
This Syren, that will charm Rome's Saturnine^
And fev; his fhipwreck, and his common-weal's.
Holla! what ilorm is this?
SCENE IL
Enter Chiron and Demetrius, braving.
Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge
And manners, to intrude where I am grac'd ;
And may, for aught thou know'fl, affected be.
Chi. Demetrius * thou doft over- ween in all,
And fo in this, to bear me down with Braves :
'Tis not the difference of a year or two
Makes me lefs gracious, or thee more fortunate ;
I am as able, and as fit as thou,
To ferve, and to deferve my miftrcfs* grace ;
And that my fword upon thee (hall approve,
And plead my paffion for Lavinia's love.
Aar. Clubs, clubs! - thefe lovers will not keep
the peace.
i l'fs*ler WIT ] We (hould read,
Ufen her WILL .
totm.
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 263
Dem. Why boy, although our mother (unadvis'd)
Gave you a dancing rapier by your fide,
Are you fo defp'rate grown to threat your friends ?
Go to ; have your lath glued within your fheath,
'Till you know better how to handle it.
Chi. Mean while, Sir, with the little skill I have,
Full well (halt thou perceive how much I dare.
Dem. Ay, boy, grow ye fo brave? \jTbeydraw.
Aar. Why, how now, lords?
So near the Emperor's Palace dare you draw ?
And maintain fuch a Quarrel openly ?
Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge :
I would not for a million of gold,
The caufe were known to them it moft concerns.
Nor would your noble mother, for much more,
Be fo diflionour'd in the Court of Rome.
For fhame, put up. -
Chi. z Not I, 'till I have fheath'd
My rapier in his bofom, and withal
Thruft thefe reproachful fpeeches down his throat,
That he hath breath'd in my dishonour here.
Dem. For that I am prepar'd and full-refolv'd,
Foul-fpoken coward! thou thundreft with thy tongue,
And with thy weapon nothing dai'fl perform.
Aar. Away, I fay.
Now by the Gods, that warlike Goths adore,
This pretty Brabble will undo us all ;
Why, lords - and think you not, how dangerous
It is to jet upon a Prince's right ?
What is Lavinia then become fo loofe,
Or Bqffianus fo degenerate,
That for her Jove fuch quarrels may be broachr,
Without controulmenr, juttice, or revenge?
z Not I, till I have fifattfd &c.] This fpeech, which hai
been all along given to Demetrius, as the next 10 Chiron, were
both given to the wrong fpeaker. For it was Demetrius thai had
thrown out the reproachful fpeeches on che other.
S 4 Young
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Young lords, beware and mould the Empreis know
This difcord's ground, the mufick would not pleafe.
Cbi. I care not, I, knew fhe and all the world;
I love Lavinia more than all the world.
Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make fome meaner
choice ;
Lavinia is thy elder brother's hope.
Aar. Why, are ye mad ! or know ye not, in Rome
How furious and impatient they be,
And cannot brook competitors in love?
J tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths
By this Device.
Chi. Aaron, a thoufand deaths would I propofe,
To atchieve her whom I do love.
Aar. To atchieve her how ?
Dem. Why mak*ft thou it fo ftrange ?
She is a woman, therefore may be woo'd ;
She is a woman, therefore may be won ;
She is Ltvvima^ therefore muft be Jov'd.
Wha% man ! more Water glideth by the mill
Than wots the miller of-, and eafie it is
Of a cut loaf to (leal a fhive, we know :
Tho' B a/i anus be the Emperor's brother,
Better than he have yet worn Vulcan's badge.
Aar. Ay, and as good as Saturninus may. [dftdt.
Dem. Then why mould he defpair, that knows to
court it
With words, fair looks, and liberality ?
What, haft thou not full often ftruck a doe,
And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nofe ?
A*r. Why then, it feems, fome certain fnatch or fe
Would ferve your turns,
Qx. Ay, fo" the turn were ferved.
Dem. /laron, thou haft hit it.
Aar. 'Would you had hit it too,
Then fhould not we be tired with this ado:
Why, hark ye, hark ye and are you fuch fools,
To
TlTUsANDRONTCUS. 26 C
J To fquare for this ? would it offend you then
That both mould fpeed !
Chi. Faith, not me.
Dem. Nor me, fo I were one.
Aar. For fhame, be friends; and join for that
you jar.
'Tis policy and ftratagem muft do
That you affect ; and fo muft you refolve,
That what you cannot, as you would, atchieve,
You may perforce accomplim as you may.
Take this of me, Lucrece was not more chafte
Than this Lavinia, Baflianu? love ;
A fpeedier courfe than Hngring languifliment
Muft we purfue, and I have found the path.
My lords, a folemn hunting is in hand,
There will the lovely Roman ladies troop:
The foreft- walks are wide and fpacious,
And many unfrequented Plots there are,
Fitted by kind for rape and villany :
Single you thither then this dainty doe,
And ftrike her home by force, if not by words :
This way, or not at all, ftand you in hope.
Come, come, our Emprefs with her facred wit
To Villany and vengeance confecrate,
We will acquaint with all that we intend ;
And (he mall file our engines with advice,
That will not fuffer you to fquare yourfelves,
But to your vvifhes* height advance you both.
The Emperor's Court is like the Houfe of Fame,
The Palace full of tongues, of eyes, of ears :
The woods are ruthlefs, dreadful, deaf and dull :
There (peak, and ftrike, brave boys, and take your
turns.
There ferve your lufts, fhadow'd from heaven's eye ;
And revel in Lavinia's Treafury.
3 To fquare for this? ] Square fignifies to quarrel. Vide
Midfummer Nigbfj dream. Mr-Pope.
cw.
266 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Chi. Thy counfel, lad, fmells of no cowardife.
Dem. Sit fas ant nefas, 'till 1 find the ftream
To cool this heat, a charm to calm thefe fits,
Per Styga^ fer Manes vehor. \Exeunt.
SCENE III.
Changes to a Foreft.
Enter Titus Andronicus and bis three Sons, with
bounds and borns^ and Marcus.
3l/.*TpHE Hunt is up, 4 the morn is bright and
I gray ;
The fields are fragrant, and the woods are green :
Uncouple here, and let us make a Bay :
And wake the Emperor and his Jovely Bride,
And rouze the Prince, and ring a hunter's peal,
That all the Court may echo with the noife.
Sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours,
To tend the Emperor's perfon carefully :
I have been troubled in my fleep this night,
But dawning day new comfort hath infpir'd.
Here a cry of bounds, and wind horns in a peal :
then enter Saturninus, Tamora, Baffianus, Lavinia,
Chiron, Demetrius and their Attendants.
Tit. Many good morrows to your Majefty ;
Madam, to you as many and as good.
I promifed your Grace a hunter's peal.
Sat. And you have rung it luftily, my lords,
Somewhat too early for new-married ladies.
Baf. Lavinia y how fay you ?
Lav. I fay, no :
4 The morn is bright and gray ;] /'. e. bright and yet not
red which was a fign of ftorms and rain, but gray which loretold
fair weather. Ye: the Oxford Zdi:;r alccrs^/^ to gay.
TITUS ANORONICUS. 267
I have been broad awake two hours and more.
Sat. Come on then, horfe and chariots let us have,
And to our fport : Madam, now ye fhall fee
Our Roman Hunting.
Mar. I have dogs, my lord,
Will rouze the proudeft Panther in the chafe,
And climb the higheft promontory-top.
Tit. And I have horfe will follow, where the game
Makes way, and run like fwallows o'er the plain.
Dem. Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horfe nor
hound ;
But hope to pluck a dainty Doe to ground. [Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
Changes to a defart part of the For eft .
Enter Aaron alone.
Jar. TT[ E, that had wit, would think, that I had
E"l none,
To bury fo much gold under a tree ;
5 And never after to inherit it.
Let him, that thinks of me fo abje&ly,
Know, that this gold mud coin a ftratagem ;
Which, cunningly effected, will beget
A very excellent piece of villany ;
And fo repofe, fweet gold, for their unrefl,
That have their alms out of the Emprefs' cheft.
Enter Tamora.
Tarn. My lovely Aaron* wherefore look'ft thou fad,
When every thing doth make a gleeful boaft ?
* The birds chaunt melody on every bum,
* The fnake lies rolled in the chearful fun,
' The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind,
* 5 And never after to inherit //.] Inherit, for poflefs fimply.
* And
268 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
A nd make a chequer'd fhadow on the ground :
Under their fweet made, Aaron, let us fit,
' And whilft the babling Echo mocks the hounds,
Replying fhrilly to the weJI-tun'd horns,
As if a double Hunt were heard at once,
Let us fit down and mark their yelling nolle:
And after conflict, fuchas was fuppos'd
The wandring Prince and Dido once enjoy'd,
When with a happy ftorm they were furpriz'd,
And curtain'd with a counfel-keeping cave ;
"We may, each wreathed in the other's arms,
(Our pattimes done) poflefs a golden (lumber ;
Whilft hounds and horns, and fweet melodious birds
Be unto us, as is a nurfc's fong
Of lullaby, to bring her babeafleep.
Aar. Madam, though Venus govern your defires,
Saturn is dominator over mine :
" Whar fignifies my deadly-ftanding eye,
"My filcnce, and my cloudy melancholy,
" My fleece of woolly hair, that now uncurls,
" Even as an adder, when me doth unrowl
" To do iome fatal execution ?
No, Madam, thefe are no venereal figns j
Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand ;
Blood and revenge are hammering in my head.
Hark, famcra^ (the Emprefs of my foul,
Which never hopes more heaven than refts in thee)
This is the day of doom for Eafjianm ;
His Philomel muft lofe her tongue to day j
Thy fons make pillage of her chaftity,
And wafh their hands in Ba/ianus* blood.
Seed thou this letter, take it up, 1 pray thee,
And give the King this fatal-plotted fcrowl -,
Now queftion me no more, we are efpied ;
Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty,
Which dread not yet their lives' deftrudion.
Tarn. Ah, my fweet Moor, fweet er to me than life.
Aar,
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 169
Aar. No more, great Emprefs, BaJJiamts comes >
Be crofs with him, and I'll go fetch thy fons
To back thy quarrels, whatfoe'er they be. [Exit.
SCENE V.
Enter Baffianus and Lavinia.
Baf. Whom have we here ? Rome's royal Emperefs ?
Unfurnifh'd of her vvell-befeeming troops ?
Or is it Dian, habited like her,
Who hath abandoned her holy groves*
To fee the general Hunting in this foreft ?
Tarn. Saucy controller of our private fteps:
Had I the power, that, fome fay, Dian had,
Thy temples mould be planted prefently
With horns, as was dfleon's *, and the hounds
Should drive upon the new-transformed limbs,
Unmannerly Intruder as thou art!
Lav. Under your patience, gentle Emperefs,
'Tis thought, you have a goodly gift in horning ;
And to be doubted, that your Moor and you
Are fingled forth to try experiments :
Jove fhicld your husband from his hounds to day !
*Tis pity they mould take him for a flag.
Baf. Believe me, Queen, your fwarth Cimmerian
Doth make your honour of his body's hue,
Spotted, detefted, and abominable.
Why are you fequeftred from all your train ?
Difmounted from your fnow-white goodly fteed,
And wandred hither to an obfcure plot,
Accompanied with a barbarous Moor,
If foul defire had not conducted you?
Lav. And being intercepted in your fport,
Great reafon, that my noble lord be rated
For faucinefs. 1 pray you, let us hence.
And Jet her joy her raven- colour'd love ;
This
2 jo TITUS ANDRONICUS,
This valley fits the purpofe pafiing well.
Baf. The King my brother /hall have note of this.
Lav. Ay, for thefe flips have made him noted long.
Good King, to be fo mightily abufcd.
Tarn, Why have I patience to endure all this ?
Enter Chiron and Demetrius.
Dem. How now, dear Sovereign and our gracious
Mother,
Why does your Highnefs look fo pale and wan ?
Tarn. Have I not reafon, think you, to look pale ?
Thefe two have tic'd me hither to this place,
" A barren and detefted vale, you fee, it is.
" The trees, tho' fummer, yet forlorn and lean,
<c O'ercome with mofs, and baleful mifielto.
" Here never mines the fun , here nothing breeds,
" Unlefs the nightly owl, or fatal raven,
*' And when they fhew'd me this abhorred pit,
" They told me, here at dead time of the night,
" A thoufand fiends, a thoufand hiding fnakes,
** Ten thoufand fwelling toads, as many urchins,
" Would make fuch fearful and confufed cries,
" As any mortal body, hearing it,
" Should ftraight fall mad, or elfe die fuddenly.
" No fooner had they told this hellifh tale,
" But ftraight they told me, they would bind me here,
" Unto the body of a clifmal yew -,
" And leave me to this miferable death :
And then they call'd me foul adulterefs,
Lafcivious Goth, and all the bittereft terms
That ever ear did hear to fuch effect.
And had you not by wondrous fortune come,
This vengeance on me had they executed :
Revenge it, as you love your Mother's life ;
Or be ye not from henceforth call'd my children.
Dem. This is a witnefs that I am thy fon.
[Stabs Baflianus.
Chi.
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 271
Chi. And this for me, ftruck home to mew my
ftrength. [.Stabbing him likewifc.
Lav. I come, Semiramis ; " nay, barbarous
I'amora ;
For no name fits thy nature but thy own.
Tarn. Give me thy poniard ; you fhall know, my
boys,
Your mother's hand fhall right your mother's xvrong.
Dem. Stay, Madam, here is more belongs to her ;
Firft, thrafh the corn, then after burn the itraw :
This minion flood upon her chaflity,
Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty,
6 And with that painted Cope me braves your migh-
tinefs ;
And mall fhe carry this unto her grave ?
Chi. An if fhe do, I would I were an Eunuch.
Drag hence her husband to fome fecret hole,
And make his dead trunk pillow to our luft.
Tarn. But when you have the honey you defire,
Let not this wafp out-live, us both to fling.
Cbi. I warrant, Madam, we will make that fure -,
Come, miflrefs, now perforce we will enjoy
That nice-preferved honefly of yours.
Lav. O Tamora, thou bear'ft a woman's face-
tfam. I will not hear her fpeak j away with her.
Lav. Sweet Lords, intreat her hear me but a
word'
Dem. Liften, fair Madam ; let it be your glory
6 And with that painted HOPE Jhe braves your migbtinefj ;]
La<vima ftands upon her chaitity, and nuptial vow; and upon the
merit of thefe braves the Queen. But why are thefc called a
painted hope ? we Ihould read,
And with this painted COPE
i. e. with this gay covering. It is well exprefled. Her reafoni
were of a religious nature ; and are therefore called a painted cope
which is a fplendid ecclefiaftic veftment: It might be called
painted, likewife, as infmuating. that her virtue was- only pre-
tended,
To
272 TltUS AN
To fee her tears ; but be your heart to them,
As unrelenting flints to drops of rain.
Lav. When did the tygei's young ones teach the
dam ?
O, do not teach her wrath ; /lie taught it thee ;
The milk, thou fuck'dft from her did turn to marble ;
Even at thy teat thou hadft thy tyranny.
Yet every mother breeds not fons alike ;
Do Thou intreat her, {hew a woman pity. [To Chiron.
Chi. What ! would'ft thou have me prove myfelf
a baftard ?
Lav. 'Tis true, the raven doth not hatch the lark :
Yet have I heard, (Oh, could I find it now!)
The lion, mov'd with pity, did endure
To have his princely paws par'd all away.
Some fay that ravens fbfter forlorn children,
The whilft their own birds famifh in their nefts :
Oh, be to me, tho* thy hard heart fay, no,
Nothing fo kind, but fomething pitiful.
'Tarn. I know not what it means : away with her,
Lav. Oh, let me teach thee : for my father's fake,
(That gave thee life, when well he might have flain
thee)
Be not obdurate, open thy deaf ears.
Tarn. Hadft thou in perfon ne*er offended me,
Even for his fake am 1 now pitilefs :
Remember, boys, I pour*d forth tears in vain,
To fave your brother from the facrifice ;
But fierce Andromcus would not relent :
Therefore away with her, and ufe her as you will i
The worfe to her, the better lov'd of me.
Lav. O Tamora^ be call'd a gentle Queen,
And with thine own hands kill me in this place;
For 'tis not life, that I have begg'd fo long ;
Poor I was flain, when Baffianus dy'd.
Tarn. What begg'ft thou then ? fond woman, let
me go.
Lav.
TITUS AtfDRoNicus. 273
Lav. 'Tis prefent death I beg j and one thing more,
'That womanhood denies my tongue to tell:
O, keep me from their worfe-than-killing J'uft,
And tumble me into fome loathfome pit \
Where never man's eye may behold my body :
Do this, and be a charitable murderer.
Tarn. So fhould I rob my fweet fons of their fe?, 1
No ; let them fatisfie their luft on thee.
Dem. Away ! For thou haft llaid us here too long.
Lav. No grace? no woman-hood? ah beaftly
creature !
The blot and enemy of our general name!
Confufion fiill
Chi. Nay, then I'll flop your mouth bring thou
her husband : [ Dragging off Lavinia.
This is the hole, where Aaron bid us hide him.
{Exeunt*
fam. Farewel, my fons; fee, that you make her
fure.
Ne'er let niy heart know merry chear indeed*
'Till all \ti Andronici be made away.
Now will I hence to feek my lovely Moor,
And let my fpleenful fons this Trull deflour. [*//*
SCENE VI,
Enter Aaron, with Quintus and Marcus-,
Aar. Come on* my lords, the better foot before ;
Strait will I bring you to the loathfom pit,
Where I efpied the Panther faft afleep;
Quin. My fight is very dull, whate*er it bodes.
Mar. And mine, I promife you; wer't not for
fhame,
Well could I leave our fporc to fleep a while.
[Marcus/^//* into the pit.
Quin. What, art thou fallen? what fubtle hole 13
this,
VOL. VI. T Whof
274 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Whofe mouth is cover'd with rude-growing briars,
Upon whofe leaves are drops of new-ftied blood,
As frefh as morning-dew diftill'd on flowers ?
A very fatal place it feems to me :
Speak, brother, haft thou hurt thee with the fall ?
Mar. O brother, with the difmalleft object
That ever eye, with fight, made heart lament.
Aar. Now will I fetch the King to find them here >
That he thereby may have a likely guefs,
How thefe were they, that made away his Brother.
[Exit Aaron,
SCENE VII.
Mar. Why doft not comfort me, and help me out
From this unhallow'd and blood-ftained hole ?
Quin. I am furprized with an uncouth fear j
A chilling fweat o'er-runs my trembling joints j
My heart fufpects, more than mine eye can fee.
Mar. To prove thou haft a true-divining heart,
Aaron and thou, look down into the den,
And fee a fearful fight of blood and death.
fiin. Aaron is gone ; and my compaflionate heart
not permit my eyes once to behold
The thing, whereat it trembles by furmife :
O, tell me how it is ; for ne'er till now
Was I a child, to fear I know not what.
Mar. Lord Bajfianus lies embrewed here,
All on a heap, like to a flaughter'd Jamb,
In this detefted, dark, blood-drinking pit.
Quin. If it be dark, how doft thou know 'tis he?
Mar. * Upon his bloody finger he doth wear
A precious ring, that lightens all the hole :
6 Which, like a taper in fome monument,
* Doth fhine upon the dead man's earthy cheeks >
' And Ihews the ragged entrails of this pit.
So pale did mine the moon on Pyramtts,
When
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 275
When he by night lay bath'd in maiden blood.
brother, help me with thy fainting hand,
(If fear hath made thee faint, as me it hath)
Out of this fell devouring receptacle,
As hateful as Cocytus' mifty mouth.
>uin. Reach me thy hand, that I may help thee our,
Or, wanting ftrength to do thee fo much good,
1 may be p!uck*d into the fwallowing womb
Of this deep pit, poor Bafftanus* grave.
I have no ftrength to pluck thee to the brink.
Mar. And I no ftrength to climb without thy help.
Quin. Thy hand once more *, I will not loofe again,
'Till thou art here aloft, or I below.
Thou canft not come to me, I come to thee.
[Falls in,
SCENE VIII.
Enter the Emperor, and Aaron.
Sat. Along, with me I'll fee what hole is here,
And what he is, that now is leap'd into't.
Say, who art thou, that lately didft defcend
Into this gaping hollow of the earth ?
Mar. Th* unhappy fon of old Andronlcu^
Brought hither in a moft unlucky hour,
To find thy brother Bafliantts dead.
Sat. My brother dead ? I know, thou doft but jeft :
He and his lady both are at the Lodge,
Upon the north-fide of this pleafant chafe ;
'Tis not an hour fince I left him there.
Mar. We know not where you left him ail alive,
But out, alas! here have we found him dead.
Enter Tamora with Attendants ; Andronicus, and
Lucius.
Yarn. Where is my lord, the King ?
T 2 Sat.
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Sat. Here, famora-, though griev'd with killing
grief.
yam. Where is thy brother BaJJianus ?
Sat. Now to the bottom doft thou fearch my
wound ;
Poor Ba/ianus here lies murthered.
fam. Then all too late I bring this fatal Writ,
The complot of this timelefs tragedy ;
And wonder greatly, that man's face can fold
In pleafing fmiles fuch murderous tyranny.
[She givetb Saturninus a letter.
Saturninus reads the letter.
And if we mifs to meet him handfomly,
Sweet huntfman t Baflianus 'tis we mean ;
Do thou fo much as dig the grave for him,
Ihou know*ft our meaning: look for thy reward
Among the nettles at the elder-tree^
Which over-fades the mouth of that fame pit,
Where we decreed to bury Baflianus.
Do this, and pur chafe us thy lajling friends.
Oh, Camera! was ever heard the like?
This is the pit, and this the elder-tree:
Look, Sirs, if you can find the hunt/man out,
That mould have murther'd BaJJianus here.
Aar. My gracious lord here is the bag of gold.
Sat. Two of thy whelps, fell curs of bloody kind,
Have here bereft my brother of his life. [_To Tifus.
Sirs, drag them from the pit unto the prifon,
There Jet them bide, until we have devis'd
Some nevcr-heard-of torturing pain for them.
Tarn. What, are they in this pit? oh wondrous
thing!
How eaiily murder is difcovered?
Tit. High Emperor, upon my feeble knee
1 beg this boon, with tears not lightly med,
That
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 277
That this fell fault of my accurfed fons,,
( Accurfed, if the fault be prov'd in them )
Sat. If it be prov'd! you fee, it is apparent.
Who found this letter? Tamora, was it you?
Tarn. Andromcus himfelf did take it up.
Tit. I did, my lord : yet let me be their bail.
For by my father's reverend tomb, I vow,
They mall be ready at your Highnefs* will,
To anfwer their fufpicion with their lives.
Sat. Thou (halt not bail them : fee, thou follow me:
Some bring the murder'd body, fome the murtherers.
Let them not fpeak a word, the guilt is plain ;
For by my foul, were there worfe end than death,
That end upon them mould be executed.
'Tarn. AndronicuSy I will entreat the King ;
Fear not thy fons, they mall do well enough.
Tit. Come, Lucius^ come, (lay not to talk with
them , [ Exeunt federally.
SCENE IX.
Enter Demetrius and Chiron, with Lavinia, rawjh*d\
her hands cut off, and her tongue cut out.
Dem. So, now go tell (an if thy tongue can fpeak)
Who 'twas that cut thy tongue, and ravifh'd thee.
Chi. Write down thy mind, bewray thy meaning fo ;
And. (if thy flumps will let thee) play the fcribe.
Dem. See how with figns and tokens me can fcrowle*
Chi. Go home, call for fweet water, warn thy hands.
Dem. She has no tongue to call, or hands to wafh *
And fo Jet's leave her to her filent walks.
Chi. If 'twere my cafe, I mould go hang myfelf.
Dem. If thou hadft hands to help thee knit the cord.
[Exeunt Dem. and Chiron*
T 3 - SCENE
278 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
SCENE X.
Enter Marcus to Lavinia.
Mar. Who's this, my Niece, that flies away fo
faft?
Coufin, a word ; where is your husband ?
If 1 do dream, would all my wealth would wake me!
If I do wake, fome planet ftrike me down,
That 1 may (lumber in eternal fleep !
Speak, gentle Niece, what ftern ungentle hands
Have lopp'd, and hew'd, and made thy body bare
Of her two branches, thofe fweet ornaments,
Whofe circling fhadows Kings have fought to fleep in ?
And might not gain fo great a happinefs,
As have thy love ! why doft not fpeak to me ?
* Alas, a crimfon river of warm blood,
* Like to a bubbling fountain ftirr'd with wind,
4 Doth rife and fall between thy rofie lips,
' Coming and going with thy honey breath.
Bur, fure, fome Tereus hath defloured thee i
And, left thou fhould'ft detecl: him, cut thy tongue.
Ah, now thou turn'ft away thy face for fhame !
And, notwithstanding all this lofs of blood,
(As from a conduit with their iffuing fpouts,)
Yet do thy cheeks look red as tftan's face,
Blulhing to be encountred with a cloud.
Shall I fpeak for thee? (hall I fay, 'tis fo ?
O, that I knew thy heart, and knew the beaft,
That I might rail at him to eafe my mind !
Sorrow concealed, like an oven ftopt,
Doth burn the heart to cinders where it is.
Fair Philomela^ Hie but loft her tongue,
And in a tedious fampler few'd her mind.
But, lovely Niece, that Mean is cut from thee *
A craftier Tereus haft thou met withal,
And he hath cut thofe pretty fingers off,
That
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 279
That could have better few'd than Philomel.
Oh, had the monfter feen thofe lilly hands
Tremble, like afpen leaves, upon a lute,
And make the filken firings delight to kifs them ;
He would not then have touch'd them for his life.
Or had he heard the heav'nly harmony,
Which that fweet tongue hath made ;
He would have dropt his knife, and fell afleep,
As Cerberus at the fhradan Poet's feet.
Come, let us go, and make thy father blind ;
For fuch a fight will blind a father's eye.
One hour's ftorm will drown the fragrant meads,
What will whole months of tears thy father's eyes ?
Do not draw back, for we will mourn with thee :
Oh, could our mourning eafe thy mifery ! [Exeunt.
ACT III. SCENE I.
A Street In ROME.
Enter the Judges and Senator s> with Marcus and
Quintus bound, faffing on the Jlage to the place of
execution, and Titus going before^ pleading.
TITUS.
HEAR me, great fathers ; noble Tribunes, flay,
For pity of mine age, whofe youth was fpent
In dangerous wars, whilft you fecurely flept:
For all my blood in Rome's great quarrel fhed,
For all the frofty nights that I have watcht,
And for thefe bitter tears, which you now fee
Filling the aged wrinkles in my checks,
Be pitiful to my condemned fons,
Whofe fouls are not corrupted, as 'tis thought.
For two and twenty fons I never wept,
T 4 Becaufe
280, TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Becaufe they died in Honour's lofty bed.
[Andronicus lietb down, and the Judges pafs by him,
For thefe, thefe, Tribunes, in the duft 1 write
My heart's deep languor, and my fours fad tears:
Let my tears ftanch the earth's dry appetite,
My ions' fweet blood will make it (name and bluih :
O earth! I will befriend thee more with rain,
[Exatx(.
That fhall diftil from thefe (a) two antient urns,
Than youthful April fhall with all his mowers;
In fummer's drought I'll drop upon thee ftill ;
In winter, with warm tears I'll melt the fnow j
And keep eternal fpring-time on thy face,
So thou refufe to drink my dear fons' blood.
Enter Lucius with bisfword drawn.
Oh, reverend Tribunes ! gentle aged men !
Unbind my fons, reverfe the doom of death :
And Jet me fay, (that never wept before)
My tears are now prevailing orators.
Luc. Oh, noble father, you lament in vain ;
The Tribunes hear you nor, no man is by ;
And you recount your forrows to a ftone.
Tit. Ah, Lucius, for thy brothers let me plead ;
Grave Tribunes, once more I intreat of you
Luc. My gracious lord, no Tribune hears you fpeak,
Tit. Why, 'tis no matter, man ; if they did hear,
They would not mark me j or if they did mark,
They would not pity me.
Therefore I tell my forrows to the ftanes,
Who, tho* they cannot anfwer my diftrefs,
Yet in fome fort they're better than the Tribunes,
For that they will not intercept my tale ;
When I do weep, they humbly at my feet
Receive my tears, and feem to weep with me ;
[(a] tweestieaturaj. Oxford Editor. Valg. (wo antient ruins.}
And
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 281
And were they but attired in grave weeds,
Rome could afford no Tribune like to thefe.
A ftone is foft as wax, Tribunes more hard than ftones :
A ftone is filent, and offendeth nor,
And Tribunes with their tongues doom men to death.
But wherefore ftand'ft thou with thy weapon drawn ?
Luc. To refcue my two brothers from their death ;
For which attempt, the judges have pronounc'd
My everlafting doom of banifhment.
Tit. O happy man, they have befriended thee :
Why, foolifh Lucius, doit thou not perceive,
That Rome is but a wildernefs of Tygers ;
Tygers muft prey, and Rome affords no prey
But me and mine ; how happy art thou then,
From thefe devourers to be banimed ?
Bat who comes with our brother Marcus here?
SCENE II.
Enter Marcus, and Lavinia.
Mar. Titus, prepare thy noble eyes to weep,
Or, if not fo, thy noble heart to break :
I bring confuming forrow to thine age.
'Tit. Will it con fume me ? let me fee it then.
Mar. This was thy daughter.
Tit. Why, Marcus, fo me is.
Luc. Ah me ! this object kills me.
Tit. Faint-hearted boy, arife and look upon her;
Speak, my Lavinia, what accurfed hand
J-Iath made thee handlefs, * in thy father's Ipight?
What fool hath 'added water to the fea?
Or brought a faggot to bright-burning Troy ?
My grief was at the height before thou cam'ft,
And now, like Nilus, it difdaineth bounds:
in tfyfatlers fight?] We ftipuld read,
Give
a.8.2 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Give me a fword, I'll chop off my hands too,
For they have fought for Rome^ and all in vain :
And they have nurs*d this woe, in feeding life :
In bootlefs prayer have they been held up,
And they have ferv'd me to effectlefs ufe.
Now all the fervice I require of them,
Is that the one will help to cut the other :
'Tis well, Lavinia, that thou haft no hands,
For hands to do Rome fervice are but vain.
Luc. Speak, gentle fifter, who hath martyr'd thee?
Mar. O, that delightful engine of her thoughts,
That blab'd them with fuch fileafing eloquence,
Is torn from forth that pretty hollow cage,
"Where, like a fweet melodious bird, it fung
Sweet various notes, inchanting every ear!
Luc. O, fay thou for her, who hath done this deed ?
Mar. O, thus I found her ftraying in the park,
Seeking to hide herfelf ; as doth the deer,
That hath receiv'd fome unrecuring wound.
Tit. It was my Deer; and he, that wounded her,
Hath hurt me more than had he kill'd me dead ;
* For now I ftand, as one upon a rock,
* Environ'd with a wildernefs of fea,
Who marks the waxing tide grow wave by wave ;
.. ' Expecting ever when fome envious furge
* Will in his brinilh bowels fwallow him.
This way to death my wretched fons are gone:
Here ftands my other fon, a banifh'd man ;
And here my brother, weeping at my woes.
But that, which gives my foul the greateft fpurn,
Is dear Lavima, dearer than my foul.
** Had I but feen thy picture in this plight,
*' It would have madded me. What mail I do,
Now I behold thy lovely body fo ?
Thou haft no hands to wipe away thy tears,
Nor tongue to tell me who hath martyr'd thee ;
Thy husband he is dead 5 and for his death
Thy
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 283
Thy brothers are condemn'd, and dead by this.
Look, Marcus! ah, fon Lucius, look on her:
" When I did name her brothers, then frefli tears
" Stood on her cheeks; as doth the honey-dew
" Upon a gather'd lilly almoft wither'd.
Mar. Perchance, Ihe weeps becaufe they kill*d her
husband.
Perchance, becaufe (he knows them innocent.
Til. If they did kill thy husband, then be joyful,
Becaufe the law hath ta'en revenge on them.
No, no, they would not do fo foul a deed -,
Witnefs the forrow, that their fifter makes.
Gentle Lavinia, let me kifs thy lips,
Or make fome figns how I may do thee eafe :
Shall thy good uncle, and thy brother Lucius,
And thou, and I, fit round about fome fountain,
Looking all downwards to behold our cheeks,
How they are ftain'd like meadows yet not dry
With mirey flime left on them by a flood?
And in the fountain (hall we gaze fo long,
'Till the frem tafte be taken from that clearnefs,
And made a brine-pit with our bitter tears ?
Or mail we cut away our hands like thine ?
Or mall we bite our tongues, and in dumb {hows
Pafs the remainder of our hateful days ?
What mall we do? let us, that have our tongues,
Plot fome device of further mifery,
To make us wondred at in time to come.
Luc. Sweet father, ceafe your tears 5 for, at your
grief,
See, how my wretched fifter fobs and weeps.
Mar. Patience, dear niece ; good Titus, dry thine
eyes.
Tit. Ah, Marcus, Marcus ! brother, well I wot,
Thy napkin cannot drink a tear of mine,
For thou, poor man, haft drown'd it with thine own.
Luc. Ah, my Lavima, I will wipe thy cheeks.
Tit.
284 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Tit. Mark, Marcus, mark ; I underftand her figns j
Had fhe a tongue to fpeak, now would (he lay
That to her brother which I faid to thee.
His napkin, with his true tears all bewet,
Can do no fervice on her forrowful cheeks.
Oh what a fympathy of woe is this !
As far from help as Limbo is from blifs.
SCENE III.
Enter Aaron.
Aar. Tit us Andronicus, my lord the Emperor
Sends thee this word ; that if thou love thy fons,
Let Marcus* Lucius, or thyfelf, old Titus*
Or any one of you, chop off your hand,
And fend it to the King ; he for the fame
Will fend thee hither both thy fons alive,
And that (hall be the ranfom for their fault.
fit. Oh, gracious Emperor! oh, gentle Aaron f
Did ever raven fing fo like a lark,
That gives fweet tidings of the Sun's uprife?
With all my heart, I'll fend the Emperor my hand j
Good Aaron, wilt thou help to chop it off?
Luc. Stay, father, for that noble hand of thine,
That hath thrown down fo many enemies,
Shall not be fent ; my hand will ferve the turn.
My youth can better fpare my blood than you,
And therefore mine fhall fave my brothers' lives,
Mar. Which of your hands hath not defended Romt^
And rear'd aloft the bloody battle-ax,
* Writing Deftru&ion on the enemies' Caflle?
Oh,
^ 2 V/ritixg Dejlrua'ion OH the enemies'' Caflle ?] Thus all the edi-
tions. But Mr. Theobald, after ridiculing the lagacity of the for-
mer Editors at the expence of a great deal of aukward mirth,
corrects it to Cafque-, and this, he fays, he'll ftand by : And the
Oxford Editor ', taking his fecurity, will ftand by it too. But what
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 285
Oh, none of Both but are of high deferc :
My hand hath been but idle, let it ferve
To ranfom my two Nephews from their death ;
Then have I kept it to a worthy end.
Aar. Nay, come, agree, whole hand mall go along,
For fear they die before their Pardon come.
Mar. My hand fhall go.
Luc. By heav*n, it (hall not go.
27/. Sirs, drive no more, fuch wither'd herbs as
thefe
Are meet for plucking up, and therefore mine.
Luc. Sweet father, if I fhall be thought thy fon,
Let me redeem my brothers Both from death.
Mar. And for our father's fake, and mother's care,
Now let me mew a brother's love to thee.
Tit. Agree between you, I will fpare my hand.
Luc. Then I'll go fetch an ax.
Mar. But I will ufe the ax.
[Exeunt Lucius and Marcus.
Tit. Come hither, Aarcn I'll deceive them both,
Lend me thy hand, and I will give thee mine.
Aar. If that be call'd deceit, I will be honeft,
And never, whilft I live, deceive men fo.
But I'll deceive you in another fort,
And that, you'll fay, ere half an hour pafs. \Afids
[He cuts off Titus' j hand.
a flippery ground is critical confidence ! Nothing could bid fairer
for a right conje&urej yet 'tis all imaginary. A clofe Helmet which
covered the whole head, was called a Ca/f/e, and, I fuppofe, for
that very reafon. Don Quixote's barber, at leaft as good a critick
as thefe Editors, fays, (in She/ton's tranflation of 1612,) / know
ivhat is a helmet, and ivhat a morrion, and what a clofe CASTLE,
and other things touching warfare, lib. 4. cap. 18. And the origi-
nal, celada de encaxe, has fomething of the fame fignification.
Shakefpear ufes the word again in Troilui and Crtjfida',
n and Diomede
Stand fa/I, and wear a CaftJe on thy bead.
Enter
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Enter Lucius and Marcus again.
5l/. Now flay your ftrife ; what fhall be, is dif-
patch'd :
Good Aaron, give his Majefty my hand :
Tell him it was a hand that warded him
From thoufand dangers, bid him bury it :
More hath it merited , that let it have.
As for my fons, fay, I account of them
As jewels purchas'd at an eafy price j
And yet dear too, becaufe I bought mine own.
Aar. I go, Andronicus ; and for thy hand
Look by and by to have thy fons with thee :
Their heads, I mean. Oh, how this villany {Afide.
Doth fat me with the very thought of it !
Let fools do good, and fair men call for grace,
Aaron will have his foul black like his face. {Exit,
SCENE IV.
TV/. O hear ! I lift this one hand up to heav'n,
And bow this feeble ruin to the earth ;
If any Power pities wretched tears,
To that I call : What, wilt thou kneel with me?
Do then, dear heart, for heav'n fhall hear our prayers,
Or with our fighs we'll breathe the welkin dim,
And ftain the fun with fogs, as fometime clouds,
When they do hug him in their melting bofoms.
Mar. Oh ! brother, fpeak with poflibilities,
3 And do not break into thefe woe-extremes.
7/f . Is not my forrow deep, having no bottom ?
Then be my paffions bottomlefs with them.
Mar. But yet let reafon govern thy Lament.
3 And do not break into tlefe TWO extremes."] We (hould read,
inftead of this nonfenfe, woE-extremes.
i. e. extremes ciufed by excefiive forrow. But Mr. Theobald, on
his own authority, alters it to deep, without notice given.
ST/7.
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 287
Tit. If there were reafon for thefe miferies,
Then into limits could I bind my woes.
When heav'n doth weep, doth not the earth o'erflow ?
If the winds rage, doth not the fea wax mad,
Threatning the welkin with his big-fwol'n face?
And wilt thou have a reafon for this coil ?
I am the fea ; hark, how her fighs do blow ;
She is the weeping welkin, I the earth :
Then mud my fea be moved with her fighs,
Then muft my earth with her continual tears
Become a deluge, overflow'd and drown'd :
For why, my bowels cannot hide her woes,
But, like a drunkard, muft I vomit them ;
Then give me leave, for lofers will have leave
To eale their ftomachs with their bitter tongues.
Enter a Meffenger^ bringing in two beads and a hand.
Mef. Worthy Andronicus^ ill art thou repay M
For that good hand thou fent'ft the Emperor j
Here are the heads of thy two noble fons,
And here's thy hand in fcorn to thee fent back ;
Thy grief's their fport, thy refolution mockt :
That woe is me to think upon thy woes,
More than remembrance of my father's death. [Exit.
Mar. Now let hot Mtna cool in Sicily ',
And be my heart an ever-burning hell ;
Thefe miferies are more than may be borne !
To weep with them that weep doth eafe 4 fome deal,
But forrow flouted at is double death.
Luc. Ah, that this fight Ihould make fo deep a
wound,
And yet detefted life not ftirink thereat ;
That ever death mould let life bear his name,
Where life hath no more intereft but to breathe.
Mar. Alas, poor heart, that kifs is comfortlefs,
4 _ _>__ _ f ome foal,"} i. e. in fome mcafurc.
As
288 TITUS ANDRONIGUS.
As frozen water to a fiarved fnake.
Tit. When will this fearful (lumber have an end?
Mar. Now, farewel, flattery! die, Andronicus ;
Thou doft not (lumber ; fee, thy two fons' heads,
Thy warlike hand, thy mangled daughter here ;
Thy other banifh'd fon 5 with this dear fight
Struck pale and bloodlefs j and thy brother I,
Even like a ftony image, cold and numb.
Ah ! now no more will I controul thy griefs ;
Rend off thy filver hair, thy other hand
Gnawing with thy teeth, and be this difmal fight
The clofing up of your moft wretched eyes !
Now is a time to dorm, why art thou Hill?
fit. Ha, ha, ha!
Mar. Why doft thou laugh? it fits riot with this
hour.
Tit. Why, I have not another tear to {bed ;
Befides, this forrow is an enemy,
And would ufurp upon my watry eyes*
And make them blind with tributary tears ;
Then which way (hall I find Revenge's Cave ?
For thefe two heads do feem to fpeak to me,
And threat me, I (hall never come to blifs,
'Till all thefe mifchiefs be return'd again,
Even in their throats that have commited them.
Come, let me fee, what task I have to do
You heavy people, circle me about ;
That I may turn me to each one of you,
And fwear unto my foul to right your wrongs.
The vow is made ; come, brother, take a head,
And in this hand the other will I bear ;
Lavinia, thou (halt be employ 'd in thefe things ;
Bear thou my hand, fweet wench, between thy teeth ;
As for thee, boy, go get thee from my fight,
5 iuitb this dear fight} The Oxford Editar reads dirtjigkt.
He did not know that dear bore at that time the fignification of
dirt.
Thou
TITUS ANDRONIGUS. 289
Thou art an Exile, and thou mud not ftay.
Hie to the Goths, and raife an army there ;
And if you love me, as I think you do,
Let's kifs and part, for we have much to do. [Exeunt.
SCENE V.
Manet Lucius.
Luc. Farewel, Andromcus, my noble father,
The woful'fl man that ever liv'd in Rome j
Farewel, proud Rome ; 'till Lucius come again,
He leaves his pledges dearer than his life ;
Farewel, Lavinia, my noble fitter,
O, 'would thou wert as thou tofore haft been !
But now nor Lucius nor Lavima lives,
But in oblivion and hateful griefs ;
If Lucius live, he will requite your wrongs,
And make proud Saturmnus and his Emprefs
Beg at the gates, like Tarquin and his Queen,
Now will I to the Golhs> and raife a Power,
To be reveng'd on Rome and Saturnine. [Exit Lucius.
6 S C E N E VI,
An Apartment in Titus'.* Houje.
A B A N QJJ E T.
Enter Titus, Marcus, Lavinia, and young Lucius,
a Boy.
Tit. CO, fo, now fit ; and look, you eat no more
O Than will preferve juft fo much ftrength in us,
As will revenge thefe bitter woes of ours.
Marcus, unknit that forrow-wreathen knot ;
6 Scene v i ] Thi* fcene is not in the old edition. Mr. Pope.
VOL. VI. U Thy
290 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Thy niece and I, poor creatures, want our hands,
And cannot paffionate our ten-fold grief
With folded arms. This poor right hand of mine
Is left to tyrannize upon my breaft ;
And when my heart, all mad with mifery,
Beats in this hollow prifon of my flefh,
Then thus I thump it down.'
Thou map of woe, that thus doth talk in figns!
When thy poor heart beats with outragious beating,
Thou canft not ftrike it thus to make it ftill ;
Wound it with fighing, girl, kill it with groans i
Or get fome little knife between thy teeth,
Andjuft againft thy heart make thou a hole,
That all the tears, that thy poor eyes let fall,
May run into that fink, and foaking in,
Drown the lamenting fool in fea-falt tears.
Mar. Fie, brother, fie, teach her not thus to lay
Such violent hands upon her tender life.
Tit. How now ! has forrow made thee doat already ?
Why, Marcus, no man mould be mad but I ;
What violent hands can me lay on her life ?
Ah, wherefore doft thou urge the name of hands,
To bid jEncas tell the tale twice o'er,
How Troy was burnt, and he made miferable ?
handle not the theam ; no talk of hands,
Left we remember ftill, that we have none.
Fie, fie, how frantickly I fquare my talk,
As if we mould forget we had no hands,
If Marcus did not name the word of hands?
Come, let's fall to, and, gentle girl, eat this.
Here is no drink : hark, Marcus, what me fays,
1 can interpret all her martyr'd figns ;
She fays, me drinks no other drink but tears,
Brew'd with her forrows, mefh'd upon her cheeks :
Speechlefs complaint ! O, I will learn thy thought 5
In thy dumb action will I be as perfect,
As begging hermits in their holy prayers.
Thou
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 291
Thou malt not figh, nor hold thy flumps to heav'n,
Nor wink, nor nod, nor knee], nor make a iign,
But I, of thefe, will reft an alphabet,
And by ftill practice learn to know thy meaning.
Boy. Good grandfire, leave thefe bitter, deep, la-
ments ;
Make my Aunt merry with fome pleafing tale.
Mar. Alas, the tender boy, in paffion mov'd,
Doth weep to fee his grandfire's heavinefs.
Tit. Peace, tender fapling -, thou art made of tears,
And tears will quickly melt thy life away.
[Marcos jlrifa the difhwltb a knife.
What dofl thou ftrike at, Marcus, with thy knife ?
Mar. At That that I have kill'd, my lord, a fly.
Tit. Out on thee, murderer , thou kill'ft my heart -,
Mine eyes are cloy'd with view of tyranny :
A deed of death done on the innocent
Becomes not Titus' brother , get thee gone,
I fee, thou art not for my company.
Mar. Alas, my lord, I have but kill'd a fly.
Tit. ' But ? how if that fly had a father and
mother ?
How would he hang his (lender gilded wings,
And buz lamenting Doings in the air ?
Poor harmlefs fly,
That with his pretty buzzing melody,
Came here to make us merry -,
And thou haft kill'd him.'
Mar. Pardon me, Sir, it was a black ill-favour'd
fly,
Like to the Emprefs' Moor ; therefore I kill'd him.
Tit. O, O, O,
Then pardon me for reprehending thee,
For thou haft done a charitable deed ;
Give me thy knife, I will infult on him,
Flattering myfelf, as if it were the Moor
Come hither purpofely to poifon me.
U 2 There's
292 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
There's for thyfelf, and that's for Tamora :
Yet (till, I think, we are not brought fo low,
But that between us we can kill a fly,
That comes in likenefs of a cole-black Moor.
Mar. Alas, poor man, grief has fo wrought on
him,
He takes falfe fhadows for true fubftances.
Come, take away , Lavinia, go with me j
I'll to thy clofet, and go read with thee
Sad {lories, chanced in the times of old.
Come, boy, and go with me ; thy fight is young,
And thou malt read, when mine begins to dazzle.
[Exeunt.
A C T IV. SCENE I.
TITUS 's HOUSE.
Enter young Lucius, and Lavinia running after him ;
and the boy flies from her, with his looks under his
arm. Enter Titus, and Marcus.
BOY.
HELP, grandfire, help ; my Aunt Lavinia
Follows me every where, I know not why.
Good uncle Marcus, fee, how fwift me comes :
Alas, fweet Aunt, I know not what you mean.
Mar. Stand by me, Lucius, do not fear thy Aunt.
Tit. She loves thee, boy, too well to do thee harm.
Boy. Ay, when my father was in Rome, flic did.
Mar. What means my niece Lavinia by thefe figns ?
Tit. Fear thou not, Lucius, fomewhat doth me mean :
See, Lucius, fee, how much me makes of thee :
Some whither would me have thee go with her.
Ah,
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 293
Ah, boy, Cornelia never with more care
Read to her fons, than fhe hath read to thee,
Sweet poetry, and Fully* s oratory :
Can'ft thou not guefs wherefore fhe plies thee thus?
Boy. My lord, I know not, I, nor can I gueis,
Unlefs fome fit or frenzie do pofiefs her :
For I have heard my grandfire fay full oft,
Extremity of grief would make men mad.
And I have read, that Hecuba of Troy
Ran mad through forrow -, that made me to fear ;
Although, my lord, I know my noble Aunt
Loves me as dear as e'er my Mother did :
And would not, but in fury, fright my youth ;
Which made me down to throw my books, and flie,
Caufelefs, perhaps ; but pardon me, fweet Aunt i
And, Madam, if my uncle Marcus go,
I will mod willingly attend your ladyfhip.
Mar. Lucius ) I will.
Tit. How now, Lavinia ? Marcus, what means
this?
Some book there is that fhe defires to fee.
Which is it, girl, of thefe? open them, boy.
But thou art deeper read, and better skill'd :
Come and make choice of all my library,
And fo beguile thy forrow, 'till the heav'ns
Reveal the damn'd contriver of this deed :
Why lifts Oie up her arms in fequence thus ?
Mar. I think, fhe means, that there was more than
one
Confederate in the faft. Ay, more there was :
Or elfe to heav'n fhe heaves them for revenge.
Tit. Lucius^ what book is that (he tofles fo ?
Boy. Grandfire, 'tis Ovid's Metamorphofes ;
My Mother gave it me.
Mar. For love of her that's gone,
Perhaps fhe culPd it from among the reft.
Tit. Soft ! fee, how bufily fhe turns the leaves !
U 3 Help
294 TITUS AND RON ic us.
Help her : what would fhe find ? Lavinia, lhall I
read !
This is the tragick Tale of -Philomel,
And treats ot'Tereus* treafon and his rape ;
And rape, I fear, was root of thine annoy.
Mar. See, brother, fee ; note, how fhe quotes the
leaves.
Tit. Lavinia, wert thou thus furpriz'd, fweet girl,
Ravifh'd and wrong'd as Philomela was,
Forc'd in the ruthlefs, vaft, and gloomy woods ?
See, fee-,
Ay, fuch a place there is, where we did hunt,
(O had we never, never, hunted there ! )
Pattern'd by That the Poet here defcribes,
By nature made for murders and for rapes.
Mar. O, why mould Nature build fo foul a den,
Unlefs the Gods delight in tragedies I
Fit. Give figns, fweet Girl, for here are none but
friends,
What Roman lord it was durft do the deed ;
Or flunk not Saturnine, as Tarqitin erft,
That left the camp to fin in Lucrece* bed ?
Mar. Sit down, fweet niece ; brother, fit down by
me.
Jpollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury,
Infpire me, that I may this treafon find.
My lord, look here ; look here, Lavinia.
\_He writes his name with his faff, and guides it
with his feet and mouth.
This fandy Plot is plain ; guide, if thou canft,
This after me, when I have writ my name,
Without the help of any hand at all.
Curft be that heart that forc*d us to this fhift !
Write thou, good niece ; and here difplay, at leaft,
What God will have difcover'd for revenge ;
Heav'n guide thy pen, to print thy forrows plain,
That
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 295
That we may know the traitors, and the truth !
\_She takes the ftaff in her mouth, and guides it
with her flumps, and writes.
Tit. Oh, do you read, my lord, what me hath writ?
Stuprum, Chiron, Demetrius.
Mar. What, what ! the luftful fons of Tamora
Performers of this hateful bloody deed?
Tit. Magne Regnator Poll,
Tarn lentus audis feeler a ! tarn lentus vides !
Mar. Oh, calm thee, gentle lord ; although, I
know,
There is enough written upon this earth,
To flir a mutiny in the mildeft thoughts,
And arm the minds of Infants to exclaims.
My lord, kneel down with me: Lavinia kneel,
And kneel, fweet boy, the Roman Hector^ Hope,
And fwear with me, (as, with the woeful peer,
And father, of that chatte difhonour'd D;une,
Lord Junius Brutus fware for Lucrece* rape,)
That we will profecute (by good advice)
Mortal revenge upon thefe traiterous Goths ;
And lee their blood, or die with this reproach.
Tit. 'Tis fure enough, if you knew how.
But if you hurt thefe bear-whelps, then beware,
The dam will wake ; and if me wind you once,
She's with the lion deeply flill in league ;
And lulls him whilft fhe pbyeth on her back,
And, when he fleeps, will me do what fhe lift.
You're a young Hunt (man, Marcus, let it alone ;
And come, I will go get a leaf of brafs,
And with a gad of iteel will write thefe words,
And lay it by ; the angry northern wind
Will blow thefe fands, like Sibyl's leaves, abroad,
And wherc's your leffon then ? boy, what fay you !
Boy. I fay, my lord, that if I were a man,
Their mother's bed-chamber mould not be fafe,
U 4 For
296 TITOS ANDRONICUS.'
For thefe bad bond-men to the yoak of Rome.
Mar. Ay, that's my boy ! thy father hath full oft
For this ungrateful Country done the like.
Boy. And, nuncle, fo will I, an if I live.
Tit. Come, go with me into my armoury.
Lucius, I'll fit thee ; and withal, my boy
Shall carry from me to the Emprefs* fons
Prefents, that I intend to fend them both.
Come, come, thou'lt do my mefiage, wilt thou not ?
Boy. Ay, with my dagger in their bofom, grand-
fire.
Tit. No, boy, not fo ; I'll teach thee another
courfe.
Lavinia, come ; Marcus, look to my Houfe :
Lucius and I'll go brave it at the Court,
Ay, marry, will we, Sir ; and we'll be waited on.
[Exeunt.
Mar. O heavens, can you hear a good man groan,
And not relent, or not compafiion him ?
Marcus, attend him in his ecftafie.
That hath more fears of forrow in his heart,
Than foe-mens* marks upon his batter'd fhield ;
But yet fo juft, that he will not revenge ;
1 Revenge thee, Heav'ns! for old Andronicus. [Exit.
SCENE II.
Changes to the Palace.
Enter Aaron, Chiron, and Demetrius at one door :
and at another door young Lucius and another, with
a bundle of weapons and verfes writ upon them.
Chi. Y\Emetrius, here's the Son of Lucius ;
a' He hath fome mefiage to deliver us.
the Heavns ] We Ihould read,
Revenge tbee, Keav'ns !
Aar.
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 297
Aar. Ay, fome mad mefTage from his mad grand-
father.
Boy. My lords, with all the humblenefs I may,
I greet your Honours from Andronicus ;
And pray the Roman Gods, confound you Both.
Dem. Gramercy, lovely Lucius ^ what's the news ?
Boy. That you are both decypher'd (that's the
news)
For villains mark'd with rape. May it pleafe you,
My grandfire, well advis'd, hath fent by me
The gbodlieft weapons of his armoury,
To gratify your honourable youth,
The hope of Rome ; for fo he bad me fay :
And fo I do, and with his gifts prefent
Your lordlhips, that whenever you have need,
You may be armed and appointed well.
And fo I leave you both, like bloody villains. [Exit.
Dem. What's here, a fcrowle, and written round
about ?
Let's fee.
Integer vita, fcderifque purus,
Non eget Mauri jaculis nee arcu.
Chi. O, 'tis a verfe in Horace^ I know it well :
I read it in the Grammar long ago.
Aar. Ay, juft ; a verfe in Horace right, you
have it~
Now, what a thing it is to be an Afs ?
Here's no (a) fond jeft ; th 5 old man hath found their
guilr,
And fends the weapons wrap'd about with lines,
That wound, beyond their feeling, to the quick :
But were our witty Emprefs well a-foot,
She would applaud Andronicu? conceit :
But let her reft in her unreft a while.
And now, young lords, was't not a happy ftar
O) fond. Mr. Theobald \\i\g.found.]
Led
298 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Led us to Rome ftrangers, and more than fo,
Captives, to be advanced to this height ?
It did me good before the Palace-gate
To brave the Tribune in his Brother's hearing.
Dem. But me more good, to fee fo great a lord
Rifely infmuate, and fend us gifts.
Aar. Had he not reafon, lord Demetrius ?
Did you not ule his daughter very friendly ?
Dem. I would, we had a thoufand Roman dames
At fuch a bay, by turn to ferve our luft.
Cbi. A charitable wifh, and full of love.
Aar. Here lacketh but your mother to fay Amen.
Cbi. And that would fhe for twenty thoufand more.
Dem. Come, let us go, and pray to all the Gods
For our beloved mother in her pains.
Aar. Pray to the devils j the Gods have given us
over. \_FlouriJh.
Dem. Why do the Emp'ror's trumpets flourifh.
thus ?
