Here he comes, and in the gown of humility. Mark his behaviour. We are not to stay all together, but to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He’s to make his requests by particulars, wherein everyone of us has a single honour in giving him our own voices with our own tongues. Therefore follow me, and I’ll direct you how you shall go by him. ALL. Content, content. [_Exeunt._] MENENIUS. O sir, you are not right. Have you not known The worthiest men have done’t? CORIOLANUS. What must I say? “I pray, sir”—plague upon’t! I cannot bring My tongue to such a pace. “Look, sir, my wounds! I got them in my country’s service when Some certain of your brethren roared and ran From th’ noise of our own drums.” MENENIUS. O me, the gods! You must not speak of that. You must desire them To think upon you. CORIOLANUS. Think upon me! Hang ’em! I would they would forget me, like the virtues Which our divines lose by ’em. MENENIUS. You’ll mar all. I’ll leave you. Pray you speak to ’em, I pray you, In wholesome manner. [_Exit Menenius._] CORIOLANUS. Bid them wash their faces And keep their teeth clean. Enter three of the Citizens. So, here comes a brace. You know the cause, sirs, of my standing here. THIRD CITIZEN. We do, sir. Tell us what hath brought you to’t. CORIOLANUS. Mine own desert. SECOND CITIZEN. Your own desert? CORIOLANUS. Ay, but not mine own desire. THIRD CITIZEN. How, not your own desire? CORIOLANUS. No, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging. THIRD CITIZEN. You must think if we give you anything, we hope to gain by you. CORIOLANUS. Well then, I pray, your price o’ th’ consulship? FIRST CITIZEN. The price is to ask it kindly. CORIOLANUS. Kindly, sir, I pray, let me ha’t. I have wounds to show you, which shall be yours in private.—Your good voice, sir. What say you? SECOND CITIZEN. You shall ha’ it, worthy sir. CORIOLANUS. A match, sir. There’s in all two worthy voices begged. I have your alms. Adieu. THIRD CITIZEN. But this is something odd. SECOND CITIZEN. An ’twere to give again—but ’tis no matter. [_Exeunt two citizens._] Enter two other Citizens. CORIOLANUS. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown. FOURTH CITIZEN. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. CORIOLANUS. Your enigma? FOURTH CITIZEN. You have been a scourge to her enemies; you have been a rod to her friends. You have not indeed loved the common people.