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. Repeal him with the welcome of his mother: Cry, Welcome, ladies! [A Flourish with Drums and Trumpets. SCENE V. [Exeunt. Antium. A Public Place. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants. [Exeunt Attendants. Enter Three or Four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' Faction. Most welcome! 1 Con. Auf. How is it with our general? Even so, As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, 2 Con. Most noble Sir, you If you do hold the same intent, wherein Of your great danger. Sir, I cannot tell: We must proceed, as we do find the people. 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 rais'd him, and I pawn'd When he did stand for consul, which he lost Auf. The army marvell'd at it; and, in the last, Auf. There was it; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark! [Drums and Trumpets sound, with great Shouts of the People. 1 Con. Your native town you enter'd 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 3 Con. Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, Which we will second. After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury His reasons with his body. Auf. Therefore, at your vantage, let him feel your sword, When he lies along, Say no more. Enter the Lords of the City. I have not deserv'd it. Here come the lords. Lords. You are most welcome home. Auf. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd Lords. 1 Lord. We have. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the last, I think, Auf. He approaches: you shall hear him. Enter CORIOLANUS, with Drums and Colours; a Crowd of Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home, The charges of the action. We have made peace, With no less honour to the Antiates, Than shame to the Romans; and we here deliver, Together with the seal o' the senate, what We have compounded on. Auf. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor in the highest degree Cor. Auf. Traitor! How now! Ay, traitor, Marcius. Marcius! Cor. Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius. Dost thou think I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name Coriolanus in Corioly? You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears. Cor. Auf. No more. Ha! Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave! Pardon me, lords, 't is the first time that ever I was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, 1 Lord. Cor. Cut me to pieces, Stain all your edges on me. Peace both, and hear me speak. Volsces; men and lads, If you have writ your annals true, 't is there, Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli: Alone I did it. Auf. Boy! Why, noble lords, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? All Con. Let him die for 't. All People. Tear him to pieces; do it presently. He killed my son; my daughter: killed my father. he killed my cousin Marcus: no outrage: The man is noble, and his fame folds in This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us peace! Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius, [AUFIDIUS and the Conspirators draw, and kill CORIOLANUS, who falls: AUFIDIUS stands on him. |