Chi. Belike, for joy the Emp'ror hath a fon.
Dem. Soft, who comes here?
SCENE III.
Enter Nurfe, with a Black- a-moor Child.
Nur. Good morrow, lords:
O, tell me, did you fee Aaron the Moor ?
Aar. Well, more or lefs, or ne'er a whit at all,
Here Aaron is, and what with Aaron now ?
Nur. O gentle Aaron^ we are all undone :
Now help, or woe betide thee evermore !
Aar. Why, what a caterwauling doll thou keep?
What doft thou wrap and fumble in thine arms ?
Nur. O That which I would hide from heaven's
eye,
Our Emprefs* ihame, and {lately Rome's difgrace.
She
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 299
She is deliver'd, lords, fhe is delivered.
Aar. To whom ?
Nur. I mean, me is brought to bed.
Aar. Well, God give her good reft !
What hath he fent her ?
Nur. A devil.
Aar. Why, then flie is the devil's dam : a joyful
iffue.
Nur. A joylefs, difmal, black, and forrowful iflue,
Here is the babe, as lothfomeas a toad,
Amongft the faired breeders of our clime.
The Emprefs fends it thee, thy ftamp, thy feal :
And bids thee chriften it with thy dagger's point.
Aar. Out, out, you whore! is black fo bafe a
Hue?
Sweet blowfe, you are a beauteous bloffbm, fure.
Dem. Villain, what haft thou done ?
Aar. That which thou canft not undo.
Chi. Thou haft undone our mother.
Dem. Woe to her chance, and damn'd her loathed
choice,
Accurs'd the offspring of fo foul a fiend !
Cbi. It (hall not live.
Aar. It fhall not die.
Nur. Aaron, it muft, the Mother wills it fo.
Aar. What, muft it, nurfe ? then let no man but I
Do execution on my flefh and blood.
Dem. I'll broach the tadpole on my rapier's point:
Nurfe, give it me, my fword fhall foon difpatch it.
Aar. Sooner this fword fhall plough thy bowels up,
Stay, murtherous villains, will you kill your brother?
Now, by the burning tapers of the sky,
That fhone fo brightly when this boy was gor,
He dies upon my Scymitar's iTiarp point,
That touches this my firft-born fon and heir.
I tell you, Younglings, not Rnceladus
With all his threatning band of Typkorfs brood,
Nor
300 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Nor great Alcides, nor the God of war,
Shall feize this prey out of his father's hands.
\Yhat, what, ye fanguine fhallow-hearted boys,
Ye white-lim'd walls, ye ale-houfe painted figns,
Coal-black is better than another hue :
In that it fcorns to bear another hue :
For all the water in the ocean
Can never turn the fwans black legs to white,
Although flie lave them hourly in the flood.
Tell the Emprefs from me, I am of age
To keep mine own ; excufe it, how me can.
Dem. Wilt thou betray thy noble miftrefs thus ?
Aar. My miftrefs is my miftrefs ; this, myfelf
The vigour and the picture of my youth.
This, before all the world do I prefer ;
This, maugre all the world, will I keep fafe ;
Or fome of you mall fmoke for it in Rome.
Dem. By this our mother is for ever lliam'd.
Chi. Rome will defpife her for this foul efcape.
Nur. The Emperor in his rage will doom her
death.
Chi. I blufh to think upon this ignominy.
Aar. Why, there's the privilege your beauty bears :
Fie, treacherous hue, that will betray with blufliing
The clofe enacts and counfels of the heart !
Here's a young Jad fram'd of another leer,
Look, how the black flave fmiles upon the father ;
As who mould fay, " Old lad, I am thine own.
He is your brother, lords ; fenfibly fed
Of that felf- blood, that firft gave life to you ;
And from that womb, where you imprifon'd were,
He is infranchifed and come to light:
Nay, he's your brother by the furer fide ;
Although my feal is damped in his face.
Nur. Aaron, what mail I fay unto the Emprefs ?
Dem. Advife thee, Aaron, what is to be done,
And we will all fubfcribe to thy advice:
Save
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 301
Save you the child, fo we may be all fafe.
Aar. Then fit we down, and let us all confult.
My fon and I will have the wind of you :
Keep there : now talk at pleafure of your fafety.
\fThey fit on the ground.
Dem, How many women faw this child of his ?
Aar. Why, fo, brave lords ; when we all join in
league,
I am a lamb ; but if you brave the Moor,
The chafed boar, the mountain lionefs,
The ocean fwells not fo as Aaron ftorms :
But fay again, how many faw the child ?
Nur. Cornelia the midwife, and myfelf
And no one elfe but the deliver'd Emprefs.
Aar. The Emprefs, the midwife, and yourfelf
Two may keep counfel, when the third's away :
Go to the Emprefs, tell her, this I faid [He kills her.
Week, week ! fo cries a pig, prepar'd to th* fpic.
Dem. What mean'fl thou, Aaron? wherefore didft
thou this ?
Aar. O lord, Sir, 'tis a deed of policy :
Shall flie live to betray this guilt of ours ?
A long-tongu'd babling goffip? no, lords, no.
And now be it known to you my full intent :
Not far, one Muliteus lives, my country- man,
His wife but yefternight was brought to bed,
His child is like to her, fair as you are:
Go pack with him, and give the mother gold,
And tell them both the circumftance of all ;
And how by this their child mall beadvanc'd,
And be receiv'd for the Emp'ror's heir,
And fubftituted in the place of mine,
To calm this temped whirling in the Court 5
And let the Emperor dandle him for his own.
Hark ye, my lords, ye fee, I have given her phyfick j
And you muft needs beftow her funeral ;
The fields are near, and you are gallant grooms :
This
302 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
This done, fee, that you take no longer days,
But fend the midwife prefently to me.
The midwife and the nurfe well made away,
Then let the ladies tattle what they pleafe.
Chi. Aaron^ I fee, thou wilt not truft the air
With fecrets.
Dem. For this care of T^amora^
Herfelf and hers are highly bound to thee. \Exeunt.
Aar. Now to the Goths> as fwift as Swallow flies,
There to difpofe this treafure in my arms,
And fecretly to greet the Emprefs* friends.
Come on, you thick-lip'd flave, I bear you hence,
For it is you that put us to our fhifts :
I'll make you feed on berries, and on roots,
And feed on curds and whey, and fuck the goat,
And cabin in a cave ; and bring you up
To be a warrior, and command a camp. \jExit.
SCENE IV.
A Street near the Palace.
Enter Titus, old Marcus, young Lucius, and other
Gentlemen ivith bows-, and Titus bears the arrows
with letters on the end of them.
Tit. Come, Marcus, come; kinfmen, this is the
way.
Sir boy, now let me fee your archery.
Look, ye draw home enough, and 'tis there ftraight ;
Terras Aftrxa reliquif be you remember'd,
Marcus
She's gone, (he's fled Sirs, take you to your tools ;
You, coufins, mall go found the ocean,
And cad your nets ; haply, you may nd her in the
fea ;
Yet there's as little juftice as at land -
No,
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 303
No, Ptiblius and Sempronius ; you muft do ir,
'Tis you muft dig with mattock and with fpa.de,
And pierce the inmoft centre of the earth :
Then, when you come to Pint '0's region,
I pray you, deliver this petition,
Tell him it is for juftice, and for aid ;
And that it comes from old Andromcus^
Shaken with forrows in ungrateful Rome.
Ah, Rome! Well, well, I made thee miferable,
What time I threw the people's fuffrages
On him, that thus doth tyrannize o'er me.
Go, get you gone, and, pray, be careful all,
And leave you not a man of war unfearch'd ;
This wicked Emperor may have fhip'd her hence,
And, kinfmen, then we may go pipe for juftice.
Mar. Oh Publius, is not this a heavy cafe,
To fee thy noble uncle thus diffract ?
Pub. Therefore, my lord, it highly us concerns,
By day and night t' attend him carefully :
And feed his humour kindly as we may,
'Till time beget fome careful remedy.
Mar. Kinfmen, his forrows are paft remedy.
Join with the Gotbs, and with revengeful war
Take wreak on Rome, for this ingratitude,
And vengeance on the traitor Saturnine.
Tit. Publius> how now ? how now, my mafters,
What, have you met with her ?
Pub. No, my good lord, but Pluto fends you
word,
If yoa will have revenge from hell, you mall :
Marry, for juftice, (he is fo employ'd,
He thinks, with Jove in heav'n, or fomewhere elfe ;
So that perforce you muft needs ftay a time.
Tit. He doth me wrong to feed me with delays.
I'll dive into the burning lake below,
And pull her out of dcberon by the heels.
Marcus, we are but fhrubs, no cedars we,
No
304 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
No big-bon'd men, fram'd of the Cyclops'' fize ;
But metal, Marcus, fteel to th' very back ;
Yet wrung with wrongs, more than our backs can
bear.
And fith there is no juftice in earth nor hell,
We will follicit heav'n, and move the Gods,
To fend down juftice for to wreak our wrongs :
Come, to this gear ; you're a good archer, Marcus.
[He gives them the arrows.
M Jovcm, that's for you here, ad Apollinem
Ad Mart em i that*s for my felf ;
Here, boy, to Pallas here, to Mercury
To Saturn and to Ccelus not to Saturnine
You were as good to fhoot againft the wind.
To it, boy ; Marcus loofe when I bid :
O* my word, I have written to effect,
There's not a God left unfollicited.
Mar. Kinfmen, (hoot all your fhafts into the Court,
We willaffli6t the Emperor in his pride. \hey Jhoot.
'fit. Now, mafters, draw; oh, well faid, Lucius:
Good boy, in Fit-go's Jap, give it Pallas.
Mar. My lord, I am a mile beyond the moon ;
Your letter is with Jupiter by this.
Tit. Ha, ha, Publius, Publius, what haft thou
done ?
See, fee, thou'ft mot off one of I'aurus 9 horns.
Mar. This was the fport, my lord ; when Publius
mot,
The bull being gall'd, gave Aries fuch a knock,
That down fell both the ram's horns in the Court,
And who mould find them but the Emprefs, villain :
She Jaugh'd, and told the Moor, he mould not chufe
But give them to his mafter for a prefent.
Tit. Why, there it goes. God give your lord-
fhip joy!
Enter
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 305
Enter a Clown with a basket and two pigeons.
News, news from heav'n -, Marcus, the pofl is come.
Sirrah, what tidings? have you any letters?
Shall I havejuftice, what fays Jupiter?
Clown. Who ? the gibbet-maker ? he fays, that he
hath taken them down again, for the man muft not be.
hang'd 'till the next week.
Tit. Tut, what fays Jupiter, I ask thee ?
Clown. Alas, Sir, I know not Jupiter^
I never drank with him in all my life.
Tit. Why, villain, art not thou the carrier?
Clown. Ay, of my pigeons, Sir, nothing elfe.
Tit. Why, didft thou not come from heav'n ?
Clown. From heav'n ? alas, Sir, I never came there,
God forbid I mould be fo bold to prefs into heav'n
in my young days. Why, I am going with my pi-
geons to the tribunal plebs, to take up a matter of
brawl betwixt my uncle and one of the Emperiars
men.
Mar. Whyj Sir> that is as fit as can be to ferve
for your oration, and let him deliver the pigeons to
the Emperor from you.
Tit. Tell me, can you deliver an oration to the
Emperor with a grace ?
Clown. Nay, truly, Sir, I could never fay grace in
all my life.
Tit. Sirrah, come hither, make no more ado,
But give your pigeons to the Emperor.
By me thou (halt have juftice at his hands.
Hold, hold mean while, here's mony for thy
charges.
Give me a pen and ink.
Sirrah, can you with a grace deliver a fupplication ?
Clown. Ay, Sir.
Tit. Then* here is a fupplication for you : and when
you come to him. at the firft approach you muft
VOL. VI. X kneel,
306 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
kneel, then kifs his foot, then deliver up your pigeons,
and then look for your reward. I'll be at hand, Sirj
fee you do it bravely.
Clown. I warrant you, Sir, let me alone.
TiV. Sirrah, haft thou a knife ? come, let me fee it.
Here, Marcus, fold it in the oration,
For thou haft made it like an humble fuppliant ;
And when thou haft given it the Emperor,
Knock at my door, and tell me, what he fays.
Clown. God be with you, Sir, I will.
?//. Come, Marcus^ let us go. Publius, follow me.
\_Exeunf.
SCENE V.
The PALACE.
Enter Emperor and Emprefs, and her two fom ; the
Emperor brings the arrows in his hand, that Ti-
tus Jhot.
.SW.IT7HY, lords, what wrongs are thefe? was
VV ever feen
An Emperor of Rome thus over- borne,
Troubled, confronted thus, and for th' extent
Of equal juftice, us'd in fuch contempt ?
My lord, you know, as do the mightful Gods,
(However the difturbers of our peace
Buz in the people's ears) there nought hath paft,
But even with Jaw againft the wilful fons
Of old Andronicus. And what an if
His forrows have fo overwhelm'd his wits,
Shall we be thus afflicted in his wreaks,
His fits, his frenfie, and his bitternefs?
And now he writes to heav'n for his redrefs.
See, here's to Jove, and this to Mercury,
This to Apollo i this to the God of war :
Sweet
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 307
Sweet fcrouls, to fly about the ftreets of Rome !
What's this but libelling againft the Senate,
And blazoning our injuftice ev'ry where ?
A goodly humour, is it not, my lords?
As who would fay, in Rome no juftice were.
feut if I live, his feigned ecftafies
Shall be no fhelter to thefe outrages :
But he and his mall know, that Juftice lives
In Saturmnu? health ; whom, if me fleep,
He'll fo awake, as me in fury (hall
Cut off the proud'ft confpirator that lives.
'Tarn. My gracious lord* mod lovely Saturnine,
Lord of my life, commander of my thought,
Calm thee, and bear the faults of Titus' age,
Th* effects of forrow for his valiant fons,
Whofelofs hath pierc'd him deep, and fcarr'd his heart;
And rather comfort his diftrefied plight,
Than profccute the meaneft, or the beft,
For thefe contempts Why, thus it mail become
High-witted Tamora to glofe with all :
But, 27/;, I have touch'd thee to the quick,
Thy life-blood out; if Aaron now be wife,
Then is all fafe, the anchor's in the port. [dfide.
Enter Clown.
How, now, good fellow, would'ft thou fpeak with us ?
Clo. Vea, forfooth, an your Mifterfhip be Emperial.
Tarn. Emprefs I am, but yonder fits the Emperor.
Clown. Tis he: God and St. Stephen give you
good-Even :
I have brought you a letter and a couple of pigeons
here. [He reads the letter.
Sat. Go, take him away, and hang him preiently.
Clown. How much mony muft I have ?
fam. Come, firrah, thou muft be hang'd.
Clown. Hang'd! by'r lady, then I have brought up
a neck to a fair end. [Exit.
X z Sat.
308 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Sat. Defpightful and intolerable wrongs !
Shall I endure this monftrous villany ?
I know, from whence this fame device proceeds :
May this be borne ? as if his traiterous fons,
That dy'd by law for murther of our brother,
Have by my means been butcher'd wrongfully ?
Go, drag the villain hither by the hair,
Nor age nor honour * fhall fhape privilege.
For this proud mock PJ1 be thy (laughter-man ;
Sly frantick wretch, that holp'ft to make me great,
In hope thy felf mould govern Rome and me.
JEnter Emilius.
Sat. What news with thee,
ASmil. Arm, arm, my lords j Rome never had more
caufe ;
The Goths have gather*d head, and with a Power
Of high-refolved men, bent to the fpoil,
They hither march amain, under the Conduct
Of Lucius, Ton to old Andronicus :
Who threats in courfe of his revenge to do
As much as ever Coriolanus did.
Sat. Is warlike Lucius General of the Goths ?
Thefe Tidings nip me, and I hang the head
As flowers with froft,or grafs beat down with ftorms.
Ay, now begin our forrows to approach ;
'Tis he, the common people love fo much :
Myfelf hath often over-heard them fay,
(When I have walked like a private man)
That Lucius' banifhment was wrongfully,
And they have wifh'd, that Lucius were their Em-
peror.
Tarn. Why mould you fear ? is not our city ftrong?
Sat. Ay, but the citizens favour Lucius,
And will revolt from me, to fuccour him.
a Jball fays privilege,"] i. e. make or eftablifh privilege.
Tarn.
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 309
. King, be thy thoughts imperious like thy
name.
Is the fun dim'd, that gnats do fly in it ?
The eagle fuffers little birds to fing,
And is not careful what they mean thereby,
Knowing that with the fhadow of his wings
He can at pleafure flint their melody ;
Ev'n fo may'ft thou the giddy men of Rome.
Then cheer thy fpirit, for know, thou Emperor,
I will enchant the old Andronicus
With words more fweet, and yet more dangerous,
Than baits to filh, or honey-ftalks to fheep ;
When as the one is wounded with the bait,
The other rotted with delicious food.
Sat. But he will not intreat his fon for us.
'Tarn. If Tamora intreat him, then he will :
For I can fmooth, and fill his aged ear
With golden promifes ; that were his heart
Almoft impregnable, his old ears deaf.
Yet mould both ear and heart obey my tongue.
Go thou before as our embaffador ;
Say, that the Emperor requefts a parley
Of warlike Lucius^ and appoint the meeting.
Sat. JEmilim^ do this mefiage honourably ;
And if he tland on hoftage for his fafety,
Bid him demand what pledge will pleafe him bed.
Mmil. Your bidding mall I do effectually. [Exit,
^Tani. Now will I to that old Andronicu^
And temper him, with all the art I have,
To pluck proud Lucius from the warlike Goths,
And now, fweet Emperor, be blith again,
And bury all thy fear in my devices.
Sat. Then go fuccefsfujly, and plead to him.
[Exeunt,
X 3
310 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
A C T V. SCENE I.
A Camp at a fmall dtftance from Rome.
Enter Lucius with Goths, with drum and, foldicn,
Lucius.
AP P R OV E D warriors, and my faithful friends,
I have received letters from great Rome,
Which fignifie, what hate they bear their Emp'ror,
And how defirous of our fight they are.
Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witnefs,
Imperious and impatient of your wrongs ;
And wherein Rome l hath done you any fcathe,
Let him make treble fatisfaclion.
Gotb. Brave flip, fprung from the great Andromcus^
(Whofe name was once our terror, now our comfort,)
Whofe high exploits and honourable deeds
Ingrateful Rome requites with foul contempt,
Be bold in us 5 we'll follow, where thou lead'ft:
Like flinging bees in hotteft fummer's day,
Led by their matter to the flower'd fields,
And be aveng'd on curfed famora.
Omnes. And, as he faith, fo fay we all with him.
Luc. I humbly thank him, and I thank you all.
But who comes here, led by a lufty Gotb ?
SCENE II.
Enter a Goth leading Aaron, with bis child in
his Arms.
Goth, Renowned Lucius , from our troops I ftray 'd
To gaze upon a ruinous monaftery :
i hath Jenejou aty fcathej Scathe, harm. Mr. Pope.
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 311
And as I earneftly did fix mine eye
Upon the wafted building, fuddenly
I heard a child cry underneath a wall ;
I made unto the noife, when foon I heard
The crying babe controul'd with this difcourfe :
Peace, tawny flave, half me and half thy dam,
Did not thy Hue bewray whofe brat thou art,
Had nature lent thee but thy mother's look,
Villain, thou might'ft have been an Emperor:
But where the bull and cow are both milk-white,
They never do beget a cole-black calf;
Peace, villain, peace! (ev*n thus he rates the babej
For I mult bear thee to a trufty Goth ;
Who, when he knows thou art the Emprefs* babe,
Will hold thee dearly for thy mother's fake.
With this, my weapon drawn, I rufli'd upon him,
Surpriz'd him fuddenly, and brought him hither,
To ufe as you think needful of the man.
Luc. O worthy Goth, this is th* incarnate Devil,
That robb'd Andronicus of his good hand ,
This is the Pearl that pleas'd your Emprefs* eye,
And here's the bafe fruit of his burning luft.
Say, wall-ey'd flave, whither would'ft thou convey
This growing image of thy fiend-like face?
Why doft not fpeak ? what ! deaf? no ! not a word?
A halter, foldiers-, hang him on this tree,
And by his fide his fruit of baftardy.
Aar. Touch not the boy, he is of royal blood.
Luc. Too like the fire for ever being good.
Firft, hang the child, that he may fee it fprawl
A fight to vex the father's foul withal.
Get me a ladder.
Aar. Lucius^ fave the child,
And bear it from me to the Emperefs ;
If thou do this, I'll mew thee wondr'ous thing?.
That highly may advantage thee to hear;
If thou wilt not, befall what may befall,
X 4 "I
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
I'll fpeak no more ; but Vengeance rot you all !
Luc. Say on, and if it pleafe me which thou fpeak'ft*
Thy child fhall live, and I will fee it nourifh'd.
Aar. An if it pleafe thee? why, affure thee, Lucius,
'Twill vex thy foul to hear what I fhall fpeak :
For I mud talk of murthers, rapes and mafiacres,
Acts of black night, abominable deeds,
Complots of mifchief, treafon, villanies,
Ruthful to hear, yet piteoufly perform'd :
And this fhall all be buried by my death,
Unlefs thou fwear to me, my child mail live.
Luc. Tell on thy mind ; I fay, thy child fhall live.
Aar. Swear, that he fhal] ; and then I will begin.
Luc. Who mould I fwear by? thou believ'ft no
God:
That granted, how can'ft thou believe an oath ?
Aar. What if I do not! as, indeed, 1 do not ;
Yer, for I know thou art religious,
And haft a thing within thee called Confcience,
\Vith twenty popifh tricks and ceremonies
Which I have feen thee careful to obferve :
Therefore I urge thy oath ; (for that, I know,
An idiot holds his bauble for a God,
And keeps the oath, which by that God he fwears,
To that i'il urge him j) therefore thou malt vow
By that fame God, what God foe'er it be,
That thou ador'ft and hall in reverence,
To fave my boy, nourifh and bring him up ;
Or elfe I would diicover nought to thee.
Lqc. Even by my God I fwear to thee, I will.
Aar. Firft, know thou, I begot him on the Emprefs,
Luc. O moft infatiate, luxurious, woman !
Aar. Tur, Lucius, this was but a deed of charity,
To that which thou malt hear of me anon.
3 Twas her two fons, that murder'd Ba/ianus ;
They cut thy filler's tongue, and ravifh'd her,
And cut her hands, and trinVd her as thou law'fi
Luc.
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 313
Luc. Oh, deteftable villain ! call'ft thou that triming ?
Aar. Why, fhe was wafhed, and cut, and trim'd ;
And 'twas trim fport for them that had the doing oft.
Luc. Oh, barb'rous beaftly villains like thyfelf!
Aar. Indeed, I was their tutor to inftruft them;
That codding fpirit had they from their mother,
As fure a card as ever won the fet ;
That bloody mind, I think, they learn'd of me,
As true a dog as ever fought at head ,
Well j let my deeds be witnefs of my worth.
I train'd thy brethren to that guileful hole,
"Where the dead corps of Bafftanus lay :
I wrote the letter that thy father found,
And hid the gold within the letter mention'd ;
Confederate with the Queen, and her two fons.
And what not done, that thou haft caufe to rue,
Wherein I had no ftroke of mifchief in't !
I plaid the cheater for thy father's hand,
And when I had it, drew myfelf apart,
And almoft broke my heart with extream laughter,
I pry'd me through the crevice of a wall,
When for his hand he had his two fons' heads ;
Beheld his tears, and laugh'd fo heartily,
That both mine eyes were rainy like to his:
And when I told the Emprefs of this fport,
She fwooned almoft at my pleafing Tale,
And fpr my tidings gave me twenty kiffes,
Goth. What! can'ft thou fay all this, and never
blufh!
Aar. Ay, like a black dog, as the Saying is.
Luc. Art thou not forry for thefc heinous deeds ?
Aar. Ay, that I had not done a thoufand more.
Ev'n now I curfe the day (and yet, I think,
Few come within the compafs of my curfe)
Wherein I d|d not fome notorious 111,
As kill a man, or elfe devife his death ;
Ravifh a maid, or plot the way to do it ;
Accufe
314 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Accufe fome innocent, and forfwear myfelf ;
Set deadly enmity between two friends ;
Make poor Men*s cattle break their necks ;
Set fire on barns and hay-ftacks in the night,
And bid the owners quench them with their tears :
Oft have I digg'd up dead men from their graves,
And fet them upright at their dear friends' doors,
Ev'n when their lorrow almoft was forgot;
And on their skins, as on the bark of trees,
Have with my knife carved in Roman letters,
' Let not your forrow die, though I am dead.
Tut, I have done a thoufand dreadful things.
As willingly as one would kill a fly :
And nothing grieves me heartily indeed,
But that I cannot do ten thoufand more.
Luc. Bring down the devil, for he mud not die
So fweet a death, as hanging prefently.
Aar. If there be devils, 'would I were a devil,
To live and burn in ever-lafting fire,
So I might have your company in hell,
But to torment you with my bitter tongue !
Luc. Sirs, flop his mouth, and let him fpeak no
more.
Enter .^Emilius.
Gotb. My lord, there is a meflenger from Rome
Defires to be admitted to your prefence.
Luc. Let him come near. *
Welcome, jmilius 9 what's the news from Rome ?
jEmil. Lord Lucius, and you princes of the Gotbs,
The Roman Emperor greets you all by me ;
And, for he understands you are in arms,
He craves a parley at your father's houfe,
Willing you to demand your hoftages,
And they (hall be immediately deliver'd.
Goth. What fays our Genera! ?
Uc.
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Luc. &miUus, let the Emperor give his pledges
Unto my father and my uncle Marcus,
And we will come : march away. [Exeunt,
SCENE III.
Changes to Titus'.* Palace In Rome.
Enter Tamora, Chiron, find Demetrius, difguis'd.
Ttf/Tf . "T~* H U S, in thefe ftrange and fad habiliments,
1 I will encounter with Andronicus :
And fay, I am Revenge fent from below,
To join with him, and right his heinous wrongs:
Knock at the Study, where, they fay, he keeps,
To ruminate ftrange plots of dire revenge ;
Tell him, Revenge is come to join with him,
And work confufion on his enemies.
[They knock, and Titus appears above,
Tit. Who doth moleft my contemplation ?
Is it your trick to make me ope the door,
That fo my fad decrees may fly away,
And all my ftudy be to no effect ?
You are deceiv'd j for what I mean to do,
See, here in bloody lines I have fet down j
And what is written, fhall be executed.
yam. Titus, 1 am come to talk with thee.
Tit. No, not a word: how can I grace my Talk,
Wanting a hand to give it that accord ?
Thou haft the odds of me, therefore no more.
Tarn. If thou did'fl know me, thou wouldft talk
with me.
Tit. I am not mad ; I know thee well enough ;
Witnefs this wretched flump, thele crimfom lines,
Witnefs thefe trenches, made by grief and care,
Witnefs the tiring day and heavy night ;
Witnefs all forrow, that I know thee well
For
316 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
For our proud Emprefs, mighty Tamora:
Is not thy Coming for my other hand ?
Tarn. Know thou, fad man, I am not Tamora, j
She is thy enemy, and I thy friend ;
I am Revenge, fent from th' infernal Kingdom,
To cafe the gnawing Vulture of thy mind,
By working wreak ful vengeance on thy foes.
Come down, and welcome me to this world's light ;
Confer with me of murder and of death ;
There's not a hollow cave, nor lurking place,
No vaft obfcurity, or mifty vale,
Where bloody Murder or detefted Rape
Can couch for fear, but I will find them out ;
And in their ears tell them my dreadful name,
Revenge, which makes the foul offenders quake.
Tit. Art thou Revenge ? and art thou fent to me,
To be a torment to mine enemies ?
Tarn. I am ; therefore come down, and welcome me.
Tit. Do me fome fervice, ere I come to thee :
L,o, by thy fide whxre Rape, and Murder, (lands ; '
Now give fome furance that thou art Revenge^
Stab them, or tear them on thy chariot- wheels ;
And then J*ll come and be thy waggoner,
And whirl along with thee about the globes :
Provide two proper Palfries black as jet,
To hale thy vengeful waggon fwift away,
And find out murders in their guilty caves.
And when thy car is loaden with their heads,
I will difmounr, and by thy waggon wheel
Trot like a fervile foot-man all day long -,
Even from Hyperion's rifing in the eaft,
Until his very downfal in the fea.
And day by day I'll do this heavy task,
So thou deftroy Rapine and Murder there.
Tarn. Thefe are my minifters, and come with me.
Tit. Are they thy minifters ? what are they call'd *
Tarn. Rapine and Murder , therefore called fo,
'Caufe
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 317
'Caufe they take vengeance on fuch kind of men.
Tit . Good lord, how like the Emprefs' Tons they arc,
And you the Emprefs ! but we worldly men
Have miferable and miftaking eyes :
fweet Revenge, now do I come to thee,
And if one arm's embracement will content thee,
1 will embrace thee in it by and by.
[Exit Titus from above.
Tarn. This clofing with him fits his lunacy,
Whate'er I forge to feed his brain-fick fits,
Do you uphold, and maintain in your fpeech,
For now he firmly takes me for Revenge :
And, being credulous in this mad thought,
I'll make him fend for Lucius, his fon :
And whilft I at a banquet hold him fure,
I'll find fome cunning practice out of hand,
To fcatter and difperfe the giddy Goths >
Or at the leaft, make them his enemies :
See, here he comes, and I muft ply my theme.
SCENE IV.
Enter Titus.
TzV. Long have I been forlorn, and all for thee:
Welcome, dread fury, to my woful houfe ;
Rapine and Murder, you are welcome too :
How like the Emprefs and her fons you are!
Well are you fitted, had you but a Moor ;
Could not all hell afford you fuch a devil ?
For, well I wot, the Emprefs never wags,
But in her company there is a Moor ;
And would you reprefent our Queen aright,
It were convenient you had fuch a devil :
But welcome, as you are : what mail we do ?
fam. What wouldft thou have us do, Andronicus?
Dem. Shew me a murderer, I'll deal with him.
Cbi.
3 i8
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Chi. Shew me a villain, that has done a rape,
And I am fent to be reveng'd on him.
Tarn. Shew me a thoufand, that have done thee
wrong ;
And I will be revenged on them all.
Tit. Look round about the wickec" ftreets of Rome y
And when thou find'ft a man that's like thyfelf,
Good Murder, ftab him ; he's a murderer.
Go thou with him, and when it is thy hap
To find another that is like to thee,
Good Rapine, ftab him ; he is a raviflier.
Go thou with them, and in the Emperor's Court
There is a Queen attended by a Moor ;
Well may'fl thou know her by thy own proportion:,
For up and down me doth referable thee ;
I pray thee, do on them fome violent death 5
They have been violent to me and mine.
1am. Well haft thou lefibn'd us, this fhall we do.
But would it pleafe thee, good Andronicus y
To fend for Lucius thy thrice-valiant fon,
Who leads tow'rds Rome a band of warlike Goths 9
And bid him come and banquet at thy houfe.
When he is here, even at thy folemn feaft,
I will bring in the Emprefs and her fons,
The Emperor himfelf, and all thy foes ;
And at thy mercy mail they ftoop and kneel,
And on them malt thou eale thy angry heart i
What fays Andronicus to this device ?
lit. Marcus, my brother ! 'tis fad Titus calls !
Enter Marcus.
Go, gentle Marcus^ to thy nephew Lucius ;
Thou fhalt enquire him out among the Goths:
Bid him repair to me : and bring with him
Some of the chiefeft Princes of the Goths ;
Bid him encamp his Soldiers where they are;
Tell him, the Emperor and the Emprefs too
Feaft
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 319
Feaft at my houfe, and he fhall feaft with them ;
This do thou for my love, and fo let him,
As he regards his aged father's life.
Mar. This will I do, and foon return again.
[Exit.
'Tarn. Now will I hence about my bufinefs,
And take my minifters along with me.
'fit. Nay, nay, let Rape and Murder flay with me ;
Or elfe I'll call my brother back again,
And cleave to no revenge but Lucius.
'Tarn. What fay you, boys, will you abide with
him,
Whiles I go tell my lord, the Emperor,
How I have govern'd our determin'd jeft ?
Yield to his humour, fmooth and fpeak him fair,
And tarry with him 'till I come again.
Tit. I know them all, tho* they fuppofe me mad ;
And will o'er-reach them in their own devices :
A pair of curfed hell-hounds and their dam.
[Afide.
Dem. Madam, depart at pleafure, leave us here.
Tarn. Farewel, Andronicus ; Revenge now goes
To lay a complot to betray thy foes.
[Exit Tamora.-
Tit. I know, thou doft ; and, fweet Revenge,
farewel.
Chi. Tell us, old man, how mail we be em-
ploy 'd?
Tit. Tut, I have work enough for you to do.
Publics, come hither, Caws, and Valentine /
Enter Publius and Servants.
Pub. What is your will ?
Tit. Know ye thefe two ?
Pub The Emprefs* fons,
I take them, Chiron, and Demetrius /
Til.
320 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Tit. Fie, Publius, fie ! thou art too much dc
ceiv'd,
The one is Murder, Rape is th' other's name i
And therefore bind them, gentle Publius ;
Cams and Valentine, lay hands on them ;
Oft have you heard me wifh for fuch an hour,
And now I find it, therefore bind them fure.
[Exit Titui.
Chi. Villains, forbear ; we are the Emprefs' fons.
Pub. And therefore do we what we are com-
manded.
Stop clofe their mouths ; let them not fpeak a word.
Is he fure bound ? look, that ye bind them faft.
SCENE V.
Enter Titus Andronicus with a Knife, and Lavinia
with a Bafon.
fit. Come, come, Lavinia; look, thy foes are
bound ;
Sirs, flop their mouths, let them not fpeak to me,
But let them hear what fearful words I utter.
Oh, villains, Chiron and Demetrius !
Here flands the fpring whom you have ftain'd with
mud,
This goodly fummer with your winter mixt :
You kill'd her husband, and for that vile fault
Two of her brothers were condemn'd to death ',
My hand cut off, and made a merry jeft ;
Both her fweet hands, her tongue, and that more dear,
Than hands or tongue, her fpotlefs Chaftity,
Inhuman traitors, you conftrain'd and forc'd.
What would ye fay, if I mould let you fpeak ?
Villains! for fhame, you could not beg for grace.
Hark, wretches, how I mean to martyr you.
This one hand yet is left r.o cut your throats,
Whilft
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 321
Whilft that Lavinia 'twixt her flumps doth hold
The bafon, that receives your guilty blood.
You know, your mother means to fcaft with me,
And calJs herfelf Revenge, and thinks me mad
Hark, villains, I will grind your bones to duft,
And with your blood and it I'll make a pafte ;
And of the pafte a coffin will I rear,
And make two pafties of your lhameful heads ;
And bid that (trumpet, your unhallow'd dam,
Like to the earth, (wallow her own increafe.
This is the feaft that I have bid her to,
And this the banquet (he (hall furfeit on ;
For worfe than Philomel you us'd my daughter,
And worfe than Procne I will be reveng'd.
And now prepare your throats : Lavinia, come,
Receive the blood ; and, when that they are dead,
Let me go grind their bones to powder fmall,
And with this hateful liquor temper it ;
And in that pafte let their vile heads be bak'd.
Come, come, be every one officious
To make this banquet, which I wifli might prove
More ftern and bloody than the Centaurs' feaft.
\_He cuts their throats*
So, now bring them in, for I'll play the cook,
And fee them ready 'gainft the mother comes.
[Exfunt.
Enter Lucius, Marcus, and Goths with Aaron
Prifoner.
Luc. Uncle Marcus, fince it is my father's mind
That I repair to Rome, I am content.
Goth. And ours with thine, befall what fortune,
will.
Luc . Good uncle, take you in this barbarous Mw
This ravenous tiger, this accurfed devil j
Let him receive no fuftenance, fetter him,
'Till he be brought unto the Kmp'ror's face,
VOL. VI. Y For
322 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
For teftimony of thefe foul proceedings ;
And fee, the ambufh of our friends be ftrong ;
I fear, the Emperor means no good to us.
slar. Sogie devil whifper curfes in my ear,
And prompt me that my tongue may utter forth
The venomous malice of my fwelling heart !
Luc. Away, inhuman dog, unhallow'd (lave.
[Exeunt Goths with Aaron.
Sirs, help our uncle to convey him in. [Flouri/h.
The trumpets fhew, the Emperor is at hand.
SCENE VI.
Sound trumpets. Enter Emperor and Emprefs, with
Tribunes and others.
Sat. What, hath the firmament more funs than
one ?
Luc. What boots it thee to call thyfelf a Sun?
Mar. Rome's Emperor, and Nephew, break the
parley ;
Thefe quarrels muft be quietly debated :
The feaft is ready, which the careful Titus
Hath ordain'd to an honourable end,
For peace, for love, for league, and good to Rome :
Pleafe you therefore draw nigh and take your places.
Sat. Marcus, we will. [Hautboys.
A Table brought in. Enter Titus like a Cook, placing
the meat on the 'Table, and Lavinia with a veil over
her face.
Tit. Welcome, my gracious lord ; welcome, dread
Queen,
Welcome, ye warlike Goths, welcome, Lucius,
And welcome, all ; although the cheer be poor,
'Twill fill your ftomachs, pleafe you eat of it.
Sat. Why art thou thus attir'd, Andronicus ?
Tit.
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 323
fit. Becaufe I would be fure to have all well,
To entertain your Highnefs, and your Empreis.
Tarn. We are beholden to you, goodslndronicus.
Tit. And if your Highnefs knew my heart, you
were.
My : lord the Emperor, refolve me this ;
Was it well done of ram Pirgimus,
To flay his daughter with his own right hand,
Becaufe fhe was enforc'd, ftain'd, and deflour'd ?
Sat. It was, Andronicus.
Tit. Your reafon, mighty lord ?
Sat. Becaufe the girl mould not furvive her mame,
And by her prefence ftill renew his forrows.
Tit. A reafon mighty, flrong, and effectual,
A pattern, precedent, and lively warrant,
For me, moft wretched, to perform the like :
Die, die, Lavinia, and thy {hame with thee,
And with thy mame thy father's forrow die !
{He kills her.
Sat. What haft thou done, unnatural and unkind ?
Tit. Kill'd her, for whom my tears have made me
blind.
I am as woful as Virgmms was,
And have a thoufand times more caufe than he
To do this outrage. And it is now done.
Sat. What, was me ravifh'd ? tell, who did the
deed ?
27?. Will't pleafe you eat, will't pleafe your High-
nefs feed ?
Tarn. Why haft thou flain thine only daughter
thus ?
Tit. Not I, 'twas Chiron and Demetrius.
They ravifh'd her, and cut away her tongue,
And they, 'twas they, that did her all this wrong.
Sat. Go, fetch them hither to us prefently.
Tit. Why, there they are both, baked in that
P ve >
Y 2 Whereof
324 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Whereof their mother daintily hath fed ;
Eating the flelh, that Ihe herfelf hath bred.
'Tis true, 'tis truej witnefs, my knife's {harp point.
[Heftabs the Emprefs.
Sat. Die, frantick wretch, for this accuried deed.
[Hejiabt Tims.
Luc. Can the fon's eye behold his father bleed ?
There's meed for meed, death for a deadly deed.
^Lucius ftabs the Emperor.
Mar. You fad-fac'd men, people and fonsof Rome,
By uprore fever'd, like a flight of fowl
Scatter'd by winds and high tempeftuous gufts,
Oh, let me teach you how to knit again
This fcatter'd corn into one mutual fheaf,
Thefe broken limbs again into one body.
Goth. Let Rome herfelf be Bane unto herfelf ;
And me whom mighty Kingdoms curtfie to,
Like a forlorn and defperate caft-away,
Do fhameful execution on herfelf.
Mar. But if my frofty figns and chaps of age,
Grave witnefles of true experience,
Cannot induce you to attend my words,
Speak, Rome's dear friend j as erft our Anceftor,
[T0. Lucius*
When with his folemn tongue he did difcourfe
To love-fick Dido's fad attending ear,
The (lory of that baleful burning Night,
When fubtle Greeks furpriz'd King Priam's 'Troy :
Tell us, what Sinon hath bewitch'd our ears,
Or who hath brought the fatal engine in,
That gives our Troy, our Rome, the civil wound.
My heart is not compact of flint, nor fteel j
Nor can I utter all our bitter grief,
But floods of tears will drown my oratory,
And break my very utt'rance ; even in the time
When it mould move you to attend me moil,
Lending your kind commiferation.
Here
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 325
Here is a Captain, let him tell the Tale.
Your hearts will throb and weep to hear him fpeak.
Luc. Then, noble Auditory, be it known to you,
That curfed Chiron and Demetrius
Were they, that murdered our Emperor's brother ;
And they it were, that ravifhed our fifter:
For their fell faults our brothers were beheaded,
Our father's tears defpis'd, and bafely cozen*d
Of that true hand, that fought Rome's quarrel out,
And lent her enemies into the grave.
Laftly, myfelf unkindly banifhed,
The gates mut on me, and turn'd weeping out,
To beg relief among Rome's enemies ;
Who drown'd their enmity in my true tears,
And op'd their arms t'embrace me as a friend :
And I am turn'd forth, be it known to you,
That have preferv'd her welfare in my blood,
And from her bofom took the enemy's point,
Sheathing the fteel in my adventurous body.
Alas you know, I am no vaunter, I ;
My fears can witnefs, dumb although they are,
That my report is juft, and full of truth.
But, foft, methinks, I do digrefs too much.
Citing my worthlefs praife: oh, pardon me,
For when no friends are by, men praife themfclves.
Mar. Now is my tongue to fpeak : behold this
child,
Of this was Tamora delivered ;
The iflue of an irreligious Moor,
Chief architect and plotter of thefe woes ;
The villain is alive in 2?/j' houfe,
(a) Damn'd as he is, to witnefs this is true.
Now judge, what caufe had Titus to revenge
Thefe wrongs, unfpeakable, paft patience,
Or more than any living man could bear.
[(a] Damn'd. Mr. Unbald Vulg. And.]
Y 3 Now
326 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Now you have heard the truth, what fay you, Romans?
Have we done aught amifs? fliew us wherein,
And from the place where you behold us now,
The poor remainder of Andronicus,
We'll hand in hand all head-long caft us down,
And on the ragged ftones beat out our brains,
And make a mutual Clofure of our Houfe :
Speak, Romans, fpeak ; and, if you fay, we fhall,
Lo, hand in hand, Lucius and I will fall.
jffLmil. Come, come, thou reverend man of Rome>
And bring our Emperor gently in thy hand,
Lucius our Emperor : for, well I know,
The common voice do cry, it fhall be fo.
Mar. Lucius, all hail, Rome's royal Emperor!
Go, go, into old Titus' forrowful houfe,
And hither hale that misbelieving Moor*
To be adjudg'd fome direful flaughtering death ;
As punifhment for his moft wicked life.
Lucius, all hail. Rome's gracious governour !
Luc. Thanks, gentle Romans : may I govern foj
To heal Rome's harm, and drive away her woe !
But, gentle people, give me aim a while,
For nature puts me to a heavy task :
Stand all aloof; but, Uncle, draw you near,
To fhed obf^quious tears upcn this Trunk :
Oh, take this warm kifs on thy pale cold lips x
Thefe forrowful drops upon thy blood-ftain'd face}
The laft true duties of thy noble Son.
Mar. Ay, tear for tear, and loving kifs for kite,
Thy brother Marcus tenders on thy lips :
O, were the fum of thefb that I mould pay
Countlefs and infinite, yet would I pay them !
Luc. Come hither, boy; come, cone, and learn
of us
To melt in mowers ; thy grandfire lov'd thee well
Many a time he danc'd thee on his knee ;
Sung thee afleep, his loving breaft thy pillow:
Many
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Many a matter hath he told to thee,
Meet and agreeing with thy infancy ;
In that refpecl: then, like a loving child,
Shed yet fome fmall drops from thy tender fpring,
Becaufe kind nature doth require it fo ;
Friends fhould afibciate friends, in grief and woe :
Bid him farewel, commit him to the grave;
Do him that kindnefs, and take leave of him.
Boy. O grandfire, grandfire! even with all my
heart,
'Would I were dead, fo you did live again - *
lord, I cannot fpeak to him for weeping
My tears will choak me, if I ope my mouth.
SCENE VII.
Enter Romans with Aaron.
Rom. You fad Andrenicl, have done with woes :
Give fentence on this execrable wretch,
That hath been breeder of thefe dire events.
Luc. Set him bread-deep in earth, and famifh him :
There let him ftand, and rave and cry for food :
If any one relieves or pities him,
For the offence he dies : this is our doom.
Some flay to fee him faftned in the earth.
Aar. O, why fhould wrath be mute, and fury
dumb !
1 am no baby, I, that with bafe prayers
I mould repent the evil I have done :
Ten thoufand worfe, than ever yet I did,
Would I perform, if I might have my will :
If one good deed in all my life I did,
I do repent it from my very foul.
IMC. Some loving friends convey the Emp'ror
hence,
And give him burial in his father's grave.
Y 4 My
328 TlTUsANDRONlCUS.
My father and Lavinia fliall forthwith
Be clofed in our Houfhold's Monument:
As for that heinous tygrefs Tamora,
No funeral rites, nor man in mournful weeds,
No mournful bell mail ring her burial ;
But throw her forth to beafts and birds of prey :
Her life was bead- like, and devoid of pity ;
And being fo, fhall have like want of pity.
See juftice done on Aaron that damn'd Moor,
From whom our heavy haps had their beginning ;
Then, afterwards, we'll order well the State ;
That like events may ne'er it ruinate. \Exeunt omnes.
THE
THE
TRAGEDY
O F
MA C B E T H.
DRAMATIS PERSONS.
DUNCAN, King of Scotland.
Malcolm, I Sons to tbe King.
Donalbam, 5
iSt' \ Genera!s fthe K '" s ' s Army -
Lenox,
Macduff,
M^eth,
Angus,
Cathnefs,
Fleance, Son to Banquo.
Si ward, General of the. Englifli Forcts.
Young Siward, his Son.
Seyton, an officer attending on Macbeth.
Son to Macduff.
Doftor.
Lady Macbeth.
Lady MacdufF.
Gentlewomen attending on Lady Macbeth.
Hecate, and three other Pitches.
Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers and Attendants.
?be Ghoft of Banquo, and federal other Apparitions.
SCENE, in the End of the fourth Aft> lyes in
England ; through the reft of the Play, in Scot-
land 5 and, chiefly, at Mackbeth's Caftle.
MAC BETH.
MACBETH.
A C T I. S C E N E I.
An open Place.
Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches
I Wl T CH.
HEN mall we three meet again ?
In thunder, lightning, or in rain ?
2 Witch. When the huily-burly's done,
1 When the Battle's loft arid won.
3 Witch. That will be ere SCL of Sun,
1 Witch. Where the place ?
2 Witch. Upon the heath.
3 Witch. There I go to meet Macbeth.
1 Witch. I come, I come, Grimalkin.-
2 Witch. Padocke calls anon !
i When the Battles loft and ivoa.J i. e. the battle, in which
Macbttb was then engaged. Thefe wayward fillers, as we may
fee in a note on the third fcene of this aft, were much concerned
in battles.
Jfe nominantur Valkyrix', yua> quod-vis ad p if Hum Odinus mittit.
m.
332 lie Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
411. * Fair is foul, and foul Ls fair,
i lover through the fog and filthy air.
\Jfbey rife from the ft age and fly away.
SCENE II.
Changes to the Palace at Foris.
Enter Ring, Malcolm, Donalbain, Lenox, with
attendants^ meeting a bleeding Captain.
& r &*\\7 ^ ^^ bloody man is that ? he can report,
W As feemeth by his plight, of the revolt
The neweft (late.
Mai. This is the Serjeant,
Who like a good and hardy foldier fought
'Gainft my captivity. Hail, hail, brave friend !
Say to the King the knowledge of the broil,
As thou did ft leave it.
Cap. Doubtful long it ftood :
As to fpent fwimmers that do cling together,
And choak their Art: the mercilefs Macdouel
(Worthy to be a Rebel , for to That
The multiplying villanies of nature
Do fwarm upon him) J from the weftern ifles
Of Kernes and Gallow-glaffe* was fupply'd;
2 Fair is foul, and foul is fair,"] z. e. We make thefe fudden
changes of the Weather. And Macbeth fpeaking of this day,
icon after fays,
So foul and fair a day 1 kave xot feen..
3 : from the iveflern ifles
Of Kernes and Gallow-glaffcs ivas fupplyd;'} Whether fup-
plted of, for fupplied'from or with, was a kind of Grecifm ofS&ah-
jptar 1 * expreffion ; or whether of he a corruption of the editor's,
who took Kernes and Gallo'w-g/a/es, which were only light and
heavy armed Foot, to be the names of two of the weftern iflandi,
I don't know. Hinc conjefiurte vigorem etiam adjiciunt arma
qutfdam Hiberniea, Gallicis avtiquis Jimilia, jacula nimiritm pedi-
tttm Uv'u armatures quos Kernos ^vacant, nee won fecurei tf /oriaf
ferrets peditum illoritm gravioris armature , qu4i G alloglaffios appel-
lant. Waraei Aniiq. Hiber. cap. 6.
And
The Tragfdy of MACBETH. 333
And fortune, * on his damned quarrel fmiling,
Shew'd like a rebel's whore. But all too weak;
For brave Macbeth (well he deferves that name)
Difdaining fortune, with his brand ifht fteel
Which fmoak'd with bloody execution,
Like Valour's Minion carved out his pafTage,
'Till he had fac'd the Have ;
Who ne'er fhook hands nor bid farewel to him,
'Till * he unfeam'd him from the nape to th* chops,
And fix'd his head upon our battlements.
King. Oh, valiant Coufin! worthy Gentleman!
4 an bis damned QJJARRY ] We fhould ieid QJTARREL.
5 be unfeam'd him from the nave to th 1 chops,] We feldom
hear of fuch terrible crofs blows given and received out by giants
and mifcreants in Amadis de Gaule. Befides it mult be a ftrange
aukward Itroke that could unrip him upwards from the vavel to
the chops. But Shakejpear certainly wrote,
he unfeamtd him from the nape to tV cbops t
i. e. cut his skull in two ; which might be done by a Highlander's
iword. This was a reafonable blow, and very naturally exprefled,
on fuppofing it given when the head of the wearied combatant was
reclining downwards at the latter end of a long duel. For the
nape ib the hinder part of the neck, where the vertebra join to the
bone of the skull. So in Coriolanus,
Of that you could turn your eyes towards the napes ofyourneckt.
The word unfeamed, likevvife, becomes very proper; and alludes
to the future which goes crofs the crown of the head in that direc-
tion called the futura fagitta/is ; and which, confequently, muflbe
opened by fuch a ftroke. It is remarkable, that Milton, who in
his youth read and imitated our poet much, particularly in his Camus ,
was milled by this corrupt reading. For in the manufcript of
that poem, in Trinity-College Library, the following lines are
read thus,
Or drag him ly the curies, and cleave his fcalpe
Down to the hippes.--
An evident imitation of this corrupted paffage. But he alter'd it
with better judgment, to
ta a foul death
Cursed at his life.
Cap.
334 2** Tragedy of MAC B E T H.
Crf/> 6 As whence the fun 'gins his reflation,
Shipwrecking ftorrrrs and direful thunders 'break 5
So fromthac Spring, whence Comfort feem'd ro come,
7 Difcomfit '(a) weli'd. Mark, King of Scotland^
mark ;
No fooner juftice had, with valour arm'd,
Compell'd thefe skipping Kernes to truft their heels ;
6 As whence tie fun 'GINS his reflexion,] Here are two read-
ings in the copies, .gives, and ''fins, i. e. begins. But the latter I
think is the right, as founded on obfervation, that ftorrm generally
come from the eaft. As from the place (fays he) whence the fun
begins bis courfe, (viz. the eaft) Jhipwrecking ftorms proceed fo, &c.
For the natural and conltant motion of the ocean is from eaft to
weft; and the wind has the fame general direction. Pntcipua cjf
%etitrra/i's '[ventorum] caufa eft ipfe Sol qui aerem rargfacit '& at-
tenuat. Aer enim rarefaflus multo maj'jrem locum poj}ulat. 'Inde
jpt ut Aer a fole impulfus alium vicinufn aerem tnagno impetu pro-
trudat ; c umque Sol ab Oriente in occidentem circumrotetur, prteci-
PUUS ab eo aeris impulfus fiet verfus occidentem. Varenii Geogr.
1. I. c. 14. prop.io. Seealfo Dcclor -Halleys Account of the Tirade-
Winds of the Monfoors. This being fo, it is no wonder that itorms
fhould come moft frequently from that quarter ; or that they Ihould
be moft violent, becaufe there is a concurrence of the natural mo-
tions of wind and wave. This proves the true reading is 'gins ;
the other reading not fixing it to that quarter. For the Sun may
give its reflection in any part of its courfe above the horizon ; bat
it can begin it only in one. The Oxford Editor, however, fticks
to the other reading, gives : and fays, that, by the Sun s giving his
refleflion, is meant the rainbow, the'jirongej} and mojl remarkable
rtflefiion of any the Sun gives. He appears by this to have as good
a hand at reforming our phyfics as our poetry. This is a diico-
very ; that fhipwrecking itorms proceed from the rainbcvv. But
he was mifled by his want of skill in Sbakefpear's phrafeology,
who, by the funs reflection, means only the Sun's light. But
while he is intent on making his author fpeak corredtty, he flips
himfelf. The rainbow is no more a reflection of the Sun than a
tune is a fiddle. And, tho' it be the moft remarkable effedl of
reflected light, yet it is not the jlrongejl.
7 Disco M FORT weli'd.] Sbakefpear without queftion wrote
DISCOMFIT, i.e. rout, overthrow, from the Latin, difconfiflus .
i. e. Jifruptus, dijfoluttts. And that, was the cafe, at thetirft onfec,
'till Macbeth turned the fortune of the day.
Dr. Tbirlby -
But
"the Tragedy <f ^f A c B T H. 335
But the Norwcy&n lord, furveying vantage,
With furbifht arms and new fupplies of men
Began a frefh aflault.
King. Difmay'd not this
Our Captains, Macbeth and Banquo ?
Cap. Yes,
As fparrows, eagles ; or the hare, the lion.
If I fay footh, I muft report, they were
1 As cannons overcharg'd with double cracks,
So they redoubled ftroaks upon the foe :
Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds,
' Or memorize another Golgotha,
I cannot tell
But I am faint, my games cry for help.
King. So well thy words become thee, as thy
wounds :
They fmack of honour both. Go, get him furgeons.
Enter Rofie and Angus.
But who comes here ?
Mai. The worthy Thane of Roffe.
Len. What hafte looks through his eyes ?
* So mould he look, that feems to fpeak things ftrange.
Ro/e. God fave the King!
King. Whence cam'ft thou, worthy ttane ?
Roffe. From Fife, great King,
Where the Norweyan Banners * flout the sky,
And fan our people cold.
8 As cannons overcharge! nuit& double cracks,"} Doublels here ufed
for great, and not for two. He ufes double in this fenfe in other
places as in Love's Labour Lojl.
1 underjland you not, my griefs are double.
See note on the word in Othello, Aft i . Scene 4.
9 Or memorize another Golgotha,] Memorize, for make.
1 Sojbould he look that feems to fpeak things Jlrange^\ i. t. that
feems as if he would fpeak.
2 flout the sky,} Tofiaut is to dam any thing in another's
face.
Norway - f
336 The Tragedy cf M A c B E T H.
Norway* himfelf with numbers terrible,
Afiifted by that moft difloyal traitor
The 'fbane of Cawdor, 'gan a difmal conflid.
'Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapt in proof,
3 Confronted him 4 with felf-comparifons,
Point againft point rebellious, arm 'gainfl arm,
Curbing his lavifh fpirit. To conclude,
The victory fell on us.
King. Great happinefs !
