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SCENE III. A highway between Rome and Antium

Enter a ROMAN and a VOLSCE, meeting

ROMAN.

I know you well, sir, and you know me; your name, I

think,

is Adrian.

VOLSCE.

It is so, sir. Truly, I have forgot you.

ROMAN.

I am a Roman; and my services are, as you are, against 'em.

Know you me yet?

VOLSCE.

Nicanor? No!

ROMAN.

The same, sir.

VOLSCE.

YOU had more beard when I last saw you, but your favour is

well appear'd by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a

note from the Volscian state, to find you out there. You have

well saved me a day's journey.

ROMAN.

There hath been in Rome strange insurrections: the people

against the senators, patricians, and nobles.

VOLSCE.

Hath been! Is it ended, then? Our state thinks not so; they

are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in

the heat of their division.

ROMAN.

The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make

it flame again; for the nobles receive so to heart the banishment

of that worthy Coriolanus that they are in a ripe aptness to take

all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes

for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature

for the violent breaking out.

VOLSCE.

Coriolanus banish'd!

ROMAN.

Banish'd, sir.

VOLSCE.

You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.

ROMAN.

The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said the

fittest time to corrupt a man's wife is when she's fall'n out

with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in

these wars, his great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no

request of his country.

VOLSCE.

He cannot choose. I am most fortunate thus accidentally to

encounter you; you have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home.

ROMAN.

I shall between this and supper tell you most strange things

from Rome, all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you

an army ready, say you?

VOLSCE.

A most royal one: the centurions and their charges,

distinctly billeted, already in th' entertainment, and to be on

foot at an hour's warning.

ROMAN.

I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man,

I

think, that shall set them in present action. So, sir, heartily

well met, and most glad of your company.

VOLSCE.

You take my part from me, sir. I have the most cause to be glad of yours.

ROMAN.

Well, let us go together.

SCENE IV. Antium. Before AUFIDIUS' house

Enter CORIOLANUS, in mean apparel, disguis'd and muffled

CORIOLANUS.

A goodly city is this Antium. City,

'Tis I that made thy widows: many an heir

Of these fair edifices fore my wars

Have I heard groan and drop. Then know me not.

Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones,

In puny battle slay me.

Enter A CITIZEN

Save you, sir.

CITIZEN.

And you.

CORIOLANUS.

Direct me, if it be your will,

Where great Aufidius lies. Is he in Antium?

CITIZEN.

He is, and feasts the nobles of the state

At his house this night.

CORIOLANUS.

Which is his house, beseech you?

CITIZEN.

This here before you.

CORIOLANUS.

Thank you, sir; farewell. Exit CITIZEN

O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn,

Whose double bosoms seems to wear one heart,

Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal and exercise

Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love,

Unseparable, shall within this hour,

On a dissension of a doit, break out

To bitterest enmity; so fellest foes,

Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep

To take the one the other, by some chance,

Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends

And interjoin their issues. So with me:

My birthplace hate I, and my love's upon

This enemy town. I'll enter. If he slay me,

He does fair justice: if he give me way,

I'll do his country service.

SCENE V. Antium. AUFIDIUS' house

Music plays. Enter A SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVANT.

Wine, wine, wine! What service is here! I think our

fellows are asleep. Exit

Enter another SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVANT.Where's Cotus? My master calls for him.

Cotus!