The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Men. [Shouting again. This is good news: I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia A sea aud land full: You have pray'd well to-day; [Shouting and musick. Sic. First, the gods bless you for their tidings: 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 banish'd Marcius, Repeal him with the welcome of his mother; Cry, Welcome, ladies, welcome! SCENE V. Antium. A public place. Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Attendants. Auf. Go tell the lords of the city, I am here: [Exeunt Attendants. Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius' fac Most welcome! tion. 1 Con. How is it with our general? Auf. Even so, As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, 2 Con. Most noble sir, If you do hold the same intent wherein You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you Of your great danger. Auf. 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. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd * Gates. Mine honour for his truth: Who being so heighten'd, He bow'd his nature, never known before When he did stand for consul, which he lost Auf. That I would have spoke of: Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth; Presented to my knife his throat: I took him; Made him joint servant with me; gave him way In all his own desires; nay, let him choose Out of my files, his projects to accomplish, My best and freshest men; serv'd his designments In mine own person; holp to reap the fame, Which he did end all his; and took some pride To do myself this wrong: till, at the last, I seem'd his follower, not partner; and He wag'd me with his countenancet, as if I had been mercenary. 1 Con. So he did, my lord: The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, There was it ; Auf. For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. At a few drops of women's rheum‡, which are As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour Of our great action; Therefore shall he die, 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. • Helped. + Thought me rewarded with good looks. Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, 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, With our own charge*; making a treaty, where Enter Coriolanus, with drums and colours; 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 • Rewarding us with our own expences. The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home, Do more than counterpoise, a full third part, The charges of the action. With no less honour to the Antiates*, Than shame to the Romans: And we bere deliver, Subscrib'd by the consuls and patricians, 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. 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 stol'n name 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, 'tis the first time that ever * People of Antium. No more than a boy of tears. + Drops of tears. |