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The Volces enter and pass over the Stage.

Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their city. Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight With hearts more proof than shields.-Advance, brave Titus:

They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts, Which makes me sweat with wrath.-Come on, my fellows;

He that retires, I'll take him for a Volce,

And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarum, and exeunt Romans and Volces, fighting. The Romans are beaten back to their trenches. Re-enter Marcius.

Mar. All the contagion of the south light on

you,

You shames of Rome! you heard of-Boils and

plagues

Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhorr'd

Further than seen, and one infect another

Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese,
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that apes would beat? Pluto and hell!
All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale
With flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge
home,

Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe,

And make my wars on you; look to't: Come on; If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives, As they us to our trenches followed.

Another Alarum.

The Volces and Romans re-enter, and the fight is renewed. The Volces retire into Corioli, and Marcius follows them to the gates.

So, now the gates are ope:-Now prove good seconds:

'Tis for the followers fortune widens them,

Not for the fliers: Mark me, and do the like.

[He enters the gates, and is shut in.

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1 Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels,
With them he enters: who, upon the sudden,
Clapp'd-to their gates; he is himself alone,
To answer all the city.

Tit.

O noble fellow!

Who, sensible, outdares his senseless sword, And, when it bows, stands up! Thou art left, Marcius:

A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,

Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier
Even to Cato's wish: not fierce and terrible
Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks, and
The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,
Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the world

Were feverous, and did tremble.

Re-enter Marcius, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy.

1 Sol.

Tit.

Look, sir.

"Tis Marcius:

Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.

[They fight, and all enter the city.

SCENE V.

WITHIN THE TOWN. A STREET.

Enter certain Romans, with spoils.

1 Rom. This will I carry to Rome.

2 Rom. And I this.

3 Rom. A murrain on't! I took this for silver.

[Alarum continues still afar off.

Enter Marcius, and Titus Lartius, with a trumpet.

Mar. See here these movers, that do prize their

hours

At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons,
Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,
Ere yet the fight be done, pack up:-Down with

them.

And hark, what noise the general makes!-To him:

There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius, Piercing our Romans: Then, valiant Titus, take Convenient numbers to make good the city;

Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste

To help Cominius.

Tit.

Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;

Thy exercise hath been too violent for

A second course of fight.

Mar.

Sir, praise me not:

My work hath yet not warm'd me: Fare you well.

The blood I drop is rather physical

Than dangerous to me: To Aufidius thus

I will appear, and fight.

Tit.

Now the fair goddess, Fortune,

Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman, Prosperity be thy page!

Mar.

Thy friend no less

Than those she placeth highest! So, farewel.

Tit. Thou worthiest Marcius!

[Exit Marcius.

Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place;

Call thither all the officers of the town,

Where they shall know our mind: Away.

SCENE VI.

[Exeunt.

NEAR THE CAMP OF COMINIUS.

Enter Cominius and forces, retreating.

Com. Breathe you, my friends; well fought: we

are come off

Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,

Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,

We shall be charg'd again. Whiles we have struck, By interims, and conveying gusts, we have heard The charges of our friends:-The Roman gods, Lead their successes as we wish our own;

That both our powers, with smiling fronts encount'ring,

Enter a Messenger.

May give you thankful sacrifice!-Thy news?
Mes. The citizens of Corioli have issued,
And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle:
I saw our party to' their trenches driven,
And then I came away.

Com.

Though thou speak'st truth, Methinks, thou speak'st not well. How long is't

since?

Mes. Above an hour, my lord.

Com. 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their

drums:

How could'st thou in a mile confound an hour,
And bring thy news so late?

Mes.

Spies of the Volces

Held me in chase, that I was forc'd to wheel

Three or four miles about; else had I, sir,

Half an hour since brought my report.

Com.

Enter Marcius.

Who's yonder,

That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods!
He has the stamp of Marcius; and I have
Before-time seen him thus.

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