His infolence can brook to be commanded Bru. Fame, at the which he aims, In whom already he is well grac'd, cannot Sic. Befides, if things go well, Bru. Come, Half all Cominius' Honours are to Marcius, Sic. Let's hence, and hear How the dispatch is made; and in what fashion, Upon this prefent action. Bru. Let's along. SCENE changes to Corioli. [Exeunt. Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Senators of Corioli. Sen. O, your opinion is, Aufidius, That they of Rome are entred in our Counfels, And know how we proceed. Auf. Is it not yours? What ever hath been thought on in this State, 66 They have prest a Power, but it is not known [Reading. "Whether for Eaft or Weft; the Dearth is great, - "The "The People mutinous; and it is rumour'd, "Cominius, Marcius your old enemy, " (Who is of Rome worse hated than of you) "And Titus Lartius, a moft valiant Roman, "Thefe three lead on this preparation "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 Auf. Nor did you think it folly, To keep your great pretences veil'd, 'till when It feem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery 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 speak from certainties. Nay more. All. The Gods affist you! All. Farewel. [Exeunt. SCENE SCENE changes to Caius Marcius's House in ROME. Enter Volumnia and Virgilia; they fit down on two low ftools, and few. Vol. I my Pray you, Daughter, fing, or exprefs your felf in a more comfortable sort: if my Son were Husband, I would freelier rejoice in that abfence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would fhew moft 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 fhould 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 voluptuously surfeit, out of action. Enter a Gentlewoman. Gent. Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to vifit you. Methinks, I hither hear your Husband's Drum: (As (As children from a bear) the Volfci fhunning him: Though you were born in Rome;" his bloody brow Vir. His bloody brow! oh, Jupiter, no blood! [Exit Gent. 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 Ladyfhip Val. How do you Both? you are manifeft Housekeepers. What are you fowing 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 schoolmaster. 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, VOL. VI. Q Val. 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, fhé fhall. Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the threshold, 'till my Lord return from the wars. Val. Fie, you confine your self most unreasonably: Come, you must go vifit the good Lady that lyes in. Vir. I will with her fpeedy 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 fay, all the yarn, fhe fpun in Ulyffes's abfence, did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would, your cambrick 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 Husband. Vir. Oh, good Madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jeft with you; there came news from him laft 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, 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, the will but disease our better mirth. Vol. In troth, I think, fhe would: fare you well, then. Come, good fweet Lady. Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn |