Act v.

CORIOLANUS.

119

If not most mortal to him. But, let it come :-
Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars,

I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius,
Were you in my stead, say, would you have heard
A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius ?

Auf. I was mov'd withal.

Cor.

I dare be sworn, you were:

And, fir, it is no little thing, to make

Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good fir,

What peace you'll make, advise me: For my part,

I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you,

Stand to me in this cause. - O mother! wife!

Auf. I am glad, thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour At difference in thee: out of that I'll work

Myself a former fortune.

Cor.

[Afide.

[The ladies make figns to CORIOLANUS.

Ay, by and by;

[to VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, &c.

But we will drink together; and you shall bear
A better witness back than words, which we,
On like conditions, will have counterseal'd.
Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deferve
To have a temple built you all the fwords

In Italy, and her confederate arms,
Could not have made this peace.

[Excunt.

SCENE IV.

Rome. A publick Place.

Enter MENENIUS and SICINIUS.

Men. See you yond' coign o' the Capitol; yond' cor

ner-stone?

14

Sic.

Sic. Why, what of that?

Men. If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is fome hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. But, I say, there is no hope in't; our throats are sentenced, and stay upon execution.

Șic. Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the con

dition of 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 lov'd 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 fours 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 fits 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 Act v.

CORIOLANUS.

Enter a Messenger.

Meff. 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

They'll give him death by inches.

The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,

Enter another Messenger.

Sic.

What's the news?

121

Meff. Good news, good news;-The ladies have pre

vail'd,

The Volces are diflodg'd, and Marcius gone :
A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,

No, not the expulfion of the Tarquins.

Sic.

Friend,

Art thou certain, this is true? is it most certain ?
Meff. As certain, as I know the fun 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 founded, and drums beaten,
all together. Shouting also within.

The trumpets, sackbuts, pfalteries, and fifes,
Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans,

Make the sun dance. Hark you!

Men.

[Shouting again.

This is good news:

I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia

Is worth of confuls, fenators, patricians,

A city full; of tribunes, such as you,

A fea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day;

:

This morning, for ten thousand of your throats
I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!

[Shouting and mufick.

Sic. First, the gods bless you for your tidings: next,

Accept my thankfulness.

Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patricians, and People. They pass over the stage.

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!

Welcome, ladies!

[A flourish with drums and trumpets. Exeunt.

SCENE V.

Antium. A publick Place.

Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants.

Auf. Go tell the lords of the city, I am here : Deliver them this paper: having read it,

Most welcome!

1 Con. How is it with our general?

Auf.

E

As with a man by his own alms empoiso

And with his charity flain.

If you do hold the same intent wherein
You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you
Of your great danger.

We must proceed, as we do find the peo
3 Con. The people will remain uncerta
'Twixt you there's difference; but the f
Makes the furvivor heir of all.

Auf.
I know it
And my pretext to strike at him admits
A good construction. I rais'd him, an
Mine honour for his truth: Who being
He water'd his new plants with dews of
Seducing so my friends: and, to this em
He bow'd his nature, never known befo
But to be rough, unswayable, and free.
3 Con. Sir, his stoutness,