And yet to charge thy fulphur with a bolt, (40) When the, (poor hen) fond of no fecond brood, (40) And yet to change thy fulphur with a bolt, All the printed copies concur in this reading, but I have certainly His wife is in Corioli; and his child Like him by chance;---] But tho' his wife was in Corioli, might not his child, nevertheless, be like him? the minute alteration I have made, I am perfuaded, restores the true reading. Volumnia would hint, that Coriolanus by his ftern behaviour had loft all familyregards, and did not remember that he had any child. I am not his mother, (fays fhe) his wife is in Corioli, and this child, whom we bring with us, (young Marcius) is not his child, but only bears his refemblance by chance. Like him by chance; yet give us our dispatch: [Holds her by the hands, filent. But for your fon, believe it, oh, believe it, Auf. I too was mov'd. Cor. I dare be fworn, you were; And, Sir, it is no little thing to make Mine eyes to sweat compaffion. But, good Sir, 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 caufe. O mother! wife! Auf. I'm glad, thou'ft fet thy mercy and thy honour At difference in thee; out of that I'll work Myself a former fortune. [Afide. Cor. Ay, by and by; but we will drink together; And you fhall bear [To Vol, Virg. St. A better witness back than words, which we, [Exeunt. SCENE, SCENE, the Forum, in Rome. Enter Menenius and Sicinius. Men. SEE you yond coin o' th' capitol, yond corner Sic. Why, what of that? [stone ? Men. If it be poffible for you to difplace it with your little finger, there is fome hope the Ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. But, I fay, there is no hope in't; our throats are fentenc'd, and stay upon execution. Sic. Is't poffible, that fo fhort a time can alter the condition of a man? Men. There is difference 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 years old horfe. The tartness of his face fours ripe grapes. When he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground fhrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a corflet with his eye: talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery, He fits in his itate, as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done, is fiuifh'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 fhall bring from him; there is no more mercy in him, than there is milk in a male tyger; that fhall our poor city find; and all this is long of you. Sic. The gods be good unto us ! Men. No, in fuch a cafe the gods will not be good anto us. When we banith'd him, we refpected not them and he returning to break our necks, they respect not us: VOL, VI X Enter Enter a Messenger. Mef. Sis, if you'd fave your life, fly to your house The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, And hale him up and down; all fwearing, if The Roman Ladies bring not comfort home, They'll give him death by inches. Enter another Messenger. Sic. What's the news? Mef. Good news, good news, the Ladies have prevail'd, The Volfcians are diflodg'd, and Marcius gone: A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, No, not th' expulfion of the Tarquins. Sic. Friend, Art certain, this is true? is it most certain ? Men. This is good news: About within. I will go meet the Ladies. This Volumnia A fea and land full. You've pray'd well to-day: Mef. Sir, we have all great caufe to give great thanks. Mef. Almost at point to enter. Sic. We'll meet them, and help the joy. [Exeunt. Enter Enter two Senators, with Ladies, paffing over the ftage; with other Lords. Sen. Behold our patronefs, the life of Rome : Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, And make triumphant fires: ftrew flowers before them: Unfhout the noise, that banish'd Marcius ; Repeal him with the welcome of his mother: Cry, welcome, Ladies, welcome! All. Welcome, Ladies, welcome! [Exeunt [A flourish with drums and trumpets. SCENE changes to a publick Place in Antium. Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Attendants. Auf G Deliver them this paper: having read it, O tell the Lords o' th' city, I am here: Bid them repair to th' market-place, where I, Enter three or four Confpirators of Aufidius's factions. Auf. Even fo, As with a man by his own alms impoison'd,, 2 Con. Moft noble Sir, If you do hold the fame 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, whilft "Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the furvivor heir of all. Auf. I know it; And my pretext to ftrike at him admits: X 2 |