Sic. And help the joy. They are near the city? 64 Sec. Mess. Almost at point to enter. Sic. We will meet them, [Going. Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patricians, and People. They pass over the stage. First Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome! Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, 68 And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them: Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius; All. Welcome! Welcome, ladies, 72 [A flourish with drums and trumpets. Exeunt. 4 SCENE V.-Corioli. A Public Place. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants. Auf. Go tell the lords o' the city I am here: Deliver them this paper: having read it, Bid them repair to the market-place; where I, Even in theirs and in the commons' ears, Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse The city ports by this hath enter'd, and Intends to appear before the people, hoping To purge himself with words: dispatch. [Exeunt Attendants. Enter three or four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' faction. Most welcome! First Con. How is it with our general? Auf. 8 Even so As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, And with his charity slain. Sec. Con. Most noble sir, 12 I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd, 24 He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery, When he did stand for consul, which he lost 28 Sir, I cannot tell: First Lord. And grieve to hear 't. What faults he made before the last, I think 64 Might have found easy fines; but there to end Where he was to begin, and give away The benefit of our levies, answering us With our own charge, making a treaty where 68 There was a yielding, this admits no excuse. Auf. He approaches: you shall hear him. Enter CORIOLANUS, with drums and colours; a crowd of Citizens with him. Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; No more infected with my country's love 72 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 76 The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home 116 If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? 124 Sec. Lord. Peace, ho! no outrage: peace! The man is noble and his fame folds in 84 This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius, And trouble not the peace. Cor. O! that I had him, 129 With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, To use my lawful sword! Ay, traitor, Marcius. Marcius! Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius. Dost thou Insolent villain! Auf. Lords. Third Lord. Tread not upon him. Masters all, be quiet. The Tomb of the Andronici appearing. The with drum and colours. Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right, If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the crown. Mar. Princes, that strive by factions and by friends Ambitiously for rule and empery, stand 20 A special party, have, by common voice, 4 Lives not this day within the city walls: 8 of From weary wars against the barbarous Goths; arms. 29 Ten years are spent since first he undertook And now at last, laden with honour's spoils, 36 16 Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms. And, Romans, fight for freedom in your Let us entreat, by honour of his name, choice. Whom worthily you would have now succeed, 40 And in the Capitol and senate's right, Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy 48 Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword. And so I love and honour thee and thine, [Exeunt the Followers of BASSIANUS. Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my right, I thank you all and here dismiss you all; 56 60 [Exeunt the Followers of SATURNINUS. Rome, be as just and gracious unto me As I am confident and kind to thee. Open the gates, and let me in. Bas. Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor. [Flourish. They go up into the Senate-house. Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion, Successful in the battles that he fights, With honour and with fortune is return'd From where he circumscribed with his sword, 68 And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome. Drums and trumpets sounded, and then enter MARTIUS and MUTIUS; after them two Men bearing a coffin covered with black; then LUCIUS and QUINTUS. After them TITUS ANDRONICUS; and then TAMORA, with ALARBUS, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, AARON, and other Goths, prisoners; Soldiers and people following. The bearers set down the coffin, and TITUS speaks. Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds! Lo! as the bark, that hath discharg'd her fraught, Tam. Stay, Roman brethren! Gracious conqueror, Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed, A mother's tears in passion for her son: And if thy sons were ever dear to thee, O! think my son to be as dear to me. Sufficeth not that we are brought to Rome, To beautify thy triumphs and return, Captive to thee and to thy Roman yoke; But must my sons be slaughter'd in the streets 108 112 For valiant doings in their country's cause? me. These are their brethren, whom your Goths Alive and dead, and for their brethren slain 76 To this your son is mark'd, and die he must, 124 |