Coriolanus Part 13

ROMAN. The same, sir.

VOLSCE. You had more beard when I last saw you, but your favour is well appear'd by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian state, to find you out there. You have well saved me a day's journey.

ROMAN. There hath been in Rome strange insurrections: the people against the senators, patricians, and n.o.bles.

VOLSCE. Hath been! Is it ended, then? Our state thinks not so; they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division.

ROMAN. The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again; for the n.o.bles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriola.n.u.s that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out.

VOLSCE. Coriola.n.u.s banish'd!

ROMAN. Banish'd, sir.

VOLSCE. You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.

ROMAN. The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife is when she's fall'n out with her husband. Your n.o.ble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer, Coriola.n.u.s, being now in no request of his country.

VOLSCE. He cannot choose. I am most fortunate thus accidentally to encounter you; you have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home.

ROMAN. I shall between this and supper tell you most strange things from Rome, all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you?

VOLSCE. A most royal one: the centurions and their charges, distinctly billeted, already in th' entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning.

ROMAN. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think, that shall set them in present action. So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company.

VOLSCE. You take my part from me, sir. I have the most cause to be glad of yours.

ROMAN. Well, let us go together.

SCENE IV.

Antium. Before AUFIDIUS' house

Enter CORIOLa.n.u.s, in mean apparel, disguis'd and m.u.f.fled

CORIOLa.n.u.s. A goodly city is this Antium. City, 'Tis I that made thy widows: many an heir Of these fair edifices fore my wars Have I heard groan and drop. Then know me not.

Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones, In puny battle slay me.

Enter A CITIZEN

Save you, sir.

CITIZEN. And you.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Direct me, if it be your will, Where great Aufidius lies. Is he in Antium?

CITIZEN. He is, and feasts the n.o.bles of the state At his house this night.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Which is his house, beseech you?

CITIZEN. This here before you.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Thank you, sir; farewell. Exit CITIZEN O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn, Whose double bosoms seems to wear one heart, Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal and exercise Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love, Unseparable, shall within this hour, On a dissension of a doit, break out To bitterest enmity; so fellest foes, Whose pa.s.sions and whose plots have broke their sleep To take the one the other, by some chance, Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends And interjoin their issues. So with me: My birthplace hate I, and my love's upon This enemy town. I'll enter. If he slay me, He does fair justice: if he give me way, I'll do his country service.

SCENE V.

Antium. AUFIDIUS' house

Music plays. Enter A SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVANT. Wine, wine, wine! What service is here! I think our fellows are asleep. Exit

Enter another SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVANT.Where's Cotus? My master calls for him.

Cotus! Exit

Enter CORIOLa.n.u.s

CORIOLa.n.u.s. A goodly house. The feast smells well, but I Appear not like a guest.

Re-enter the first SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVANT. What would you have, friend?

Whence are you? Here's no place for you: pray go to the door.

Exit CORIOLa.n.u.s. I have deserv'd no better entertainment In being Coriola.n.u.s.

Re-enter second SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVANT. Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his head that he gives entrance to such companions? Pray get you out.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Away!

SECOND SERVANT. Away? Get you away.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Now th' art troublesome.

SECOND SERVANT. Are you so brave? I'll have you talk'd with anon.

Enter a third SERVINGMAN. The first meets him

THIRD SERVANT. What fellow's this?

FIRST SERVANT. A strange one as ever I look'd on. I cannot get him out o' th' house. Prithee call my master to him.

THIRD SERVANT. What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you avoid the house.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Let me but stand- I will not hurt your hearth.

THIRD SERVANT. What are you?

CORIOLa.n.u.s. A gentleman.

THIRD SERVANT. A marv'llous poor one.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. True, so I am.

THIRD SERVANT. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station; here's no place for you. Pray you avoid. Come.

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Follow your function, go and batten on cold bits.

[Pushes him away from him]

THIRD SERVANT. What, you will not? Prithee tell my master what a strange guest he has here.

SECOND SERVANT. And I shall. Exit THIRD SERVANT. Where dwell'st thou?

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Under the canopy.

THIRD SERVANT. Under the canopy?

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Ay.

THIRD SERVANT. Where's that?

CORIOLa.n.u.s. I' th' city of kites and crows.

THIRD SERVANT. I' th' city of kites and crows!

What an a.s.s it is! Then thou dwell'st with daws too?

CORIOLa.n.u.s. No, I serve not thy master.

THIRD SERVANT. How, sir! Do you meddle with my master?

CORIOLa.n.u.s. Ay; 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress. Thou prat'st and prat'st; serve with thy trencher; hence! [Beats him away]

Enter AUFIDIUS with the second SERVINGMAN