Vol. I would he had. 'T was you incens'd the rabble: Curs, that can judge as fitly of his worth, As I can of those mysteries, which heaven Will not have earth to know. Bru. Pray, let us go. Vol. Now, pray, sir, get you gone: You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this :- The meanest house in Rome, so far my son, Sic. Why stay we to be baited With one that wants her wits? Vol. Take my prayers with you:—[Exeunt Tribunes. I would the gods had nothing else to do, But to confirm my curses. Could I meet 'em Of what lies heavy to 't. Men. You have told them home, And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll sup with me? And so shall starve with feeding.-Come, let's go. [Exeunt. SCENE III-A Highway between Rome and Antium. Enter a Roman and a Volsce, meeting. Rom. I know you well, sir; and you know me. Your name, I think, is Adrian. Vol. It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you. Rom. I am a Roman: and my services are, as you are, against 'em. Know you me yet? Vol. Nicanor? No. Rom. The same, sir. Vol. You had more beard, when I last saw you; but your favour is well approved' by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian state, to find you out there: you have well sav'd me a day's journey. Rom. There hath been in Rome strange insurrection: the people against the senators, patricians, and nobles. I appeared in f. e. Vol. Hath been! Is it ended then? Our state thinks not so they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division. Rom. The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again; for the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy, Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out. Vol. Corialanus banished? Rom. Banished, sir. Vol. You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor. Rom. The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife is when she's fallen out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no request of his country. Vol. He cannot choose. I am most fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you: you have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home. Rom. I shall between this and supper tell you most strange things from Rome, all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you? Vol. A most royal one; the centurions and their charges distinctly billeted, already in the entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning. Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think, that shall set them in present action. So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company. Vol. You take my part from me, sir: I have the most cause to be glad of yours. Rom. Well, let us go together. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Antium. Before the House of AUFIDIUS. Enter CORIOLANUS, in mean Apparel, disguised and muffled. Cor. A goodly city is this Antium.—City, "T is I that made thy widows: many an heir Of these fair edifices 'fore my wars Have I heard groan, and drop: then, know me not, Lest that thy wives with spits, and boys with stones, Enter a Citizen. In puny battle slay me.-Save you, sir. Cit. And you. Cor. Cor. Which is his house, beseech you? Cit. This, here before you. Cor. Thank you, sir. Farewell. [Exit Citizen. O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn, Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart, 2 Whose house', whose bed, whose meal, and exercise, On a dissension of a doit, break out Whose passions and whose plots have broken their sleep Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends, My birth-place hate' I, and my love 's upon [Exit. SCENE V.-The Same. A Hall in AuFIDIUS's House. Music within. Enter a Servant. 1 Serv. Wine, wine, wine! What service is here ? I think our fellows are asleep. Enter a second Servant. [Exit. 2 Serv. Where's Cotus? My master calls for him.Cotus! Enter CORIOLANUS. [Exit. Cor. A goodly house. The feast smells well; but I Appear not like a guest. Re-enter the first Servant. 1 Serv. What would you have, friend? Whence are you? Here's no place for you: pray, go to the door. Cor. I have deserv'd no better entertainment, In being Coriolanus. Re-enter second Servant. 2 Serv. Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his 1 hours: in f. e 2 have in folio. Steevens made the change. eyes in his head, that he gives entrance to such companions1? Pray, get you out. Cor. Away! 2 Serv. Away? Get you away. Cor. Now, th' art troublesome. 2 Serv. Are you so brave? I'll have you talked with anon. Enter a third Servant: the first meets him. 3 Serv. What fellow 's this? 1 Serv. A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him out o' the house. Pr'ythee, call my master to him. 3 Serv. What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid the house. Cor. Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth. 3 Serv. What are you? Cor. A gentleman. 3 Serv. A marvellous poor one. Cor. True, so I am. 3 Serv. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station; here's no place for you. Pray you, avoid : come. Cor. Follow your function; go, And batten on cold bits. [Pushes him away. 3 Serv. What, will you not? Pr'ythee, tell my master what a strange guest he has here. 2 Serv. And I shall. 3 Serv. Where dwell'st thou ? Cor. Under the canopy. 3 Serv. Under the canopy? Cor. Ay. 3 Serv. Where's that? Cor. I' the city of kites and crows. [Exit. 3 Serv. I' the city of kites and crows?-What an ass it is!-Then, thou dwellest with daws too? Cor. No: I serve not thy master. 3 Serv. How, sir! Do you meddle with my master? Cor. Ay; 't is an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress. Thou prat'st, and prat'st: serve with thy trencher. Auf. Where is this fellow? 1 Often used in a disparaging sense, like fellows. 2 Serv. Here, sir. I'd have beaten him like a dog, but for disturbing the lords within. Auf. Whence com'st thou? what wouldst thou? Thy name? Why speak'st not? Speak, man: what's thy name? If, Tullus, Cor. [Unmuffling. Not yet thou know'st me, and seeing me, dost not Think me for the man I am, necessity Commands me name myself. Auf. What is thy name? [Servants retire. Cor. A name unmusical to the Volscians' ears, And harsh in sound to thine. Auf. Say, what's thy name? Bears a command in 't: though thy tackle's torn, Auf. I know thee not.-Thy name? Cor. My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done To thee particularly, and to all the Volsces Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may My surname, Coriolanus. The painful service, The extreme dangers, and the drops of blood Shed for my thankless country, are requited But with that surname; a good memory, And witness of the malice and displeasure Which thou shouldst bear me. Only that name remains: The cruelty and envy of the people, Permitted by our dastard nobles, who Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest; I had fear'd death, of all the men i' the world Stand I before thee here. Then, if thou hast |