Page 2863 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

FIRST SENATOR

There’s no remedy,
Unless, by not so doing, our good city
Cleave in the midst and perish.

VOLUMNIA
Pray be counselled.

I have a heart as little apt as yours,
But yet a brain that leads my use of anger [30]
To better vantage.

MENENIUS
Well said, noble woman!
Before he should thus stoop to th’heart, but that

The violent fit o’th’time craves it as physic
For the whole state, I would put mine armour on,
Which I can scarcely bear.

CORIOLANUS
What must I do? [35]

MENENIUS

Return to th’Tribunes.

CORIOLANUS

Well, what then? What then?

MENENIUS
Repent what you have spoke.

CORIOLANUS
For them! I cannot do it to the gods.
Must I then do’t to them?

VOLUMNIA
You are too absolute,
Though therein you can never be too noble. [40]