Enter another Meffenger. Sic. What's the news? Mef.Good news, good news ;-The ladies have prevail'd, The Volcians are diflodg'd, and Marcius gone: A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, No, not the expulfion of the Tarquins. Sic. Friend, Art thou certain, this is true? is it most certain ? Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it? As the recomforted through the gates 2. Why, hark you; I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia A city full; of tribunes, fuch as you, A fea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; [Shouting and mufick. 2 Ne'er through an arch fo burry'd the blown tide, As the recomforted through the gates.] So, in our author's Rape of Дистесе: "As through an arch the violent roaring tide "Out-runs the eye that doth behold his hafte." Blown in the text is fwell' d. So, in Antony and Cleopatra: here on her breaft Water that is "There is a vent of blood, and fomething blown." The effect of a high or fpring tide, as it is called, is so much greater than that which wind commonly produces, that I am not convinced by the following note that my interpretation is erroneous. fubject to tides, even when it is not accelerated by a spring tide, appears fwoln, and to move with more than ordinary rapidity, when paffing through the narrow ftrait of an arch. MALONE. The blown tide is the tide blown, and confequently accelerated by the wind. So, in another of our author's plays: "My boat fails fwiftly both with wind and tide," STEEVENS. Sic. Sic. First, the gods blefs you for your tidings: next, Accept my thankfulness. Mej. Sir, we have all great caufe to give great thanks. Sic. They are near the city? Mef. Almoft at point to enter. Sic. We'll meet them, and help the joy. [going. Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patricians, and People. They pass over the stage. 1. Sen. Behold our patronefs, the life of Rome: Repeal him with the welcome of his mother; All. Welcome, ladies, welcome! [A flourish with drums and trumpets. Exeunt, SCENE V. Antium. A publick Place. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants. [Exeunt Att, Enter three or four Confpirators of Aufidius' faction, Moft welcome! 1. Con. How is it with our general ? Auf. Even fo, As with a man by his own alms impoison'd, And with his charity flain. 2. Con. Moft noble fir, Him I accufe,-&c.] So, in the Winter's Tale: Mr. Pope and all the fubfequent editors read-He I accufe MALONE. If you do hold the fame intent wherein Auf. Sir, I cannot tell; We must proceed, as we do find the people. 3. Con. The people will remain uncertain, whilft 'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the furvivor heir of all. Auf. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd He bow'd his nature, never known before When he did ftand for conful, which he loft Auf. That I would have spoke of: Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth; 299 I had 3 He wag'd me with his countenance,-] This is obfcure. The meaning, I think, is, he prefcribed to me with an air of authority, and gave me bis countenance for my wages; thought me fufficiently rewarded with good looks. JOHNSON. The verb, to wage, is ufed in this fenfe in Greene's Mamillia, 1593: by custom common to all that could wage her honesty with the appointed price." To wage a task was, anciently, to undertake a task for wages. So, in Geo. Wither's Verfes prefixed to Drayton's Polyolbion: "Good I had been mercenary. 1. Con. So he did, my lord: The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, Auf. There was it ; For which my finews fhall be ftretch'd+ upon him. [Drums and trumpets found, with great shouts of the people. 1. Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2. Con. And patient fools, Whose children he hath flain, their base throats tear, 3. Con. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would fay, let him feel your fword, After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury Auf. Say no more; Here come the lords. Enter the Lords of the city. Lords. You are moft welcome home. Auf. I have not deferv'd it, "Good speed befall thee who haft wag'd a task, Again, in Spenter's Faery Queen, B. II. c. vii: 66 muft wage "Thy works for wealth, and life for gold engage." Again, in Holinfhed's Reign of K. John, p. 168: "the fumme of 28 thousand markes to levie and wage thirtie thousand men." 4 For which my finers fall be ftretch'd-] This is the point on which I will attack him with my utmoft abilities. JOHNSON. But, But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd Lords. We have. 1. Lord. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the laft, I think, Enter CORIOLANUS, with drums and colours; a crowd of Citizens with him. Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your foldier; No more infected with my country's love, Than when I parted hence, but still fubfifting With bloody paffage, led your wars, even to The gates of Rome. Our fpoils we have brought home, The charges of the action. We have made peace, Than fhame to the Romans: And we here deliver, Auf. Read it not, noble lords; He hath abus'd your powers. Cor. Traitor!-How now ?-- Auf. Ay, traitor, Marcius. Cor. Marciu ! Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius; Doft thou think I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy ftol'n name Coriolanus in Corioli? 5- answering us With our own charge;] That is, rewarding us with our own expences; making the cost of the war its recompence. JOHNSON. You |