(Trust to't, thou shalt not,) on thy mother's womb, That brought thee to this world. Vir. Ay, and on mine, That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name Boy. He shall not tread on me; I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight. Cor. Not of a woman's tenderness to be, Requires nor child nor woman's face to see. I have sat too long. Vol. Nay, go not from us thus. If it were so, that our request did tend To save the Romans, thereby to destroy [Rising. The Volces whom you serve, you might condemn us, Is, that you reconcile them: while the Volces Give the all-hail to thee, and cry, Be bless'd 6 To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o'the air, That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak? 6 the fine strains -] The niceties, the refinements. 7 And yet to charge thy sulphur -] The meaning of the passage is, To threaten much, and yet be merciful. Still to remember wrongs?-Daughter, speak you: Than can our reasons.-There is no man in the world When she, (poor hen !) fond of no second brood, Thou art not honest; and the gods will plague thee, Like him by chance :-Yet give us our despatch: And then I'll speak a little. Cor. O mother, mother! [Holding VOLUMNIA by the Hands, silent What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope, The gods look down, and this unnatural scene They laugh at. O my mother, mother! O! 8 Like one i'the stocks.] Keeps me in a state of ignominy talking to no purpose. 9 Does reason our petition petition. -] Does argue for us and our You have won a happy victory to Rome: I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius, Auf. I was moved withal. Cor. I dare be sworn, you were: And, sir, it is no little thing, to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, Auf. I am glad, thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour At difference in thee: out of that I'll work Cor. [Aside. [The Ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS. Ay, by and by; [TO VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, &c. But we will drink together; and you shall bear Could not have made this peace. [Exeunt. "say" is omitted by Mr. Malone, who considers heard as a dissyllable. 1 — a former fortune.] i. e. restore myself to my former credit and power. 2 To have a temple built you :] Plutarch informs us, that a temple dedicated to the Fortune of the Ladies was built on this occasion by order of the senate. SCENE IV. Rome. A publick Place. Enter MENENIUS and SICINIUS. Men. See you yond' coign o'the Capitol; yond' corner-stone? Sic. Why, what of that? Men. If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some 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". Sic. Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the condition 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 loved 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 sours 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 sits in his state', as a thing made for Alexander. bids be done, is finished 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 What he 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; 3 stay upon execution.] i. e. stay but for it. Ile sits in his state, &c.] His state means his chair of state. that shall our pooi dit had and of this is 'long of you. Sic. The gods be good u on? Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished b W respected not them and, he returning to break r necks, they respéct not us. Enter a Messenger. Mess. 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 The Roman ladies bring not comfort home, Sic. Enter another Messenger. What's the news? Mess. Good news, good news;-The ladies have pre vail'd, The Volces are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone : A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, Sic. Friend, Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain? [Trumpets and Hautboys sounded, and Drums beaten, all together. Shouting also within. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Men. [Shouting again. This is good news: I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians, A city full; of tribunes, such as you, A sea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; |