SCENE: Rome and the neighbourhood; Corioli and the neighbourhood; Antium    ACT I. SCENE I. Rome. A street  Enter a company of mutinous citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons    FIRST CITIZEN. Before we proceed any further, hear me speak.   ALL. Speak, speak.   FIRST CITIZEN. YOU are all resolv'd rather to die than to famish?   ALL. Resolv'd, resolv'd.   FIRST CITIZEN. First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the     people.   ALL. We know't, we know't.   FIRST CITIZEN. Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own     price. Is't a verdict?   ALL. No more talking on't; let it be done. Away, away!   SECOND CITIZEN. One word, good citizens.   FIRST CITIZEN. We are accounted poor citizens, the patricians good.     What authority surfeits on would relieve us; if they would yield     us but the superfluity while it were wholesome, we might guess     they relieved us humanely; but they think we are too dear. The     leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an     inventory to particularize their abundance; our sufferance is a     gain to them. Let us revenge this with our pikes ere we become     rakes; for the gods know I speak this in hunger for bread, not in     thirst for revenge.   SECOND CITIZEN. Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?   FIRST CITIZEN. Against him first; he's a very dog to the     commonalty.   SECOND CITIZEN. Consider you what services he has done for his     country?   FIRST CITIZEN. Very well, and could be content to give him good     report for't but that he pays himself with being proud.   SECOND CITIZEN. Nay, but speak not maliciously.   FIRST CITIZEN. I say unto you, what he hath done famously he did it     to that end; though soft-conscienc'd men can be content to say it     was for his country, he did it to please his mother and to be     partly proud, which he is, even to the altitude of his virtue.   SECOND CITIZEN. What he cannot help in his nature you account a     vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous.   FIRST CITIZEN. If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations;     he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition.  [Shouts     within]  What shouts are these? The other side o' th' city is     risen. Why stay we prating here? To th' Capitol!   ALL. Come, come.   FIRST CITIZEN. Soft! who comes here?                         Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA    SECOND CITIZEN. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always lov'd     the people.   FIRST CITIZEN. He's one honest enough; would all the rest were so!   MENENIUS. What work's, my countrymen, in hand? Where go you     With bats and clubs? The matter? Speak, I pray you.   FIRST CITIZEN. Our business is not unknown to th' Senate; they have     had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, which now we'll     show 'em in deeds. They say poor suitors have strong breaths;     they shall know we have strong arms too.   MENENIUS. Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,     Will you undo yourselves?   FIRST CITIZEN. We cannot, sir; we are undone already.   MENENIUS. I tell you, friends, most charitable care     Have the patricians of you. For your wants,     Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well     Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them     Against the Roman state; whose course will on     The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs     Of more strong link asunder than can ever     Appear in your impediment. For the dearth,     The gods, not the patricians, make it, and     Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack,     You are transported by calamity     Thither where more attends you; and you slander     The helms o' th' state, who care for you like fathers,     When you curse them as enemies.   FIRST CITIZEN. Care for us! True, indeed! They ne'er car'd for us     yet. Suffer us to famish, and their storehouses cramm'd with     grain; make edicts for usury, to support usurers; repeal daily     any wholesome act established against the rich, and provide more     piercing statutes daily to chain up and restrain the poor. If the     wars eat us not up, they will; and there's all the love they bear     us.   MENENIUS. Either you must     Confess yourselves wondrous malicious,     Or be accus'd of folly. I shall tell you     A pretty tale. It may be you have heard it;     But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture     To stale't a little more.   FIRST CITIZEN. Well, I'll hear it, sir; yet you must not think to     fob off our disgrace with a tale. But, an't please you, deliver.   MENENIUS. There was a time when all the body's members     Rebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it:     That only like a gulf it did remain     I' th' midst o' th' body, idle and unactive,     Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing     Like labour with the rest; where th' other instruments     Did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,     And, mutually participate, did minister     Unto the appetite and affection common     Of the whole body. The belly answer'd-   FIRST CITIZEN. Well, sir, what answer made the belly?   MENENIUS. Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile,     Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus-     For look you, I may make the belly smile     As well as speak- it tauntingly replied     To th' discontented members, the mutinous parts     That envied his receipt; even so most fitly     As you malign our senators for that     They are not such as you.   FIRST CITIZEN. Your belly's answer- What?     The kingly crowned head, the vigilant eye,     The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,     Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,     With other muniments and petty helps     Is this our fabric, if that they-   MENENIUS. What then?     Fore me, this fellow speaks! What then? What then?   FIRST CITIZEN. Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd,     Who is the sink o' th' body-   MENENIUS. Well, what then?   FIRST CITIZEN. The former agents, if they did complain,     What could the belly answer?   MENENIUS. I will tell you;     If you'll bestow a small- of what you have little-     Patience awhile, you'st hear the belly's answer.   FIRST CITIZEN. Y'are long about it.   MENENIUS. Note me this, good friend:     Your most grave belly was deliberate,     Not rash like his accusers, and thus answered.     'True is it, my incorporate friends,' quoth he     'That I receive the general food at first     Which you do live upon; and fit it is,     Because I am the storehouse and the shop     Of the whole body. But, if you do remember,     I send it through the rivers of your blood,     Even to the court, the heart, to th' seat o' th' brain;     And, through the cranks and offices of man,     The strongest nerves and small inferior veins     From me receive that natural competency     Whereby they live. And though that all at once     You, my good friends'- this says the belly; mark me.   FIRST CITIZEN. Ay, sir; well, well.   MENENIUS. 'Though all at once cannot     See what I do deliver out to each,     Yet I can make my audit up, that all     From me do back receive the flour of all,     And leave me but the bran.' What say you to' t?   FIRST CITIZEN. It was an answer. How apply you this?   MENENIUS. The senators of Rome are this good belly,     And you the mutinous members; for, examine     Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly     Touching the weal o' th' common, you shall find     No public benefit which you receive     But it proceeds or comes from them to you,     And no way from yourselves. What do you think,     You, the great toe of this assembly?   FIRST CITIZEN. I the great toe? Why the great toe?   MENENIUS. For that, being one o' th' lowest, basest, poorest,     Of this most wise rebellion, thou goest foremost.     Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,     Lead'st first to win some vantage.     But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs.     Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;     The one side must have bale.                        Enter CAIUS MARCIUS      Hail, noble Marcius!   MARCIUS. Thanks. What's the matter, you dissentious rogues     That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,     Make yourselves scabs?   FIRST CITIZEN. We have ever your good word.   MARCIUS. He that will give good words to thee will flatter     Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs,     That like nor peace nor war? The one affrights you,     The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,     Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;     Where foxes, geese; you are no surer, no,     Than is the coal of fire upon the ice     Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is     To make him worthy whose offence subdues him,     And curse that justice did it. Who deserves greatness     Deserves your hate; and your affections are     A sick man's appetite, who desires most that     Which would increase his evil. He that depends     Upon your favours swims with fins of lead,     And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye?     With every minute you do change a mind     And call him noble that was now your hate,     Him vile that was your garland. What's the matter     That in these several places of the city     You cry against the noble Senate, who,     Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else     Would feed on one another? What's their seeking?   MENENIUS. For corn at their own rates, whereof they say     The city is well stor'd.   MARCIUS. Hang 'em! They say!     They'll sit by th' fire and presume to know     What's done i' th' Capitol, who's like to rise,     Who thrives and who declines; side factions, and give out     Conjectural marriages, making parties strong,     And feebling such as stand not in their liking     Below their cobbled shoes. They say there's grain enough!     Would the nobility lay aside their ruth     And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry     With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high     As I could pick my lance.   MENENIUS. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;     For though abundantly they lack discretion,     Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,     What says the other troop?   MARCIUS. They are dissolv'd. Hang 'em!     They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth proverbs-     That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat,     That meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent not     Corn for the rich men only. With these shreds     They vented their complainings; which being answer'd,     And a petition granted them- a strange one,     To break the heart of generosity     And make bold power look pale- they threw their caps     As they would hang them on the horns o' th' moon,     Shouting their emulation.   MENENIUS. What is granted them?   MARCIUS. Five tribunes, to defend their vulgar wisdoms,     Of their own choice. One's Junius Brutus-     Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. 'Sdeath!     The rabble should have first unroof'd the city     Ere so prevail'd with me; it will in time     Win upon power and throw forth greater themes     For insurrection's arguing.   MENENIUS. This is strange.   MARCIUS. Go get you home, you fragments.                       Enter a MESSENGER, hastily    MESSENGER. Where's Caius Marcius?   MARCIUS. Here. What's the matter?   MESSENGER. The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.   MARCIUS. I am glad on't; then we shall ha' means to vent     Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders.           Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, with other SENATORS;                   JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTUS    FIRST SENATOR. Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us:     The Volsces are in arms.   MARCIUS. They have a leader,     Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't.     I sin in envying his nobility;     And were I anything but what I am,     I would wish me only he.   COMINIUS. You have fought together?   MARCIUS. Were half to half the world by th' ears, and he     Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make     Only my wars with him. He is a lion     That I am proud to hunt.   FIRST SENATOR. Then, worthy Marcius,     Attend upon Cominius to these wars.   COMINIUS. It is your former promise.   MARCIUS. 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?   LARTIUS. No, Caius Marcius;     I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other     Ere stay behind this business.   MENENIUS. O, true bred!   FIRST SENATOR. Your company to th' Capitol; where, I know,     Our greatest friends attend us.   LARTIUS.  [To COMINIUS]  Lead you on.     [To MARCIUS]  Follow Cominius; we must follow you;     Right worthy you priority.   COMINIUS. Noble Marcius!   FIRST SENATOR.  [To the Citizens]  Hence to your homes; be gone.   MARCIUS. Nay, let them follow.     The Volsces have much corn: take these rats thither     To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutineers,     Your valour puts well forth; pray follow.          Ciitzens steal away. Exeunt all but SICINIUS and BRUTUS   SICINIUS. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?   BRUTUS. He has no equal.   SICINIUS. When we were chosen tribunes for the people-   BRUTUS. Mark'd you his lip and eyes?   SICINIUS. Nay, but his taunts!   BRUTUS. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods.   SICINIUS. Bemock the modest moon.   BRUTUS. The present wars devour him! He is grown     Too proud to be so valiant.   SICINIUS. 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 Cominius.   BRUTUS. Fame, at the which he aims-     In whom already he is well grac'd- cannot     Better be held nor more attain'd than by     A place below the first; for what miscarries     Shall be the general's fault, though he perform     To th' utmost of a man, and giddy censure     Will then cry out of Marcius 'O, if he     Had borne the business!'   SICINIUS. Besides, if things go well,     Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall     Of his demerits rob Cominius.   BRUTUS. Come.     Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius,     Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults     To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed     In aught he merit not.   SICINIUS. Let's hence and hear     How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion,     More than his singularity, he goes     Upon this present action.   BRUTUS. Let's along.                                    Exeunt     SCENE II. Corioli. The Senate House.  Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS with SENATORS of Corioli    FIRST SENATOR. So, your opinion is, Aufidius,     That they of Rome are ent'red in our counsels     And know how we proceed.   AUFIDIUS. Is it not yours?     What ever have been thought on in this state     That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome     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 known     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.'   FIRST SENATOR. Our army's in the field;     We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready     To answer us.   