We never yet made doubt, but Rome was ready Auf. Nor did you think it folly, To keep your great pretences veil'd, 'till when It feem'd, appeared to Rome. By the discovery 2 Sen. Noble Aufidius, Take your Commiffion, hie you to your bands; 8 If they fet down before's, for the remove Bring up your Army: but, I think, you'll find, Auf. O, doubt not that, I speak from certainties. Nay more, 8 All. The Gods affift you! FOR THE remove Bring up your Army:] The first part of this fentence is without meaning. The General had told the Senators that the Romans had preft a power, which was on foot. To which the words in queflion are the answer of a fenator. And, to make them pertinent, we fhould read them thus, FORE THEY remove Bring up your Army: i. e. Before that power, already on foot, be in motion, bring up your army; then he corrects him- Auf. Enter Volumnia and Virgilia; they fit down on two low fiels, and few. Vol. I Pray you, Daughter, fing or exprefs yourself in a more comfortable fort. If my Son were my Hufband, I would freelier rejoice in that abfence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would fhew moft love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only Son of my womb; when youth with 'comelinefs plucked all gaze his way; when, for a day of King's entreaties, a Mother fhould not fell him an hour from her beholding, I, confidering how honour would become fuch a perfon, that it was no better than picture-like to hang by th' wall, if Renown made it not ftir, was pleas'd to let him feek Danger where he was like to find Fame To a cruel war I fent him, from whence he return'd, his brows bound with Oak. I tell thee, Daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in firft feeing he had proved himself a Man. Vir. But had he died in the bufinefs, Madam; how then? Vol. Then his good Report fhould have been my Son; I therein would have found iffue. Hear me profefs fincerely. Had I a dozen Sons each in my love 9 brows bound with Oak.] of a citizen, which was accountThe crown given by the Ro ed more honourable than any mens to him that faved the life other. Kk 3 alike, alike, and none lefs dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather eleven die nobly for their Country, than one voluptuoufly furfeit out of action. Enter a Gentlewoman. Gent. Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to vifit you. Methinks, I hither hear your Husband's Drum; As children from a bear, the Volfci fhunning him. thus Come on, ye cowards, ye were got in fear, Though we were born in Rome; his bloody brow Vir. His bloody brow? Oh, Jupiter, no blood!— [Exit Gent. Vir. Heav'ns blefs my Lord from fell Aufidius! Vol. He'll beat Auf.dius' head below his knee, And tread upon his neck, Enter Valeria with an Uber, and a Gentlewoman. Val. My Ladies both, good day to you. Vol. Sweet Madam- Vir. I am glad to fee your Ladyship Val. How do you Both? You are manifeft Housekeepers. What are you fewing here? a fine spot, in good faith. How does your little Son? Vir. I thank your Ladyfhip. Well, good Madam. Vol Vol. He had rather fee the fwords, and hear a drum, than look upon his fchoolmaster. Val. O' my word, the Father's Son. I'll fwear, 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I look'd on him 'Wednesday half an hour together-H'as fuch a confirm'd countenance. I faw him run after a gilded butterfly, and when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; and caught it again; or whether his Fall enrag'd him, or how 'twas, he did fo fet his teeth, and did tear it. Oh, I warrant, how he mammockt it? Vol. One of's Father's moods. Val. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble Child. Vir. A Crack, Madam. Val. Come, lay afide your Stichery. I muft have you play the idle hufwife with me this afternoon. Vir. No, good Madam, I will not out of doors. Val. Not out of doors! Vol. She fhall, fhe fhall. Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience. I'll not over the threshold, 'till my Lord return from the wars." Val. Fie, you confine yourself moft unreasonably. Come, you must go vifit the good Lady that lyes in Vir. I will with her fpeedy ftrength, and vifit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you? Vir. "Tis not to fave labour, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope. Yet they fay, all the yarn, fhe fpun in Ulyffes's abfence, did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would, your cambrick were fenfible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you fhalk go with us, Vir. No, good Madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth. Val. In truth, la, go with me, and I'll tell you excellent news of your Hufband. Vir. Ch, good Madam, there can be none yet. Val. Val. Verily, I do not jeft with you; there came news from him laft night. Vir. Indeed, Madam Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a Senator fpeak it. Thus it is-The Volfcians have an army forth, against whom Cominius the General is gone, with one part of our Roman Power. Your Lord and Titus Lartius are fet down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on my honour; and fo, I pray, go with us. Vir. Give me excufe, good Madam, I will obey you in every thing hereafter. Vol. Let her alone, Lady. As fhe is now, fhe will but disease our better mirth. Val. In troth, I think, fhe would. Fare you well, then Come, good fweet Lady. Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy folemnefs out o' door, and go along with us. Vir. No, at a word, Madam; indeed, I must not, I'with you much mirth. Val. Well, then farewel SCENE VII. Changes to the Walls of Corioli. [Exeunt. Enter Marcius, Titus Lartius, with Captains and Soldiers. To them a Meffenger. Cor. 'Tis done. Lart. Agreed. Cor. Say, has our General met the enemy? Mef. They lie in view; but have not spoke as yet. Lart. So, the good horse is mine. Car, I'll buy him of you. Lart |