Men. I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him: There is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and all this is 'long of you. Sic. The gods be good unto us! Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him we respected not them and he returning to break our necks, they respect not us. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your house; The Roman ladies bring not comfort home, Sic. Enter another Messenger. What's the news? Mess. Good news, good news:-the ladies have prevail'd, The Volcians are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone : No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins. Friend, Sic. Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain? Mess. As certain as I know the sun is fire: Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it? Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide, As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you! [Trumpets and hautboys sounded, and drums beaten, all together. Shouting also within. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance. Hark you! [Shouting again. Men. This is good news: I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia A city full; of tribunes such as you A sea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; This morning, for ten thousand of your throats I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy! [Shouting and music. Sic. First, the gods bless you for their tidings: next, Accept my thankfulness. Mcss. Sir, we have all Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patricians, and People. They pass over the Stage. 1 Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome: Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them : Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius, Repeal him with the welcome of his mother; Cry, Welcome, ladies, welcome! All. Welcome, ladies, welcome! [A flourish with drums and trumpets. SCENE V.-Antium. A public Place. Even in theirs and in the commons' ears, [Exeunt Attendants. Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius' faction, Most welcome! 1 Con. How is it with our general? 2 Con. Most noble sir, If you do hold the same intent wherein You wish'd us parties, we 'll deliver you Of your great danger. Auf. Sir, I cannot tell; We must proceed as we do find the people. 3 Con. The people will remain uncertain whilst 'Twixt you there 's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. Auf. A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd When he did stand for consul, which he lost That I would have spoke of: Auf. Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way 1 Con. Auf. [Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the people. I 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, With what he would say, let him feel your sword Auf. Say no more; 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. I Lord. We have. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the last, I think, Enter CORIOLANUS, with drums and colours; a crowd of Citizens with him. Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; Than shame to the Romans: and we here deliver, Auf. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree |