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 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 made 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 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 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; Enter another MESSENGER. Sic. What's the news? Mess. Good news, good news;-The ladies have prevail'd, The Volces are dislodged, and Marcius gone: A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins. Sic. Friend, Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain ? Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it? Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide, As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you; [Trumpets and Hautboys sounded, and Drums beaten, The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Men. This is good news: I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians, A city full of tribunes, such as you, : [Shouting again. A sea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; * Stay but for. + Chair of state. To resemble. This morning, for ten thousand of your throats [Shouting and Music. Sic. First, the gods bless you for their tidings: next, Accept my thankfulness. Mess. Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks. Sic. They are near the city? Mess. Almost at point to enter. Sic. We will meet them, and help the joy. [Going. 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! All. Welcome, ladies! Welcome! [A flourish with Drums and Trumpets. Exeunt. 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'S Faction. Most welcome! 1 Con. How is it with our general ? 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 raised him, and I pawn'd Mine honour for his truth: Who being so heighten'd, He bow'd his nature, never known before 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 What I have written to you? 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; The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home, 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. Traitor!-How now? 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 Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave! Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever I was forced to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, (Who wears my stripes impress'd on him; that must bear The lie unto him. 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. * Overspreads the world. † Judicial. + Memorial. END OF VOL. III. PRINTED BY COX (BROTHERS) AND WYMAN, GREAT QUEEN STREET. |