Coriolanus, Bilingual Edition (English with line numbers and German translation) E-Book

William Shakespeare

• Herausgeber: Seltzer Books
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Deutsch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Seitenzahl: 289

Beschreibung

The Shakespeare tragedy, in English with line numbers and in German translation. According to Wikipedia: "Coriolanus is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1605 and 1608. The play is based on the life of the legendary Roman leader, Caius Marcius Coriolanus."

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CORIOLANUS, BILINGUAL EDITON (IN ENGLISH WITH LINE NUMBERS AND IN GERMAN)

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Shakespeare tragedies in German translation:

Coriolanus (Tieck)

Hamlet (Wieland)

Julius Caesar (Schlegel)

Lear (Wieland)

Macbeth (Wieland)

Othello (Wieland)

Romeo und Juliette (Wieland)

Timon Von Athen (Wieland)

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CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS VON WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, ÜBERSETZT VON DOROTHEA TIECK UNTER DER REDAKTION VON LUDWIG TIECK

_________________

CORIOLANUS BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Dramatis Personae

Coriolanus

Act I

Scene I Rome. A Street.

Scene II Corioli. The Senate-House.

Scene III Rome. A Room In Marcius' House.

Scene IV Before Corioli.

Scene V Corioli. A Street.

Scene VI Near The Camp Of Cominius.

Scene VII The Gates Of Corioli.

Scene VIII A Field Of Battle.

Scene IX The Roman Camp.

Scene X The Camp Of The Volsces.

Act II

Scene I Rome. A Public Place.

Scene II The same. The Capitol.

Scene III The same. The Forum.

Act III

Scene I Rome. A street.

Scene II A room in CORIOLANUS'S house.

Scene III The same. The Forum.

Act IV

Scene I Rome. Before a gate of the city.

Scene II The same. A  street near the gate.

Scene III A highway between Rome and Antium.

Scene IV Antium. Before Aufidius's house.

Scene V The same. A hall in Aufidius's house.

Scene VI Rome. A public place.

Scene VII A camp, at a small distance from Rome.

Act V

Scene I Rome. A public place.

Scene II Entrance of the Volscian camp before Rome. Two Sentinels on guard.

Scene III The tent of Coriolanus.

Scene IV Rome. A public place.

Scene V The same. A street near the gate.

Scene VI Antium. A public place.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Caius Marcius (Marcus:), Afterwards Caius Marcius Coriolanus (Coriolanus:)

Generals Against The Volscians

Titus Lartius (Lartius:)

Cominius

Menenius Agrippa, Friend To Coriolanus. (Menenius:)

Tribunes Of The People

Sicinius Velutus (Sicinius:)

Junius Brutus (Brutus:)

Young Marcus, Son To Coriolanus.

A Roman Herald. (Herald:)

Tullus Aufidius, General Of The Volscians. (Aufidius:)

Lieutenant To Aufidius. (Lieutenant:)

Conspirators With Aufidius.

 (First Conspirator:)

 (Second Conspirator:)

 (THIRD Conspirator:)

A Citizen Of Antium.

Two Volscian Guards.

Volumnia, Mother To Coriolanus.

Virgilia, Wife To Coriolanus.

Valeria, Friend To Virgilia.

Gentlewoman, attending on Virgilia. (Gentlewoman:)

 Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, Aediles, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, MESSENGERs, Servants to Aufidius, and other Attendants.

 (First Senator:)

 (Second Senator:)

 (A Patrician:)

 (Second Patrician:)

 (Aedile:)

 (First Soldier:)

 (Second Soldier:)

 (FIRST CITIZEN:)

 (Second Citizen:)

 (THIRD Citizen:)

 (Fourth Citizen:)

 (Fifth Citizen:)

 (Sixth Citizen:)

 (Seventh Citizen:)

 (MESSENGER:)

 (Second MESSENGER:)

 (First Serviceman:)

 (Second Serviceman:)

 (THIRD Serviceman:)

 (Officer:)

 (First Officer:)

 (Second Officer:)

 (Roman:)

 (FIRST ROMAN:)

 (Second Roman:)

 (THIRD Roman:)

 (Volsce:)

 (First Lord:)

 (Second Lord:)

 (THIRD Lord:)

SCENE Rome and the neighbourhood; Corioli and the neighbourhood; Antium.

