back to 4.1 skip to 4.3 Coriolanus Act 4, Scene 2 Enter SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and an AEdile SiciniusBid them all home; he’s gone, and we’ll no further. The nobility are vex’d, whom we see have sided In his behalf. Brutus Now we have shown our power, Let us seem humbler after it is done Than when it was a-doing. SiciniusBid them home: Say their great enemy is gone, and they Stand in their ancient strength. BrutusDismiss them home. Exit AEdile Here comes his mother. SiciniusLet’s not meet her. BrutusWhy? SiciniusThey say she’s mad. BrutusThey have ta’en note of us: keep on your way. Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and MENENIUS VolumniaO, ye’re well met: the hoarded plague o’ the gods Requite your love! Menenius Peace, peace; be not so loud. VolumniaIf that I could for weeping, you should hear,— Nay, and you shall hear some. To BRUTUS Will you be gone? Virgilia To SICINIUS You shall stay too: I would I had the power To say so to my husband. SiciniusAre you mankind? VolumniaAy, fool; is that a shame? Note but this fool. Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship To banish him that struck more blows for Rome Than thou hast spoken words? SiciniusO blessed heavens! VolumniaMore noble blows than ever thou wise words; And for Rome’s good. I’ll tell thee what; yet go: Nay, but thou shalt stay too: I would my son Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him, His good sword in his hand. SiciniusWhat then? VirgiliaWhat then! He’ld make an end of thy posterity. VolumniaBastards and all. Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome! MeneniusCome, come, peace. SiciniusI would he had continued to his country As he began, and not unknit himself The noble knot he made. BrutusI would he had. Volumnia“I would he had”! ‘Twas you incensed the rabble: Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth As I can of those mysteries which heaven Will not have earth to know. BrutusPray, let us go. VolumniaNow, pray, sir, get you gone: You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this:— As far as doth the Capitol exceed The meanest house in Rome, so far my son— This lady’s husband here, this, do you see— Whom you have banish’d, does exceed you all. BrutusWell, well, we’ll leave you. SiciniusWhy stay we to be baited With one that wants her wits? VolumniaTake my prayers with you. Exeunt Tribunes I would the gods had nothing else to do But to confirm my curses! Could I meet ‘em But once a-day, it would unclog my heart Of what lies heavy to’t. MeneniusYou have told them home; And, by my troth, you have cause. You’ll sup with me? VolumniaAnger’s my meat; I sup upon myself, And so shall starve with feeding. Come, let’s go: Leave this faint puling and lament as I do, In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come. MeneniusFie, fie, fie! Exeunt Coriolanus Act 4, Scene 2