Coriolanus: Act 5, Scene 4 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 5, Scene 4 of Coriolanus from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Menenius and Sicinius. MENENIUS See you yond coign o’ th’ Capitol, yond cornerstone? SICINIUS Why, what of that? MENENIUS If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of 5 Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. But I say there is no hope in ’t. Our throats are sentenced and stay upon execution.	Back in Rome, poor old Menenius arrives with news that Coriolanus refuses to show mercy to his native city. He doesn't think Coriolanus' mom will have any luck changing his mind either.
SICINIUS Is ’t possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a man? 10 MENENIUS There is differency between a grub and a butterfly, yet your butterfly was a grub. This Martius is grown from man to dragon. He has wings; he’s more than a creeping thing. SICINIUS He loved his mother dearly. 15 MENENIUS So did he me; and he no more remembers his mother now than an eight-year-old horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes. When he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a 20 corslet with his eye, talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery. He sits in his state as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done is finished with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity and a heaven to throne in. 25 SICINIUS Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. MENENIUS I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him. There is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger. That shall our poor city find, and all this is 30 long of you. SICINIUS The gods be good unto us. MENENIUS No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him, we respected not them; and he returning to break our necks, they 35 respect not us.	Sicinius and Brutus are worried sick, naturally. Menenius says that Coriolanus has basically become more animal than human. He compares him to all sorts of fearsome beasties, like a tiger and a dragon.
Enter a Messenger. MESSENGER, to Sicinius Sir, if you’d save your life, fly to your house. The plebeians have got your fellow tribune And hale him up and down, all swearing if The Roman ladies bring not comfort home, 40 They’ll give him death by inches.	Just then, a Messenger rushes in with news that the plebeians have taken one of the tribunes hostage and are threatening to kill the guy if Coriolanus storms the city.
Enter another Messenger. SICINIUS What’s the news? SECOND MESSENGER Good news, good news! The ladies have prevailed. The Volscians are dislodged and Martius gone. A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, 45 No, not th’ expulsion of the Tarquins. SICINIUS Friend, Art thou certain this is true? Is ’t most certain?	Then a second Messenger runs in with news that Coriolanus' family has convinced him to chill out. Looks like he won't be destroying the city after all.
SECOND MESSENGER As certain as I know the sun is fire. Where have you lurked that you make doubt of it? 50 Ne’er through an arch so hurried the blown tide As the recomforted through th’ gates. Why, hark you! Trumpets, hautboys, drums beat, all together. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors and cymbals, and the shouting Romans Make the sun dance. Hark you! A shout within. 55 MENENIUS This is good news. I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians A city full; of tribunes such as you A sea and land full. You have prayed well today. 60 This morning for ten thousand of your throats I’d not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy! Sound still with the shouts. SICINIUS, to Second Messenger First, the gods bless you for your tidings; next, accept my thankfulness. SECOND MESSENGER Sir, we have all great cause to give great thanks. 65 SICINIUS They are near the city? SECOND MESSENGER Almost at point to enter. SICINIUS We’ll meet them, and help the joy. They exit.	The good news has spread fast. People start celebrating in the streets almost immediately.