And, sir, it is no little thing to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, Auf. [Aside.] I am glad, thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour At difference in thee: out of that I'll work Myself a firmer fortune. Cor. [The Ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS. Ay, by and by; [TO VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, &c. But we will drink together; and you shall bear A better witness back than words, which we On like conditions will have counter-seal'd. Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve To have a temple built you: all the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, Could not have made this peace. SCENE IV.-Rome. A Public Place. Enter MENENIUS and SICINIUS. [Exeunt. Men. See you yond' coign o' the Capitol; yond' corner-stone ? Sic. Why, what of that? Men. If it be possible for you to displace it with your litttle finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him: but I say, there is no hope in 't. Our throats are sentenced, and stay upon execution. Sic. Is 't possible, that so short a time can alter the condition of a man? Men. There is differency between a grub, and a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a creeping thing. Sic. He loved his mother dearly. The tart Men. So did he me; and he no more remembers his mother now, than an eight year old horse. ness of his face sours ripe grapes: when he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a corslet with his eye talks like a knell, and his hem! is a battery. He sits in his state as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done, is finished with his bidding: he wants nothing of a god but eternity, and a heaven to throne in. Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. Men. I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him: there is no more mercy in him, than there is milk in a male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and all this is 'long of you. Sic. The gods be good unto us! Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him, we respected not them; and he returning to break our necks, they respect not us. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your house. The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, And hale him up and down; all swearing, if The Roman ladies bring not comfort home, They'll give him death by inches. Sic. Enter another Messenger. What's the news? Mess. Good news, good news!-The ladies have preThe Volscians are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone. [vail'd, A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins. Sic. Friend, Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain? The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Make the sun dance. Hark you! [Shouting again. Men. . This is good news. I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians, A city full; of tribunes, such as you, A sea and land-full. You have pray'd well to-day: This morning for ten thousand of your throats I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy! Sic. First, the gods bless you for the tidings: next, Mess. Almost at point to enter. And help the joy. We will meet them, [Going. Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patricians, and People. They pass over the Stage. 1 Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome! Repeal him with the welcome of his mother: All. Welcome! Welcome, ladies! SCENE V.-Antium. A Public Place. Intends t'appear before the people, hoping [Attendants. Most welcome! 1 Con. How is it with our general? As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, 2 Con. Even so, Most noble sir, If you do hold the same intent, wherein Auf. Sir, I cannot tell : We must proceed, as we do find the people. 3 Con. The people will remain uncertain, whilst 'Twixt you there 's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. Auf. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd When he did stand for consul, which he lost Auf. 1 Con. So he did, my lord; The army marvell'd at it; and, in the last, Auf. There was it; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. [Drums and Trumpets sound, with great Shouts of 1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2 Con. And patient fools, Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear With giving him glory. 3 Con. Therefore, at your vantage, 1 end: in f. e. 2 Paid. Ere he express himself, or move the people After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd Lords. 1 Lord. We have. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the last, I think, Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting Under your great command. You are to know, That prosperously I have attempted, and The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home, The charges of the action. We have made peace, With no less honour to the Antiates, Than shame to the Romans; and we here deliver, Together with the seal o' the senate, what We have compounded on. Auf. But tell the traitor in the highest degree He hath abus'd your powers. Read it not, noble lords; Cor. Traitor !-how now! Auf. Cor. Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius. Dost thou think, Ay, traitor, Marcius. |