AUFIDIUS. Nor did you think it folly     To keep your great pretences veil'd till when     They needs must show themselves; which in the hatching,     It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery     We shall be short'ned in our aim, which was     To take in many towns ere almost Rome     Should know we were afoot.   SECOND SENATOR. Noble Aufidius,     Take your commission; hie you to your bands;     Let us alone to guard Corioli.     If they set down before's, for the remove     Bring up your army; but I think you'll find     Th' have not prepar'd for us.   AUFIDIUS. O, doubt not that!     I speak from certainties. Nay more,     Some parcels of their power are forth already,     And only hitherward. I leave your honours.     If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,     'Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike     Till one can do no more.   ALL. The gods assist you!   AUFIDIUS. And keep your honours safe!   FIRST SENATOR. Farewell.   SECOND SENATOR. Farewell.   ALL. Farewell.                                           Exeunt     SCENE III. Rome. MARCIUS' house  Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA, mother and wife to MARCIUS; they set them down on two low stools and sew    VOLUMNIA. I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself 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 show most love. When yet     he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb; when youth     with comeliness pluck'd all gaze his way; 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 th' wall, if     renown made it not stir- was pleas'd to let him seek danger where     he was to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him, from whence he     return'd 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.   VIRGILIA. But had he died in the business, madam, how then?   VOLUMNIA. 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    GENTLEWOMAN. Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.   VIRGILIA. Beseech you give me leave to retire myself.   VOLUMNIA. Indeed you shall not.     Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum;     See him pluck Aufidius down by th' hair;     As children from a bear, the Volsces 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.   VIRGILIA. His bloody brow? O Jupiter, no blood!   VOLUMNIA. 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 sword, contemning. Tell Valeria     We are fit to bid her welcome.              Exit GENTLEWOMAN   VIRGILIA. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!   VOLUMNIA. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee     And tread upon his neck.           Re-enter GENTLEWOMAN, With VALERIA and an usher    VALERIA. My ladies both, good day to you.   VOLUMNIA. Sweet madam!   VIRGILIA. I am glad to see your ladyship.   VALERIA. How do you both? You are manifest housekeepers. What are     you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith. How does your little     son?   VIRGILIA. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.   VOLUMNIA. He had rather see the swords and hear a drum than look     upon his schoolmaster.   VALERIA. O' my word, the father's son! I'll swear 'tis a very     pretty boy. O' my troth, I look'd upon him a Wednesday half an     hour together; has such a confirm'd 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, catch'd it again; or whether his fall enrag'd him, or how     'twas, he did so set his teeth and tear it. O, I warrant, how he     mammock'd it!   VOLUMNIA. One on's father's moods.   VALERIA. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.   VIRGILIA. A crack, madam.   VALERIA. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the     idle huswife with me this afternoon.   VIRGILIA. No, good madam; I will not out of doors.   VALERIA. Not out of doors!   VOLUMNIA. She shall, she shall.   VIRGILIA. Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the threshold     till my lord return from the wars.   VALERIA. Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably; come, you     must go visit the good lady that lies in.   VIRGILIA. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my     prayers; but I cannot go thither.   VOLUMNIA. Why, I pray you?   VIRGILIA. 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.   VALERIA. 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 sensible as your finger, that you     might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.   VIRGILIA. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed I will not forth.   VALERIA. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news     of your husband.   VIRGILIA. O, good madam, there can be none yet.   VALERIA. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him     last night.   VIRGILIA. Indeed, madam?   VALERIA. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it     is: the Volsces 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.   VIRGILIA. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in everything     hereafter.   VOLUMNIA. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but disease     our better mirth.   VALERIA. In troth, I think she would. Fare you well, then. Come,     good sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o'     door and go along with us.   