1 G. My general cares not for you. Back, I say; go, lest I let forth your half pint of blood :-back, that's the utmost of your having:- back. Men. Nay, but fellow, fellow.. Enter CORIOLANUS and AUFidius. Cor. What's the matter? 5 Men. Now, you companion4, I'll say an errand for you; you shall know now that I am in estimation; you shall perceive that a Jack guardant cannot office me from my son Coriolanus: guess, but by my entertainment with him, if thou stand'st not i'the state of hanging, or of some death more long in spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now presently, and swoon for what's to come upon thee.-The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than thy old father Menenius does! O, my son! my son! thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it. I was hardly moved to come to thee; but being assured, none but myself could move thee, I have been blown out of your gates with sighs; and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here; this, who, like a block, hath denied my access to thee. Cor. Away! Men. How! away? Cor. Wife, mother, child, I know not. affairs Are servanted to others: Though I owe My revenge properly, my remission lies My In Volcian breasts. That we have been familiar, + Fellow. 5 Jack in office. Mine ears against your suits are stronger, than Your gates against my force. Yet, for I lov'd thee, Take this along; I writ it for thy sake, [Gives a Letter. And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius, I will not hear thee speak.-This man, Aufidius, Was my beloved in Rome: yet thou behold'st. Auf. You keep a constant temper. [Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFID. 1 G. Now, sir, is your name Menenius. 2 G. 'Tis a spell, you see, of much power: You know the way home again. 1 G. Do you hear how we are shent 7 for keeping your greatness back? 2 G. What cause, do you think, I have to swoon? Men. I neither care for the world, nor your general: for such things as you, I can scarce think there's any, you are so slight. He that hath a will to die by himself, fears it not from another. Let your general do his worst. For you, be that you are, long; and your misery increase with your age! I say to you, as I was said to, Away! [Exit. 1 G. A noble fellow, I warrant him. 2 G. The worthy fellow is our general: He is the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The Tent of Coriolanus. Enter CORIOLANUS, AUFIDIUS, and others. Cor. We will before the walls of Rome to-morrow Set down our host.- My partner in this action, 6 Because. 7 Reprimanded. You must report to the Volcian lords, how plainly 8 Auf. man, 'Cor. This last old Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome, Loved me above the measure of a father; Nay, godded me, indeed. Their latest refuge Was to send him: for whose old love, I have (Though I show'd sourly to him,) once more offer'd The first conditions, which they did refuse, And cannot now accept, to grace him only, That thought he could do more; a very little I have yielded too: Fresh embassies, and suits, Nor from the state, nor private friends, hereafter Will I lend ear to.-Ha! what shout is this? [Shout within. Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow Enter in mourning habits, VIRGILIA, VOLUMNIA, leading Young MARCIUS, VALERIA, and Attendants. My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould What is that curt'sy worth? or those dove's eyes, not -My mother bows; Of stronger earth than others. 8 Openly. In supplication nod: and my young boy Great nature cries, Deny not, -Let the Volces And knew no other kin. Vir. Cor. These eyes are My lord and husband! not the same I wore in Vir. The sorrow that delivers us thus chang'd, Makes you think so. Cor. Like a dull actor now, I have forgot my part, and I am out, Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh, Forgive my tyranny; but do not say, For that, Forgive our Romans.-O, a kiss Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge! Now by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss I carried from thee, dear; and my true lip Hath virgin'd it e'er since. You gods! I prate, And the most noble mother of the world Leave unsaluted: Sink, my knee i'the earth; Of thy deep duty more impression show Vol. [Kneels. O, stand up bless'd! Whilst with no softer cushion than the flint, I kneel before thee; and unproperly Show duty, as mistaken all the while [Kneels. What is this? Cor. 9 Juno. Murd'ring impossibility, to make Thou art my warrior; Vol. Cor. The god of soldiers, With the consent of supreme Jove, inform Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou may'st prove To shame unvulnerable, and stick i'the wars Vol. thee! eye Cor. That's my brave boy. Your knee, sirrah. Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, Are suitors to you. Cor. I beseech you, peace: Or, if you'd ask, remember this before; The things, I have forsworn to grant, may never Again with Rome's mechanicks :-Tell me not To allay my rages and Your colder reasons. Vol. with revenges, O, no more, no more! You have said, you will not grant us any thing; 1 Gust, storm. |