Enter a Messenger.

Mess. Where's Caius Marcius?

Mar. Here: What's the matter? Mess. The news is, sir, the Volces are in arms. Mar. I am glad on 't; then we shall have means to Our musty superfluity :-See, our best elders. [vent

Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS, and SICINIUS VELUTUs.

1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us, The Volces are in arins.

Mar.
They have a leader,
Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to 't.
I sin in envying his nobility:

And were I any thing but what I am,

I would wish me only he.
Com.
You have fought together.
Mur. Were half to half the world by the ears, and
Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make
[he
Only my wars with hin: he is a lion
That I am proud to hunt.

1 Sen.
Then worthy Marcius,
Attend upon Cominius to these wars.
Com. It is your former promise.

Mar.

Sir, it is ; And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face: What, art thou stiff? stand'st out? Tit. No, Caius Marcius; I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other, Ere stay behind this business. Men.

O, true bred!

Com.

Noble Lartius!

1 Sen. Hence! To your homes, be gone.

[To the Citizens. Mar. Nay, let them follow: The Volces have much corn; take these rats thither, To gnaw their garners:-Worshipful mutineers, Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.

[Exeunt Senators, COM. MAR. TIT. and MENEN. Citizens steal away. Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius? Bru He has no equal. [ple, Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the peoBru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes? Sic. Nay, but his taunts. Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods. Sic. Be-mock the modest moon.

Bru. The present wars devour him: he is grown Too proud to be so valiant.

Sic.

Such a nature,

Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder, His insolence can brook to be commanded Under Corinius.

Bru

SCENE II.-Corioli.-The Senate-House. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, and certain Senators. 1 Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius, That they of Rore are enter'd in our counsels, And know how we proceed. Auf Is it not yours? What ever hath been thought on in this state, That could be brought to bodily act ere Romne Had circumvention? "Tis not four days gone, Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think. I have the letter here; yes, here it is: [Reads. They have press'd a power, but it is not kno.on Whether for east, or west: The dearth is great; The people mutinous: and it is rumour'd, Cominius, Marcius your old enemy, (Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,) And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, These three lead on this preparation Whither 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you: Consider of it.

1 Sen.

Our army's in the field: We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready To answer us.

Auf.

Nor did you think it folly,

To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when They needs must shew themselves; which in the hatching.

It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery. We shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was, To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome Should know we were afoot.

2 Sen.

Noble Aufidius, Take your commission; hie you to your bands: Let us alone to guard Corioli:

If they set down before us, for the remove
Bring up your army; but, I think, you'll find
They have not prepar'd for us.
Auf.

O, doubt not that;

I speak from certainties. Nay, more.
Some parcels of their powers are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
"Tis sworn between us, we shall never strike
Till one can do no more.

Farewell.

Farewell

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

Rome.-An Apartment in Marcius' House. Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA: They sit down on two low stools, and sew.

Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express your. self in a more comfortable sort: If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would shew most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb, when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his w7; when, for a day of kings' entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I, considering how honour would become such a person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir,-was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter,I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man.

Vir. But had he died in the business, madam? how then?

Vol. Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely :-Had I a dozen sons,-Each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius,-I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country, than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.

Enter a Gentlewoman.

Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you.
Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.
Vol. Indeed, you shall not.

Methinks, I hear hither your husband's drum;
See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair;

As children from a bear, the Volces shunning him:
Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus,-
Come on, you cowards, you were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes;
Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow
Or all, or lose his hire.

Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood! Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man, Than gilt his trophy: The breasts of Hecuba, When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood At Grecian swords' contending.-Tell Valeria, We are fit to bid her welcome.

[Exit. Gent.

Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius! Vol. He'll beat Aufidius head below his knee, And tread upon his neck.

Re-enter Gentlewoman, with VALERIA and her Usher.

Val. My ladies both, good day to you.

Vol. Sweet madam,

Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship.

Val. How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers. What, are you sewing here? A fine spot in good faith-How does your little son?

Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school master

Val. O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o' Wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it go again;

and after it again; and over and over he comes, and
up again; catched it again: or whether his fall en-
raged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and
tear it; O, I warrant, how he mammocked it!
Vol. One of his father's moods.

Val. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.
Vir. A crack, madam.

Val. Come lay aside your stitchery; I must have
you play the idle buswife with me this afternoon.
Vir. No, good madam, I will not out of doors.
Val. Not out of doors!
Vol. She shall, she shall.

Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, till my lord returns from the wars. Val. Fye, you confine yourself most unreasonably; Come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in. Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you?

Vir. "Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all the yarn she spun, in Ulysses' absence, did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would, your cambric were as sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us. Vir. No, good madain, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.

Val. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.

Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.

Vir. Indeed, madam?

Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is: - The Volces have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power: your lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us. Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every thing hereafter.

Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but disease our better mirth.

Val. In troth, I think, she would:-Fare you well then.-Come, good sweet lady.-Pry'thee, Virgilia, turn thy solemnness out o'door, and go along with us. Vir. No: at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I wish you much mirth.

Val. Well, then farewell.

SCENE IV.-Before Corioli.

[Exeunt

Agreed.

Mar. Say, has our general met the enemy?
Mess. They lie in view; but have not spoke as yet.
Lart. So, the good horse is mine.

Mar. I'll buy him of you.

Lart. No, I'll nor sell, nor give him: lend you him, I will,

For half a hundred years.-Summon the town.
Mar. How far off lie these armies?
Mess.
Within this mile and a half.
Mar Then shall we hear their 'larum and they ours.
Now, Mars, I pr'ythee, make us quick in work;
That we with smoking swords may march from hence,
To help our fielded friends!-Core, blow thy blast.

They sound a parley. Enter, on the walls, some
Senators, and others.

Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?

1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he, That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums [Alarums afar off. Are bringing forth our youth: We'll break our walls, Rather than they shall pound us up: Our gates, Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes; They'll open of themselves. Hark you, afar off; [Other alarums. There is Aufidius; list, what work he makes Amongst your cloven army. Mar.

O, they are at it! Lart. Their noise be our instruction.-Ladders, ho! The Volces enter, and pass over the stage. Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their city. Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight With hearts more proof than shields. Advance, brave Titus :

They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,
Which makes me sweat with wrath.
Come on, my
He that retires, I'll take him for a Volce, [fellows;
And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarums, and exeunt Romans and Volces, fighting. The Romans are beaten back to their trenches. Reenter MARCIUS.

Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you, You shames of Rome! - you herd of Boils and Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhorred [plagues Further than seen, and one infect another Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese, That bear the shapes of men, how have you run From slaves that apes would beat? Pluto and hell! All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale With flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge home, Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe, And make my wars on you: look to't: Come on; If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives, As they us to our trenches followed.

Another alarum. The Volces and Romans re-enter, and the fight is renewed. The Volces retire into Corioli, and MARCIUS follows them to the gates. So, now the gates are ope:-Now prove good seconds: "Tis for the followers fortune widens them, Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like. [He enters the gates, and is shut in. 1 Sol. Fool-hardiness; not I.

Nor I.

2 Sol.

3 Sol.

Have shut him in.

All.

See, they [Alarum continues. To the pot, I warrant him. Enter TITUS LARTIUS.

SCENE V.-Within the Town. A Street.
Enter certain Romans with spoils.

1 Rom. This will I carry to Rome.
2 Rom. And I this.

3 Rom. A murrain on't! I took this for silver. [Alarum continues still afar off. Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS, with a trumpet.

Mar.See here these movers, that do prize their hours,
At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons,
Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,
Ere yet the fight be done, pack up:-Down with
them.-

And hark, what noise the general makes !—To him :-
There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius,
Piercing our Romans: Then, valiant Titus, take
Convenient numbers to make good the city;
Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste
To help Cominius.
Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;
Thy exercise hath been too violent for
A second course of fight.

Lart.

Mar. Sir, praise me not: My work hath yet not warm'd me: Fare you well. The blood I drop is rather physical Than dangerous to me: To Aufidius thus I will appear, and fight.

Lart. Now the fair goddess, Fortune Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman, Prosperity be thy page!

Mar.

Thy friend no less Than those she placeth highest!-So, farewell. Lart. Thou worthiest Marcius!- [EI. MARCIUS. Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place ; Call thither all the officers of the town, Where they shall know our mind: Away. [Exeunt.

bunes,

That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours,
Shall say, against their hearts,-We thank the gods,
Our Rome hath such a soldier!-

Yet cam'st thou to a morsel of this feast,
Having fully dined before.

[Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums. All. Caius Marcius Coriolanus !

Cor. I will go wash;

Lart.

