Sic. Nay, but his taunts. Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird' the gods. Sic. Bemock the modest moon. Bru. The present wars devour him: he is grown Too proud to be so valiant. Sic. Such a nature, Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow Bru. Fame, at the which he aims, Sic. Besides, if things go well, Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall Bru. Come: Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius, Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults To Marcius shall be honours, though, indeed, In aught he merit not. Sic. Let's hence, and hear How the despatch is made; and in what fashion, Upon his present action. Bru. SCENE II.-Corioli. The Senate-House. 1 Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius, That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels, Auf. Is it not yours? What ever have been thought on in this state, 1 Taunt. 2 Merits. [Reads "They have press'd a power, but it is not known Whither 't is bent: most likely, 't is for you. 1 Sen. Our army's in the field. Auf. Nor did you think it folly, [ing, To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when 2 Sen. Noble Aufidius, [Giving it.1 Take your commission; hie you to your bands. Let us alone to guard Corioli: If they set down before 's, for the remove Auf. All. The gods assist you! SCENE III.-Rome. An Apartment in MARCIUS' House. Enter VOLUMNIA, and VIRGILIA. They sit down on two low Stools, and sew. Vol. 1 pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself 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; 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. Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you. Methinks, I hear hither your husband's drum, As children from a bear the Volsces shunning him: 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 contemning.'-Tell Valeria, We are fit to bid her welcome. [Exit Gent. Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius! Re-enter Gentlewoman, with VALERIA and her Usher. 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, in good faith.-How does your little son? Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school-master. Val. O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 't is a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him 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 whether his fall enraged him, or how 't was, he did so set his teeth, and tear it; O! I warrant, how he mammocked it! Vol. One of his father's moods. Val. Indeed la, 't is a noble child. Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have Vol. She shall, she shall. Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, till my lord return from the wars. Vol. 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? 1 contending: in f. e. 2 A fine boy. Vir. 'T is 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 excellent news of your husband. 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 Volsces 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, I must not. I wish you much mirth. Val. Well then, farewell. SCENE IV.-Before Corioli. [Exeunt. Enter, with Drum and Colours, MARCIUS', TITUS LARTIUS, Officers, and Soldiers. Mar. Yonder comes news:-a wager, they have met. Lart. My horse to yours, no. Mar. Lart. 'T is done. Agreed. Enter a Messenger. Mar. Say, has our general met the enemy? Mess. They lie in view, but have not spoke as yet. 1 f. e. add: "to them a Messenger," and omit the stage direction below. |