We have compounded on.

Auf.

Read it not, noble lords;

But tell the traitor, in the high'st degree

He hath abused your powers.

Cor. Traitor! how now!

Auf.

Cor.

Ay, traitor, Marcius !

Marcius!

Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: dost thou
think

I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name
Coriolanus in Corioli?

You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously
He has betray'd your business, and given up,
For certain drops of salt, your city Rome,
I say 'your city,' to his wife and mother;
Breaking his oath and resolution like
A twist of rotten silk, never admitting
Counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears
He whined and roar'd away your victory,
That pages blush'd at him and men of heart
Look'd wondering each at other.

Cor.

90

Hear'st thou, Mars? 100 Auf Name not the god, thou boy of tears! Cor.

Auf. No more.

Ha!

Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. 'Boy'! O slave! Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever

I was forced to scold.

grave lords,

:

Your judgements, my

Must give this cur the lie and his own notion—
Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him; that
Must bear my beating to his grave-shall join
To thrust the lie unto him.

First Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak.
107. notion, understanding.

Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads, Stain all your edges on me.

'Boy'! false hound!

If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there,

That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I

Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli:

Alone I did it.

Auf.

'Boy'!

Why, noble lords,

Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,
Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,

'Fore your own eyes and ears?

All Consp.

Let him die for 't. 120

All the people. 'Tear him to pieces.' presently.' 'He killed my son.' 'He killed my cousin Marcus.'

father.'

'Do it

'My daughter.' 'He killed my

Sec. Lord. Peace, ho! no outrage: peace!
The man is noble and his fame folds in

This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us
Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius,
And trouble not the peace.

Cor.

O that I had him,

130

With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe,
To use my lawful sword!

Auf.

Insolent villain!

All Consp. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!

[The Conspirators draw, and kill Corio-
lanus: Aufidius stands on his body.

Lords.

Hold, hold, hold, hold!

Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak.

First Lord.

O Tullus,

Sec. Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat

valour will weep.

Third Lord. Tread not upon him. Masters

all, be quiet;

Put up your swords.

128. judicious, judicial, lawful.

Auf. My lords, when you shall know—as in this

rage,
Provoked by him, you cannot-the great danger
Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice
That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours
To call me to your senate, I'll deliver

Myself your loyal servant, or endure
Your heaviest censure.

First Lord.

Bear from hence his body;

And mourn you for him: let him be regarded
As the most noble corse that ever herald

Did follow to his urn.

Sec. Lord.

His own impatience

Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.
Let's make the best of it.

Auf.

My rage is gone;
Take him up.

And I am struck with sorrow.
Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one.
Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully:
Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he
Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one,
Which to this hour bewail the injury,
Yet he shall have a noble memory.

Assist.

[Exeunt, bearing the body of Corio
lanus. A dead march sounded.

139. did owe you, made you liable to.

140

150

VOL. X

145

L

TIMON OF ATHENS