for length, and make us think Rather our state's defective for requital Than we to stretch it out. Masters o' the people, We do request your kindest ears, and after, Your loving motion toward the common body, To yield what passes here. We are convented Upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts Inclinable to honour and advance The theme of our assembly. Which the rather We shall be blest to do, if he remember A kinder value of the people than He hath hereto prized them at. That's off, that's off; I would you rather had been silent. Please you To hear Cominius speak? Most willingly; But yet my caution was more pertinent Than the rebuke you give it. He loves your people But tie him not to be their bedfellow. Worthy Cominius, speak. Nay, keep your place. Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear What you have nobly done. Your horror's pardon: I had rather have my wounds to heal again Than hear say how I got them. Sir, I hope My words disbench'd you not. No, sir: yet oft, When blows have made me stay, I fled from words. You soothed not, therefore hurt not: but your people, I love them as they weigh. Pray now, sit down. I had rather have one scratch my head i' the sun When the alarum were struck than idly sit To hear my nothings monster'd. Masters of the people, Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter-- That's thousand to one good one--when you now see He had rather venture all his limbs for honour Than one on's ears to hear it? Proceed, Cominius. I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus Should not be utter'd feebly. It is held That valour is the chiefest virtue, and Most dignifies the haver: if it be, The man I speak of cannot in the world Be singly counterpoised. At sixteen years, When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator, Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight, When with his Amazonian chin he drove The bristled lips before him: be bestrid An o'er-press'd Roman and i' the consul's view Slew three opposers: Tarquin's self he met, And struck him on his knee: in that day's feats, When he might act the woman in the scene, He proved best man i' the field, and for his meed Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age Man-enter'd thus, he waxed like a sea, And in the brunt of seventeen battles since He lurch'd all swords of