CORIOLANUS

ACT I

SCENE I Rome. A street.

 [Enter a company of mutinous CITIZENS, with staves, clubs, and other weapons]

(1) FIRST CITIZEN Before we proceed any further, hear me speak.

ALL Speak, speak.

FIRST CITIZEN You are all resolved rather to die than to famish?

ALL Resolved. resolved.

FIRST CITIZEN First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people.

ALL We know't, we know't.

(10) FIRST CITIZEN Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price.

 Is't a verdict?

ALL No more talking on't; let it be done: away, away!

Second Citizen One word, good citizens.

FIRST CITIZEN We are accounted poor citizens, the patricians good.

 What authority surfeits on would relieve us: if they

 would yield us but the superfluity, while it were

 wholesome, we might guess they relieved us humanely;

 but they think we are too dear: the leanness that

(20) afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an

 inventory to particularise their abundance; our

 sufferance is a gain to them. Let us revenge this with

 our pikes, ere we become rakes: for the gods know I

 speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.

SECOND CITIZEN Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?

ALL Against him first: he's a very dog to the commonalty.

(30) SECOND CITIZEN Consider you what services he has done for his country?

FIRST CITIZEN Very well; and could be content to give him good

 report fort, but that he pays himself with being proud.

SECOND CITIZEN Nay, but speak not maliciously.

FIRST CITIZEN I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did

 it to that end: though soft-conscienced men can be

 content to say it was for his country he did it to

(40) please his mother and to be partly proud; which he

 is, even till the altitude of his virtue.

SECOND CITIZEN What he cannot help in his nature, you account a

 vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous.

FIRST CITIZEN If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations;

 he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition.

 [Shouts within]

 What shouts are these? The other side o' the city

 is risen: why stay we prating here? to the Capitol!

ALL Come, come.

(50) FIRST CITIZEN Soft! who comes here?

 [Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA]

SECOND CITIZEN Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always loved

 the people.

FIRST CITIZEN He's one honest enough: would all the rest were so!

MENENIUS What work's, my countrymen, in hand? where go you

 With bats and clubs? The matter? speak, I pray you.

FIRST CITIZEN Our business is not unknown to the senate; they have

 had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do,

(60) which now we'll show 'em in deeds. They say poor

 suitors have strong breaths: they shall know we

 have strong arms too.

MENENIUS Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,

 Will you undo yourselves?

FIRST CITIZEN We cannot, sir, we are undone already.

MENENIUS I tell you, friends, most charitable care

 Have the patricians of you. For your wants,

 Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well

(70) Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them

 Against the Roman state, whose course will on

 The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs

 Of more strong link asunder than can ever

 Appear in your impediment. For the dearth,

 The gods, not the patricians, make it, and

 Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack,

 You are transported by calamity

 Thither where more attends you, and you slander

 The helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers,

(80) When you curse them as enemies.

FIRST CITIZEN Care for us! True, indeed! They ne'er cared for us

 yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses

 crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to

 support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act

 established against the rich, and provide more

 piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain

 the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and

 there's all the love they bear us.

(90) MENENIUS Either you must

 Confess yourselves wondrous malicious,

 Or be accused of folly. I shall tell you

 A pretty tale: it may be you have heard it;

 But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture

 To stale 't a little more.

FIRST CITIZEN Well, I'll hear it, sir: yet you must not think to

 fob off our disgrace with a tale: but, an 't please

 you, deliver.

MENENIUS There was a time when all the body's members

(100) Rebell'd against the belly, thus accused it:

 That only like a gulf it did remain

 I' the midst o' the body, idle and unactive,

 Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing

 Like labour with the rest, where the other instruments

 Did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,

 And, mutually participate, did minister

 Unto the appetite and affection common

 Of the whole body. The belly answer'd--

(110) FIRST CITIZEN Well, sir, what answer made the belly?

