Men. If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail, with him. But I say, there is no hope in't; our throats are sentenced, and stay upon execution. Sic. Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the condition of a man? Men. There is differency between a grub, and a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a creeping thing. Sic. He loved his mother dearly. Men. So did he me: and he no more remembers his mother now, than an eight year old horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes. When he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery, He sits in his state, as a thing made3 for Alexander. What he bids be done, is finished with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity, and a heaven to throne in. Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. Men. I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him: There is no more mercy in him, than there is milk in a male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and all this is 'long of you. Sic. The gods be good unto us! Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good 'Stay but for it. 2 Chair of state. 3 To resemble. unto us. When we banished him, we respected not them and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your house; The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, And hale him up and down; all swearing, if The Roman ladies bring not comfort home, They'll give him death by inches. Sic. Enter another Messenger. What's the news ? Mess. Good news, good news;-The ladies have prevail'd, The Volces are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone: Sic. you; [Trumpets and Hautboys sounded, and Drums The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia A city full; of tribunes, such as you, A sea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; 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 4 him with the welcome of his mother; All. Welcome! Welcome, ladies! LA Flourish with Drums and Trumpets. [Exeunt, 4 Recall. SCENE V. Antium. A Publick Place, Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants. Auf. Go tell the lords of the city, I am here: 5 The city ports by this hath enter'd, and Intends to appear before the people, hoping [Exeunt Attendants, Enter Three or Four Conspirators of Aufidius' Faction. Most welcome! 1 Con. How is it with our general ? Auf. Even so, As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, And with his charity slain. 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. 5 Gates. Auf. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'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; 1 Con. The So he did, my lord: army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, When he had carried Rome; and that we look'd For no less spoil, than glory, Auf. There was it ; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. 8 At a few drops of women's rheum, which are *Helped. 7 Thought me rewarded with good looks. Tears. |