Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Whether for east, or west: The dearth is great;|| Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire

The people mutinous : and it is rumour'd,

Cominius, Marcius your old enemy,
(Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,)
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three lead on this preparation

Whither 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you:
Consider of it.

1 Sen.

Our army's in the field:

We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer us.

Auf.

Nor did you think it folly,
To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when
They needs must show themselves; which in the

hatching,

It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery,
We shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was,
To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome
Should know we were afoot.

2 Sen.

Noble Aufidius, Take your commission; hie you to your bands: Let us alone to guard Corioli:

If they set down before us, for the remove

Bring up your army; but, I think, you'll find

They have not prepared for us.

Auf.

O, doubt not that;

I speak from certainties. Nay, more.

Some parcels of their powers are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,

'Tis sworn between us, we shall never strike

Till one can do no more.

All.

The gods assist you!

Auf. And keep your honours safe!

1 Sen.

2 Sen.

All. Farewell.

myself.

Vol. Indeed, you shall not.
Methinks, I hear hither your husband's drum;
See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair;
As children from a bear, the Volces shunning him:
Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus,
Come on, you cowards, you were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes;
Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow
Or all, or lose his hire.

Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood!
Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man,
Than gilt his trophy: The breasts of Hecuba,
When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier
Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood
At Grecian swords' contending.-Tell Valeria,
We are fit to bid her welcome. [Exit Gent.
Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!
Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,
And tread upon his neck.

Re-enter Gentlewoman, with Valeria and her
Usher.

Val. My ladies both, good day to you.
Vol. Sweet madam,-

Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship.

Val. How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers. What, are you sewing here? A fine spot, 4 in good faith.-How does your little son?

Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school-master.

Farewell.
Val. O'my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis
Farewell. a very pretty boy. O'my troth, I look'd upon him
[Exeunt. o'Wednesday half an hour together: he has such
a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a
gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it
go again; and after it again; and over and over
he comes, and up again; catched it again: or

SCENE III-Rome. An apartment in Marcius' house. Enter Volumnia, and Virgilia: They sit down on two low stools, and sew.

Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express your-whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did

self in a more comfortable sort: If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would show most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb; when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way :2 when, for a day of king's entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I, considering how honour would become such a person: that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir, was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in first seeing he had proved himself a

man.

Vir. But had he died in the business, madam? how then?

Vol. Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely: Had I a dozen sons, -each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country, than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.

Enter a Gentlewoman.

so set his teeth, and tear it; O, I warrant, how he
mammocked5 it!

Vol. One of his father's moods.
Val. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.
Vir. A crack, 6 madam.

Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.

Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of doors.
Val. Not out of doors?

Vol. She shall, she shall.

Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, till my lord return from the wars.

Val. Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably; Come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.

Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you?

Vir. 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all the yarn she spun, in Ulysses' absence, did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would, your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.

Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.

Val. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you

Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you. excellent news of your husband.

(1) To subdue.

(3) Withdraw.

(2) Attracted attention.

(4) Of work.

(5) Tore. (6) Boy.

Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.

Vir. Indeed, madam?

Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it., Thus it is:-The Volces have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power: your lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.

Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every thing hereafter.

Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but disease our better mirth.

Val. In troth, I think, she would:-Fare you well then. Come, good sweet lady.-Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o'door, and go along

with us.

Vir. No: at a word, madam; indeed, 1 must not. I wish you much mirth.

Val. Well, then farewell.

[Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Before Corioli. Enter, with drum and colours, Marcius, Titus Lartius, Officers and Soldiers. To them a Messenger.

Mar. Yonder comes news:-A wager, they have

met.

[blocks in formation]

ours.

Now, Mars, I pr'ythee, make us quick in work; That we with smoking swords may march from hence,

To help our fielded2 friends!--Come, blow thy blast. They sound a parley. Enter, on the walls, some Senators, and others.

Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?

1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he, That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums [Alarums afar off.

Are bringing forth our youth: We'll break our
walls,
Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with

rushes; They'll open of themselves. Hark you, far off; [Other alarums. There is Aufidius; list, what work he makes Amongst your cloven army. O, they are at it! Lart. Their noise be our instruction.-Ladders, ho!

Mar.

[blocks in formation]

They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts, Which makes me sweat with wrath. -Come on, my

fellows;

He that retires, I'll take him for a Volce,
And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarum, and exeunt Romans and Volces, fighting.

The Romans are beaten back to their trenches. Re-enter Marcius.

Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you, You shames of Rome! you herd of Boils and plagues Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhorr'd Further than seen, and one infect another Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese, That bear the shapes of men, how have you run From slaves that apes would beat? Pluto and hell! All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale With flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge

home,

Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe,
And make my wars on you: look to't: Come on,
If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives,
As they us to our trenches followed.

Another alarum. The Volces and Romans reenter, and the fight is renewed. The Volces retire into Corioli, and Marcius follows them to the gates.

So, now the gates are ope:-Now prove good

seconds:

[blocks in formation]

'Tis Marcius: Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike. [They fight, and all enter the city.

