Whither 'tis bent-moft 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 [ing,
They needs muft fhew themselves; which in the hatch-
It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery
We shall be fhortned in our aim, which was
To take in many Towns, ere (almost) Rome
Should know we were a-foot.

Sen. Noble Aufidius,

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

If they fet down before's, 'fore they 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,
And only hitherward. I leave your Honours..
If We and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
"Tis fworn between us, we shall ever ftrike
'Till one can do no more.

All. The Gods affift you!

Auf. And keep your Honours fafe!

I Sen. Farewel.

2 Sen. Farewel.

All. Farewel.

SCENE

VI.

[Exeunt.

Changes to Caius Marcius's Houfe in Rome. Enter Volumnia and Virgilia; they fit down on two low ftools, and few.

Vil.

Pray you, Daughter, fing, or express yourself in a more comfortable fort: if my. Son were

my

my Husband, 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 Son of my womb; when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way; when, for a day of Kings' entreaties, a Mother fhould not fell him an hour from her beholding; I confidering how Honour would become fuch a perfon, that it was no better than picture-like to hang by th' wall, if Renown made it not ftir, was pleas'd to let him feek Danger where he was like to find Fame to a cruel war I fent him, from whence he return'd, 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 seeing he had proved himself a Man.

Vir: But had he died in the business, Madam; how then?

Vol. Then his good Report should have been my Son; I therein would have found iffue. Hear, me profefs fincerely: had I a dozen Sons 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 volumptuously furfeit,out of action.

Enter a Gentlewoman.

Gent. Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to yifit you.
Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.
Vol. Indeed, thou shalt not:

Methinks, I hither hear your Hufband's Drum:
I fee him pluck Aufidius down by th' 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 ye were born in Rome; his bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes
Like to a harvest man, that's talk'd to mow
Or all, or 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 she did fuckle Hector, look'd not lovelier Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood At Grecian fwords contending; tell Valeria, We are fit to bid her welcome.

Exit. Gent. Vir. Heav'ns bless my Lord from fell Aufidius ! Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee, And tread upon his neck.

Enter Valeria with an Ufher, and a Gentlewoman... Val. My Ladies Both, good day to you.

Vol. Sweet Madam

Vir. I am glad to fee your Ladyship

Val. How do you both? you are manifeft Housekeepers. What are you fewing here? a fine spot, in good faith. How does your little Son?

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

Val. O' my word, the Father's Son: I'll fwear, 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I look'd on him o' Wednesday half an hour together h'as fuch a confirm'd 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 enrag'd him, or how 'twas, he did fo fet his teeth, and did tear it; oh, I warrant, how he mammockt 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 fall.

Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the threshould, 'till my Lord return from the wars. Val. Fie, you confine yourself moft unreasonably: Come, you muft go vifit the good Lady that lies in. Vir. I will with her speedy ftrength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither.

Vol. Why, I pray you?

Vir. 'Tis not to fave labour, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope; yet they say, all the yarn, fhe spun in Ulysses's 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 jeft with you; there came news from him last night.

Vir. Indeed, Madam

Val. In earnest, 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, gowith us.

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

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

Val. In troth, I think, fhe would: fare you well, then. Come, good fweet Lady. Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy Solemness out o' door, and go along with us. Vir. No: at a word, Madam; indeed, I must not.

I wish

I wish you much mirth.

Val. Well, then farewel.

[Exeunt.

VII.

SCENE

Changes to the Walls of Corioli.

Enter Marcius, Titus Lartius, with Captains and
Soldiers: To them a Messenger.

Mar.

ONDER comes news: a wager, they have

YON

met.

Lart. My horse to yours, no.

Mar. 'Tis done.

Lart. Agreed.

Mar. Say, has our General met the enemy?"
Mef. They lie in view; but have not spoke as yet.
Lart. So, the good horfe is mine.

Mar. I'll buy him of you.

Lart. No, I'll not fell, nor give him: lend him you, I will,

For half an hundred years: Summon the Town.
Mar. How far off lie these armies ?
Mef. Within a mile and half.

Mar. Then fhall we hear their larum, and they ours. Now, Mars, I pr'ythee, make us quick in work; That we with smoaking swords may march from hence, To help our fielded Friends! Come, blow thy blast.

They found a Parley. Enter two fenators with others on the Walls.

Tullus Aufidius, is he within your Walls? 1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you lefs than he, That's leffer than a little hark, our drums

:

[Drum afar off. Are bringing forth our Youth: we'll break our Walls, Rather than they shall pound us up our Gates, Which yet feem fhut, we have but pinn'd with rushes; They'll open of themfelves. Hark you, far off

[Alarm, far off.

There