Vol. Pray, be counsel'd: I have a heart as little apt as yours, But yet a brain, that leads my use of anger, To better vantage. Men. Well said, noble woman: Before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that For the whole state, I would put mine armour on, Cor. For them?—I cannot do it to the gods; Must I then do't to them? Vol. You are too absolute; Though therein you can never be too noble, But when extremities speak. I have heard you say, Honour and policy, like unsever'd friends, I' the war do grow together: Grant that, and tell me, In peace, what each of them by th' other lose, That they combine not there. Cor. Men. Tush, tush! A good demand, Vol. If it be honour, in your wars, to seem The same you are not, (which, for your best ends, With honour, as in war; since that to both Cor. Why force you this? Vol. Because that now it lies you on to speak To the people; not by your own instruction, Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you to, But with such words that are but roted in Your tongue, though but bastards, and syllables Of no allowance, to your bosom's truth. I would dissemble with my nature, where Men. Noble lady! Come, go with us; speak fair: you may salve so, Not what is dangerous present, but the loss Of what is past. Vol. I pr'ythee now, my son, Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand; And thus far having stretch'd it, (here be with them,) Thy knee bussing the stones, (for in such business Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant. That will not hold the handling: Or, say to them, In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame As thou hast Men. power, and person. This but done, Even as she speaks, why, all their hearts were yours: For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free As words to little purpose. Vol. Pr'ythee now, Go, and be rul'd: although, I know, thou had'st rather Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf, Than fatter him in a bower. Here is Cominius. Enter COMINIUS. Com. I have been i' the market-place: and, sir, 'tis fit You make strong party, or defend yourself By calmness, or by absence; all's in anger. Com. Can thereto frame his spirit. Vol. I think, 'twill serve, if he He must, and will: Pr' thee, now, say, you will, and go about it. Cor. 45 Must I go show them my unbarb'd sconce? Must I With my base tongue, give to my noble heart A lie, that it must bear? Well, I will do't: This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it, place: You have put me now to such a part, which never I shall discharge to the life. Com. Come, come, we'll prompt you. Vol. I pr'ythee now, sweet son; as thou hast said, My praises made thee first a soldier, so, To have my praise for this, perform a part Thou hast not done before. Cor. Well, I must do't: Away, my disposition, and possess me Some harlot's spirit! My throat of war be turn'd, 46 Which quired 16 with my drum, into a pipe Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice That babies lulls asleep! The smiles of knaves 47 Tent in my cheeks; and schoolboys' tears take up ་ At thy choice then: Vol. To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour, Than thou of them. Come all to ruin; let Thy mother rather feel thy pride, than fear Thy dangerous stoutness; for I mock at death With as big heart as thou48. Do as thou list. Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me; But owe thy pride thyself. Cor. Pray, be content; Mother, I am going to the market-place; Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves, Cog their hearts from them, and come home belov'd Of all the trades in Rome. Commend me to my wife. Look, I am going: Do your will. [Exit. Or never trust to what my tongue can do I' the way of flattery, further. Vol. Com. Away, the tribunes do attend you: arm yourself To answer mildly; for they are prepar'd With accusations, as I hear, more strong Than are upon you yet. Cor. The word is, mildly:-Pray you, let us go: Let them accuse me by invention, I Will answer in mine honour. Men. Ay, but mildly. [Exeunt. Cor. Well, mildly be it then; mildly. |