Act 1 — Scene VIII. A field of battle between the Roman and the Volscian camps.
Reading edition
Alarum as in battle. Enter, from opposite sides, Marcius and Aufidius.[2719]
Mar. I'll fight with none but thee; for I do hate thee Worse than a promise-breaker. Auf. We hate alike: Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor[2720] More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot.[2721][2722] Mar. Let the first budger die the other's slave,[2722] 5 And the gods doom him after! Auf. If I fly, Marcius,[2723] Holloa me like a hare.[2723][2724] Mar. Within these three hours, Tullus, Alone I fought in your Corioli walls, And made what work I pleased: 'tis not my blood Wherein thou seest me mask'd; for thy revenge 10 Wrench up thy power to the highest. Auf. Wert thou the Hector[2725] That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny, Thou shouldst not 'scape me here.
[They fight, and certain Volsces come in the aid of Aufidius. Marcius fights till they be driven in breathless.[2726]
Officious, and not valiant, you have shamed me In your condemned seconds. [Exeunt.[2727] 15