Men.

This is strange.

Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments!

Enter a Messenger.

Mess. Where's Caius Marcius?

Mar. Here: What's the matter? Mess. The news is, sir, the Volces are in arms. Mar. I am glad on 't; then we shall have means to Our musty superfluity:-See, our best elders. [vent

Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS, and SICINIUS VELUTUS.

1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us; The Volces are in arms.

Mar..

They have a leader, Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to 't. I sin in envying his nobility:

And were I any thing but what I am,

I would wish me only he.

Com. You have fought together. Mar. Were half to half the world by the ears, and Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make [he Only my wars with him: he is a lion That I am proud to hunt.

1 Sen. Then worthy Marcius, Attend upon Cominius to these wars. Com. It is your former promise. Mar. Sir, it is; And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face: What, art thou stiff! stand'st out? Tit.

No, Caius Marcius; I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other, Ere stay behind this business.

Men.

O, true bred!

1 Sen. Hence! To your homes, be gone.

(To the Citizens. Mar. Nay, let them follow: The Volces have much corn; take these rats thither, To gnaw their garners:- Worshipful mutineers, Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.

[Exeunt Senators, COM. MAR. TIT. and MENEN. Citizens steal away. Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?! Bru He has no equal. [ple, Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the peoBru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes? Sic. Nay, but his taunts. Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods. Sic. Be-mock 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
Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder,
His insolence can brook to be commanded
Under Cominius.

Bru.

Better be held, nor more attain'd, than by
A place below the first: for what miscarries
Shall be the general's fault, though he perform
To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure
Will then cry out of Marcius, O, if he
Had borne the business!

Sic.

Besides, if things go well,

Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall
Of his demerits rob Cominius.

SCENE II.-Corioli.-The Senate-House. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, and certain Senators. 1 Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius, That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels, And know how we proceed. Auf. Is it not yours? What ever hath been thought on in this state, That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome Had circumvention! 'Tis not four days gone, Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think, I have the letter here; yes, here it is: [Reads. They have press'd a power, but it is not known Whether for east, or west: The dearth is great; The people mutinous: and it is rumour'd, Cominius, Marcius your old enemy, (Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,) And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, These three lead on this preparation Whither 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you: Consider of it.

1 Sen.

Our army's in the field: We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready To answer us.

Auf.

Nor did you think it folly,

To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when
They needs must shew themselves; which in the
hatching,

It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery,
We shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was,
To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome
Should know we were afoot.

2 Sen.

Noble Aufidius,
Take your commission; hie you to your bands:
Let us alone to guard Corioli:

If they set down before us, for the remove
Bring up your army; but, I think, you'll find
They have not prepar'd for us.
Auf.

O, doubt not that;
I speak from certainties. Nay, more.
Some parcels of their powers are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
'Tis sworn between us, we shall never strike
Till one can do no more.

All.

The gods assist you! Auf. And keep your honours safe!

1 Sen.

Farewell.

Farewell.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

Rome.-An Apartment in Marcius' House. Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA: They sit down on two low stools, and sew.

Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express your. self 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 shew 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 kings' 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?

Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you.
Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.
Vol. Indeed, you shall not.

Methinks, I hear hither your husband's drum;
See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair;

As children from a bear, the Volces shunning him
Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus,-
Come on, you cowards, you were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome : His bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes;
Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow
Or all, or lose his hire.

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' contending.-Tell Valeria, We are fit to bid her welcome.

:

[Exit. Gent.

Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius! Vol. He'll beat Aufidius head below his knee, And tread upon his neck.

Re-enter Gentlewoman, with VALERIA and her Usher.

Val. My ladies both, good day to you.
Vol. Sweet madam,-

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 the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school-master.

Val. O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis 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 'twas, 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, 'tis a noble child. Vir. A crack, madam.

Val. Come lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon. Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of doors. Val. Not out of doors! Vol. She shall, she shall.

Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, till my lord returns from the wars. Val. Fye, 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?

Vir. 'Tis 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 as 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 Volces 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.-Pry'thee, Virgilia, turn thy solemnness 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.

Mar.

Let him alone,

Wave thus, [waving his hand.] to express his dispoAnd follow Marcius.

[sition, [They all shout, and wave their swords; take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps.

:

O me, alone! Make you a sword of me?
If these shows be not outward, which of you
But is four Volces? None of you, but is
Able to bear against the great Aufidius
A shield as hard as his. A certain number,
Though thanks to all, must I select the rest
Shall bear the business in some other fight,
As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march ;
And four shall quickly draw out my con mand,
Which men are best inclin'd.
Com.
March on, my fellows:
Make good this ostentation, and you shall
Divide in all with us.

[Exeunt.

Lart. Hence, and shut your gates upon us.Our guider, come; to the Roman camp conduct us. [Exeunt.

Com.

But how prevail'd you?
Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think-
Where is the enemy? Are you lords o' the field?
If not, why cease you till you are so ?
Com.

We have at disadvantage fought, and did
Retire, to win our purpose.

Marcius,

Mar. How lies their battle? Know you on which [side They have plac'd their men of trust? Com.

As I guess, Marcius,

Their hands in the vaward are the Antiates,
Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius,
Their very heart of hope.

Mer.
I do beseech you,
By all the battles wherein we have fought,
By the blood we have shed together, by the vows
We have made to endure friends, that you directly
Set me against Aufidius, and his Antiates :
And that you not delay the present; but,
Filling the air with swords advanc'd, and darts,
this very hour.

