Enter Coriolanus, with Aufidius.

Cor. What's the matter?

Men. Now, you companion, I'll fay an errand for you. You fhall know now, that I am in eftimation; you fhall perceive, that a Jack-gardant cannot office me from my fon Coriolanus; 'guefs but my entertainment with him; if thou stand'st not i'th' state of hanging, or of fome death more long in fpectatorship, and crueller in fuffering. Behold now prefently, and fwoon for what's to come upon thee. The glorious Gods fit in hourly fynod about thy particular profperity, and love thee no worse than thy old father Menenius does! Oh my fon, my fon! thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it. I was hardly mov'd to come to thee, but being affured, none but myself could move thee, I have been blown out of our gates with fighs; and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy petitionary Countrymen. The good Gods affwage thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here; this, who, like a block, hath denied my accefs to thee

Cor. Away!

Men. How, away?

Cor. Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs Are fervanted to others. 2 Though I owe

My revenge properly, remiffion lyes

In Volfcian breafts. That we have been familiar,
Ingrate Forgetfulness fhall poifon, rather

Than Pity note how much.-Therefore, be gone.
Mine ears against your fuits are stronger than

Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,
Take this along; I writ it for thy fake,

[Gives him a letter. 2-Though I orve

My revenge properly,] Though I have a peculiar right in revenge, in the power of forgiveness the Volfcians are conjoined. And

And would have fent it. Another word, Menenius,
I will not hear thee fpeak.-This man, Aufidius,
Was my belov'd in Rome; yet thou behold'ft-
Auf. You keep a conftant temper.

Manent the Guard, aud Menenius.

[Exeunt.

1 Watch. Now, Sir, is your name Mengnius? 2 Watch. 'Tis a Spell, you fee, of much power. You know the way home again.

1 Watch. Do you hear, how we are 3 fhent for keeping your Greatnefs back?

2 Watch. What cause do you think, I have to fwoon? Men. I neither care for the world, nor your General. For fuch things as you, I can fcarce think there's any, y'are fo flight. He, that hath a will to die by himself, fears it not from another; let your General do his worst. For you, be what you are, long; and your mifery increase with your age! I fay to you, as I was faid to, Away[Exit.

1 Watch. A noble fellow, I warrant him.

2 Watch. The worthy fellow is our General. He's the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken,

SCENE

[Exeunt Watch.

III.

Re-enter Coriolanus and Aufidius.

Cor. We will before the Walls of Rome to-morrow Set down our Hoft. My Partner in this action, You must report to th' Volfcian lords, how plainly

I've born this business.

4

Auf. Only their Ends you have refpected; ftopt Your ears against the general fuit of Rome; Never admitted private whisper, no,

Not with fuch friends that thought them fure of you.

Cor. This laft old man,

Whom with a crack'd heart I have fent to Rome,
Lov'd me above the measure of a father;

Nay, godded me, indeed. Their latest refuge
Was to fend him: for whofe old love, I have,
Tho' I fhew'd fow'rly to him, once more offer'd
The firft conditions, which they did refufe,
And cannot now accept, to grace him only,
That thought he could do more, a very little
I've yielded to. Fresh embaffie, and fuits,
Nor from the State, nor private friends, hereafter
Will I lend ear to.-Ha! what fhout is this?

[Shout within.

Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow,
In the fame time 'tis made? I will not-

Enter Virgilia, Volumnia, Valeria, young Marcius, with Attendants all in Mourning.

My wife comes foremost, then the honour'd mould
Wherein this trunk was fram'd, and in her hand
The grand-child to her blood. But, out, affection!
All bond and privilege of Nature break!

Let it be virtuous, to be obftinate. [Virgilia courtefies.
What is that curt'fie worth? or thofe dove's eyes,
Which can make Gods forfworn? I melt, and am not
Of stronger earth than others. My mother bows,
(Volumnia bows.

As if Olympus to a mole-hill fhould
In fupplication nod; and my young boy
Hath an afpect of interceffion, which

Great Nature cries,-Deny not. Let the Volfcians
Plough Rome, and harrow Italy; I'll never

Be fuch a gofling to obey inftinct; but ftand
As if a man were author of himself,

And knew no other kin.

Virg. My lord and husband!

Cor. Thefe eyes are not the fame I wore in Rome.

Virg. The forrow, that delivers us thus chang'd, Makes you think fo.

Cor. Like a dull Actor now,

I have forgot my Part, and I am out,
Even to a full difgrace. Beft of my flesh,
Forgive my tyranny; but do not fay,

For That, forgive our Romans.-Q, a kiss
Long as my exile, fweet as my revenge !
"Now by the jealous Queen of heav'n, that kifs
I carried from thee, Dear; and my true lip
Hath virgin'd it e'er fince.-You Gods! I prate;
And the most noble mother of the world
Leave unfaluted. Sink, my knee, i'th' earth; [kneels.
Of thy deep duty more impreffion fhew

Than that of common fons.

Vol. O ftand up bleft;

Whilft with no fofter cufhion than the flint

I kneel before thee, and unproperly

Shew duty as mistaken all the while
Between the child and parent.

Cor. What is this?

Your knees to me? to your corrected fon?
Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach.
Fillop the stars; then, let the mutinous winds
Strike the proud cedars 'gainft the fiery Sun,
Murd'ring impoffibility, to make
What cannot be, flight work.

Vol. Thou art my warrior,

[kneels.

I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady?

The forrow, that delivers us
thus chang'd,

Makes you think fo.] Virgilia makes avoluntary misinterpretation of her husband's words. He fays, Thefe eyes are not the fame, meaning, that he faw things with other eyes, or other difpofitions.

[Pointing to Valeria.

She lays hold on the word eyes, to turn his attention on their prefent appearance.

6 Now by the jealous Queen of heaven,-] That is, by Juno, the guardian of marriage, and confequently the avenger of connubial perfidy. Rr 3

Cor

Cor. The noble fifter of Poplicola,
The moon of Rome; chafte as the ificle,
That's curdled by the froft from purest snow,
And hangs on Dian's temple. Dear Valeria !
Vol. This is a poor epitome of yours,

[Sherving young Marcius, Which by th' interpretation of full time May fhew like all yourself.

Cor. The God of foldiers,

• With the confent of fupream Jove, inform

Thy thoughts with Noblenefs, that thou may'ft prove
To fhame invulnerable, and stick i'th' wars
Like a great fea-mark, ftanding' every haw,
And faving thofe that eye thee!

Vol. Your knee, firrah.

Cor. That's my brave boy.

Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself Are fuitors to you.

Cor. I beseech you, peace;

Or, if you'd afk, remember this before;

The thing, I have fortworn to grant, may never
Be held by you denial. Do not bid me

Difmifs my foldiers, or capitulate

Again with Rome's Mechanicks. Tell me not,
Wherein I feem unnatural; defire not

T'allay my rages and revenges, with

Your colder reafons.

Vol. Oh, no more; no more.

You've faid, you will not grant us any thing;
For we have nothing else to afk, but That

7 The noble fifter of Poplicola,] Valeria, methinks, fhould not have been brought only to fill up the proceffion without fpeaking.

-Epitome of yours.] I read, Epitome of you. An epitome of you which enlarged by the commenta

ries of time may equal you in magnitude.

With the confent of fupream Jove.] This is inferted with great decorum. Jupiter was the tutelary God of Rome. WARB. every flaw,] That is, every guft; every form.

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