Rojje. Now Sweno, Norway's King, craves com-
pofition :
Nor would we deign him burial of his men,
Till he disburfed, at Saint Colmes-kill-iQe
Ten thoufand dollars, 5 to our gen'ral ufe.
King. No more that T'hane of Cawdor fhall deceive
6 Our bofom-int'reft. Go, pronounce his death ;
And with his former Title greet Macbeth.
Roffe. I'll fee it done.
King. What he hath loft, noble Macbeth hath won.
3 Confronted HI unvithfelf-comparifons,'} The dijloyal Canvdor,
fays Mr. Theobald. Then comes another, and fays, a ftrange for-
getfulnefs in Shakefpear, when Macbeth had taken this Thane of
Canvdor prifoner, not to know that he was fallen into the King's
difpleafure for rebellion. But this is only blunder upon blunder.
The truth is, by him, in this verfe, is meant Norivay : as the
plain conftrudlion of the EngUJh requires. And the affiftance the
Thane ofCawdor had given Norway was underhand ; which Rofs
and Angus, indeed, had difcovered ; but was unknown to Macbeth.
Cawdor being, in the court all this while, as appears from Augurs
fpeech to Macbeth, when he meets him to falute him with the ti-
tle, and infinuates his crime to be lining the rebel -with hiddtn help
and 'vantage
4 - ^ith felf- comparisons,] j. e. gave him as good as he
brought, fhew'd he was his equal.
5 - to our general ufe.'} General, for public.
6 Our bofom-mt'reft. ] Bofom-infrejl, for trufl. So fpeaking
of him again afterwards, he fays,
He was a gentleman on ivbom I luitt
An abfolute trufl.
SCENE
ttc Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 337
SCENE III.
Changes to the Heath.
Thunder. Enter the three Witches.
i Witch. \T7HERE haft thou been, fitter ?
VV z Witch. Killing fwine.
3 Witch. Sifter, where thou ?
1 Witch. A failor's wife had chefnuts in her lap,
And mouncht, and mouncht, and mouncht. Give
me, quoth I.
7 Aroint thee, witch ! the rump-fed ronyon cries.
Her husband's to Aleppo gone, mafter o'th'Srjjgw."
But in a fieve 1*11 thither fail,
And like a rat without a tail,
I'll do Pll do and I'll do.
2 Witch. I'll give thee a wind,
i Witch. Thou art kind.
3 Witch. And I another.
1 Witch. I tnyfelf have all the other,
And the very points they blow -,
All the quarters that they know,
I* th' (hip-man's cird.
I will drain him dry as hay ,
Sleep fhall neither night nor day
Hang upon his pent-houfe lid ;
He (hall live a man forbid i
Weary fev'n-nights, nine times nine,
Shall he dwindle, peak and pine:
Though his bark cannot be loft,
Yet it (hall be tempeft-toft.
Look, what I have.
2 Witch. Shew me, (hew me.
7 Aroint tbee, ] Aroint, or avaunr, be gone. Afr. Popt.
VOL VI, Z i Witch.
, The Tragedy of MACBETH.
i Witch. Here I have a pilot's thumb,
Wreckt as homeward he did come. [Drum within.
3 Witch. A drum, a drum !
Macbeth doth come !
All. s TV vveyward fitters, hand in hand,
Potters of t. * fea and land,
Thus do go about, about,
Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine,
8 The weyivard fillers hand in hand,] Mr. Theobald had found
out who thefe iveyward Jtftert were; but obferved they were cal-
led, in his authentic Hefingfttel, Weird Jlfters ; and fo would needs
Yavenvyward a corruption of the text, becaufeit fignifies perverfe,
froward, fee. and it is improbable (he fays) that the witches Jkould
adopt this epithet to tkemjekes. It was hard that when he knew
fo much, he fhould net knew a little more; that weyward had an-
ciently the very fame fenfe, as ive'ird ; and was, indeed, the very
fame word differently fpelt ; having acquired its later fignification
from the quality and temper of thefe imaginary witches. But this
is being a critic like him who had difcovered that there were two
Hercules' s ; and yet did not know that he had two next-door neigh-
bours of one and the fame name. As to thefe weyward filters, they
were the Fates of the northern nations i the three hand-maids of
Odin. Hez Komiuantur Valkyriae, quas quodwis ad Pr&Iium Odi-
tms mittit. He? vires morti dejlinant, & ^}'iloriam gubernant.
Gunna, iff Rota, & Parcarum minima Sk.ullda : per aera &
mafia equitant fempe r ad morituros eligendos ; C2 5 c&des in poteftate
babent. Bartholinus de Cauiis contempts a Danis adhuc Gentili-
bus mortis. It is for this reafon that Sbakefpear makes them
three ; and calls them,
Pofters of the fea and land ;
And intent only upon death and mifchief. However, to give
this part of h is work the more dignity, he intermixes, with this
northern, the Greek and Roman fuperititions ; and puts Hecate at
the head of their enchantments. And to make it ftill more fa-
miliar to the common audience (which was always his point) he
adds, for another ingredient, a fufficient quantity of our own
country fuperftitions concerning witches; their beards, their cats,
and their broomlticks. So that his Witch-fcenes are like the charm
they prepare in one of them ; where the ingredients are gathered
from every thing Jhocking in the natural world ; as here, from eve-
ry thing alfurd in the moral. But as extravagant as all this
is, the - play has had the power to charm and betwitch every
audience from that time to this
And
The Tragedy ofMACBETH, 339
And thrice again to make up nine !
peace I the Charm's wound up.
SCENE IV.
Enter Macbeth and Banquo, with Soldi s and ' other
attendants.
Mac. So foul and fair a day I have not feen.
Ban. How far is't call'd to Foris? What arc
thefe,
So wither'd, and fo wild in their attire,
That look not like th' inhabitants o* th' earth,
And yetareon't? Live you, or are you aught
That man may queftion ? You feem to jnderftand me s
By each at once her choppy finger laying
Upon her skinny lips ; You mould be women,
And yet your beards forbid me to interpret,
That you are fo.
Macb. Speak, if you can ; what are you ?
1 Witch. All-hail, Macbeth! hail tothee, Thane of
Glamis !
2 Witch. All-hail, Macbeth: hail to thee, Thane of
Cawdor !
3 Witch. All-hail, Macbeth! that malt be King
hereafter.
Ban. Good Sir, why do you ftart, and feem to
fear
Things that do found fo fair ? 1* th* name of truth,
* Are ye fantastical, or That indeed [To the Witches.
Which outwardly ye mew ? my noble Partner
You greet with prefent grace, and great prediction
Of noble Having, and of royal Hope,
That he feems rapt withal ; to me you fpeak not.
9 Are ye fantaftical; ] Ryfantajlical is not meant, (according
to the common fignihcation) creatures of his own brain : For he
could not be fo extravagant to ask fuch a queftion : but it is ufed
for fupernatural, fpirituai.
Z i If
340 The Tragedy of MACBETH.
If you can look into the Seeds of time,
And fay, which Grain will grow and which will not 5
Speak then to me, who neither beg, nor fear,
Your favours, nor your hate.
i Witch. Hail !
7. Witch. Hail!
3 Witch. Hail !
1 Witch. Lefler than Macbeth, and greater.
2 Witch. Not fo happy, yet much happier.
3 Witch. Thou malt get Kings, though thou be
none ;
So, all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!
i Witch. Banquo and Macbeth, all-hail !
Macb. Stay, you imperfect Speakers, tell me more j
1 By Sinel's death, I know, I'm Thane of Glamis ;
But how, of Cawdor ? the Thane of Cawdor lives.
A profp'rous gentleman ; and, to be King,
Stands not within the profpecl: of belief,
No more than to be Cawdor. Say, from whence
You owe this flrange intelligence ? or why
Upon this blafted heath you flop our way,
With fuch prophetick Greeting ? fpeak, I charge
you. [Witches vanjjo.
Ban. The earth hath bubbles, as the water has ;
And thefe are of them : whither are they vanifh'd ?
Macb. Into the air : and what feem'd corporal
Melted, as breath, into the wind.
'Would they had ftaid !
Ban. Were fuch things here, as we do fpeak about ?
Or have we z eaten of the infane root,
That takes the Reafon prifoner ?
Macb. Your children fhall be Kings;
Ban. You fhall be King.
1 By Sinel'j death, ] The father of Macbeth. Mr. Pope.
2 e,aten of the infane root,] Mr. Theobald has a long and
learned note on thefe words ; and, after much puzzling, he at
length proves, from Hefior Boetbius, that this root was a berry.
The Tragedy of MAC BETH. 341
Macb. And Thane of Cawdor too ; went it not fo ?
Ban. To th' felf fame tune, and words ; who's
here ?
SCENE V.
Enter Rofie and Angus.
Ro/e. The King hath happily receiv'd, Macbeth,
The news of thy fuccefs ; and when he reads
3 Thy perfonal Venture in the rebels' fight,
His wonders and his praifes do contend,
Which fhould be thine, or his. Silenc'd with That,
In viewing o'er the reft o' th' felf-fame day,
He finds thee in the ftout Norweyan ranks,
Nothing afraid of what thy felf didft make,
Strange images of death. As thick as hail,
Came Poft on Poft ; and every one did bear
Thy praifes in his Kingdom's great defence :
And pour'd them down before him.
Ang. We are fent,
To give thee, from our royal Mafter, thanks ;
Only to herald thee into his fight,
Not pay thee.
Roffe. And for "an earned of a greater honour,
He bad me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor:
In which Addition, hail, moft worthy Thane!
For it is thine.
Ban. What, can the Devil fpeak true?
Mac]). The Thane of 'Cawdor lives;
Why do you drefs me in his borrow'd robes ?
Ang. Who was the Thane, lives yet ;
But under heavy judgment bears that life,
Which he deferves to lofe. Whether he was
Combin'd with Norway^ or did line the Rebel
With hidden help and vantage 5 or that with both
3 Thy perfonal 'venture ] /. e. adventure.
Z 3 He
342 The Tragedy of MACBETH.
He Ubour'd in his country's wreck, I know not ;
But treafbns capital, confefs'd, and prov'd.
Have overthrown him.
Macb. Glamis and Thane of Cawdor !
The greateft is behind. Thanks for your pains.
[To Angu?.
Do you not hope, your children fhall be Kings ?
[To Banquo.
When thofethat gave the 'Thane of Cawdor to me,
Promis'd no lefs to them ?
Ban. That, trufted home,
4 Might yet enkindle you unto the Crown,
Befides the Thane of Cawdor* But 'tis ftrange :
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The inftruments of Dnrknefs tell us truths ;
Win us with honed trifles, to betray us
In deepeft conftquence.
Coufins, a word, I pray you. [To Rofle and Angus.
Macb. Two truths are told,
As happy prologues to the fwelling act
Of the imperial theme. I thank you, gentlemen
5 This fupernatural Solliciting
Cannot be ill ; cannot be good. If ill,
Why hath it giv'n me earned of fuccefs,
Commencing in a truth ? I'm Thane of Cawdor.
If good , 6 why do I yield to that fuggedion,
7 Whofe horrid image doth upfix my hair,
And make my feated heart knock at my ribs
4 Might yet enkindle you ] Enkindle, foV to ftimulate you
to leek.
5 '[bis fupernatural Solliciting] Soliciting, for information.
ft Why do I yield J Yield, not for confent, but for
to be fubdued by.
7 Woofe htrrid image doth UNFIX my bair^\ But horror dees
rat unfix the hair, but makes it {land fliffanJ upright. Wefliould
read therefore, u P * i x .
Again ft
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
Againft the ufe of nature ; 8 prefent feats
Are lefs than horrible imaginings.
My thought, vvhofe murther yet is but fantaftica!,
Shakes fo my fingle ftate of man, that Function
9 Is fmother'd in furmife ; * and nothing is,
But what is not.
San. Look, how our Partner's rapt !
Macb. If Chance will have me King, why, Chance
may crown me, \_Afide.
Without my ftir.
Ban. New Honours, come upon him,
Like our ftrange garments cleave not to their mould,
But with the aid of life.
Macb. Come what come may,
* Time and the hour runs thro' the rougheft day.
Ban. Worthy Macbeth, we (lay upon your leifure.
Macb. Give me your favour: my dull brain was
wrought
With things forgot. Kind gentlemen, your pains
Are regiftred where every day I turn
The leaf to read them Let us tow'rd the King ;
-prefent fears
Are lefs than horrible Imaginings.] Macbeth, while he is pro-
jecting the murder, which he afterwards puts in execution, is
thrown into the mofl agonizing affright at the profpecl of it :
which foon recovering from, thus he reafons on the nature of his
disorder. But Imaginings are fo far from being more or lefs than
prefent Fears, that they are the ferns things under different words.
Sbakefpear certainly wrote ;
prefent feats
Are lefs than horrible imaginings.
i. e. when I come to execute this murder, I (hall find it much
lefs dreadful than my frighted imagination now prefents it to me.
A confideration drawn from the nature of the imagination.
9 Is fmother'd in furmife;] Surmife, for contemplation.
I nnd nothing is,
But <uihat is not.] i. e. I can give no attention to any thing
but to the future profpecl of the crown.
2 Time and t^e hour ] Time is painted with an hoar glafs
in his hand. This occafioned the expreiTion.
Z 4 Think,
Tragedy of MACBETH.
Think, upon what hath chanc'd 5 and at more time,
[70 Banquet
(The Interim having weigh'd it,) let us fpeak
Our free hearts each to other.
Ban. Very gladly.
Macb. 'Till then, enough : come, friends. [Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
Changes to the Palace.
Flourifo. Enter King, Malcolm, Donalbain, Lenox,
and attendants.
King. T S execution done on Cawdor yet ?
JL Or not thofe in commiflion yet return'd?
Mai. My liege,
They are not yet come back. But I have fpoke
With one that faw him die ; who did report,
That very frankly he confefs'd his treafons;
Implor'd your Highnefs' pardon, and fet forth
A deep repentance; nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving ir. Fie dy'd,
As one, that had been ftudied in his death,
To throw away the deareft thing he own'd,
As 'twere a carelefs trifle.
King. There's no" art,
5 To find the mind's conft ruction in the face :
He was a gentleman, on whom I built
An abfolute truft.
Enter Macbeth, Banquo, Rofic, and Angus.
O worthieft Coufin .'
The fin of my ingratitude e'en now
Was heavy on me. Thou'rt fo far before,
That fwiftefl wing of recompence is flow,
3 To find the OT/WJ conftrudion ] The metaphor is taken
from the conitrudtionof a icheme in any of thearts oip, edition.
To
The Tragedy of MACB E T H. 34.5
To overtake thee. 'Would, thou'dft lefs defer v'd,
That the proportion both of thanks and payment
Might have been mine ! only I've Jeft to fay,
More is thy due, than more than all can pay.
Macb. The fervice and the loyalty I owe,
In doing it, pays itfelf. Your Highnefs* part
Is to receive our duties ; and our duties
Are to your Throne, and State, children and fervants ;
Which do but what they fhould,* by doing every thing.
FiePd tow'rd your Life and honour.
King. Welcome hither :
I have begun to plant thee, and will labour
To make thee full of growing. Noble Banqiio^
Thou haft no lefs deferv'd, and muft be known
No lefs to have done fo : let me enfold thee,
And hold thee to my heart.
Ban. There if I grow,
The harveft is your own.
King. My plenteous joys,
Wanton in fulnefs, feek to hide themfelves
In drops of forrow. Sons, kinfmen, Thane ^
And you whofe Places are the neareft, know,
We will eftablifh our eftate upon
Our eldeft Malcolm, whom we name hereafter
The Prince of Cumberland: which honour muft,
Not accompanied, invert him only ;
But figns of Noblenefs, like ftars, (hall Ihine
On all defervers. Hence to Invernefs,
And bind us further to you.
Macb. The, Reft is Labour, which is not us'd for you j
* by doing every thing
SAFE toiv'rd your LOVE and honour.} This nonfenfe, made
worfeby ill pointing, flioald be read thus,
by doing every thing.
FIEF'D toward your LIFE and honour.
i. e. their duties being FIEF'D, or engaged to the fapport of, as
feudal Tenants to their Lord. And it was an artful preparation to
aggravate the following murder to make the fpeaker here confefr,
that he was engaged the prote&or of the King's life, as bound by
his tenure to preserve it.
VOL. VI. I'll
346 The Tragedy of M A C B E T H.
1*11 be myfelf the harbinger, and make joyful
The Hearing of my wife with your approach ;
So humbly take my leave.
King. My worthy Cawdor !
Macb. The Prince of Cumberland! that is a ftep,
On which I muft fall down, or elfe o'er-leap, \_Afide.
For in my way it lyes. Scars, hide your fires !
4 Let not Night fee my black and deep defires ;
The Eye wink at the hand ! yet Jet that be,
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to fee. [#;'/.
King. True, worthy Banquo ; he is full fo valiant j
And in his commendation-! I am fed ;
It is a banquet to me. Let us after him,
Whofe care is gone before to bid us welcome :
It is a peerlefs Kinfman. \FlouriJh. Exeunt.
SCENE VII.
Changes to an Apartment in Macbeth'* Caft/e,
at Invernefs.
Enter Lady Macbeth alone y with a letter.
HET met me in the day of fuccefs\ and
5 Ihatfd learn* d by the perfected report, they
4 Let not LIGHT fee my black and deep defer ej ; ] As the Poets
make the liars the lamps of Nig bt t and their fires for her ufe, and
Hot their own, I take it for graced that Shakefpear wrote,
Let not NIGHT fee, frc.
which mend s both the expreflion ;u,u fenfe. For -light cannot well be
made a perfon ; but night may : and the verb/?* relates to perfona-
lity. The fenfe is finer, as it implie.', in this reading, an unwilling-
nefs to truft even Night with his dcfign, tho' flie be the common
Baud (as our author lome-where calls her) to fuch kind of fecrets.
Noclcm peccatis, & fraudibm objice nubem.
5 I have learn 1 d by the PERFECTEST report,] We do not find
who it was that could give him fo full affurance that thefe women
had in them more than mortal knowledge. A very flight change
will fet all right. I am perfuaded we mould read,
the PERFECTED report, '- report f. T prediction.
/. e, the prediction fulfilled. For he had mentioned before, in the
letter, what this report was, as appea s from the words, When 1
burnt in dfjlri to quejiion them further
have
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 347
have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I
burnt in deftre to queftion them further , they made them-
felves air, into which they vanijh'd. While I flood rapt
in the wonder of it) came Miffives from the King, who
all-hair d me, Thane of Cawdor ; by which title, before,
ihefe weyward Jtfters fainted me, and referred me to the
coming on of time, with hail, King that (halt be ! 'This
have I thought good to deliver thee (my dcareft Partner
of Greainefs) that thou might' ft not lofe the dues of re-
joicing, by being ignorant of what Greatnefs is promis'd
thee. Lay it to thy heart, and farewel.
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor' and malt be
What thou art promis'd. " Yet do I fear thy
nature ;
" It is too full o* th* milk of human kindnefs,
" To catch the neareft way. Thou would'ft be
great ;
<e Art not without ambition , but without
u The illnefs fhould attend it. What thou would'fl
highly,
That would ft thou holily ; wouldft not play falfe,
And yet wouldft wrongly win. Thou'dft have, great
Glamis,
That which cries, thus thou muft do^ if thou have it ;
And That which rather thou dojl fear to do,
Than wi/heft Jhould be undone. Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my fpirits in thine ear,
And chaftife with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden Round,
6 Which fate, and metaphyfical aid, doth feem
To have crown'd thee withal.
Enter
6 Which fate, and metaphyfica! aid, doth feem
To have thee crown' d withal ] Metapby/tcal for fupernatural.
But doth feem to have thee cronvnd withal, is not fenfe. To
make it fo, it fhould be fuppHed thus, doth feem defirout to have.
But
The Tragedy of M A c B T H,
Enter Mejfcnger.
What is your tidings ?
Mcf. The King comes here to night.
Lady. Thou'rt mad to fay it.
Is not thy matter with him ? who, wer't fo,
Would have inform'd for preparation.
Mef. So pleafe you, it is true : our <Tbane is coming.
One of my fellows had the fpeed of him ;
Who, almoft dead for breath, had fcarcely more
Than would make up his meflage.
Lady. Give him tending ;
He brings great news. ' 7 The raven himfelf's not
hoarfe, [Exit Mef.
That
But no poetic licence would excufe this. An eafy alteration will
reirore the poet's true reading,
. doth feem
To have crarMtt d thet -withal.
i. e. they feem already to have crown'd thee, and yet thy difpofi-
tion at prefent hinders it from taking effecT:.
7 'The raven bimfdf is hoarfe, &c.] What fenfe can be made
out of this I do not find. Had the exprefiion been, The raven is
hoarfe with croaking, it might have Signified her confidence that
Duacan's entrance would be fatal ; and her impatience to put the
decrees of fate in execution ; fentiments agreeable enough to her
iituation and temper. But had Shakefpear meant this, he would
have exprefied his meaning properly, as he knew fo well how to
do it. I fuppofe, therefore, the text to be corrupt, and that we
iliould read,
The raven himfelfs NOT hoarfe.
The mefienger tells her of one who has juft brought the sgreeable
new; of Duncan's coming. Give him tending (lays me) he brings
grrai news, i. c. treat him as the bringer of good news deferves.
This is fo very acceptable, that it would render the molt (hocking
vcicc harmonious, the moft frightful bearer agreeable. A thought
exprefil-d in the moft fublime imagery conceivable; and beft adapt-
ed to the confidence of her views. For as the raven was thought
a bird of omen, it was the propereft to inftance in, both as that
imagination made it^ ho.-irfe voice ftill naturally more cdiou?, and
as that was a notice of :hc designs of fate v/hich fne could confide
The Tragedy of M A c B T H. 3 .j.g
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, all you Spirits
That tend on s mortal thoughts, unfex me here ;
And fill me, from the crown to th f toe, top-full
Of dire6t cruelty ; make thick my blood,
Stop up th* accefs and paflage to Remorfc?,
That no compunctious vifitings of nature
Shake my fell purpofe, 9 nor keep peace between
Th' effect, and it. Come to my woman's breafts,
* And take my milk for gall, you murth*ring mi-
nifters !
* Where-ever in your fightlefs fubftances
' l You wait on nature's mifchief. Come, thick
night !
* a And pall thee in the dunneft fmoak of hell,
6 That my keen knife fee not the wound it makes ;
' Nor heav'n peep through the blanket of the dark,
To cry, hold, hold !
Enter Macbeth.
Great Glamis ! worthy Cawdor ! [Embracing him.
Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter!
Thy letters have tranfported me beyond
3 This ign'rant prelent time, and I feel now
in. But this effedl of the difpofitions of the mind upon the organs
of fenfe our poet delighted to dcfcribe. Thus, in a contrary cafe,
where the chaunting of the lark in Romeo and Juliet brings ill
news, he makes the per fon concerned in it fay,
"Tit faid the lark and loathed toad cbang"d eyes:
Oh now / wot they have chang'd voices too.
8 mortal tbaught}, ] *. e. deadly.
9 nor keep peace between] Keep peace, for go between
fimply. The allufion to officers of juftice who ktep peace between,
rioters by going between them.
1 You ivait on nature'/ mifcbitf. ] Nature^ for human.
2 And pall tbee ] /. <?. wrap thyfelf in a pall.
3 This ign'rant />*,;// tint, ] I^orant, for bafe, poor,
ignoble*
The
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
The future in the inftant.
Macb. Deareft love,
Duncan comes here to night.
Lady. And when goes hence?
Macb. To morrow, as he purpofes.
Lady. Oh, never
Shall Sun that morrow fee !
Your face, my Thane > is as a book, where men
4 May read ftrange matters. To beguile the time,
Look like the time j bear welcome in your eye,
Your hand, your tongue; look like the innocent
flower,
But be the ferpent under't. He, that's coming,
Muft be provided for ; and you fhall put
This night's great bufinefs into my difpatch,
Which mall to all our nights and days to come
Give folely fovereign fway and mafterdom.
Macb. We will fpeak further.
Lady. Only look up clear :
To alter favour, ever, is to fear.
Leave all the the reft to me. [Exeunt.
SCENE VIII.
Before Macbeth'* CaJlle-Gate.
Hautboys and Torches. Enter King, Malcolm,
Donalbain, Banquo, Lenox, Macduff, Roffe,
Angus, and Attendants.
King. s nr H I S Caftle hath a pleafant feat ;
JL the air
Nimbly and fweetly recommends itfelf
4 May read ftrange matters. ] Strange, for dangerous.
5 This cajlle hath a pleafant feat ; ] Seat is the fame word
as Site.
Unto
The Tragedy 0f MACBETH. 351
* Unto our general fenfe.
Ban. This gueft of fummer,
The temple-haunting martlet, does approve
By his Jov'd Manfionry that heaven's breath
Smells wooingly here. No jutting frieze,
Buttrice, nor coigne of vantage, but this bird
Hath made his pendant bed, and procreant cradle:
Where they mod breed and haunt, I have obferv'd,
The air is delicate.
Enter Lady.
King. See, fee! our honour'd Holtefs!
The love that follows us, fometimes is our trouble,
Which ftiil we thank as love. Herein I teach you,
7 How you mould bid god-yeld us for your pains,
And thank us for your trouble.
Lady. All our fervice
(In every point twice done, and then done double,)
Were poor and fingle bufmefs to contend
Againfb thofe honours deep and broad, wherewith
6 Unto our GENTLE SENSES.] How odd a character is ihis
of the air that it could recommend itfelf to ail the fenfes, not
excepting the fight and hearing r Without doubt, we fhouid
read,
UtltO Our GENERAL SENSE,
meaning the touch QT fetltng: which not being confined to one part,
like the refl of the fenfes, but extended over the whole body, the
poet, by a fine periphrafis. calls the genual fenfe. Therefore by
the<a;V's recommending itjelf nimbly anu facetly, rnuft be undcrftood
that it was clear and foft, which properties recreated the fibres, and
affifled their vibration. And furely it was a good circumitance in
the air of Scotland that it was foft and warm : and this circuru-
ftance he would recommend, as appears from the following word;,
This guejl of Summer,
The temple-haunting martlet
General has been corrupted to gentle once again in this very play.
See Note, Ad 3. Scene 5.
7 How you Jbould bid god- veld us] To bid anyone godytld
him, i. e. god yield him, was the fame as Gcd reward him.
Your
The Tragedy of MACB ETH.
Your Majefty loads our Houfe. For thofe of old,
And the late dignities heap'd up to them,
* We reft your Hermits.
King. Where's the tfbane of Cawdor ?
We courft him at the heels, and had a purpofe
To be his purveyor : but he rides well,
And his great love, (fharp as his fpur,) hath holp
him
To's home before us : fair and noble Hoflefs,
We are your gueft to night.
Lady. Your fervants ever
Have theirs, themfelves, and what is theirs in compt,
To make their audit at your Highnefs* pleafure,
Still to return your own.
King. Give me your hand ;
Conduct me to mine Hoft, we love him highly *,
And mall continue our graces towards him.
By your leave, Hoflefs. [Exeunt.
SCENE IX.
Changes to an Apartment in Macbeth'* Caftle.
Hautboys, Torches. Enter divers fervants with di/hcs
and fervice over the ft age. fben Macbeth.
Macb. T F it were done 9 when 'tis done, then 'twere
1 well
It were done quickly : if th* afTaffination
Could trammel up the confequence, and catch
With its furceafe, fuccefs ; that but this blow
9 Might be the Be-all and the End-allHere.
But
8 We reft your Hermits.] Hermits, for Beadfmen.
9 Might be the Bee all Sec.
To plague th* inventor &c.] The firft of thefe lines (which .'m
the old edition is totally different from all the others) and the latter
(which
Tragedy of M ACBET H< 353
1 But here, upon this Bank and Shelve of timp,
We'd jump the life to come. But, in thefe cafes*
" We ftill have judgment here, that we but teach
*' Bloody inftructions ; which, being taught, return
" To plague th' inventor. Even-handed juftice
<c Returns th' Ingredients of our poifon'd chalice
" To our own lips. He's here in double trurt :
* c Firft, as I am his kinfman and his fubject,
" Strong both againft the deed : Then, as his Hoft,
tc Who fhould againft his murth'rer fhut the door*
" Not bear the knife myfelf. fiefides, this Duncan
" * Hath borne his faculties fo meek, hath been
" So clear in his great office, that his virtues
** Will plead, like angels, trumpet- tongu'd againft
" The deep damnation of his taking off;
if And Pity, like a naked new-born babe,
" Striding the blaft, 3 or heavVs cherubin hors'd
" Upon the fightlefs courfers of the air,
" Shall blow the horrid deed in evVy eye;
" That tears fhall drown the wind 1 have nofpur
To prick the fides of my intent, but only
Vaulting Ambition, which o'er-leaps itfelf,
And falls on th' other-
(which is quite omitted in all the others) entirely reffore this very
obfcure paffage to fenfe, as will appear upon comparifon.
Mr Popi.
\ But here, upon this Bank and SCHOOL of time,] We ihould
read,
..." i -SHELVE of time.
2 Hath borne his faculties fo meek, ] Faculties, for office,
exercife of power, & c.
5 or heavn's cherubin bar id
Upon thejightkfs couriers of the air,'] But the cherubin is the
courier ; fo that he can't be faid to be bors'd upon another courier.
We muft read, therefore, courfers.
VOL. VI. A a SCENE
354 fhe Tragedy of MACBETH.
SCENE X.
Enter Lady Macbeth.
How now ? what news ?
Lady. He's almoft fupp'd ; why have you left the
chamber ?
Macb. Hath he ask'd for me ?
Lady. Know you not he has ?
Macb. We will proceed no further in this bufinefs.
He hath honoured me of late ; and I have bought
Golden opinions from all fort of people,
Which would be worn now in their neweft glofs,
Not caft afide fo foon.
Lady. Was the hope drunk,
Wherein you dreft yourfelf ? hath it flept fince ?
And wakes it now, to look fo green and pale
At what it did fo freely ? from this time,
Such I account thy love. Art thou afraid
To be the fame in thine own act and valour,
As thou art in defire ? wouldft thou have That,
Which thou efteem'fl the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own efteem ?
Letting / dare not wait upon / would,
4 Like the poor cat i* th* Adage.
Macb. Pr'ythee, peace ;
I dare do all that may become a man ;
Who dares do more, is none.
Lady. What beaft was'tthen,
That made you break this enterprize to me ?
When you durft do it, then you were a man ;
And (to be more than what you were) you would
Be fo much more the man. Nor time, nor place
5 Did then cohere, and yet you would make both :
4 Like tbt focr cat ? tl? Adage.] The adage alluded to is,
T~be cat would catch f/h, but /he dare not ivet her feet.
j Did then cohere, J Cohere, for fuit, fit.
They've
The Tragedy 0/ M A c B F t H. 353
They've made themfelves ; and that their firnefs now
Do's unmake you. I have given fuck, and know
How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me
I would, while it was fmiling in my face,
Have pluckt my nipple from his bonelefs gums,
And damt the brains out, had I but fo fworn
As you have done to this.
Macb. If we mould fail, .
Lady. We fail !
But fcrew your courage to the flicking place*
And we'll not fail. When Duncan is afleep,
(Whereto the rather mail his day's hard journey
Soundly invite him) his two chamberlains
Will I 6 with wine and wafle! fo convince*
That memory (the warder of the brain)
Shall be a fume ; and the receipt of reafon
A limbeck only ; when in fwinifh fleep
Their drenched natures lie as in a deathj
What cannot you and I perform upon
Th* unguarded Duncan ? what not put upon
His fpungy officers, who mall bear the guilt
Of our great quell ?
Macb. Bring forth men-children only !
For thy undaunted metal mould compofe
Nothing but males. Will it not be receiVd*
When we have mark'd with blood thofe fleepy two
Of his own chamber, and us'd their very daggers,
That they have don't?
Lady. Who dares receive it other,
As we (hall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death ?
Macb. I'm fettled, and bend up
6 with *wine and fiuajj'el fo convince,] Convince, for infoxi-
cate. Becaufe overcome has the fenfe both of to convince and ia-
toxicatt, he ufes (onvinct to iignify intoxicate.
A a 2 Each
356 Tfe Tragedy of M A c B E r H.
Each corporal agent to this terrible Feat.
Away, and mock the time with faireft fhow :
Falfe face muft hide what the falfe heart doth know.
[Exeunt,
ACT II. SCENE I.
A Hall in Macbeth^ Caftle.
Enter Banquo, and Fleance with a torch before him,
BAN QJJ o.
HO W goes the night, boy ?
Fie. The moon is down : I have not heard
the clock.
Ban. And fhe goes down at twelve.
Fie. I take't, 'tis later, Sir.
Ban. Hold, take my fword. There's husbandry
in heav'n,
Their candles are all out. -Take thee that too.
A heavy fummons lies like lead upon me,
And yet I would not deep : Merciful Pow'rs !
Reftrain in me the curfed thoughts, that nature
Gives way to in repofe.
Enter Macbeth, and a fervant with a torch.
Give me my fword : who's there ?
Mad. A friend.
Ban. What, Sir, not yet at reft ? the King's a- bed.
He hath to night been in unufual pleafure,
And fent great largefs to your officers ;
This diamond he greets your wife withal,
By the name of moft kind Hoftefs, and (hut up
In meafurelcfs content.
Macb.
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 357
Mac}). Being unprepar'd,
Our will became the fervanc to defect ;
Which elfe fhould free have wrought.
Ban. All's well.
I dreamt laft night of the three weyward fitters :
To you they've fhew'd fome truth.
Macb. I think not of them \
Yet, when we can intreat an hour to ferve,
Would fpend it in fome words upon that bufinefs ;
If you would grant the time.
Ban. At your kind leifure.
Macb. l If you (hall cleave to my confent, when 'tis,
It fhall make honour for you.
Ban. So I lofe none
In feeking to augment it, but ftill keep
My bofom franchis'd and allegiance clear,
I (hall be counfell'd.
Macb. Good repofc the while !
Ban. Thanks, Sir j the like to you.
[Exeunt Banquo and Fleance.
SCENE II.
Macb. Go, bid thy miflrefs, when my drink is
ready,
She ftrikc upon the bell. Get thee to bed. [Exit Serv.
Is this a dagger which I fee before me,
The handle tow'rd my hand? come, let me clutch
thee.
I have thee not, and yet I fee thee ftill.
Art thou not, fatal Vifion, fenfible
To feeling as to fight ? or art thou but
A dagger of the mind, a falfe creation
i IfjouJ&a//ck<KUtomjconknt,'wbe'tu,] Con/tut, for will.
So that the fenfe of the line is, If you fliall go into my me.i Cures
when J have determined of them, or when the time comes that
I want your afiiitance.
A a 3 ' Proceeding
Tragedy of MACBETH.
Proceeding from the heat-opprefied brain?
I fee thee yet, in form as palpable
As this which now I draw.
Thou marmal'ft me the way that I was going ;
And iuch an inftrument I was to ufe.
Mine eyes are made the fools o'th* other fenfes,
Or elfe worth all the reft I fee thee ftill ;
1 And on the blade of th' dudgeon, 3 gouts of blood,
Which was not fo before. There's no fuch thing.
It is the bloody bufmefs, which informs
Thus to mine eyes. -Now o'er one half the world
Nature feems dead, and wicked dreams abufe
The curtain'd deep ; now witchcraft celebrates
Pale Hecate's offerings : and withered Murther,
(Alarum'd by his fentinel, the wolf,
Whofe howl's his watch) thus with his flealthy pace,
* With farquitfs ravifhing ftrides, tow'rds his defign
Moves like a ghoft. Thou found andfirm-fet earth,
4 Hear not my fteps, which way they walk, for fear
c Thy very flones s prate of my where-about;
2 And on THY blade AND dudgeon, gouts of blood,"] Certainly, if
W the blade, then on the dudgeon ; for dudgeon fignifies a fmall dag-
ger. We (houid read therefore,
And on i H E blade OF T H' dudgeon,
3 gouti of blood,'] Or drops, French. Mr. Pope.
4 With Tarquin's ra<vijhing ftrides,'] The juftnefs of this fimi-
litude is not very obvious. But a ftanza, in his poem of Taryui
and Lucrece, will explain it.
NOVJ ftole upon the time, the dead of night ;
When heavy Jleep had cloid up mortal eye;
No comfortable ftar did lend his light,
No noife but owls and wolves dead-boding cries;
No*w firves the feafon that they may furprife
Tbejilly lambs. Pur,, thoughts are dead and Jllll,
Whilit LUST and MURDER wake to ftain and kill.
5 prate of )ny ivbere about ;] i.e. Tell where I am. The
Oxford Editor alters it to,
prate of that ice" re about >
i. t. Tell 'what we are upon. But tho' a noife on the pavement
the firft, I chink it could fcarce do the latter.
< And
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 359
* 6 And take the prefent horrour from the time,
* Which now fuits with it. Whilft I threat, he lives
[A Bell rings.
Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.
I go, and it is done ; the bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan^ for it is a knell
That fummons thee to heaven, or to hell. [Exit.
SCENE III.
Enter Lady.
Lady. That which hath made them drunk, hath
made me bold :
What hath quench'd them, hath given me fire. '< Hark !
peace !
<c It was the owl that fhriek'd, the fatal bell- man,
" Which gives the ftern'ft good-night he is
about it
" The doors are open ; and the furfeited grooms
*' Do mock their charge with fnores. I've drugg'd
their Poffcts,
" That death and nature do contend about them,
" Whether they live or die.
Enter Macbeth.
Macb. Who's there ? what ho !
Lady. " Alack ! I am afraid, they have awak'd j
" And 'tis not done ; th' attempt and not the deed,
" Confounds us hark ! I laid their daggers
ready,
6 And take the prefent horrour from the time,
Which now fuiti with it. ] /'. *. Left the noife from the
ilones take away from this midnight feafon that prefent horror
which fuits fo well with what is going to be afted in it. What
was the horror he means ? Silence, than which nothing can be
more horrid to the perpetrator of an atrocious defign. This (hews
a great knowledge of human nature.
A a 4 " He
360 The Tragedy of MACBETH.
" He could not mils 'em. 7 Had he not refembled
" My father as he flept, I had don't My husband!
Macb, I've done the deed didft thou not hear
a noife?
Lady. I heard the owl fcream, and the crickets cry.
Did not you fpeak ?
Macb. When?
Lady. Now.
Macb. As I defcended ?
Lady. Ay.
Macb. Hark ! who lies i'th' fecond chamber ?
Lady. Donalbain.
Macb. This is a forry fight. [Looks on bis lands.
Lady. A foolifh thought, to fay, a forry fight.
Macb. * There's one did laugh in's fleep, and one
cry'd, Murther!
* They wak'd each other ; and I flood and heard them ;
** But they did fay their prayers, and addrefs them
" Again to deep.
Lady. There are two lodg'd together.
Macb. " One cry'd, God blefs us! and, Amen!
the other ;
* c As they had feen me with thefe hangman's hands.
" Liftening their fear, I could not fay, Amen,
*' When they did fay, God blefs us.
Lady. Confider it not fo deeply.
Macb. But wherefore could not I pronounce, Amen?
I had mod need of bleffing, and Amen
Stuck in my throat.
T' Had be not refembhd
My father as kejlept, I bad dont'} This is very artful,
for, as the Poet has drawn the lady and husband, it would be
thought the ad fhpuld have been done by her. It is likewife highly
juftj tor tho' ambition had fubdued in her all the fentiments of
nature towards frefent objefts, yet the likenefs of one paft, which
flie had been f-.ccufton.ed tc regard with reverence, made her un-
natural p-ifTiont, for a monunt, give way to the ientionents of in-
ilindl aud humanity.
Lady,
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 361
Lady. Thefe deeds muft not be thought,
Alter thefe ways* fo, it will make us mad.
Macb. " Methought, I heard a voice cry, Sleep no
more!
" Macbeth doth murther Sleep ; the innocent deep ;
" Sleep that knits up the ravell'd fleeve of care,
" 8 The birth of each day's life, fore labour's bath,
" Balm of hurt minds, great nature's fecond Courfe,
'* Chief nourifher in life's feaft.
Lady. What do you mean ?
Macb. " Still it cry'd, fleep no more, to all the
houfe ;
" Glamis hath murther'd fleep, and therefore Cawdor
" Shall fleep no more , Macbeth fhall fleep no more!
Lady. Who was it, that thus cry'd? why, worthy
fbane,
You do unbend your noble flrength, to think
So brain-fickly of things ; go, get fome water,
And wafh this filthy witnefs from your hand.
Why did you bring thefe daggers from the place ?
They muft lye there. Go, carry them, and fmear
The fleepy grooms with blood.
Macb. I'll go no more ;
I am afraid to think what I have done ;
Look on't again, I dare not.
Lady. " Infirm of purpofe!
" Give me the daggers ; the fleeping and the dead
8 The DEATH of each days life, fore labour's bath, &c.] In this
encomium upon fleep, amongft the many appellations which are
given it, fignificant of its benifkence and friendlinefs to life, we
find one which conveys a different idea, and by no means agrees
with the reft ; which is,
The Death of each Jay's life,
J make no queftion but Shake/pear wrote,
The birth of each days life,
The true characleriftic of fleep, which repairs the decays of labour,
and aflifts that returning vigour which fupplies the next day's afti-
vity. The Player- Editors feem to have corrupted it for the fake
of a filly gingle between life and death.
" Are
362 The Tragedy 0f M A c B E T H,
" Are but as pictures ; 'tis the eye of childhood,
" That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,
I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal,
For it muft feem their guilt. [Exit.
Knocks 'within.
Macb. Whence is that knocking! [Starting.
" How is it with me, when every noife appals me?
What hands are here? hah! they pluck out mine
eyes.
Will all great Neptnm?* ocean warn this blood
Clean from my hand ? no, this my hand will rather
Thy multitudinous fea incarnardine,
Making the green one red
Enter Lady.
Lady. " My hands are of your colour ; but I fhame
" To wear a heart fo white j I hear a knocking
{Knock.
" At the fouth entry. Retire we to our chamber i
*' A little water clears us of this deed.
" How eafie is it then ? your conftancy
' Hath left you unattended hark, more knocking!
[Knock.
" Get on your night-gown, left occafion call us,
" And mew us to be Watchers ; be nor loft
4t So poorly in your thoughts.
Macb. 9 To know my deed, 'twere beft not know
myfelf.
Wake, Duncan, with this knocking: 'would, thou
cculdft ! [Exeunt.
9 To kr.ona my detd, "'twere beft not know myfelf ~\ i. e. While I
have the thoughts of rnis deed it were bell not know, or be lofi to,
riiyfelf. This is an anfwer to the lady's reproof;
So zozrty inycur thoughts .
But the Oxford Editor, perceiving neither the fenfe, nor the perti-
nency of the anfwer, alters it to,
Ti> an know my deed, 'twere left not know myfelf.
SCENE
Tragedy of MACBETH. 363
SCENE IV.
Enter a Porter.
[Knocking within.] Port. Here's a knocking, in-
deed : if a man were porter of hell -gate, he ihould
have old turning the key. [Knock] Knock, knock,
knock. Who's there, i'th' name of Relzebub ? here's
a farmer, that hang'd himfelf on the expectation of
plenty: come in time, have napkins enough about
you, here you'll fweat for't. [Knock] Knock, knock.
Who's there i' th' other devil's name ? faith, ' here's
an equivocator, that could fwear in both the fcales
againft either fcale, who committed treafon enough for
God's fake, yet could not equivocate to heav'n : oh,
come in, equivocator, [Knock] Knock, knock, knock.
Who's there? faiih, * here's an Englijb taylor come
hither for ftealing out of a French hofe : come in, tay-
lor, here you may roaft your goofe. [Knock] Knock,
knock. Never at quiet! what are you? but this place
is too cold for hell. I'll devil-porter it no further: I
had thought to have let in fome of all profeffions, that
go the primrofe way to th' everlafting bonfire. [Knock]
Anon, anon, I pray you, remember the porter.
Enter Macduff, and Lenox.
Macd. Was it fo late, friend, ere you went to bed, '
That you do lie fo late?
Port. Faith, Sir, we were caroufing 'till the fecond
cock :
1 here's an equivocator, ivbo committed treafon enough for
God's fake,'] Meaning a Jefuit ; an order fo troublefom to the State
in Queen Elizabeth and King James the Firft's times. The inven-
tors of the execrable doftrine of equivocation.
2 here's an Englifh taylor come hither for Jieuling out of a French
hofe :] The archnefs of che joke confiils in this, that a Fremh hole
being very fhort and ftrait, a taylor mull be malkr of his trade
who could fteaJ any thing from ^hence.
And
364. The Tragedy of MACBETH.
And Drink, Sir, is a great provoker of three things.
Macd. What three things doth Drink efpecially
provoke ?
Port. Marry, Sir, nofe-painting, fleep, and urine.
Lechery, Sir, it provokes, and un provokes ; it pro-
vokes the defire, but it takes away the performance.
Therefore much Drink may be fa id to be an equivo-
cator with lechery $ it makes him, and it mars him ;
it fets him on, and it takes him off; it perfwades him,
and diiheartens him ; makes him (land to, and not
ftand to ; in conclufion, equivocates him into a fleep,
and, giving him the lie, leaves him.
Macd. I believe, Drink gave thee the lie laft night.
Port. That it did, Sir, iW very throat o* me* but
I requited him for his lie; and, I think, being too
ftrong for him, though he took my legs fome time,
yet I made a fhift to caft him.
Macd. Is thy mafter ftirring?
Our knocking has awak'd him ; here he comes.
Luc. Good morrow, noble Sir.
Enter Macbeth.
Macb. Good morrow, Both.
Macd. Is the King ftirring, worthy Thane?
Mack. Not yet.
Macd. He did command me to call timely on him ^
I've almoft dipt the hour.
Mac~b. I'll bring you to him.
Macd. I know, this is a joyful trouble to you:
But yet, 'tis one.
Macb. The labour, we delight in, phyficks pain ;
This is the door.
Macd. I'll make fo bold to call, 3 for 'tis my li-
mited fervice. \_Exit MacdufF.
Len. Goes the King hence to day ?
3 for *tis my limited fervice. "] Limiitj, for appointed.
Macb.
The Tragedy ofMACBETH. 365
Macb. He did appoint fo.
Len. The night has been unruly ; where we lay,
Our chimneys were blown down : And, as they fay,
Lamentings heard i'th' air, ftrange fcreams of death,
4 And prophefying with accents terrible
Of dire combuftion, and confus'd events,
New hatch'd to th* woeful time :
The
4 A N D prbpbefying with accents terrible
Of dire combuftion, and confui d events^
New hatched to tb 1 woeful time .-] Here are groans and fcreams
of death heard in the air. Thus far a llrong imagination, arm'd
with fuperftitkm, might go. But accents terrible of dire csmbuftitn,
that is, prophejyingof them, in articulate founds or words, is a little
too far. However, admit this, we are further told, that thefe
prophefies are new hatched to tb"" woeful time ; that is, accommo-
dated to the prefent conjuncture. And this muft needs have another
author than the air inflamed with meteors. To be fhort, the cafe
was this ; Thefe figns and noifes in a troubled heaven fet the old
women upon earth a prophefying, and explaining thofe imaginary
omens, which brought back to their frighten' d imaginations thole
predictions in the mouths of the people, foretelling what would
happen when fuch figns appear'd. This he finely calls, New batch-
ing them to the woeful time. Intimating that they had been often
batched, or adapted, before to the misfortunes of former times.
Sbakejpear was well acquainted with the nature of popular fuper-
ftition, and has defcribed it fo precifely to the point, in a beautiful
ftanza of his ftnus and Adonis, that that will be the bell corn men:
on this paflage.
Look how the world's poor people are amazed
At apparitions, figns and prodigies,
Whereon with fearful eyes they long have ga^d t
INFUSING THEM WITH DREADFUL PROPHESIES,
Here he plainly tells us that figns in the heavens gave birth to pro-
phefies on the earth ; and tells us how too : It was by infilling fan-
cies into the crazy imaginations of the people. His language lilie-
wife is the fame; he ufes prophefies, as in the paflage in queftion,
to fignify forebodings. As this was the effecl of fuperilition only, we
may reckon to meet with it in antiquity ; of which the Englijb
reader may take the following account from Milton. Hijlory of Eng-
land, Lib. 2. Of tbefe enfuing troubles many foregoing Jigns appear d,
certain women in a kind of extafy foretold of calamities to come :
In the council- houfe were beard by night barbarous noifes; in the
tbeatrt, hideous bowling ; in the creek, horrid fights, &c. By this
time
366 The Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
The obfcure bird clamour'd the Jive-long night.
Some fay, the earth was fev'rous, and did fhake.
Mac}). 'Twas a rough night.
Len. My young remembrance cannot parallel
A fellow to it.
Enter MacdufF.
Macd. O horror! horror! horror!
Nor tongue, nor heart, cannot conceive, nor name
thee
Macb. and Len. What's the matter ?
Macd. Coiifufion now hath made his mafter-piece j
Mod facrilegious murther hath broke ope
The Lord's anointed temple, and ftole thence
The life o'th' building. .
Macb. What is't you fay ? the life ?
Len. Mean you his Majefty ?
Macd. Approach the chamber, and deftroy your
fight
With a new Gorgon. Do not bid me fpeakj
See, and then fpeak your felves: awake! awake!
\JLxeunt Macbeth and Lenox.
Ring the alarum-bell murther ! and treafon !
BanquO) and Donalbain I Malcolm / awake !
Shake off this downy deep, death's counterfeit,
And look on death itfelf up, up, and fee
The great Doom's image Malcolm I Banquo!
As from your graves rife up, and walk like fprights,
Ta countenance this horror.
time I make no doubt but the reader is beforehand with me in con-
jecturing that Shakefpear wrote,
AUNTS prophefying, &C.
i. e. Matrons, old women. So in Mi 'dfummer- Nigbfs Dream
he fays,
The wifefl u N T tilling the faddeft tale .
Where, we fee, he makes them ftill employed on difmal fubjeds,
fitted to diforder the imagination.
SCENE
the Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 367
SCENE V.
Bell rings. Enter Lady Macbeth.
Lady. What's the bufinefs,
That luch an hideous trumpet calls to parley
The (leepers of the houfe ? fpeak.
Macd. Gentle lady,
3 Tis not for you to hear what I can fpeak.
The repetition in a woman's ear
Would murther as it fell. O Eanquo^ Banqiio!
Enter Banquo.
Our royal matter's murther'd.
Lady. Woe, alas !
5 What, in our houfe ?
Ban. Too cruel, any where.
Macduff^ I pr'ythee, contradict thyfelf,
And fay, it is not fo.
Enter Macbeth, Lenox, and P )fie.
Macb. Had I but dy'd an hour before this chance,
I had liv'd a blefied time: for, from this inftant,
6 There's nothing ferious in mortality ;
All is but toys ; Renown, and Grace, is dead ;
The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees
Is left this vault to brag of.
5 What, in our houfe? ] This is very fine. Had fhe been in-
nocent, nothing but the murder itfelf, and not any of its aggra-
vating circumftances, would naturally have affefted her. As it was,
her bufinefs was to appear highly diforder'd at the news. There-
fore, like one who ha:, her thoughts about her, (he feeks for an
aggravating circumftance, that might be fuppofed moft to aftecl her
perfonally ; not confidering, that by placing it there, (hedifcovered
rather a concern for heiieif than for the Ki ^ On the contrary,
her husband who had repented the aft, and was now labouring un-
der the horrors of a recent murder, in his exclamation, gives all
the marks of forrow for the fact itfelf.
6 There 1 1 nothing ferious in mortality ;] Serious, for valuable.
Enter
368 The Tragedy of M A C B E T H.
Enter Malcolm, and Donalbain.
Don. What is amifs?
Macb. You are, and do not know't :
The fpring, the head, the fountain of your blood
Is ftopt ; the very fource of it is ftopt.
Macd. Your royal father's murther'd.
Mai. Oh, by whom ?
Len. Thofe of his chamber, as it feem'd, had don't ;
Their hands and faces were all badg'd with blood,
So were their daggers, which, unwip'd, we found
Upon their pillows j they ftar'd and were diftracled -,
No man's life was to be traded with them.
Macb. O, yet I do repent me of my fury,
That I did kill them.
Macd. Wherefore did you fo?
Macb. Who can be wife, amaz'd, temp'rate and
furious,
7 Loyal and neutral in a moment ? no man.
" The expedition of my violent love
*' Out-run the paufer, Reafon. Here, lay Duncan ;
*' 8 His filver skin laced with his golden blood,
u And his gafh'd Stabs look'd like a breach in Nature,
" For Ruin's wafteful entrance; there, the mur-
therers ;
" Steep'd in the colours of their trade, their daggers
*' 9 Unmanly reech'd with gore : who could refrain,
" That
7 Loyal and neutral in a moment? ] Neutral, for unconcerned,
indifferent.
^ 8 His filver skin laced with his golden blood,'} The allufion is fo
ridiculous on fuch an occafion, that it difcovers the declaimer not
to be affected in the manner he would reprefent himfelf. The
whole fpeech is an unnatural mixture of far-fetch'd and common'
place thoughts, that fhews him to be acting a part.
9 UNMANNERLY B REECH'D with gore: ] This nonfenfi-
cal account of the flate in which the daggers were found, muft
furely be read thus,
UNMANLY REECH'D tvz'/ rer* :-
&**/,
The Tragedy of MACBETH. 369
c That had a heart to love, and in that heart
*' Courage, to make's love known ?
Lady. Help me hence, ho ! {Seeming to faint,
Macd. Look to the lady.
Mai. Why do we hold our tongues,
That moft may claim this argument for ours ?
Don. What mould be fpoken here,
Where our Fate, hid within an augre-hole,
May rufh, and feize us ? Let's away, our tears
Are not yet brew'd.
Mai. Nor our ftrong forrow on
The foot of motion.
Ban. Look to the lady ;
[Lady Macbeth is carried out t
And when we have our naked frailties hid,
That fuffer in expofure, let us meet,
And queftion this moft bloody piece of work,
To know it further. Fears and fcruples make us,
1 In the great hand of God I ftand, and thence,
Againft the undivulg'd pretence I fight
Oi treas'nous malice.
Macb. So do I.
All. So, all.
Macb. Let's briefly put on manly readinefsj
And meet i'th* hall together.
All. Well contented. \Exeunt.
Reectfd, foiled with a dark yellow, which is the colour of any
reechy fubitance, and mult be fo of fteel ftain'd with blood. He
ufes the word very ofcen, as reechy hangings, reechy neck, &c. So
that the fenfe is, that they were unmanly ftain'd with blood, and
that cTcumftance added, becaufe often fuch ftains are moft honou-
rable.
I In the great hand of God I fland, and thence,
Jlgalnft the und'rvulgd pretence 1 Jight
Of treas'nous malice.] Pretence, for aft. The fenfe of the
whole is, My innocence places me under the protection of God,
and under that ftiadow, or, from thence, 1 declare myfelf an enemy
to this, as yec hidden, deed of mifchicf. This was a very natural
fpeech for him who muft needs lufpeft the (rue author.
VOL. VI. Bb Mai .
370 The Tragedy of MACBETH.
Mai. What will you do ? let's not confort with
them :
To (hew an unfelt forrow, is an office
Which the falfe man does eafie. I'll to England.
Don. To Ireland, I ; our feparated fortune
Shall keep us both the fafer , where we are,
There's daggers in men's fmiles ; the near in blood,
The nearer bloody.
Mai. This murtherous fhaft that's mot,
Hath not yet lighted j and our fafeft way
Is to avoid the aim. Therefore, to horfe ;
And let us not be dainty of leave-taking,
But fhift away 5 there's warrant in that theft,
Which fteals itfelf when there's no mercy left.
[Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
^he Ontfide of Macbeth'* Caflle.
Enter RofTe, with an old Man.
Old Afflfl.npHreefcore and ten I can remember well,
JL Within the volume of which time, I've
feen
Hours dreadful, and things flrange ; but this fore night
Hath trifled former knowings.
