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 finish'd 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 unto us. When we banish'd him, we respected not them: and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us.

Enter a Messenger.
Mes. 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.

Enter another Messenger.

Sic.

What's the news?

Mes. Good news, good news;— The ladies have

prevailid,
The Volces are dislodg’d, 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?

Mes. As certain, as I know the sun is fire: Where have you lurk’d, that you make doubt of it? Ne'er through an arch so hurry'd the blown tide, As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark

you; [Trumpets and hautboys sounded, and drums

beaten, all together. Shouting also within. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance. Hark you!

[Shouting again. 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, A sea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; This morning, for ten thousand of I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!

[Shouting and musick. Sic. First, the gods bless you

for

your tidings: next, Accept my thankfulness. Mes.

Sir, we have all
Great cause to give great thanks.
Sic.

They are near the city?

your throats

Mes. 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 !-
AN.

Welcome, ladies! Welcome! [A flourish with drums and trumpets.

Exeunt.

Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Attendants. Auf. Go tell the lords of 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: Despatch.

[Exeunt Attendants.

Even so,

Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius' faction. Most welcome!

i Con. How is it with our general?

Auf
As with a man by his own almis empoison'd,
And with his charity slain.
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 rais'd him, and I pawn'd
Mine honour for his truth: Who being so heightend,
He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery,
Seducing so my friends: and, to this end,
He bow'd his nature, never known before
But to be rough, unswayable, and free.

3 Con. Sir, his stoutness,
When he did stand for consul, which he lost
By lack of stooping, --
Auf.

That I would have spoke of: Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth; Presented to my knife his throat: I took him; Made him joint-servant with me; gave

him

way In all his own desires; nay, let him choose

Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,
My best and freshest men; serv'd his designments
In mine own person; holp to reap the fame,
Which he did end all his; and took some pride
To do myself this wrong: till, at the last,
I seem'd his follower, not partner; and
He wag'd me with his countenance, as if
I had been mercenary.
i Con.

So he did, my lord:
The 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. At a few drops of women's rheum, which are As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour Of our great action; Therefore shall he die, And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark!

[Drums and trumpets sound, with great

shouts of the people. i 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, With giving him glory. 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 pronounc'd shall bury His reasons with his body,