MENENIUS Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile,

 Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus--

 For, look you, I may make the belly smile

 As well as speak--it tauntingly replied

 To the discontented members, the mutinous parts

 That envied his receipt; even so most fitly

 As you malign our senators for that

 They are not such as you.

FIRST CITIZEN Your belly's answer? What!

 The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye,

(120) The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,

 Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter.

 With other muniments and petty helps

 In this our fabric, if that they--

MENENIUS What then?

 'Fore me, this fellow speaks! What then? what then?

FIRST CITIZEN Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd,

 Who is the sink o' the body,--

MENENIUS Well, what then?

FIRST CITIZEN The former agents, if they did complain,

 What could the belly answer?

MENENIUS I will tell you

 If you'll bestow a small--of what you have little--

 Patience awhile, you'll hear the belly's answer.

(130) FIRST CITIZEN Ye're long about it.

MENENIUS Note me this, good friend;

 Your most grave belly was deliberate,

 Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd:

 'True is it, my incorporate friends,' quoth he,

 'That I receive the general food at first,

 Which you do live upon; and fit it is,

 Because I am the store-house and the shop

 Of the whole body: but, if you do remember,

 I send it through the rivers of your blood,

(140) Even to the court, the heart, to the seat o' the brain;

 And, through the cranks and offices of man,

 The strongest nerves and small inferior veins

 From me receive that natural competency

 Whereby they live: and though that all at once,

 You, my good friends,'--this says the belly, mark me,--

FIRST CITIZEN Ay, sir; well, well.

MENENIUS 'Though all at once cannot

 See what I do deliver out to each,

 Yet I can make my audit up, that all

 From me do back receive the flour of all,

(150) And leave me but the bran.' What say you to't?

FIRST CITIZEN It was an answer: how apply you this?

MENENIUS The senators of Rome are this good belly,

 And you the mutinous members; for examine

 Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly

 Touching the weal o' the common, you shall find

 No public benefit which you receive

 But it proceeds or comes from them to you

 And no way from yourselves. What do you think,

 You, the great toe of this assembly?

(160) FIRST CITIZEN I the great toe! why the great toe?

MENENIUS For that, being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest,

 Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:

 Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,

 Lead'st first to win some vantage.

 But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs:

 Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;

 The one side must have bale.

 [Enter CAIUS MARCIUS]

         Hail, noble Marcius!

MARCIUS Thanks. What's the matter, you dissentious rogues,

 That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,

 Make yourselves scabs?

(170) FIRST CITIZEN We have ever your good word.

MARCIUS He that will give good words to thee will flatter

 Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs,

 That like nor peace nor war? the one affrights you,

 The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,

 Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;

 Where foxes, geese: you are no surer, no,

 Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,

 Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is

 To make him worthy whose offence subdues him

(180) And curse that justice did it.

 Who deserves greatness

 Deserves your hate; and your affections are

 A sick man's appetite, who desires most that

 Which would increase his evil. He that depends

 Upon your favours swims with fins of lead

 And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust Ye?

 With every minute you do change a mind,

 And call him noble that was now your hate,

 Him vile that was your garland. What's the matter,

 That in these several places of the city

(190) You cry against the noble senate, who,

 Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else

 Would feed on one another? What's their seeking?

MENENIUS For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say,

 The city is well stored.

MARCIUS Hang 'em! They say!

 They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know

 What's done i' the Capitol; who's like to rise,

 Who thrives and who declines; side factions

 and give out

 Conjectural marriages; making parties strong

 And feebling such as stand not in their liking

 Below their cobbled shoes. They say there's

(200) grain enough!

 Would the nobility lay aside their ruth,

 And let me use my sword, I'll make a quarry

 With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high

 As I could pick my lance.

MENENIUS Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;

 For though abundantly they lack discretion,

 Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,

 What says the other troop?

MARCIUS They are dissolved: hang 'em!

