Coriolanus Act 2.3.4

Scene 2.3.4

The fall from grace

The Commoners took leave of the newly Consul, and in came the predators. Actually it was Menenius, and the appointed dynamic duo of the opposing Consuls. Menenius was all smiles on his face.

“You have stood the limitation; and the tribunes.” Menenius shifted his eyes to the duo that was following his footsteps like stalkers. “Endue you with the people’s voice.”

“Is this done?” Coriolanus stood up and prepared to leave.

“The custom of request you have discharged: the people do admit you, and are summoned.” Sicinius told Coriolanus.

“Where? At the Senate House?” Coriolanus relived to be getting out. “May I change the garments?”

Menenius nodded. He was glad to get the gown back. Coriolanus rushed for the doors and was glad that he was finally leaving the place. Menenius followed him but the two stalkers chose to stay behind. They watched the hero exit and then seated themselves by the same table. It was then with the main star having left; the café was soon claimed back by the Commoners. Sicinius took to his feet on seeing the ones whom he needed as friends.

“How now, my masters! Have you chose this man?”

The baker confirmed the appointment but the seamstress lament on the mocking by the hero.

“He flouted us downright.” The tutor added to the statement.

“No, it’s his kind of speech; he did not mock us.” The baker wanted to affirm that he was not wrong to support the hero.

“Not one amongst us, save you but says he used us scornfully: he should have showed us his marks of merit, wounds received for’s country.” The seamstress voiced out her view. She wanted to take lead there.

“Why, so he did, I am sure.” Sicinius covered for the seamstress.

“He said he had wounds which he could show in private; and with his hat, this waving it in scorn.” The tutor leveled on with of his lessons. “I would be Consul”.

“Aged customs, but by your voices will not so permit me. Your voices therefore; he said. When we granted that, he replied; I thank you for your voices. Thank you, your most sweet voices. Now you have left your voices, I have no further with you.” The tutor recites the words he could recall. “Was not this mockery?”

“Oh ho! Either you were ignorant to see it, or seeing it, of such childish friendliness to yield your voices.” Sicinius commented back.

“Could you not have told, as you were lessoned?” Brutus took the role of the tutor. “When he had no power, he was a mere servant of the state He was also your enemy, ever spoke against your liberties and the charters that you bear in the body of the weal. If he should still remain foe to your cause, your voice might be curses to yourselves. You should have said that his worthy deeds still claimed no less than what he stood for.”

“Thus to have said, as you were fore-advised, had touched his spirit and tried his inclination,” Sicinius added insult the words. “From him you plucked either his gracious promise, which you might as cause had called up, and held him to; or else it would have galled his surly nature, and which easily not article tying him aught; so putting him to rage, you should had taken advantage of his arrogance and pass unelected.”

“Did you perceive he did solicit you in free contempt?” Brutus took to speak again. “Do you never think that his contempt shall not be bruising to you when he had power to crush?”

“Have you ever denied the asker, and now again, of him that did ask but mock, bestow your sued for tongues?”

“He’s not confirmed, we may deny him yet.” The key maker spoke out from the moment of individuality; a rare occasion.

“And will deny him.” The seamstress pressed on her view. “I will have five hundred voices of that sound.”

“Twice the five hundreds and their friends to piece them.” The baker; ever the instigator of any subject matter.

‘Get them instantly and tell their friends.” Brutus voiced out. “They have chosen a Consul that will from them take their liberties, and make them of no more voice than dogs that are as often best for barking.”

“Let them assemble, and on a safer judgment, all revoke your ignorant election. Enforce his pride, and his old hate to you. How in his suit he scorned you: but your loves thinking about his services, took from you the importance of pride.”  

Sicinius laid flat their choice for consul.

“A fault on us, your tribunes, that we labored no impediment between but you must cast your election on him.” Brutus ribbed the people’ new choice.

“Say you chose him,” Sicinius sighed. “After our commandment wasted, your mind pre-occupied with what you rather must do than what you should, made you against the grain, to voice him consul.”

Sicinius had his voice raised for the last few words. He was inciting them to hate their choice, made in rash and unwelcome.

“Say you have not done it yet.” Brutus pulled back the punches. “Harp on that still. Then repair to the Senate.”

“That we will do.” The seamstress voiced out. “Repent in our election.”

The Commoners took to the street easily swayed by the words of the few, like how they marched for the grains. Brutus smiled at the swinging mood of them.

“Let them go. This mutiny was better put in hazard than stay.” Brutus pulled at Sicinius to tail the crowd.