COM.

You have fought together?

MAR.

Were half to half the world by th' ears, and he

Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make

Only my wars with him. He is a lion

That I am proud to hunt.

1. SEN.

Then, worthy Martius,

Attend upon Cominius to these wars.

COM.

It is your former promise.

MAR.

Sir, it is,

And I am constant. Titus [Lartius], thou

Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.

What, art thou stiff? Stand'st out?

LART.

No, Caius Martius,

I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with t' other,

Ere stay behind this business.

MEN.

O, true-bred!

[1.] SEN.

Your company to th' Capitol, where I know

Our greatest friends attend us.

LART [To Cominius.]

Lead you on.

 

[To Martius.]

 

Follow Cominius; we must follow you,

Right worthy you priority.

COM.

Noble Martius!

[1.] SEN. [To the Citizens.]

Hence to your homes, be gone!

MAR.

Nay, let them follow.

The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither

To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners,

Your valor puts well forth; pray follow.

 

Exeunt. Citizens steal away. Manent Sicinius and Brutus.

 

SIC.

Was ever man so proud as is this Martius?

BRU.

He has no equal.

SIC.

When we were chosen tribunes for the people –

BRU.

Mark'd you his lip and eyes?

SIC.

Nay, but his taunts.

BRU.

Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods.

SIC.

Bemock the modest moon.

BRU.

The present wars devour him! he is grown

Too proud to be so valiant.

SIC.

Such a nature,

Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow

Which he treads on at noon. But I do wonder

His insolence can brook to be commanded

Under Cominius.

BRU.

Fame, at the which he aims,

In whom already he's well grac'd, cannot

Better be held nor more attain'd than by

A place below the first; for what miscarries

Shall be the general's fault, though he perform

To th' utmost of a man, and giddy censure

Will then cry out of Martius, »O, if he

Had borne the business!«

SIC.

Besides, if things go well,

Opinion that so sticks on Martius shall

Of his demerits rob Cominius.

BRU.

Come.

Half all Cominius' honors are to Martius,

Though Martius earn'd them not; and all his faults

To Martius shall be honors, though indeed

In aught he merit not.

SIC.

Let's hence, and hear

How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion,

More than his singularity, he goes

Upon this present action.

BRU.

Let's along.

 

Exeunt.

 

 

[Scene II]

Enter Tullus Aufidius with Senators of Corioles.

 

1. SEN.

So, your opinion is, Aufidius,

That they of Rome are ent'red in our counsels,

And know how we proceed.

AUF.

Is it not yours?

What ever have been thought [on] in this state

That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome

Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone

Since I heard thence; these are the words – I think

I have the letter here; yes, here it is:

 

[Reads.]

 

»They have press'd a power, but it is not known

Whether for east or west. The dearth is great,

The people mutinous; and it is rumor'd,

Cominius, Martius your old enemy

(Who is of Rome worse hated than of you),

And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,

These three lead on this preparation

Whither 'tis bent. Most likely 'tis for you;

Consider of it.«

1. SEN.

Our army's in the field.

We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready

To answer us.

AUF.

Nor did you think it folly

To keep your great pretenses 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 short'ned in our aim, which was

To take in many towns ere (almost) Rome

Should know we were afoot.

2. SEN.

Noble Aufidius,

Take your commission, hie you to your bands,

Let us alone to guard Corioles.

If they set down before 's, for the remove

Bring up your army; but, I think, you'll find

Th' have 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.