VIRGILIA. No, at a word, madam; indeed I must not. I wish you much     mirth.   VALERIA. Well then, farewell.                           Exeunt     SCENE IV. Before Corioli  Enter MARCIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, with drum and colours, with CAPTAINS and soldiers. To them a MESSENGER    MARCIUS. Yonder comes news; a wager- they have met.   LARTIUS. My horse to yours- no.   MARCIUS. 'Tis done.   LARTIUS. Agreed.   MARCIUS. Say, has our general met the enemy?   MESSENGER. They lie in view, but have not spoke as yet.   LARTIUS. So, the good horse is mine.   MARCIUS. I'll buy him of you.   LARTIUS. No, I'll nor sell nor give him; lend you him I will     For half a hundred years. Summon the town.   MARCIUS. How far off lie these armies?   MESSENGER. Within this mile and half.   MARCIUS. Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours.     Now, Mars, I prithee, make us quick in work,     That we with smoking swords may march from hence     To help our fielded friends! Come, blow thy blast.            They sound a parley. Enter two SENATORS with others,                       on the walls of Corioli      Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?   FIRST SENATOR. No, nor a man that fears you less than he:     That's lesser than a little.  [Drum afar off]  Hark, our drums     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.  [Alarum far off]  Hark you far off!     There is Aufidius. List what work he makes     Amongst your cloven army.   MARCIUS. O, they are at it!   LARTIUS. Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho!                     Enter the army of the Volsces    MARCIUS. 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 fellows.     He that retires, I'll take him for a Volsce,     And he shall feel mine edge.            Alarum. The Romans are beat back to their trenches.                       Re-enter MARCIUS, cursing    MARCIUS. All the contagion of the south light on you,     You shames of Rome! you herd of- Boils and plagues     Plaster you o'er, that you may be abhorr'd     Farther 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. Follow me.           Another alarum. The Volsces fly, 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.                      [MARCIUS enters the gates]    FIRST SOLDIER. Fool-hardiness; not I.   SECOND SOLDIER. Not I.                    [MARCIUS is shut in]   FIRST SOLDIER. See, they have shut him in.   ALL. To th' pot, I warrant him.             [Alarum continues]                        Re-enter TITUS LARTIUS    LARTIUS. What is become of Marcius?   ALL. Slain, sir, doubtless.   FIRST SOLDIER. Following the fliers at the very heels,     With them he enters; who, upon the sudden,     Clapp'd to their gates. He is himself alone,     To answer all the city.   LARTIUS. O noble fellow!     Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword,     And when it bows stand'st up. Thou art left, Marcius;     A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,     Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier     Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible     Only in strokes; but with thy grim looks and     The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds     Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the world     Were feverous and did tremble.            Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy    FIRST SOLDIER. Look, sir.   LARTIUS. O, 'tis Marcius!     Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.                             [They fight, and all enter the city]     SCENE V. Within Corioli. A street  Enter certain Romans, with spoils    FIRST ROMAN. This will I carry to Rome.   SECOND ROMAN. And I this.   THIRD ROMAN. A murrain on 't! I took this for silver.                                [Alarum continues still afar off]            Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS With a trumpeter    MARCIUS. See here these movers that do prize their hours     At a crack'd drachma! 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!                                                 Exeunt pillagers     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.   LARTIUS. Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;     Thy exercise hath been too violent     For a second course of fight.   MARCIUS. 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.   LARTIUS. 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!   MARCIUS. Thy friend no less     Than those she placeth highest! So farewell.   LARTIUS. Thou worthiest Marcius!                  Exit MARCIUS     Go sound thy trumpet in the market-place;     Call thither all the officers o' th' town,     Where they shall know our mind. Away!                 Exeunt     SCENE VI. Near the camp of COMINIUS  Enter COMINIUS, as it were in retire, with soldiers    COMINIUS. Breathe you, my friends. Well fought; we are come off     Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands     Nor cowardly in retire. Believe me, sirs,     We shall be charg'd again. Whiles we have struck,     By interims and conveying gusts we have heard     The charges of our friends. The Roman gods,     Lead their successes as we wish our own,     That both our powers, with smiling fronts encount'ring,     May give you thankful sacrifice!                           