Page 2862 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

When one but of my ordinance stood up
To speak of peace or war.

Enter Volumnia.

I talk of you:
Why did you wish me milder? Would you have me

False to my nature? Rather say I play [15]
The man I am.

VOLUMNIA
O, sir, sir, sir,
I would have had you put your power well on
Before you had worn it out.

CORIOLANUS

Let go.

VOLUMNIA

You might have been enough the man you are
With striving less to be so. Lesser had been [20]
The crossings of your dispositions, if,

You had not showed them how ye were disposed
Ere they lacked power to cross you.

CORIOLANUS
Let them hang!

VOLUMNIA
Ay, and burn too!

Enter Menenius, with the Senators.

MENENIUS
Come, come, you have been too rough, something too rough. [25]

You must return and mend it.