William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (496 page)
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Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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SICINIUS Let’s hence and hear
How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion,
More than his singularity, he goes
Upon this present action.
More than his singularity, he goes
Upon this present action.
BRUTUS Let’s along. Exeunt
1.2Enter Aufidius, with Senators of Corioles
FIRST SENATOR
So, your opinion is, Aufidius,
That they of Rome are entered in our counsels
And know how we proceed.
That they of Rome are entered in our counsels
And know how we proceed.
AUFIDIUS
Is it not yours?
What ever have been thought on in this state
That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
Had circumvention? ’Tis not four days gone
Since I heard thence. These are the words. I think
I have the letter here—yes, here it is.
‘They have pressed a power, but it is not known
Whether for east or west. The dearth is great,
The people mutinous, and it is rumoured
Cominius, Martius your old enemy,
Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three lead on this preparation
Whither ’tis bent. Most likely ‘tis for you.
Consider of it.’
That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
Had circumvention? ’Tis not four days gone
Since I heard thence. These are the words. I think
I have the letter here—yes, here it is.
⌈
He
reads the
letter
⌉
Whether for east or west. The dearth is great,
The people mutinous, and it is rumoured
Cominius, Martius your old enemy,
Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three lead on this preparation
Whither ’tis bent. Most likely ‘tis for you.
Consider of it.’
FIRST SENATOR Our army’s in the field.
We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer us.
To answer us.
AUFIDIUS Nor did you think it folly
To keep your great pretences veiled till when
They needs must show themselves, which in the
hatching,
It seemed, appeared to Rome. By the discovery
We shall be shortened in our aim, which was
To take in many towns ere, almost, Rome
Should know we were afoot.
They needs must show themselves, which in the
hatching,
It seemed, appeared to Rome. By the discovery
We shall be shortened in our aim, which was
To take in many towns ere, almost, Rome
Should know we were afoot.
SECOND SENATOR
Noble Aufidius,
Take your commission, hie you to your bands.
Let us alone to guard Corioles.
If they set down before’s, for the remove
Bring up your army, but I think you’ll find
They’ve not prepared for us.
Let us alone to guard Corioles.
If they set down before’s, for the remove
Bring up your army, but I think you’ll find
They’ve not prepared for us.
AUFIDIUS
O, doubt not that.
I speak from certainties. Nay, more,
Some parcels of their power are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Martius chance to meet,
’Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike
Till one can do no more.
Some parcels of their power are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Martius chance to meet,
’Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike
Till one can do no more.
ALL THE SENATORS
The gods assist you!
AUFIDIUS
And keep your honours safe.
FIRST SENATOR Farewell.
SECOND SENATOR Farewell.
ALL Farewell.
Exeunt
, ⌈
Aufidius at one door
,
Senators at another door
⌉
1.3, ⌈
Aufidius at one door
,
Senators at another door
⌉
Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother and wife to Martius. They set them down on two low stools and sew
VOLUMNIA I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself in a more comfortable sort. If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than in the embracements of his bed where he would show 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 should not sell him an hour from her beholding, I, considering how honour would become such a person—that it was no better than, picture-like, to hang by th’ wall if renown made it not stir—was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him, from whence he returned his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man.
VIRGILIA But had he died in the business, madam, how then?
VOLUMNIA Then his good report should have been my son. I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Martius’, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.
Enter a
Gentlewoman
GENTLEWOMAN Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.
VIRGILIA (to
Volumnia
) Beseech you give me leave to retire myself.
Volumnia
) Beseech you give me leave to retire myself.
VOLUMNIA Indeed you shall not.
Methinks I hear hither your husband’s drum,
See him pluck Aufidius down by th’ hair;
As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him.
Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus:
‘Come on, you cowards, you were got in fear
Though you were born in Rome!’ His bloody brow
With his mailed hand then wiping, forth he goes,
Like to a harvest-man that’s tasked to mow
Or all or lose his hire.
See him pluck Aufidius down by th’ hair;
As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him.
Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus:
‘Come on, you cowards, you were got in fear
Though you were born in Rome!’ His bloody brow
With his mailed hand then wiping, forth he goes,
Like to a harvest-man that’s tasked to mow
Or all or lose his hire.
VIRGILIA
His bloody brow? O Jupiter, no blood!
VOLUMNIA
Away, you fool! It more becomes a man
Than gilt his trophy. The breasts of Hecuba
When she did suckle Hector looked not lovelier
Than Hector’s forehead when it spit forth blood
At Grecian sword, contemning.
(To the Gentlewoman) Tell Valeria
We are fit to bid her welcome. Exit Gentlewoman
Than gilt his trophy. The breasts of Hecuba
When she did suckle Hector looked not lovelier
Than Hector’s forehead when it spit forth blood
At Grecian sword, contemning.
(To the Gentlewoman) Tell Valeria
We are fit to bid her welcome. Exit Gentlewoman
VIRGILIA
Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!
VOLUMNIA
He’ll beat Aufidius’ head below his knee
And tread upon his neck.
And tread upon his neck.
Enter Valeria, with an usher and the Gentlewoman
VALERIA My ladies both, good day to you.
VOLUMNIA Sweet madam.
VIRGILIA I am glad to see your ladyship.
VALERIA How do you both? You are manifest housekeepers. What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith. How does your little son?
VIRGILIA
I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.
VOLUMNIA He had rather see the swords and hear a drum than look upon his schoolmaster.
VALERIA O’ my word, the father’s son! I’ll swear ‘tis a very pretty boy. O’ my troth, I looked upon him o’ Wednesday half an hour together. He’s such a confirmed countenance! I saw 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, catched it again. Or whether his fall enraged him, or how ’twas, he did so set his teeth and tear it! O, I warrant, how he mammocked it!
VOLUMNIA One on’s father’s moods.
VALERIA Indeed, la, ’tis a noble child.
VIRGILIA A crack, madam.
VALERIA Come, lay aside your stitchery. I must have you play the idle housewife with me this afternoon.
VIRGILIA No, good madam, I will not out of doors.
VALERIA Not out of doors?
VOLUMNIA She shall, she shall.
VIRGILIA Indeed, no, by your patience. I’ll not over the threshold till my lord return from the wars.
VALERIA Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably. Come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.
VIRGILIA I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers, but I cannot go thither.
VOLUMNIA Why, I pray you?
VIRGILIA ’Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.
VALERIA You would be another Penelope. Yet they say all the yarn she spun in Ulysses’ absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.
VIRGILIA No, good madam, pardon me, indeed I will not forth.
VALERIA In truth, la, go with me, and I’ll tell you excellent news of your husband.
VIRGILIA O, good madam, there can be none yet.
VALERIA Verily, I do not jest with you: there came news from him last night.
VIRGILIA Indeed, madam?
VALERIA In earnest, it’s true. I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is: the Volsces have an army forth, against whom Cominius the general is gone with one part of our Roman power. Your lord and Titus Lartius are set down before their city Corioles. They nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.
VIRGILIA Give me excuse, good madam, I will obey you in everything hereafter.
VOLUMNIA (
to Valeria
) Let her alone, lady. As she is now she will but disease our better mirth.
to Valeria
) Let her alone, lady. As she is now she will but disease our better mirth.
VALERIA In truth, I think she would. Fare you well, then. Come, good sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o’ door and go along with us.
VIRGILIA No, at a word, madam. Indeed, I must not. I wish you much mirth.
VALERIA Well then, farewell.
Exeunt
⌈
Valeri, Volumnia, and usher at one door, Virgilia and Gentlewoman at another door
⌉
1.4⌈
Valeri, Volumnia, and usher at one door, Virgilia and Gentlewoman at another door
⌉
Enter Martius, Lartius with a drummer,
⌈
a trumpeter,
⌉
and colours, with captains and Soldiers
⌈
carrying scaling ladders
⌉
, as before the city Corioles; to them a Messenger
MARTIUS
Yonder comes news. A wager they have met.
