Sic. Friend, Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain? Mess. As certain as I know the sun is fire: Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it? Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide, As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you; [Trumpets and Hautboys sounded, and Drums beaten, all together. Shouting also within. The trumpets, sack buts, psalteries, and fifes, Men. Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, A sea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; [Shouting and Music. Sir, we have all Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patricians, and People. They pass over the Stage. 1 Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome: Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them: Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius, Repeal him with the welcome of his mother; Cry, Welcome, ladies, welcome!— All. Welcome! Welcome, ladies! [A Flourish with Drums and Trumpets. Exeunt. SCENE V. ANTIUM. A public Place. [Exeunt Attendants. Enter three or four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' Faction. 1 Con. How is it with our general? 2 Con. Most noble sir, Auf. 3 Con. The people will remain uncertain, whilst Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. Auf. A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd He bow'd his nature, never known before When he did stand for consul, which he lost By lack of stooping, Auf That I would have spoke of: Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth; Presented to my knife his throat: I took him; 1 Con. Auf. [Drums and Trumpets sound, with great Shouts of the People. 1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2 Con. And patient fools, Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear, With giving him glory. 3 Con. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, Auf. Here come the lords. Say no more; Enter the Lords of the City. I have not deserv'd it. Lords. You are most welcome home. Auf. But, worthy lords, have you with heed porus'd Lords. 1 Lord. We have. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the last, I think, Enter CORIOLANUS, with Drums and Colours; a Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; Than shame to the Romans: And we here deliver, Auf. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree Cor. Traitor!-How now? Auf. Cor. Ay, traitor, Marcius. Marcius Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius; Dost thou think I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name Coriolanus in Corioli? You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously (I say, your city), to his wife and mother: Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears,→ Cor. Auf. No more. Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave!Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever Ha! I was forc❜d to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volces; men and lads, Stain all your edges on me.-Boy! False hound! If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there, That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I Flutter'd your voices in Corioli: Alone I did it.-Boy! Auf. Why, noble lords, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? Con. Let him die for't. [Several speak at once. Cit. [Speaking promiscuously] Tear him to pieces, do it presently. He killed my son;-my daughter;-He killed my cousin Marcus;-He killed my father.2 Lord. Peace, ho;-no outrage;-peace. The man is noble, and his fame folds in This orb o'the earth. His last offence to us Cor. O, that I had him, |