RoJJe. Ah, good father,
Thou feeft, the heav'ns, as troubled with man's act,
1 Threaten this bloody ftage : by th* clock, 'tis day ;
And yet dark night ftrangles the travelling lamp :
Is't night's predominance, or the day's fhame,
2 Threaten this bloody ftage : ] One might be tempted to
think the poet wrote Jlrage, flaughter. But I, who know him
better, am perfuaded he ukdjjage for al. And becaufe itage may
be figuratively ufed for aft, a dramatic reprefentation j therefoie
he ufes it for aft, a deed done. Threatens a tragedy.
That
The Tragedy of MACBETH. 37
That darknefs does the face of earth intomb,
When living light mould kifs it ?
Old M. 'Tis unnatural,
Even like the Deed that's done. " On fuefday laft,
" A faulcon, towring * in her pride of place,
" Was by a moufing owl hawkt at, and kill'd."
Roffe. And Duncan's horfes, (a thing mod ftrange
and certain!)
Beauteous and fwift, the minions of their Race,
Turn'd wild in nature, broke their ftalJs, flung out,
Contending 'gainft obedience, as they would
Make war with man.
Old M. 'Tis faid, they eat each other.
Roffe. They did fo; to the amazement of mine
eyes,
That look'd upon't.
Enter Macduff.
Here comes the good Macduff.
How goes the world, Sir, now ?
Macd. Why, fee you not ?
Roffe. Is't known, who did this more than bloody
Deed ?
Macd. Thofe, that Macbeth hath flain.
Roffe. Alas, the day !
What good could they pretend ?
Macd. They were fuborn'd ;
Malcolm , and Donalbain, the Krng,'s two Sons,
Are ftol'n away and fled j which puts upon them
Sufpicion of the Deed.
Roffe, 'Gainft nature ftill ;
Thriftlefs ambition ! that wilt ravin up
Thine own life's means. Then 'tis moft like,
The Sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth?
Macd. He is already nam'd, and gone to Scone
3 in her pride of place,] Finely exprcflcd, for toujiJace
' in its quality.
Bb 2 To
The Tragedy 0/"MACBETH.
To be inverted.
Roffe. Where is Duncan\ body ?
Macd. Carried to Colmey-hill^
The facred ftorehoufe of his Prcdeceflbrs,
And guardian of their bones.
Roffe. Will you to Scone ?
Macd. No, Coufm, I'll to Fife.
Roffe. Well, I will thither.
Macd. Well, may you fee things well done there,
(adieu ;)
Left our old robes fit eafier than our new !
Roffe. Farewel, Father.
Old M. God's benifon go with you, and with thofe.
That would make good of bad, and friends of foes.
[Exeunt.
ACT III. SCENE I.
An Apartment in the Palace.
Enter Banquo.
THOU haft it now ; King, Cawdor, Glamis, all
The weyward women promis'd ; and, I fear,
Thou plaid'ft moft foully for't : yet it was faid,
It mould not ftand in thy Pofterity ;
But that my felf mould be the root, and father
Of many Kings. If there come truth from them,
1 (As upon thee, Macbeth, their fpeeches mine)
Why, by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my Oracles as well,
And let me up in hope ? but, hum, no more.
i (At ttpt* tbie, Macbeth, />.#..- fliine}] Seixe, forprofper.
7J<? Tragedy of MACBETH.
'Trumpets found. Eater Macbeth as King, Lady Macbeth ,
Lenox, RofTe, Lords and Attendants.
Mac}). Here's our chief gueft.
Lady. If he had been forgotten,
It had been as a gap in our great Feaft,
And all things unbecoming.
Macb. To night we hold a folemn (upper, Sir,
And I'll requeft your prefence.
Ban. Lay your Highnefs'
Command upon me; to the which, my Duties
Are with a moll indiflfoluble tye
For ever knit.
Macb Ride you this afternoon ?
Ban. Ay, my good lord.
Macb. We fhould have elfe defir'd
Your good advice (which flill hath been both grave
And profperous) in this day's Council -, but
We'll take to morrow. Is it far you ride?
Ban. As far, my lord, as will fill up the time
'Twixt this and fupper. Go not my horfe the better,
I muft become a borrower of the night
For a dark hour or twain.
Macb. Fail not our feaft.
Ban. My lord, I will not.
Macb. We hear, our bloody Coufins are beftow'd
In England, and in Ireland ; not confefling
Their cruel Parricide, rilling their hearers
With ftrange invention ; but of That to morrow ;
When therewithal we {hall have caufe of State,
Craving us jointly. Hie to horfe : adieu,
Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you?
Ban. Ay, my good lord ; our time does call upon us.
Macb. 1 wifh your horfcs fwift, and fure of foot :
And fo I do commend you to their backs.
Farewel. [Exit Banquo.
Let ev'ry man be mafter of his time
B b 3 'Till
2 74 Th e Tragedy of M A C B E T H.
'Till feven at night ; to make fociety
The fweeter welcome, we will keep ourfelf
'i ill fupper-time alone : till then, God be with you.
[Exeunt Lady Macbeth, and Lords.
SCENE II.
Manent Macbeth, and a Servant.
Sirrah, a word with you : attend thofe men
Our pleafure?
Ser. They are, my lord, without the Palace- gate.
Macl}. Bring them before us* To be thus, is
nothing ; [Exit ferv.
But to be fafely thus.- Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep ; and in his Royalty of Nature
Reigns That, which would be fear'd. J Tis much he
dares,
And to that dauntlefs temper of his mind,
He hath a wifdom that doth guide his valour
To act in fafety. There is none but he,
"Whofe Being I do fear : and, under him,
My Genius is rebuk'd ; as, it is faid,
Antonfs was by C<efar. He chid the Sifters,
When firft they put the name of King upon me,
And bade them fpeak to him ; then, Prophet-like,
They hail'd him father to a line of Kings.
Upon my head they plac'd a fruitlefs Crown,
And put a barren Scepter in my gripe,
Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand,
No fon of mine fucceeding. If 'tis fo,
* For Banquo's iffue have I 'filed my mind :
For them, the gracious Duncan have I murther'd ;
Put rancours in the veffel of my Peace
2 For Banquo'j iffue have I F i L' D my mind : ] We fhould read,
-'FILED my mind;
j. f . defiled.
Only
The Tragedy ^/MACBETH. 375
Only for them : and mine eternal jewel
Giv'n to the common enemy of man,
To make them Kings : the Seed of Eanquo Kings :
< c 3 Rather than fo, come Fate into the lift,
*' And champion me to th' utterance ! who's there ?
Enter Servant, and two Murtherers.
Go to the door, and ftay there, 'till we call.
[Exit Servant,
Was it not yefterday we fpoke together ?
Mur. It was, fo pleafe your Highnefs.
Macb. Well then, now
You have confider'd of my fpeeches ? know,
That it was he, in the times pad, which held you
So under fortune ; which, you thought, had been
Our innocent felf ; this I made good to you
In our laft conf'rence, pad in probation with you:
How you were borne in hand ; how croft ; the in-
ftruments ;
Who wrought with them : and all things elfe that
might
To half a foul, 4 and to a notion craz*d,
Say, thus did Banquo.
i Mur. True, you made it known.
Macb. I did fo ; and went further, which is now
Our point of fecond meeting. Do you find
Your Patience fo predominant in your nature,
That you can let this go ? are you fo gofpell'd,
3 Rather than fo, come Fate into the lift,
And champion me to th 1 utterance! ] This is exprefled
with great noblenefs and fublimity. The metaphor is taken from
the ancient combat en champ clos : in which there was a marfhal,
who prefided over, and directed all the punctilios of the ceremo-
nial. Fate is called upon to difcharge this Office, and champion
him to th" 1 utterance ; that is, to fight it out to the extremity, which
they called combatre a oultrance. But he ufes the Scotch word,
utterance from oultrance, extremity.
4 and to a notion crazed.] Nation, for the underftanding-
Bb 4 To
376 Ik* Tragedy of M A c B E T rt.
To pray for this good man and for his ifiue,
Whofe heavy hand hath bow'd you to the Grave,
And beggar'd yours for ever ?
1 Mur. We are men, my liege.
Macb. " Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men,
<{ As hounds, and greyhounds, mungrels, fpaniels, curs,
" Showghes, water rugs, and demy- wolves are cleped
* c All by the name of dogs , the valued file
*' Diflinguifhes the fwift, the flow, the fubtle,
" The houfe-keeper, the hunter j every one
" According to the gift which bounteous Nature
" Hath in him clos'd ; whereby he does receive
<c Particular addition, from the bill
*' That writes them all alike : and fo of men.
*' Now, if you have a ftation in the file,
" And not in the worft rank of manhood, fay it ;
And I will put that bufinefs in your bofoms,
"Whofe execution takes your enemy off;
Grapples you to the heart and love of us,
"Who wear our health but fickly in his life,
Which in his death were perfect
2 Mur. I am one,
"Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
Have fo incens'd, s that I am recklefs what
1 do, to fpite the world.
i Mur. And I another,
* So weary with difaftrous tuggs with fortune,
That I would fet my life on any chance,
To
5 that 1 am recklefs what] i. t. carelefs. Mr. Pope.
6 So votary nuitb DISASTERS, TUOG'D faith for tunt,] We fee
the fpeaker means to lay that he is weary with ftruggiing with
adverfe fortune. But this reading expreffes but half the idea ; viz,.
of a man tugg'd and haled by fortune without making refiftance.
To give the com pleat thought, we mould read,
So iveary with DISASTROUS TUGGS <uiith fortune.
. This is well exprefled, and gives the reafon of his being weary,
i " aufe fortune always hitherto got the better. And that Skake-
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 377
To mend it, or be rid on't. %
Macb. Both of you
Know, Banquo was your enemy.
Mur. True, my lord.
Macb. So is he mine : and 7 in fuch bloody diftancc,
That every minute of his Being thrufts
Againft my near'ft of life ; and though I could
With bare-fac'd Power fweep him from my fight,
And bid my Will avouch it ; yet I muft not,
For certain friends that are both his and mine,
Whofe loves I may not drop ; but wail his Fall,
Whom I myfelf ftruck down : and thence it is,
That I to your affiftance do make love,
Masking the bufinefs from the common eye
For fundry weighty reafons.
2 Mur. We mall, my lord,
Perform what you command us.
i Mur. Though our lives -
Macb. Your ipirits mine through you. In this
hour, at molt,
I will advife you where to plant yourfelves ;
Acquaint you with 8 the perfect fpy o' th* time,
The moment on't ; (for't muft be done to night,
And fomething from the Palace : always thought,
That I require a Clearnefs : ) and with him,
(To leave no rubs nor botches in the Work)
Fleance his fon, that keeps him company,
(Whofe abfence is no lefs material to me,
Than is his father's) muft embrace the fate
Of that dark hour. Refolve your felves a- part,
fpear knew how to exprefs this thought, we have an inftance in
The Winter'' s Ta/e,
Let myfelf and Fortune TV o c for the time to comt.
Befides, to be tuggd wtb Fortune, is fcarce Enghjb.
7 in fuck bloody diftance,] Dijtance, for enmity.
8 tic perfeft fpy o tV time,'] i. e. the critical jun&ure.
378 1%* Tragedy of MAC BETH,
I'll come to you "anon.
Mur. We are refolv'd, my lord.
Macb. I'll call upon you ftraight ; abide within.
[Exeunt Murtherers.
It is concluded ; <Banquo, thy Soul's flight,
If it find heav'n, rauft find it out to-night. [Exit.
SCENE III.
Another Apartment in the Palace.
Enter Lady Macbeth, and a Servant.
Lady. T S Banquo gone from Court ?
JL Seru. Ay Madam, but returns again to
night.
Lady. Say to the King, I would attend his leifure
For a few words.
Serv. Madam, I will [Exit.
Lady. Nought's had, all's fpent, ,
Where our define is got without content :
'Tis fafer to be That which we deftroy,
Than by deftru&ion dwell in doubtful joy.
Enter Macbeth.
How now, my lord, why do you keep alone ?
Of forrieft fancies your companions making,
Ufing thofe thoughts, which fhould, indeed, have dy'd
With them they think on ? things without all remedy
Should be without regard ; what's done, is done.
Macb- " We have (a) fcotch'd the fnake, not
kill'd it
" She'll clofe, and be herfelf ; whilft our poor malice
*' Remains in danger of 'her former tooth.
" But let both worlds disjoint, and all things fuffer,
' Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and deep
[ >/rV. Mr. neobald. Vulg. fcorcb'd. ]
" In
TZe Tragedy of MAC BET H. 379
*' In the affliction of thefe terrible Dreams,
" That (hake us nightly. Better be with the Dead,
" (Whom we, to gain our Place, have lent to Peace)
" Than on the torture of the mind to lie
" * In reftlefs ecflafie Duncan is in his Grave ;
* c After life's fitful fever, he deeps well ;
" Treafon has done his worft , nor (lee!, nor poifbn,
" -f Malice domeflic, foreign levy, noihing
" Can touch him further !
Lady. Come on ;
Gentle my lord, fleek o'er your rugged looks ;
Be bright and jovial, 'mong your guefts to night.
Macb. So mall I, Love j and To, I pray, be you ;
Let your remembrance dill apply to Banquo.
9 Prefent him Eminence, both with eye and tongue :
Unfafe the while, that we muft lave our honours
In thefe fo flatt'nng ftreams, and make our faces
Vizors t'our hearts, difguifing what they are !
Lady. You muft leave this.
Macb. O, full of fcorpions is my mind, dear wife!
Thou know'ft, that Ban^uo, and his Fkance^ lives.
Lady. But in them * Nature's copy's not eternal.
Macb. There's comfort yet, they are affiliable ;
Then, be thou jocund. " Ere the Bat hath flown
" His cloyfter'd flight ; ere to black Hecat's fummons
" * The uV.rd-boru beetle with hisdrowfie hums
'* Hath rung night's yawning peal, there fhall be
done
* In rcjllefs ecftafie ] Ecjlafie, for madncfs.
f Malice domejiic ] Malice, for confpiracy.
9 Prefent him Eminence,] i. e. do him the higheft honours.
1 Nature's copy's not eternal.] Eternal, for immortal.
2 The ftiard-born beetle ] / e. The beetle hatched in
clefts of wood. So in Anthony and Cleopatra: They art b:s
fhards, and he their Beetle.
VOL. VI. "A
380 The Tragedy ofMkCZE T H.
" A deed of dreadful note.
Lady. What's to be done ?
Mac. Be innocent of the knowledge, deareft chuck,
'Till thou applaud the Deed: " J come, feeling
Night,
' Skarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,
* And with thy bloody and invifible hand
cc Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond,
" Which keeps me pale. 4 Light thickens, and the
Crow
" Makes wing to th' rooky wood :
" Good things of day begin to droop and drowze,
" Whiles night's black agents to their prey do rowze.
Thou marveH'ft at my words ; but hold thee ftill ;
Things, bad begun, make ftrong themfelves by 111 :
So, pr'y thee, go with me. {Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
Changes to a Park ; the Caftle at a diftance.
Enter three Murtberers.
I Afr.T>UT who did bid thee join with us?
J3 3 Mur. Macbeth.
2 Mur. He needs not our Miftruft, fince he de-
livers
Our offices, and what we have to do,
To
3 come, fealing Night,] Thus the common editions had
it; but the old one, feeling, i. e. blinding j which is right. It
is a term in Falconry.
4 E.IGHT thickens,* ] Either the poet or his edi-
tors were out in their philofophy : for the more light thickens or
condenfes, the brighter it is. i mould think the poet wrote,
. MIGHT thickens.
Th*'
The Tragedy of MACBETH. 381
To the direction juft.
i Mur. Then ftand with us.
The weft yet glimmers with fome ftreaks of day :
Now fpurs the lated traveller apace,
To gain the timely in ; and near approaches
The fubjecl of our watch.
3 Mur. Hark, I hear horfes.
[Banquo within.'] Give us light there, hot
2. Mur. Then it is he : the reft
That are within the note of expectation,
Already are i* th* Court.
1 Mur. His horfes go about.
3 Mur. Almoft a mile : but he does ufually,
("So all men do,) from hence to th' Palace- gate
Make it their Walk.
Enter Banquo and Fleance, with A Torch.
2 Mur. A light, a light.
3 Mur. 'Tis he.
j Mur. Stand to't.
Ban. It will be rain to night.
i Mur. Let it come down. \T"hey affault Banquo.
Ban, Oh, treachery !
Fly, Fleance^ fly, fly, fly,
Thou may 'ft revenge. Oh flave!
[Dies. Fleance efcapes.
.3 Mur. Who did ftrike out the light ?
1 Mur. Was't not the way ?
3 Mur. There's but One down ; the fon
Is fled.
2 Mur. We've loft beft half of our affair.
i Mur. Well, let's away, and fay how much is
done. [Exeunt.
Tho' by thickens, in his licentious Englijb, he might mean, grow*
muddy ; and take his idea from a clear transparent liquor's turn-
ing thick by the infufion of an inky fubilancc into it.
SCENE
382 The Tragedy of MACBETH.
SCENE V.
Changes to a Room of State in the Cajlk.
A Banquet prepaid. Enter Macbeth, Lady, Rofife,
Lenox, Lords, and Attendants.
Macb.\7OU know your own degrees, fit down:
I At firft and laft, the hearty welcome.
Lords. Thanks to your Majefty.
Macb. Our felf will mingle with fociety,
And play the humble Hoft :
Our Hoftefs keeps her State, but in bed time
We will require her welcome. [They fit.
Lady. Pronounce it for me, Sir, to all our friends,
For my heart fpeaks, they're welcome.
Enter firft Murtherer.
Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts'
thanks.
Both fides are even : here I'll fit i' th' midft ,
Be large in mirth, anon we'll drink a meafure
The table round There's blood upon thy face.
[To the Murtherer, afide, at the door.
Mur. 'Tis Banquo's then.
Macb. 'Tis better thee without, than he within.
Is he difpatch'd ?
Mur. My lord, his throat is cut, That I did for
him.
Macb. Thou art the bed of cut-throats ; yet he's
good,
That did the like for Fleance : if thou didft it,
Thou art the non-pareil
Mur. Moft royal Sir,
Fleance is fcap'd.
Macb. *' Then comes my Fit again : I had elfe
been perfect i
Whole
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
'* Whole as the marble, founded as the rock ;
*' As broad, and gen'ral, as the cafing air :
" But now I'm cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in
" To fawcy Doubts and Fears. But Banquo's
fafc?
Mur. Ay, my good lord : fafe in a ditch he bides,
With twenty trenched games on his head j
The lead a death to Nature.
Macb. Thanks for that ;
<c There the grown ferpent lies : the worm, that's fled,
" Hath Nature that in time will venom breed,
'* No teeth for th* prefent. Get thee gone, to morrow
We'll hear't ourfelves again. [Exit Muriherer.
Lady. My royal lord,
You do not give the cheer ; the feaft is fold,
That is not often vouched, while 'tis making
*Tis given with welcome. To feed, were beft at home i
From thence, the fawce to meat is ceremony ;
Meeting were bare without it.
[The Ghoft s/Banquo rife 3^ and fits In Macbeth'* />/.
Macb. Sweet remembrancer!
Now good digeftion wait on appetite,
And health on both!
Len. May't pleafe your Highnefs fit ?
Macb. Here had we now our Country's Honour
roof'd,
Were the grac'd pcrlbn of our Eanquo prefent,
(Whom may I rather challenge for unkindnefs,
Than pity for mifchance ! )
Roffe. His abfcnce, Sir,
Lays blame upon his promife. Pleas't your Highnefs
To grace us with your royal company ?
Macb. The table's full. [Starting.
Len. Here's a place referv'd, Sir.
Macb. Where?
Len. Here, my good lord.
What is't that moves your Highnefs ?
Macb.
384 ?lx Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
Macb. " Which of you have done this?
Lords. What, my good lord?
Macb. " Thoucan'it not fay, I did it: never make
" Thy goary locks at me."
Rojfi. Gentlemen, rife ; his Highnefs is not well.
Lady. Sit worthy friends, my lord is often thus,
And hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep feat.
The Fit is momentary, on a thought
He will again be well. If much you note him,
You fhall offend him, and extend his paffion ;
Feed, and regard him not. Are you a man ?
\fo Macbeth aftde.
Macb. Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on That,
Which might appal the Devil.
Lady. O proper ftuff!
" This is the very Painting of your fear , \Afide.
' This is the air-drawn-dagger, which, you faid,
" Led you to Duncan. 6 Oh, thefe flaws and ftarts
*' (Impoftors to true fear,) would well become
" A woman's flory at a winter's fire,
" Authoriz'd by her grandam. Shame it felf I-
Why do you make fuch faces ? when all's done,
You look but on a ftool.
Macb. Pr'ythee, fee there !
Behold! look! lo! how fay you?
[Pointing to the Ghojl.
*' Why, what care I? if thou can'ft nod, fpeak too.
If Charnel-houfes and our Graves muft fend
Thofe, that we bury, back ; our Monuments
Shall be the maws of kites. [The Ghoft vani/hes.
Lady. What? quite unmann'd in folly ?
Macb. If I (land here, I faw him.
Lady. Fie, for fhame !
6 Ob, tbefe flaws andjlarts
(Impofion to true fear,) ] i. e. thefe flaws and ftarts. as they
are indications of your needleis fears, are the imitators or importers
anl/ of rhofs which arifc from a fear well grounded.
Macb.
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 385
Macb. " Blood hath been flied ere now, i* th' olden
time,
* c 7 Ere human Statute purg'd the gen'ral weal ;
" Ay, and fince too, Murthers have been perform'd
" Too terrible for th' ear : the times have been,
That, when the brains were out, the man would die,
And there an end ; but now they rife again
With twenty mortal Murthers on their crowns,
And pufli us from our ftools j this is more firange
Than fuch a murther is.
Lady. My worthy lord^
Your noble friends do lack you.
Macb. I do forget.-
Do not mufe at me, my mod worthy friends,
I have a ftrange Infirmity, which is nothing
To thole that know me. Come, Love and Health
to all !
Then I'll fit down : give me fome wine, fill full
I drink to th' general joy of the whole table,
And to our dear friend Banquo^ whom we mifs *,
Would he were here ! to all, and him, we thirft,
f And all to all.
Lords. Our Duties, and the Pledge.
[The Gboft rifes again.
Macb. Avaunt, and quit my fight! Let the earth
hide thee!
" Thy bones are marrovvlefs, thy blood is cold - 9
** Thou haft no fpeculation in thofe eyes,
7 Ere human Statute purgd the GENTLE weal;] Thus all the
editions: I have reform'd the text, GEN'RAL nusul : And it is a
very fine Ptriphrafit to fignify, ere civil Societies naere injlituted.
For the early murders recorded in Scripture, are here alluded to :
and Macbeth" & apologizing for murder from the antiquity of the
example is very natural. The term he ufes again in Timon,
that his particular to forefend
Smells from the gen'ral-weal.
8 And all to all.] i. e. all good wifhes to all j fach as he had
named above lwe ) health and joy.
VOL VI. C e " Which
386 7fe Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
Which thou doft glare with."
Lady. Think of this, good Peers,
But as a thing of cuftom ; 'tis no other ;
Only it fpoils the pleafure of the time.
Macb. What man dare, I dare :
Approach thou like the rugged Ruffian bear,
The arm'd rhinoceros, or Hyrcanian tyger,
" Take any lhape but That, and my firm nerves
* Shall never tremble : Or, be alive again,
" And dare me to the Defert with thy fword ;
*' 9 If trembling I inhibit, th n proteft me
** The baby of a girl. Hence, terrible fhadow !
" Unreal mock'ry, hence! Why, fo, being gone,
[The Ghojl vanijhes.
I am a man again : pray you fit ft ill. [The Lords rife.
Lady. You have difplac'd the mirth, broke the
good Meeting
With mod admir'd diforder. ' Can't fuch things be,
And overcome us like a Summer's cloud,
Without our fpecial wonder?
Macb. l You make me ftrange
* Ev'n to the difpofition that I owe,
9 If trembling /inhibit,] Inhibit, for refufe.
1 Macb. CAN fitch things be,
And overcome us like a funmers cloud,
Without our /pedal wonder ?~\ Why rot? if they be only like a
fummer's cloud ? The fpeech is given wrong; it is part of the La-
dy's foregoing fpeech ; and, befides that, is a little corrupt. We
ftiould read it thus,
C^^Tfucb things be,
And overcome us like a fitmmer' s cloud,
Without our fpecial wonder ?
i. t. cannot thefe vifions, without fo much wonder and amaze-
ment, be prefented to the dijlurbed imagination in the manner that
air-vifions, in fummer -clouds, are prefented to a wanton one : which
fometimes (hew a lion, a caftle or a promontory ? The thought is
fine, and in character. Overcome is ufed for deceive.
2 Tou make me jlrange
Ev'n to the difpofition that I o-u>e,~\ Which in plain Englijb is
only, Tou make me jufi mad.
" When
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 387
<* When now I think, you can behold fuch fights j
'" And keep the natural Ruby of your Cheeks,
" When mine is blanch'd with fear."
Roffe. What fights, my lord ?
Lady. I pray you, fpeak not ; he grows worfe and
worfe ;
Queftion enrages him : at once good night.
Stand not upon the Order of your Going.
Bat go at once.
Len. Goodnight, and better health
Attend his Majefty ! !
Lady. Good night, to all. [Exeunt Lords.
Macb. It will have blood, they fay ; blood will
have blood ;
Stones have been known to move, and trees to fpeak ,
J Augurs, that underftand relations, have
By mag-pies, and by coughs, and rooks brought forth
The iecret'ft man of blood. What is the night ?
Lady. Almoft at odds with morning, which is
which.
Macb. How fay'ft thou, that Macduff denies his
perfon,
At our great bidding ?
Lady. Did you fend to him, Sir ?
Macb. I hear it by the way'; but I will fend:
There's not a (a) 'Cham of them, but in his houfe
I keep a fervant fee'd. I will to morrow
3 Augurs, that under -flood relation?, ] By relations is meant the
relation one thing is fuppofed to bear to another. Theancient footh-
fayers of all denominations pradlifed their art upon the principle of
Analogy. Which analogies were founded in a fuperftitious philo-
fophy arifing out of the nature of ancient idolatry ; which would
require a volume to explain. If Shakefpear meant what I fupppfe
he did by relations, this {hews a very profound knowledge of an-
tiquity. But, after all, in his licentious way, by relations, he might
only mean languages, i. e, the languages of birds.
[(a) Thane. Mr, Theobald. Vulg. one]
C c 2 (Betimes
388 The Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
(Betimes I will) unto tiie weyward fifters :
More mall they fpeak ; for now I'm bent to know,
By the word means, the worft, for mine own good.
All caufes mall give way ; I am in blood
Stept in fo far, that, mould I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er :
Strange things I have in head, that will to hand ;
Which muft be afted, ere they may be fcann'd.
Lady. You lack the Seafon of all Natures, Sleep.
Macb. Come, we'll too. fleep ; my ftrange and
felf-abufe
4 Is the initiate fear; that wants hard ufe:
We're yet but young in Deed. [Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
Changes to the Heath.
Thunder. Enter the three Witches , meeting Hecate.
i Witch. \ 1 7 H Y, how now, Hecat\ you look
VV angerly.
Hec. Have I not reafon, Beldams, as you are ?
Saucy, and over-bold ! how did you dare
To trade and traffick with Macbeth,
In riddles ; * and affairs of death ?
And I, the miftrefs of your Charms,
The clofe contriver of all harms,
Was never call'd to bear my part,
Or (hew the glory of our Art ?
And, which is worfe, all you have done
Hath been but for a weyward fon ;
4 /r the initiate fear, that 'wants hard ufe :] Initiate fear, for
that fear which attends thofe who are but newly initiated in ill ;
and hard ufe, for ufe that make hardy. So that the fenfe is, my
extravagant and imaginary vifions arife only from that fear which
beginners in ill are affe&ed with, and which ufe foon overcomes.
5 and affairs of death?] Alluding to their office, as ex-
plained in Note 8. Aft i. Scene 3,
Spightful
The Tragedy ofMACBETH. 389
Spightful and wrathful, who, as others do,
Loves for his own ends, not tor you.
But make amends now ; get you gone,
And at the pit of Acheron
Meet me i' th* morning : thither he
Will come, to know his deftiny ;
Your vefieis and your fpells provide,
Your Charms and every thing befide.
I am for th* Air : this night I'll fpend
Unto a difmal fatal end.
Great bufinefs muft be wrought ere noon :
Upon the corner of the Moon
There hangs a vap'rous drop, profound ;
I'll catch it ere it come to ground i
And that diftill'd by magick flights,
Shall raife fuch artificial fprights,
As, by the ftrength of their illufion,
Shall draw him on to his confufion.
He mall fpurn fate, fcorn death, and bear
His hopes 'bove wifdom, grace, and fear :
And you all know, Security
Is mortal's chiefeft enemy. \_Mufick and a Song,
Hark, lam call'd ; my little fpirit, fee,
Sits in the foggy cloud, and (lays for me.
\_Sing within. Come away, come away, &c.
I Witch. Come, let's make hade, (he'll foon be
back again. [Exeunt.
SCENE VII.
Changes to a Chamber.
Enter Lenox, and another
Len. \ K Y former fpeeches have but hit your
JLVJL thoughts,
Which can interpret farther: only, I fay,
Things have been ftrangely borne. The gracious 'Duncan
C c 3 Was
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
Was pitied of Macbeth marry, he was dead :
And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late.
"Whom, you may fay, iPt pleafe you, Fleance kill'd,
For Fleance fled : men muft not walk too late.
Who cannot want the thought, how monftrous too
It was for Malcolm , and for Donalbain
To kill their gracious father? damned fact!
How did it grieve Macbeth? did he not ftraight
In pious rage the two delinquents tear,
That were the flaves of drink, and thralls of deep?
Was not that nobly done? ay, wifely too;
For 'twould have anger'd any heart alive
To hear the men deny't. So that, I fay,
He has borne all things well ; and I do think,
That had he Duncans fons under his key,
(As, an't pleafe heav'n, he mail not ;) they fhould find
What 'twere to kill a father : fo mould Fleance.
But peace ! for from broad words, and 'caufe he fail'd
His prefence at the tyrant's feaft, I hear,
Macdnff lives in difgrace. Sir, can you tell
Where he bellows himfelf ?
Lord. The Son of Duncan^
From whom this tyrant holds the due of Birth,
Lives in the fagjtjt Court; and is receiv'd
Of the moft pious Edward with fiich grace,
That the malevolence of fortune nothing
Takes from his high refpect Thither Macduff
Is gone to pray the King upon his aid
To wake Northumberland, and warlike^/ww^;
That by the help of thefe, (with Him above
To raiihe the work,) we may again
Give to our tables meat, fleep to our nights;
Free from our featf p and banquets bloody knives 5
Do faithful homage:, J and receive free honours,
All which we pine for now. And this report
a "' and recti-ve free honours,] Free, for grateful.
Hath
The Tragedy of M A c B E T n. 391
Hath fo exafp'rated their King, that he
Prepares for Tome attempt of War.
Len. Sent he to Macduff ?
Lord. He did j and with an abfolute, Sir, not /,
The cloudy mefienger turns me his back,
And hums -, as who mould fay, you'll rue the time,
That clogs me with this anfwer.
Len. And that well might
Advife him to a care to hold what diftance
His wifdom can provide. Some holy Angel
Fly to the Court of England, and unfold
His meflage ere he come , that a fwift BlefTing
May foon return to this our fufifering Country,
Under a hand accurs'd !
Lord. I'll fend my pray'rs with him. [Exeunt.
A C T IV. SCENE I.
A dark Cave ; in the middle, a great Cauldron
burning.
fhunder. Enter the three Witches.
i WITCH.
? nn H RI C E the brinded cat hath mew'd.
JL 2 Witch. Twice, and once the hedge-pig whin'd.
3 Witch. Harper crys, 'tis time, 'tis time.
i Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd.] A cat, from time imme-
morial, has been the agent and favourite of witches. This fuperlti-
lious fancy is pagan, and very ancient ; and the original, perhaps,
this. When Galmthia ivas changed into a cat by the Fates, (fays
Antonius Liberalis, Metam. Cap. 29 ) y Witches, (fays Paufanias
in hii Bceotics,) Hecate took pity of her, and made her 'her priejlefs ;
in 'which office Jhe continues to this day. Hecate, herfelf too, when
Typhon forced all the Gods and Goddeffes to hide them/elves in ant-
malty ajjumed the fiape of a cat. So Qvid >
Fele foror Phcebi latuit.
C c 4 i Witch.
392 The Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
I Witch. Round about the cauldron go,
1 In the poifon'd entrails throw.
[fhey march round the cauldron, and throw in
the fever al ingredients as for the preparation
of their Charm.
Toad, that under the cold ftone,
Days and nights has, thirty one,
Sweher'd venom fleeping got ,
Boil thou ftrft i'th' charmed pot.
All. Double, double, toil and trouble ,
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
1 Witch. Fillet of a fenny fnake,
In the cauldron boil and bake ;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog ;
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog ;
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's fting,
Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing :
For a Charm of pow'rful trouble,
Like a hell-broth, boil and bubble.
All. Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
3 Witch. Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,
Witches' mummy ; maw, and gulf
Of the ravening fait fea-fhark;
Root of hemlock, digg'd i'th dark ;
Liver of blafpheming Jew :
Gall of goat, and flips of yew,
2 In the poifo.nd entrails threw."} Every thing thrown into the
cauldron is particularly enumerated, and yet we find no poifond
entrails amongft themj or if we did, why were they to be thus
diilinguifh'd from the reft ? I believe Shakefpear wrote,
ENTREMES -
An old word ufed for ingredients', which the Editors, not knowing
whnt to make of, turn'd to entrai/si meaning, I fuppofe, the en-
tra:!s of the Toad, which goes firft to pot. The old ftage direction
fcems to juftify this change. [They march round the cauldron, and,
ibroiu in tbe Jweral I NGREDIENTS, &c.l
Sliver'4
The Tragedy of MACBETH. 303
Sliver'd in the moon's eclipfe ;
Nofe of Turk, and Tartar's lips ;
Finger of birth-ftrangled babe, -\
Ditch-deliver'd by a drab ; {
Make the gruel thick, and flab; J
Add thereto a tyger's chawdron,
For th* ingredients of our cauldron.
AIL Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
2 Witch. Cool it with a baboon's blood,
Then the Charm is firm and good.
Enter Hecate, and other three Witches.
Hec. Oh! well done! I commend your pains,
And every one (hall mare i'th* gains.
And now about the cauldron fing,
Like elves and fairies in a ring,
Inchanting all that you put in.
Mufick and a Song.
Black fpirits and white,
Bluefpirits and grey,
Mingle, mingle, mingle,
Tou that mingle may.
Z Witch. By the pricking of my thumbs
Something wicked this way comes :
Open locks, whoever knocks.
SCENE II.
Enter Macbeth.
Macb. How now, you fecret, black, and midnight
hags ?
What is't you do ?
All. A deed without a name,
Mad.
394- Th* Tragedy of MAC BET H.
Macb. I conjure you, by that which you profefs,
(Howe'er you come to know it) anfwer me.
Though you untie the winds, and let them fight
Againft the churches ; though the yefty waves
Confound and fwallow Navigation up ;
Though bladed corn be lodg'd, and trees blown
down,
Though caftles topple on their warders* heads ;
Though palaces and pyramids do flope
Their heads to their foundations; though the treafure
Of Nature's Germins tumble all together,
Even till deftrudlion ficken : anfwer me
To what I ask you.
1 Witch. Speak.
2 Witch. Demand.
3 Witch. We'll anfwer.
i Witch. Say, if th' hadft rather hear it from our
mouth?,
Or from our matters ?
Macb. Call 'em : let me fee 'em.
i Witch. Pour in fow's blood, that hath eaten
Her nine farrow ; greafr, that's fweaten
From the murth'rer's gibbet, throw
Into the flame :
All. Come high or low :
Thyfelf and office deftly fhow. \Tbunder.
Apparition of an armed head rifes.
Macb. Tei! me, thou unknown Power
I Witch, He knows thy thought :
J-Iear his fpeech, but fay thou nought.
App. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduffl
Beware the Thane of Fife difmifs me enough.
[Defcends.
Macb. What- e'er thou art, for thy good Caution,
thanks.
Thou'ft harp'd my fear aright. But one word more
The Tragedy of MACBETH. 395
. He will not be commanded ; here's another
More potent than the firft. [Thunder.
Apparition of a bloody child rifes.
App. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!
Macb. Had I three ears, I'd hear thee.
App. Be bloody, bold, and refolute ; laugh to fcorn
The pow'r of man ; for none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth. [Defends.
Macb. Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of
thee ?
But yet I'll make afiurance double fure,
And take a bond of Fate ; thou fhalt not live,
That I may tell pale-hearted fear, it lyes j
And fleep in fpight of thunder. [Thunders.
Apparition of a child crowned, with a tree in his
handy rifes.
What is this,
That rifes like the ifiue of a King,
And wears upon his baby-brow the round
And top of Sovereignty ?
All. Liften, but fpeak not.
App. Be lion- mettled, proud, and take no care,
Who chafes, who frets, or where confpirers are :
Macbeth (hall never vanquifh'd be, until
Great Birtiam-wood to Dunjinam's high hill
Shall come againft him. [Defcends.
Macb. That will never be :
Who can imprefs the foreft, bid the tree
Unfix his earth-bound root ? Sweet boadments ! good !
3 Rebellious head rife never, 'till the wood
Of Birnam rife, and our high-plac'd Macbeth
3 Rebellious DEAD rife never, - ] We fliould read,
Rebellious HEAD -
i. e . Let rebellion never get to a head and be fuccefsful till
and then -
Shall
396 The Traged ^MACBETH.
Shall live the Jeafe of Nature, pay his breath
To time and mortal cuftom ! Yet my heart
Throbs to know one thing-, Tell me, (if your Art
Can tel! fo much) mall Banquo's iflue ever
Reign in this Kingdom ?
AIL Seek to know no more.
[The Cauldron finks into the Ground,
Macb. I will be fatisfy'd. Deny me this,
And an eternal curfe fall on you ! let me know,
Why finks that cauldron ? and what noife is this ?
[Hautboys.
1 Witch. Shew !
2 Witch. Shew !
3 Witch. Shew !
All. Shew his eyes, and grieve his heart ;
Come like fhadows, fo depart.
{Eight Kings appear and pafs over in order, and
Banquo ; the laft^ with a glafs in his hand.
Macb. Thou art too like the fpirit of Banquo ; down !
Thy crown do's fear mine eye- balls. And thy (a] air
(Thou other gold-bound brow) is like the firft
A third is like the former filthy hags !
Why do you mew me this ? A fourth ? Start, eye !
What ! will the line flretch out to th' crack of Doom ?
Another yet? -A feventh ! I'll fee no more
And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glafs,
Which mews me many more; and fome I fee,
4 That twofold balls and treble fcepters carry.
Horrible fight ! nay, now, I fee, 'tis true j
For s the blood-bolter'd Banquo fmiles upon me,
And
4 That fjonfold balls and treble fcepters carry.] This was in-
tended as a compliment to King James the Firft, who firft united
the two iflands and the three kingdoms under one head ; whcfe
houfe too was /aid to be defcended from Banquo.
5 tie blocd-bolter'd Banquo] Gildon has ridiculoufly inter-
preted blood-loiter ' d, in a thing he calls a Glojfary, to fiffufffiifar'J
twit-o
[(a) air. Anonymus. Vulg. hair.]
The Tragedy of M AC B ET H. 397
And points at them for his. What, k this fo ?
i Witch. Ay, Sir, all this is lb. But why
Stands Macbeth thus amazedly ?
Come, fitters, chear we up his fprights,
And mew the bed of our delights ;
I'll charm the Air to give a Sound,
While you perform your antick round :
That this great King may kindly fay,
Our duties did his welcome pay. {Mufick.
[The witches dance and vanijh.
Macb. Where are they ? gone ? Let this per-
nicious hour
Stand ay accurfed in the kalendar !
Come in, without there !
Enter Lenox.
Len. What's your Grace's will ?
Macb. Saw you the weyward filters ?
Len. No, my lord.
Macb. Came they not by you ?
Len. No, indeed, my lord.
Macb. Infected be the air whereon they ride,
And damn'd all thofe that truft them ! I did hear
The galloping of horfe. Who was'c came by ?
Len. 'Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you
word,
Macduff is fled to England.
Macb. Fled to England ?
Len. Ay, my good lord.
Macb. 6 Time, thou anticipat'ft my dread exploits:
The
ourVi dry Hood; he might as well have faid with txtreme unftion.
Blood bolter" d means one v/hofe blood hath iffued out at many
wounds, as flour of corn paffss thro' the holes of a fieve. Shake fpear
ufed it to infmuate the barbarity of Banquets murderers, who
covered him with wounds.
6 Time, thou anticipat^JI rny dread exploits:] To anticipate ont"s
deeds is properly to do them for one ; but the contrary to this is
the
398 The Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
7 The flighty purpofe never is o'er-took,
Unlefs the deed go with it. From this moment,
The very firftlings of my heart fhall be
The firftlings of my hand. And even now
To crown my thoughts with ads, be't thought and
done !
The Caftle of Macduffl will furprife,
Seize upon Fife, give to the edge o* th' fword
His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate fouls
That trace him in his line. No boafting like a fool,
This deed I'll do before this purpofe cool.
But no more fights. Where are thefe gentlemen ?
Come bring me where they are. [Exeunt.
SCENE III.
Changes to MacdufF'j Caftle at Fife.
Enter Lady Msicduff, her Son, and Rofle.
L. Macd.\\T H AT had he done, to make him fly
VV the Land?
RoJJe. You muft have patience, Madam.
L. Macd. He had none ;
His flight was madnefs ; when our actions do nor,
Our fears do make us traitors.
Roffe. You know not,
Whether it was his wifdom, or his fear.
L. Macd. Wifdom ? to leave his wife, to leave his
babes,
the fpeaker's meaning. Sbakefpear therefore ufcs anticipafft for
defeateft, very licentioufly. But to anticipate, being to do a thing
befide expectation, tho' for one ; and to defeat the doing a thing
befide expe&ation, tho' againft one; there was likenefs enough in
the ideas for him to ufe one word for the other.
7 The flighty purpofe never is oer-took,
Unlefs the deed go with it. ] Overtook is here ufed for coming
to effeft. The expreflion is bad, but the fenfe goodi which is, that
purpofes delayed are generally defeated.
His
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 399.
His manfion, and his titles, in a place
From whence himfelf does fly ? he loves us not,
He wants the nat'ral touch ; for the poor wren.
The moft diminutive of birds, will fight,
Her young ones in her neft, againft the owl :
All is the fear, and nothing is the love ;
As little is the wifdom, where the flight
So runs againft all reafon.
Ro/e. My deareft Coufm,
I pray you, fchool yourfelf ; but for your husband,
He's noble, wife, judicious, and beft knows
The fits o'th* feafon. I dare not fpeak much further,
But cruel are the times, 8 when we are traitors,
And do not know ourfelves: 9 when we hold rumour
From what we fear, yet know not what we fear ;
But float upon a wild and violent fea
Each way, and move. I take my leave of you ;
Shall not be long but I'll be here again :
Things at the word will ceafe, or elfe climb upward
To what they were before : My pretty Coufm,
Blefling upon you !
L. Macd. Fathered he is, and yet he's fatherlefs.
Roffe. I am fo much a fool, fhould I flay longer,
It would be my difgrace, and your difcomfort,
I take my leave at once. \JLxit Rofie.
L. Macd. Sirrah, your father's dead,
And what will you do now ? how will you live ?
8 ' ^i^Jjen ive are traitors t
AnddoWt know ourfehe s : ] ;. e. We think ourfelves
inpocent, the government thinks us traitors ; therefore we are ig-
norant of ourfelves. This is the ironical argument. The Oxford
Editor alters it to,
And do not know't ourfehttt :
But fure they did know what they faid, that the State efteemed
them tiaytors.
g ___ .. .. - <ivbe <we hold rumour
For what ive fear] To hold rumour, fignines to be govern'd
by the authority of rumour.
Son.
400 The Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
Son. As birds do, Mother.
L. Macd. What, on worms and flies ?
Son. On what I get, I mean ; and fo do they.
L. Macd. Poor bird ! Thoud'ft never fear the net,
nor lime:
The pit-fail, nor the gin.
Son. Why fhould I, Mother ? poor birds, they are
not fet for.
My father is not dead for all your Saying.
L. Macd. Yes, he is dead j how wilt thou do for a
father?
Son. Nay, how will you do for a husband ?
L. Macd. Why, I can buy me twenty at any market.
Son. Then you'll buy 'em to fell again.
L. Macd. Thou fpeak'ft with all thy wit, and yet
i' faith,
With wit enough for thee.
Son. Was my father a traitor, mother ?
L. Macd. Ay, that he was.
Son. What is a traitor ?
L. Macd. Why, one that fwears and lies.
Son. And be all traitors, that do fo ?
L. Macd. Every one that does fo, is a traitor, and
muft be hang*d.
Son. And muft they all be hang'd, that fwear and
lie?
L. Macd. Every one .
Son. Who muft hang them ?
L. Macd. Why, the honeft men.
Son. Then the liars and fwearers are fools; for there
are liars and fwearers enow to beat the honeft men, and
hang up them.
L. Macd. God help thee, poor monkey ! but how
wilt thou do for a father ?
Son. If he were dead, you'd weep for him : if you
would not, it were a good fign that I fhould quickly
have a new father.
L. Macd.
The Tragedy of MACBETH. 401
L. Macd. Poor pratler ! how thou talk'ft ?
Enter a Meffenger.
Mef. Blefsyou, fair dame! I am not to you known,
Though in your ftate of honour I am perfect -,
I doubt, fome danger does approach you nearly.
If you will take a homely man's advice,
Be not found here-, hence with your little ones.
To fright you thus, methinks, I am too favage ;
1 To do worfhip to you were fell cruelty,
Which is too nigh your perfon. Heav'n preferve you!
I dare abide no longer. [Exit Meffengcr.
L. Macd. Whither fliould I fly ?
I've done no harm. But I remember now,
I'm in this earthly world, where to do harm
Is often laudable j to do good, fometime
Accounted dang'rous folly. Why then, alas!
Do I put up that womanly defence,
To fay, I'd done no harm ? what are thefe faces ?
Enter Murtherers.
Mur. Where is your husband ?
L. Macd. I hope, in no place fo unfanclified,
Where fuch as thou may'ft find him.
Mur. He's a traitor.
Son. Thou ly'ft, thou mag-ear'd villain.
Mur. What, you egg ? [Stabbing him.
Young fry of treachery ?
i To do worfe to you 'were fell cruelty,"] Who can doubt it ? But
this is not what he would fay. A ftranger, of ordinary condition,
accofts a woman of quality without ceremony ; and tells her abrupt-
ly, that her life and her chiMrens lives are in imminent danger. But
feeing the effeft this had upon her, he adds, as we mould read it,
To fright you thus, methinks, I am too fai'age ;
To do worfhip to you were fell cruelty,
That is, but at this juncture to wafte my time in the gradual ob-
fervances due to your rank, would be the expofing your life to im-
mediate deftrudion. To do worjhip fignified, in the phrafe of that
time, to pay obfervante.
VOL. VI. Dd Son.
402, T^e Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
Son. He'as kill'd me, mother.
Run away, pray you.
\_ExitL. MacdufF, crying Murtber; Murtbcrers
furfue her.
SCENE IV.
Changes to the King of England'* Palace.
Enter Malcolm and Macduff.
E T us feek out fome defolate lhade, and
there
Weep our fad bofoms empty.
Macd. * Let us rather
" Hold faft the mortal fword ; and, like good men,
' J Beftride our downfaln birth-doom: each nevr
morn,
" New widows howl, new orphans cry ; new forrows
' Strike heaven on the face, that it refounds
" As if it felt with Scotland, 4 and yell'd out
Like fyllables of dolour.
Mai. " What I believe, I'll wail-,
** What know, believe ; and, what I can redrefs,
As I mail find the time to friend, I will.
*' What you have fpoke, it may be fo, perchance;
" This tyrant, whofe fole name blifters our tongues,
2 Let vsfetk out fome defohtefiade,'] Defolate t for folitary fim-
ply. For the fcene is in England, in profound peace, not amidft
the diftraftions of Scotland.
3 Bejlride our doiunfaln birth-doom .-] To proteft it from utter
deftruftion. The allufion is to the Hypcrafpifts of the ancients,
who beftrodc their fellows fain in battle, and covered them with
their fhields.
4 - Andyeird out
Like fy ^Habits of dolour. ~\ This prefents a ridiculous image. But
what is insinuated under it is noble; that the portents and prodigies
in the skies, of which mention is made before, ftewed that Heaven
fympathifcd with Scotland.
"Was
Tloe Tragedy of MACBETH. 403
" Was once thought honeft : you have lov'd him well,
" He hath not touch'd you yet. I'm young; but
fomething
" 5 You may deferve of him through me, and wifdom
To offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb,
T'appeafe an angry God.
Macd. I am not treacherous.
Mai. " But Macbeth is.
" A good and virtuous nature may recoil
" In an imperial Charge. I crave your pardon :
That which you are, my thoughts cannot tranfpofe;
Angels are bright (till, though the brighteft fell :
" Though all things foul would bear the brows of
Grace,
" Yet Grace muft look dill fo.
Macd. I've loft my hopes.
Mai. " Perchance, ev'n there, where 1 did find my
doubts.
* c Why in that rawnefs left you wife and children,
* ' 6 Thofe precious motives, thofe ftrong knots of love,
*' Without leave-taking ? I pray you,
Let not my jealoufies be your difhonours,
But mine own fafeties: you may be rightly juft,
Whatever I fhall think.
Macd. " Bleed, bleed, poor Country !
<c Great Tyranny, lay thou thy Bafis fure,
" For goodnefs dares not check thee ! Wear thou thy
wrongs,
7 His title is affear'd. Fare thee well, lord :
I would not be the villain that thou think'ft,
For the whole fpace that's in the tyrant's grafp,
And the rich Eaft to boot.
5 You may DISCERN of him through m(> ] By Macdujf* ai>-
fwer it appears we fhould read,
DESERVE of him -
6 Thofe prtdout motives, ] Motive r, for pledges.
7 His title it affear'd. 1 Affeard, a law term for confirmed.
Mr. Pope.
D d .? Mai.
The Tragedy cf M A c B E T tf *
Mai. Be not offended ;
I fpeak not as in abfolute fear of you.
I think, our country finks beneath the yoak ;
It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gafh
Is added to her wounds. I think withal,
There would be hands up-lifted in my Right:
And here from gracious England have I Offer
Of goodly thoufands. But for all this,
When I fhall tread upon the Tyrant's head,
Or wear it on my fword, yet my poor Country
Shall have more vices than it had before ;
More fufter, and more fundry ways than ever,
By him that fhall fucceed.
Macd. What mould he be?
Mai. 8 It is myfelf I mean, in whom I know
All the particulars of vice fo grafted,
That, when they mall be open'd, black Macbeth
Will feem as pure as fnow, and the poor State
Efteem him as a lamb, being compar'd
With my confinelefs harms.
Macd. Not in the legions
Of horrid hell can come a devil more damn'd,
In Evils to top Macbeth.
Mai. I grant him bloody,
Luxurious, avaricious, falfe, deceitful,
'Sudden, malicious, fmacking of ev*ry fin
That has a name. But there's no bottom, none,
In my voluptuoufnefs : your wives,- your daughters,
Your matrons, and your maids, could not fill up
The ciftern of my luft ; and my defire
All continent impediments would o'er-bear,
That did oppofe my will. Better Macbeth,
Than fuch an one to reign.
8 // is myfelf I mean, in whom 1 knvw\ This conference of
Malcolm with Macduff, is taken out of the chronicles of Scotland.
Mr. Pope.
9 Sudden, M*licinu t ] Sudden, for capricious.
Macd.
Tie Tragedy of MACBETH. 405
Macd. " Boundlefs intemperance
" In nature is a tyranny ; it hath been
" Th' untimely emptying of the happy Throne,
* e And fall of many Kings. But fear not yet
To take upon you what is yours : you may
Convey your pleafures in a fpacious plenty,
And yet feem cold, the time you may fo hoodwink ;
We've willing dames enough ; there cannot be
That Vulture in you to devour fo many,
As will to Greatnefs dedicate themfelves,
Finding it fo inclin'd.
Mai. With this, there grows,
In my moft ill-compos'd affection, fuch
A ftanchlefs Avarice, that, were I King,
I mould cut off the Nobles for their lands ;
Defire his jewels, and this other's houfe ;
And my more-having would be as a fauce
To make me hunger more ; that I mould forge
Quarrels unjuft againft the good and loyal,
Deftroying them for wealth.
Macd. u ' This Avarice
** Strikes deeper; * grows with more pernicious root
" Than fummer-teeming luft; and it hath been
The Sword of our (lain Kings: yet do not fear^
Scotland hath J foyfons, to fill up your will,
Of your mere own. All thefe are portable.
With other Graces weigh'd.
1 This A'varite.
STICKS deeper',, grows nuith more pernicious root~\ We never
fay, the roots Jiick deep in the ground, but STRIKE deep; which,
doubtlefs, is the true reading.
2 grows 'with more pernicious root
Tkanfummer-feeming luji j] Sumwer-feeming has no manner
of fenfe : con-eft,
Than fummer-teeming /a/?;
j. e. The paffion, which lafts no longer than the heat of life, ard
which goes off in the winter of age. .
3 ~ fiyfws, } Plenty. ! Mr. Poft.
Dd .
406 The Tragedy of MACBETH.
Mai. " But I have none; the King-becoming
graces,
" As juftice, verity, temp'rance, ftablenefs,
<; Bounty, perfev'rance, mercy, lowlinefs,
" Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude j
*' I have no relifh of 'them, but abound
' In the divifion of each feveral crime,
u Acting it many ways. Nay, had I power, I mould
" Pour the fweet milk of Concord into Hell,
" Uproar the univerfal peace, confound
" All unity on earth.
Macd. Oh Scot land! Scotland!
Mai. If fuch a one be fit to govern, fpeak :
I am as I have fpoken.
Macd. " Fit to govern ?
" No, not to live. O nation miferable,
" With an untitled tyrant, bloody-fcepter'd !
" When fhalt thou fee thy wholefome days again ?
" Since that the trued Iffue of thy Throne
" By his own interdiction ftands accurft,
" And does blafpheme his Breed. Thy royal father
Was a moil fainted King ; the Queen, that bore thee,
Oftner upon her knees than on her feet,
Dy'd every day me liv'd. Oh, fare thee well !
Thefe evils, thou 4 repeat*ft upon thyfelf,
Have banifh'd me from Scotland. Oh, my breaft !
Thy hope ends here.
Mai. " Macduff, this noble Paffion,
' Child of integrity, hath from my foul
\V5p*d the black fcruples$ reconcil'd my thoughts
To thy good truth and honour. Devililh Macbeth
By many of thefe trains hath fought to win me
Into hispow'r: and modeft wifdom plucks me
From over-credulous hafte ; But God above
Deal between thee and me! for even now
4 repeat'ft upon ttyfelf,'] Repeat, fbr reckon up,
charge upon.
The Tragedy of MACBETH. 407
I put myfelf to thy direction, and
Unfpeak mine own detraction ; here abjure
The taints and blames I laid upon myfelf,
For (Irangers to my nature. 1 am yet
Unknown to woman, never was forfworn,
Scarcely have coveted what was mine own,
At no time broke my faith, would not betray
The devil to his fellow, and delight
No lefs in truth, than life : my firft falfe-fpeaking
Was this upon myfelf. What I am truly,
Is thine, and my poor Country's, to command :
Whither, indeed, before thy here-approach,
Old Siward with ten thoufand warlike men,
* All ready at appoint, was fetting forth.
Now we'll together, 6 and the chance of goodnefs,
Be like our warranted quarrel! Why are you filent?
Macd. Such welcome, and unwelcome things at
once;
7 'Tis hard to reconcile.
SCENE V.
