ABSTRACT

Plutarch's Lives oj Noble Grecians and Romanes 525 multitude of the poore needy people (and all such rable as had nothing to lose, and had lesse regard of hones tie before their eyes) came to be of greater force (bicause their voyces were numbred by the poll e) then the noble honest cittizens, whose persones and purse dyd duetifully serve the common wealth in their wanes. 1 And then when the Tribunes sawe they could not prove he went about to make him self King; they beganne to broache a fi'eshe the former wordes that Martius had spoken in the Senate, in hindering the distribution of the corne at meane price unto the common people, and persuading also to take the office of Tribuneshippe from them. And for the third, they charged him a newe, that he had not made the common distribution 2 of the spoyle he had gotten in the invading the territories of the Antiates; but had of his owne authoritie devided it among them, who were with him in that jorney. But this matter was most straunge of all to Martius, looking least to have bene burdened with that, as with any matter of offence. Wherupon being burdened on the sodaine, and having no ready excuse to make even at that instant; he beganne to fall a praising of the souldiers that had served with him in that jorney. But those that were not with him, being the greater number, cried out so lowde, and made suche a noyse, that he could not be heard. To conclude, when they came to tell the voyces of the Tribes,3 there were three voyces odde, which condemned him to be banished for life. 4 After declaration of the sentence, the people made suche joye, as they never rejoyced more for any battell they had wonne upon their enemies, they were so brave and lively, and went home so jocondly from the assembly, for triumphe of this sentence," The Senate againe in contrary manner were as sad and heavie, repenting them selves beyond measure, that they had not rather determined to have done and suffered any thing whatsoever, before the common people should so arrogantly, and outrageously have abused their authoritie. There needed no difference of garments I warrant you, nor outward showes to know a Plebeian from a Patrician, for they were easely decerned by their lookes. For he that was on the peoples side, looked cheerely on the matter; but he that was sad, and honge downe his head, he was sure of the noble mens side. Saving Martius alone, who neither in his countenaunce, nor in his gate, dyd ever showe him seIfe abashed, or once let fall his great corage6 ; but he only of all other gentlemen that were angrie at his fortune, dyd outwardly shewe no manner of

Coriolanus passion, nor care at all of him selfe.1 Not that he dyd paciently beare and temper his good happe, in respect of any reason he had, or by his quiet condition: but bicause he was so caried awaye with the vehemencie of anger, and desire of revenge, that he had no sence nor feeling of the hard state he was in, which the common people judge, not to be sorow, although in dede it be the very same. For when sorow (as you would saye) is set a fyre, then it is converted into spite and malice, and driveth awaye for that time all faintnes of harte and naturall feare. 2 And this is the cause why the chollericke man is so altered, and mad in his actions, as a man set a fyre with a burning agewe: for when a mans harte is troubled within, his pulse will beate marvelous strongely. Now that Martius was even in that taking, it appeared true sone after by his doinges. For when he was come home to his house againe, and had taken his leave of his mother and wife, finding them weeping, and shreeking out for sorrowe, and had also comforted and persuaded them to be content with his chaunce3 : he went immediatly to the gate of the cittie, accompanied with a great number of Patricians that brought him thither, fl'om whence he went on his waye with three or foure of his friendes only, taking nothing with him, nor requesting any thing of any man. So he remained a fewe dayes in the countrie at his houses, turmoyled with sundry sortes and kynde of thoughtes, suche as the fyer of his choller dyd sturre up. In the ende, seeing he could resolve no waye, to take a profitable or honorable course,4 but only was pricked forward still to be revenged of the Romaines: he thought to raise up some great wan'es against them, by their neerest neighbours. Whereupon, he thought it his best waye, first to stirre up the Volsces against them, knowing they were yet able enough in strength and riches to encounter them, notwithstanding their former losses they had receyved not long before, and that their power was not so muche impaired, as their malice and desire was increased, to be revenged of the Romaines. Now in the cittie of Antium, there was one called TuUus Aufidius,o who for his riches, as also for his nobilitie and valliantnes, was honoured emong the Volsces as a King. Martius knewe very well, that Tullus dyd more malice and envie him, then he dyd all the Romaines besides: bicause that many times in battells where they met, they were ever at the encounter one against another, like lustie coragious youthes, striving in all emulation of honour, and had encountered many times together. 6 In so muche, as besides the common quarrell betweene them, there