Enter A MESSENGER      Thy news?   MESSENGER. The citizens of Corioli have issued     And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle;     I saw our party to their trenches driven,     And then I came away.   COMINIUS. Though thou speak'st truth,     Methinks thou speak'st not well. How long is't since?   MESSENGER. Above an hour, my lord.   COMINIUS. 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums.     How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour,     And bring thy news so late?   MESSENGER. Spies of the Volsces     Held me in chase, that I was forc'd to wheel     Three or four miles about; else had I, sir,     Half an hour since brought my report.                             Enter MARCIUS    COMINIUS. Who's yonder     That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods!     He has the stamp of Marcius, and I have     Before-time seen him thus.   MARCIUS. Come I too late?   COMINIUS. The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor     More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue     From every meaner man.   MARCIUS. Come I too late?   COMINIUS. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,     But mantled in your own.   MARCIUS. O! let me clip ye     In arms as sound as when I woo'd, in heart     As merry as when our nuptial day was done,     And tapers burn'd to bedward.   COMINIUS. Flower of warriors,     How is't with Titus Lartius?   MARCIUS. As with a man busied about decrees:     Condemning some to death and some to exile;     Ransoming him or pitying, threat'ning th' other;     Holding Corioli in the name of Rome     Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,     To let him slip at will.   COMINIUS. Where is that slave     Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?     Where is he? Call him hither.   MARCIUS. Let him alone;     He did inform the truth. But for our gentlemen,     The common file- a plague! tribunes for them!     The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge     From rascals worse than they.   COMINIUS. But how prevail'd you?   MARCIUS. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.     Where is the enemy? Are you lords o' th' field?     If not, why cease you till you are so?   COMINIUS. Marcius,     We have at disadvantage fought, and did     Retire to win our purpose.   MARCIUS. How lies their battle? Know you on which side     They have plac'd their men of trust?   COMINIUS. As I guess, Marcius,     Their bands i' th' vaward are the Antiates,     Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius,     Their very heart of hope.   MARCIUS. I do beseech you,     By all the battles wherein we have fought,     By th' blood we have shed together, by th' vows     We have made to endure friends, that you directly     Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates;     And that you not delay the present, but,     Filling the air with swords advanc'd and darts,     We prove this very hour.   COMINIUS. Though I could wish     You were conducted to a gentle bath     And balms applied to you, yet dare I never     Deny your asking: take your choice of those     That best can aid your action.   MARCIUS. Those are they     That most are willing. If any such be here-     As it were sin to doubt- that love this painting     Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear     Lesser his person than an ill report;     If any think brave death outweighs bad life     And that his country's dearer than himself;     Let him alone, or so many so minded,     Wave thus to express his disposition,     And follow Marcius.           [They all shout and wave their        swords, take him up in their arms and cast up their caps]     O, me alone! Make you a sword of me?     If these shows be not outward, which of you     But is four Volsces? None of you but is     Able to bear against the great Aufidius     A shield as hard as his. A certain number,     Though thanks to all, must I select from all; the rest     Shall bear the business in some other fight,     As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march;     And four shall quickly draw out my command,     Which men are best inclin'd.   COMINIUS. March on, my fellows;     Make good this ostentation, and you shall     Divide in all with us.                                Exeunt     SCENE VII. The gates of Corioli  TITUS LARTIUS, having set a guard upon Corioli, going with drum and trumpet toward COMINIUS and CAIUS MARCIUS, enters with a LIEUTENANT, other soldiers, and a scout    LARTIUS. So, let the ports be guarded; keep your duties     As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch     Those centuries to our aid; the rest will serve     For a short holding. If we lose the field     We cannot keep the town.   LIEUTENANT. Fear not our care, sir.   LARTIUS. Hence, and shut your gates upon's.     Our guider, come; to th' Roman camp conduct us.       