The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, Sic. Enter another Messenger. What's the news? Mess. Good news, good news;-The ladies have prevail'd, The Volces are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone: Friend, Sic. 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, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance. Hark you! [Shouting again. Men. This is good news: I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia' Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians, A sea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; next, Accept my thankfulness. Mess. Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks. 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. SCENE V. Antium. A publick Place. [Exeunt. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants. Auf. Go tell the lords of the city, I am here: [Exeunt Attendants. Enter Three or Four Conspirators of Aufidius' Most welcome! Faction. 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, Sir, I cannot tell; 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 3 Con. Sir, his stoutness, When he did stand for consul, which he lost Auf I seem'd his follower, not partner; and 1 Con. So he did, my lord: The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, When he had carried Rome; and that we look'd For no less spoil, than glory, 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. 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, Which we will second. When he lies along, After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury His reasons with his body. Auf. Here come the lords. Say no more; Enter the Lords of the City. Lords. You are most welcome home. 5 He wag'd me with his countenance,] This is obscure. 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. JOHNSON. For which my sinews shall be stretch'd-] That is the point on which I will attack him with my utmost abilities. Auf. I have not deserv'd it, But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'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 Croud of Citizens with him. Cor. Hail, lords! I am returned your soldier; Do more than counterpoise, a full third part, Than shame to the Romans: and we here deliver, Together with the seal o'the senate, what Auf. Read it not noble lords; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree He hath abus'd your powers. 7 Cor. Traitor!-How now? answering us With our own charge;] That is, rewarding us with our own expences; making the cost of war its recompence. |