O general,

Here is the steed, we the caparison:
Hadst thou beheld-

Mar.
Pray now, no more: my mother,
Who has a charter to extol her blood,
When she does praise me, grieves me. I have done,
As you have done that's what I can; induc'd
As you have been; that's for my country:
He, that has but effected his good will
Hath overta'en mine act.

You shall not be

Com The grave of your deserving: Rome must know The value of her own: 'twere a concealment Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement, To hide your doings; and to silence that, Which, to the spire and top of praises vouch'd, Would seem but modest: Therefore, I beseech you, (In,sign of what you are, not to reward What you have done,) before our army hear me. Mar. I have some wounds upon me, and they smart To hear themselves remember d.

Com.

Should they not,
Well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude,
And tent themselves with death. Of all the horses,
(Whereof we have ta'en good, and good store, )of all
The treasure, in this field achiev'd, and city,
We render you the tenth; to be ta'en forth,
Before the common distribution, at
Your only choice.
Mar.

I thank you, general;
But cannot make my heart consent to take
A bribe to pay my sword: I do refuse it;
And stand upon my common part with those
That have beheld the doing.

[A long flourish. They all cry, Marcius!
Marcius! cast up their caps and lances:
COMINIUS and LARTIUS stand bare.
Mar. May these same instruments, which you pro-
fane.

Never sound more! When drums and trumpets shall
I' the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be
Made all of false-fac'd soothing! When steel grows
Soft as the parasite's silk, let him be made
An overture for the wars! No more, I say;
For that I have not wash'd my nose that bled,
Or foil'd some debile wretch,-which without note,
Here's many else have done,-you shout me forth
In acclamations hyperbolical;

As if I loved my little should be dieted
In praises sauc'd with lies.
Com.
Too modest are you;
More cruel to your good report, than grateful
To us that give you truly by your patience,
If 'gainst yourself you be incens'd, we'll put you
(Like one that means his proper harm,)in manacles,
Then reason safely with you. Therefore, be it known,
As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius
Wears this war's garland: in token of the which
My noble steed, known to the camp. I give him,
With all his trim belonging; and, from this time,
For what he did before Corioli, call him,
With all the applause and clamour of the host,
CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS.-

Com. So, to our tent: Where, ere we do repose us, we will write To Rome of our success.-You, Titus Lartius, Must to Corioli back: send us to Rome The best, with whom we may articulate, For their own good, and ours.

Lart.

-What is't?

I shall, my lord. Cor. The gods begin to mock me. I that now Refus'd most princely gifts, am bound to beg Of my lord general. Com. Take it 'tis yours.Cor. I sometime lay, here in Corioli, At a poor man's house; he us'd me kindly : He cried to me; I saw him prisoner; But then Aufidius was within my view, And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity: I request you To give my poor host freedom.

Com. O, well begg'd! Were he the butcher of my son, he should Be free, as is the wind. Deliver him, Titus. Lart. Marcius, his name? Cor.

By Jupiter, forgot :—

I am weary; yea, my memory is tir'd.—
Have we no wine here?
Com.
Go we to our tent:
The blood upon your visage dries: 'tis time
It should be look'd too: come.

[Exeunt.

SCENE X.-The Camp of the Volces.

A flourish. Cornets. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, bloody, with Two or Three Soldiers.

Auf. The town is ta'en!

1 Sol. Twill be deliver'd back on good condition. Auf. Condition ?

I would, I were a Roman; for I cannot,
Being a Volce, be that I am.-Condition!
What good condition can a treaty find
I' the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius,
I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me;
And would'st do so, I think, should we encounter
As often as we eat.-By the elements,
If e'er again I meet him beard to beard,
He is mine, or I am his: Mine emulation
Hath not that honour in't, it had for where
I thought to crush him in an equal force,
(True sword to sword,) I'll potch at him some way:
Ör wrath, or craft, may get him.
1 Sol.

He's the devil.
Auf. Bolder, though not so subtle: My valour's poi-
With only suffering stain by him; for him [son'd,
Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep, nor sanctuary,
Being naked, sick nor fane, nor Capitol,
The prayers of priests, nor times of sacrifice,
Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
Their rotten privilege, and custom 'gainst
My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it
At home, upon my brother's guard, even there
Against the hospitable canon, would I
Wash my fierce hand in his heart. Go you to the city;
Learn, how 'tis held; and what they are, that must
Be hostages for Rome.

1 Sol.

Will not you go?