Sic. And help the joy. We will meet them, [Going. Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patricians, and People. They pass over the stage. 1 Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome. Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them; Unshout the noise that banished Marcius, All. Welcome! Welcome, ladies! [A flourish with drums and trumpets. [Exeunt. SCENE V. Antium. A public Place. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants. [Exeunt Attendants. Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius' faction. Most welcome! 1 Con. How is it with our general? If 2 Con. Even so, Most noble sir, you do hold the same intent wherein 1 Recall. 2 i. e. he whom I accuse. 3 Ports are gates. You wished us parties, we'll deliver you Auf. 3 Con. The people will remain uncertain, whilst 'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. Auf. A good construction. I raised him, and I pawned He bowed his nature, never known before When he did stand for consul, which he lost Auf. 1 Con. The army marvelled at it. So he did, my lord; And, in the last, When he had carried Rome; and that we looked For no less spoil, than glory, Auf. There was it;— 1 The verb to wage was formerly in general use for to stipend, to reward. The meaning is, "The countenance he gave me was a kind of wages." For which my sinews shall be stretched upon him.1 [Drums and trumpets sound, with great 1 Con. Your native town you entered like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2 Con. And patient fools, Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear, With giving him glory. 3 Con. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, After your way his tale pronounced, shall bury But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused Lords. 1 Lord. We have. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the last, I think, 1." This. is the point on which I will attack him with all my energy." 2 "Rewarding us with our own expenses, making the cost of the war its recompense." Enter CORIOLANUS, with drums and colors; a crowd of Citizens with him. Cor. Hail, lords! I am returned your soldier; No more infected with my country's love, Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting Under your great command. You are to know, That prosperously I have attempted, and With bloody passage, led your wars, even to The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home, Do more than counterpoise, a full third part, The charges of the action. We have made peace With no less honor to the Antiates, Than shame to the Romans. And we here deliver, Together with the seal o' the senate, what Auf. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree Cor. Traitor!-How now? Auf. Cor. Ay, traitor, Marcius. Marcius! Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius. Dost thou think I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stolen name Coriolanus in Corioli?— You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears, Cor. Ha! Auf. No more.1 Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave !— Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever I was forced to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, Must give this cur the lie; and his own notion (Who wears my stripes impressed on him; that must bear My beating to his grave)-shall join to thrust 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volces; men and lads, Stain all your edges on me.-Boy! False hound! If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there, That, like an eagle in a dovecote, I Fluttered your Volces in Corioli: Alone I did it.-Boy! Auf. Will Why, noble lords, you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? Con. Let him die for't. [Several speak at once. Cit. [Speaking promiscuously.] Tear him to pieces; do it presently. He killed my son ;-my daughter;He killed my cousin Marcus;-He killed my father!2 Lord. Peace, ho;-no outrage-peace. The man is noble, and his fame folds in This orb o'the earth. His last offence to us Cor. O that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, Auf. Insolent villain! 1 This must be considered as continuing the former speech of Aufidius; he means to tell Coriolanus that he was "no more than a boy of tears." 2 "His fame overspreads the world." 3 " Judicious, in the present instance, means judicial; it appears from Bullokar's Expositor that the words were convertible." |