3 Con. Sir, his stoutness, 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. So he did, my lord: The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, Auf. There was it; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. At a few drops of women's rheum, which are 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. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, Which we will second. When he lies along, After your way his tale pronounced shall bury Auf. Say no more; Here come the lords. Enter the LORDS of the City. Lords. You are most welcome home. Auf. I have not deserved it. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused Lords. We have. 1 Lord. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the last, I think, Might have found easy fines: but there to end, * Helped. Tears. + Thought me rewarded with good looks. 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; Than shame to the Romans: And we here deliver, Together with the seal o' the senate, what Auf. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree Cor. Traitor !-How now? Auf. Ay, traitor, Marcius. Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius; Dost thou think You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears,- Auf. No more.t Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart I was forced to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, (Who wears my stripes impress'd on him; that must bear 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Flutter'd your Volces in Corioli: * Drops of tears. + No more than a boy of tears. Auf. Why, noble lords, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? Con. Let him die for't. [Several speak at once. Citizens. [Speaking promiscuously.] Tear him to pieces, do it presently. He killed my son;-my daughter;-He killed my cousin Marcus;-He killed my father. 2 Lord. Peace, ho;-no outrage-peace. The man is noble, and his fame folds in This orb o' the earth.* His last offence to us Cor. O, that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, To use my lawful sword! Auf. Insolent villain! Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him. [AUFIDIUS and the CONSPIRATORS draw, and kill CORIOLANUS, who falls, and AUFIDIUS stands on him. Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold. Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak. 1 Lord. O Tullus, 2 Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. Auf. My lords, when you shall know (as in this rage, 1 Lord. Bear from hence his body, And mourn you for him: let him be regarded 2 Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Auf. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow.-Take him up: [Exeunt, bearing the body of CORIOLANUS. + Memorial. * Overspreads the world. PRINTED BY COX (BROTHERS) AND WYMAN, GREAT QUEEN STREET. |