6 He wag'd me with his countenance, as if 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. And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark! [Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the People. 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, 3 Con. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, Which we will second. When he lies along, After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury His reasons with his body. Auf. Say no more; Here come the lords. Enter the Lords of the City. Lords. You are most welcome home. Auf. I have not deserv'd it. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd Lords. We have. 1 Lord. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the last, I think, [6] The meaning, I think, is, he prescribed to me with an air of authority, and gave me his countenance for my wages; thought me sufficiently rewarded with good Tooks. JOHNSON. Enter CORIOLANUS with drums and colours; a Crowd of Cor. Hail, lords! I am returned your soldier; 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. Read it not, noble lords ; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree Cor. Traitor!-How now ?- Cor. Marcius! Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius; Dost thou think You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf Name not the god, thou boy of tears,- Auf. No more. my Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made heart Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave !— [7] By these words, Aufidius does not mean to put a stop to the altercation; but to tell Coriolanus that he was no more than a 'boy of tears.' M. MASON. Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever Your judgments, my grave lords, Must give this cur the lie and his own notion : (Who wears my stripes impress'd on him; that must bear My beating to his grave ;) shall join to thrust The lie unto him. 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volces; men and lads, Auf. Why, noble lords, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? Con. Let him die for't. [Several speak at once. Cit. [Speaking promiscuously.] Tear him to pieces, do it presently. He killed my son ;-my daughter ;He killed my cousin Marcus;-He killed my father.2 Lord. Peace, ho;-no outrage ;-peace. The man is noble, and his fame folds in This orb o'the earth: His last offence to us Cor. O, that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, To use my lawful sword! Auf. Insolent villain! Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him. [AUFIDIUS and the Conspirators draw, and kill CORIOLANUS, who falls, and AUFIDIUS stands on him. Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold. Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak. 1 Lord. O Tullus, 2 Lor. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. 1 Lord. Tread not upon him.-Masters all, be quiet; Put up your swords. Auf. My lords, when you shall know (as in this rage, Provok'd by him, you cannot,) the great danger [8] His fame overspreads the world. JOHNSON. Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice 1 Lord. Bear from hence his body, And mourn you for him: let him be regarded 2 Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame Auf. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow.-Take him up :- Assist. [9] Memorial. [Exeunt, bearing the body of Coriolanus. A dead march sounded. STEEVENS. END OF VOL. VII |