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, 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, 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 [Reading. Cominius, Whether for east, or west: The dearth is great ; Biij Cominius, Marcius your old enemy (Who is of Rome worse hated than of you), 1 Sen. Our army's in the field: We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready Auf. Nor did you think it folly, 320 To keep your great pretences veil'd, 'till when hatching, It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery, 2 Sen. Noble Aufidius, Take your commission; hie you to your bands; If they set down before us, for the remove Auf. O, doubt not that; I speak from certainties. Nay, more, 330 340 All. 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. Methinks, I hither hear your husband's drum; As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him : Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood! 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. 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. |