SCENE V.-Within the town. A street. Enter certain Romans, with spoils.

1 Rom. This I will carry to Rome. 2 Rom. And I this.

3 Rom. A murrain on't! I took this for silver. [Alarum continues still afar off.

(4) When it is bent.

[blocks in formation]

My work hath yet not warm'd me: Fare you well. The blood I drop is rather physical

Than dangerous to me: To Aufidius thus

I will appear, and fight.

Lart.

Now the fair goddess, Fortune, Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman, Prosperity be thy page!

Mar. Thy friend no less Than those she placeth highest! So farewell. Lart. Thou worthiest Marcius!- [Ex. Mar. Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place; Call thither all the officers of the town,

Where they shall know our mind. Away. [Exe. SCENE VI-Near the camp of Cominius. Enter Cominius and forces, retreating.

Com. Breathe you, my friends; well fought, we are come off

Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,

Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,

We shall be charg'd again. Whiles we have struck, By interims, and conveying gusts, we have heard The charges of our friends: -The Roman gods Lead their successes as we wish our own;

That both our powers, with smiling fronts encoun

tering,

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

O! let me clip you In arms as sound, as when I woo'd; in heart As merry, as when our nuptial day was done, And tapers burn'd to bedward. Com.

How is't with Titus Lartius?

Flower of warriors,

[blocks in formation]

Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?
Where is he? Call him hither.
Mar.

Let him alone,
He did inform the truth: But for our gentlemen,
The common file, (A plague!-Tribunes for them!)
The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat, as they did budge
From rascals worse than they.

Com.

But how prevail'd you ? Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think

[blocks in formation]

I do beseech you,
By all the battles wherein we have fought,
By the blood we have shed together, by the vows
We have made to endure friends, that you directly
Set me against Aufidius, and his Antiates:
And that you not delay the present ;5 but,

Filling the air with swords advanc'd, and darts,
We prove this very hour.
Com.

Though I could wish

You were conducted to a gentle bath,
And balms applied to you, yet dare I never
Deny your asking; take your choice of those
That best can aid your action.

Mar.

Those are they That most are willing :-If any such be here (As it were sin to doubt,) that love this painting Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear Lesser his person than an ill report; If any think, brave death outweighs bad life, And that his country's dearer than himself; Let him, alone, or so many, so minded,

Wave thus, [Waving his hand.] to express his dis

position,

And follow Marcius.

[They all shout, and wave their swords; take
him up in their arms, and cast up their caps.

O me, alone! Make you a sword of me?
If these shows be not outward, which of you
But is four Volces? None of you but is

(5) Present time.

[blocks in formation]

SCENE VII.-The gates of Corioli. Titus Lartius, having set a guard upon Corioli, going with a drum and trumpet toward Cominius and Caius Marcius, enters with a Lieutenant, a party of Soldiers, and a Scout.

Lart. So, let the ports1 be guarded: keep your
duties,

As I have set them down. If I do send, despatch
Those centuries to our aid; the rest will serve
For a short holding: If we lose the field,
We cannot keep the town.
Lieu.

Fear not our care, sir.

Lart. Hence, and shut your gates upon us.Our guider, come; to the Roman camp conduct us. [Exeunt.

SCENE VIII. A field of battle between the

Roman and the Volscian camps. Alarum. En

ter Marcius and Aufidius.

Mar. I'll fight with none but thee; for I do hate

thee

[blocks in formation]

Not Afric owns a serpent, I abhor
More than thy fame and envy: Fix thy foot.

Mar. Let the first budgers die the other's slave,

And the gods doom him after!
Auf.

Halloo me like a hare.

Mar.

If I fly, Marcius,

Within these three hours, Tullus,

Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,
And made what work I pleas'd; 'Tis not my blood,
Wherein thou seest me mask'd; for thy revenge,
Wrench up thy power to the highest.

Auf.
Wert thou the Hector,
That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,
Thou should'st not scape me here.-

[blocks in formation]

The grave of your deserving; Rome must know
The value of her own: 'Twere a concealment
Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement,
To hide your doings; and to silence that,
Which to the spire and top of praises vouch'd,
Would seem but modest: Therefore, I beseech you,
(In sign of what you are, not to reward
What you have done,) before our army hear me.
Mar. I have some wounds upon me, and they

smart

To hear themselves remember'd.

Com.

Should they not,
Well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude,
And tent themselves with death. Of all the horses,
(Whereof we have ta'en good, and good store,)
of all

The treasure, in this field achiev'd, and city,
We render you the tenth; to be ta'en forth,
Before the common distribution, at

Your only choice.

Mar.

I thank you, general;
But cannot make my heart consent to take
A bribe to pay my sword: I do refuse it;
And stand upon my common part with those
That have beheld the doing.

A long flourish. They all cry, Marcius! Már-
cius! cast up their caps and lances: Co-
minius and Lartius stand bare.

Mar. May these same instruments, which you
profane,

Never sound more! When drums and trumpets shall
I'the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be

[They fight, and certain Volces come to the Made all of false-fac'd soothing: When steel grows

aid of Aufidius.

