6 The city ports by this hath enter'd, and [Exeunt ATTENDANTS. Enter three or four CONSPIRATORS of AUFIDIUS' Most welcome! 1 Conspirator. How is it, with our general? As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, 2 Conspirator. Most noble sir, Aufidius. Sir, I cannot tell; We must proceed, as we do find the people. Even so, 3 Conspirator. The people will remain uncertain, whilst "Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. Aufidius. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits 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 Aufidius. That I would have spoke of: 6 Gates. My best and freshest men; serv'd his designments 1 Conspirator. 7 So he did, my lord: Aufidius. There was it; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. [Drums and Trumpets sound, with great Shouts 1 Conspirator. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2 Conspirator. And patient fools, Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear, With giving him glory. 3 Conspirator. Therefore, at your 'vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, Aufidius. Here come the lords. Say no more; Enter the LORDS of the City. Lords. You are most welcome home. 7 Thought me rewarded with good looks. *Tears. Aufidius. 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, The benefit of our levies, answering us 9 With our own charge; making a treaty, where Enter CORIOLANUS, with Drums and Colours; a Crowd of CITIZENS with him. Coriolanus. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier: No more infected with my country's love, The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home, With no less honour to the Antiates, Than shame to the Romans: And we here deliver, Together with the seal o' the senate, what We have compounded on. Aufidius. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree Coriolanus. Traitor!-How now? Aufidius. Ay, traitor, Marcius. Marcius! Aufidius. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius; Dost thou think I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name, Coriolanus, in Corioli?— "Rewarding us with our own expenses. You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously Coriolanus. Hear'st thou, Mars? Aufidius. Name not the god, thou boy of tears,Coriolanus. Aufidius. No more. Coriolanus. Measureless liar, thou hast made my Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave!— Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever Ha! heart I was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion (Who wears my stripes impress'd on him; that must bear My beating to his grave;) shall join to thrust The lie unto him. 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak Coriolanus. 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 Volces in Corioli: Alone I did it.-Boy! Aufidius. 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? Conspirators. Let him die for't. [Several speak at once. Citizens. [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 Coriolanus. O, that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, Aufidius. Insolent villain! Conspirators. 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. Aufidius. My noble masters, hear me speak. 1 Lord. O Tullus, 2 Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. 3 Lord. Tread not upon him.-Masters all, be quiet; Put up your swords. Aufidius. My lords, when you shall know (as in this rage, Provok'd by him, you cannot,) the great danger Myself your loyal servant, or endure Your heaviest censure. 1 Lord. Bear from hence his body, And mourn you for him: let him be regarded As the most noble corse that ever herald Did follow to his urn. 2 Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Aufidius. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow.-Take him up: 1 Judicial. |