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Bru. Come:

Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius,

Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults To Marcius shall be honours, though, indeed, 300 In aught he merit not.

Sic. Let's hence, and hear

How the dispatch is made; and in what fashion,
More than his singularity, he goes

Upon this present action.

Bru. Let's along.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

The Senate-House in Corioli. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Senators.

1 Sen. So your opinion is, Aufidius,

That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels,
And know how we proceed.

Auf. Is it not your's ?

310

What ever hath been thought on in this state,

That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone,
Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think,
I have the letter here; yes, here it is:
They have press'd a power, but it is not known

[Reading.

Cominius,

Whether for east, or west: The dearth is great ;
The people mutinous; and it is rumour'd,

Biij

Cominius, Marcius your old enemy

(Who is of Rome worse hated than of you),
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three lead on this preparation
Whither 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you:
Consider of it.

1 Sen. Our army's in the field:

We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer us.

Auf. Nor did you think it folly,

320

To keep your great pretences veil'd, 'till when
They needs must shew themselves; which in the

hatching,

It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery,
We shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was,
To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome
Should know we were afoot.

2 Sen. Noble Aufidius,

Take your commission; hie you to your bands;
Let us alone to guard Corioli:

If they set down before us, for the remove
Bring up your army; but, I think, you'll find
They have not prepar'd for us.

Auf. O, doubt not that;

I speak from certainties. Nay, more,
Some parcels of their power are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
'Tis sworn between us, we shall ever strike
'Till one can do no more.

330

340

All.

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CAS MARCIUS' House in Rome. Enter VOLUMNIA, and VIRGILIA: They sit down on two low Stools, and sew.

Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express your self in a more comfortable sort: If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would shew most love. When yet he was but tender-body'd, and the only son of my womb; when youth with comeliness pluck'd all gaze his way; when, for a day of king's entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I-considering how honour would become such a person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir-was pleas'd to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent 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 manchild, than now in first seeing he had proved himself

2 man.

370

Vir. But had he died in the business, madam? how then?

Vol.

Vol. Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely:-Had I a dozen sons-each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius-I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country, than one voluptuously surfeit out of action. 379

Enter a Gentlewoman.

Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you.
Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.
Vol. Indeed, you shall not.

Methinks, I hither hear your husband's drum;
See him pluck down Aufidius by the hair;

As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him :
Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus-
Come on, you cowards; you were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes;
Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow
O'er all, or lose his hire.

Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood!
Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man,
Than gilt his trophy: The breast of Hecuba,
When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier
Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood
At Grecian swords' contending.-Tell Valeria,
We are fit to bid her welcome.

890

[Exit Gent

Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius! Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee, 400 And tread upon his neck.

Enter

Enter VALERIA, with an Usher, and a Gentlewoman.

Val. My ladies both, good day to you.

Vol. Sweet madam

Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship.

Val. How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers. What, are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith.-How does your little son?

Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum,

Than look upon his school-master.

410 Val. O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I look'd upon him o'Wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirm'd countenance. I saw 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; catch'd it again; or whether his fall enrag'd him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and tear it; O, I warrant, how he mammock'd it!

Vol. One of his father's moods.
Val. Indeed la, 'tis a noble child.

Vir. A crack, madam.

420

Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon. Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of doors. Val. Not out of doors!

Vol. She shall, she shall.

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