Officious, and not valiant-you have sham'd me
In your condemned seconds.5

[Exeunt fighting, driven in by Marcius. SCENE IX-The Roman camp. Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Flourish. Enter at one side, Cominius, and Romans; at the other side, Marcius, with his arm in a scarf, and other Romans.

Com. If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's
work,

Thou'lt not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it,
Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles;
Where great patricians shall attend, and shrug,
I'the end, admire; where ladies shall be frighted,
And, gladly quak'd,6 hear more; where the dull
tribunes,

That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours,
Shall say, against their hearts-We thank the gods,
Our Rome hath such a soldier!-

[blocks in formation]

Soft as the parasite's silk, let him be made
An overture for the wars! No more, I say;
For that I have not wash'd my nose that bled,
Or foil'd some debiles wretch, which, without note,
Here's many else have done, you shout me forth
In acclamations hyperbolical;
As if I lov'd my little should be dieted
In praises sauc'd with lies.

Com.

Too modest are you;

More cruel to your good report, than grateful
To us that give you truly by your patience,
If 'gainst yourself you be incens'd, we'll put you
(Like one that means his properto harm,) in mana-
cles,

Then reason safely with you.-Therefore, be it
known,

As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius
Wears this war's garland: in token of the which,
My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him,
With all his trim belonging; and, from this time,
For what he did before Corioli, call him,

(6) Thrown into grateful trepidation.
(7) Forces.

[blocks in formation]

With all the applause and clamour of the host, Caius Marcius Coriolanus.

Wash my fierce hand in his heart. Go you to the

city;

Bear the addition nobly ever!

Learn, how 'tis held; and what they are, that must

1 Sol.

Will not you go?

[Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums. Be hostages for Rome. All. Caius Marcius Coriolanus!

[blocks in formation]

SCENE X.-The camp of the Volces. A flourish. Cornets. Enter Tullus Aufidius, bloody, with two or three Soldiers.

Auf. The town is ta'en!

1 Sol. 'Twill be delivered back on good condition. Auf. Condition?

I would, I were a Roman; for I cannot,
Being a Volce, be that I am. Condition!
What good condition can a treaty find

I'the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius,
I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me;
And would'st do so, I think, should we encounter
As often as we eat.-By the elements,

If e'er again I meet him beard to beard,
He is mine, or I am his: Mine emulation
Hath not that honour in't, it had; for where
I thought to crush him in an equal force
(True sword to sword,) I'll potchs at him some way;
Or wrath, or craft, may get him.

1 Sol.

He's the devil.

Auf. Bolder, though not so subtle: My valour's poison'd,

With only suffering stain by him; for him
Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep, nor sanctuary,
Being naked, sick: nor fane, nor Capitol,
The prayers of priests, nor times of sacrifice,
Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst
My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it
At home, upon my brother's guard,6 even there
Against the hospitable canon, would I

(1) Add more by doing his best.
(2) Chief men. (3) Enter into articles.
(4) Whereas.

(5) Poke, push.

Auf. I am attended at the cypress grove : I pray you

('Tis south the city mills,) bring me word thither How the world goes; that to the pace of it

I may spur on my journey.

1 Sol.

I shall, sir. [Exeunt.

ACT II.

SCENE 1.-Rome. A public place. Enter Menenius, Sicinius, and Brutus.

Men. The augurer tells me, we shall have news to-night.

Bru. Good, or bad?

Men. Not according to the prayer of the people, for they love not Marcius.

Sic. Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.
Men. Pray you, who does the wolf love?
Sic. The lamb.

Men. Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the noble Marcius.

Bru. He's a lamb, indeed, that baes like a bear. Men. He's a bear, indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two are old men; tell me one thing that I shall ask you.

Both Trib. Well, sir.

Men. In what enormity is Marcius poor, that you two have not in abundance?

Bru. He's poor in no one fault, but stored with all.
Sic. Especially, in pride.

Bru. And topping all others in boasting.

Men. This is strange now: Do you two know how you are censured here in the city, I mean of us o'the right hand file? Do you?

Both Trib. Why, how are we censured?

Men. Because you talk of pride now, Will you not be angry?

Both Trib. Well, well, sir, well.

Men. Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience: give your disposition the reins, and be angry at your pleasure; at the least, if you take it as a pleasure to you, in being so. You blame Marcius for being proud?

Bru. We do it not alone, sir.

Men. I know, you can do very little alone; for your helps are many; or else your actions would grow wondrous single: your abilities are too infant-like, for doing much alone. You talk of pride: O, that you could turn your eyes towards the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves! O that you could !

Bru. What then, sir?

Men. Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates (alias, fools,) as any in Rome.

Sic. Menenius, you are known well enough too. Men. I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tyber in't; said to be something imperfect, in favouring the first complaint: hasty, and tinder-like, upon too trivial motion; one that converses more with the buttock of the night, than

(6) My brother posted to protect him.
(7) Waited for. (8) Back.
(9) Water of the Tyber.

« AnteriorContinuar »