Enter a Doftor.
Mai. Well ; more anon. Comes the King forth,
I pray you ?
DQ&. Ay, Sir 5 there are a crew of wretched fouls,
5 All ready at A p o i N T, ] At a point, may mean all ready
at a time; but Shake/pear meant more: He meant both time and
place, and certainly wrote,
All ready at A PPO I NT,
/. /. At the place appointed, at the rendezvous.
6 and the chance of goodnefs,
Be like our warranted quarrel!] i. e. May the lot providence
has decreed for us be anfwerable to the juftice of our quarrel. Th
Oxford Editor alters it to,
our chance in goodnefs,
A poor, cold unmeaning exprelfion.
7 Tw bard to reconcile.} To reconcile, for to bear with temper.
D d 4 That
408 Ik* Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
That flay his cure ; 8 their malady convinces
The great aflay of art. But, at his Touch,
Such ianftity hath heaven given his hand,
They prcfcntly amend. [Exit.
Mai. I thank you, Dotor.
Macd. What's the Difeafe he means ?
Mai. Tis cail'd the Evil ;
A moft miraculous Work in this good King,
Which often fince my here remain in England
I've feen him do. How he follicits heav'n,
Himfelf beft knows ; but ftrangely-vifited people,
All fwoln and ulc'rous, pitiful to the eye,
The mere defpair of furgery, he cures ;
Hanging a golden Stamp about their necks,
Put on with holy prayers : 9 and 'tis fpoken,
To the fucceeding Royalty he leaves
The healing Benedidioa. With this ftrange virtue,
He hath a heavenly gift of Prophecy ;
And fundry blefiings hang about his Throne,
That fpeak him full of Grace.
8 their malady convinces] Convinces, for defeats, over-
comes. Becaufe in difputations, thofe who are convinced by others
arguments are faid to be overcome, therefore, where he wants to
exprefs the idea of being defeated, tho' not by arguments, he ufes
(tnvince.
9 -and "'tis Jpoken,
To the fucceeding Royalty he haves
The healing Benedifiion ] It muft be own'd, that Shake-
fpear is often guilty of ftrange abfurdities in point of hiftory and
chronology. Yet here he has artfully avoided one. He had a
jnind to hint that the cure of the Evil was to defcend to the fuc-
ceffors in the Royal line in compliment to James the firff. But the
Confeffor was the firft who pretended to this gift : How then could
it beat that time generally fpoken of that the gift was hereditary ?
this he has folved by telling us that Edward had the gift of pro-
phecy along with it,
SCENE
Tfe Tragedy of MACBETH. 409
SCENE VI.
Enter Rofie.
Macd. See, who comes here !
Mai. My country man ; but yet I know him not.
Macd. My ever-gentle Coufin, welcome hither.
Mai I know him now. Good God betimes remove
The means that makes us ftrangers !
Ro/e. Sir, Amen.
Macd. Stands Scotland where it did ?
Ro/e. ' Alas, poor Country,
Almoft afraid to know itfelf. It cannot
Be call'd our Mother, but our Grave; where nothing,
But who knows nothing, is once feen to fmile :
Where fighs and groans, and fhrieks that rend the air,
Are made, not mark'd ; where violent forrow feems
1 A modern ecftafie : the dead-man's Knell
Is there fcarce ask'd, for whom : and good men's
lives
Expire before the flowers in their caps ;
Dying, or ere they ficken.
Macd. Oh, relation
Too nice, and yet too true!
Mai. What's the neweft grief ?
Ro/e. That of an hour's age doth hifs the fpeaker,
Each minute teems a new one.
Macd. How does my wife ?
Ro/e. Why, well.
Macd. And all my children ?
Ro/e. Well too.
Macd. The tyrant has not batter'd at their peace ?
Ro/e. No , they were well at peace, when I did
leave 'em.
I A modern ecftafie ] That is no more regarded than the
contorfions that Fanatics throw themfelves into. The author was
thinking of thojfe of his own times.
Mace.
4 1 o Tie Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
Macd. Be not a niggard of your fpeech : how
goes it ?
Roffe. When I came hither to tranfport the tydings,
Which I have heavily borne, there ran a rumour
Of many worthy fellows that were out,
Which was to my belief * witnefs'd the rather,
For that I faw the Tyrant's Power a-foot;
Now is the time of help ; your eye in Scotland
Wou'd create foldicrs, and make women fight,
To doff their dirediftreffes.
Mai. Bc't their comfort
We're coming thither: gracious England hath
Lent us good Siward and ten thoufand men ;
An older, and a better foldier, none
That Chriftendom gives out.
Ro/e. " 'Would I could anfwer
" This comfort with the like! But I have words,
*' That would be howl'd out in the defart air,
" Where Hearing fhould not catch them."
Macd. What concern they ?
The gen'ral caufe ? or is it a fee- grief,
Due to fome fingle breaft ?
Roffe. No mind, that's honeft,
But in it mares fome woe ; though the main part
Pertains to you alone.
Macd. If it be mine,
Keep it not from me, quickly let me have it.
Roffe. Let not your ears defpife my tongue for ever,.
Which mail poflefs them with the heavieil Sound,
That ever yet they heard.
Macd. " Hum ! 1 guefs at it.
Roffe. Your Caftle is furpriz'd, your wife and babes
Savagely flaughter'd ; to relate the manner,
Were on the Qjarry of thefe murther'd deer
To add the death of you.
Mai. Merciful heav'n !
2 . witnefs'd the rather'] Witnefid,, for confirm'd.
What,
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 411
"What, man ! ne'er pull your hat upon your brows ;
Give ibrrow words ; the grief, that does not fpeak,
Whifpers the o'er-fraught heart, and bids it break.
Macd. " My children too !
Roffe. Wife, children, fervants, all that could be
found.
Macd. And I muft be from thence! my wife
kill'd too!
Roffe. I'vefaid.
Mai. Be comforted.
Let*s make us med'cines of our great Revenge,
To cure this deadly grief.
Macd. " He has no children. All my pretty
ones ?
" Did you fay, all ? what, all ? oh, hell-kite! all ?
" What, all my pretty chickens, and their dam,
" At one fell fwoop?
Mai. Difpute it like a Man.
Macd. " I mall dofo:
" But I muft alfo feel it as a Man.
*' I cannot but remember fuch things were,
" That were molt precious to me : did heav'n look on^
" And would not take their part? finful Macduff^
" They were all ftruck for thee ! naught that I am,
" Not for their own demerits, but for mine,
** Fell Slaughter on their fouls : heav'n reft them now !
Mai. Be this the whetftone of your fword, let
grief
Convert to wrath : blunt not the heart, enrage it.
Macd. O, I could play the woman with mine eyes,
And braggart with my tongue. " But, gentle heav'n!
" Cut fhort all intermiffion : front to front,
*' Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and my felf ;
" Within my fwords length fet him, if he 'fcape,
" Then heav'n forgive him too!
Mai. This tune goes manly :
Come, go we to the King, our Power is ready -,
Our
412 The Tragedy of MACB ET H.
Our lack is nothing but our leave. " Macbeth
" Is ripe for (baking, and the Powers above
" Put on their Inftruments. Receive what cheer you
may ;
The night is long, that never finds the day. \Exaint.
ACTV. SCENE I.
An Ante-chamber in Macbeth'^ Co/lie.
Enter a Doflor of Phyfick, and a Gentlewoman.
DOC TOR.
I HAVE two nights watch'd with you, but can
perceive no truth in your report. When was it, flic
laft walk'd ?
Gent. Since his Majefty went into the field, I have
feen her rife from her bed, throw her night-gown up-
on her, unlock her clofet, take forth paper, fold it,
wri^e upon'r, read it, afterwards feal it, and again
return to bed ; Yet all this while in a moft faft fleep.
Dott. A great perturbation in nature \ to receive at
once the benefit of fleep, and do the effe&s of watch-
ing. In this flumbry agitation, befides her walking,
and other actual performances, what (at any time) have
you heard her fay ?
Gent. ' That, Sir, which I will not report after her.
Doft. You may to me, and 'tis moft meet you mould.
Gent. Neither to you, nor any one, having no wit-
nefs to confirm my fpeech.
Enter Lady Macbeth with a Taper.
Lp, you ! here (he comes : this is her very guife, and
upon my life, faft afleep ; obferve her, (land clofe.
i That, Sir, which Iixill not report after her."} I think it fliould
lather be repeat.
Doff.
The Tragedy of M A c B E T H. 413
Doff. How came fhe by that light ?
Gent. Why, it flood by her : fhe has light by her
continually, 'tis her command.
Doft. You fee, her eyes are open.
Gent. Ay, but their fenfe is fhut.
Doll. What is it fhe does now ? look, how fhe rubs
her hands.
Gent. It is an accuftom'd Action with her, to feem
thus warning her hands : I have known her continue'
in this a quarter of an hour.
Lady. Yet here's a fpot.
Doff. Hark, fhe fpeaks. I will fet down what comes
from her, * to fortifie my remembrance the more
ftrongly.
Lady. " Out ! damned fpot ; out, I fay one;
" two $ why then, 'tis time to do't hell is murky.
** Fie, my lord, fie! a foldier, and afraid? what need
" we fear who knows it, when none can call our power
" to account? yet who would have thought the old
" man to have fo much blood in him ?
Doft. Do you mark that ?
Lady. The Thane of Fife had a wife 5 where is flic
now ; " what, will thefe hands ne'er be clean ?
*' no more o* that, my lord, no more o' that: you
" mar all with this flarting.
Doff. Go to, go to 5 you have known what you
fhould not.
Gent. She has fpoke what fhe fhould not, I am furc
of that : heav'n knows, what fhe has known.
Lady. " Here's the fmell of the blood flill : all the
perfumes of Arabia will not fwceten this little hand.
Oh! oh! oh!
Doff. What a figh is there ? the heart is forely
charg'd.
2 /o SATIS FIE my remembrance the more ftrongly.] Both the
fenfe and expreffion require we ftiould read,
to F o R T i F i E my remembrance,
Gent.
414 The Tragedy of M A c B E T H.
Gent. I would not have fuch a heart in my bofom,
for the dignity of the whole body.
Dotl. Well, well, well
Gent. Pray God, it be, Sir.
Dott. This difeafe is beyond my practice : yet I have
known thofe which have walk'd in their fleep, who
have died holily in their beds.
Lady. " Warn your hands, put on your Night-
" gown, look not fo pale I tell you yet again, Ban-
* quo's buried ; he cannot come out of his Grave.
Dott. Even fo?
Lady. " To bed, to bed ; there's knocking at the
" gate : come, come, come, come, give me your hand :
" what's done, cannot be undone. To bed, to bed,
to bed. [Exit Lady.
Doft. Will me go now to bed ?
Gent. Directly.
Doft. Foul whifp'rings are abroad ; unnat'ral deeds
Do breed unnat'ral troubles. Infected minds
To their deaf pillows will difcharge their Secrets.
More needs me the Divine, than the Phyfician.
God, God, forgive us all ! Look after her ;
Remove from her the means of all annoyance,
And ftill keep eyes upon her -, fo, good night.
3 My mind me'as mated, and amaz'd my fight.
I think, but dare not fpeak.
Gent. Good night, good Do&or. [Exeunt.
SCENE II.
Changes to a Field, with a Wood at dlftance.
Enter Menteth, Cathnefs, Angus, Lenox, and Soldiers.
Ment. '"Tp H E Englijh Power is near, led on by
A Malcolm^
3 My mind Jh fat mated,] Conquer'd or fubdued.
Mr. Pope.
the Tragedy of M AC B E TH.
His uncle Siward^ and the good Macduff.
Revenges burn in them : for their dear caufes
4 Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm
* Excite the mortified man.
Ang. Near Birnam-wood
Shall we well meet them , that way are they coming.
Catb. Who knows, if Donalbain be with his bro-
ther ?
Len. For certain, Sir, he is not : I've a file
Of all the Gentry -, there is Siwfird's fon
And many unrough youths, that even now,
Proteft their firft of manhood.
Ment. What does the tyrant ?
Cath. Great Dun/inane he ftrongly fortifies \
Some fay, he's mad : others, that Jeffer hate him,
Do call it valiant fury : but for certain,
He cannot buckle his diftemper'd Caufe
Within the belt of Rule.
Ang. Now do's he feel
His fecret murthers flicking on his hands ;
Now minutely Revolts upbraid his faith-breach \
Thofe, he commands, move only in command,
Nothing in love : now does he feel his Title
Hang loofe about him, like a giant's robe
Upon a dwarfifli thief.
Ment. Who then mall blame
His pefter'd fenfes to recoil, and dart,
When all that is within him docs condemn
4 Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm] This line omitted
in all but the firft edition in Folio. Mr. Pope.
5 Excite the mortified man,'} Mr. Theobald will needs explain
this expreffion. // means (fays he) the man who hut abandoned
himfelfto defpair, *who hat no fpirit or refolution left. Andtofup-
port this fenfe of mortified man t he quotes mortified fpirit in ano-
ther place. But if this was the meaning, Sbakefpear had not wrote
the mortified man but a mortified man. In a word by the morti-
Jied man, is meant a Religious ; one who has fubdued his paflions, is
dead to the world, has abandoned it, and all the affairs of it; an
Itfelf,
T>
JD
416 The Tragedy of MACBETH.
Itfelf, for being there ?
Catb. Well, march we on,
To give obedience where 'tis truly ow'd :
6 Meet we the med*cine of the fickly Weal,
And with him pour we, in our Country's purge,
Each drop of us.
Len. Or fo much as it needs,
To dew the fovereign flower, and drown the weeds.
Make up our March towards Birnam*
SCENE III.
*fhe Cajlk of DUNS INANE.
Enter Macbeth, Doffor, and Attendants.
G me no more Reports, let them
fly all:
Till Birnam-vfood remove to Dunfinane^
I cannot taint with fear. What's the boy Malcolm ?
Was he not born of woman ? Spirits, that know
7 All mortal confequences, have pronounc'd it :
Fear not, Macbeth ; no man, that's born of woman,
Shall e'er have power upon thee. Then fly t falfe
Thanes,
And mingle with the Englijh Epicures.
The mind I fway by, and the heart I bear,
Shall never fagg with doubt, nor (hake with fear.
Enter a Servant.
The devil damn thee black, chou cream'fac'd lown !
Where got*ft thou that goofe-look ?
Ser. There are ten thoufand
Macb. Geefe, villain ?
6 Meet we tbe MED'CINE - ] We fhould read MEDECIN,
/. e. the phyfician. Both the fenfe and pronoun him, in the next
line, require it.
7 All mortal confequences,] Confluences, for events.
Ser.
The Tragedy ofMACBETH. 417
Ser. Soldiers, Sir.
Macb. Go, prick thy flic?, and over-red thy fear,
Thou lilly-liver'd boy. What foldiers, patch ?
Death of thy foul ! 8 thofe linnen cheeks of thine
Are counfellors to fear. What foldiers, whey-face ?
Ser. The Engli/h force, fo pleafe you.
Macb. " Take thy face hence Seyton! I'm fick
at heart,
" When I behold Seyton, I fay ! This pufh
" Will cheer me ever, ordifeafc me now.
" I have liv'd long enough : 9 my way of life
** Is fall'n into the Sear, the yellow leaf:
And that, which mould accompany old age,
As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I muft not look to have: but in their (lead,
Curfes not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath,
Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not,
Seyton,
Enter Seyton.
Sey. What is your gracious pleafurc ?
Macb. What news more ?
Sey. All isconfirm'd, my lord, which was reported.
Macb. I'll fight, 'till from my bones my flefh be
hackt ;
Give me my armour.
Sey. 'Tis not needed yet.
thofe linnen cheeks of thine
Art Counfellors to fear.'] The meaning is, they infeft others
who fee them with cowardice.
9 ' my way of life
L falfn into the Sear, ] An Anonymui would have it,
my May of life:
But he did not confider that Macbeth is not here fpeaking of his
rule or government, or of any fudden change ; but of the gradual
decline of life, as appears from this line,
And that, iuhichJhouU accompany old age.
And way, is ufed for courfe, progrefs.
VOL. VI. Ee Macb.
4 1 8 The Tragedy of MACBETH.
Macb. I'll put it on.
Send out more hories, skirre the country round j
Hang thofe, that talk of fear. Give me mine armour.
How do's your Patient, Doclor ?
DoR. Not fo fick, my lord,
As fhe is troubled with thick-coming fancies,
That keep her from her reft.
Macb. Cure her of that :
Canft thou not minifter to a mind difeas'd,
Pluck from the memory a rooted forrow,
Raze out the written troubles of the brain ;
And, with fome fweet oblivious antidote,
Clean fe the fluff 'd bofom of that perilous fluff,
Which weighs upon the heart ?
Doft. Therein the Patient
Muft minifter unto himfelf.
Macb. " Throw phyfick to the dogs, I'll none
of it-
Come, put my armour on 5 give me my ftaff.
Seyton, fend out Doctor, the Thanes fly from me
Come, Sir, difpatch If thou could'ft, Doctor, caft
The water of my Land, find her difeafe,
And purge it to a found and priftine health ;
I would applaud thee to the very Echo,
That mould applaud again, PulPt off, I fay
1 What rubarb, fenna, or what purgative drug,
Would fcour thefe Englijh hence ! hear 'ft thou of them ?
Doft. Ay, my good lord 3 your royal Preparation j
Makes us hear fomething.
Macb. Bring it after me ;
I will not be afraid of death and bane,
'Till /?zmzm-foreft come to Dunfinane.
Doft. Were I from Dunfinane away and clear,
Profit again fhould hardly draw me here. [Exeunt.
I What rubarb, fenna, ] Shake/pear fhould not have in-
ftanced in the tribe of gentle purgatives when he talked of fcour-
ing out the Envlifh.
SCENE
the Tragedy of MACBETH. 419
SCENE IV.
Changes to Bi
Enter Malcolm, Siward, MacdufF, Siward'j Son,
Menteth ; Cathnefs, Angus, and Soldiers marching.
Mai. f^ OU S I M S ; I hope the days are near at
V^y hand,
That chambers will be fafe.
Ment. We doubt it nothing.
Siw. What wood is this before us ?
Ment. The wood of Birnam.
Mai. Let every foldier hew him down a bough,
And bear't before him j thereby fliall we lhadow
The numbers of our Hoft, and make difcov'ry
Err in report of us.
Sold. It Ikill be done.
6'ra>. We learn no other, z but the confin'd tyrant
Keeps ftill in Dnnfinane, and will endure
Our fetting down before't.
Mai. 'Tis his main hope:
For where there is advantage to be given,
Both more and lefs have given him the Revolt ;
And none ferve with him but conftrained things,
Whofe hearts are abfent too.
Macd. Let our juft cenfures
Attend the true event, and put we on
Induftrious foldierlhip.
2 - but the CONFI DEXT tyrant] The editors have herefpoil'd
the meafure in order to give a tyrant an epithet that does not be-
long to him ; (namely confidence, or repofing himfeif fecurely in
any thing or perfon) while they reje&ed the true one, expreffive of
a tyrant's jealoufy and fufpicion, and declarative of the fat. .We
Kiufl furely read,
CON PIN' D tyrant.
E e 2
420 The Tragedy of M A C B E T H.
Skv. The time approaches,
" That will with due decifion make us know
44 J What we (hall fay we have, and what we owe :
" Thoughts fpeculative their unfure hopes relate ;
tc But certain iilue* Strokes muft arbitrate :
Towards which, advance the war. [Exeunt marching.
SCENE V.
Changes to the Caflle of Dunfinane.
Enter Macbeth, Seyton, and Soldiers with drums and
colours.
out our banners on the outward
walls,
The Cry is (till, they come: our Caftle's ftrength
Will laugh a fiege to fcorn. Here let them lye,
'Till famine and the ague -eat them up :
4 Were they not forc'd with thofe that mould be ours,
We might have met them dareful, beard to beard,
And beat them backward home. What is thatnoife ?
\_A cry within of women.
Sey. It is the cry of women, my good lord.
Macb. I have almoft forgot the taftc of fears :
The time has been, my fenfes would have cool'd
To hear a night-fhriek ; and my fell of hair
Would at a difmal treatife rouze and ftir,
As life were in'c. s I have fupt full with horrors j
Direnels,
3 What <wtjhall fay we have, and what ive owe : ] i. e. pro-
perty and allegiance.
4 lVtrt they not forc'd iiuitb tbofc - ] Forced, for re-inforc'd.
Mr Pope.
5 - / bavt fupt full ivitb horrors ; ] The Oxford Editor
altars this to,
--- -forfeited iitb horrors ;
And fo, for the fake of a politer phrafe, has made the fpeaker
talk abfurdly. For the thing we furfeit of, we behold with un-
eafinefs
The Tragedy of M ACBET H. 421
Direnefs, familiar to my flaught'rous thoughts.
Cannot once ftart me. Wherefore was that Cry ?
Sey. The Queen, my Lord, is dead.
Macb. She mould have dy'd hereafter ;
There would have been a time for fuch a word.
To morrow, and to morrow, and to morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the laft fyllable of recorded time ;
And all our yefterdays have lighted fools
6 The way to dusky death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking fhadow, a poor Player,
That ftruts and frets his hour upon the Stage,
And then is heard no more ! It is a Tale,
Told by an ideot, full of found and fury,
Signifying nothing !
Enter a McJJenger.
Thou com'ft to ufe thy tongue : thy (lory quickly.
Afef. My gracious lord,
I mould report That which, I fay, I law,
But know not how to do*t.
Macb. Well, fay it, Sir.
Mef. As I did (land my watch upon the hill,
I look'd toward Eirnam^ and anon, methought,
The Wood began to move.
Macb. Liar, and (lave ! \Striking bim.
Mef. Let me endure your wrath, if 't be not ib :
Within this three mile may you fee it coming ;
I fay, a moving grove.
Macb. If thou fpeak'ft falfe,
Upon the next tree flialt chou hang alive,
'Till famine cling thec : If thy fpeech be Iboth,
eafinefs and abhorrence. But the fpeaker fays, the things he fuf>t
full of , were grown familiar ta bim, and he viewed them without
emotion.
6 f ht Tuay te DUSTY dtath.--\ We fhonld rsrtd LIT.- c v, a? ap-
pears from the figurative term liglttd. The Qxfcrd Fd: ft ',
condefce ndrd to approvt of it.
Ee 5 i
422 The Tragedy of MACBETH.
I care not, If thou doft for me as much.
7 I pull in Refolution, and begin
To doubt the equivocation of the fiend,
That lies like truth. Fear not, 'till Birnam-wW
Do come to Dunfinane, and now a wood
Comes towards Dunfinane. Arm, arm, and out !
If this, which he avouches, does appear,
There is nor flying hence, nor tarrying here,
I 'gin to be a weary of the Sun ;
And wifh, the ftate o'th' world were now undone.
Ring the alarum Bell i blow, wind ! come, wrack !
At lead, we'll die with harnefs on our back. [Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
Before DUNSINANE.
Enter Malcolm, Siward, MacdufF, and ibeir Army
with Boughs.
Mai. T^T O W, near enough : your leavy fcreens
i.^1 throw down,
And ftiew like thofe you are. You (worthy uncle)
Shall with my Coufin, your right-noble fon,
Lead our firft battle. Brave Macduff and we
Shall take upon's what elfe remains to do,
According to our order.
Sivo. Fare you well :
Do We but find the Tyrant's Power to night,
Let us be beaten, if we cannot fight.
Macd. Make all our trumpets fpeak, give them all
breath,
Thofe clam'rous harbingers of blood and death. [Exe.
[Alarums continued.
7 / pull in Refolution, ] Refolution, for confidence in ano-
thsi'sword.
Enter
The Tragedy #/ MACBETH. 423
Enter Macbeth.
Macb. They've tyM me to a (lake, I cannot fly,
But, bear-like, I muft fight the courfe. What's he,
That was not born of woman ? inch a one
Am I to fear, or none.
Enter young Siward.
To. Siw. What is thy name ?
Macb. Thou'Jt be afraid to hear it.
To. Siw. No : though thou call'ft thy felf a hotter
name,
Than any is in hell.
Macb. My name's Macbeth.
To. Siw. The devil himfclf could not pronounce
a title
More hateful to mine ear.
Macb. No, nor more fearful.
To. Siw. Thou Jieft, abhorred Tyrant ; with my
fvvord
I'll prove the lie thou fpeak'ft.
[tight) and young Si ward*; yfo/.
Macb. Thou waft born of woman ;
But fwords I fmileat, weapons laugh to fcorn,
Brandifh'd by man that's of a woman born. [Exit.
Alarums. Enter MacdufF.
Macd. That way the noife is : Tyrant, fhew thy
face ;
If thou be'ft (lain, and with no ftroke of mine,
My wife and children's ghofts will haunt me (till.
I cannot ftrike at wretched Kernes, whole arms
Are hir'd to bear their flaves : Or thou, Macbetb^
Or elfe my fword with an unbatter'd edge
I fheath again undeeded. There thou mould'ft be
By this great clatter, one of greateft note
Seems bruited. Let me find him, fortune !
And more I beg not. [Exit Alarum.
E e 4 Enter
424 The T%ffy of M A c B E T H
Enter Malcolm and Si ward.
Siw. This way, my lord, the Cattle's gently ren-
der'd :
The tyrant's people on both fides do fight -,
The noble Thanes do bravely in the war j
The day almoft itfelf profeffes yours,
And little is to do.
Mai. We've met with foes,
That ftrike befide us.
Siw. Enter, Sir, the Caftle. [Exeunt. Alarum.
SCENE VII.
Enter Macbeth.
Mad. Why mould I play the Roman fool, and
die
On mine own fword ? whilft I fee lives, the games
Do better upon them.
To him, enter Macduff.
Macd. Turn, hell-hound, turn.
Macb. Of all men elfe I have avoided thee :
But get thee back, my foul is too much charg'd
With blood of thine already.
Macd. I've no words ;
My voice is in my fword ! thou bloodier villain,
Than terms can give thee out. {.Fight. Alarum.
Macb. Thou lofeft labour ;
As eafie may'ft thou the intrenchant air
With thy keen fword imprefs, as make me bleed :
Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crefts,
I bear a charmed life, which muft net yield
To one of woman born.
Macd. Defpair thy Charm !
And let the Angel, whom thou dill haft ferv'd,
Tell
The Tragedy 0/ MACBETH. 425
Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother's womb
Untimely ripp'd.
Mad. Accurfed be that tongue that tells me fo,
For it hath cow'd my better part of man :
And be thefe juggling fiends no more believ'd,
That palter with us in a double fenfe ;
That keep the word of promife to our ear,
And break it to our hope ! I'll not fight with thee.
Macd. Then yield thee, coward,
And live to be the fhew, and gaze o' th' time.
We'll have thee, as our rarer monfters are,
Painted upon a pole, and under- writ,
Here may you fee the tyrant.
Macb. I will not yield,
To kifs the ground before young Malcolm's feet :
And to be baited with the rabble's Curfe.
Though Birnam-wood be come to Dunfmane,
And thou, oppos'd, be of no woman born,
Yet I will try the laft. Before my body
I throw my warlike Ihield. Lay on, Macduff ;
And damn'd be he, that firft cries, " hold, enough.
[_ Exeunt fighting . Alaru ms.
SCENE VIII.
Retreat and flourijh. Enter with Drum and Colours,
Malcolm, Siward, Rofle, Thanes, and Soldiers.
Mai. I would, the friends, we mifs, were fafe ar-
riv'd.
Siw. Some muft go off: and yet, by thefe I fee,
So great a day as this is cheaply bought.
Mai. Macduff is miffing, and your noble fon.
Roffe. Your fon, my lord, has paid a foldier's
debt ;
He only liv'd but 'till he was a man,
The which no fooner had his prowefs confirmed,
42 6 The Tragdy of M A c B E T H.
In the unfhrinking ftation where he fought,
But like a man he dy'd.
Siw. Then is he dead ?
Roffe. Ay, and brought off the field : your caufc
of farrow
Muft not be meafur'd by his worth, for then
It hath no end.
Siw. Had he his hurts before ?
Roffe. Ay, on the front.
Siw Why then, God's foldier be he !
Had 1 as many Ions as I have hairs,
I would not wifli them to a fairer death :
And fo his knell is knoll'd.
Mai. Htr's worth more forrow,
And that I'll fpend for him.
Siw. He's worth no more ;
They fay, he parted well, and paid his fcore.
So, God be with him ! Here comes newer
comfort.
Enter Macduff, with Macbeth'* bead.
Macd. Hail, King! for fo thou art. Behold, where
(lands
Th* Ufurper's curfed head ; the time is free :
I fee thee compaft with thy Kingdom's Peers,
That fpeak my falutation in their minds:
Whofe voices I defire aloud with mine ;
Hail, King of Scotland!
AIL Hail, King of Scotland! {Fkurijh.
Mai. We mail not fpend a large expence of time,
Before we reckon with your fev'ral loves,
And make us even with you. ttanes and kinfmen,
Henceforth be Earls, the firft that ever Scotland
In fuch an honour nanVd. What's more to do,
Which would be planted newly with the time,
As calling home our exil'd friends abroad,
That
The Tragedy of MACBETH. 427
That fled the fnares of watchful tyranny ;
Producing forth the cruel minifters
Of this dead butcher, and his fiend-like Queen ;
(Who, as 'tis thought, by felf and violent hands
Took off her life ;) this, and what needful elfe
That calls upon us, by the grace of God,
We will perform in meafure, time and place :
So thanks to all at once, and to each one,
Whom we invite to fee us crown'd at Scone.
\FlouriJh. Exeunt omnes*
C. MAR-
C. M A R C I U S
CORIOLANUS.
DRAMATIS PERSONS.
CAIUS Marcius Coriolanus, a noble Roman,
" hated by the common People.
Titus Lartius, i Generals againft the Volfcians,
Cominius, 5 and Friends to Coriolanus.
Menenius Agrippa, Friend to Coriolanus.
Sicinius Velutus, i Tribunes of the People^ and ene-
Junius Brutus, 3 mies to Coriolanus.
Tullus Aufidius, General of the Volfcians.
Lieutenant to Aufidftjj.
Toung Marcius, Son to Coriolanus.
Confpirators with Aufidius.
Volumnia, Mother to Coriolanus.
Virgilia, JVife to Coriolanus.
Valeria, Friend to Virgilia.
Roman and Volfcian Senator -s, jEdilcs, Litfors, Soldiers,
Common People, Servants to Aufidius,
and other Attendants.
e S C E N E is partly in Rome j and partly in
the territories of the Volfcians, and Antiates.
CORIOLANUS.
CORIOLANUS.
ACT I. SCENE I.
A Street in ROME.
Enter a company of mutinous Citizens with ftaves,
clubs, and other weapons.
i CITIZEN.
E F O R E we proceed any farther, hear
me fpeak.
All. Speak, fpeak.
i Gt. You are all refolv'd rather to die,
than to famifli ?
All Refolv'd, refolv'd.
i Cit. Firft, you know, Cams Marcius is the chief
enemy to the people.
AIL We know'r, we know't.
1 Cit. Let us kill him, and we'll have Corn at our
own price. Is't a Verdict ?
All. No more talking on't, let't be done j away,
away.
2 Cit. One word, good Citizens.
i Cit. We are accounted poor Citizens ; the Pa-
tricians, good : what Authority furfeits on, would re-
lieve
432 CORIOLANUS.
lieve us: if they would yield us but the fuperfluity,
while it were wholefome, we might guefs, they re-
lieved us humanely : but they think, we are too dear ;
the leannefs that afflicts us, the object of our mifery,
is as an inventory to particularize their abundance ;
our fufferance is a gain to them. * Let us revenge
this with our Pikes, ere we become Rakes : for the
Gods know, I fpeak this in hunger for bread, not in
third for revenge.
2 Cit. Would you proceed efpecially againft Caius
Marcius.
All. Againft him firft : he's a very dog to the Com-
monalty.
2 Cit. Confider you, what fervices he has done for
his Country !
i Cit. Very well ; and could be content to give him
good report for't but that he pays himfelf with being
proud.
All Nay, but fpeak not malicioufly.
1 Cit. I fay unto you, what he hath done famouflyj
he did it to that end ; though foft-confcienc'd Men
can be content to fay, it was for his Country ; he did
it to pleafe his Mother, and to be partly proud ; which
he is, even to the altitude of his virtue.
2 Cit. * What he cannot help in his nature, you ac-
1 Let us revenge ourfehes with our Pikes, ere <we become Rakes :]
It was Sbakefpear's defign to make this fellow quibble all the way.
But Time, who has done greater things, has here (lifted a mife-
rable joke ; which was then the fame as if it had been now wrote,
tLet us revenge our fel-ves with forks ere ive become rakes :
For Pikes then fignified the fame as Forks does now. So Jewel
in his own tranflation of his Apology, turns Chrijlianot ad furcas
condemnare, to, 70 condemn Chrijlians to the pikes. But the
Oxford Editor, without knowing any thing of this, has with great
fagacity found out the joke, and reads on his own authority
Pitchforks.
2 What he cannot help in his nature, you count a vice in him :]
Vice is here ufed inaccurately for crime. For a vice, that is, a de-
in his nature, it wa, by the confcffion of the fpeaker.
count
CORIOLANUS. 433
count a vice in him : you muft in no ways fay, he
is covetous.
i Gt. If I muft not, I need not be barren of accu-
iations ; he hath faults, with furplus, to tire in repe-
tition. [Shouts within."] What fhouts are thofe ? the
other fide o' th' City is rifen ; why (lay we prating
here ? To the Capitol
ML Come, come.
1 Cit. Soft who comes here ?
SCENE II.
Enter Menenius Agrippa.
2 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa j one that hath
always lov'd the People.
1 Cit. He's one honeft enough ; 'would, all the
reft were fo!
Men. What Work's, my Countrymen, in hand ?
where go you
With bats and clubs ? the matter Speak, I pray you.
2. Gt. Our bufmefs is not unknown to the Senate ;
they have had inkling, this fortnight, what we intend
to do, which now we'll (hew 'em in deeds : they fay,
poor Suiters have ftrong breaths ; they (hall know, we
have ftrong arms too.
Men. Why, Mafters, my good Friends, mine ho-
neft Neighbours,
Will you undo your felves ?
2 Cit. We cannot, Sir, we are undone already.
Men. I tell you, Friends, moft charitable care
Have the Patricians of you : For your wants,
Your fufferings in this Dearth, you may as well
Strike at the Heaven with your ftaves, as lift them
Againft the Roman State ; whofe Courfe will on
The way it takes, cracking ten thoufahd Curbs
Of more ftrong Links afunder, than can ever
Appear in your Impediment. For the Dearth,
VOL. VI. Ff The
434 CORIOLANUS.
The Gods, not the Patricians, make it ; and
Your Knees to them (not Arms) muft help. Alack,
You are tranfported by Calamity
Thither where more attends you ; and you (lander
The Helms o' th' State, who care for you like Fathers,
When you curfe them as Enemies.
i Cit. Care for us ! true, indeed ! they ne'er
car'd for us yet. Suffer us to famifh, and their Store-
houfes cramm'd with grain : make Edicts for Ufury,
to fupport Ufurers ; repeal daily any wholefome Act
eftablifhed againft the Rich, and provide more pierc-
ing Statutes daily to chain up and reftrain the Poor.
If the Wars eat us not up, they will j and there's all
the love they bear us.
Men. Either you muft
Confefs yourfelves wond'rous malicious,
Or be accus'd of folly. I mall tell you
A pretty Tale, (it may be, you have heard it ;)
But, fince it ferves my purpofe J I will venture
To fcale't a little more.
i Cit. Well,
I'll hear it, Sir yet you muft not think
To fob off our difgraces with a Tale :
But, an't pleafe you, deliver.
- Men. There was a time, when all the body's members
Rebell'd againft the belly ; thus accus'd it j
That only, like a Gulf, it did remain
I' th' midft o' th' body, idle and unactive,
-I will venture
To SCALE'T/Z little more ] Thus all the editions as Mr. Thea*
bald confeffes, who alters it to jialet. And for a good reafon,
becaitfe he can find no fenfe (he lays) in the common reading. For
as good a reafon, I who can, have reftored the old one to its place.
To fcale't fignifying to weigh, examine and apply it. The au-
thor ufes it again, in the fame fenfe, in this very play,
SCALING his prefent bearing luith his pajl.
And fo fletcher in The Maid in the Mill,
What ic A L E my invtntion before hand ? yaw Jhallpardon me for that.
Still
CORIOLANUS. 435
Still cupboarding the Viand, never bearing
Like labour with the reft i where th' other inftruments
Did fee, and hear, devife, inftruct, walk, feel,
And mutually participate, did minifter
Unto the appetite, and affection common
Of the whole body. The belly anfwer'd
2 Cit. Well, Sir, what anfwer made the belly ?
Men. Sir, I Ihall tell you. With a kind of fmile,
Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus
(For look you, I may make the belly fmile,
As well as fpeak) it tauntingly reply'd
To th' difcontented Members, th' mutinous Parts,
That envied his receit ; 4 even fo moft fitly,
As you malign our Senators, for that
They are not fuch as you
2 Cit. Your bdly's anfwer - what!
The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye,
The counsellor heart, the arm our foldier,
Or deed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter i
With other muniments and petty helps
In this our fabrick, if that they
Men. What then ? 'Fore me, this fellow fpeaks.
What then ? what then ?
2 Cit. Should by the cormorant belly be reftrain'd,
Who is the fink o' th' body,
Men. Well, what then ?
2 Cit. The former Agents, if they did complain,
What could the belly anfwer?
Men. I will tell you,
If you'll beftow a fmall (of what you have little)
Patience, a while j you'll hear the belly's anfwer.
2 Cit. Y'are long about it.
Men. Note me this, good Friend ;
Your moft grave belly was deliberate,
Not rafh, like his accufers ; and thus anfwer'd ;
True is it, my incorporate Friends, quoth he,
A .... .. fwtt f t inojl faly.] t. e. exa&ljr.
F f 2 That
436 CORIOLAKUS.
That I receive the general food at firft,
Which you do live upon ; and fit it is,
Becaufe I am the ftore-houfe, and the fhop
Of the whole body. But, if you do remember,
I fend it through the rivers of your blood,
Even to the Court, the Heart j to th' feat o f th' brain j
And, through the cranks and offices of man,
The ftrongefl nerves, and fmall inferior veins,
From me receive that natural competency,
Whereby they live. And tho* that all at once,
You, my good Friends, (this fays the belly) mark
me-
2 Cit. Ay, Sir, well, well.
Men. Though all at once cannot
See what I do deliver out to each,
Yet I can make my audit up, that all
From me do back receive the flovv'r of all,
And leave me but the bran. What fay you to't ?
2 Cit. It was an anfwer j how apply you this ?
Men. The Senators of Rome are this good belly,
And you the mutinous Members ; for examine
Their Counfels, and their Cares ; digeft things rightly,
Touching the weal o' th' Common ; you mail find,
No publick benefit, which you receive,
But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you,
And no way from yourfelves. What do you think ?
You, the great toe of this Aflembly !
2 Cit. I the great toe ! why, the great toe ?
Men. For that, being one o' th' loweft, bafeft,
pooreft.
Of this mod wife Rebellion, thou goeft foremoft :
Thou rafcal, that art worft in blood to run,
Lead'ft firft, to win fome vantage.
But make you ready your fliff bats and clubs,
Rome and her rats are at the point of battle :
The one fide muft have 5 bale.
5 bale.'] This word fpelt right by Mr. TbeolaM.
SCENE
CORIOLANUS. 437
SCENE III.
Enter Caius Marcius.
Hail, noble Murcius!
Mar. Thanks. What's the matter, you diflentious
rogues,
That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
Make yourfelves fcabs?
2 Cit. We have ever your good word.
Mar. He, that will give good words to thee, will
flatter
Beneath abhorring. 6 What would you have, ye Curs,
That likes not peace, nor war ? The one affrights you,
The other makes you proud. He that trufts to you,
Where he fhould find you lions, finds you hares :
Where foxes, geefe : You are no furer, no,
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,
Or hailftone in the Sun. Your virtue is,
6 What ivauld you havt, ye Curs,
That LIKE NOR peace , nor luar ? The one affrights you,
The other makes you proud. ] That they did not like war
is evident from the reafon affigned, of its frighting them ; but why
they fhould not like peace (and the reafon of that too is affigned)
will be very hard to conceive. Peace, he fays, made them proud,
by bringing with it an increafe of wealth and power, for thofe are
what make a people proud ; but then thofe are what they like but too
well, and fo muft needs like peace the parent of them. This being con*
trary to what the text fays, we may be afTured it is corrupt, and
that Shakefpear wrote,
That LIKES WOT peace, nor ivar ? <
i. e. Whom neither peace nor war fits or agrees with, as making
them either proud or cowardly. By this reading, peace and iuar t
from being the accufatives to likes t become the nominatives. But
the Editors not underftanding this conllru&ion, and feeing likes a
verb fingular, to Curs a noun plural, which they fuppos'd the
nominative to it, would, in order to (hew their skill in grammar,
alter it to like* but likes for pleafes was common with the writers
of this time. So Fletchers Maid's Tragedy ;
What look likes you btjl ?
Ff 3 T
CORIOLANUS.
To make him worthy, whofe offence fubdues him,
And curfe that juftice, did it, Who defer ves Greatnefs,
Deferves your Hate ; and your affections are
A fick man's appetite, who defires mod That
"Which would encreafe his evil. He, that depend*
Upon your favours, fwims with fins of lead,
And hews down oaks with rufhes. Hang ye
truft ye!
"With every minute you do change a mind,
And call him noble, that was now your hate ;
Him vile, that was your garland. What's the matter,
That in the feveral places of the City
You cry againft the noble Senate, who
(Under the Gods) keep you in awe, which elfe
Would feed on one another? what's their Seeking?
Men. For corn at their own rates, whereof, they fay,
The city is well ftor'd.
Mar. Hang 'em : they fay ! -
They'll fit by th' fire, and prefume to know
\V hat's done i'th' Capitol ; who's like to rife;
Who thrives, and who declines: fide factions, and
give out
Conjectural marriages ; making parties ftrong,
And feeble fuch, as ftand not in their Liking,
Below their cobled mooes. They lay, there's Grain
enough !
Would the Nobility lay afide their ruth,
And let me ufe my fvvord, I'd make a quarry
With thoufands of thefe quartered Slaves, as high
As 1 could pitch my lance.
Men. Nay, thefe are almoft thoroughly perfuaded:
For though abundantly they lack difcretion,
Yet are they pafiing cowardly. But, I befeech you,
What fays the other troop ?
Mar. They are diffolv'd ; hang 'em,
They faid they were an hungry, figh'd forth Proverbs ;
That hunger broke Jione walls that dogs muft eat^
That
CORIOLANUS. 439
That meat was made for mouths that the Gods fent not
Corn for the rich men only With thefe fhreds
They vented their complainings: which being an-
fwer'd,
And a Petition granted them, a llrange one,
To break the heart of Generofity,
And make bold Power look pale j they threw their
caps
As they would hang them on the horns o'th' Moon,
7 Shouting their emulation.
Men. What is granted fhem ?
Mar. Five Tribunes to defend their vulgar wifdoms,
Of their own choice. One's Junius Brutus^
Sidnlus Velutus^ and I know not s'death,
The rabble mould have firft unroof 'd the City,
Ere fo prevail'd with me ! it will in time
Win upon Power, and throw forth greater themes
For Infurrection's arguing.
Men. This is ftrange.
Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments !
Enter a Meffenger.
Mef. Where's Caius Marcius ?
Mar. Here what's the matter?
Mef. The news is, Sir, the Voljciam are in arms.
Mar. I'm glad on't, then we fhall have means to
vent
Our mufty fupcrfluity. See, our bed Elders
7 SHOUTING their emulation] Shouting their emulation is no
very elegant expreflion. I rather think Shake/pear wrote,
SUITING their emulation.
That is, the aftion of throwing their caps on \ii$\,fiii!td or agreed
with their afpiring thoughts.
F f 4 SCENE
CORIOLANUS.
SCENE IV.
Enter SiciniusVelutus, Junius Brutus, Cominius,
Titus Lartius, with other Senators.
i Sen. Mardus, 'tis true, that you have lately told us,
The Volfdans are in arms.
Mar. They have a Leader,
Tullus Aufidius^ that will put you to't.
I fin in envying his Nobility :
And were I any thing but what I am,
I'd wifh me only he.
Com. You have fought together ?
Mar. Were half to half the world by th' ears,
and he
Upon my Party, I'd revolt, to make
Only my wars with him. He is a lion,
That I am proud to hunt.
i Sen. Then, worthy Marcius,
Attend upon Cominius to thefe wars.
Com. It is your former promife.
Mar. Sir, it is ;
And I am conftant: Titus Lartiw, thou
Shalt fee me once more ftrike at Tullus' face,
What, art thou ftiff? ftand'ft out ?
Tit. No, Caius Marcius,
I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with t'other;
Ere ftay behind this bufinefs.
Men. O true bred !
i Sen. Your company to th' Capitol j where, I
know,
Our greateft Friends attend us.
Tit. Lead you on ;
Follow, Cominius ; we muft follow you ;
Right worthy you Priority.
Com. Noble Lartius
i Sen.
CORIOLANUS. 441
I Sen. Hence to your homes be gone.
[To the Citizens.
Mar. Nay, let them follow ;
The Volfciam have much Corn : take thefe rats thither,
To gnaw their garners. Worfhipful Mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth ; pray, follow.-
\JLxeunt.
{Citizens fled away. Manent Sicinius and Brutus,
Sic. Was ever man fo proud, as is this Marcius ?
Bru. He has no equal.
Sic. When we were chofen Tribunes for the
People
Bru. Mark'd you his lip and eyes ?
Sic. Nay, but his taunts.
Bru. Being mov'd, he will not fpare to gird the
Gods
Sic. Be- mock the modeft Moon, -
Bru. 8 The prefent wars devour him ! He is grown
Too proud, to be fo valiant.
Sic. Such a nature,
Tickled with good fuccefs, difdains the fhadow
Which he treads on at noon j but I do wonder,
8 The prefent Wars devour him ; he is grown
Too proud, to be fo valiant.] Mr. Theobald fays, This is ob~
Jcurely exprejfed, but that the poet's meaning MUST certainly be this,
that Marcius isfo confcieus of, and fo elate upon the notion of his on/an
valour, that he is eaten up with PRIDE, &c. According to this
critick then, we muft conclude, that when Shakefpear had a mind
to fay, A man was eaten up with pride, he was fo great a blun-
derer in expreffion, as to fay, He was eaten up with war. But our
poet wrote at another rate, and the blunder is his critick's. The
prefent wars devour him, is an imprecation, and fhould be fo pointed.
As much as to fay, May befall in thefe wan! The reafon of the
curfe is fubjoined, for (lays the fpeaker) having fo much pride with
fo much valour, his life, with increafe of honours, is dangerous to
the Republick. But the Oxford Editor alters it to,
Too proud of being fo valiant.
And by that means takes away the reafon the fpeaker gives for his
curfing.
His
442 CORIOLAbiUS.
His infolence can brook to be commanded
Under Cominius.
Bru. Fame, at the which he aims,
In whom already he is well grac'd, cannot
Better be held, nor more attain'd, than by
A Place below the firft ; for what mifcarries
Shall be the General's fault, though he perform
To the utmoft of a man; and giddy cenfure
Will then cry out of Marcius : oh, if he
Had borne the bufinefs -
Sic. Befides, if things go well,
Opinion, that fo flicks on Marcius : Hull
Of his demerits rob Commius.
Bru. Come,
HaJf all Cominiuf Honours are to Marcius>
Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults
To Marcius mail be honours, though, indeed,
In aught he merit not.
Sic. Let's hence, and hear
How the difpatch is made ; and in what fafhion,
More than his fingularity, he goes
Upon this prefent action.
Mrtf. Let's along. [Exeunt.
SCENE V.
Changes to Corioli.
Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Senators of Corioli.
i Sen. Q O, your opinion is, Aufidius,
C3 That they of Rome are entred in our CounfeJs,
And know how we proceed.
Auf. Is it not yours ?
"Whatever hath been thought on in this State,
That could be brought to bodily aft, ere Rome
Had circumvention ? 'tis not four days gone,
Since
CORIOLANUS. 443
Since I heard thence thefe are the words I think,
I have the letter here ; yes here it is ;
They have preft a Power, but it is not known
[Reading.
Whether for Eaft or Weft ; the Dearth is great,
The People mutinous ; and it is rurnour'd,
CominiuS) Marcius your old enemy,
(Who is of Rome worfe hated than of you)
And Titus Lartius, a mod valiant Roman,
Thefe three lead on this preparation
Whither 'tis bent mod likely, 'tis for you:
Confider of it.
1 Sen. Our Army's in the Field :
We never yet made doubt, but Rome was ready
To anfwer us.
Auf. Nor did you think it folly,
To keep your great pretences veil'd, 'till when
They needs muft (hew themfelvesi which in the
hatching,
It feem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the difcovery
We mail be mortned in our aim, which was
To take in many Towns, ere (almofl) Rome
Should know we were a-foot.
2 Sen. Noble Aufidius^
Take your Commiffion, hie you to your bands;
Let us alone to guard Corioli i
If they fet down before's, 9 'fore they remove
FOR THE remove
Bring up your ^r my : ] The firft part of this fentence is
without meaning. The General had told the Senators that the
Romans had preji a power, which was on foot. To which, the words
in queftion are the anfwer ot a fenator. And to make them per-
tinent, we Ihould read them thus,
'FORE THEY remove
Bring up your Army : -
i. e. Before that power, already on foot, be in motion, bring up
your army ; then he correfts himfelf and fays, but I believe you
will find your intelligence ^roundiefs, the Rtmaas are not yet pre-
pared for us.
Bring
444 CORIOLANUS.
Bring up your Army : but, I think, you'Jl find,
They've not prepar'd for us.
duf. O, doubt not that,
I fpeak from certainties. Nay more,
Some parcels of their Power are forth already,
And only hithervvard. I leave your Honours.
If We and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
'Tis fworn between us, we fhall ever (Irike
'Till one can do no more.
M. The Gods affift you !
Auf. And keep your Honours fafe!
1 Sen. Fareweh
2 Sen. Farewel.
dll. Farewel [Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
Changes to Caius MarciusV Houfe in Rome.
Enter Volumnia aud Virgilia ; they fit down on two
low ftooh) and few.
Vol. T Pray you, Daughter, fing, or exprefs yourfelf
JL in a more comfortable fort: if my Son were
my Husband, I would freelier rejoice in that abfence
wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of
his bed, where he would mew moft love. When yet
he was but tender-bodied, and the onJy Son of my
womb ; when youth with comelinefs plucked all gaze
his way ; when, for a day of Kings' entreaties, a Mo-
ther mould not fell him an hour from her beholding ;
I, confidering how Honour would become fuch a per-
fon, that it was no better than picture-like to hang
by th* wall, if Renown made it not ftir, was pleas'd
to let him feek Danger where he was like to find
Fame: to a cruel war I fent him, from whence he
return'd, his brows bound with Oak. I tell thee,
Daughter,
CORIOLANUS. 445
Daughter, I fprang not more in joy at firft hearing
he was a man-child, than now in firft feeing he had
proved himfelf a Man.
Vir. But had he died in the bufinefs, Madam j how
then ?
Vol. Then his good Report fhould have been my
Son ; I therein would have found iflue. Hear me pro-
fefs fincerely : had I a dozen Sons each in my Jove
alike, and none lefs dear than thine and my good Mar-
cius, I had rather eleven die nobly for their Country,
than one voluptuoufly furfeit, out of adtion.
Enter a Gentlewoman.
Gent. Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to vifit
you.
Vir. 'Befeech you, give me leave to retire myfelf.
Vol. Indeed, thou ihalt not :
<l Methinks, I hither hear your Husband's Drum :
" I fee him pluck dufidius down by th 1 hair:
' (As children from a bear) the Volfci Ihunning him :
" Methinks, I fee him (lamp thus and call thus
" Come on, ye cowards, ye were got in fear,
** Though ye were born in Rome ; his bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes
" Like to a harveft man, that's task'd to mow
" Or all, or lofe his hire.
Vir. " His bloody brow! oh, Jupiter, no blood !
Vol. " Away, you fool ; it more becomes a man,
, " Than Gilt his trophy. The breaft of Hecuba,
*' When me did fuckle Heftor, look'd not lovelier
*' Than HecJor's forehead, when it fpit forth blood
At Grecian fwords contending , tell Valeria^
We arc fit to bid her welcome. [Exit Gent.
Vir. Heav'ns blefs my Lord from fell Aufidius!
Vol. He'll beat Aufidmf head below his knee,
And tread upon his neck.
Enter
446 CORIOLANUS.
Enter Valeria with an U/her, and a Gentlewoman.
VaL My Ladies Both, good day to you.
Vol. Sweet Madam
Vir. I am glad to fee your Ladylhip
Vol. How do you Both ? you are manifeft Houfe-
keepers. What are you (owing here? a fine fpot, in
good faith. How does your little Son ?
Vir. I thank your Lady (hip : well, good Madam.
Pol. He had rather fee the fwords, and hear a drum,
than look upon his fchool matter.
VaL O* my word, the Father's Son : I'll fwear, 'tis
a very pretty boy. " O' my troth, I look'd on him
" o' Wednefiay half an hour together h'as fuch
*' a confirm'd countenance. 1 faw him run after a
gilded butterfly, and when he caught it, he let it
" go again ; and after it again ; and over and over he
" comes, and up again ; and caught it again ; or
" whether his Fall enrag'd him, or how 'twas, he did
" fo fet his teeth, and did tear it j oh, I warrant,
" how he mammockt it !
Vol. One oPs Father's moods.
VaL Indeed, la, 'tis a noble Child.
Vir. A crack, Madam.
Vol. Come, lay afide your Stitchery -, I muft have you
play the idle hufwife with me this afternoon.
Vir. No, good Madam, I will not out of doors.
Vol. Not out of doors !
Vol. She (hall, (he (hall.
Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience ; I'll not over the
thremold, 'till my Lord return from the wars.
Val. Fie, you confine yourfelf mod unreafonably :
Come, you muft go vifit the good Lady that lyes in.
Vir. I will wi(h her fpeedy ftrength, and vifit her
with my prayers ; but I cannot go thither.
Vol. Why, I pray you?
Vir. 'Tis not to fave labour, nor that I want love.
Val.
CORIOLANUS. 447
Vol. You would be another Penelope ; yet they fay,
all the yarn, (he fpun in Ulyjfis's abfence, did but fill
Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would, your cambrick
were fenfible as your finger, that you might leave
pricking it for pity. Come, you mall go with us.
Vir. No, good Madam, pardon me ; indeed, I will
not forth.
Vol. In truth, la, go with me, and I'll tell you ex-
cellent news of your Husband.
Vir. Oh, good Madam, there can be none yet.
Val. Verily, I do not jeft with you; there came
news from him laft night.
Vir. Indeed, Madam
Val. In earned, it's true 5 I heard a Senator fpeak
it. Thus it is The Volfcians have an army forth,
againft whom Cominius the General is gone, with one
part of our Roman Power. Your Lord and Titus
Lartius are fee down before their City Corioli ; they
,nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars.
This is true, on my honour ; and fo, I pray, go
with us.
Vir. Give me excufe, good Madam, I will obey
you in every thing hereafter.
Vol. Let her alone, Lady ; as me is now, me will
but difeafeour better mirth.
Val. In troth, I think, me would : fare you well,
then. Come, good fweet Lady. Pr'ythee, Vtrgil:a %
turn thy Solemnefs out o' door, and go along with us,
Vir. No : at a word, Madam * indeed, I muft not.
I wrfh you much mirth.
Val. Well, then farewel. [Exeunt.
SCENE
448 CORIOLANUS.
SCENE VII.
Changes to the Walls of Corioli.
Enter Marcius, Titus Lartius, with Captains and
Soldiers : To them a Meffenger.
Mar.'VOnder comes news: a wager, they have met
JL Lart. My horfe to yours, no.
Mar. 'Tis done.
