Act 1 — Scene VI. Near the camp of Cominius.[2674]
Reading edition
Scene VI. Near the camp of Cominius.[2674]
Enter Cominius, as it were in retire, with Soldiers.
Com. 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,[2675] By interims and conveying gusts we have heard 5 The charges of our friends. Ye Roman gods,[2676] Lead their successes as we wish our own, That both our powers, with smiling fronts encountering, May give you thankful sacrifice!
Enter a Messenger.[2677]
Thy news? Mess. The citizens of Corioli have issued, 10 And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle: I saw our party to their trenches driven,[2678] And then I came away. Com. Though thou speak'st truth,[2679] Methinks thou speak'st not well. How long is't since? Mess. Above an hour, my lord. 15 Com. 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums:[2680] How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour, And bring thy news so late?[2681] Mess. Spies of the Volsces Held me in chase, that I was forced to wheel Three or four miles about; else had I, sir, 20 Half an hour since brought my report.
Enter Marcius.[2682]
Com. 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. Mar. Come I too late?[2683] Com. The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor 25 More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue[2684] From every meaner man.[2685] Mar. Come I too late? Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others, But mantled in your own. Mar. O, let me clip ye[2686] In arms as sound as when I woo'd; in heart[2687][2688] 30 As merry as when our nuptial day was done,[2688] And tapers burn'd to bedward! Com. Flower of warriors,[2689] How is't with Titus Lartius?[2689][2690] Mar. As with a man busied about decrees: Condemning some to death, and some to exile; 35 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.[2691] Com. Where is that slave Which told me they had beat you to your trenches? 40 Where is he? call him hither. Mar. Let him alone; He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen,[2692] The common file—a plague! tribunes for them!—[2693] The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge From rascals worse than they. Com. But how prevail'd you? 45 Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.[2694] Where is the enemy? are you lords o' the field?[2695] If not, why cease you till you are so? Com. Marcius,[2696] We have at disadvantage fought and did[2696] Retire to win our purpose.[2696][2697] 50 Mar. How lies their battle? know you on which side[2698][2699] They have placed their men of trust?[2698] Com. As I guess, Marcius, Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,[2700] Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius, Their very heart of hope. Mar. I do beseech you, 55 By all the battles wherein we have fought, By the blood we have shed together, by the vows[2701][2702] We have made to endure friends, that you directly[2701][2702] Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates;[2701] And that you not delay the present, but, 60 Filling the air with swords advanced and darts, We prove this very hour.[2703] Com. Though I could wish You were conducted to a gentle bath, And balms applied to you, yet dare I never Deny your asking: take your choice of those 65 That best can aid your action. Mar. Those are they That most are willing. If any such be here—[2704] As it were sin to doubt—that love this painting Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear Lesser his person than an ill report;[2705] 70 If any think brave death outweighs bad life, And that his country's dearer than himself; Let him alone, or so many so minded,[2706] Wave thus, to express his disposition, And follow Marcius. 75
[They all shout, and wave their swords; take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps.
O, me alone! make you a sword of me?[2707] If these shows be not outward, which of you But is four Volsces? none of you but is Able to bear against the great Aufidius A shield as hard as his. A certain number,[2708] 80 Though thanks to all, must I select from all: the rest[2709] Shall bear the business in some other fight, As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march;[2710] And four shall quickly draw out my command,[2710][2711][2712] Which men are best inclined.[2712] Com. March on, my fellows: 85 Make good this ostentation, and you shall Divide in all with us. [Exeunt.