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, Whither 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you: 1 Sen. Our army's in the field: We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready Auf. Nor did you think it folly, hatching, It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery, 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, '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. Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood! Re-enter Gentlewoman, with Valeria and her Val. My ladies both, good day to you. 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. 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 Vol. One of his father's moods. 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. 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. 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 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. 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, 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, 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: '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. 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, 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, Which told me they had beat you to your trenches? Let him alone, Com. But how prevail'd you ? Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think I do beseech you, Filling the air with swords advanc'd, and darts, Though I could wish You were conducted to a gentle bath, 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 O me, alone! Make you a sword of me? (5) Present time. 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 As I have set them down. If I do send, despatch 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 Not Afric owns a serpent, I abhor Mar. Let the first budgers die the other's slave, And the gods doom him after! Halloo me like a hare. Mar. If I fly, Marcius, Within these three hours, Tullus, Alone I fought in your Corioli walls, Auf. The grave of your deserving; Rome must know smart To hear themselves remember'd. Com. Should they not, The treasure, in this field achiev'd, and city, Your only choice. Mar. I thank you, general; A long flourish. They all cry, Marcius! Már- Mar. May these same instruments, which you Never sound more! When drums and trumpets shall [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 [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 Thou'lt not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it, That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours, Soft as the parasite's silk, let him be made Com. Too modest are you; More cruel to your good report, than grateful Then reason safely with you.-Therefore, be it As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius (6) Thrown into grateful trepidation. 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! 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, I'the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius, If e'er again I meet him beard to beard, 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 (1) Add more by doing his best. (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. 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. 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. |