Com. Who shall ask it?
The tribunes cannot do't for shame; the people 110
Deserve such pity of him as the wolf
Does of the shepherds: for his best friends, if they[3630]
Should say 'Be good to Rome,' they charged him even[3631]
As those should do that had deserved his hate,[3631]
And therein show'd like enemies.[3631]
Men. 'Tis true:[3632] 115
If he were putting to my house the brand[3632]
That should consume it, I have not the face[3633]
To say 'Beseech you, cease.' You have made fair hands,[3634]
You and your crafts! you have crafted fair![3635][3634]
Com. You have brought
A trembling upon Rome, such as was never 120
So incapable of help.
Both Tri. Say not, we brought it.[3636]
Men. How! was it we? we loved him; but, like beasts[3637][3638]
And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters,[3637][3639]
Who did hoot him out o' the city.[3637][3640]
Com. But I fear
They'll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius, 125
The second name of men, obeys his points
As if he were his officer: desperation
Is all the policy, strength and defence,
That Rome can make against them.
Enter a troop of Citizens.
Men. Here come the clusters[3641]
And is Aufidius with him? You are they 130
That made the air unwholesome, when you cast[3642]
Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at[3643]
Coriolanus' exile. Now he's coming;[3643][3644]
And not a hair upon a soldier's head
Which will not prove a whip: as many coxcombs 135
As you threw caps up will he tumble down,
And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter;
If he could burn us all into one coal,[3645]
We have deserved it.
Citizens. Faith, we hear fearful news.[3646]
First Cit. For mine own part, 140
When I said, banish him, I said, 'twas pity.