Auf. Is it not yours? Whatever hath been thought on in this ftate, 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, (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 2 Sen. Noble Aufidius, Take your commiffion, hie you to your bands; If they fet down before's, for the remove Auf. O, doubt not that, I fpeak from certainties. Nay more, Some parcels of their power are forth already, And only hitherward. I leave your honours. 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. Methinks I hither hear your husband's drum: Vir. His bloody brow! oh Jupiter, no blood!--- 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------ 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 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 |