 They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth proverbs,

(210) That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat,

 That meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent not

 Corn for the rich men only: with these shreds

 They vented their complainings; which being answer'd,

 And a petition granted them, a strange one--

 To break the heart of generosity,

 And make bold power look pale--they threw their caps

 As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon,

 Shouting their emulation.

MENENIUS What is granted them?

MARCIUS Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,

(220) Of their own choice: one's Junius Brutus,

 Sicinius Velutus, and I know not--'Sdeath!

 The rabble should have first unroof'd the city,

 Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time

 Win upon power and throw forth greater themes

 For insurrection's arguing.

MENENIUS This is strange.

MARCIUS Go, get you home, you fragments!

 [Enter a MESSENGER, hastily]

MESSENGER Where's Caius Marcius?

MARCIUS Here: what's the matter?

MESSENGER The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.

MARCIUS I am glad on 't: then we shall ha' means to vent

(230) Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders.

 [Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other SENATORS;

 JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTUS]

FIRST SENATOR Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us;

 The Volsces are in arms.

MARCIUS They have a leader,

 Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to 't.

 I sin in envying his nobility,

 And were I any thing but what I am,

 I would wish me only he.

COMINIUS You have fought together.

MARCIUS Were half to half the world by the ears and he.

 Upon my party, I'ld revolt to make

 Only my wars with him: he is a lion

 That I am proud to hunt.

(240) FIRST SENATOR Then, worthy Marcius,

 Attend upon Cominius to these wars.

COMINIUS It is your former promise.

MARCIUS Sir, it is;

 And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou

 Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.

 What, art thou stiff? stand'st out?

TITUS No, Caius Marcius;

 I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other,

 Ere stay behind this business.

MENENIUS O, true-bred!

FIRST SENATOR Your company to the Capitol; where, I know,

 Our greatest friends attend us.

TITUS [To COMINIUS]                Lead you on.

(250) [To MARCIUS] Follow Cominius; we must follow you;

 Right worthy you priority.

COMINIUS Noble Marcius!

FIRST SENATOR [To the Citizens]  Hence to your homes; be gone!

MARCIUS Nay, let them follow:

 The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither

 To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners,

 Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.

 [Citizens steal away. Exeunt all but SICINIUS

 and BRUTUS]

SICINIUS Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?

BRUTUS He has no equal.

SICINIUS When we were chosen tribunes for the people,--

BRUTUS Mark'd you his lip and eyes?

SICINIUS Nay. but his taunts.

(260) BRUTUS Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods.

SICINIUS Be-mock the modest moon.

BRUTUS The present wars devour him: he is grown

 Too proud to be so valiant.

SICINIUS Such a nature,

 Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow

 Which he treads on at noon: but I do wonder

 His insolence can brook to be commanded

 Under Cominius.

BRUTUS Fame, at the which he aims,

 In whom already he's well graced, can not

 Better be held nor more attain'd than by

(270) A place below the first: for what miscarries

 Shall be the general's fault, though he perform

 To the utmost of a man, and giddy censure

 Will then cry out of Marcius 'O if he

 Had borne the business!'

SICINIUS Besides, if things go well,

 Opinion that so sticks on Marcius shall

 Of his demerits rob Cominius.

BRUTUS Come:

 Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius.

 Though Marcius earned them not, and all his faults

 To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed

 In aught he merit not.

(280) 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.

BRUTUS Lets along.

 [Exeunt]

SCENE II Corioli. The Senate-house.

 [Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS and CERTAIN SENATORS]

(1) FIRST SENATOR So, your opinion is, Aufidius,

 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.

 [Reads]

 'They have press'd a power, but it is not known

(10) Whether for east or west: the dearth is great;

 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 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.

AUFIDIUS                   Nor did you think it folly

(20) To keep your great pretences veil'd till when

 They needs must show themselves; which

 in the hatching,

 It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery.

 We shall be shorten'd 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 Corioli:

 If they set down before 's, for the remove

 Bring your army; but, I think, you'll find

 They've not prepared for us.

(30) 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 Marcius chance to meet,

 'Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike

 Till one can do no more.