Lart. Agreed.
Mar. Say, has our General met the enemy ?
Mef. They lye in view ; but have not fpoke as yet.
Lart. So, the good horfe is mine.
Mar. 1*11 buy him of you.
Lart. No, I'll not fell, nor give him : lend him
you, I will,
For half an hundred years : Summon the Town.
Mar. How far off lye thefe armies?
Mef. Within a mile and half.
Mar. Then {hall we hear their larum, and they ours.
Now, Mars, I pr'ythee, make us quick in work >
That we with fmoaking fwords may march from hence,
To help our fielded Friends ! Come, blow thy blaft.
Ibey found a Parley. Enter twofenators with others
on the Walls.
Julius Aufidius, is he within your Walls ?
i Sen. No, nor a man that fears you lefs than he,
That's lefler than a little : hark, our drums
[Drum afar off,
Are bringing forth our Youth : wt'll break our Walls,
Rather than they mall pound us up : our Gates,
Which yet feem Ihut, we have but pinn'd with rufhes \
They'll open of themfelves. Hark you, far off
Alarum, far off.
There is Aufidius. Lift, what work he makes
Among your cloven army.
Afar.
C o R i o L A N u s. 449
Mar. Oh, they are at it!
Lart. Their noife be our inftruction. Ladders, ho !
Enter the Volfcians.
Mar. They fear us not, but ifiue forth their City.
Now put your fhields before your hearts, and fight
"With hearts more proof than fhields. Advance, brave
Titus,
They do difdain us much beyond our thoughts}
Which makes me fweat with wrath. Come on my
fellows ;
He that retires, 1*11 take him for a
And he fliall feel mine edge.
[Alarum ; the Romans beat back to their Trenches.
SCENE VIII.
Re-enter Marcius.
Mar. All the Contagion of the South light on you,
You fhames of Rome, you! herds of boils and
plagues
Plaifter you o'er, that you may be abhorr'd
Farther than feen, and one infecT: another
Againft the wind a mile! you fouls of geefc,
That bear the fhapes of men, how have you run
From Slaves, that apes would beat ? Pluto and Hell !
All hurt behind, backs red, and faces pale,
With flight, and agued fear! mend, and charge home,
Or, by the fires of Heaven, I'll leave the Foe,
And make my wars on you : look to't, come on ;
If you'll fland faft, we'll beat them to their wives,
As they us to our trenches followed,
Another Alarum, and Marcius follows them to tbs gates.
So now the gates are ope : now prove good feconds ;
*Tis for the followers, fortune widens them i
VOL. VI. Gg Not
CORIOLANUS.
Not for the fliers : mark me, and do the like.
\He enters the gates, and is jhul in*
1 Sol. Fool-hard inefs, not I.
2 Sol. Nor 1.
3 Sol. See, they have (hut him in.
[dlarum continues.
All. To th' pot, I warrant him.
Enter Titus Lartius.
Lart. What is become of Marcius ?
All. Slain, Sir, doubtlefs.
i Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels,
With them he enters ; who, upon the fudden,
Clapt to their gates > he is himfelf alone,
To anfwer all the City.
Lart. Oh, noble fellow!
Who, (a} fenfible, out-does his fenfelefs fword,
And, when it bows, (lands up : thou art left, Marcius
A carbuncle intire, as big as thou art,
Were not fo rich a jewel. Thou wart a foldier
Even to (b] Cato's wifh, not fierce and terrible
Only in ftroaks, but with thy grim looks, and
The thunder-like percuffion of thy founds,
Thou mad'ft thine enemies fhake, as if the world
Were feverous, and did tremble.
Enter Marcius bleeding, a/faulted by the Enemy.
i Sol. Look, Sir. -
Lart. O, 'tis Marcius.
Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.
[They fight, and all enter the City.
Enter certain Romans with Spoils.
1 Rom. This will I carry to Rome.
2 Rom. And I this.
[ {) ftnfole, out-dots. Dr. Thirlby. Vulg. fenfilly out darn.}
l(t) Carts. Mr. Theobald. Vu!g. Calvus.]
3 Rom.
CORIOLANUS. 451
3 Rom. A murrain on't, I took this for filver.
[Alarum continues ft ill afar off.
Enter Marcius and Titus Lartius, with a 'Trumpet.
Mar. See here thefc Movers, that do prize their
honours
At a crack'd drachm : cufhions, leaden fpoons,
Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
Bury with thofe that wore them, thefe bafe Haves,
Ere yet the fight be done, pack up ; down with them ;
And hark, what noife the General makes ! to him ;-
There is the man of my foul's hate, Aufidius,
Piercing our Romans: then, valiant Titus, take
Convenient numbers to make good the City ;
Whilft J, with thofe that have the fpirit, will hade
To help Cominius.
Lart. Worthy Sir, thou bleed'ft ;
Thy exercife hath been too violent
For a fecond courfe of fight.
Mar. Sir, praife me not :
My work hath yet not warm'd me. Fare you well :
The blood, I drop, is rather phyfical
Than dangerous to me.
T* Aufidius thus I will appear, and fight.
Lart. Now the fair Goddefs Fortune
Fall deep in love with thee, and her great charms
Mifguide thy oppofers' fwords! bold gentleman!
Profperity be thy page !
Mar. Thy friend no lefs,
Than thofe fhe placeth higheft! fb, farewel.
Lar. Thou worthieft Marcius^
Go, found thy trumpet in the market-place,
Call thither all the officers o'th* town,
Where they mall know our mind. Away. [Exeunt,
Gg2 SCENE
452 CORIOLANUS*
SCENE IX.
Changes to the Roman Camp.
Enter Cominius retreating, with Soldiers.
Com. "OReathe you, my friends ; well fought ; we
JD are come off
Like Romans^ neither foolifh in our Stands,
Nor cowardly in retire : Believe me, Sirs,
We mail be charg'd again. Whiles we have ftruck,
By interims and conveying gufts, we have heard
The Charges of our friends. ' Ye Roman Gods,
Lead their fuccefles, as we wifh our own ;
That both our Powers, with fmiling fronts encountring,
May give you thankful facrifice ! Thy news ?
Enter a Meffenger.
Mef. The citizens of Corioli have iffued,
And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle.
I faw our Party to the trenches driven,
And then I came away.
Com. Tho' thou fpeak'ft truth,
Methinks, thou fpeak'ft not well. How long is't
fince ?
Mef. Above an hour, my lord.
Com. 'Tis not a mile: briefly, we heard their drums.
How could'ft thou in a mile confound an hour,
And bring the news fo late ?
Mef. Spies of the Volfdans
Held me in chafe, that I was forc'd to wheel
i -THE Roman Gods &c.
That both our Powers
May give you thankful facrifice ! ] This is an addrefs and in-
vocation to them, therefore we mould read,
Y Roman Godt.
Three
CORIOLANUS. 453
Three or four miles about ; elfe had I, Sir,
Half an hour fmce brought my report.
Enter Marcius.
Com. Who's yonder,
That does appear as he were flea'd ? O Gods !
He has the ftamp of Marcius^ and I have
Before time feen him thus.
Mar. Come I too late ?
Com. " The fliepherd knows not thunder from a
tabor,
* e More than I know the found of Marcius' tongue
" From every meaner man."
Mar. Come I too late ?
Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,
But mantled in your own.
Mar. Oh! let me clip ye
In arms as found, as when I woo'd ; in heart
As merry, as when our nuptial day was done,
And tapers burnt to bed ward.
Com. Flower of Warriors,
How is't with Titus Lartius ?
Mar. As with a man bufied about Decrees ;
Condemning fome to death, and fome to exile,
* Ranfoming him, or pitying, threatning th* other i
Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,
Even like a fawning grey-hound in the leafh,
To let him flip at will.
Com. Where is that flave,
Which told me, they had beat you to your trenches ?
Where is he ? call him hither.
Mar. Let him alone,
He did inform the truth : but for our Gentlemen,
The common file, (a plague ! Tribunes for them ! )
The moufe ne'er fhun'd the cat, as they did budge
From rafcals worfe than they.
2 Rpnfoming kirn, or pitying, ] i. e. rtmitting Us rattfoj*.
G g 3 Com.
454 C OR I O L A N U S.
Com. But how prevail'd you ?
Mar. Will the time ferve to tell ? I do not think
Where is the enemy ? are you lords o f th' field ?
If not, why ceafe you 'till you are fo?
Com. Marrius, we have at di fad vantage fought,
And did retire, to win ourpurpofe.
Mar. How lies their battle ? know you on what
fide
They have plac'd their men of truft ?
Com. As I guefs, Marcius^
Their bands i' th' vaward are the Antiates
Of their beft truft : o'er them Aufidius^
Their very heart of hope.
Mar. I do befecch you,
By all the battles wherein we have fought,
By th' blood we'ave fhed together, by the Vows
We'ave made to endure friends, that you directly
Set me againft slufidius, and his Antiates ;
3 And that you not delay the prefent, but
Filling the air with fwords advanc'd, and darts,
We pruve this very hour.-
Com. Though I could wifh,
You were conducted to a gentle bath,
And balms applied to you, yet dare I never
Deny your asking; take your choice of thofe,
That bed can aid your action.
Mar. Thofe are they,
That moil are willing; If any fuch be here,
(As it were fin to doubt) that love this Painting,
Wherein you fee me fmear'd ; if any fear
Lefs for his perfon than an ill report :
Jf any think, brave death out-weighs bad life,
And that his Country's dearer than himfelf,
Let him, alone, (or many, if fo minded)
Wave thus, t* exprefs his difpofition,
1 And ttat you not delay tie prefe nt> ] Delay, for let flip-
And
CORIOLANUS. 455
And follow Marcius.
They alljhout, and wave tbeir fwords^ takghimup
in their arms, and caft up their caps.
Oh ! me alone, make you a fword of me :
If thefe (hews be not outward, which of you
But is four Polfcians ? none of you, but is
Able to bear againft the great dttfidius
A fhield as hard as his. A certain number
(Tho' thanks to all) muft I feleflt from all :
The reft (hall bear the bufinefs in fome other fight,
4 As caufe will be obey'd ; pleafe you to march,
And four mail quickly draw out my Command,
Which men are beft inclin'd.
Com. March on, my fellows :
Make good this oftentation, and you (hall
Divide in all with us.
SCENE X.
Changes to C o R I o L i.
Titus Lartius having fet a guard upon Corioli, going
with drum and trumpet toward Cominius and Caius
Marcius ; Enter with a lieutenant^ other foldiers,
and afcout.
Zflrt.QO, let the Ports be guarded; keep your
i3 duties,
As I have fet them down. If I do fend, difpatch
Thofe Gentries to our aid ; the reft will ferve
For a fhort holding ; if we lofe the field,
We cannot keep the town.
Lieu. Fear not our care, Sir.
Lart. Hence, and fhut your gates upon's :
Our guider, come ! to the Roman camp conduct us.
[Exeunt.
4 Ai caufe will be obey'd ;] Caufe, for occafion.
Gg 4 SCENE
CORIOLANUS.
SCENE XI.
Changes to the Roman Camp.
Alarum, as in battle. Enter Marcius and Aufidius,
at feveral doors.
Mar. I'LL fight with none but thec, for I do hate
JL thee
Worfe than a promife-breaker.
Atif. We hate alike :
Not /Ifrick owns a ferpent I abhor
More than thy Fame, and envy ; fix thy foot.
Mar. Let the firft budger die the other's (lave,
And the Gods doom him after !
Auf. If I fly, Marciust
Halloo me like a Hare.
Mar. W ithin thefe three hours, Tullus,
Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,
And made what work I pleas'd : 'tis not my blood,
Wherein thou fee'ft me mask'd ; for thy revenge,
"Wrench up thy power to th* higheft.
Auf. Wert thou the Heftor^
That was the whip of your bragg'd Progeny,
Thou fhould'fl not 'fcape me here.
\Hcre they fight , and certain Volfcians come to the
aid of Aufidius. Marcius fights , '//// they be
driven in breathlefs.
Officious, and not valliant! you have fliam'd me
In your condemned Seconds.
Flouri/h. Alarum. A retreat is founded. Enter at
one door, Cominius with the Romans ; at another
docr^ Marcius, with bis arm in a fcarf.
Com. If I fhouldtell thee o*er this thy day's work,
Thou'lt not believe thy deeds : but I'll report it,
Where Senators (hall mingle tears with fmiles;
Where
CORIOLANUS. 457
Where great Patricians fhall attend and Ihrug ;
P th* end, admire ; where ladies fhall be frighted.
And, gladly quak'd, hear more ; where the dull
Tribunes,
That with the fufty Plebeians, hate thine honours,
Shall fay, againft their hearts, We thank the Gods,
Our Rome hath fuch a foldier!
Yet cam'ft thou to a morfel of this feaft,
Having fully din'd before.
Enter Titus Lartius with his Power, from thepurfuit.
Lart. O General,
Here is the deed, we the caparifon :
Hadft thou beheld
Mar. " Pray now, no more : my Mother,
" Who has a charter to extol her blood,
" When me does praife me, grieves me:
I have done as you have done j that*s, what I can ;
Induc'd, as you have been ; that's for my Country ;
He, that has but effected his good will,
Hath overtaken mine act.
Com. You fhall not be
The Grave of your deferving : Rome muft know
The value of her own : 'twere a concealment
Worfe than a theft, no lefs than a traducement,
To hide your Doings j and to filence that,
Which, to the fpire and top of praifcs vouch'd,
Would feem but modefl : therefore, I befeech you,
In fign of what you are, (not to reward
What you have done,) before our army hear me.
Mar, I have fome wounds upon me, and they fmart
To hear themfelves remembred.
Com. Should they not,
Well might they fefter *gainft ingratitude,
And tent themfelves with death : Of all the horfes,
Whereof we have ta'en good, and good ftore, of all
The treafure in the field atchiev'd, and city,
We
458 C O R I O L A N U S.
We render you the tenth, to be ta'en forth,
Before the common distribution, at
Your only choice.
Mar. I thank you, General :
But cannot make my heart eonfent to take
A bribe, to pay my fword : I do refufe it,
And (land upon my common part with thofe
That have beheld the doing.
long flour ijh. iTyey all cry\ Marcius, Marcius !
caft up their caps and launces : Cominius and
Lartius ftand bare.
Mar. May thefe fame inftruments, whch you pro-
fane,
Never found more! * when drums and trumpets
(hall
I J th' field prove flatterers, let camps, as cities,
Be made of falfe-fac'd foothing ! When fteel grows
Soft as the parafite's filk, let Hymns be made
-nubert drums and trumpets Jhall,
r tb* field, prove flatterers, let COURTS AND citiet
e made ALL of falfe-fac^ d foothing.
When fleet grows foft as the par afite" s filk,
Let him be made an overture for t'a wars : ] All here is
miferably corrupt and disjointed. We fhould read the whole
thus,
when drums and trumpets Jhall,
F ttf field, prove flatterers, let CAMPS, AS cities,
Be made of fa If e-facd foothing ! When fleet grows
Soft as the parajite" 1 s filk, let HYMNS bi made
An overture for th' nvars !
The thought is this, If one thing changes its ufual nature to a thing
moft oppofite, there is no reafon but that all the reft which depend
on it fhould do fo too. [If drums and trumpets prove flatterers,
let the camp bear the falfe face of the city.] And if another changes
its ufual nature, that its oppofite fhould do fo too. [When fteel
ioftens to the condition of the parafite's filk, the peaceful hymns of
devotion fnould be employed to excite to the charge.] Now, in
the firft inftance, the thought, in the common reading, was entirely
loft by putting in courts for camps ; and the latter miferably invol-
ved in nonfenle, by blundering Hjmm into kirn*
An
CORIQLAKUS. 459
An overture for th* wars ! No more, I fay ;
For that I have not wafh'd my Nofe that bled,
Or foil'd fome debile wretch, which, without note
Here's many elfe have done ; you fhout me forth
In acclamations hyperbolical ;
As if I lov'd, my little fhould be dieted
In praifes fauc'd with lies.
Com. Too modeft are you :
More cruel to your good report, than grateful
To us, that give you truly : by your patience,
If 'gainft yourfelf you be incens'd, we'll put you
(Like one that means his proper harm) in manacles ;
Then reafon fafely with you : therefore, be it known,
As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius
Wears this war's garland : in token of the which,
My noble fteed, known to the Camp, I give him,
With all his trim belonging , and, from this time,
For what he did before Corioli t call him,
With all ;h' applaufe and clamour of the Hoft,
Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Bear th f addition nobly
ever. [Flourijh. Trumpets found and drums.
Omnes. Caius Marcius Coriolanus !
Mar. " I will go warn :
<c And when my face is fair, you mall perceive
" Whether I blulh or no. Howbeit, I thank you.
I mean to ftride your Steed, and at all time
6 To undercreft your good Addition,
1 To th* fairnefs of my Power.
Com. So, to our tent :
Where, ere we do repofe us, we will write
To Rome of our fuccefs : you, fitus Lartius*
Muft to CorioK back ; fend us to Rome
The beft, with whom we may articulate,
6 To undercreft your good Addition,] A phrafe from heraldry,
fignifying, that he would endeavour to fupport his good opinion
of him.
7 To tti fairnefs of my Power. ~\ Fairntft, for utmoft.
For
460 CORIOLANUS.
For their own good, and ours.
Lart. I {hall, my lord.
Mar. The Gods begin to mock me :
I, that but now refus'd moft princely gifts,
Am bound to beg of my lord General.
Com. Take't, 'tis yours : what is't ?
Mar. I fometime Jay here in Corioli,
At a poor man's houfe : he us'd me kindly.
He cry'd to me : I faw him prifoner:
But then Aufidius was within my view,
And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity: I requeft you
To give my poor Hoft Freedom.
Com. O well begg'd !
Were he the butcher of my fon, he mould
Be free as is the wind : deliver him, Titus.
Lart. Marcius^ his name ? v
Mar. By Jupiter, forgot : -
I am weary; yea, my memory is tir'd:
Have we no wine here ?
Com. Go we to our tent ;
The blood upon your vifage dries ; 'tis time
It fhould be Jook'd to : come. [Exeunt.
SCENE XII.
Changes to the Camp of the Volfci.
A Flourijh. Cornet. Enter Tullus Aufidius bloody^
with two or three foldiers.
Auf. HP H E town is ta'en.
Sol. 'Twill be deliver'd back on good
condition.
Auf. Condition !
I would, I were a Roman; for I cannot,
Being a Volfcian^ be that I am. Condition ?
What good condition can a treaty find
I' th* part that is at mercy ? Five times, Marcius,
GORIOLANUS. 461
I have fought with thee, fo often haft thou beat me :
And would'ft do fo, I think, fhouid we encounter
As often as we eat. By th' Elements,
If e'er again I meet him beard to beard*
He's mine, or I am his : mine emulation
Hath not that honour in't, it had ; for where
I thought to crufh him in an equal force,
True Sword to Sword ; I'll potch at him fame way,
Or wrath, or craft may get him.
Sol. He's the Devil.
Auf. Bolder, tho' not fo fubtle : my valour (pol-
fon'd,
With only fuffering (lain by him) for him
Shall flie out of itfelf : " 8 not fleep nor fancluary,
" Being naked, fick, nor fane, nor Capitol,
" The prayers of priefts, nor times of facrifice,
" Embarrments all of fury, mail lift up
" Their rotten privilege and cuftom 'gainft
" My hate to Marciits. Where I find him, were it
8 not Jleept nor fanfluary &c.
EMBARKMEHTS all of fury, Sec. ] The dramatic arC
of this fpeech is great. For after Aufidius had fo generoufly re-
ceived Coriolanvs in exile, nothing but the memory of this
fpeech, which lets one fo well into Aufidiut* nature, could make .
his after perfidy and bafenefs at all probable. But the fecond line
of this impious rant is corrupt. For tho', indeed, he might call
the ajjauhing Marcius at any of thofe facred feafons and places an
embarkment of fury ; yet he could not call the feafom and f laces
tbemfelves, fo. We may believe therefore that Shakefpear wrote,
EMBARRMENTS all of fury, Sec,
i. t. obftacles. Tho' thofe feafons and places are all obftacles to
my fury, yet &c . The Oxford Editor has, in his ufual way, re-
fined upon this emendation, in order to make it his own ; and fo
reads, Embankments, not confidering how ill this metaphor agrees
with what is faid juft after of their LIFTING up their ROTTEN
privilege, which evidently refers to a wooden bar, not to an earthen
bank. Thefe two Generals are drawn equally covetous of glory :
But the Volftia* not fcrupulous about the means. And his imme-
diate repentance, after the aflaflinate, well agrees with fuch a
character.
462 CORIOLANUS.
" At home, upon my brother's guard, even there,
44 Againft the hofpitable Canon, would I
<c Wafh'my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to th* city ;
Learn, how 'tis held ; and what they are, that muft
Be hoftages for Rome.
Sol. Will not you go?
Auf. I am attended at the cyprefs grove. I pray you,
('Tis South the city-mills) bring me word thither
How the world goes, that to the pace of it
I may fpur on my journey.
Sol. I fhall, Sir. [Exeunt.
ACT II. SCENE I.
ROME.
Enter Menenius, with Sicinius and Brutus.
M E N N I U S.
TH E Augur tells me, we fhall have news to
night.
Bru. Good or bad ?
Men. Not according to the prayer of the people,
for they love not Marcius.
Sic. Nature teaches Beads to know their friends.
Men. Pray you, whom does the wolf love ?
Sic. The lamb.
Men. Ay, to devour him, as the hungry Plebeians
would the noble Marcius.
Bnt. He's a lamb, indeed, that baes like a bear.
Men. He's a bear, indeed, that lives like a lamb.
You are two old men, tell me one thing that I flialJ
ask you.
Botb. Well, Sir ;
Men.
CofclOLANUS. 463
Men. In what enormity is Marcius poor, that you
two have not in abundance ?
Bru. He's poor in no one fault, but ftor'd with all.
Sit. Efpecially, in pride.
Bru. And topping all others in boafting.
Men. This is ftrange now ; do you two know
how you are cenfur'd here in the city, I mean of us
o' th' right hand file, do you?
&ru. Why, how are we cenfur'd ?
Men. Becaufe you talk of pride now, will you not
be angry ?
Both. Well, well, Sir, well.
Men. Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little
thief of occafion will rob you of a great deal of pa-
tience : give your difpofitions the reins, and be an-
gry at your pleafures ; at the leaft, if you take it as a
pleafure to you, in being fo : you blame Marcius
for being proud.
Bru. We do it not alone, Sir.
Men. I know, you can do very little alone ; for
your helps are many, or elfe your actions would grovr
wondrous fingle ; your abilities are too infant- like, for
doing much alone. You talk of pride oh, that you
could turn your eyes towards the napes of your necks,
and make but an interior furvey of your good felves!
Oh, that you could!
Bru. What then, Sir ?
Men. Why, then you mould difcover a brace of as
unmeriting, proud, violent, tefty magiftrates, alias,
fools, as any in Rome.
Sic. MenemuS) you are known well enough too.
Men. I am known to be a humorous Patrician, and
one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of al-
laying Tiber in't : faid to be fomething imperfect, in
favouring the firft complaint ; hafty and tinder-like,
upon too trivial motion : one that converfes more with
the buttock of the night, than with the forehead of
the
464 CORIOLANUS.
the morning. What I think, I utter ; and fpend my
malice in my breath. Meeting two fuch weals-men
as you are, (I cannot call you Lycurguffes) if the drink
you give me touch my palate adverfly, I make a
crooked face at it. I can't fay, your Worfhips have
delivcr'd the matter well, when I find the afs in com-
pound with the major part of your fyllables -, and tho*
I muft be content to bear with thofe, that fay, you
are reverend grave men ; yet they lye deadly, that
tell you, you have good faces ; if you fee this in the
map of my microcofm, follows it, that I am known
well enough too ? what harm can your ' biffon Con-
fpectuities glean out of this character, if I be known
well enough too?
Eru. Come, Sir, come, we know you well enough,
Men. You know neither me, yourfelves, nor any
thing ; you are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and
legs: a you wear out a good wholefome forenoon, in
hearing a Caufe between an orange-wife and a foflbt-
feller, and then adjourn a controverfy of three- pence
to a fecond day of audience. When you are hearing
a matter between party and party, if you chance to be
pinch'd with the colick, you make faces like mummers,
let up the bloody flag againft all patience, and, in
roaring for a chamber-pot, difmifs the controverfie
bleeding, the more intangled by your hearing : all the
peace you make in their caufe, is calling both the
parties knaves. You are a pair of ftrange ones.
Eru. Come, come, you are well underftood to be
a perfedler gyber of the Table, than a neceflary bencher
in the Capitol.
Men. Our very 'priefts muft become mockers, if
they fhall encounter fuch ridiculous fubje&s as you are j
1 biJjTan [blind] fpelt right by Mr. TbeobalJ.
2 you wear out a good &c ] ft appears, from this whole fpeech
that Shakefpear mifiook the office of Prtsftftus urbis for the Tri-
bune's office.
when
CORIOLANUS. 465
when you fpeak befl unto the purpofe, it is not worth
the wagging of your beards ; and your beards deferve
not fo honourable a Grave, as to fluff a botcher's
cufhion, or to be intomb'd in an afs's pack-faddle.
Yet you mufl be faying, Mardus is jDroud ; who, in a
cheap eftimation, is worth all your predecefTors, fince
Deucalion , though, peradventure, fome of the beft
of them were hereditary hangmen. Good-e'en to
your Worfhips , more of your converfadon would
infect my brain, being the herdfmen of beaflly Ple-
beians. I will be bold to take my leave of you.
[Brutus and Sicimusftand afide.
SCENE II.
As Menenius is going out> Enter Volumnia, Virgilia*
and Valeria.
How now my (as fair as noble) ladies, and the moon*
were me earthly, no nobler ; whither do you follow
your eyes fo faft ?
Vol. Honourable Menenius^ my boy Marcius ap-
proaches , for the love of Juno, let's go.
Men. Ha ! Marcius coming home ?
Vol. Ay, worthy Menenius, and with mofl profpe-
rous approbation.
Men. * Take my Cup, Jupiter, and I thank thee i
hoo, Marcius coming home !
Both. Nay, 'tis true.
2 Take my CAP, Jupiter, and 1 thank thee'] Tho' Menenius is
made a prater and a boon-companion, yet it was not the defign of
the poet to have him prophane, and bid Jupiter take his cap.
Sbakefpears thought is very different from what his editors dream 'd
of. He wrote,
Take my CUP, Jupiter.
i. e. I will go offer a Libation to thee, for this good news: which
was the cuftom of that time. There is a pleafantry, indeed, in his
way of expreffing it, very agreeable to his convivial character.
But the editors, not knowing the ufe of this cap, aher'd it to cop.
Vot, VI. Hh Vol.
466 CORIOLANUS.
Vol. Look here's a letter from him, the State hath
another, his wife, another ; and, I think, there's one at
home for you.
Men. I will make my very houfe reel to night : A
letter for me !
Vir. Yes, certain, there's a letter for you, I faw't.
Men. A letter for me! it gives me an eftate of fe-
ven years' health ; in which time I will make a lip at
the phyfician ; the mofl fovereign prefcription in Ga-
len is but Emperic, and to this preservative of no bet-
ter report than a horfe-drench. Is he not wounded ?
he was wont to come home wounded.
Fir. Oh, no, no, no.
Vol. Oh, he is wounded, I thank the Gods for't.
Men. So do I too, if he be not too much ; brings
a' victory in his pocket? the wounds become him.
* Vol. On's brows, Memmus -, he comes the third
time home with the oaken garland.
Men. Hath he difciplin'd Aufidius foundly ?
Vol. Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but
Aufidius got off.
Men. : And 'twas time for him too, I'll warrant him
that : if he had ftaid by him, I would not have been
fo fidius'd for all the chefts in Conoli^ and the gold
that's in them. Is the Senate pofTeft of this ?
Vol. Good ladies, let's go. Yes, yes, yes : the Se-
nate has letters from the General, wherein he gives my
fon the whole name of the war : he hath in this action
outdone his former deeds doubly.
Val. In troth, there's wondrous things fpoke of him.
Men. Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not with-
out his true purchafing.
Vir. The Gods grant them true !
Vol. True ? pow, waw.
Men. True ? I'll be fworn, they are true. Where
is he wounded ? God fave your good Worfhips ,
Martins
CORIOLANUS. 467
Marcius is coming home ; he has more caufe to be
proud : where is he wounded ? [5T0 the Tribunes.
Vol. 1' th' moulder, and i' th' left arm ; there will
be large cicatrices to (hew the people, when he {hall
ftand for his place. 3 He receiv'd in the repulfe of
Tarqmn feven hurts i' th' body.
Men. One i' th' neck, and one too i* th' thigh ;
there's nine, that I know.
Vol. He had, before this lad expedition, twenty five
wounds upon him.
Men. Now 'tis twenty feven ; every gam was an
enemy's Grave. Hark, the trumpets.
\_A Jhout and flouri/b.
Vol. Thefe are the ufhers of Marcius ; before him
he carries noife, and behind him he leaves tears :
Death, that dark Spirit, in's nervy arm doth lie ;
Which being advanc'd, declines, and then men die.
SCENE III,
Trumpets found. Enter Cominius the General, and
Titus Lartius ; between them Coriolanus crowtfd
with an oaken garland, with Captains andfoldicrs,
and a herald.
Her. Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight
Within Coriol? gates, where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Marcius.
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus !
[Sound. Flouri/h.
3 He received in the repulfe c/"Tarquin feven hurts i th" 1 body.
Men. One /' tli neck, and two /' tb" thigh : there's nine, that 1
know.~\ Seven, -one, and two, and thefe make but nine?
Surely, we may fafely affift Menenius in his Arithmetick. This is
a ftupid blunder j but wherever we can account by a probable rea-
fon for the Caufe of it, That direds the emendation. Here it was
eafy for a negligent tranfcriber to omit the fecond one as a needlefs
repetition of the firft, and to make a numeral word of too.
H h 2 AIL
4 68 CORIOLANUS.
All. Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus f
Cor. No more of this, it does offend my heart ;
Pray now, no more.
Com. Look, Sir, your mother,
Cor. Oh!
You have, I know, petition'd all the Gods
For my profperity. [Kneels.
i Vol. Nay, my good foldier, up :
My gentle Martins, worthy Caius, and
By deed-atchieving honour newly nam'd,
What is it, Coriolanus^ muft I call thee?
But oh, thy wife.
Cor. " 4 My gracious filence, hail !
Would'ft thou have laugh'd, had I come coffin'd
home,
That weep'ft to fee me triumph ? ah, my Dear,
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,
And mothers that lack fons.
Men. Now the Gods crown thee !
Cor. And live you yet ? O my fweet Lady, pardon.
\?o Valeria.
Vol. I know not whereto turn. O welcome home j
And welcome, General! y'are welcome all.
Men. A hundred thoufand welcomes : I could weep,
And I could laugh, I'm light and heavy ; wel-
come !
A curfe begin at very root on's heart,
That is not glad to fee thee. You are three,
That Rome mould dote on : yet, by the faith of men,
We've fome old crab-trees here at home, that will not
Be grafted to your relifh. Welcome, Warriors !
We call a nettle, but a nettle ; and
The faults of fools, but folly.
4 My gracious filence, hail!~\ The epithet to filence fhews it not
to proceed from referve or fullennefs, but to be the efteft of a vir-
tuous mind poflefling itfelf in peace. The expreffion is extremely
fublime ; and the fenfe of it conveys the fineit praife that can be
given to a good woman.
Com.
CORIOLANUS. 469
Com. Ever right.
Cor. Menenius, ever, ever.
Her. Give way there, and go on.
Cor. Your hand, and yours.
Ere in our own houle I do fhade my head,
The good Patricians muft be vifited ;
From whom 1 have receiv'd not only Greeting?,
5 But, with them, Change of honours.
Vol. I have lived,
To fee inherited my very wifhes,
And buildings of my fancy ; only one thing
Is wanting, which, I doubt not, but our Rome
Will cad upon thee.
Cor. Know, good Mother, I
Had rather be their fervant in my way,
Than fway with them in theirs.
Com. On, to the Capitol. [Flourijh. Cornets:
[Exeunt in State, as before.
SCENE IV.
Brutus, and Sicinius, come forward.
Bru. * All tongues fpeak of him, and the bleared fights
Are fpeclacled to fee him. Your pratling nurfe
* Into a rapture Jets her Baby cry,
While (he chats him : the kitchen malkin pins
Her richeft lockram 'bout her reechy neck, [dows,
Clambring the walls to eye him ; Halls, bulks, win-
Are fmother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges hors'd
With variable complexions ; all agreeing
5 But, iuith them, Change of honours] So all the Editions read.
But Mr. Theobald has ventured (as he expreffes it) to fubflitutc,
charge. For change, he thinks, is a very poor exprejfion, and 'com-
municates but a very poor idea. He had better have told the plain
truth, and confefled that it (ommunicated none at all to him :
However it has a very good one in itfelf; and fignifies variety of
honours ; as change ofrayment, amongft the writers of that time,
fignified variety of rayment.
* Info a rapture ] Rapture, a common term at that time
ufed for a fit, /imply. Su, to he rap^d fignified, to be in eft.
VOL. VI. H h 3 In
47O CORIOLANUS.
In earneftnefs to fee him : feld-fhown Flamins
Do prefs among the popular throngs, and puff
To win a vulgar ftation ; our veil'd dames
6 Commit the Ware of white and damask, in
Their nicely-gawded cheeks, to th* wanton fpoil
Of Phtebus* burning kifles; fuch a pother,
As if that whatfoever God, who leads him,
Were (lily crept into his human powers,
And gave him graceful pofture.
Sic. On the fuddcn,
I warrant him Conful.
Bru. Then our Office may,
During his Power, go deep.
Sic. He cannot temp*rately tranfport his honours,
From where he mould begin and end, but will
Lofe thofe he hath won.
Bru. In That there's comfort.
Sic. Doubt not,
The Commoners, for whom we ftand, but they,
Upon their ancient malice, will forget,
With the lead caule, thefe his new honours ; which
That he will give, make I as little queftion
* As he is proud to do't.
Bru. I heard him fwear.
Were he to ftand for Conful, never would he
Appear i'th* market-place, nor on him put
The naplefs Vefture of Humility ;
Nor mewing, as the manner is, his wounds
To th* people, beg their {linking breaths.
6 Commit the WAR. of white and damask, in
heir nicely gadded cheeks, ] This commixture of white
and red could not, by any figure of fpeech, be called s, war, be-
caufe it is the agreement and union of the colours that make the
beauty. We mould read,
the w A R E of 'white and damaik
/. e. the commodity, the merchandise.
* As he is PROUD toda't.'] I mould rather think the author
wrote PRONE: becaufe the common reading is fcarce fenfe or
Englijb.
Sic.
CORIOLANUS. 47
Sic. 'Tis right.
Bru. It was his word: oh, he would mifs it, rather
Than carry it, but by the fuit o'th* Gentry,
And the defire o'th* Nobles.
Sic. I wi fli no better,
Than have him hold that purpofe, and to put it
In execution.
Bru. 'Tis moft like, he will.
Sic. It mall be to him then, as our good wills,
A fure deftruction.
Bru. So it muft fall out
To him, or our authorities. For an end,
We muft fuggeft the people, in what hatred
He ftill hath held them ; that to's power he would
Have made them mules, filenc'd their Pleaders, and
Difproperty'd their freedoms: holding them,
In human a&ion and capacity,
Of no more foul nor fitnefs for the world,
Than camels in their war y who have their provender
Only for bearing burthens, and fore blows
For finking under them.
Sic. This, as you fay, fuggefted
At fometime, when his foaring infolence
Shall reach the people, (which time mall not want,
If he be put upon't ; and that's as eafy,
As to fet dogs on fheep) will be the fire
To kindle their dry ftubble j and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever.
Enter a Meffenger.
Bru. What's the matter ?
Mef. You're fent for to the Capitol : 'tis thought,
That Marcius mail be Conful : I have feen
The dumb men throng to fee him, and the blind
To hear him fpeak ; the Matrons flung their gloves,
Ladies and Maids their fcarfs and handkerchiefs,
Upon him as he pafs'd ; the Nobles bended,
Hh 4 As
CORIOLANUS^
As to Jove's Statue ; and the Commons made
A fhower and thunder with their caps and Ihouts :
I never faw the like.
Eru. Let's to the Capitol,
And carry with us ears and eyes for th* time,
But hearts for the event.
Sic. Have with you. [Exeunt.
SCENE V.
Changes to the Capitol.
Enter two Officers^ to lay cujhiom.
OME, come, they are almoft here; how
many (land for Confulfhips ?
2 Off. Three, they fay ; but 'tis thought of every
one, Coriolanus will carry it.
1 Off. That's a brave Fellow, but he's vengeance
proud, and loves not the common People.
2 Off. 'Faith, there have been many great Men that
have flatter'd the People, who ne'er lov'd them ; and
there be many that they have loved, they know not
wherefore ; fo that, if they love they know not why,
they hate upon no better a ground. Therefore, for
Coriolanus neither to care whether they love, or hate
him, manifefts the true knowledge he has in their dif-
pofition, and out of his noble careleflhefs lets them
plainly fee't.
i Off. " If he did not care whether he had their love
" or no, he wav'd indifferently 'twixt doing them
" neither good, nor harm : but he feeks their hate
<e with greater devotion than they can render it him ;
" and leaves nothing undone, that may fully difcover
<{ him their oppofite. Now to feem to affect the
<c malice and difpleafure of the People, is as bad as
" That, which he diflikes, to flatter them for their
" love.
CORIOLANUS. 473
i Off. He hath deferved worthily of his Country :
and his afcent is not by fuch eafy degrees as thole, who
have been fupple and courteous to the People i bon-
netted, without any further deed to heave them at all
into their eftimation and report : but he hath fo plant-
ed his honours in their eyes, and his actions in their
hearts, that for their tongues to be filenr, and not
confefs fo much, were a kind of ingrateful injury ; to
report otherwife, were a malice, that, giving it felf the
lie, would pluck reproof and rebuke from ev'ry ear
that heard it.
i Off. No more of him, he is a worthy Man : make
way, they are coming.
SCENE VI.
Enter the Patricians, and the Tribunes of the People,
LitJors before them *, Coriolanus, Menenius, Comi-
nius the Conful : Sicinius and Brutus take their places
by themfehes.
Men. Having determin'd of the Fclfrians, and
To fend for Titus Lartius, it remains,
As the main point of this our after-meeting,
To gratify his noble fervice, that
Hath thus flood for his Country. Therefore, pleafeyou,
Moft reverend and grave Elders, to defire
The prefent Conful, and lad General,
In our well-found fuccefles, to report
A little of that worthy Work perform'd
By Caius Marcius Coriolanus ; whom
We met here, both to thank, and to remember
With honours like himfelf.
i Sen. Speak, good Cominius:
Leave nothing out for length, and make us think,
Rather our State's defective for requital,
Than we to ftretch it out. Matters o'th* People,
We do requeft your kindeft ear ; and, after,
Your
474 CORIOLANUS.
Your loving motion toward the common Body,
To yield what pafies here.
Sic. We are convented
Upon a pleafmg Treaty ; and have hearts
Inclinable to honour and advance
I The Theam of our Affembly.
Bru. Which the rather
We mall be bleft to do, if he remember
A kinder value of the People, than
He hath hitherto priz'd them at.
Men. That's off, that's off:
I would, you rather had been filent : pleafe you
To hear Cominius fpeak ?
Bru. Moft willingly :
But yet my caution was more pertinent,
Than the rebuke you give it.
Men. He loves your People,
But tye him not to be their bed-fellow:
Worthy Cominius, fpeak.
[Coriolanus rifes, and offers to go away,
Nay, keep your place.
i Sen. Sit, Coriolanus ; never fhame to hear
What you have nobly done.
Cor. Your Honours' pardon :
I had rather have my wounds to heal again,
Than hear fay, how I got them.
Bru. Sir, I hope,
My words dif-bench'd you not ?
Cor. No, Sir ; yet oft,
7 The Tbeam of our AJJemlly.~\ Here is a fault in the expreffion :
And had it affefted our Author's knowledge of nature, I fhould
have adjudged it to his tranfcribers or editors ; but as it affects only
his knowledge in hiftory, I fuppofe it to be his own. He fhould
have faid your Affembly. For 'till the Lex Attinia (the author of
which is fuppofed by Sigonius, \_De <vetere Itali/e jfure~\ to have
been contemporary with ^mintus Metellus Macedonicus) the Tri-
bunes had not the privilege of entring the Senate, but had feats
placed for them near the door on the outfide of the houfe.
When
C OR I O L A N U S, 475
When blows have made me flay, I fled from words.
You footh not, therefore hurt not : but your people,
I love them as they weigh..
Men. Pray now, fit down.
Cor. I had rather have one fcratch my head i' th*
Sun, ,
When the Alarum were {truck, than idly fit
To hear my Nothings monfter'd. [Exit Coriolanus.
Men. Matters of the People,
Your multiplying fpawn how can he flatter,
That's thoufand to one good one ? when you fee,
He had rather venture all his limbs for honour,
Than one oPs ears to hear't. Proceed, Cominius.
Com. I mall lack voice : the Deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be utter'd feebly. It is held,
That valour is the chiefefl virtue, and
Mod dignifies the Haver : if it be,
The Man, I fpeak of, cannot in the world
Be fingly counter-pois'd. At fixteen years,
When Twrafa made a head for Rome, he fought
Beyond the mark of others : our then Dictator,
Whom with all praife I point at, faw him fight,
When with his Amazonian chin he drove
The bridled lips before him : he beftrid
An o'er-preft Roman, and i'th' Conful'sview
Slew three Oppofers : Tarquitfs felf he met,
And {truck him on his knee: in that day's feats,
When he might act the Woman in the Scene,
He prov'd th' beft Man i'th' field, and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil-age
Man-entred thus, he waxed like a Sea ;
And, in the brunt of feventeen battles fince,
He lurcht all fwords o'th' garland. For this laft,
Before and in Corio/i, let me fay,
I cannot fpeak him home : he itopt the fliers,
And by his rare example made the coward
Turn terror into fport. As waves before
476 CORIOLANUS.
A veflel under fail, fo Men obey'd,
And fell below his ftern : his fword, (death's (lamp)
Where it did mark, it took from face to foot :
He was a thing of blood, whofe every motion
Was tim'd with dying cries : alone he enter'd
The mortal Gate o'th* City, which he painted
With fhunlefs deftiny : aidlefs came off,
And with a fudden re-enforcement ftruck
Corioli, like a planet. Nor all's this ;
For by and by the din of war 'gain pierce
His ready fenfe, when ftraight his doubled fpirit
Requicken'd what in flefh was fatigate,
And to the battle came he ; where he did
Run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if
'Twere a perpetual fpoil ; and 'till we call'd
Both Field and City ours, he never flood
To cafe his bread with panting.
Men. Worthy Man !
i Sen. He cannot but with meafure fit the Honours,
Which we devife him.
Com. Our fpoils he kicked at,
And look'd upon things precious, as they were
The common muck o'th* world : he covets lefs
8 Than Mifery itfelf would give, rewards
His deeds with doing them 9 and is content
To fpend his time
Men.
' 8 Than Mifery itfelf would give, ] Mifery, for avarice; be-
caufe a Mi/er fignifies an Avaricious.
9 Com. and is content
To fpend bis time to end it.
Men. His right noble.] The laft words of Cominiui's fpeech
are altogether unintelligible. Shakefpear, I fuppofe, wrote the paf-
iage thus,
and is content
To fptnd his time
Men. To end it, His right ncb/e.
Cominius in his laft words was entering on a new topic in praife
of Coriolanus ; when his warm friend Menenius, impatient to
come to the fubjeil of the honours defigned him, interrupts Ceminius,
and
CORIOLANUS. 477
Men. To end it, He's right* Noble.
Let him be called for.
Sen. Call Coriolanus.
Of. He doth appear.
Enter Coriolanus.
Men. The Senate, Coriolanus> are well pleas'd
To make thee Conful.
Cor. I do owe them dill
My life, and fervices.
Men. l It then remains,
That you do fpeak to th' People.
Cor. I befeech you,
Let me o'er-leap that Cuftom , for I cannot
Put on the Gown, ftand naked, and entreat them*
For my wounds' fake, to give their fuffrages :
PJeafe you, that I may pafs this doing.
Sic. Sir, the People muft have their voices,
Nor will they bate one jot of ceremony.
Men. Put them not to't: pray, fit you to the
Cuftom,
and takes him mort with, to end it. i. e. to end this long dif-
courfe in one word, bis right noble. Lei him be called for. This
is exactly in character, and reitores the paflage to fenfe.
l // then remains,
That you do fpeak to th' People. ] Coriolanus was banifhed
U. C. 262. But till the time of Manlius Torquatus U. C. 393,
the Senate chofe both the Confuls : And then the people, affilled
by the feditious temper of the Tribunes, got the choice of one.
But if he makes Rome a Democracy, which at this time was a per-
fect Ariftocracy ; he fets the balance even in his Timon, and turns
Athens, which was a perfect Democracy, into an Ariftocracy.
But it would be unjuft to attribute this entirely to his ignorance ;
it fometimes preceded from the too powerful blaze of his imagina-
tion, which when once lighted up, made all acquired knowledge
fade and difappear before it. For fometimes again we find him,
when occafion ferves, not only writing up to the truth of hiftory,
but fitting his fentiments to the niceit manners of his peculiar fub-
ject, as well to the dignity of his characters, or the <//#/; of nature
in general.
And
478 CORIOLANUS.
And take t'ye, as yonr Predecefibrs have,
Your Honour with your form.
Cor. It is a Part
That I fhall blufh in ac~ling, and might well
Be taken from the People.
Bru. Mark you That ?
Cor, To brag unto them, thus I did, and thus,
Shew them th' unaking fears, which I would hide,
As if I had receiv'd them for the hire
Of their breath only
Men. Do not (land upon't :
We recommend t'ye, Tribunes of the People,
Our purpofe to them, and to our noble Confui
Wifh we all joy and honour.
Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour !
[Flourijh Cornet. Then Exeunt.
Manent Sicinius and Brutus.
Bru. You fee, how he intends to ufe the People.
Sic. May they perceive's intent! he will require
them,
As if he did contemn what he requefted
Should be in them to give.
Bru. Come, we'll inform them
Of our proceedings here : on th' market place,
I know, they do attend us. [Exeunt.
SCENE VII.
Changes to the Forum.
Enter feven or eight Citizens.
I Ct. * S~\ N C E, if he do require our voices, we
\^J ought not to deny him .
2 Cit. We may, Sir, if we will.
2 Once,"] Once here means the fame as when we fay, once for all.
3 Cit,
CORIOLANUS. 479
3 Cif. 3 We have Power in our felves to do it, but it
is a Power that we have no Power to do ; for if he
fhew us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we are to
put our tongues into thofe wounds, and fpeak for them :
fo, if he tells us his noble deeds, we muft alfo tell him
our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is mon-
flrous ; and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to
make a monfter of the multitude , of the which, we
being Members, mould bring our felves to be mon-
ftrous Members.
1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little
help will ferve: for once, when We flood up about
the Corn, he himfelf ftuck not to call us the (a) many-
headed Monfter.
3 Cit. We have been calPd fo of many ; not that our
heads are fome brown, fome black, fome auburn, fome
bald j but that our wits are fo diverfly colour'd ; and
truly, I think, 4 if all our wits were to iflue out of one
foil], they would fly Eaft, Weft, North, South ; and
their confent of one direct way would be at once to all
Points o'th* Compafs.
2 Cit. Think you fo ? which way, do you judge,
my wit would fly ?
3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not fo foon out as ano-
ther man's will, 'tis ftrongly wedg'd up in a block-
head : but if it were at liberty, 'twould, fure, fouth-
ward.
3 We have a Power in our felves to do it, but it is a Power thai
we have no Power to do;'] I am perfuaded this was intended as a
ridicule on the Augujline manner of defining fret-ivill at that time
in the fchools.
4 ifallourivitsiveretoij/ueout ofonefcull, &Y] Meaning,
though our having but one intereft was moft apparent, yet our
wifhes and projedts would be infinitely difcordant. This meaning
the Oxford Editor has totally difcharged, by changing the text
thus,
ijue out ofourfculls.
\_(a] many heaJtd Monjier. Oxford Editor. Vulg. many-
beaded Multitude.}
2 at.
480 CORIOLANUS.
2 Cit. Why that way ?
3 Gt. " To lofe it felf in a fog ; where being three
" parts melted away with rotten dews 5 the fourth
<c would return for confcience fake, to help to get thee
a Wife.
Cit. You are never without your tricks you
may, you may
3 Cit. Are you all refolved to give your voices ?
but that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I fay,
if he would incline to the People, there was never a
worthier Man.
Enter Coriolanus in a Gown with Menenius.
Here he comes, and in the Gown of Humility ; mark
his behaviour : we are not to flay all together, but to
come by him where he (lands, by one's, by two's, and
by three's. He's to make his requefls by particulars,
wherein every one of us has a fingle honour, in giving
him our own voices with our own tongues: there-
fore follow me, and I'll direct you how you mail go
by him.
All. Content, content.
Men. Oh, Sir, you are not right ; have you not
known,
The worthiefl Men have done't ?
Cor. What muft I fay ?
I pray, Sir, plague upon't, I cannot bring
My tongue to fuch a pace ! Look, Sir, my wounds
I got them in my Country's fervice, when
Some certain of your Brethren roar'd, and ran
From noife of our own drums.
Men. Oh me, the Gods !
5 the fourth would return for confcience fake, to help to get thee
a. Wife] A fly iatirical insinuation how fmall a capacity of wit is
ncceffary for that purpofe : But every day's experience of the Sex's
prudent difpofal of themfelves, may be fuflicient to inform us how
unjaft it is.
You
CORIOLANUS.
You muft not fpeak of that ; you muft defire them
To think upon you.
Cor. Think upon me ? hang 'em.
' I would, they would forget me, like the Virtues
Which our Divines lofe by 'em.
Men. You'll mar all.
I'll leave you : pray you, fpeak to 'em, I pray you,
In wholfom manner. [Exit.
Citizens approach.
Cor. Bid them warn their faces,
And keep their teeth clean. So, here comes a brace :
You know the caufe, Sirs, of my (landing here.
1 Gt. We do, Sir ; tell us what hath brought you
to't.
Cor. Mine own defert.
2 Cit. Your own defert ? '
Cor. Ay, not mine own defire.
j Cit. How! not your own defire?
Cor. No, Sir, 'twas never my defire yet to trouble
the Poor with begging.
1 Cit. You mult think, if we give you any thing,
we hope to gain by you.
Cor. Well then, I pray, your price o*th' Confulfhip ?
j Cit. The price is, to ask it kindly.
Cor. Kindly, Sir, I pray, let me ha't : I have wounds
to mew you, which mail be yours in private : your
good voice, Sir ; what fay you ?
2 Cit. You mail ha't, worthy Sir.
Cor. A match, Sir ; there's in all two worthy voices
begg'd : I have your alms, adieu.
i Cit. But this is fomething odd.
6 / w&uld, they would forget me, like the Virtuts
Which our Divines loft by '/.] i- e. The virtues which
divines recommend. Thefe by a fine figure he reprefents as loft
upon unmoved hearers. But the Oxford Editor, who does all he
can to make the poet unpoetical, alters virtues to advices.
VOL. VI. I i i Cit.
482 CORIOLANUS.
i Cit. An 'twere to give again : but 'tis no matter.
[Exeunt.
Two Giber Citizens.
Cor. Pray you now, if it may ftand with the tune of
your voices, that I may be Conful, I have here the
cuftomary Gown.
i Cit. You have deferved nobly of your Country,
and you have not deferved nobly.
Cor. Your senigma.
1 Cit. You have been a fcourge to her enemies ;
you have been a rod to her friends ; you have not, in-
deed, loved the common People.
Cor. You fhould account me the more virtuous, that
I have not been common in my love : I will, Sir, flat-
ter my fworn Brother, the People, to earn a dearer
eftimation of them ; 'tis a condition they account gen-
tle : and fince the wifdom of their choice is rather to
have my cap than my heart, I will pradtife theinfmua-
tingnod, and be off to them moft counterfeitly: that is,
Sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of fome popular
Man, and give it bountifully to theDefirers : therefore,
befeech you, I may be Conful.
2 Cit. We hope to find you our Friend ; and there-
fore give you our voices heartily.
I Cit. You have received many wounds for your
Country.
Cor. I will not feal your knowledge with mewing
them. 1 will make much of your voices, and fo
trouble you no further.
Both. The Gods give you joy, Sir, heartily!
[Exeunt.
Cor. Mod fweet voices
Better it is to die, better to ftarve,
Than crave the hire, which firft we do defer ve.
Why in this woolvifh Gown mould I Hand here,
To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear,
Their
CORIOLANUS. 483
Their needlefs Voucher? Cuftom calls me to't
What Cuftom wills in all things, fhould we do't,
The duft on antique time would lie unfwept,
And mountainous error be too highly heapt,
For truth to o'er- peer. Rather than fool it fo,
Let the high Office and the Honour go
To one that would do thus. I am half through 5
The one part fu0er'd, the other will I do.
Three Citizens more.
Here come more voices.
Your voices for your voices I have fought,
Watch'd for your voices ; for your voices, bear
Of wounds two dozen and odd : battels thrice fix
Fvefeen, and heard of: for your voices, have
Done many things, fome lefs, fome more : -your
voices :
Indeed* I would be Conful.
1 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without
any honeft man's voice.
2 Cit. Therefore let him be Conful, the Gods give
him joy, and make him a good friend to the People.
All. Amen, amen. God fave thee, noble Conful.
[Exeunt.
Cor. Worthy voices !
Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Sicinius.
Men. You've Hood your limitation : and the Tri-*
bunes
Endue you with the people's voice. Remains,
That in th f official marks inverted, you
Anon do meet the Senate.
Cor. Is this done ?
Sic. The Cuftom of Requeft you have difcharg'd :
The people do admit you, and are fummon'd
To meet anon, upon your approbation.
Cor. Where? at the Senate-houie?
I i 2 Sic,
484 CORIOLANUS.
Sic. There, Conolanus.
Cor, May I change thefe garments ?
Sic. You may, Sir
Cor. That I'll flraight do : and, knowing my felf
again,
Repair to th* Senate-houfe.
Men. I'll keep you company. Will you along?
J5ru. We flay here for the people.
Sic. Fare you well. [Exeunt Coriol.adMen ?
SCENE VIII.
He has it now, and by his looks, methinks,
'Tis warm at's heart.
Bru. With a proud heart he wore
His humble Weeds : will you difmifs the people ?
Enter Plebeians.
Sic. How now, my mafters, have you chofe this man ?
1 Cit. He has our voices, Sir.
Bru. We pray the Gods, he may defcrve your loves !
2 Cit. Amen, Sir: to my poor unworthy notice,
He mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices.
3 Cit. Certainly he flouted us down- right.
1 Cit. No, 'tis his kind of fpeech, he did not mock ul.
2 Cit. Not one amongft us, fave your felf, but fays,
He us'd us fcornfully : he fhould have fhew'd us
His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for's Country.
Sic. Why, fo he did, I am fure.
All. No, no man faw 'em.
3 Cit. He laid, he'd wounds, which he could Jhew
in private ;
And with his cap, thus waving it in fcorn,
I would be Conful, fays he : 7 aged Cuftom,
7 aged Cnjiotn,] This was a flrange inattention. The
Romans at this time had but lately changed the regal for the
confular government ; for Corhlanus was baniihed the eighteenth
year after the expulfion of the king;.
But
CORIOLANU S. 485
But by your voices, will not fo permit me ;
Your voices therefore : when we granted that,
Here was I thank you for your voices thank
you
Your moft fweet voices now you have left your
voices,
I have nothing further with you. Wa'n't this mockery ?
Sic. Why, either, were you 8 ignorant to fee't ?
Or, feeing it, of fuch childifli fnendlinefs
To yield your voices?