LARTIUS
My horse to yours, no.
MARTIUS ’Tis done.
LARTIUS Agreed.
MARTIUS (
to the Messenger
)
to the Messenger
)
Say, has our general met the enemy?
MESSENGER
They lie in view, but have not spoke as yet.
LARTIUS
So, the good horse is mine.
MARTIUS I’ll buy him of you.
LARTIUS
No, I’ll nor sell nor give him. Lend you him I will,
For half a hundred years.
(
To the trumpeter
) Summon the town.
For half a hundred years.
(
To the trumpeter
) Summon the town.
MARTIUS (to the Messenger)
How far off lie these armies?
MESSENGER Within this mile and half.
MARTIUS
Then shall we hear their ’larum, and they ours.
Now Mars, I prithee, make us quick in work,
That we with smoking swords may march from hence
To help our fielded friends.
(To the trumpeter) Come, blow thy blast.
(
To the Senators
) Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?
Now Mars, I prithee, make us quick in work,
That we with smoking swords may march from hence
To help our fielded friends.
(To the trumpeter) Come, blow thy blast.
They sound a parley. Enter two Senators, with others, on the walls of Corioles
To the Senators
) Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?
FIRST SENATOR
No, nor a man that fears you less than he:
That’s lesser than a little.
⌈
To the Volscians
⌉ Hark, our drums
Are bringing forth our youth. We’ll break our walls
Rather than they shall pound us up. Our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pinned with rushes.
They’ll open of themselves.
(
To the Romans
) Hark you, far off
There is Aufidius. List what work he makes
Amongst your cloven army.
That’s lesser than a little.
Drum afar off
To the Volscians
⌉ Hark, our drums
Are bringing forth our youth. We’ll break our walls
Rather than they shall pound us up. Our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pinned with rushes.
They’ll open of themselves.
Alarum far off
To the Romans
) Hark you, far off
There is Aufidius. List what work he makes
Amongst your cloven army.
⌈
Exeunt Volscians from the walls
⌉
Exeunt Volscians from the walls
⌉
MARTIUS O, they are at it!
LARTIUS
Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho!
⌈
They prepare to assault the walls
.⌉Enter the army of the Volsces from the gates
MARTIUS
They fear us not, but issue forth their city.
Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proof than shields. Advance, brave
Titus.
They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,
Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my
fellows.
He that retires, I’ll take him for a Volsce,
And he shall feel mine edge.
Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proof than shields. Advance, brave
Titus.
They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,
Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my
fellows.
He that retires, I’ll take him for a Volsce,
And he shall feel mine edge.
Alarum. The Romans are beat back
⌈
and exeunt
⌉
to their trenches,
⌈
the Volsces following
⌉
Enter
⌈
Roman Soldiers, in retreat, followed by
⌉
Martius, cursing
MARTIUS
All the contagion of the south light on you,
You shames of Rome! You herd of—boils and plagues
Plaster you o’er, that you may be abhorred
Farther than seen, and one infect another
Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell:
All hurt behind! Backs red, and faces pale
With flight and agued fear! Mend and charge home,
Or by the fires of heaven I’ll leave the foe
And make my wars on you. Look to’t. Come on.
If you’ll stand fast, we’ll beat them to their wives,
As they us to our trenches. Follow.
So, now the gates are ope. Now prove good seconds.
’Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
Not for the fliers. Mark me, and do the like.
You shames of Rome! You herd of—boils and plagues
Plaster you o’er, that you may be abhorred
Farther than seen, and one infect another
Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell:
All hurt behind! Backs red, and faces pale
With flight and agued fear! Mend and charge home,
Or by the fires of heaven I’ll leave the foe
And make my wars on you. Look to’t. Come on.
If you’ll stand fast, we’ll beat them to their wives,
As they us to our trenches. Follow.
⌈The Romans come forward towards the walls
.
⌉
Another alarum, and
⌈
enter the army of the Volsces
.⌉
Martius beats them back
⌈
through
⌉
the gates
’Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
Not for the fliers. Mark me, and do the like.
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