ALL The gods assist you!

AUFIDIUS And keep your honours safe!

FIRST SENATOR Farewell.

(40) SECOND SENATOR Farewell.

ALL Farewell.

 [Exeunt]

SCENE III Rome. A room in Marcius' house.

 [Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA they set them down on two low stools, and sew]

(1) 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

(10) how honour would become such a person. that it was

 no better than picture-like to hang by the 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?

(20) 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

 Marcius, 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.

(30) VIRGILIA 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 the 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 mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes,

 Like to a harvest-man that's task'd to mow

(40) 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, look'd not lovelier

 Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood

 At Grecian sword, contemning. 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

(50) And tread upon his neck.

 [Enter VALERIA, with an Usher and 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 house-keepers.

 What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good

 faith. How does your little son?

VIRGILIA I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.

(60) VOLUMNIA He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than

 look upon his school-master.

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: has 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 again; catched it again; or whether his

 fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his

(70) teeth and tear it; O, I warrant it, 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 husewife with me this afternoon.

VIRGILIA No, good madam; I will not out of doors.

VALERIA Not out of doors!

(80) 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.

(90) 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.

(100) 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

(110) our Roman power: your lord and Titus Lartius are set

 down before their city Corioli; 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 every

 thing hereafter.

VOLUMNIA Let her alone, lady: as she is now, she will but

 disease our better mirth.

VALERIA In troth, I think she would. Fare you well, then.

(120) 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]

SCENE IV Before Corioli.

 [Enter, with drum and colours, MARCIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, Captains and Soldiers. To them a MESSENGER]

(1) MARCIUS Yonder comes news. A wager they have met.

LARTIUS My horse to yours, no.

MARCIUS 'Tis done.

LARTIUS Agreed.

MARCIUS 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.

MARCIUS 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. Summon the town.

MARCIUS How far off lie these armies?

MESSENGER Within this mile and half.

MARCIUS Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours.

(10) Now, Mars, I prithee, make us quick in work,

 That we with smoking swords may march from hence,

 To help our fielded friends! Come, blow thy blast.

 [They sound a parley. Enter TWO SENATORS with others on the walls]

 Tutus Aufidius, is he within your walls?

FIRST SENATOR No, nor a man that fears you less than he,

 That's lesser than a little.

 [Drums afar off]

         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 pinn'd with rushes;

 They'll open of themselves.

 [Alarum afar off]

        Hark you. far off!

(20) There is Aufidius; list, what work he makes

 Amongst your cloven army.

MARCIUS O, they are at it!

LARTIUS Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho!

 [Enter the ARMY of the Volsces]

MARCIUS 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.

 [Alarum. The Romans are beat back to their trenches. Re-enter MARCIUS cursing]

(30) MARCIUS 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 abhorr'd

 Further 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

(40) 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 followed.

 [Another alarum. The Volsces fly, and MARCIUS follows them to the gates]

 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.

 [Enters the gates]

FIRST SOLDIER Fool-hardiness; not I.

SECOND SOLDIER Nor I.

 [MARCIUS is shut in]

FIRST SOLDIER See, they have shut him in.

ALL To the pot, I warrant him.

 [Alarum continues]

 [Re-enter TITUS LARTIUS]

LARTIUS What is become of Marcius?

All Slain, sir, doubtless.

FIRST SOLDIER Following the fliers at the very heels,

(50) With them he enters; who, upon the sudden,

 Clapp'd to their gates: he is himself alone,

 To answer all the city.

LARTIUS O noble fellow!

 Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword,

 And, when it bows, stands up. Thou art left, Marcius:

 A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,

 Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier

 Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible

 Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks and

 The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,

(60) Thou madst thine enemies shake, as if the world

 Were feverous and did tremble.

 [Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy]

FIRST SOLDIER Look, sir.

LARTIUS O,'tis Marcius!

 Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.

 [They fight, and all enter the city]

SCENE V Corioli. A street.

 [Enter CERTAIN ROMANS, with spoils]

(1) FIRST ROMAN This will I carry to Rome.

