Vol. 'I would he had!' 'Twas you incensed the rabble; Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth

Bru.

As I can of those mysteries which heaven
Will not have earth to know.

Pray, let us go.

Vol. Now, pray, sir, get you gone:

You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this:

As far as doth the Capitol exceed

The meanest house in Rome, so far my son-
This lady's husband here, this, do you see?—
Whom you have banish'd, does exceed you all.

Bru. Well, well, we 'll leave you.

Sic.

Vol.

Men.

40

Why stay we to be baited

With one that wants her wits?

Take my prayers with you. [Exeunt Tribunes.

I would the gods had nothing else to do
But to confirm my curses! Could I meet 'em
But once a-day, it would unclog my heart
Of what lies heavy to 't.

You have told them home;

And, by my troth, you have cause.

with me?

You'll sup

50

Vol. Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself,
And so shall starve with feeding. Come, let's go:
Leave this faint puling, and lament as I do,
In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come.

Men. Fie, fie, fie!

[Exeunt Vol. and Vir.

[Exit.

"As far as doth the Capitol exceed

The meanest house in Rome, so far my son,-
This lady's husband here, this, do you see,-
Whom you have banish'd, does exceed you all "'

Scene III.

A highway between Rome and Antium.

Enter a Roman and a Volsce, meeting.

Rom. I know you well, sir, and you know me: your name, I think, is Adrian.

Vols. It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you.

Rom. I am a Roman; and my services are, as you are, against 'em know you me yet?

Vols. Nicanor? no.

Rom. The same, sir.

Vols. You had more beard when I last saw you; but

your favour is well appeared by your tongue.
What's the news in Rome? I have a note from
the Volscian state, to find you out there: you
have well saved me a day's journey.

Rom. There hath been in Rome strange insurrections;
the people against the senators, patricians and
nobles.

Vols. Hath been! is it ended then? Our state thinks not so: they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division.

ΙΟ

Rom. The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing 20 would make it flame again: for the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out.

Vols. Coriolanus banished!

Rom. Banished, sir.

Vols. You will be welcome with this intelligence, 30 Nicanor.

Rom. The day serves well for them now. I have

heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt a
man's wife is when she's fallen out with her
husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will
appear well in these wars, his great opposer,
Coriolanus, being now in no request of his
country.

Vols. He cannot choose. I am most fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you: you have ended 40 my business, and I will merrily accompany you home.

Rom. I shall, between this and supper, tell you most strange things from Rome; all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you?

Vols. A most royal one; the centurions and their charges, distinctly billeted, already in the entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning. Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think, that shall set them in present action. So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company.

Vols. You take my part from me, sir; I have the most

cause to be glad of yours. Rom. Well, let us go together.

50

[Exeunt.