[Kneels. Of thy deep duty more impression show Than that of common sons. Vol. request? Vol. Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment And state of bodies would bewray what life O! stand up bless'd; 52 We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself How more unfortunate than all living women Give the all-hail to thee, and cry, 'Be bless'd Are we come hither: since that thy sight, which should 98 140 For making up this peace!' Thou know'st, Whereto we are bound? Alack! or we must lose The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person, 112 Our wish, which side should win; for either thou Think'st thou it honourable for a noble man Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speak you: He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, Rather to show a noble grace to both parts Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner March to assault thy country than to treadTrust to't, thou shalt not-on thy mother's womb, 124 That brought thee to this world. Ay, and mine, That brought you forth this boy, to keep your Has cluck'd thee to the wars, and safely home, Loaden with honour. Say my request's unjust, 165 And spurn me back; but if it be not so, That thou restrain'st from me the duty which But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship, 181 If not most mortal to him. But let it come. Were you in my stead, would you have heard Auf. I was mov'd withal. 193 I dare be sworn you were: And, sir, it is no little thing to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part, 197 I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you, Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife! Auf. [Aside.] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour At difference in thee: out of that I'll work 200 [The ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS. Ay, by and by; Sic. He loved his mother dearly. Men. So did he me; and he no more remembers his mother now than an eight-year-old horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes: when he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading: he is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done is finished with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity and a heaven to throne in. Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. 28 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! 33 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 plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, 40 And hale him up and down; all swearing, if The Roman ladies bring not comfort home, They'll give him death by inches. Cor. But we will drink together; and you shall bear Sic. 208 Could not have made this peace. [Exeunt. Enter a second Messenger. What's the news? Sec. Mess. Good news, good news! the ladies have prevail'd, 44 The Volscians are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone. Friend, Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain? 48 Sec. 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! 52 SCENE V.- Corioli. A Public Place. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants. 4 8 [Exeunt Attendants. Enter three or four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' Most welcome! faction. First Con. How is it with our general? Even so As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, Sec. Con. Most noble sir, If you do hold the same intent wherein Of your great danger. Auf. There was it; 44 For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon At a few drops of women's rheum, which are [Drums and trumpets sound, with First Con. Your native town you enter'd And had no welcomes home; but he returns, And patient fools, 52 Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear 12 With giving him glory. Third Con. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the pecple With what he would say, let him feel your sword, Sir, I cannot tell: 56 And grieve to hear 't. What faults he made before the last, I think 64 Might have found easy fines; but there to end Where he was to begin, and give away The benefit of our levies, answering us With our own charge, making a treaty where 68 To thrust the lie unto him. There was a yielding, this admits no excuse. 108 Must bear my beating to his grave-shall join First Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads, 112 Enter CORIOLANUS, with drums and colours; a crowd of Citizens with him. Stain all your edges on me. Boy! False hound! Auf. He approaches: you shall hear him. 72 Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; With bloody passage led your wars even to 76 Do more than counterpoise a full third part 80 Than shame to the Romans; and we here deliver, Subscrib'd by the consuls and patricians, Auf. All the People. Tear him to pieces. - Do it presently. - He killed my son.-My daughter. -He killed my cousin Marcus. - He killed my father. Sec. Lord. Peace, ho! no outrage: peace! The man is noble and his fame folds in Read it not, noble lords; 84 This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us But tell the traitor in the highest degree Cor. Traitor! How now? 96 Insolent villain! Auf. Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold! 132 Third Lord. Tread not upon him. Masters |