We prove

Com.

Though I could wish

You were conducted to a gentle bath,

And balms applied to you, yet dare I never
Deny your asking; take your choice of those
That best can aid your action.

Mar.
Those are they
That most are willing :-If any such be here,
(As it were sin to doubt,) that love this painting
Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear
Lesser his person than an ill report;
If any think, brave death outweighs bad life,
And that his country's dearer than himself;
Let him, alone, or so many, so minded,

and the Volscian Camps.

Mar.

If I fly, Marcius,

Within these three hours, Tullu, Alone I fought in your Corioli walls, And made what work I pleas'd; 'Tis not my blood, Wherein thou seest me mask'd: for thy revenge, Wrench up thy power to the highest.

Auf. Wert thou the Hector, That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny, Thou should'st not scape me here.-

[They fight, and certain Volces come to the
aid of AUFIDIUS.

Officious, and not valiant-you have sham'd me
In your condemned seconds.

[Exeunt fighting, driven in by MARCIUS.

SCENE IX.-The Roman Camp.

Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Flourish.
Enter at
one side, COMINIUS, and Romans; at the other side,
MARCIUS, with his arm in a scarf, and other Romans.
Com. If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work,
Thou'lt not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it,
Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles;
Where great patricians shall attend, and shrug,
'the end, admire; where ladies shall be frighted,

bunes,

That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours,
Shall say, against their hearts,-We thank the gods,
Our Rome hath such a soldier !—

Yet cam'st thou to a morsel of this feast,
Having fully dined before.

[Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums. All. Caius Marcius Coriolanus!

Cor. I will go wash;

O general,

Lart. Here is the steed, we the caparison:

Hadst thou beheld

Mar.

Com. So, to our tent: Where, ere we do repose us, we will write To Rome of our success.-You, Titus Lartius,

The grave of your deserving: Rome must know
The value of her own: 'twere a concealment
Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement,
To hide your doings; and to silence that,
Which, to the spire and top of praises vouch'd,
Would seem but modest: Therefore, I beseech you,
(In sign of what you are, not to reward
What you have done,) before our army hear me.
Mar. I have some wounds upon me, and they smart
To hear themselves remember'd.

But cannot make my heart consent to take
A bribe to pay my sword: I do refuse it;
And stand upon my common part with those
That have beheld the doing.

[A long flourish. They all cry, Marcius! Marcius! cast up their caps and lances: COMINIUS and LARTIUS stand bare. Mar. May these same instruments, which you profane,

Never sound more! When drums and trumpets shall
I' the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be
Made all of false-fac'd soothing! When steel grows
Soft as the parasite's silk, let him be made
An overture for the wars! No more, I say;
For that I have not wash'd my nose that bled,
Or foil'd some debile wretch,-which without note,
Here's
's many else have done,-you shout me forth
In acclamations hyperbolical;

As if I loved my little should be dieted
In praises sauc'd with lies.

Com.

Too modest are you; More cruel to your good report, than grateful To us that give you truly by your patience, If 'gainst yourself you be incens'd, we'll put you (Like one that means his proper harm,)in manacles, Then reason safely with you. Therefore, be it known, As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius Wears this war's garland in token of the which My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him, With all his trim belonging; and, from this time, For what he did before Corioli, call him, With all the applause and clamour of the host, CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS.

I shall, my lord. Cor. The gods begin to mock me. I that now Refus'd most princely gifts, am bound to beg Of my lord general. Com.

Take it 'tis yours.-What is't?
Cor. I sometime lay, here in Corioli,
At a poor man's house; he us'd me kindly :
He cried to me; I saw him prisoner;
But then Aufidius was within my view,
And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity: I request you
To give my poor host freedom.

Com.
O, well begg'd!
Were he the butcher of my son, he should
Be free, as is the wind. Deliver him, Titus.
Lart. Marcius, his name?
Cor.

By Jupiter, forgot :-
I am weary; yea, my memory is tir'd.-
Have we no wine here?
Com.

Go we to our tent: The blood upon your visage dries: 'tis time It should be look'd too: come.

[Exeunt.

SCENE X.-The Camp of the Volces.

A flourish. Cornets. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, bloody, with Two or Three Soldiers.

Auf. The town is ta'en!

1 Sol. Twill be deliver'd back on good condition. Auf. Condition ?

I would, I were a Roman; for I cannot,
Being a Volce, be that I am.-
-Condition!
What good condition can a treaty find

I' the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius,
I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me;
And would'st do so, I think, should we encounter
As often as we eat.-By the elements,
If e'er again I meet him beard to beard,
He is mine, or I am his: Mine emulation
Hath not that honour in't, it had for where
I thought to crush him in an equal force,
(True sword to sword,) I'll potch at him some way;
Or wrath, or craft, may get him.

1 Sol.

He's the devil. Auf. Bolder, though not so subtle: My valour's poiWith only suffering stain by him; for him [son'd, Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep, nor sanctuary, Being naked, sick nor fane, nor Capitol, The prayers of priests, nor times of sacrifice, Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up Their rotten privilege, and custom 'gainst My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it At home, upon my brother's guard, even there Against the hospitable canon, would I Wash my fierce hand in his heart. Go you to the city; Learn, how 'tis held; and what they are, that must Be hostages for Rome.

1 Sol.

Will not you go?