Bru. Could you not have told him,
As you were leflbn*d ; when he had no Power,
But was a petty fervant to the State,
He was your enemy ; ftill fpake againft
Your liberties, and charters that you bear
I'th* body of the weal : and now arriving
At place of potency, and fway o'th* State,
If he mould ftill malignantly remain
Faft foe to the Plebeians, your voices might
Be curfes to your felves. You mould have faid,
That as his worthy deeds did claim no lefs
Than what he ftood for -, fo his gracious Nature
Would think upon you for your voices, and
Tranflate his malice tow'rds you into love,
Standing your friendly lord.
Sic. Thus to have faid,
As you were fore-advis'd, had touch'd his fpirit,
And try'd his inclination ; from him pluckt
Either his gracious promife, which you might,
As caufe hadcall'd you up, have held him to ;
Or elfe it would have gall'd his furly nature ;
Which eafily endures not article,
Tying him to aught ; fo putting him to rage,
8 ignorant toftit ?~\ The Oxford Editor alters ignorant
to impotent, not knowing that ignorant at that time fignified
impottnt.
I i 3 You
486 CORIOLANUS.
You fhould have ta'n th' advantage of his cholcr,
And pafs'd him uneledted.
Eru. Did you perceive,
He did follicit you in free contempt,
"When he did need your loves ? and do you think,
That his contempt fhall not be bruifing to you,
"When he hath power to crufh ? why, had your bodies
No heart among you ? or had you tongues, to cry
Againft the rectorihip of judgment?
Sic. Have you,
Ere now, deny'd the asker ? and, now again
On him that did not ask, but mock, beftow
Your fu'd-for tongues ?
3 Cit. He's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet.
2 Cit. And will deny him :
PJ1 have five hundred voices of that found.
i Cit. I, twice five hundred, and their friends ts
piece 'em.
Bru. Get you hence inftantly, and tell thofe friends.
They've chofe a Conful that will from them take
Their Liberties ; make them of no more voice
Than dogs that are as often beat for barking,
As therefore kept to do fo.
Sic. Let them aflemble ;
And on a fafer Judgment all revoke
Your ignorant election : enforce his Pride,
And his old hate to you : befides, forget not,
With what contempt he wore the humble Weed ;
How in his fuit he fcorn'd you : but your loves,
Thinking upon his fervices, took from you
The apprehenficn of his prefent portance ;
Which gibingly, ungravely, he did fafhion
After th' inveterate hate he bears to you.
Eru. Nay, lay a fault on us, your Tribunes, that
We labour'd (no impediment between)
But that you muft caft your election on him.
Sic,
CORIOLANUS. 487
Sic. Say, you chofe him, more after our com-
mandment,
Than guided by your own affections ;
And that your minds, pre-occupied with what
You rather mull do, than what you fhould do,
Made you againil the grain to voice him Conful.
Lay the fault on us.
Bru. Ay, fpare us not: fay, we read lectures to you,
How young iy he began to ferve his Country,
How long continued , and what ftock he fprings of,
The noble Houfe of Marcius ; from whence came
That Ancus Marcius, Numa's daughter's fon,
Who, after great Hoflilitis, here was King :
Of the fame houfe Publius and Quintus were,
That our beft water brought by conduits hither.
9 And CenforinuS) darling of the people,
(And nobly nam'd fo for twice being Cenfor)
1 Was his great Anceftor.
9 And Cenferinus, darling of the people.] This verfe I have
fupplied : a line having been certainly Jefc out in this place, as
will appear to any ona who confults the beginning of Plutarch's
life of Coriolanus, from whence this paffage is directly tranflated.
Mr. Pope.
I And Cenforinus, -
Wai bis great Ancfftor.~\ Now the firft Cenfor was created
U. C. 314, and Coriolanus was banifhed U. C. 262. The truth
is this, the paiTige, as Mr. Pope obfervcs above, was taken from
Plutarch's life of Coriolanus ; who, (peaking of the houfe of Corio-
lanus, takes notice both of his Anceflors and of his Pofteritf, which
our author's hafte not giving him leave to obferve, has here con-
founded one with the other. Another initance of his inadvertency,
from the fame caufe, we have in the firft part of Henry IV. where
an account is given of the prifoners took on the plains of Halmsdon.
Mordake the Earl of Fife, and eldtji Son
To beaten Douglas ------
But the Earl of Fife was not fon to Douglas, but to Robert Duke of
Albany governor of Scotland. He took his account from
whole words are, And of prifoners amongjl others were thefe,
Mordack EarlofF\k,fon to the governor Arkimbald Earl Douglas,
&c. And he imagined that the governor and E*rl Dwgtas WP-
one and the fame perfon, z,
I i 4 QV,
488 CORIOLANUS.
Sic. One thus defcended,
That hath befide well in his perfon wrought
To be fet high in place, we did commend
To your remembrances ; but you have found,
Scaling his prefent Bearing with his pad,
That he's your fixed enemy, and revoke
Your fudden approbation.
Bru. Say, you ne'er had don't,
(Harp on that (till) but by our putting on ;
.And prefently, when you have drawn your number,
Repair to th' Capitol.
ALL We will fo i almoft all repent in their election.
[Exeunt Plebeians.
Bru. Let them go on :
This mutiny were better put in hazard,
Than (lay pad doubt for greater :
If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
With their refufal, both obferve and anfwer
The vantage of his anger.
Sic. To th' Capitol, come ;
We will be there before the ftream o'th' people :
And this fhall feem, as partly 'tis, their own,
Which we have goaded onward. [Exeunt.
ACT III. S C E N E I.
A publick Street in Rome.
Cornets. Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominius,
Titus Lartius, and other Senators.
CORJOLANUS.
UUus Aufidius then had made new head ?
Lart. He had, my lord ; and that it was, which
caus'd
.{ fwifter compofition.
Cor.
T
CORIOLANUS. 489
Cor. So then the Volfcians (land but as at firft,
Ready, when time (hall prompt them, to make road
Upon's again.
Com. They're worn, Lord Conful, fo,
That we mall hardly in our ages fee
Their Banners wave again.
Cor. Saw you Aufidius?
Lart. On fafe-guard he came to me, and did curfe
Againft the Volfeians, for they had fo vilely
Yielded the Town ; he is retir'd to Antium.
Cor. Spoke he of me ?
Lart. He did, my Lord.
Cor. How? what?
Lart. How often he had met you, fvvord to fword ;
That of all things upon the earth he hated
Your perfon moft : that he would pawn his fortunes
To hopelefs reftitution, fo he might
Be call*d your vanquimer.
Cor. At Antmm lives he ?
Lart. At Antmm.
Cor. I wifh, I had a caufe to feek him there ;
To oppofe his hatred fully. Welcome home.
[To Lartius.
Enter Sicinius and Brutus.
Behold! thefe are the Tribunes of the people,
The tongues o'th* common mouth : I do defpife them ;
For they do prank them in authority
Againft all noble fufferance.
Sic. Pafs no further.
Cor. Hah ! what is that !
Bru. It will be dangerous to go on no further.
Cor. What makes this change ?
Men. The matter ?
Com. Hath he not pafs'd the Nobles and the Com-
mons ?
Brt4. Commits, no,
Cor,
CORIOLANUS.
Cor. Have I had childrens* voices ?
Sen. Tribunes, give way ; he fhall to th' market
place.
Bru. The people are incens'd againft him.
Sic. Stop,
Or all wiil fall in broil.
Cor. Are thefe your herd ?
Muit thefe have voices, that can yield them now,
And ftraight difclaim their tongues? what are yo-r
CLuvXa ?
You being their mouths, x why rule you not their
teeth ?
Have you not fet them on ?
Men. Be calm, be calm.
Cor. It is a purpos'd thing, and grows by plot,
To curb the will of the Nobility:
Suffer't, and live with fuch as cannot rule,
Nor ever will be rul'd.
Bru. CalFt not a plot ;
The people cry, you mock'd them ; and, of late,
When corn was given them gratis* you repin'd ;
Scandal'd the fuppliints for the people ; call'd them
Time-pleafers, flatterers, foes to Noblenefs.
Cor. Why, this was known before,
Bru. Not to them all.
Cor. Have you inform'd them fince?
Bru. How ! I inform them !
Cor. You are like to do fuch bufmefs.
Bru. * Not unlike, each way, to better yours.
1 why rule you not their teeth ?] The metaphor is from
mens fetting a Bull-dog or Maitiff upon any one.
2 Not unlike, each way, to better yours.] '. e. likely to provide
better for the fecurity of the commonwealth than you (whole buft-
nefs it is) will do. To which the reply is pertinent,
Why then Jhould I be Conful ?
Yet the reftlefs humour of reformation in the Oxford Editor
difturbs the text to,
" better you.
Cor.
C O R I O L A N U S. 49 I
Cor. Why then Ihould I be Conful ? by yond clouds,
Let me deferve fo ill as you, and make me
Your Fellow-Tribune.
Sic. You Ihew toojnuch of That,
For which the people 'ftir; if you will pafs
To where you're bound, you mud enquire your way
Which you are out of, with a gentler fpirit ;
Or never be fo noble as a Conful,
Nor yoke with him for Tribune.
Men. Let's be calm.
Com. The people are abus'd. Set on ; this
paltring
Becomes not Rome : nor has Coriolanus
Deferv'd this fo dimonour'd Rub, laid falfly
I* th' plain way of his merit.
Cor. Tell me of corn !
This was my fpeech, and I will fpeak't again ~
Men. Not now, not now.
Sen. Not in this hear, Sir, now.
Cor. Now as I live, I will*
As for my nobler friends, I crave their pardons :
But for the mutable rank-fcented Many,
Let them regard me, as I do not flatter,
And there behold themfelves : I fay again,
In foothing them, we nourifh 'gainft our Senate
The cockle of rebellion, infolence, fedition,
Which we ourfelves have plow'd for, fow'd and feat-
ter'd
By mingling them with us, the honour'd number:
Who lack not Virtue, no, nor Power, but that
Which we have given to beggars,
Men. Well, no more
Sen. No more words, we befeech you
Cor. How ! no more !
As for my Country I have fhed my blood,
Not fearing outward forre j fo fhall my lungs
Coin words 'till their decay, againft thole meafles,
Which
CORIOLANUS.
Which we difdain mould tetter us, yet feek
The very way to catch them.
Bru. You fpeak o* th' people, as you were a God
To punifh, not a man of their infirmity.
Sic. 'Twere well, we let the people know't.
Men. What, what ! his choler ?
Cor. Choler! were I as patient as the midnight fleep,
By Jove, 'twould be my mind.
Sic. It is a mind
That mall remain a poifon where it is,
Not poifon any further.
Cor. Shall remain ?
Hear you this Triton of the J minnows ? mark you
His abfolutejW/ ?
Com. 'Twas from the canon.
Cor. Shall!
O good, but moft unwife Patricians, why,
4 You grave, but recklefs Senators, have you thus
Given Hydra here to chufe an officer,
That with his peremptory^//, being but
5 The horn and noife o' th' monfters, wants not fpirit
To fay, he'll turn your current in a ditch,
And make your channel his? If he have power,
* Then vail your ignorance ; If none, awake
Your dangerous lenity : if you are learned,
Be not as common fools ; if you are not,
Let them have cufhions by you. You're Plebeians,
If they be Senators -, and they are no lefs,
3 minnows? ] /. e. Small fry.
4 You grave, but YVRECKLESS Senator^, ] We fhould read,
RECKLESS Senators,
i. e. Carelefs.
5 The born and noife ] Alluding to his having called him
Briton before.
6 Then <vail your ignorance ; J Ignorance, for impotence ;
becaufe it makes impotent. The Oxford Ediisr not undemanding
this, tranfpcfes the whole fentence according to what in his fancy
is accuracy.
When,
CORIOLANUSJ
When, both your voices blended, the great'ft tafte
Mod palates theirs. They chufe their magiftrate !
And fuch a one as he, who puts hisjball,
His popular^//, againft a graver Bench
7 Than ever frown'd in Greece! By Jove himfelf,
It makes the Gonfuls bafe ; 8 " and my foul akes
" To know, when two authorities are up,
" Neither fupream, how foon Confufion
" May enter 'twixt the gap of Both, and take
" The one by th' other.
Com. Well On to th' market-place.
Cor. Who ever gave that couniel, to give forth
The corn o* th' ftore-houfe,ra/;V, as 'twas us'd
Sometime in Greece
Men. Well, well, no more of that. [Power :
Cor. Though there the People had more abfolute
I fay, they nourifh'd difobedience, fed
The ruin of the State.
Bru. Why fhall the people give
One, that fpeaks thus, their voice?
Cor. I'll give my reafons,
More worthy than their voice. They know, the corn
Was not our recom pence ; retting afljr'd,
They ne'er did fervice for't; being preft to th' war,
Even when the navel of the State was touch'd,
They would not thread the gates : this kind of fervice
Did not delerve corn gratis : Being i' th' war,
Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they fhew'd
Moft valour, fpoke not for them. Th' accufation,
Which they have often made againft the Senate,
All caufe unborn, ' could never be the native
Of our fo frank donation. Well, what then ?
How fhall this Bofom-multiplied digeft
The Senate's courtefie ? let deeds expreis,
What's like to be their words We did nqueft it-
7 Than ever frown' J in Greece ! ] ;'. e . That ever pro-
jetted or executed laws.
8 and my foul akes\ The mifchief and abfurdity
of what is called Imperium in imperio, is here finely expreffed.
9 could never be the native] Native, for natural birth.
Vo L. VI. We
494 CORIOLANUS.
We. are the greater poll> and in true fear
They gave us our demands. Thus we debafe
The nature of our Seats, and make the rabble
Call our cares, fears j which will in time break ops
The locks o* th' Senate, and bring in the crows
To peck the eagles.
Men. Come, enough.
ru. Enough, with over meafure.
Cor. * No, take more ;
What may be fworn by. Both Divine and Human
Seal what I end withal ! This double worfhip,
Where one part does difdain with caufe, the other
Infult without all reafon 5 where gentry, title, wifdom,
Cannot conclude but by the yea and no
Of gen'ral ignorance, it muft omit
Real neceflities, and give way the while
T* unftable flightnefs ; ' [purpofe fo barr'd, it follows,
Nothing is done to purpofe.] Therefore beieech you,
(You that will be lefs fearful than difcreer,
* That love the fundamental part of State
More than you doubt the change oft ; that prefer
A noble life before a long, and vvilh
To vamp a body with a dangerous phyfick,
* No, take more.
What may be fworn by, both divine and human,
Seal what I end withal! ] The falfe pointing hath jnade
this unintelligible. It mould be read and pointed thus,
No, take more ;
What may be fworn by. Both Divine and Human
Seal what I end ivi thai !
t. e. No, I will full proceed, and the truth of what I ftiall fay may
be fworn to. And may both Divine and Human powers [/. e.
the Gods of Rome and Senate] confirm and fupport my conclufion.
I purpofe fo barr'd, it follows,
Nothing is done to purpofe, ] This is fo like Pstonius's
eloquence, and ft mujh unlike the relt of Coriolanm's language,
that I am apt to think it fpmious.
z That lo^e the fundamental part of State
Mo, t than you doubt the change oft ; ] /. e. Who are fo wed-
ded to accnftomed rurms in the adminiitration, that in your care
for the ^referv, n of thofe, you oveilook the danger the conflitu-
tit-n incurs by Iriftiy adhering to them. Thii the fpeaker, in vin-
dication of in.' c < r.duft, artfully repreientb to be his cafe; yet this
perti"ent ul ferva i u the Oxford Editor, with one happy dam of
his pen, in iimendin^ doubt to do, entirely abolifhes.
That's
CORIOLANUS.
That's fure of death without ;) at once pluck out
The multitudinous tongue, let them not lick
The fweet which is their poifon. Your difhonour
3 Mangles true judgment, and bereaves the State
Of that integrity 4 which fhould become it :
Not having power to do the good it would,
For th' ill which doth controul it.
Bru. H'as faid enough.
Sic. H'as fpoken like a traitor, and fhall anfwer
As traitors do.
Cor. Thou wretch! Defpight o'erwhelm thee!
What fhould the people do with thefe bald Tribunes r
On whom depending, their obedience fails
To th' greater bench. In a Rebellion,
When what's not meet, but what muft be, was law,
Then were they chofen ; in a better hour,
Let what is meet, be faid, (a) it muft be law,
And throw their Power i'th' duft.
Bru. Manifeft treafon
Sic. This a Conful ? no.
Bru. The &diles, ho ! Jet him be apprehended.
[yEdiles enter.
Sic. Go, call the people, in whofe name myfelf
Attach thee as a traiterous innovator :
A foe to th' publick weal. Obey, I charge thee,
And follow to thine anfwer.
[Laying hold on Coriolanus.
Cor. Hence, old goat !
All. We'll furety him.
Com. Ag'd Sir, hands off.
Cor. Hence, rotten thing, or I mail fhake thy bones
Out of thy garments.
Sic. Help me, citizens.
3 Manghi true judgment, ] Judgment, for government.
4 which Jb'juld become zV:] Become, for adorn.
[ (a) it mujl be laiu. Oxford Editor. Vulg. it mufi be meet ]
SCENE
496 CORIOLANUS.
SCENE II.
Enter a Rabble of Plebeians, with the ^Ediles.
Men. On both fides, more refpect.
Sic. Here's he, that would take from you all your
power.
Bru. Seize him, Aidties.
All. Down with him, down with him!
2 Sen. Weapons, weapons, weapons !
[Toey all buftle about Coriolanus.
Tribunes, Patricians, Citizens- what ho!
Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, citizens!
All. Peace, peace, peace, (lay, hold, peace !
Men. What is about to be ? 1 am out of breath ;
Confufion's near, I cannot fpeak, You Tribunes,
Coriolanus, patience ; fpeak, Sicinius.
Sic. Hear me, people peace.
All. Let's hear our Tribune -, peace j fpeak, fpeak,
fpeak.
Sic. You are at point to lofe your liberties:
Marcius would have all from you : Marcius 9
Whom late you nam'd for Conful.
Men. Fie, fie, fie.
This is the way to kindle, not to quench.
Sen. To unbuild the city, and to lay all flat.
Sic. What is the city, but the people ?
All. True, the people are the city.
Bru. By the confent of all, we were eftablilh'd
The people's magiftrates.
All. You fo remain.
Men. And fo are like to do.
Cor. That is the way to lay the city flat j
To bring the roof to the foundation,
And bury all, which yet diftin&ly ranges,
In heaps and piles of ruin.
Sit. This deferves death.
Bru.
CORIOLANUS. 497
Bru. Or let us (land to our Authority,
Or let us lofe it ; we do here pronounce,
Upon the part o'th* people, in whofe power
We were elected theirs, Marc'ws is worthy
Of prefent death.
Sic. Therefore lay hold on him ;
Bear him to th' rock Tarfeian, and from thence
Into de(lru6lion caft him.
Bru. JEdileSy feize him.
All. Pie. Yield, Marcius, yield.
Men. Hear me one word ; 'befcech you, Tribunes,
hear me but a word
jEdiles. Peace, peace.
Men. Be that you leem, truly your Country's friends,
And temp'rately proceed to what you would
Thus violently redrefs.
Bru. Sir, thofe cold ways,
That feem like prudent helps, are very poifonous,
Where the difeafe is violent. Lay hands on him,
And bear him to the rock.
[Coriolanus draws his fivord.
Cor. No ; I'll dye here.
There's fome among you have beheld me fighting,
Come, try upon your felves, what you have feen me.
Men. Down with that fword ; Tribunes, withdraw
a while.
Bru. Lay hands upon him.
Men. Help Marcius, help you that be noble,
help him young and old.
All. Down with him, down with him. [Exeunt.
[J this mutiny, the Tribunes, the ^Ediles, and
the people are beqt in.
SCENE III.
Men. Go, get you to your houfe ; be gone, away,
All will be nought elfe.
" VOL. VI. Kk zSen.
498 CORIOLANUS.
2 Sen. Get you gone.
5 Cor. Stand faft, we have as many friends as enemies.
Men. Shall it be put to That ?
Sen. The Gods forbid !
I pr'ythee, noble friend, home to thy houfe,
Leave us to cure this caufe.
Men. For 'tis a fore,
You cannot tent yourfelf -, begone, 'befeech you.
Com. Come, Sir, along with us.
Men. I would, they were Barbarians, (as they are,
Though in Rome litter'd j) not Romans: (as they
are not,
Though calved in the porch o* th' Capitol :)
Begone, put not your worthy rage into your tongue,
One time will owe another.
Cor. On fair ground I could beat forty of them.
Men. I could myfelf take up a brace o'th' bed of
them ; yea, the two Tribunes.
Com. But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetick:
And manhood is calPd fool'ry, when it (lands
Againft a falling fabrick. Will you hence,
Before the tag return, whofe rage doth rend
Like interrupted waters, and o'erbear
"What they are us'd to bear.
Men. Pray you, be gone :
I'll try, if my old wit be in requeft
"With thofe that have but little 5 this muft be patcht
With clotkof any colour.
Com. Come, away.
[Exeunt Coriolanus and Cominius.
5 Com. Stand fafl, &c.] This fpeech certainly (hould be given
to Coriolanus; for all his friends perfuade him to retire. So Co-
tniniui prefent'y after ;
Come, Sir, along n/citb tit.
SCENE
CORIOLANUS. 499
SCENE IV.
1 Sen. This man has marr'd his fortune.
Men. His nature is too noble for the world :
" He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,
" Or Jove for's power to thunder: his heart's his mouth i
" What his bread forges, that his tongue muft ventj
" And, being angry, does forget that ever
" He heard the name of death. [A noife within.
Here's goodly work.
2 Sen. I would, they were a-bed.
Men. I would, they were in 'Tiber. What, the
vengeance,
Could he not fpeak 'em fair ?
Enter Brutus and Sicinius, with the raUIe again.
Sic. Where is this viper,
That would depopulate the city, and
Be every man himfelf ?
Men. You worthy Tribunes
Sic. He mall be thrown down the Tarpeian Rock
With rigorous hands ; he hath refilled Law,
And therefore Law mall fcorn him further trial
Than the feverity of publick. Power,
Which he fo fets at nought.
i Cit. He (hall well know, the noble Tribunes are
The people's mouths, and we their hands.
All. He mail, be fure on'c.
Men. Sir, Sir,-
Sic. Peace.
Men. Do not cry havock, where you ftiould but
hunt
With modeft warrant.
Sic. Sir, how comes it, you
Have holp to make this refcue?
Men. Hear me fpeak ;
Kk 2 As
CORIOLANUS.
As I do know the Conful's worchinefs,
So can I name his faults
Sic. Confu!! what Conful!
Men. The Conful Coriolanus.
Bru. He Conful !
All. No, no, no, no, no.
Men. If by the Tribunes' leave, and yours, good
people,
I may be heard, Pd crave a word or two j
The which fhall turn you to no further harm,
Than fo much lofs of time.
Sic. Speak briefly then,
For we are peremptory to difpatch
This viperous traitor ; to ejet him hence,
Were but our danger ; and to keep him here,
Our certain death i therefore it is decreed,
He dies to night.
Men. Now the good Gods forbid,
That our renowned Rome^ whofe gratitude
Tow'rds her deferving children is enroll'd
In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam
Should now eat up her own !
Sic. He's a difeafe that muft be cut away.
Men. Oh, he's a limb, that has but a difeafe ;
Mortal, to cut it offj to cure it, eafie.
What has he done to Rome, that's worthy death ?
Killing our enemies, the blood he hath loft
(Which I dare vouch, is more than That he hath,
By many an ounce) he dropt it for his Country :
And what is left, to lofe it by his Country,
Were to us all that do't, and fuffer it,
A brand to th' end o'th* world.
Sic. 6 This is clean kam.
6 This is clean kam.] i. e. Awry. So Cotgrave interprets Tout
*uaa contrepoil, sill goes clean kam. Hence a Kambrel for a crooked
ftick, or the bend in a horfe'i hinder-leg.
Bru.
CORIOLANUS.
Eru. Meerly awry : when he did love his Country,
It honourM him.
7 Sic. The fervice of the foot
Being once gangreen'd, it is not then refpected
For what before it was.
Bru. We'll hear no more.
Purfue him to his houfe, and pluck him thence ;
Left his infection, being of catching nature,
Spread further.
Men, One word more, one word :
This tiger- footed rage, when it (hall find
The harm of unskann*cl fwiftnefs, will (too late)
Tye leaden pounds to's heels. Proceed by procefs,
Left Parties (as he is belov'd) break out,
And fack great Rome with Romans.
Bru. I f 'twere fo
Sic. What do ye talk ?
Have we not had a tafte of his obedience,
Our JEdi/cs fmote, ourfdves refilled ? come
Men. Confider this , he hath been bred i'th' wars
Since he could draw a fword, and is ill-fchooi'd
In boulted language -, meal arid bran together
He throws without diftinction. Give me leave,
I'll go to him, and undertake to bring him
Where he (hall anfwer by a lawful form,
In peace, to his utmoft peril.
I Sen. Noble Tribunes,
It is the humane way : the other courfe
Will prove too bloody, and the end of it
Unknown to the beginning.
Sic. Noble Menenius*
Be you then as the people's officer.
Mafters, lay down your weapons.
7 Men. The fer*vice of the foot, &c.] Nothing can be more evi-
dent than that this could never be faid by Coriolanus's apologilt,
and that it was faid by one of the Tribune:) ; I have therefore given
it to Sicinius.
K k 3 Eru.
S 2
CORIOLANUS.
Bru. Go not home.
Sic. Meet on the forum-, we'll attend you there,
Where, if you bring not Marcius, we'll proceed
In our fir ft way.
Men. I'll bring him to you.
Let me defire your company ; he muft come,
Or what is worfe will follow.
I Sen. Pray, let's to him. [Exeunt.
SCENE V.
Changes to CORIOLANUS 's Houfe.
Enter Coriolanus, with Nobles.
Cor. T ET them pull all about mine ears, prefent me
l_j Death on the wheel, or at wild horfes*. heels,
Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian Rock,
That the precipitation might down ftretch
Below the beam of fight, yet will I ftill
Be thus to them.
Enter Volumnia.
Nobl. You do the nobler.
Cor. I mufe, my mother
poes not approve me further, who was wont
To call them woollen vafTals, things created
To buy and fell with groats , to mew bare heads
In congregations, yawn, be ftill, and wonder,
When one but of my Ordinance flood up
To fpcak of Peace or War -, (I talk of you)
Why did you wifh me milder? wou'd you have me
Falfe to my nature? rather fay, I play
The man I am.
FoL Oh, Sir, Sir, Sir,
I would have had you put your Power well on,
Before you had worn it out.
Cor.
CORIOLANUS. 503
Cor. Let it go.
Vol. You might have been enough the man you
are.
With driving Jefs to be fo. Lefler had been
The Thwartings of your difpofitions, if
You had not fhew'd them how you were difpos'd
Ere they lack'd power to crofs you.
Cor. Let them hang.
Vol. Ay, and burn too.
Enter Menenius, with the Senators.
Men. Come, come, you've been too rough, fome-
thing too rough :
You muft return, and mend it.
Sen. There's no remedy,
Unlefs, by not fo doing, our good City
Cleave in the midft, and perifh.
Vol. Pray, be counfell'd ;
I have a heart as little apt as yours,
But yet a brain that leads my ufc of anger
To better vantage.
Men. Well faid, noble woman :
7 Before he mould thus {loop to th' Herd, but that
The violent fit o'th' times cnves it as phyfick
For the whole State, I'd put mine armour on,
Which I can fcarcely bear.
Cor. What muft I do ?
Men. Return to th' Tribunes.
Cor. Well, what then? what then?
Men. Repent what you have fpoke.
Cor. For them ? I cannot do it for the Gods,
Muft I then do't to them ?
Vol. You are too abfolute,
Tho' therein you can never be too noble,
7 Before be thus Jbould Jloop to ttf HEART ] This nonfenfe
fhould be reformed thus,
Before be thus jbould Jloop to tV HERD. *. e. the people.
K k 4 Bat
CORIOLANUS.
But when Extremities fpeak. " I've heard you fay,
" Honour and policy, like unfever'd Friends,
" I'th' war do grow together : grant That, and tell me
" In peace, what each of them by th' other lofes,
" That they combine not there?
Cor. Tufh, tufli'
Men. A good demand.
Vol. If it be honour in your wars, to feem
The fame you are not, which for your beft ends
You call your policy : how is't lefs, or worfe,
That it mall hold companionfhip in peace
With Honour, as in War ; fince that to both
It ftands in like requeft?
Cor. Why force you this?
Vol. Becaufeit lies on you to fpeak to th' People :
Not by your own inftruftion, nor by th' matter
Which your heart prompts you to, but with fuch words
But roated in your tongue ; baftards, and fyllables
Of no allowance, to your bofom's truth.
Now, this no moredifhonours you at all,
Than to take in a Town with gentle words,
W T hich elfe would put you to your fortune, and
The hazard of much blood.
I would diflemble with my nature, where
My fortunes, and my friends, at ftake requir'd,
I mould do fo in honour. 8 1 am in this
Your Wife, your Son, thefe Senators, the Nobles.-
And you will rather mew our general lowts
How you can frown, than fpend a fawn upon 'em,
1 am in this
Tour Wife, your Son: the Senators, tie Nobles.
AndYou, &c.j The pointing of the printed copies makes ftark
nonfenfe of this paiiage. Folumnia is perfuading Coriolanus that he
ought to flatter the people, as the general fortune was at flake; and
fays, that, in this advice, fhe fpeaks as his wife, as his fon ; as
the Senate, and body of the Patricians j who were in fome meafurc
link'd to his conduit.
For
CoRIOLANUS. 505
For the inheritance of their loves, and fafeguard
Of what that Want might ruin !
Men. Noble Lady !
Come, go with us, fpeak fair: you may falve fo
Not what is dangerous prefent, but the lofs
Of what is paft.
Vol. I pr*ythee now, my Son,
" Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand,
* 6 And thus far having ftretch'd it (here be with them)
" Thy knee buffing the (tones ; (for in fuch bufinefs
" Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th* ignorant
" More learned than the ears ;) 9 waving thy hand,
" Which foften, thus, correcting thy (lout heart,
" Now humble as the ripeft Mulberry,
" That will not hold the handling : or fay to them,
" Thou art their Soldier, and, being bred in broils,
" Haft not the foft way, which thou doft confefs
" Were fit for thee to ufe, as they to claim,
" In asking their good loves -, but thou wilt frame
" Thy felf (forfooth) hereafter theirs fo far,
" As thou haft power and perfon.
Men. This but done,
Ev'n as (he fpeaks, why, all their hearts were yours:
For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free s
As words to little purpofe.
waving thy head,
Which often, thus, cor re ft ing thy ft out heart J\ But do any of
the ancient, or modern matters of elocution prefcribe the iva-viug
the head, when they treat of adlion ? Or how does the waving
the head correft the ftoutnefs of the heart, or evidence humility?
Or laftly, where is the fenfe or grammar of thefe words, Which
often thus, &c? Thefe queftions are fufficient to fhew that the lines
are corrupt. I would read therefore,
i-:a-j\ng thy hand,
Which foften thus, corre fling thy flout heart.
This is a very proper precept of aftion fuiting the occafion ; Wave
thy hand, fays fhe, and foften the aftion of it thus, thenftrike
upon thy breaft, and by that acuon fhew the people thou haft cor-
refted thy ftout heart. All here is fine and proper.
Vol.
506 CORIOLAMUS.
Vol. Pr'ythee now,
Go and be rui'd : altho', I know, thou'dft rather
" Follow chine enemy in a fiery Gulf
" Than flutter him in a bower.
Enter Cominius.
Here is Cominius.
Com. I've been i'th' Market-place, and, Sir, 'tis fit
You have ftrong Party, or defend your felf
By calmnefs, or by abfence: all's in anger.
Men. Only, fair fpeech.
Com. I think, 'twill ferve, if he
Can thereto frame his fpirit.
Vol. He muft and will :
Pr'ythee now, fay you will, and go about it.
Cor. Mud I go mew them my unbarbed fconce ?
Muft my bafe tongue give to my noble heart
A lie, that it muft bear ? well, I will do't:
Yet were there but this ' fingle Plot to lofe,
This mould of Marcius, they to duft mould grind it,
And throw't againft the wind. To th* Market-place!
You've put me now to fuch a Part, which never
1 fliall difcharge to th' life.
Com. Come, come, we'll prompt you.
Vol. Av, pr'ythee now, fweet Son ; as thou haft faid,
My praifes made thee firft a Soldier, fo,
To have my praife for this, perform a Part
Thou haft not done before.
Cor. Well, I muft do't :
4 Away, my Difpofition, and poflefs me
' Some Harlot's fpirit ! my throat of war be turn'd,
* Which quired with my drum, into a pipe
* Small as an Eunuch, or the Virgin's voice
* That Babies lulls afleep ! the fmiles of Knaves
' Tent in my cheeks, and fchool-boys' tears take up
i Jingle plot ] i. e. piece, portion ; applied to a piece of
?arth, and here elegantly transferred to the body, carcafe.
'The
CORIOLANUS. 507
' The glafies of my fight ! a Beggar's tongue
* Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees,
' Which bow'd but in my ftirrup, bend like his
4 That hath received an alms ! I will not do'r,-
* Left I furceafe to honour mine own truth,
6 And, by my body*s action, teach my mind,
' A moft inherent bafenefs.
Vol. " At thy choice then:
*' To beg of thee, it is my more diflionour,
" Than thouof them. Come all to ruin, let
" Thy Mother rather feel thy pride, than fear
" Thy dangerous ftoutnefs : for I mock at Death
u With as big heart as thou. Do, as thou lift :
" Thy valiantnefs was mine, thou fuck'dft it from me :
" But own thy pride thy felf.
Cor. Pray, be content:
Mother, I'm going to the Market-place :
Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves,
Cog their hearts from them, and come home belov'd
Of all the Trades in Rome. Look, I am going :
Commend me to my Wife. I'll return Conful,
Or never truft to what my tongue can do
I'th* way of flattery further.
Vol. Do your will. \_Exit Volumnia.
Com. Away, the Tribunes do attend you : arm
Your felf to anfwer mildly: for they're prepar'd
With accufations, as I hear, more ftrong
Than are upon you yet.
Cor. The word is, mildly. Pray you, let us go.
Let them accufe me by invention - I
Will anfwer in mine honour.
Men. Ay, but mildly.
Cor. Well, mildly be it then, mildly. [Exeunt.
SCENE
508 CORIOLANUS.
SCENE VI.
Changes to the FORUM.
Enter Sicinius and Brutus.
5r.TN this point charge him home, that he affects
L Tyrannic Power : if he evade us there,
Inforce him with his envy to the People,
And that the Spoil, got on the dntiales,
Was ne'er diftributed. What, will he come?
Enter an JEdik.
/Ed. Ht's coming.
Bru. How accompanied ?
Md. With old Menenius, and thofe Senators
That always favour'd him.
Sic. Have you a catalogue
Of all the voices that we have procur'd,
Set down by th* poll ?
JEd. I have ; 'tis ready, here.
Sic. Have you collected them by Tribes?
&d. I have.
Sic. Afiemble prefently the People hither,
And, when they hear me fay, It mall be fo,
1'th* right and ftrength o'rh* Commons ; (be it either
For Death, for Fine, or Banimment,) then let them,
If I fay Fine, cry Fine ; if Death, cry Death j
Infilling on the old Prerogative
And Power i'th' truth o'th' Caufe.
Md. I will inform them.
Bru. And when fuch time they have begun to cry,
Let them not ceafe, but with a Din confus'd
Inforce the prefent execution
Of what we chance to fentence.
Md. Very well.
Sic.
CORIOLANUS. 509
Sic. Make them be ftrong and ready for this hint,
When we fhall hap to give't them.
Bru. Go about it. [ExitfiLdile.
Put him to choler ttraight ; he hath been us'd
Ever to conquer, l and to have his word,
Off contradiction. Being once chaft, he cannot
Be rein'd again to temp'rance ; then he fpeaks
What's in his heart ; and That is there, J which looks
With us to break his neck.
Enter Coriolanus, Menenius and Cominius with others-
Sic. Well, here he comes.
Men. Calmly, I do befeech you.
Cor. Ay, as an hoftler, that for the pooreft piece
Will bear the Knave by th* volume: The honour'd
Gods
Keep Rome in Safety, and the Chairs of Juftice
Supply with worthy men, 4 plant love amongft you,
Throng our large Temples with the {hews of peace,
And not our ftreets with war!
i Sen. Amen, amen !
Men. A noble wifh.
and to have bis word
OF contradiction.'] The fenfe here falls miferably. He bath
been ufed, fays the fpeaker, ever to conquer And what then/
and to contradift. We fhould read and point it thus,
. And to have bis word,
OFF contradiction.
I. #. to have his opinion carty it without contradiaion. Here the
fenfe rifes elegantly. He ufed ever to conquer ; nay to conquer 'with-
out oppofition.
^ which looks
With us to break bis neck.] A familiar phrafe of that timr,
fignifying works ivith us. But the Oxford Editor under/landing
the fenfe better than the expreffion, gives us here Shakefpear\ mean-
ing in his own words.
4 plant love among ft you
Through our large Temples with the Jhews of peace,
And not our Jlreets 'with ivar !~\ We Jhould read, Throng our
large Temples. The other is rank nonfenfe.
Enter
510 CORIOLANUS.
Enter the ^Edile with the Plebeians.
Sic. Draw near, ye People.
/Ed. Lift to your Tribunes : audience $
Peace, I fay.
Cor. Firft, hear me fpeak.
Both Tri. Well, fay : peace, ho.
Cor. Shall I be charg'd no farther than this prefent ?
Muft all determine here ?
Sic. I do demand,
If you fubmit you to the People's voices,
Allow their Officers, and are content
To fuffer lawful Cenfure for fuch faults
As fhall be prov'd upon you ?
Cor. I am content.
Men. Lo, Citizens, he fays, he is content :
The warlike fervice he has done, confider ;
Think on the wounds his body bears, which fhew
Like Graves i'th' holy Church-yard.
Cor. Scratches with briars, fears to move Laughter
only.
Men. Confider further :
That when he fpeaks not like a Citizen,
You find him like a Soldier ; do not take
His rougher accents for malicious founds :
But, as I fay, fuch as become a Soldier.
Rather than envy, you
Com. Well, well, no more.
Cor. What is the matter,
That being paft for Conful with full voice,
I'm fo difhonour'd, that the very hour
You take it off again ?
Sic. Anfwer to us.
Cor. Say then : 'tis true, I ought fo.
Sic. We charge you, that you have contrived to take
From Rome all feafon'd Office, and to wind
Your
CORIOLANUS.
Yourfelf unto a Power tyrannical ;
For which you are a traitor to the People.
Cor. How ? Traitor ?
Men. Nay, temperately : your promife.
Cor. The fire's i* th' loweft hell fold in the people !
Call me their traitor ! thou injurious Tribune !
Within thine eyes fat twenty thoufand deaths
In thy hands clutch'd as many millions, in
Thy lying tongue both numbers; I would fay,
Thou lieft, unto thee, with a voice as free,
As I do pray the Gods.
Sic. Mark you this, people ?
AIL To th' Rock with him.
Sic. Peace:
We need not lay new matter to his charge :
What you have feen him do, and heard him fpeak,
Beating your Officers, curfing yourfelves,
Oppofing laws with ftroaks, and here defying
Thofe whofe great Power muft try him, even this
So criminal, and in fuch capital kind,
Deferves th' extreameft death.
Eru. But fmce he hath
Serv'd well for Rome
Cor. What do you prate of fervice ?
Bru. I talk of That, that know it.
Cor. You?
Men. Is this the promife that you made your
Mother ?
Com. Know, I pray you-
Cor. I'll know no farther :
Let them pronounce the fteep Tarpeian death,
Vagabond exile, fleaing, pent to linger
But with a grain a-day, I would not buy
Their mercy at the price of one fair word ;
Nor check my courage for what they can give,
To hav't with faying, good morrow.
Sic, For that he has
(As
512 CORIOLANUS.
(As much as in him lyes) from time to time
Envy'd againft the people ; feeking means
To pluck away their Power 5 as now at laft
Giv'n hoftile ftroaks, and that not in the prefence
Of dreaded juftice, but on the Minifters
That do diftribute it ; in the Name o' th' People,
And in the Power of us the Tribunes, we
(Ev'n from this inftant) banifh him our City 5
In peril of precipitation
From off the Rock TarptiaM, never more
To enter our Rome's Gates. 1' th* People's Name,
I fay, it fhall be fo.
All. It fhall be fo, it mail be fo ; let him away :
He's banifh'd, and it (hall be fo.
Com. Hear me, my Matters, and my common
Friends
Sic. He's fentenc'd : no more hearing.
Com. Let me fpeak :
I have been Conful, and can mew for Rows
Her Enemies' Marks upon me. I do love
My Country's Good, with a refpect more tender,
JVIore holy, and profound, than mine own life,
My dear wife's eftimate, her womb's increafe,
And treafure of my loins : then if I would
Speak that
Sic. We know your drift. Speak what ?
Brit. There's no more to be faid, but he is banifli'd
As enemy to the People and his Country.
It fhall be fo.
All. It fhall be fo, it fhall be fo.
Cor. " You common cry of curs, whofe breath I
hate,
" As reek o* th' rotten fenns ; whofe loves I prize,
" As the dead carcaffes of unburied men,
" That do corrupt my air : I banifh you:
" And here remain with your uncertainty 5
" Let every feeble rumour fhakc your hearts;
Your
CORIOLANUS. 513
" Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes,
*' Fan you into defpair : have the power dill
" To banifh your Defenders, 'till at length,
" Your ignorance (which finds nor, 'till it feels j
" Making but refervation of your felves
" Still your own enemies) deliver you,
" As mod abated captives, to fome nation
" That won you without blows ! Defpifing then,
For you, the City, thus I turn my back :
There is a world elfewhere
[Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, and others.
\jThe people j/jout^ and throw up their caps* -
Md. The people's enemy is gone, is gone !
AIL Our enemy is banifh'd ; he is gone ! Hoo !
hoo!
Sic. Go fee him out at gates, and follow him
As he hath followed you ; with all defpight
Give him deferv'd vexation. Let a guard
Attend us through the City.
All. Come, come ; let us fee him out at the gates 5
come.
The Gods preferve our noble Tribunes ! -'come.
[Exeunt.
A C T IV. SCENE I.
Before the Gates of R o M E.
Enter Coriolanus, Volumnia, Virgilia, Menenius,
Cominius, with the young Nobility of Rome.
CORIOLANUS.
COME, leave your, tears: a brief fare w el : the
bead
"V^ith many heads butts me away. Nay, mother,
^ VOL. VI. LI Where
514 CORIOLANUS.
Where is your ancient Courage? " you were us'd
" To fay, Extremity was the trier of fpirits,
** That common chances common men could bear ;
" That, when the Sea was calm, all boats alike
u Shew'd mafterfhip in floating. Fortune's blows,
" When mod ftruck home, l being gently warded,
craves
<f A noble cunning. You were us'd to load me
" With precepts, that would make invincible
" The heart that conn'd them.
Vir. O heav'ns! O heav'ns!
Cor. Nay, I pr'ythee, woman
Vol. Now the red peftilence ftrike all trades in
Rome,
And occupations perifh !
Cor. What! what! what!
I ihall be lov'd, when I am lack'd. Nay, mother,
Refume that fpirit, when you were wont to fay,
If you had been the wife of Hercules^
Six of his labours you*d have done, and fav'd
Your husband fo much fwear. Cominius^
Droop not; adieu: farewel, my wife! my mother!
I'll do well yet. " Thou old and true Menenius,
" Thy tears are falter than a younger man's,
** And venomous to thine eyes. My fometime Ge-
neral,
I've feen thee ftern, and thou haft oft beheld
Heart-hardning fpedlacles. Tell thele fad women,
'Tis fond to wail inevitable ftroaks,
As 'tis to laugh at 'em. Mother, you wot,
My hazards (till have been your folace i and
Believt'c not lightly, " (tho* I go alone,
" Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen
" Makes fear'd, and ta'k'd of more than feen :) your
Son
Will, or exceed the common, or be caught
i being gcmly warded, ~\ Gentfy, for nobly.
With
CORIOLANUJ. 515
With cautelous baits and practice.
Vol. * My firft Son,
Where will you go ? take good Commius
With thee a while, determine on fome courfe,
More than a wild expofure to each chance,
That ftarts i' th' way before thee.
Cor. O the Gods !
Com. I'll follow thee a month, devife with thee
Where thou flialt reft, that thou may'ft hear of us,
And we of thee. So, if the time thruft forth,
A Caufe for thy Repeal, we mail not fend
O'er the vaft world, to fcek a fingle man j
And lofe advantage, which doth ever cool
1* th' abfence of the needer.
Cor. Fare ye well :
Thou'ft years upon thee, and thou art too full
Of the war's furfeits, to go rove with one
That's yet unbruis'd -, bring me but our at gate.
Come, my fweet wife, my deareft mother, and
3 My friends of noble touch : when I am forth,
Bid me farewel, and fmile. I pray you, come.
While I remain above the ground, you malt
Hear from me ftill, and never of me aught
But what is like me formerly.
Men. That's worthily
As any ear can hear. Come, let's not weep.
If I could (hake off but one feven years
From thefe old arms and legs, by the good Gods,
I'd with thee every foot.
Cor. Give me thy hand. \Exsunt*
7. My firft Soft,] Firft, i. e. nobleft, m<jft eminent of men.
3 My fritndi of nolle touch :] i.e. of true metal unallay'd. Me-
taphor taken from trying gold on the touhftonc.
Lla SCENE
516 CORIOLANUS.
SCENE II.
Enter Sicinius and Brutus, ivlih tbe JEdile.
Sic. Bid them all home, he's gone ; and we'll no
further.
Vex'd are the Nobles, who, we fee, have fided
In his behalf.
Bru. Now we have ftiewn our Power,
Let us feem humbler after it is done,
Than when it was a doing.
Sic. Bid them home ;
Say, their great enemy is gone, and they
Stand in their ancient Strength.
Bru. Difmifs them home.
Here comes his Mother.
Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius.
Sic. Let's not meet her.
Bru. Why ?
Sic. They fay, fhe's mad.
.firw.Theyhaveta'en note of us: keep on your way.
Vol. Oh, y'are well met:
The hoorded plague o* th' Gods requite your love !
Men. Peace, peace ; be not fo loud.
Vol. If that I could for weeping, you fliould hear
Nay, and you mall hear fome. Will you be gone ?
You mall (lay too.
Virg. I would, I had the power
To fay fo to my Husband.
Sic. Are you mankind ?
Vol. Ay, fool : is that a fhame? note but this fool.
Was not a Man my Father ? hadft thou foxfliip
To banifh him that (truck more blows for Ronie y
Than thou haft fpoken words
Sic. Oh bleffed heav'ns !
Vol. More noble blows, than ever thou wife words,
And for Rome's good I'll tell thee what yet go
Nay,
CORIOLANUS. 51
Nay, but thou (halt flay too 1 would, my fon
Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him,
His good fword in his hand.
Sic. What then ?
Virg. What then? he'd make an end of thy Po-
fterity.
Vol. Baftards, and all.
Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome !
Men. Come, come, peace.
Sic. I would, he had continued to his Country
As he began, and not unknit himfelf
The noble knot he made.
Bru. I would, he had.
Vol. I would, he had! 'twas you incens'd the
rabble :
Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth,
As I can of thofe myfteries which Heav'n
"Will not have Earth to know.
Bru. Pray let us go.
Vol. Now, pray, Sir, get you gone.
You've done a brave deed : ere you go, hear this :
As far as doth the Capitol exceed
The meaneft houfe in Rome ; fo far my Son,
This Lady's Husband here, this, (do you fee)
Whom you have banifh'd, does exceed you all.
Bru. Well, well, we'll leave you.
Sic. Why ftay you to be baited
With one that wants her wits ? [Exeunt Tribunes.
Vol. Take my prayers with you,
I wifh, the Gods had nothing e'fe to do,
But to confirm my curfes ! Could I meet 'em
But once a-day, it would unclog my heart
Of what lyes heavy to't.
Men. You've told them home,
And, by my troth, have caufe: you'll fup with me?
Vol. Anger's my meat, 1 fup upon my felf,
And fo mall flarve with feeding : come, let's go,
L 1 3 Leave
CORIOLANUS.
Leave this faint puling, and lament as I do,
In anger, Juno like : come, com.e, fie, fie ! \Excunt,
SCENE III.
^f
X
Changes to A N T i u M.
Enter a Roman and a Volfcian*
Know you well, Sir, and you know mej
your name, I think, is Adrian.
Vol. It is fo, Sir: truly, I have forgot you.
Rom. I am a Roman t but my fervices are as you
are, againft 'em. Know you me yet ?
Vol. Nicanor? no.
Rom. The fame, Sir.
Vol. You had more beard when I laft faw you,
4 but your favour is well appeaPd by your tongue.
What's the news in Rome ? 1 have a Note from the
Volfcian State to find you out there. You have well
fav'd me a day's journey.
Rcm. There hath been in Rome ftrange indirec-
tions : the People againft the Senators, Patricians,
and Nobles.
Vol. Hath been! is it ended then? our State thinks
not fo: they are in a mod warlike preparation, and
hope to come upon them in the heat of their diviiion.
Rom. The main blaze of it ispaft, but a fmall thing
would make it flame again. For the Nobles receive
fo to heart the Banifhment of that worthy Coriolanus*
that they are in a ripe aptnefs to take all power from
the People, and to pluck from them their Tribunes
for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you j and is
almoft mature for the violent breaking out.
4 but your favour is well APPEAR' D by ear longxt.~] This is
ftrange nonfcnie. We ftiould read,
- is well APPEAI'B,
*'. e. brought into remembrance.
Vol.
CORIOLANUS. 519
Vol. Coriotanus banifh'd ?
Rom. Banifh'd, Sir.
Vol. You will be welcome with this intelligence,
Rom. The day ferves well for them now. I have
heard it faid, the fitted time to corrupt a man's Wife,
is when fhe's fallen out with her husband. Your no-
ble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in thefe wars, his
great Oppofer Coriolanus being now in no requeft of
his Country.
Vol. He cannot chufe. I am moft fortunate, thus
accidentally to encounter you. You have ended my
bufinefs, and I will merrily accompany you home.
Rom. I mail between this and Hipper tell you moft
ftrange things from Rome ; all tending to the good of
their Adverfaries. Have you an army ready, fay
you?
Vol. A moft royal one. The Centurions and their
Charges diftinctly billeted, already in the entertain-
ment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning.
Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readinefs, and am
the man, I think, that mall fet them in prefent ac-
tion. So, Sir, heartily well met, and moft glad of
your company.
Vol. You take my Part for me, Sir, I have the
moft caufe to be glad of yours.
Rom. Well, let us go together. [Exeunt.
Enter Coriolanus in mean dpparel, difguifd and
muffled.
Cor. A goodly City is this Antium. City,
'Tis I, that made thy widows : Many an heir
Of thefe fair edifices for my wars
Have I heard groan, and drop : then know Ms not,
Left that thy Wives with fpits, and boys with Hones,
In puny battle flay me. Save you. Sir.
LI 4
52O CORIOLANUS.
Enter a Citizen.
Cit. And you.
Cor. Direct me, if it be your will, where great Auf-
dius lies:
Is he in Antium?
Cit. He is, and feafts the Nobles of the State, at his
houfe this night.
Cor. Which is his houfe, I befeech you ?
Cit. This, here, before you.
Cor. Thank you, Sir : Farewel. {Exit Citizen.
ct 5 Oh, world, thy flippery turns ! friends now faft-
fworn,
<e Whofe double bofoms feem to wear one heart,
" Whofe hours, whofe bed, whofe meal and exercife
<c Are ft ill together, who twine (as 'twere) in love
* 4 Unfeparable, fhall within this hour,
" On a diffenfion of a doit, break out
<l To bittereft enmity. So fellefl foes,
" W'hofe paffions and whofe plots have broke their-
fleep
<c To take the one the other, by fome chance,
" Some trick not worth an egg, fhall grow dear
friends,
cc And inter-join their iffues. So, with me;
My birth-place have I and my lovers left ;
This enemy's Town I'll enter ; if he flay me,
He docs fair juftice ; if he give me way,
I'll do his Country fervice. {Exit.
5 OkrfO}orld t iky Jlippery turns! &c.] This fine piclare of com-
mon friendlhips, is an artful introduction to the fudden league,
which the poet makes him enter into with Aujldim: and no lefs
artful an apology fbr his conamencing enemy to Rome.
SCENE
C O R I O L A N U S.
SCENE IV.
Changes to a Hall In Aufidius'^ Houfe.
'\\ 7
VV
Muftck plays. Enter a Serving-matt.
I N E, wine, wine ! what fervice is here ?
I think, our fellows are afleep. [Extf.
Enter another Serving-man.
2. Ser. Where's Cotus ? my Matter calls For him :
Cotus.
Enter Coriolanus.
Cor. A goodly houfe ; the feaft fmells well ; but
I appear not like a gueft.
Enter the jirft Serving-man.
1 Ser. What would you have, friend ? whence are
you ? here's no place for you : pray, go to the door.
[Exit.
Cor. I have deferv'd no better entertainment, in be-
ing Coriolanus. \_Afide.
Enter fecond Servant.
2 Ser. Whence are you, Sir? has the porter his
eyes in his head, that he gives entrance to fuch com-
panions ? pray, get you out.
Cor. Away!
2 Ser. Away ? get you away.
Cor. Now thou'rt troublefom.
2 Ser. Are you fo brave ? I'll have you talk'd with
anon.
Enter a third Servant. Tbefirft meets him.
3 Ser. What Fellow's this ?
i Ser. A ftrange one as ever I look'd on : I cannot
get him out o* th* houfe : pr'ythee, call my Mafter to
him.
CORIOLANUS.
3 Ser. What have you to do here, Fellow ? pray
you, avoid the houfe.
Cor. Let me but Hand, I will not hurt your hearth.
3 Ser. What are you ?
Cor. A Gentleman.
3 Ser. A marvellous poor one.
Cor. True ; fo I am.
3 Ser. Pray you, poor Gentleman, take up fomc
other Station, here's no place for you j pray you,
avoid: come.
Cor. Follow your function, go and batten on cold
bits. \PuJhes him away from him.
3 Ser. What, will you not ? pr'ythee, tell my^Ma-
fler, what a ftrange Gueft he has here.
2 Ser. And I mail. \Ex\t fecond Sewing-man.
3 Ser. Where dweJl'ft thou ?
Cor. Under the Canopy.
3 Ser. Under the Canopy ?
Cor. Ay.
3 Ser. Where's that ?
Cor. I' th' City of Kites and Crows.
3 Ser. F th' City of Kites and Crows ? what an
Afs it is! then thou dwell'ft with Daws too?
Cor. No, I ferve not thy Mafter.
3 Ser. How, Sir ! do you meddle with myMafter ?
Cor. Ay, 'tis an honefter fervice, than to meddle
with thy Miftrefs : thou prat'ft, and prat'ft ; ferve with
thy trencher: hence. \Beats him away.
Enter Aufidius with a Serving-man.
Auf. Where is this Fellow ?
2 Ser. Here, Sir ; Pd have beaten him like a dog,
but for difturbing the Lords within.
Auf. Whence com'ft thou? what wouldft thou ?
thy name?
Why fpeak'ft not? fpeak, man : what's thy name?
Cor. If, y//j, yet thou know'ft me not, and, fee-
ing me, Doft
CORIOLANUS. 523
Doft not yet take me for the man I am,
Neceflity commands me name my felf.
Auf, What is thy name ?
Cor. A name unmufical to Volfdan ears,
And harfh in found to thine.
Auf. Say, what is thy name ?
Thou haft a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in't *, though thy tackle's torn,
Thou fhew'ft a noble veflel : what's thy name?
Cor. Prepare thy brow to frown; know'ft thou
me yet ?
Auf. \ know thee not; thy name?
