By the discovery, | Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow
which was,
Or all, or lose his hire.

It seem'd, appear'd to Rome.
We shall be shorten'd in our aim;
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 remove
Bring up your army; but, I think, you'll find
They have not prepar'd 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 honours.
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 honours safe.

1 Sen. Farewell.

2 Sen. Farewell. All. Farewell.

Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood!

Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man, Than gilt his trophy. The breasts of Hecuba, WWhen she did suckle Hector, look'd 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, 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 [exeunt. drum, than look upon his schoolmaster.

SCENE III. ROME. AN APARTMENT IN MARCIUS'

HOUSE.

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 honour, 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; 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 honour 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. 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.

Το

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 retire
Vol. Indeed, you shall not.
[myself.
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 mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes;

Val. O'my word, the father's son: I'll swear,
'tis a very pretty boy. O'my troth, I look'd 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 mammock'd it!

Vol. One of his father's moods.
Val. Indeed la, 'tis a noble child.
Vir. A crack, madam.

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

Vol. She shall, she shall.

Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience I will not over the threshold, till my lord return from the

wars.

Val. Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably: come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in. Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you?

[love.

Vir. 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want Val. You would be another Penelope; yet, they say, all the yarn she spun, in Ulysses' absence, did but fill Ithica full of moths. Come; I would, your cambrick were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.

Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, 1 will not forth.

Val. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.

Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.

Vir. Indeed, madam?

Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is:-The Volces have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is goue,

with one part of our Roman power: your lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down before their city, Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.

You shames of Rome! you herd of-Boils and Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhorr'd [plagues 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 Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey From slaves that apes would beat? Pluto and hell! you in every thing hereafter. All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale

Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will With flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge home, but disease our better mirth.

Val. In troth, I think, she would.-Fare you well, then.-Come, good sweet lady.-Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemnness out o'door, and go along with us.

Vir. No; at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I wish you much mirth.

Val. Well, then, farewell.

SCENE IV. BEFORE CORIOLI.

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.
[exeunt. So, now the gates are ope: now prove good seconds.
'Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
Not for the flyers: mark me, and do the like.
[he enters the gates and is shut in.

Enter, with drum and colours, Marcius, Titus Lar-
tius, officers, and soldiers: to them a messenger.
Mar. Yonder comes news. -A wager, they have
Lart. My horse to yours, no.
Mar. 'Tis done.

Lart. Agreed.

[met.

Mar. Say, has our general met the enemy?
Mess. They lie in view; but have not spoke as
Lart. So, the good horse is mine.
Mar. I'll buy him of you.

[yet.

Lart. No, I'll nor sell, nor give him: lend you him I will,

[ours.

For half a hundred years.-Summon the town.
Mar. How far off lie these armies?
Mess. Within this mile and half.
Mar. Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they
Now, Mars, I pr'ythee, make us quick in work;
That we with smoking swords may march from
hence,

To help our fielded friends!-Come, blow thy blast.
They sound a parley: enter, on the walls, some
senators, and others.

Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?

1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he, That's lesser than a little, Hark, our drums alarums afar off. Are bringing forth our youth. We'll break our walls, Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates, Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes:

They'll open of themselves.

Hark you, far off:
[other ularums.

There is Aufidius; list, what work he makes

Amongst your cloven army.

[ho!

Mar. O, they are at it.
Lart. Their noise be our instruction.-Ladders,
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
He that retires, I'll take him for a Volce, [fellows;
And he shall feel mine edge.

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

1 Sol. Fool-hardiness! not I.
2 Sol. Nor I.

3 Sol. See, they
Have shut him in.

[alarum continues.

All. To the pot, I warrant him.
Enter Titus Lartius.

Lart. What is become of Marcius?
All. Slain, sir, doubtless.

1 Sol. Following the flyers 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.

Lart. O, noble fellow!

Who, sensible, outdares his senseless sword,
And, when it bows, stands up! Thou art left Mar-
A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art, [cius:
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. Look, sir.

Lart. '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 I will 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.--
[him :-

And hark, what noise the general makes!—To
There is a 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

Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you. To help Cominius.

Mar. Sir, praise me not:

Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,

Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,
To let him slip at will.

Com. Where is that slave,

My work hath not yet warm'd me: fare you well. Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?

The blood I drop is rather physical

Than dangerous to me.

I will appear, and fight.

To Aufidius thus

Lart. 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!

Mur. Thy friend no less

Than those she placeth highest! So, farewell!
Lart. 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. [exeunt.

SCENE VI. 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, [struck,
We shall be charg'd again. Whiles we have
By interims, and conveying gusts, we have heard
The charges of our friends: the Roman gods
Lead their successes as we wish our own; [tering,
That both our powers, with smiling fronts encoun-
Enter a Messenger.

May give you thankful sacrifice!-Thy news?
Mess. 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.

[since?

Com. Though thou speak'st truth,
Methinks, thou speak'st not well. How long is't
Mess. Above an hour, my lord. [drums:

Com. 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their
How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour,
And bring thy news so late?

Mess. 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.

Enter Marcius.

Com. 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.

Mar. Come I too late?

[tabor,

Com. The shepherd knows not thunder from a More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue, From every meaner man's.

Mar. Come I too late?

They have plac'd their men of trust?

Com. As I guess, Marcius,

Their bands in the vaward are the Antiates,
Of their best trust: o'er them Aufidius,
Their very heart of hope.

Mar. I do beseech you,

By all the battles wherein we have fought,
By the blood we have shed together, by the vows
We have made to endure friends, that you directly
Set me against Aufidius, and his Antiates:
And that you not delay the present; but,
Filling the air with swords advanc'd, and darts,
We prove this very hour.

Com. Though I could wish

You were conducted to a gentle bath,
And balms applied to you, yet dare I never
Deny your asking; take your choice of those
That best can aid your action.

Mar. Those are they

That most are willing:-If any such be here
(As it were sin to doubt), that love this painting
Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear
Lesser his person than an ill report;

If any think, brave death outweighs bad life,
And that his country's dearer than himself;
Let him, alone, or so many, so minded,
Wave thus, [waving his hand] to express his dis-
And follow Marcius.
[position,
[they all shout, and wave their swords; take him
up in their arms, and cast up their caps.
O me, alone! Make you a sword of me?
If these shows be not outward, which of you,
But is four Volces? None of you, but is
Able to bear against the great Aufidius
A shield as hard as his. A certain number,

Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others, Though thanks to all, must I select: the rest

But mantled in your own.

Mar. O! let me clip you

In arms as sound, as when I woo'd; in heart
As merry, as when our nuptial day was done,
And tapers burn'd to bedward.

Com. Flower of warriors,
How is't with Titus Lartius?

Mar. As with a man busied about decrees: Condemning some to death, and some to exile ; Ransoming him, or pitying, threat'ning the other;

Shall bear the business in some other fight,
As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march;
And four shall quickly draw out my command,
Which men are best inclin'd.

Com. March on, my fellows:
Make good this ostentation, and you shall.
Divide in all with us.

SCENE VII. THE GATES OF CORIOLI.

Lexeunt.

Titus Lartius, having set a guard upon Corioli, going with a drum and trumpet toward Cominine

The value of her own: 'twere a concealment
Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement,

Lart. So, let the ports be guarded: keep your To hide your doings; and to silence that,

ACT II.

Men. In what enormity is Marcius poor, that and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a you two have not in abundance?

Men. Because you talk of pride now, will you touch my palate adversely, I make a crooked face not be angry?