Coriolanus | Page 6

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?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 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 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.
SECOND SENATOR.?Farewell.
ALL. Farewell.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE III. Rome. An apartmnet in MARCIUS' house.
[Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA; they sit 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 pluck'd 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 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 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.
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 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 swords contending.--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.
[Re-enter GENTLEWOMAN, with VALERIA and her Usher.]
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: 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 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 huswife 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