Should know we were a-foot.

2 Sen. Noble Aufidius,·

Take your commiffion, 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 prepar'd for us.

Auf. 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 fworn between us, we fhall ever strike
'Till one can do no more,

All. The Gods affift you.

Auf. And keep your honours fafe.

I Sen. Farewel.

2 Sen. Farewel.

All. Farewel.

[Exeunt.

Vol.

SCENE VI.

ROME.

Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, they fit down on two low ftools, and fow.

I Pray you, daughter, fing, or exprefs your felf in a

more comfortable fort: if my fon were my 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 fon of my womb; when youth with comliness plucked all gaze his way; when for a day of Kings entreaties, a

mother

mother should 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 stir, was pleas'd to let him seek 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 no 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 fon; I therein would have found iffue. Hear me profefs fincerely: had I a dozen fons each in my love alike, and none lefs dear than thine and my good Martius, 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.
Vir. Befeech you give me leave to retire my self.
Vol. Indeed thou shalt not:

Methinks I hither hear your husband's drum:
I fee him pluck Aufidius down by th' hair:
(As children from a bear) the Volfci fhunning him:
Methinks I fee him ftamp thus---- and call thus----
Come on, ye cowards, ye 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,
Or all, or lose his hire.

Vir. His bloody brow! oh Jupiter, no blood.
Vol. Away, you fool; it more becomes a man
Than gilt his trophy. The breast of Hecuba,
When the did fuckle Hector, look'd not lovelier

Than

Than Hector's forehead, when it fpit forth blood
At Grecian fwords contending; tell Valeria
We are fit to bid her welcome.

Vir. Heav'ns blefs my lord from fell Aufidius.
Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,
And tread upon his neck.

[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 see your ladyship----

Val. How do you both? you are manifest house-keepers. What are you sowing here? a fine fpot in good faith. does your little fon?

Vir. I thank your ladyship: well, good Madam.

How

Vol. He had rather fee the fwords, and hear a drum, than look upon his fchoolmaster.

Val. A my word, the father's fon: I'll fwear 'tis a very pretty boy. A 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 o's father's moods.

Val. Indeed la, 'tis a noble child.

Vir. A crack, Madam.

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, fhe 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 felf unreasonably: Come, you muft go vifit the good lady that lyes in.

Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, 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 sensible 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 last night.

Vir. Indeed Madam

Val. In earnest it's true, I heard a fenator 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 set 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 Madamı, I will obey you in every thing hereafter.

Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, fhe will but disease our better mirth.

Val. In troth, I think he would: fare you well then. VOL. V.

Come

Come, good fweet lady. Prythee, Virgilia, turn thy folemness out a door, and go along with us.

Vir. No: at a word, Madam; indeed I must not. I wish you much mirth.

Val. Well, then farewel.

[Exeunt.

Enter Martins, Titus Lartius, with captains and foldiers: To them a messenger.

Mar. Y

Onder comes news: a wager they have met.

Lart. My horfe to yours, no.

Mar. "Tis done.

Lart. Agreed.

Mar. Say, has our General met the enemy?

Mes. They lye in view; but have not spoke as yet.

Lart. So, the good horfe is mine.

Mar. I'll buy him of you.

Lart. No, I'll not fell, nor give him: lend him you, I will,

For half an hundred years: Summon the town.

Mar. How far off lye thefe armies?

Mes. Within a mile and half.

Mar. Then fhall we hear their larum, and they ours.

'Now Mars, I pr'ythée make us quick in work;

That we with fmoaking fwords may march from hence,
To help our fielded friends. Come, blow the blast.

They found a parley. Enter two Senators with others on the walls.
Tullus Aufidius is he within your wall?

1 Senat. No, nor a man that fears you lefs than he,

That's