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Scene IV.

Antium. Before Aufidius's house.

Enter Coriolanus in mean apparel, disguised and muffled.

Cor. A goodly city is this Antium.

City,

'Tis I that made thy widows: many an heir

Of these fair edifices 'fore my wars

Have I heard groan and drop: then know me not;

Lest that thy wives with spits, and boys with stones,
In puny battle slay me.

Enter a Citizen.

Save you, sir.

Cit. And you.

Cor.

Direct me, if it be your will,
Where great Aufidius lies: is he in Antium?
Cit. He is, and feasts the nobles of the state
At his house this night.

Cor.

Which is his house, beseech you? 10

Cit. This, here, before you.
Cor.

Thank you, sir: farewell.

[Exit Citizen O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn, Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart, Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal and exercise Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love Unseparable, shall within this hour,

On a dissension of a doit, break out

To bitterest enmity: so, fellest foes,

Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep
To take the one the other, by some chance,

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Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends
And interjoin their issues. So with me:

My birth-place hate I, and my love's upon
This enemy town. I'll enter: if he slay me,
He does fair justice; if he give me way,
I'll do his country service.

Scene V.

[Exit.

The same.

A hall in Aufidius's house.

Music within. Enter a Servingman.

First Serv. Wine, wine, wine!-What service is here!
I think our fellows are asleep.

Enter another Servingman.

[Exit.

Sec. Serv. Where's Cotus? my master calls for him.

Cotus!

Enter Coriolanus.

[Exit.

Cor. A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I
Appear not like a guest.

Re-enter the first Servingman.

First Serv. What would you have, friend? whence are you? Here's no place for you: pray, go to the door.

Cor. I have deserved no better entertainment,

In being Coriolanus.

Re-enter second Servingman.

[Exit.

Sec. Serv. Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his head, that he gives entrance to such companions? Pray, get you out.

ΙΟ

Cor. Away!

Sec. Serv. 'Away!' get you away.

Cor. Now thou 'rt troublesome.

Sec. Serv. Are you so brave? I'll have you talked with anon.

Enter a third Servingman. The first meets him. Third Serv. What fellow 's this? First Serv. A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him out o' the house: prithee, call my master to him.

20

[Retires.

Third Serv. What have you to do here, fellow? Pray
you, avoid the house.

Cor. Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.
Third Serv. What are you?

Cor. A gentleman.

Third Serv. A marvellous poor one.

Cor. True, so I am.

Third Serv. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station; here's no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.

Cor. Follow your functions, go, and batten on cold

bits.

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[Pushes him away from him.

Third Serv. What, you will not? Prithee, tell my

master what a strange guest he has here.

[blocks in formation]

Third Serv. I' the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is! Then thou dwell'st with daws too?

Cor. No, I serve not thy master.

Third Serv. How, sir! do you meddle with my master? Cor. Ay; 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress:

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Thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy trencher, hence!

[Beats him away. Exit third Servingman.

Enter Aufidius with the second Servingman.

'Auf. Where is this fellow?

Sec. Serv. Here, sir: I'ld have beaten him like a
dog, but for disturbing the lords within. [Retires.
Auf. Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?
Why speak'st not? speak, man: what's thy name?
Cor. [Unmuffling]

Auf.

If, Tullus,
Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
Commands me name myself.

What is thy name? 60

Say, what's thy name?

Cor. A name unmusical to the Volscians' ears,
And harsh in sound to thine.

Auf.

Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face

Bears a command in 't; though thy tackle's torn,
Thou show'st a noble vessel: what's thy name?
Cor. Prepare thy brow to frown:-know'st thou me yet?
Auf. I know thee not:-thy name?

Cor. My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done
To thee particularly, and to all the Volsces,
Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness mav

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