Enter CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. Cor. What's the matter? Men. 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 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. My affairs Are servanted to others: Though I owe My revenge properly, my remission lies In Volcian breasts. That we have been familiar, 7 Fellow. 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'stAuf. 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' 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! 1 G. A noble fellow, I warrant him. [Exit. 2 G. The worthy fellow is our general: He is the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken. SCENE III. The Tent of Coriolanus. [Exeunt. Enter CORIOLANUS, AUFIDIUS, and Others. Cor. We will before the walls of Rome to-morrow Set down our host.-My partner in this action, You must report to the Volcian lords, how plainly I have borne this business. Only their ends. Auf. This last old man, Cor. 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? Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow [Shout within. Enter in mourning habits, VIRGILIA, VOLUMNIA, leading young MARCIUS, VALERIA, and At tendants. My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould Wherein this trunk was fram'd, and in her hand The grand-child to her blood. But, out, affection! All bond and privilege of nature, break! 2 Openly. Let it be virtuous, to be obstinate. What is that curt'sy worth? or those doves' eyes, In supplication nod: and my young boy Great nature cries, Deny not,-Let the Volces And knew no other kin. Vir. My lord and husband! Cor. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome. Vir. The sorrow, that delivers us thus chang'd, Makes you Cor. think so. Like a dull actor now, I have forgot my part, and I am out, Leave unsaluted: Sink, my knee, i' the earth; Of thy deep duty more impression show [Kneels. Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint, What is this? Cor. What cannot be, slight work. Vol. [Kneels. Thou art my warrior I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady? Cor. The noble sister of Publicola, The moon of Rome; chaste as the icicle, 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 Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw, S And saving those that Vol. eye thee! Your knee, sirrah. Cor. That's my brave boy, Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, Are suitors to you. Cor.. I beseech you, peace; 5 Gust, storm. |