Coriolanus: You are plebeians if they be senators! They choose their magistrates and such a one as she, who puts her 'shall'- her popular 'shall' - against a graver bench than ever frowned in Greece. By Jove herself, it makes the consuls base, and my soul aches to know, when two authorities are up-neither supreme-how soon confusion may enter 'twixt the gap of both and take the one by the other. Whoever gave the consul, to give forth the corn of the store-house gratis, as 'twas used sometime in Greece...Menenius: Well, well. We'll have no more of that.Coriolanus: ...though there the people had more absolute power, I say they nourished disobedience, fed the ruin of the state...Brutus: Why should the people give one that speaks thus their voices?Coriolanus: I'll give my reasons! More worthier than their voices! They know the corn was not our recompense, resting well assured that never did service for it. Being pressed to the war, even when the navel of the state was touched, they would not thread the gates. This kind of service did not deserve corn gratis. Being in the war, their mutinies and revolts, wherein they showed most valour, spoke not for them. The accusation they have often made against the senate - all cause unborn - could never be the motice of our so frank donation. Well, what then? How shall this bosom multiplied digest the senate's courtesy? Let deeds express what's like to be their words.[Coriolanus takes a pompous stand]Coriolanus: 'We did request it, we are the greater poll; and in true fear they gave us our demands.' Thus we debase the nature of our seats and make the rabble call our cares fears, which will in time break ope the locks of the senate and bring in the crows to peck the eagles.Menenius: Come, enough!Brutus: Enough! with overmeasure.Coriolanus: No! Take more! What may be sworn by, both divine and human, seal with I end withal.[Coriolanus slams his hand down and addresses crowd]Coriolanus: This double worship, where one part disdain with cause, the other insult without all reason. Where gentry, title, wisdom, cannot conclude but by the yea or no of general ignorance. It must omit real necessities, and give way the while to unstable slightness. Purpose so barred, it follows, nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech you - you that would be more cowardly than wise, that love the fundamental part of the state more than you fear the change on it, and prefer a noble life before a long: pluck out the multitudinous tongue, let them not lick the sweet which is their poison. Your! dishonour mangles true judgment and bereaves the state of that integrity which shall become it. Not having the power to do the good it would for the ill which doth control it.Brutus: Has said enough.Sicinia: He has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer as traitors do!

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