Coriolanus

Act 1, Scene 5

Modern spelling. Stage directions omitted.

Listen to Act 1. LibriVox volunteers recorded “Act 1” as one track, so it runs past this scene and includes stage directions this page leaves out. LibriVox catalog.

FIRST ROMAN

This will I carry to Rome.

SECOND ROMAN

And I this.

THIRD ROMAN

A murrain on’t! I took this for silver.

MARTIUS

See here these movers that do prize their hours
At a cracked drachma. Cushions, leaden spoons,
Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,
yet the fight be done, pack up. Down with them!

MARTIUS

And hark, what noise the General makes! To him!
There is the man of my soul’s hate, Aufidius,
Piercing our Romans. Then, valiant Titus, take
Convenient numbers to make good the city,
Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste
To help Cominius.

LARTIUS

Worthy sir, bleed’st.
exercise been too violent
For a second course of fight.

MARTIUS

Sir, praise me not.
My work yet not warmed me. Fare you well.
The blood I drop is rather physical
Than dangerous to me. To Aufidius thus
I will appear and fight.

LARTIUS

Now the fair goddess Fortune
Fall deep in love with , and her great charms
Misguide opposers’ swords! Bold gentleman,
Prosperity be page!

MARTIUS

friend no less
Than those she placeth highest! So farewell.

LARTIUS

worthiest Martius!

LARTIUS

Go sound trumpet in the marketplace.
Call all the officers o’ th’ town,
Where they shall know our mind. Away!

All of Coriolanus

Act 1

Act 1, Scene 1Act 1, Scene 2Act 1, Scene 3Act 1, Scene 4Act 1, Scene 5Act 1, Scene 6Act 1, Scene 7Act 1, Scene 8Act 1, Scene 9Act 1, Scene 10,

Act 2

Act 2, Scene 1Act 2, Scene 2Act 2, Scene 3,

Act 3

Act 3, Scene 1Act 3, Scene 2Act 3, Scene 3,

Act 4

Act 4, Scene 1Act 4, Scene 2Act 4, Scene 3Act 4, Scene 4Act 4, Scene 5Act 4, Scene 6Act 4, Scene 7,

Act 5

Act 5, Scene 1Act 5, Scene 2Act 5, Scene 3Act 5, Scene 4Act 5, Scene 5Act 5, Scene 6

Open Coriolanus in the 1623 First Folio. See its words in the cloud.

Modern spelling for reading. The edition is public domain in the United States. Edition source.