Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

Auf. Is it not yours?

Whatever hath been thought on in this ftate,
That could be brought to bodily act, ere Rome
Had circumvention? 'tis not four days gone,

Since I have heard thence-thefe are the words--I have the letter here; yes---here it is; [ think, They have preffed a power, but it is not known

86

[Reading. "Whether for Eaft or Weft; the dearth is great, The people mutinous; and it is rumoured, Cominius, Marcius your old enemy,

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

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

To keep your great pretences veil'd, 'till when They needs muft fhew themselves; which in the hatching,

It feem'd, appeared to Rome. By the difcovery
We fhall be fhortened in our aim, which was
To take in many towns, ere (almost) Rome
Should know we were a-foot.

2 Sen. Noble Aufidius,

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

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

Auf. O, doubt not that,

I fpeak from certainties. Nay more,

Some parcels of their power are forth already,

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
'Tis fworn between us, we fhall ever strike
'Till one can do no more.

All. The gods affift you!

Auf. And keep your honours fafe!

1 Sen. Farewel.

2 Sen. Farewel.

All. Farewel.

[Exeunt:

SCENE changes to Caius Marcius's House in Rome! Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA; they fit down on two low Stools, and forw.

Vol. I pray you, daughter, fing, or exprefs your felf in a more comfortable fort; if my fon were my hufband, I would freelier rejoice in that abfence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would fhew most love. When' yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only fon of my womb; when youth with comelinefs plucked all gaze his way; when for a day of King's entreaties, a mother fhould not fell him an hour from her beholding; I, confidering how henour would become fuch a perfon, that it was no better than picturelike to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir, was pleafed to let him feek danger where he was like to find fame: to a cruel war I fent him, from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I fprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in first feeing he had proved himself a man.

Vir. But had he died in the bufinefs, Madam. how then?

Vol. Then his good report fhould have been my fon; I therein would have found iffue. Hear me

profefs fincerely; had I a dozen fons, each in my love alike, and none lefs dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather eleven die nobly for their country, than one voluptuously furfeit out of

action.

Enter a Gentlewoman.

Gent. Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to vi-

fit you.

Vir. Befeech you, give me leave to retire myself.
Vol. Indeed, thou shalt not:

Methinks I hither hear your husband's drum:
I fee him pluck Aufidius down by the hair:
(As children from a bear) the Volfci fhunning him;
Methinks I fee him ftamp thus----and call thus----
Come on, ye cowards, ye 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 harvelt man, that's talk'd to mow.
Or all, of lofe his hire,

Vir. His bloody brow! oh Jupiter, no blood!---
Vol. Away, you fool; it more becomes a man,
Than gilt his trophy. The breast of Hecuba,
When the did fuckle Hector, look'd not lovelier
Than Hector's forehead, when it fpit forth blood
At Grecian fwords contending. Tell Valeria,
We are fit to bid her welcome.
[Exit Gent.
Vir. Heavens blefs my Lord from fell Aufidius!
Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,

And tread upon his neck.

Enter VALERIA, with an Usher, and a Gentlewoman

Val. My Ladies both, good day to you.

Vol. Sweet Madam

Vir. I am glad to fee your Lady ship------
Val. How do you both? you are manifelt houfe-

keepers. What are you fowing here? a fine spot, in good faith. How does your little fon?

Vir. I thank your Ladyhip: well, good Madam, Vol. He had rather fee the fwords, and hear a drum, than look upon his fchoolmaster.

Val. O' my word, the father's fon: I'll fwear 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked on him o' Wednesday half an hour together-he has fuch a confirmed countenance. I faw 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; and caught it again; or whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did fo fet his teeth, and did tear it, oh, I warrant, how he mammock'd it.

Vol. One of's father's moods.

Val. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.

Vir. A crack, Madam.

Val. Come, lay afide your stitchery; I must have you play the idle hufwife with me this afternoon. Vir. No, good Madam, I will not out of doors.

Val. Not out of doors!

Vol. She fhall, fhe fhall.

Wir. Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the threshold ill my Lord return from the wars. Val. Fy, you confine yourself most unreafonably come, you must go vifit the good Lady that lyes in.

Vir. I will with her speedy ftrength, and vifit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. l'ol. Why, I pray you?.

Vir. 'Tis not to fave labour, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope; yet they fay, all the yarn the fpun in Ulyffes' abfence did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would your cambric were fenfible as your finger, that you

might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you fhall go with us.

Vir-No, good Madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.

Val. In truth, la, go with me, and I'll tell you excellent news of your hufband.

Vir. Oh, good Madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.

Vir. Indeed, Madam

Val. In earneft, it's true; I heard a Senator speak it. Thus it is---the Volfcians have an army forth, against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power. Your Lord and Titus Lartius are fet down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on my honour; and fo, I pray, go with us.

Vir. Give me excufe, good Madam, I will obey you in every thing hereafter.

Vol. Let her alone, Lady; as fhe is now, fhe will but disease our better mirth.

Val. In troth, I think, fhe would; fare you well, then. Come, good sweet lady. Pr'ythee, Virgi lia, turn thy folemnefs out of door, and go along with us.

Vir. No: at a word, Madam, indeed, I must
I wish you much mirth.
Val. Well then, farewel.

fot.

[Exeunt.

SCENE changes to the Walls of Corioli.

Enter MARCIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, with Captains and Soldiers: To them a Mellenger.

Mar. Youder comes news: a wager they have *Lart. My horfe to yours, no.

[met

« ZurückWeiter »