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Speeches (Lines) for Third Citizen
in "Coriolanus"

Total: 13

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# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

II,3,1427

Second Citizen. We may, sir, if we will.

Third Citizen. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a
power that we have no power to do; for if he show us
his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our
tongues into those wounds and speak for them; so, if
he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him
our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is
monstrous, and for the multitude to be ingrateful,
were to make a monster of the multitude: of the
which we being members, should bring ourselves to be
monstrous members.


2

II,3,1440

First Citizen. And to make us no better thought of, a little help
will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he
himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude.

Third Citizen. We have been called so of many; not that our heads
are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald,
but that our wits are so diversely coloured: and
truly I think if all our wits were to issue out of
one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south,
and their consent of one direct way should be at
once to all the points o' the compass.


3

II,3,1449

Second Citizen. Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would
fly?

Third Citizen. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's
will;'tis strongly wedged up in a block-head, but
if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward.


4

II,3,1453

Second Citizen. Why that way?

Third Citizen. To lose itself in a fog, where being three parts
melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return
for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife.


5

II,3,1457

Second Citizen. You are never without your tricks: you may, you may.

Third Citizen. Are you all resolved to give your voices? But
that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I
say, if he would incline to the people, there was
never a worthier man.
[Enter CORIOLANUS in a gown of humility,]
with MENENIUS]
Here he comes, and in the gown of humility: mark his
behavior. 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 every one of us has a single
honour, in giving him our own voices with our own
tongues: therefore follow me, and I direct you how
you shall go by him.


6

II,3,1497

Coriolanus. Bid them wash their faces
And keep their teeth clean.
[Re-enter two of the Citizens]
So, here comes a brace.
[Re-enter a third Citizen]
You know the cause, air, of my standing here.

Third Citizen. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't.


7

II,3,1501

Coriolanus. Ay, but not mine own desire.

Third Citizen. How not your own desire?


8

II,3,1504

Coriolanus. No, sir,'twas never my desire yet to trouble the
poor with begging.

Third Citizen. You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to
gain by you.


9

II,3,1514

Coriolanus. A match, sir. There's in all two worthy voices
begged. I have your alms: adieu.

Third Citizen. But this is something odd.


10

II,3,1602

Second Citizen. Amen, sir: to my poor unworthy notice,
He mock'd us when he begg'd our voices.

Third Citizen. Certainly
He flouted us downright.


11

II,3,1610

Citizens. No, no; no man saw 'em.

Third Citizen. He said he had wounds, which he could show
in private;
And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,
'I would be consul,' says he: 'aged custom,
But by your voices, will not so permit me;
Your voices therefore.' When we granted that,
Here was 'I thank you for your voices: thank you:
Your most sweet voices: now you have left
your voices,
I have no further with you.' Was not this mockery?


12

II,3,1659

Sicinius Velutus. Have you
Ere now denied the asker? and now again
Of him that did not ask, but mock, bestow
Your sued-for tongues?

Third Citizen. He's not confirm'd; we may deny him yet.


13

IV,6,3192

Second Citizen. And so did I.

Third Citizen. And so did I; and, to say the truth, so did very
many of us: that we did, we did for the best; and
though we willingly consented to his banishment, yet
it was against our will.


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