do, He sent in writing after me; what he would not, Unless his noble mother, and his wife; For mercy to his country. Therefore, let's hence, And with our fair entreaties them on. [Exeunt. Stand, and go back. You guard like men: 'tis well; but, by your I am an officer of state, and come To speak with Coriolanus. [leave, First Guard. From whence? (Of whom he's chief) with all the size that verity I have tumbled past the throw, and in his praise First Guard. [fellow, 'Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalf, as you have uttered words in your own, you should not pass here: no, though it were as virtuous to lie, as to live chastely. Therefore, go back. Menenius. Pr'ythee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius, always factionary on the party of your general. Second Guard. Howsoever you have been his liar, as you say you have, I am one that, telling true under him, 1, must say, you cannot pass. Therefore, go back. Menenius. Has he dined, canst thou tell? for I would I am, as thy general is. First Guard. Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you, when you have pushed out your gates the very defender of them, and, in a violent popular ignorance, given your enemy your shield, think to front his revenges with the easy groans of old women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant as you seem to be? Can you think to blow out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in with such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived; therefore, back to Rome, and prepare for your execution. You are condemned, our general has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon. My general cares not for you. Back, I say: go, lest 1 let forth your half-pint of blood, back,that's the utmost of your having:-back. Menentus. Nay, but fellow, fellow, Enter Coriolanus and Aufideus. Coriolanus Now, you companion, 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 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. Your gates against my force. Yet, for I lov'd Wherein this trunk was fram'd, and in her hand thee, Take this along; I writ it for thy sake, And would have sent it. nius, [Gives a paper. Another word, Mene I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius, The grand-child to her blood. But, out, affec- Of stronger earth than others. - My mother 'Tis a spell, you see, of much power. You And knew no other kin. know the way home again. First Guard. What cause, do you think, I have to swoon? 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! First Guard. A noble fellow, I warrant him. [Exit Virgilia. My lord and husband Coriolanus. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome The sorrow, that delivers us thus chang'd, Coriolanus. Like a dull actor now, I have forgot my part, and I am out, the Leave unsaluted. Sink, my knee, i' the earth; Exeunt The first conditions, which they did refuse, Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow The god of soldiers, With the consent of supreme Jove, inform Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou may'st To shame unvulnerable, and stick i' the wars My wife comes foremost; then, the honour'd Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw, And saving those that eye thee I Volun.ra. prove ants. mould i That's my brave boy! Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, Coriolanus. Are suitors to you. You have said, you will not grant us any thing; Coriolanus. Coriolanus. Not of a woman's tenderness to be, Requires nor child nor woman's face to see. I have sat too long. 763 [Rising. Volumnia. As poisonous of your honour: no; our suit Romans, "This we receiv'd;" and each in either side Give the all-hail to thee, and cry, "Be bless'd For making up this peace!" Thou know'st, great son, The end of war's uncertain; but this certain, noble, But with his last attempt he wip'd it out, Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark; for we'll Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour, Making the mother, wife, and child, to see The country, our dear nurse; These wars determine: if I cannot persuade thee 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 tread (Trust to't, thou shalt not) on thy mother's That brought thee to this world. [womb, Virgilia. That brought you forth this boy, to keep your Ay, and mine, Living to time. Boy. [name He shall not tread on me: I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight. To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air, Think'st thou it honourable for a noble man More bound to's mother; yet here he lets me prate Like one i' the stocks. - Thou hast never in thy Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy; When she, (poor hen 1) fond of no second brood, [life Has cluck'd thee to the wars, and safely home, Loaden with honour. Say, my request's unjust, Thou art not honest, and the gods will plague And spurn me back; but, if it be not so, us: But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship, [He holds Volumnia by the hand, silent. What have you done? Behold! the heavens do |