but your favour is well appeared by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volfcian ftate to find you out there. You have well faved me a day's journey. Rom. There hath been in Rome strange infur rections: the people against the fenators, patricians, and nobles. Val. Hath been! is it ended then? our ftate thinks not fo: they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their divifion. Rom. The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. For the nobles. receive fo to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptnefs to take all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lyes glowing, I can tell you; and is almoft mature for the violent breaking-out. Vel. Coriolanus banifhed? Rom. Banifhed, Sir. Vol. You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor. Rom. The day ferves well for them now. I have heard it faid, the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife, is when the is fallen out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in thefe wars, his great oppofer Coriolanus being now in no, request of his country. Vol. He cannot chufe. I am moft fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you. You have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home. Rom. I fhall between this and fupper tell you moft ftrange things from Rome, all tending to the good of their adverfaries. Have you an army ready, fay you? Vol. A moft royal one. The centurions and their charges diftinctly billetted, already in the entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning. Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think, that shall fet them in present action. So, Sir, heartily well met, and moft glad of your company. Vol. You take my part from me, Sir; I have the most cause to be glad of yours. Rom. Well, let us go together. [Exeunt Enter CORIOLANUS in mean Apparel, disguised and muffled. Cor. A goodly city is this Antium. City, 'Tis I that made thy widows: many an heir Of these fair edifices for my wars Have I heard groan, and drop: then know me not, Left that thy wives with spits, and boys with stones, puny battle flay me. Save you, Sir. In Cit. And you. Enter a Citizen. Cor. Direct me, if it be your will, where great Aufidius lyes; Is he in Antium? Cit. He is, and feafts the nobles of the state, at his house this night. Cor. Which is his houfe, I beseech you? Cit. This, here, before you. Cor. Thank you, Sir: Farewel. [Exit Citizen. Oh, world, thy flippery turns! friends now faft fworn, Whofe double bofoms feem to wear one heart, Whofe hours, whose bed, whofe meal and exercise Are ftill together, whofe twine (as 'twere) in love Unfeparable, fhall within this hour, On a diffenfion of a doit, break out Whofe paffions and whofe plots have broke their [Exit. SCENE changes to a Hall in Aufidius's House. Mufic plays. Enter a Serving-man. 1 Ser. Wine, wine, wine! what fervice is here? I think our fellows are afleep. Enter another Serving-man. [Exit. 2 Sǝr. Where's Cotus! my mafter calls for him: Cotus. Enter CORIOLANUS. [Exit. Cor. A goodly house; the feast smells well; but I appear not like a guest. Enter the firft Serving-man. 1 Ser. What would you have, friend? whence are you? here's no place for you: pray, go to the door. [Exit. Cor. I have deserved no better entertainment, in being Coriolanus. Enter fecond Servant. [Afide. 2 Ser. Whence are you, Sir? has the porter his eyes in his head, that he gives entrance to such companions? pray, get you out. Cor. Away! 2 Ser. Away?--------get you away. Gor. Now thou'rt troublefome. 2 Ser. Are you fo brave? I'll have anon. you talk'd with Enter a third Servant. The first meets him. 3 Ser. What fellow's this? Ser. A ftrange one as ever I looked on ; T cannot get him out o' the houfe: pr'ythee call my mafter to him. 3 Ser. What have you to do here, fellow? pray you, avoid the house.' Cor. Let me but ftand, I will not hurt your hearth. 3 Ser. What are you? Cor. A gentleman. 3 Ser. A marvellous poor one. Cor. True; fo I am. 3 Ser. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up fome other station, here's no place for you; pray you, avoid come. Cor. Follow your function, go and batten on cold bits. [Pufhes him away from him. 3 Ser. What, will you not? pr'ythee, tell my master what a strange guest he has here. 2 Ser. And I shall. [Exit fecond Serving-man, 3 Ser. Where dwelleft thou? Cor. Under the canopy. 3 Ser. Under the canopy? Cor. Ay.. 3 Ser. Where's that? Cor. I' th' city of kites and crows. 3 Ser. I' th' city of kites and crows? what an afs it is! then thou dwelleft with daws too? Cor. No, I ferve not thy maiter. mafter? 3 Ser. How, Sir! do you meddle with my Cor. Ay, 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress: thou prateft, and prateft; ferve [Beats him away. with thy trencher: hence. Enter AUFIDIUS, with a Serving-man. 2 Ser. Here, Sir; I'd have beaten him like a dog, but for difturbing the Lords within. Auf. Whence comeft thou? what would'st thou? thy name? Why speak' not? fpeak, man: what's thy name? Gor. If, Tullus, yet thou know'ft me not, and Doft not yet take me for the man I am, [feeing me, Neceffity commands me name myself. Auf. What is thy name? Cor. A name unmufical to Volfcian ears, And harsh in found to thine. Auf. Say, what's thy name? Thou haft a grim appearance, and thy face R |