William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of Coriolanus

ACT IV. 6. SCENE VI. Rome. A public place.

[Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS.]

SICINIUS.
We hear not of him, neither need we fear him;
His remedies are tame i' the present peace
And quietness of the people, which before
Were in wild hurry. Here do make his friends
Blush that the world goes well; who rather had,
Though they themselves did suffer by't, behold
Dissentious numbers pestering streets than see
Our tradesmen singing in their shops, and going
About their functions friendly.

BRUTUS.
We stood to't in good time.--Is this Menenius?

SICINIUS.
'Tis he, 'tis he. O, he is grown most kind
Of late.

[Enter MENENIUS]

BRUTUS.
Hail, sir!

MENENIUS.
Hail to you both!

SICINIUS.
Your Coriolanus is not much miss'd
But with his friends: the commonwealth doth stand;
And so would do, were he more angry at it.

MENENIUS.
All's well, and might have been much better if
He could have temporiz'd.

SICINIUS.
Where is he, hear you?

MENENIUS.
Nay, I hear nothing: his mother and his wife
Hear nothing from him.

[Enter three or four Citizens.]

CITIZENS. The gods preserve you both!

SICINIUS.
God-den, our neighbours.

BRUTUS.
God-den to you all, God-den to you all.

FIRST CITIZEN.
Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees,
Are bound to pray for you both.

SICINIUS.
Live and thrive!

BRUTUS.
Farewell, kind neighbours: we wish'd Coriolanus
Had lov'd you as we did.

CITIZENS.
Now the gods keep you!