Exeunt     SCENE VIII. A field of battle between the Roman and the Volscian camps  Alarum, as in battle. Enter MARCIUS and AUFIDIUS at several doors    MARCIUS. I'll fight with none but thee, for I do hate thee     Worse than a promise-breaker.   AUFIDIUS. We hate alike:     Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor     More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot.   MARCIUS. Let the first budger die the other's slave,     And the gods doom him after!   AUFIDIUS. If I fly, Marcius,     Halloa me like a hare.   MARCIUS. Within these three hours, Tullus,     Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,     And made what work I pleas'd. 'Tis not my blood     Wherein thou seest me mask'd. For thy revenge     Wrench up thy power to th' highest.   AUFIDIUS. Wert thou the Hector     That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,     Thou shouldst not scape me here.         Here they fight, and certain Volsces come in the aid         of AUFIDIUS. MARCIUS fights till they be driven in                              breathless      Officious, and not valiant, you have sham'd me     In your condemned seconds.                            Exeunt     SCENE IX. The Roman camp  Flourish. Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Enter, at one door, COMINIUS with the Romans; at another door, MARCIUS, with his arm in a scarf    COMINIUS. If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work,     Thou't not believe thy deeds; but I'll report it     Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles;     Where great patricians shall attend, and shrug,     I' th' end admire; where ladies shall be frighted     And, gladly quak'd, hear more; where the dull tribunes,     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 din'd before.           Enter TITUS LARTIUS, with his power, from the pursuit    LARTIUS. O General,     Here is the steed, we the caparison.     Hadst thou beheld-   MARCIUS. 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.   COMINIUS. You shall not be     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.   MARCIUS. I have some wounds upon me, and they smart     To hear themselves rememb'red.   COMINIUS. 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.   MARCIUS. 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      May these same instruments which you profane     Never sound more! When drums and trumpets shall     I' th' 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 th' 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 lov'd my little should be dieted     In praises sauc'd with lies.   COMINIUS. 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, can him     With all th' applause-and clamour of the host,     Caius Marcius Coriolanus.     Bear th' addition nobly ever!                            [Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums]   ALL. Caius Marcius Coriolanus!   CORIOLANUS. I will go wash;     And when my face is fair you shall perceive     Whether I blush or no. Howbeit, I thank you;     I mean to stride your steed, and at all times     To undercrest your good addition     To th' fairness of my power.   COMINIUS. 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.   LARTIUS. I shall, my lord.   CORIOLANUS. The gods begin to mock me. I, that now     Refus'd most princely gifts, am bound to beg     Of my Lord General.   COMINIUS. Take't- 'tis yours; what is't?   CORIOLANUS. 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.   COMINIUS. O, well begg'd!     Were he the butcher of my son, he should     Be free as is the wind. Deliver him, Titus.   LARTIUS. Marcius, his name?   CORIOLANUS. By Jupiter, forgot!     I am weary; yea, my memory is tir'd.     Have we no wine here?   COMINIUS. Go we to our tent.     The blood upon your visage dries; 'tis time     It should be look'd to. Come.                         Exeunt     SCENE X. The camp of the Volsces  A flourish. Cornets. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS bloody, with two or three soldiers    AUFIDIUS. The town is ta'en.   FIRST SOLDIER. 'Twill be deliver'd back on good condition.   AUFIDIUS. Condition!     I would I were a Roman; for I cannot,     Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition?     What good condition can a treaty find     I' th' part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius,     I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me;     And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter     As often as we eat. By th' elements,     If e'er again I meet him beard to beard,     He's 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,     Or wrath or craft may get him.   FIRST SOLDIER. He's the devil.   AUFIDIUS. Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour's poison'd     With only suff'ring stain by him; for him     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's heart. Go you to th' city;     Learn how 'tis held, and what they are that must     Be hostages for Rome.   FIRST SOLDIER. Will not you go?   AUFIDIUS. I am attended at the cypress grove; I pray you-     'Tis south the city mills- bring me word thither     How the world goes, that to the pace of it     I may spur on my journey.   FIRST SOLDIER. I shall, sir.                            Exeunt