Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?
Bru. He has no equal.

Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the people,

Bru. Marked you his lip, and eyes?

Sic.

Nay, but his taunts.

Bru. Being moved, he will not spare to gird1 the

gods.

Sic. Bemock the modest moon.

Bru. The present wars devour him; he is grown Too proud to be so valiant.2

Sic.

Such a nature,

Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow
Which he treads on at noon. But I do wonder,
His insolence can brook to be commanded
Under Cominius.

Bru.

Fame, at the which he aims,-
In whom already he is well graced, cannot
Better be held, nor more attained, than by
A place below the first; for what miscarries
Shall be the general's fault, though he perform
To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure
Will then cry out of Marcius, O, if he
Had borne the business!

Sic.
Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall

Besides, if things go well,

Of his demerits 3 rob Cominius.

Bru.

Come.

Half all Cominius' honors are to Marcius,

Though Marcius earned them not; and all his faults To Marcius shall be honors, though, indeed,

In aught he merit not.

Sic.
Let's hence, and hear
How the despatch is made; and in what fashion,

1 A gird is a cut, a sarcasm, or stroke of satire.

2 Perhaps the meaning of the latter member of the sentence is, "He is grown too proud of being so valiant to be endured," or "too proud for one so valiant." It is still a common expression to say, "eat up with pride." 3 Demerits and merits had anciently the same meaning.

More than in singularity,' he goes
Upon his present action.

Bru.

Let's along.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. Corioli. The Senate House.

Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS and certain Senators. 1 Sen. So your opinion is, Aufidius, That they of Rome are entered in our counsels, And know how we proceed.

2

I think
[Reads.

Auf.
Is it not yours?
What ever hath been thought on in this state,
That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
Had circumvention! 'Tis not four days gone,
Since I heard thence; these are the words.
I have the letter here; yes, here it is:
They have prest3 a power; but it is not known
Whether for east or west. The dearth is great;
The people mutinous: and it is rumored,
Cominius, Marcius, your old enemy,
(Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,)
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,-
These three lead on this preparation

Whither 'tis bent. Most likely, 'tis for you;
Consider of it.

1 Sen.

Our army's in the field;
We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer us.

Auf.

Nor did you think it folly,

To keep your great pretences veiled, till when They needs must show themselves; which in the hatching,

1 "What he is to do beside going himself."—Johnson.

2 The old copy reads:

"What have been ever thought on in this state."

We must either suppose this an ellipsis for "What things have," &c., or read, with Steevens, hath, as in the text.

3 i. e. ready; from the old French prest.

It seemed, appeared to Rome. By the discovery,
We shall be shortened in our aim; which was,
To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome
Should know we were afoot.

2 Sen.

Noble Aufidius,

Take your commission; hie you to your bands;
Let us alone to guard Corioli.

If they set down before us, for the remove2
Bring up your army; but I think you'll find
They have not prepared for us.

Auf.
O, doubt not that;
I speak from certainties. Nay, more,

Some parcels of their powers are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honors.

If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
'Tis sworn between us, we shall never strike
Till one can do no more.

All. The gods assist you!

Auf. And keep your honors safe!

1 Sen.

Farewell.

Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA. They sit down on two low stools, and sew.

Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself in a more comfortable sort. If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honor, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would show most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb;

1 To take in was formerly used as we now use to take for to subdue, to conquer.

2" If the Romans besiege us, bring up your army to remove them.”

when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way;' when, for a day of kings' entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I-considering how honor would become such a person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir-was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter,—I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man.

Vir. But had he died in the business, madam? how then?

Vol. Then his good report should have been my son: I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely:-Had I a dozen sons,—each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country, than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.

Enter a Gentlewoman.

Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you.
Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire3 myself.
Vol. Indeed, you shall not.

Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum;
See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair;
As children from a bear, the Volces shunning him.
Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus,-
Come on, you cowards; you were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome. His bloody brow
With his mailed hand then wiping, forth he goes;
Like to a harvest-man, that's tasked to mow
Or all, or lose his hire.

Vir. His bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood!
Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man,

1 Attracted the attention of every one toward him.

2 The crown given by the Romans to him that saved the life of a citizen.

3 This verb active (signifying to withdraw) occurs in The Tempest.

Than gilt his trophy. The breasts of Hecuba,
When she did suckle Hector, looked not lovelier
Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood
At Grecian swords' contending.-Tell Valeria,
We are fit to bid her welcome.
[Exit Gent.

Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius !
Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,
And tread upon his neck.

Re-enter Gentlewoman, with VALERIA and her Usher.

Val. My ladies both, good day to you.

Vol. Sweet madam,

Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship.

Val. How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers. What, are you sewing here? A fine spot,1 in good faith.-How does your little son?

Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his schoolmaster.

Val. O'my word, the father's son; I'll swear 'tis a very pretty boy. O'my troth, I looked upon him o' Wednesday half an hour together; he has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly, and when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; catched it again: or whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and tear it. O, I warrant, how he mammocked it! Vol. One of his father's moods.

Val. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.

Vir. A crack,3 madam.

Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle housewife with me this afternoon. Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of doors. Val. Not out of doors!

1 i. e. a handsome spot of embroidery.

2 To mammock is to tear or cut in pieces.

3 A crack signifies a sprightly, forward boy. The word is often used by Jonson and his contemporaries.