Vol. You had more beard, when I last saw you; but your favour is well appeared' by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volcian state, to find you out there: You have well saved me a day's journey.

Rom. There hath been in Rome strange insurrection: the people against the senators, patricians, and nobles.

Vol. Hath been! Is it ended then? Our state thinks not so; they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division.

Rom. The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. For the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness, to take all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes for This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out.

ever.

Vol. Coriolanus banished?

Rom. Banished, sir.

Vol. You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.

Rom. The day serves well for them now. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no request of his country.

Vol. He cannot choose. I am most fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you: You have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home.

Rom. I shall, between this and supper, tell you most strange things from Rome; all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you?

Vol. A most royal one: the centurions, and their charges, distinctly billeted, already in the entertainment,' and to be on foot at an hour's warning.

STEEVENS Would read,-Your favour is well approved by your tongue.-i. e. Your tongue strengthens the evidence of your face. ⚫ entertainments, receipt of pay.

[COR. 79]

Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think, that shall set them in present action. So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your

company.

Vol. You take my part from me, sir; I have the most cause to be glad of yours.

Rom. Well, let us go together.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-Antium. Before Aufidius's house.

Enter CORIOLANUS, in mean apparel, disguised and muffled.

Cor. A goodly city is this Antium: City, 'Tis I that made thy widows; many an heir Of these fair edifices for my wars

Have I heard groan, and drop: then know me not; Lest that thy wives with spits, and boys with stones,

Enter a Citizen.

In

puny battle slay me. -

Save you, sir.

Direct me, if it be your will,

Cit. And you.

Cor.

Where great Aufidius lies: Is he in Antium?
Cit. He is, and feasts the nobles of the state,
At his house this night.

Cor.

Which is his house, 'beseech you?

Cit. This, here, before you.

sir;

farewell.

[Exit Citizen.

O, world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn, Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart,

Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal, and exercise, Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love

Unseparable, shall within this hour,

On a dissension of a doit, break out

To bitterest enmity: So, fellest foes,

Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep To take the one the other, by some chance,

[Con. 80]

Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends,
And interjoin their issues.
So with me :-

My birth-place hate I, and my love's upon

This enemy town.-I'll enter: if he slay me,
He does fair justice; if he give me way,
I'll do his country service.

[Exit.

SCENE V.-The same. A hall in Aufidius's house.

Musick within. Enter a Servant.

1 Serv. Wine, wine, wine! What service is here! I think our fellows are asleep.

Enter another Servant.

[Exit.

2 Serv. Where's Cotus! my master calls for him. Cotus!

Enter CORIOLANUS.

[Exit.

Cor. A goodly house: The feast smells well: but I Appear not like a guest.

Re-enter the first Servant.

1 Serv. What would you have, friend? Whence are you? Here's no place for you: Pray, go to the door. Cor. I have deserv'd no better entertainment,

In being Coriolanus.

Re-enter second Servant.

2 Serv. Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his head, that he gives entrance to such companions? Pray, get you out.

Cor. Away!

2 Serv. Away? Get you away.

Cor. Now thou art troublesome.

2 Serv. Are you so brave? I'll have you talked with anon.

1

companions, fellows.

[COR. 81]

Y 5

Enter a third Servant.

3 Serv. What fellow's this?

The first meets him.

1 Serv. A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him out o' th' house: Pr'ythee, call my master to him.

3 Serv. What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid the house.

Cor. Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth. 3 Serv. What are you?

Cor. A gentleman.

3 Serv. A marvellous poor one.

Cor. True, so I am.

3 Serv. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station; here's no place for you; pray you, avoid: come. Cor. Follow your function, go!

And batten on cold bits.

[Pushes him away. 3 Serv. What, will you not? Pr'ythee, tell my master what a strange guest he has here.

2 Serv. And I shall.

3 Serv. Where dwellest thou?

Cor. Under the canopy.

3 Serv. Under the canopy?

Cor. Ay.

3 Serv. Where's that?

Cor. I' th' city of kites and crows.

[Exit.

3 Serv. I' th' city of kites and crows?-What an ass it is!-Then thou dwellest with daws too?

Cor. No, I serve not thy master.

Thou prat'st, and prat'st; serve with thy trencher,

hence!

[Beats him away.

Enter AUFIDIUS and the second Servant.

Auf. Where is this fellow?

2 Serv. Here, sir; I'd have beaten him like a dog, but for disturbing the lords within.

Auf. Whence comest thou? what wouldest thou?
Thy name?

Why speak'st not? Speak, man: What's thy name? [ČOR. 82]

Cor.

If, Tullus, [Unmuffling'

Not yet thou know'st me, and seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, nccessity

Commands me name myself.

Auf.

What is thy name?

[Servants retire.

Cor. A name unmusical to the Volcians' ears, And harsh in sound to thine.

Auf. Say, what's thy name; Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face Bears a command in't; though thy tackle's torn, Thou show'st a noble vessel: What's thy name?

Cor. Prepare thy brow to frown: Know'st thou me yet?

Auf. I know thee not:-Thy name?

Cor. My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done To thee particularly, and to all the Volces, Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may My surname, Coriolanus: The painful service, The extreme dangers, and the drops of blood Shed for my thankless country, are requited But with that surname; a good memory,' And witness of the malice and displeasure Which thou should'st bear me: only that name reThe cruelty and envy of the people, Permitted by our dastard nobles, who

[mains;

Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest;
And suffered me by th' voice of slaves to be
Whoop'd out of Rome. Now, this extremity
Hath brought me to thy hearth; Not out of hope,
Mistake me not, to save my life; for if

I had fear'd death, of all the men i' th' world
I would have 'voided thee: but in mere spite,
To be full quit of those my banishers,

Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
A heart of wreak' in thee, that will revenge

1

memory, remembrancer.

2

wreak, resentment.

[COR. 83]