1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2 Con. And patient fools, Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear, With giving him glory. 3 Con. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury Auf. Say no more; Here come the lords. Enter the Lords of the City. Lords. You are most welcome home. Auf. I have not deserv'd it. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd Lords. We have. 1 Lord. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the last, I think, With our own charge; making a treaty, where Enter CORIOLANUS with drums and colours; a Cor. Hail, lords! I am returned your soldier ; No more infected with my country's love, Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting Under your great command. You are to know, That prosperously I have attempted, and With bloody passage, led your wars, even to The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home, Do more than counterpoise, a full third part, The charges of the action. We have made peace, With no less honour to the Antiates, Than shame to the Romans: And we here deliver, Auf. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree Cor. Traitor-How now ?— Auf. Ay, traitor, Marcius. Cor. Marcius ! Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius; Dost thou think I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stoľ❜n name Coriolanus in Corioli ? You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears,— Auf. No more.2 Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart I was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Flutter'd your voices in Corioli: Alone I did it.-Boy! Auf. Why, noble lords, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? Con. Let him die for't. [Several speak at once, [2] By these words, Aufidius does not mean to put a stop to the altercation; but to tell Coriolanus that he was no more than a boy of tears.' M. MASON. Cit. [Speaking promiscuously.] Tear him to pieces, do it presently. He killed my son ;-my daughter ;He killed my cousin Marcus ;-He killed my father.2 Lord. Peace, ho;-no outrage ;-peace. The man is noble, and his fame folds in This orb o'the earth :3 His last offence to us Cor. O, that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, Auf. Insolent villain ! Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him. [AUFIDIUS and the Conspirators draw, and kill CORIOLANUS, who falls, and AUFIDIUS stands on him. Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold. Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak. 1 Lord. O Tullus, 2 Lor.Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. 1 Lord. Tread not upon him.-Masters all, be quiet; Put up your swords. Auf. My lords, when you shall know (as in this rage, Myself your loyal servant, or endure 1 Lord. Bear from hence his body, And mourn you for him: let him be regarded 2 Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.. Auf. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow.-Take him up :- Assist. [Exeunt, bearing the body of CORIOLANUS. A dead march sounded. [3] His fame overspreads the world. JOHNS. £43 Memorial. STEEV. |