Cor. My name is Caius Martins, who hath done
To thee particularly, and to all the ^olfcians 9
Great hurt and mifchief ; thereto witnefs may
My Sirname Coriolanus. The painful fervice,
The extream dangers, and the drops of blood
Shed for my thanklefs Country, are requited
But with that Sirname : 6 A good memory,
And witnefs of the malice and difpleafure
Which thou fhouldft bear me, only that name remains.
The cruelty and envy of the people,
Permitted by our daftard Nobles, who
Have all forfook me, hath devour'd the reft;
And furTer'd me by th* voice of flaves to be
Hoop'd out of Rome. Now, this extremity
Hath brought me to thy hearth, not out of hope
(Miftake me not) to five my life ; for if
I had fear'd death, of all the men i' th f world
I'd have avoided thee. But in meer fpite
To be full quit of thofe my Banifhers,
Stand I before thee here : then if thou haft
A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
Thine own particular wrongs, and flop thole maims
6 Agood memory.] The Oxford Editor, not knowing that
memory was ufed at that tune for memorial t alters it to memorial.
Of
524 CORIOLANUS.
Of ihame feen through thy Country, fpeed thee
ftraight,
And make my mifery ferve thy Turn : fo ufe it,
That my revengeful fervices may prove
As benefits to thee. For I will fight
Againft my canker'd Country with the fpleen
Of all the under fiends. But if fo be
Thou dar'ft not this, and that to prove more fortunes
Thou'rt tir'd ; then, in a word, 1 alfoam
Longer to live molt weary, and prefent
My throat to thee, and to thy ancient malice :
Which not to cut, would mew thee but a fool,
Since I have ever follow'd thee with hate,
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy Country's breaft,
And cannot live, but to thy fhame, unlefs
It be to do thee fervice.
Auf. Oh, Marcim^ Marcius,
Each word, thou'ft fpoke, hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yond cloud fpeak to me things divine,
And fay, 'tis true ; I'd not believe them more
Than thee, all-noble Mardus. Let me twine
Mine arms about that body, where-againft
My grained am an hundred times hath broke,
And fcar'd the moon with fplinters: here I clip
The anvil of my fword, and do conteft
As hotly and as nobly with thy love,
As ever in ambitious ftrength I did
Contend againft thy valour. " Know thou firft,
" I lov'd the Maid I married ; never Man
" Sigh'd truer breath : but that I fee thee here,
" Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart,
*' Than when I firft my wedded miftrefs faw
" Beftride my threfhold. Why, thou Man I I tell
thee,
We have a Power on foot ; and I had purpofe
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
Or
C-0 KI O L A N U S. 525
Or lofe my arm for't : thou haft beat me out
Twelve feveral times, and I have nightly fmce
" Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyfelf and me :
" We have been down together in my deep,
" Uubuckling helms, fitting each other's throat,
** And wak'd half dead with nothing. Worthy Mar-
cius,
Had we no quarrel elfe to Rome, but that
Thou art thence banifh'd, we would mufter all
From twelve to feventy } and pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
Like a bold flood o'erbear. O come, go in,
And take our friendly Senators by th* hands,
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
Who am prepared againft your Territories,
Though not for Rome itfelf.
Cor. You blefs me, Gods !
Auf. Therefore, moil abfolute Sir, if thou wilt
have
The leading of thy own revenges, take
One half of my Commiflion, and fet down
As beft thou art experienced, fmce thou know'ft
Thy Country's ftrength and weaknefs, thine own
ways;
Whether to knock againft the gates of Rome,
Or rudely vifit them in parts remote,
To fright them, ere dettroy. But come, come in :
Let me commend thee firft to thofe, that mail
Say yea to thy defires. A thoufand welcomes !
And more a friend, than e'er an enemy :
Yet, Mar cms, that was much. -Your hand ; moft
welcome ! [Exeunt.
S C E N E
1526 CORIOLANUS.
SCENE V.
Enter two Servants,
1 Ser. Here's a ftrange alteration;
2 Ser. By my hand, 1 had thought to haveftrucken
him with a cudgel, and yet my mind gave me, his
clothes made a falfe report of him.
1 Ser. What an arm he has ! he turn'd me about
with his finger and his thumb, as one would fet up
a top.
2 Ser. Nay, I knew by his face that there was
fomething in him. He had, Sir, a kind of face, me-
thought I cannot tell how to term it.
i Ser. He had fo : looking as it were 'would I
were hanged, but I thought there was more in him
than I could think.
i Ser. So did I, I'll be fworn : he is fimply the rareft
man i'th* world.
1 Ser. I think, he is *, but a greater Soldier than he,
you wot one.
2 Ser. Who, my mafler ?
1 Ser. Nay, it's no matter for that.
2 Ser. Worth fix on him.
1 Ser. Nay, not fo neither ; but I take him to be
the greater Soldier.
2 Ser. Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to fay
that , for the defence of a Town, our General is
excellent.
i Ser. Ay, and for an aflault too;
Enter a third Servant.
3 Ser, Oh, flaves, I can tell you news ; news, you
rafcals.
Both. What, what, what ? Jet's partake.
3 Ser. I would not be a Roman, of all nations : I
had as licve be a condemn'd man.
Botb.
CORIOLANUS. 527
Both. Wherefore? wherefore?
3 Ser. Why, here's he that was wont to thwack
our General Caius Mar cms.
1 Ser. Why do you fay, thwack our Genera] ?
3 Ser. I do not fay, thwack our General ; but he
was always good enough for him.
2 Ser. Come, we are fellows and friends ; he was
ever too hard for him, I have heard him fay fo himfelf.
1 Ser. He was too hard for him directly, to fay the
troth on't : before Corioli, he fcotcht him and nocht
him like a carbonado.
2 Ser. And, had he been cannibally given, he might
have broil'd and eaten him too.
1 Ser. But, more of thy news ;
3 Ser. Why, he is fo made on here within, as if he
were Son and Heir to Mars : fet at upper end o'th*
table ; no queftion ask'd him by any of the Senators,
but they ftand bald before him. Our General himfelf
makes a Miftrefsof him, fanctifies himfelf with's hands,
and turns up the white o'th* eye to his difcourfe. But
the bottom of the news is, our General is cut i'th* mid-
dle, and but one half of what he was yefterday. For
the Other has half, by the Intreaty and Grant of the
whole table. He'll go, he fays, and fowle the porter
of Rome gates by th' ears. He will mow down all
before hirn, and leave his pafiage poll'd.
2 Ser. And he's as like to do't as any man I can
imagine.
3 Ser. Do't! he will do't: for, look you, Sir, he
has as many friends as enemies ; which friends, Sir, as
it were, durft not (look you, Sir) mew themfelves (as
we term it) his friends, whilft he's in directitude.
i Ser. Direclitude ! what's that?
3 Ser. But when they (hall fee, Sir, his Creft up
again, and the man in blood, they will out of their
burroughs (like conies after rain) and revel all with
him.
i Ser.
5 2 8 C O 11 I O X A N U S.
1 Ser. But when goes this forward ?
3 Ser. To morrow, to day, presently, you fhall have
the drum ftruck up this afternoon : 'tis, as it were, a
parcel of their icaft, and to be executed ere they wipe
their lips.
2 Ser. Why, then we mail have a ftirring world
again : this peace is worth nothing, but to ruft iron,
encreafe tailors, and breed ballad-makers.
1 Ser. Let me have war, fay I ; it exceeds peace,
as far as day does night ; it's fprightly, waking, au-
dible, and full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy,
lethargy, mull'd, deaf, fleepy, infenfible, a getter of
more baftard children than war's a deflroyer of men.
2 Ser. 'Tis fo ; and as war in fome fort may be
faid to be a ravi flier, fo it cannot be denied, but peace
is a great maker of cuckolds.
i Ser. " Ay, and it makes men hate one another.
3 Ser. " Reafon ; 7 becaufe they then lefs need one
" another : the wars, for my mony. I hope, to fee
Romans as cheap as Folfdans.
They are rifing, they are rifing.
Both. In, in, in, in. [Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
A publick Place in ROME.
Enter Sicinius and Brutus.
$' lc * \\ 7 E hear not of him, neither need we fear
W him ;
His remedies are tame i'th* prefent peace,
And quietnefs o'th* People, which before
7 lecaufe they then lefs need one another :] Sbakefpear when he
choofes to give us fome weighty obfervation upon human nature,
not much to the credit of it, generally (as the intelligent reader may
obferve) puts it in:o the mouth of fome low buffoon character.
Were
CORIOLANUS. 529
Were in wild hurry. Here he makes his Friends
Blufh, that the world goes well ; who rather had,
Though they themfelves did fuffer by't, beheld
Difientious numbers peft'ring ftreets, than fee
Our Tradefmen finging in their /hops, and going
About their functions friendly.
Enter Menenius.
Eru. We flood to't in good time. Is this Menenius?
Sic. 'Tis he, 'tis he : O he is grown molt kind of
late. Hail, Sir!
Men. Hail to you both!
Sic. Your Coriolanus is not much mifs'd, but with
his Friends ; the Commonwealth doth ftand, and fo
would do, were he more angry at it.
Men. All's well, and might have been much better,
if he could have temporiz'd.
Sic. Where is he, hear you ?
Men. Nay, I hear nothing :
His mother and his wife hear nothing from him.
Enter three or four Citizens.
AIL The Gods preferve you both I
Sic. Good -e'en, neighbours.
Eru. Good- e'en to you all, good-e'en to you all.
i Cit. Our felves, our wives, and children, on our
knees,
Are bound to pray for you both.
Sic. Live and thrive!
Eru. Farewel, kind neighbours :
We wifli'd Coriolanus had lov'd you, as we did.
All. Now the Gods keep you!
Both Tri. Farewel, farewel. [Exeunt Citizens*
Sic. This is a happier and more comely time,
Than when thefe fellows ran about the ftreets,
Crying confufion.
Bru. Cains Mar dm was
VOL. VI. Mm A
5 -O CORIOLANUS.
A worthy officer i'th' war, but infolent,
O'ercome with pride, ambitious pad all thinking,
Self-loving.
Sic. And affe&ing one fole Throne,
Without Affiftance.
Men. Nay, I think not fo.
Sic. We had by this, to all our lamentation,
If he had gone forth Conful, found it fo.
Bru. The Gods have well prevented it, and Rome
Sits fafe and dill without him.
Enter Mdile.
Mtile. Worthy Tribunes,
There is a Have, whom we have put in prifon,
Reports, the Volfciam with two feveral Powers
Are entered in the Roman Territories ;
And with the deeped malice of the war
Dedroy what lies before 'em.
Men. 'Tis j&tJuHus,
Who, hearing of our Martins' Banimment,
Thruds forth his horns again into the world ;
Which were in-fhell'd when Marcius dood for Rome,
And durd not once peep out.
Sic. Come, what talk you of Marcius !
Bru. Go fee this rumourer whipt. It cannot be,
The Volfdans dare break with us.
Men. Cannot be !
We have Record, that very well it can ;
And three examples of the like have been
Within my age. But reafon with the fellow
Before you punifh him, where he heard this ;
Led you mould chance to whip your information,
And beat the meflenger, who bids beware
Of what is to be dreaded.
Sic. Tell not me :
I know, this cannot be.
Bru. Notpoflible.
Enter
CORIOLANUS. 531
Enter a Meffenger.
Me/. The Nobles in great earneftnefs are going
All to the Senate-houfe j fome news is come,
That turns their countenances.
Sic. 'Tis this flave :
Go whip him 'fore the people's eyes : his raifing!
Nothing but his report J
Mef. Yes, worthy Sir,
The flave's report is feconded, and more,
More fearful is delivered.
Sic. What more fearful ?
Mef. It is fpoke freely out of many mouths,
How probable I do not know, that Martins,
Join'd with Aufidius^ leads a Pow'r 'gainft Rome ;
And vows Revenge as fpacious, as between
The young'ii and oldeft thing.
Sic. This is moft likely !
Bru. Rais'd only, that the weaker fort may wifh
Good Marcius home again*
Sic. The very trick on'c.
Men. This is unlikely.
He and Aufidius 8 can no more atone,
Than violenteft contrariety.
Enter Meffenger.
Mef. You are fent for to the Senate :
A fearful army, Jed by Caius Marcius^
Affociated with Aufidius^ rages
Upon our territories 5 and have already
O'er-borne their way, confum'd with fire, and took
What lay before them.
g can ao more atone,] This is a very elegant ex-
preffion, and taken from unifon firings giving the fame tone or
found.
Mm 2 Enter
CORIOLANUS.
Enter Cominius.
Com. Oh, you have made good Work.
Men. What news? what news?
Com. You have holp to ravifh your own daughters,
and
To melt the city-leads upon your pates,
To fee your Wives difhonour'd to your nofes.
Men. What's the news ? what's the news ?
Com. Your Temples 9 burned in their cement, and
Your franchifes, whereon you flood, confin'd
Into an augre's bore.
Men. Pray now, the news ?
You've made fair work, I fear me: pray, your news?
If Marcius mould be joined with the Volftians^
Com. If? he is their God ; he leads them like a thing
Made by fome other Deity than Nature,
That fhapes man better ; and they follow him,
Againft us brats, with no lefs confidence,
Than boys purfuing fummer butter-flies,
Or butchers killing flies.
Men. You've made good work,
You and your apron-men ; that flood fo much
Upon the voice of occupation, and
The breath of garlick-eaters.
Com. He'll fhake your Rome about your ears.
Men. As Hercules did make down mellow fruit :
You have made fair work !
Bru. But is this true, Sir ?
Com. Ay, and you'll look pale
Before you find it other. All the Regions
Do feemingly revolt; and, who refiit,
Are mock'd for valiant ignorance,
And perilh conftant fools : who is't can blame him?
Your enemies and his find fomething in him.
9 burned in their cement,] Cement, for cindlure
or inclofure ; becaufe both have the idea of holding together.
Men.
CORIOLANUS. '533
Men. We're all undone, unlefs
The noble man have mercy.
Com. Who (hall ask it?
The Tribunes cannot do't for fhame ; the people
Deferve fuch pity of him, as the wolf
Does of the ihepherds : his belt friends, if they
Shou'd fay, " Be good to Rome ;" they charge him even
As thofe mould do that had deferv'd his hate,
And therein (hew'd like enemies.
Men. 'Tis true.
If he were putting to my houfe the brand
That would confume it, I have not the face
To fay, " 'Befeech you, ceafe." You've made fair
hands,
You and your crafts ! you've crafted fair !
Com. You've brought
A trembling upon Rome, fuch as was never
So incapable of help.
Tri. Say not, we brought it.
Men. How ? was it we ? we lov'd him ; but, liki
beads,
And coward Nobles, gave way to your clufters,
Who did hoot him out o'th* city.
Com. But I fear,
They'll roar him in again. Julius AufdiuSy
The fecond name of men, obeys his points
As if he were his officer : Defperation
Is all the policy, ftrength, and defence,
That Rome can make againft them.
SCENE VIL
Enter a Troop of Citizens.
Men. Here come the clufters.
And is Aufidius with him? You are they,
That made the air unwholfome, when you caft
M m 3 Your
CORIOLA NUS.
Your (linking, greafy caps, in hooting at
Coriolanus* Exile. Now he's coming,
And not a hair upon a foldier's head,
"Which will not prove a whip : as many coxcombs,
As you threw caps up, will he tumble down,
And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter,
If he mould burn us all into one coal,
We have deferv'd it.
Omnes. Faith, we hear fearful news.
1 Gt. For mine own part,
When I faid, banifh him i I faid, 'twas pity.
2 Cit. And fo did I.
3 Cit. And fo did 1 5 and to fay the truth, fo did
very many of us ; that we did, we did for the beft ;
and tho* we willingly confented to his Banifhment,
yet it was againfl our will.
Com. Y'are goodly things ; you, voices !
Men, You have made good work,
You and your cry. Shall J s to the Capitol ?
Cm. Oh, ay, what elfe ? [Exeunt.
Sic. Go, matters, get you home, be notdiimay'd.
Thefe are a Side, that would be glad to have
This true, which they fo feem to fear. Go home,
And mew no fign of fear.
1 Gt. The Gods be good to us : come, matters, let's
home. I ever faid, we were i' th* wrong, when we
banim'd him.
2 Cit. So did we all ; but come, let's home.
[Exeunt Citizens.
Bru. I do not like this news.
Sic. Nor I.
Bru. Let's to the Capitol ; 'would, half my wealth
Would buy this for a lie !
Sic. Pray, let us go. [Exeunt fribuxes.
SCENE
CORIOLANUS.
SCENE VIII.
A Camp -, at afmall diftance from Rome.
Enter Aufidius, with his Lieutenant.
Auf. F^O they ftill flie to th' Roman?
A.-' Lieu. I do not know what witchcraft's in
him ; but
Your foldiers ufe him as the grace 'fore meat,
Their talk at table, and their thanks at end :
And you are darken'd in this action, Sir,
Even by your own.
Auf. I cannot help it now,
Unlefs, by ufmg means, I lame the foot
Of our defign. He bears himfelf more proudly
Even to my perfon, than, I thought, he would
When firft I did embrace him. Yet his nature
In that's no changling, and I muft excufe
What cannot be amended.
Lieu. Yet I wifh, Sir,
(I mean for your particular,) you had not
Join'd in Commifiion with him ; but had borne
The action of your felf, or elfe to him
Had left it folely.
Auf. I underftand thee well ; and be thou fure,
When he (hall come to his account, he knows not,
What I can urge againft him ; though it feems,
And fo he thinks, and is no lefs apparent
To th* vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly ;
And (hews good husbandry for the Volfcian State,
Fights dragon-like, and does atchieve as foon
As draw his fword : yet he hath left undone
That which mail break his neck, or hazard mine,
When e'er we come to our account.
Lieu. Sir, I befeech, think you, he'll carry Rome ?
M m 4 Auf.
535
CORIOLANUS.
Auf. All places yield to him ere he fits down,
And the Nobility of Rome are his :
The Senators and Patricians love him too :
The Tribunes are no foldiers -, and their people
Will be as rafh in the Repeal, as hafty
To expel him thence. I think, he'll be to Rome
1 As is the * Qfprey to the fifh, who takes it
By Sovereignty of Nature. Firft, he was
A noble fervant to them, but he could not
Carry his Honours even ; whether pride,
(Which out of daily fortune ever taints
The happy man) whether defecl: of judgment,
(To fail in the difpofmg of thofe chances,
Whereof he was the lord) or whether nature,
(Not to be other than one thing ; not moving
Fromth' cask toth* cufhion ; but commanding peace
Even with the fame aufterity and garb,
As he controll'd the war ;) But one of thefe,
(As he hath fpices of them all) not all,
For I dare fo far free him, made him fear'd,
So hated, and fo banifh'd ; but he has merit
To choak it in the utt'rance ; fo our virtues
Lie in th* interpretation of the time ;
* And Power, unto it felf mod commendable,
Hath not a tomb fo evident, as a chair
T* extol what it hath done.
One fire drives out one fire j one nail, one nail ;
I Ai is the Ofprey ] 0/prey, a kind of eagle, OJpfraga.
Mr. Pope,
Z dfprey] Spelt right by Mr. Theobald.
3 And Power, unto it felf mojl commendable,
Hath not a tomb fo evident, as a thair
T" extol <what it hath doneJ] This is a common thought, but
miferably ill exprefled. The fenfe is, the virtue which delights to
commend itfelf, will r.d the fureft Tomb in that Chair wherein it
holds forth its own commendations. 1
1 - vnto it felf ntofl commendable*
i . which hath a very high opinion of itfelf,
Right's
CORIOLANUS.
* Right's by right fouled, ftrengths by ftrengths do fail.
Come, let's away ; when, Caitts, Rome is thine,
Thou'rt poor'ft of all, then fhortly art thou mine.
[Exeunt.
ACT V. SCENE I.
A publick Place in Rome.
Enter Menenius, Cominius, Sicinius, Brutus,
with others.
M E N 1 N I U S.
NO, I'll not go : you hear, what he hath faid,
Which was fometime his General ; who lov'd
him
In a moft dear particular. He call'd me father :
But what o' that ? go you, that banifh'd him,
A mile before his Tent, fall down, and knee
The way into his mercy : nay, if he coy'd
To hear Cominius fpeak, I'll keep at home.
Com. He would not feem to know me.
Men. Do you hear ?
Com. Yet one time he did call me by my name :
I urg'd our old acquaintance, and the drops
That we have bled together. Coriolanus
He would not anfwer to ; forbad all names ;
He was a kind of Nothing, titlelefs,
'Till he had forg'd himfelf a name o'th' fire
Of burning Rome.
Men. Why, fo ; you've made good work:
4 Right" s ly right FOULER,] This has no manner of fenfe.
We (hould read,
R igkfs by right FOULED.
Or, as it is commonly written in Engli/b, foiled, from the Trench,
fouler, to tread or trample under foot.
c 3 S CORIOLANUS.
A pair of Tribunes, * that have reck'd for Rome,
To make coals cheap : a noble memory !
Com. I minded him, how royal 'twas to pardon
When it was leaft expected. He reply'd,
* It was a bare petition of a State
To one whom they had punim'd.
Men. Very well, could he fay lefs ?
Com. I offer'd to awaken his regard
For's private friends. His anfwer to me was,
He could not (lay to pick them in a pile
Of noifom mufty chart. He faid, 'twas folly,
For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt,
And ftill to nofe th' offence.
Men. For one poor grain or 'two ?
I'm. one of thofe : his mother, wife, his child,
And this brave fellow too, we are the grains i
You are the mufty chaff; and you are fmek
Above the Moon. We muft be burnt for you.
Sic. Nay, pray, be patient : if you refufe your aid
In this fo-never-needed help, yet do not
Upbraid us with our diftrefs. But, fure, if you
Would be your Country's pleader, your good tongue,
More than the inftant army we can make,
Might flop our Country-man.
Men. No: I'll not meddle.
Sic. Pray you, go to him.
Men. What mould I do?
Bru. Only make tryal what your love can do
For Rome, tow'rds Marcius.
Men. Well, and fay, that Marcius
Return me, as Comimus is return'd,
1 - - that have rack'd for Rome,] We fliould read
i. e. been careful, provident for. In this infinuation of their only
Hiind'ng trifles, he fatirizes them for their injuftice to Coriolanusi
which was like to end in the ruin of their country. The Oxford
Editor feeing nothing of this reads,
- have fack'd fair Rome.
2 // was a \>SUQ petition - ] Bare, for mean, beggarly.
Unheard :
CORIOLANUS. 539
Unheard: (what then?)
But as a difcontented friend, grief-mot
With his unkindnefs. Say't be fb ?
Sic. Yet your good will
Muft have that thanks from Rome, after the meafurc
As you intended well.
Men. I'll undertake it :
I think, he'll hear me. Yet to bite his lip,
And hum at good Commius^ much unhearts me.
" J He was not taken well, he had not din'd.
" The veins unfill'd, our blood is cold, and then
" We powt upon the morning, are unapt
" To give or to forgive ; but when we've ftuff'd
" Thefe pipes, and thefe conveyances of blood
" With wine and feeding, we have fuppter fouls
" Than in our prieft-like fafts ; therefore I'll watch him
" 'Till he be dieted to my requeft,
And then I'll fet upon him.
Bru. You know the very road into his kindneis,
And cannot lofe your way.
Men. Good faith, I'll prove him,
Speed how it will. I mall ere long have knowledge
Of my fuccefs. {Exit.
Com. He'll never hear him.
Sic. Not?
Com. I tell you, he does fit in gold, his eye
Red as 'twould burn Rome; and his Injury
The Goaler to his Pity. I kneel'd before him,
'Twas very faintly he faid, rife: difmifs'd me
Thus, with his fpeechlefs hand. What he would do,
He fent in writing after ; what he would not,
Bound with an oath (a} not yield to new conditions:
3 He 'was not taken ivt/j, be bad not din'd. &c.] This obferva-
tion is not only from nature, and finely expreffed, but admirably
befits the mouth of one, who in the beginning of the play had
told us, that he loved convivial doings.
[ (-a) mtyitld to nfw. Oxford Editor. Vutg. to jield to kit.'}
So
540 CORIOLANUS.
* So that all hope is vain, unlefs his mother
And wife, who (as I hear) mean to follicit him,
Force mercy to his Country. Therefore hence,
And with our fair intreaties hafte them on. [Exeunt.
SCENE II.
Changes to the Volfcian Camp.
Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard.
I Watch. C T AY : whence are you ?
i3 2 Watch, Stand, and go back.
Men. You guard like men, 'tis well. But, by your
leave,
I am an officer of State, and come
To fpeak with Coriolanus.
i Watch. Whence?
Men. From Rome.
1 Watch. You may not pafs, you muft return : our
General
Will no more hear from thence.
2 Watch. You'll fee your Rome embrac'd with fire,
before
You'll fpeak with Coriolanus.
Men. Good my friends,
If you have heard your General talk of Rome,
And of his friends there, it is Lots to Blanks,
My name hath touch'd your ears ; it is Menenius.
i Watch. Be it fo, go back : the virtue of your
Name
Is not here paffable.
4 So that all hope is vain, unlefs bis mother
And wife, iuho (as I bear) mean to follicit him
FOR mercy to his country.} Unlefs his mother and wife do
what ? the fentence is imperfeft. We fhould read,
FORCE mercy to bit Country."
and then all is right.
Men.
CORIOLANUS. 54.1
Men. I tell thee, fellow,
Thy General is my lover : I have been
The book of his good ads ; whence men have read
His fame unparallel'd haply amplified :
5 For I have ever narrified my friends,
(Of whom he's chief) with all the fize that verity
Would without lapfing fuffer : nay, fometimes,
Like to a bowl upon a fubtle ground,
I've tumbled paft the throw ; and in his praife
Have, almoft, ftamp'd the leafing. Therefore, fellow,
I muft: have leave to pafs.
i Watch. Faith, Sir, if you had told as many lies
in his behalf, as you have utter'd words in your own,
you mould not pafs here : no, though it were as vir-
tuous to lie, as to live chaftly. Therefore, go back.
Men. Pr'ythee, fellow, remember, my name is
Menemus ; always fadionary of the Party of your
General.
5 For I have ever VERIFIED my friends,
with all the fize that verity f?f.] Shake fpear' s mighty
talent in painting the manners, is efpecially remarkable in this
place. Menenius here, and Polonius in Hamlet, have much of the
lame natural character. The difference is only accidental. The
one was a fenator in a free ftate ; and the other a courtier, and
miniiter to a King ; which two circumftances afforded matter for
that inimitable ridicule thrown over the character of Polonius. For
the reit, there is an equal complaifance for thofe they follow ; the
fame difpofi tion to be a creature , the fame love of prate ; the
fame affectation of wifdom, and forwardnefs to be in bufinefs.'
But we muft never believe Shakefpear could make either of them
fay, / have verified my friends with all the fize of verity ; nay
what is more extraordinary verified them beyond verity. Without
doubt he wrote,
For I have ever NARRIFIED my friends,
i. e. made their encomium. This too agrees with the foregoing
metaphors of book, read, and cor.ftitutes an uniformity amongft
them. From whence the Oxford Editor took occafion to read
magnified ' : which makes the abfurdity much worfe than he found
it : for, to magnify fignifies to exceed the truth; fo that this critic
makes him fay he magnified his friend within the fize of verity :
i. e. he exceeded truth even while he kept within it.
i Watch.
542 CORIOLANUS.
2 Watch. Howfoever you have been his liar, (as
you fay, you have;) I am one that, telling true under
him, muft fay, you cannot pafs. Therefore, go back.
Men. Has he din'd, canft thou tell ? for I would
not fpeak with him till after dinner.
i Watch. You are a Roman, are you ?
Men. I am as thy General is.
i Watch, Then you mould hate Rome, as he does.
Can you, when you have pum'd out of your gates
the very Defender of them, and, in a violent popular
ignorance, given your enemy your Ihield, think to
front his revenges with the eafy groans of old wo-
men, 6 the virginal palms of your daughters, or with
6 tljf virginal p A L M 3 of your daughters,] By virginal palms
may be iadecd underilood the holding up the hands in fuppiica-
tion. Therefore I have alter'd nothing. But as this fenfeis cold,
and gives us even a ridiculous idea; and as the pajfiens of the fcve-
ral intercefibrs fcem intended to be here repreiented, I fufpeft
Shakejpear might write PASMES or FAMES, i.e. fwooning fits,
from the French fafmer, or pdmer. I have frequently ufed the li-
berty to give feme to an unmeaning paffage by the introduction of
a French word of the fame found, which I fuppofe to be of Sbake-
fpear^s own coining. And I am certainly juftified in fo doing, by the
great number of fuch fort of words to be found in the common text.
But for a further juftification of this liberty, take the following in-
ftance ; where all muit agree that the common reading is corrupt
by the Editor's inferting an Englifb word they underftood, inftead of
one coined by Shakefpear out of French, which they underftood not.
It is in his Tarquin and Lucrece, where he is fpeaking of the office
and empire of Time, and the efFe&s it produces in the world,
'Time's glory is .......
fo fill with worm holes Jlately monuments.
To feed oblivion luitb decay of things i
To blot old books and alter their contents ;
To pluck the quills from ancient ravens ivings ;
To dry the old oak's fap, and CHERISH fprings.
The two laft words, if they make any fenfe it is fuch as is direftly
contrary to the fentiment here advanced ; which is concerning the
decays, not the repairs of time. The poet certainly wrote,
To dry the old oak's fap, and T A R I s H fprings.
i. e. dry up fprlngj, from the French, tarir or tariffement, exarefa-
cere, exficcatio: Thefe words being peculiarly applied to fprings or
rivsrs.
the
CORIOLANUS. 543
the paified interceffion of fuch a decay'd Dotard as
you feern to be ? can you think to blow out the in-
tended fire your city is ready to flame in, with fuch
weak breath as this ? no, you are deceiv'd, therefore
back to Rome, and prepare for your execution ; you
are condemned, our General has fworn you out of re-
prieve and pardon.
Men. Sirrah, if thy Captain knew I were here, he
would ufe me with eftimation.
i Watch. Come, my Captain knows you not.
Men. I mean, thy General.
i Watcb. My General cares not for you. 7 Back,
go ; left I
that's the utmoft of your Having. Back, back.
I fay, go ; left I let forth your half pint of Blood :
at's the utmoft of your Having. Ba
Men. Nay, but fellow, fellow, -
Enter Coriolanus, with Aufidius.
Cor. What's the matter?
Men. Now, you companion, I'll fay an errand for
you ; you mall know now, that I am in eftimation \
you mall perceive, that a Jack-gardant cannot office
me from my fon Coriolanus ; guefs but my enter-
tainment with him ; if thou ftand'ft not i* th* ftateof
hanging, or of fome death more long in fpectatorfhip,
and crueller in fuffering, behold now prefently, and
fwoon for what's to come upon thee. The glorious
Gods fit in hourly fynod about thy particular profpe-
rity, and love thee no worfe than thy old father Me-
nenius does ! Oh my fon, my fon ! thou art preparing
7 Bad, 1 fay, go i left 1 let forth your half pint of Blood. Back,
that's the utmoft of your having, back.~\ As thefe words are
read and pointed, the ientence \thafs the utmoft of your having] fig-
nifies, you are like to get no further. Whereas the author evi-
dently intended it to refer to the half pint of blood he fpeaks of,
and to mean, that that was all he had in his veins. The thought
is humourous; and to difembarras it from the corrupt expreffion, we
fhould read and point it thus, Left I let forth your half pint of blood:
that's tht utmofl of jour having. Back, back.
fire
544- CoRIOLANUS.
fire for us ; look thee, here's water to quench it.
I was hardly mov'd to come to thee, but being af-
fured, none but myfelf could move thee, I have been
blown out of our gates with fighs ; and conjure thee
to pardon Rome, and thy petitionary Countrymen.
The good Gods affwage thy wrath, and turn the dregs
of it upon this varlet here ; this, who, like a block,
hath denied my accefs to thee
Cor. Away!
Men. How, away ?
Cor. Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs
Are fervanted to others : though I owe
My revenge properly, remifiion lyes
In Volfcian breads. That we have been familiar,
Ingrate Forgetfulnefs mall poifon, rather
Than Pity note how much. Therefore, be gone ;
Mine ears againft your fuits are ftronger than
Your gates againft my force. Yet, for I loved thee,
Take this along ; I writ it for thy fake,
[Gives him a letter.
And would have fent it. Another word, Menemus,
1 will not hear thee fpeak. This man, Aufidim,
Was my belov'd in Rome ; yet thou behold'ft
Auf. You keep a conftant temper. [Exeunt.
Manent the Guard, and Menenius.
1 Watch. Now, Sir, is your name Menenius ?
2 Watcb. 'Tis a Spell, you fee, of much power :
you know the way home again.
1 Watch. Do you hear, how we are fhent for keep-
ing your Greatnefs back ?
2 JFatcb.Vfbat caufe do you think, I have to fwoon ?
Men. I neither care for the world, nor your Gene-
ral : for fuch things as you, I can fcarce think there's
any, y'are fo flight. He, that hath a will to die by
himfelf, fears it not from another : let your General do
his worft. For you, be what you are, long j and your
mifery
CORIOLANUS. 545
rtiifery increafe with your age ! I fay to you, as I was
fuid to, Away [Exit.
1 Watch. A noble fellow, I warrant him.
2 Watch. The worthy fellow is our General. He's
the rock, the oak not to be wind-lhaken. [x. Watch,
SCENE III.
Re-enter Coriolanus and Aufidius.
Cor. We will before the Walls of Rome to morrow
Set down our Hoft. My Partner in this action,
You muft report to th* Volfcian lords, how plainly
I've borne this bufmefs.
Auf. Only their Ends you have refpecled , ftopt
Your ears againfl the general fuit of Rome:
Never admitted private whifper, no,
Not with fuch friends that thought them fure of you,
Cor. This laft old man*
Whom with a crack'd heart I have fent to Rome^
Lov'd me above the meafure of a father ;
Nay, godded me, indeed. Their latefl refuge
Was to fend him : for whofe old love, I have
(Tho* I fhew'd fow*rly to him) once more offer'd
The firft conditions ; (which they did refufe,
And cannot now accept,) to grace him only,
That thought he could do more : a very little
I've yielded to. Frefli embaffie, and fuits,
Nor from the State, nor private friends, hereafter
Will I lend ear to. Ha! what Ihout is this ?
[Shout within*.
Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow,
In the fame time 'tis made ? I will not _
Enter Virgilia, Volumnia, Valeria, young Marcius^
with Attendants all in Mourning.
" My wife comes foremoft, then the honour'd mould
* Wherein this trunk was fram'd, and in her hand
VOL. VI. Nn " The
546 CORIOLANUS.
" The grand-child to her blood. But, out, affection!
.' All bond and privilege of Nature break !
" Let it be virtuous, to be obftinate.
" What is that curt'fie worth ? or thofe dove's eyes,
" Which can make Gods forfworn ? I melt, and am
not
" Of ftronger earth than others : my mother bows,
' As if 'Olympus to a mole-hill mould
" In fupplication nod; and my young boy
" Hath an afpect of interceffion, which
" Great Nature cries, " Deny not. Let the
Volfciam
" Plough Rome^ and harrow Italy ; I'll never
" Be fuch a gofling to obey inftincl: ; but ftand
" As if a man were author of himfelf,
" And knew no other kin.
Virg. My lord and husband !
Cor. Thefe eyes are not the fame I wore in Rome.
Virg. The forrow, that delivers us thus chang'd,
Makes you think fo.
Cor. a Like a dull Actor now,
' 4 I have forgot my Part, and I am out,
" Even to a full difgrace. Beft of my fleffi,
" Forgive my tyranny j but do not fay,
ct For That, forgive our Romans. O, a kifs
' Long as my exile, fweet as my revenge !
* 6 Now by the jealous Queen of heav'n, that kifs
" I carried from thee, Dear ; and my true lip
" Hath virgin'd it e'er fince. You Gods! I prate;
** And the moft noble mother of the world
*' Leave unfaluted : fink, my knee, i* th' earth j [kneels.
Of thy deep duty more impreflion fhew
Than that of common fons.
Pol. O ftand up bleft !
Whilft with no fofter cul"hion than the flint
I kneel before thee, and improperly
Shew duty as miftaken all the while [kneels.
Between
CORIOLANUS. 54.7
Between the child and parent.
Cor. What is this ?
Your knees to me ? to your corre&ed fon ?
Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach
Fillop the ftars : thenj let the mutinous winds
Strike the proud cedars 'gainft the fiery Sun :
Murd'ring impoffibility, to make
What cannot be, flight work.
Vol. Thou art my warrior,
I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady?
Cor. " The noble fifter of Poplicola*
<c The moon of Rome\ chafte as the ificle,
" That's curdled by the froft from pure ft fnow,
* c And hangs on Dian's Temple: dear Valeria!
Vol. This is a poor epitome of yours,
\_Jhewmg young Marcius.
Which by th* interpetation of full time
May fhew like all yourfelf.
Cor. " The God of fold iers,
*' * With the confent of fupream Jove* inform
" Thy thoughts with Noblenefs, that thou may'ff-
prove
" 9 To Shame unvulnerable, and (lick i* th 4 wars
" Like a great fea-mark, (landing every flaw,
" And faving thofe that eye thee ! '*
Vol. Your knee, firrah.
Co?. That's my brave boy.
Vol. Even he, your wife, this lad/, and myfelf
Are fuitors to you.
Cor. I befeech you, peace :
Or| if you'd ask, remember this before ;
The thing, I have forfworn to grant, may nevef
Se held by you denial. Do not bid me
8 With the confent vf fupream Jove.] This is inferted with great
decorum. Jupiter was the tutelary God of Rome.
9 To Shame unvulnerable, J A foldier's honour is finely expref-
fed in thefe words.
N n 2 Difmift
548 CORIOLANUS.
Difmifs my foldicrs, or capitulate
Again with Rome's Mechanicks. Tell me nor,
Wherein I feem unnatural : defire not
T'allay my rages and revengts, with
Your colder reafons.
Vol. Oh, no more-, no more:
You've faid, you will not grai.t us any thing:
For we have nothing e]fe to ask, but That
Which you deny already : yet we will ask,
That if we fail in our requeft, the Blame
May hang upon your Hardnefs ; therefore hear us.
Cor. dujidws 9 axi& you Volfcian^ mark ; for we'll
Hear nought from Rome in private. Your requeft ?
PoL Should we be filent and not fpeak, our raiment
And ftate of bodies would bewray what life
We've led fince thy Exile. " Think with thy felf,
t How more unfortunate than all living women
** Are we come hither; fince thy fight, which fhould
" Make our Eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with
comforts,
" Conflrains them weep, and fhake with fear and
forro w ;
44 Making the mother, wife, and child to fee,
" The fon, the husband, and the father tearing
44 His Country's bowels out : and to poor we,
44 Thine enmity's moft capital ; thou barr'ft us
44 Our prayers to the Gods, which is a comfort
4> That all but we enjoy. For how can we,
Alas! how can we, for our Country pray,
Whereto we're bound ? together with thy victory,
Whereto we're bound? Alack! or we muft loie
The Country, our dear nude; or elfe thy perfon,
Our comfort in the Country. We muft find
An eminent calamity, tho* we had
Our wifh, which fide fhou'd win. ** For either thou
4k Muft, as a foreign Recreant, be led
** With manacles along our flreet i or elfe
" Triumphantly
CORIOLANUS. 5 49
" Triumphantly tread on thy Country's ruin,
" And bear the palm, for having bravely fhcd
" Thy wife and children's blood. For my felf, fon,
" I purpofe not to wait on Fortune, 'till
*' Thefc wars determine: if I can't perfuade thee
Rather to mew a noble grace to both parts,
Than feek the end of one; thou (halt no foo.ner
March to afTauk thy Country, than to tread
(Truft to't, thou malt not) on thy mother's womb,
That brought thee to this world.
Vvrg. Ay, and mine too,
That brought you forth this Boy, to keep your nam$
Living to time.
Boy. " He mall not tread on me:
" I'll run away 'till I'm bigger, but then I'll fight."
Cor. Not of a woman's tendernefs to be,
Requires, nor child, nor woman's face, to fee :
I've fat too long.
Vol. Nay, go not from us thus:
If it were fo, that our requeft did tend
To fave the Romans, thereby to deftroy
The Volfdam whom you fcrve, you might condemn us,
As poyfonous of your Honour. No-, our fuit
Is, that you reconcile them: while the Voljcians
May fay, This mercy we have fhew'd j the Romans,
This we receiv'd ; and each in either fide
Give the all-hail to thee; and cry, Be bleft
For making up this Peace! Thou know'ft, great fon,
The End of War's uncertain ; but this certain,
That if thou conquer Rome, the benefit,
Which thou malt thereby reap, is fuch a Name,
Whofe repetition will be dogg'd with Curies:
Whofe Chronicle thus writ, 4 the man was noble
6 But with his laft attempt he wip'd it out,
4 Deftroy'd his Country, and his name remains
4 To the enfuing age, abhorr'd.' Speak to me, fon :
Thou hail affe&ed the firll ftrains of honour,
Nn 3 To
55O CORIOLANUS.
To imitate the graces of the Gods ,
To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o* th' air,
1 And yet to charge thy fulphur with a bole,
That mould but rive an oak. Why doft not fpeak ?
Think'ft thou it honourable for a noble man
Still to remember wrongs ? Daughter, fpeak you :
He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, Boy ;
Perhaps, thy childifhnefs will move him more
Than can our reafons. There's no man in the world
More bound to's mother, yet here he lets me prate
Like one i'lh' Stocks. Thou'ft never in thy life
Shew'd thy dear mother any courtefie ;
When (he, (poor hen) fond of no fecond brood,
Has cluck'd thee to the wars, and fafely home,
Loaden with honour. Say, my Requeft's unjuft,
And fpurn me back : but, if it be not fo,
Thou art not honefl, and the Gods will plague thee,
That thou reftrain'ft from me the duty, which
To a mother's part belongs. He turns away :
Down, Ladies; Jet us fname him with our knees.
To's fir-name Coriolanus 'longs more pride,
Than pity to our prayers. Down ; and end ;
This is the laft. So we will home to Rome^
And die among our neighbours : nay, behold us.
This Boy, that cannot tell what he would have,
But kneels, and holds up hands for fellowmip,
Does reafon our petition with more ftrength
Than thou haft to deny't. Come, let us go:
This fellow had a Vdjcian to his mother :
His wife is in Corioli^ and this child
Like him by chance ; yet give us our difpatch :
Pm hulht, until our City be afire ;
And then, I'll fpeak a little.
Cor. " Q mother, mother !
[Holds ker ly the hands > filent.
? dr.dyet to change tby futybur~\ We ftiould read charge. The
Cleaning of the paffage is, To threaten much and yet be merciful.
" What
CORIOLANUS. 551
ce What have you done ? behold the heav'ns do ope,
" The Gods look down, and this unnatural fcene
" They laugh at. Oh, my mother, mother! oh!
You've won a happy vidtory to Rome:
But for your Ton, believe it, oh, believe it,
Moft dang'roufly you have with him prevail'd,
If not moft mortal to him. Let it come : -
Aufidiu^ though I cannot make true wars,
I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufdius 9
Were you in my ftead, fay, would you have heard
A mother lefs ? or granted lefs, duf.dius ?
Auf. I too was mov'd.
Cor. I dare be fworn, you were ;
And, Sir, it is no little thing to make
Mine eyes to fweat Compafiion. But, good Sir,
What peace you'll make, advife me : for my part
I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you, and pray you
Stand to me in this caufe. O mother! wife !
Auf. I'm glad, thou'ft fet thy mercy and thy ho-
nour
At difference in thee ; out of That I'll work
My felf a former fortune. [Afide.
Cor. Ay, by and by ; but we will drink together ;
And you (hall bear [To Vol. Virg. fcfr.
A better witnefs back than words, which we,
On like conditions, will have counter- feal'd.
* Come, enter with us.
Auf. Ladies, you defer ve
To have a Temple built you : all the fwords
In Italy, and her confederate arms,
Could not have made this Peace. [Exeunt:
SCENE
2 Cor. - Come, enter ivitb us: Laaiff. yeutftft-rve, &o,]
This fpeech beginning at, Ladies, you defet<ve v.hich is abfurd.y
given to Coriolanus, belongs to dufidim. For it cannot be fup-
pofed that the other, amidft all the diforder of violent and con-
trary paflionsj couW be calm and difengaged enough to make To
N n 4 gal!ii.fe
55? CORIOLANUS.
SCENE IV.
T^he Forum, in ROME.
Enter Menenius and Sicinius.
E E you yond coin o* th* Capitol, yond cor*
Sic. Why, what of that?
Men. If it be poffible for you to difplace it with
your little finger, there is fome hope the Ladies of
Rome^ efpecially his mother, may prevail with him.
Bur, I fay, there is no hope in't ; our throats are fen-
tenc'd, and ft ay upon execution.
Sic. Is't poffible, that fo fhort a time can alter the
condition of a man?
Men. There is difference between a grub and a
butterfly, yet your butterfly was a grub ; this Marcius
is grown from man to dragon : he has wings, he's
more than a creeping thing.
Sic. He lov*d his mother dearly.
Men. So did he me : and he no more remembers his
mother now, than an eight years old horfe. The
tartnefs of his face fours ripe grapes. When he walks,
he moves like an engine, and the ground (brinks be-
fore his treading. He is able to pierce a corflet with
his eye : talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery,
-gallant a compliment to the ladies. Let us farther obferve from,
this fpeech where he fays,
- - - all the fiuords
In Italy, and her co/ea"raie arms
And from that a little before,
- Let the Volfcians
Plovgb Rome, and harrow Italy ; -
That the poet's head was running on the later grandeur of Rome,
when as at this time her dominion extended only a few miles round
M>e city.
3 than an eight ft an eld horfe.] Subintelligitur remembers hit
JfiV.
He
CORIOLANUS.
He fits in his State as a thing made for 'Alexander. What
he bids be done, is finifh'd with his bidding. He
wants nothing of a God, but Eternity, and a heaven
to throne in.
Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.
Men. I paint him in the character. Mark, what
mercy his mother mail bring from him ; there is no
more mercy in him, than there is milk in a male
tyger 5 that mall our poor City find} and all this is
long of you.
Sic. The Gods be good unto us !
Men. No, in fuch a cafe the Gods will not be good
unto us. When we banifh'd him, we rel peeled not
them: and, he returning to break our necks, they re-
not us.
Enter a Meffengtr.
Mef. Sir, if you'd fave your life, fly to your
houfe ;
The Plebeians have got your fellow-tribune,
And hale him up and down ; All fwearing, if
The Roman Ladies bring not comfort home,
They'll give him death by inches.
Enter another Meffenger.
Sic. What's the news?
Mef. Good news, good news, the Ladies have pre*
vail'd,
The Volfcmm are diflodg'd, and Marcius gone;
A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,
No, not th' Expulfion of the Tarquins.
Sic. Friend,
Art certain, this is true ? is it moft certain?
Mef. As certain, as I know the Sun is fire :
Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it?
Ne'er through an Arch fo hurried the blown tide,
CORIOLANUS.
As the recomforted through th* gates. Why, hark
you ;
[Trumpets, Hautboys, Drums beat^ all together.
The trumpets, fackbuts, pfalteries and fifes,
Tabors and cymbals, and the fhouting Romans
Make the Sun dance. Hark you ! [Ajhout within,
Men. This is good news :
I will go meet the Ladies. This Volumma,
Is worth of Confuls, Senators, Patricians,
A City full ; of Tribunes, fuch as you,
A Sea and Land full. You've pray'd well to day :
This morning, for ten thoufand of your throats
I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy !
[Sound ftill> with the faouts.
Sic. Firft, the Gods blefs you for your tidings : next,
Accept my thankful nefs.
Mef. Sir, we have all great caufe to give great
thanks.
Sic. They're near the City ?
Mef. Almoft at point to enter.
Sic. We'll meet them, and help the joy. [Exeunt.
Enter two Senators, with ladle s^ pajjing over the ft age ',
with other Lords.
Sen. Behold our Patronefs, the Life of Rome :
Call all our Tribes together, praife the Gods,
And make triumphant fires: ftrew flowers before them :
Unlhout the noife, that banilVd Marcius ;
Repeal him with the welcome of his mother :
Cry, welcome, Ladies, welcome! [Exeunt.
All, Welcome, Ladies, welcome!
[A flourifh with drums and trumpet*.
SCEN.E,
CORIOLANUS. 555
SCENE V.
Changes to a publick Place in Antium.
Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Attendants.
~^ O tell the Lords o' th* City, I am here :
J Deliver them this paper: having read it,
Bid them repair to th* market-place, where J,
Even in theirs and in the Commons' ears,
Will vouch the truth of it. He, I accufe,
The city-ports by this hath enter'd ; and
Intends t'appear before the people, hoping
To purge himfelf with words. Difpatch. Moft
welcome !
Enter three or four Confpirators of Aufidius'j/tfff/0;;.
i Con. How is it with our General ?
Auf. Even fo,
As with a man by his own alms impoifon'd,
And with his charity (lain,
2. Con. Moft noble Sir,
If you hold the fame intent, wherein
You wifli'd us parties ; we'll deliver you,
Of your great danger.
Auf. Sir, I cannot tell ;
We muft proceed, as we do find the people.
3 Con. The people will remain uncertain, whilft
'Twixt you there's difference; but the Fall of either
Makes the Survivor heir of all.
Auf. I know it;
And my pretext to (hike at him admits
A good conltruclion. I raifed him, and pawn'd
Mine honour for his truth; who being fo heightened,
He vvater'd his new plants with dews of flattery,
Seducing fo my friends ; and to this end,
He bow'd his nature, never known before
But
556 CORIOLANUS.
But to be rough, unfwayable, and free.
3 Con. Sir, his ftoutnefs
When he did ftand for Conful, which he loft
By lack of (looping
Auf. That I would have fpoke of:
Being banifli'd for't, he came unto my hearth,
Prefented to my knife his throat ; I took him,
Made him joint fervant with me j gave him way
In all his own defires; nay, let him chufe
Out of my files, his projects to accomplim,
My beft and frefheft men ; ferv'd his defignments
In mine own perfon , holpe to reape the Fame,
Which he did make all his ; and took fome pride
To do myfelf this wrong -, 'till, at the lad,
I feem'd his follower, not partner ; and
He wag'd me with his countenance, as if
I had been mercenary.
i Con. So he did, my lord :
The army marvelPd at it, and, at laft,
When he had carried Rome^ and that we looked
For no lefs Spoil, than Glory
Auf. There was it ; .
(For which my finews mall be ftretch'd upon him ;)
** At a few drops of women's rheum, which are
lt As cheap as lies, he fold the Blood and Labour
" Of our great Action ; therefore mail he die,
And I'll renew me in his Fall. But, hark!
[Drums and Trumpets found, with great Jhouts.
of the -people.
1 Con. Your native Town you enter'd like a Poft,
And had no welcomes home; but he returns,
Splitting the Air with noife.
2 Con. And patient fools,
Whofe children he hath flain, their bafe throats tear,
Giving him glory.
3 Con. Therefore, at your vantage,
Etc he exprefs himfelf, or move the people
With
CORIOLANUS.
With what he would fay, let him feel your fword,
Which we will fecond. When he lies along,
After your way his Tale pronounc'd ihall bury
His reafons with his body.
Aitf. Say no more,
Here come the lords.
Enter the Lords of the City.
All Lords. You're moft welcome home.
Anf. \ have not deferv'd it.
But worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd
What I have written to you ?
All. We have.
i Lord. And grieve to hear it.
What faults he made before the lad, I think,
Might have found eafie fines : but there to end,
Where he was to begin, and give away
The benefit of our Levies, anfwering us
With our own charge, making a treaty where
There was a yielding : This admits no excufe.
Auf. He approaches, you (hall hear him.
SCENE VI.
Enter Coriolanus, marching with drums and colours i
the Commons being with him.
Cor. Hail, lords ; I am return 'd, your foldicr ;
No more infected with my Country's love,
Than when I parted hence, but ftill fubfifting
Under your great Command. You are to know,
That profperoufly I have attempted, and
With bloody paflage led your wars, even to
The gates of Rome . Our fpoils, we have brought
home,
Do more than counterpoife, a full third part,
The charges of the action. We've made peace
With no Jefs honour to the Antiatcs^
Than
CORIOLANUS.
Than fliame to th' Romans : and we here deliver*
Subfcribed by the Confuls and Patricians,
Together with the feal o' th' Senate, what
We have compounded on.
Auf. Read it not, noble lords,
But tell the traitor, in the higheft degree
He hath abus'd your powers.
Cor. Traitor ! how now !
Auf. Ay, traitor, Marcius.
Cor. Marcius!
Auf. Ay, Martins, Caius Marcius ; doft thou think,
I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy ftol'n name
Coriolanus in Corioli?
You Lords and Heads o'th' State, perfidioufly
He has betray'd your bufinefs, and given up
For certain drops of fait, your city Rome !
I fay, your city, to his wife and mother ;
Breaking his oath and refolution, like
A twifl of rotten filk, never admitting
Counfel o' th' war ; but at his nurfe's tears
He whin'd and roar'd away your victory,
That Pages blufh'd at him ; and men of heart
Look'd wondring each at other.
Cor, Hear'ft thou, Mars !
Auf. Name not the God ! thou boy of tears !
Cor. Ha!
Auf. No more.
Cor. Meafurelefs liar, thou haft made my heart
Too great for what contains it. Boy ? O flave !
Pardon me, lords, 'tis the firft time that ever
Pm forc'd to fcold. Your judgments, my grave lords,
Muft give this Cur the Lie ; and his own Notion,
(Who wears my ftripes impreft upon him ; that
Muft bear my beating to his Grave ) fhall join
To thruft the lie unto him.
i Lord. Peace both* and hear me fpeak.
Cor,
CORIOLANUS. 559
Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volfaans, men and lads,
Stain all your edges in me. Boy ! falfe hound !
If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there,
That, like an eagle in a dove-coat, I
Flutter'd your Volfciam in Corioli.
Alone I did it. Boy !
Auf. Why, noble lords,
Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,
Which was your fhame, by this unholy braggart j
'Fore your own eyes and ears ?
All Con. Let him die for'r.
All People. Tear him to pieces, do it prefently :
He kill'd my fon, my daughter, kill'd my coufin,
He kill'd my father.
[fThe Croud fpeak promifcuoujly.
2 Lord. Peace, no outrage peace
The man is noble, and his Fame folds in
This Orb o'th' earth ; his laft offences to us
Shall have judicious Hearing. Stand, Aufidius,
And trouble not the peace.
Cor. O that I had him,
WithTix yf)Wf/w's, or more, his tribe,
To ufe my lawful fword
Auf. Infolent villain !
All Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him.
[Tbt confpirators all draw, and kill Marcius,
who/alls^ and Aufidms Jtands on him.
Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold.
Auf. My noble Matters, hear me fpeak.
1 Lord. O fuUus
2 Lord. Thou haft done a deed, whereat
Valour will weep.
3 Lord. Tread not upon him mafters all, be
quiet -,
Put up your fwords.
Auf. My lords, when you mail know (as in this rage
Provok'd by him, you cannot) the great danger
Which
560 CORIOLANUS.
Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice
That he is thus cut off. Pleafe it your Honours
To call me to your Senate, 1'JJ deliver
Myfelf your loyal fervant, or endure
Your heaviefl cenfure.
1 Lord. Bear from hence his body,
And mourn you for him. Let him be regarded
As the moft noble Coarfe, that ever Herald
Did follow to his urn.
2 Lord. His own impatience
Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame :
Let's make the beft of it.
Auf. My Rage is gone,
And I am ftruck with forrow : take him up :
Help, three o'th* chiefeft foldiers ; I'll be one.
Beat thou the drum, that it fpeak mournfully :
Trail your fteel pikes. Though in this city he
Hath widowed and unchilded many a one,
Which to this hour bewail the injury,
Yet he (hall have a noble memory.
[Exeunt ', hearing the body of Marcius. A dead
March founded.
End of the Sixth Volume,
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