SECOND ROMAN And I this.

THIRD ROMAN A murrain on't! I took this for silver.

 [Alarum continues still afar off]

 [Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS with a trumpet]

MARCIUS See here these movers that do prize their hours

 At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons,

 Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would

 Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,

 Ere yet the fight be done, pack up: down with them!

(10) And hark, what noise the general makes! To him!

 There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius,

 Piercing our Romans: then, valiant Titus, take

 Convenient numbers to make good the city;

 Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste

 To help Cominius.

LARTIUS                   Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;

 Thy exercise hath been too violent for

 A second course of fight.

MARCIUS Sir, praise me not;

 My work hath yet not warm'd me: fare you well:

 The blood I drop is rather physical

(20) Than dangerous to me: to Aufidius thus

 I will appear, and fight.

LARTIUS Now the fair goddess, Fortune,

 Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms

 Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman,

 Prosperity be thy page!

MARCIUS Thy friend no less

 Than those she placeth highest! So, farewell.

LARTIUS Thou worthiest Marcius!

 [Exit MARCIUS]

 Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place;

 Call thither all the officers o' the town,

 Where they shall know our mind: away!

 [Exeunt]

SCENE VI Near the camp of Cominius.

 [Enter COMINIUS, as it were in retire, with soldiers]

(1) COMINIUS Breathe you, my friends: well fought;

 we are come off

 Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,

 Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,

 We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck,

 By interims and conveying gusts we have heard

 The charges of our friends. Ye Roman gods!

 Lead their successes as we wish our own,

 That both our powers, with smiling

 fronts encountering,

 May give you thankful sacrifice.

 [Enter a MESSENGER]

                    Thy news?

(10) MESSENGER The citizens of Corioli have issued,

 And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle:

 I saw our party to their trenches driven,

 And then I came away.

COMINIUS Though thou speak'st truth,

 Methinks thou speak'st not well.

 How long is't since?

MESSENGER Above an hour, my lord.

COMINIUS 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums:

 How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour,

 And bring thy news so late?

MESSENGER Spies of the Volsces

 Held me in chase, that I was forced to wheel

(20) Three or four miles about, else had I, sir,

 Half an hour since brought my report.

COMINIUS Who's yonder,

 That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods

 He has the stamp of Marcius; and I have

 Before-time seen him thus.

MARCIUS [Within]                 Come I too late?

COMINIUS The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabour

 More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue

 From every meaner man.

 [Enter MARCIUS]

MARCIUS Come I too late?

COMINIUS Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,

 But mantled in your own.

MARCIUS O, let me clip ye

(30) In arms as sound as when I woo'd, in heart

 As merry as when our nuptial day was done,

 And tapers burn'd to bedward!

COMINIUS Flower of warriors,

 How is it with Titus Lartius?

MARCIUS As with a man busied about decrees:

 Condemning some to death, and some to exile;

 Ransoming him, or pitying, threatening the other;

 Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,

 Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,

 To let him slip at will.

COMINIUS Where is that slave

 Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?

(40) Where is he? call him hither.

MARCIUS Let him alone;

 He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen,

 The common file--a plague! tribunes for them!--

 The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge

 From rascals worse than they.

COMINIUS But how prevail'd you?

MARCIUS Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.

 Where is the enemy? are you lords o' the field?

 If not, why cease you till you are so?

COMINIUS Marcius,

 We have at disadvantage fought and did

(50) Retire to win our purpose.

MARCIUS How lies their battle? know you on which side

 They have placed their men of trust?

COMINIUS As I guess, Marcius,

 Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,

 Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius,

 Their very heart of hope.

MARCIUS I do beseech you,

 By all the battles wherein we have fought,

 By the blood we have shed together, by the vows

 We have made to endure friends, that you directly

 Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates;

(60) And that you not delay the present, but,

 Filling the air with swords advanced and darts,

 We prove this very hour.

COMINIUS Though I could wish

 You were conducted to a gentle bath

 And balms applied to, you, yet dare I never