A sea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; [Shouting and music. Sic. First, the gods bless you for their tidings: next, Accept my thankfulness. Mes. Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks. Sic. They are near the city? Sic. We will meet them, And help the joy. [Going, Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patricians, and People. They pass over the stage. 1 Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome : Repeal him with the welcome of his mother; All. Welcome, ladies! [A flourish with drums and trumpets. SCENE V. Exeunt. Antium. A public Place. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Atten dants. Auf. Go tell the lords of the city, I am here: Intends to appear before the people, hoping To purge himself with words: Despatch. [Exe. Atten. Enter three or four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' Faction. Most welcome! 1 Con. How is it with our general ? Auf. Even so, As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, 2 Con. Most noble sir, If you do hold the same intent wherein [5] That is, The one I accuse. So in The Winter's Tale, "I am appointed him to murder you." MAL. You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you Auf. Sir, I cannot tell ; We must proceed, as we do find the people. 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. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good construction. Irais'd him, and I pawn'd He bow'd his nature, never known before When he did stand for consul, which he lost Auf. That I would have spoke of: Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth; 1 Con. So he did, my lord: 8 The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, Auf. There was it ; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. At a few drops of women's rheum, which are As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour Of our great action; Therefore shall he die, And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark! [Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the People. [7] Instead of end, Mr. Rowe reads make. STEE. [8] The meaning, I think, is, he prescribed to me with an air of authority, and gave me his countenance for my wages; thought me sufficiently rewarded with good looks. JOHNS. 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, After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury Auf. Say no more ; Here come the lords. Enter the Lords of the City. Lords. You are most welcome home. Auf. I have not deserv'd it. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd Lords. We have. 1 Lord. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the last, I think, With our own charge; making a treaty, where Enter CORIOLANUS with drums and colours; a Cor. Hail, lords! I am returned your soldier; The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home, The charges of the action. We have made peace, 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. Ay, traitor, Marcius. Cor. 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 Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf Name not the god, thou boy of tears,- Auf. No more. 2 Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart I was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, The lie unto him. 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Flutter'd your voices in Corioli: 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. [2] By these words, Aufidius does not mean to put a stop to the altercation; but to tell Coriolanus that he was no more than a boy of tears.' ་ M. MASON. 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 :3 His last offence to us Cor. O, that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, Auf. Insolent villain ! Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him. [AUFIDIUS and the Conspirators draw, and kill CORIOLANUS, who falls, and AUFIDIUS stands on him. Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold. Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak. 1 Lord. O Tullus, 2 Lor. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. 1 Lord. Tread not upon him.-Masters all, be quiet; Put up your swords. Auf. My lords, when you shall know (as in this rage, Myself your loyal servant, or endure 1 Lord. Bear from hence his body, And mourn you for him : let him be regarded 2 Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Auf. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow.-Take him up :- Which to this hour bewail the injury, Yet he shall have a noble memory. 4 Assist. [Exeunt, bearing the body of CORIOLANUS. A dead march sounded. 1 |