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SICINIUS.

Live and thrive!

BRUTUS.

Farewell, kind neighbours; we wish'd Coriolanus

Had lov'd you as we did.

CITIZENS.

Now the gods keep you!

BOTH TRIBUNES.

Farewell, farewell. Exeunt citizens

SICINIUS.

This is a happier and more comely time

Than when these fellows ran about the streets

Crying confusion.

BRUTUS.

Caius Marcius was

A worthy officer i' the war, but insolent,

O'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking,

Self-loving-

SICINIUS.

And affecting one sole throne,

Without assistance.

MENENIUS.

I think not so.

SICINIUS.

We should by this, to all our lamentation,

If he had gone forth consul, found it so.

BRUTUS.

The gods have well prevented it, and Rome

Sits safe and still without him.

Enter an AEDILE

AEDILE.

Worthy tribunes,

There is a slave, whom we have put in prison,

Reports the Volsces with several powers

Are ent'red in the Roman territories,

And with the deepest malice of the war

Destroy what lies before 'em.

MENENIUS.

'Tis Aufidius,

Who, hearing of our Marcius' banishment,

Thrusts forth his horns again into the world,

Which were inshell'd when Marcius stood for Rome,

And durst not once peep out.

SICINIUS.

Come, what talk you of Marcius?

BRUTUS.

Go see this rumourer whipp'd. It cannot be

The Volsces dare break with us.

MENENIUS.

Cannot be!

We have record that very well it can;

And three examples of the like hath been

Within my age. But reason with the fellow

Before you punish him, where he heard this,

Lest you shall chance to whip your information

And beat the messenger who bids beware

Of what is to be dreaded.

SICINIUS.

Tell not me.

I know this cannot be.

BRUTUS.

Not Possible.

Enter A MESSENGER

MESSENGER.

The nobles in great earnestness are going

All to the Senate House; some news is come

That turns their countenances.

SICINIUS.

'Tis this slave-

Go whip him fore the people's eyes- his raising,

Nothing but his report.

MESSENGER.

Yes, worthy sir,

The slave's report is seconded, and more,

More fearful, is deliver'd.

SICINIUS.

What more fearful?

MESSENGER.

It is spoke freely out of many mouths-

How probable I do not know- that Marcius,

Join'd with Aufidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome,

And vows revenge as spacious as between

The young'st and oldest thing.

SICINIUS.

This is most likely!

BRUTUS.

Rais'd only that the weaker sort may wish

Good Marcius home again.

SICINIUS.

The very trick on 't.

MENENIUS.

This is unlikely.

He and Aufidius can no more atone

Than violent'st contrariety.

Enter a second MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER.

You are sent for to the Senate.

A fearful army, led by Caius Marcius

Associated with Aufidius, rages

Upon our territories, and have already

O'erborne their way, consum'd with fire and took

What lay before them.

Enter COMINIUS

COMINIUS.

O, you have made good work!

MENENIUS.

What news? what news?

COMINIUS.

You have holp to ravish your own daughters and

To melt the city leads upon your pates,

To see your wives dishonour'd to your noses-

MENENIUS.

What's the news? What's the news?

COMINIUS.

Your temples burned in their cement, and

Your franchises, whereon you stood, confin'd

Into an auger's bore.

MENENIUS.

Pray now, your news?

You have made fair work, I fear me. Pray, your news.

If Marcius should be join'd wi' th' Volscians-

COMINIUS.

If!

He is their god; he leads them like a thing

Made by some other deity than Nature,

That shapes man better; and they follow him

Against us brats with no less confidence

Than boys pursuing summer butterflies,

Or butchers killing flies.

MENENIUS.

You have made good work,

You and your apron men; you that stood so much

Upon the voice of occupation and

The breath of garlic-eaters!

COMINIUS.

He'll shake

Your Rome about your ears.

MENENIUS.

As Hercules

Did shake down mellow fruit. You have made fair work!

BRUTUS.

But is this true, sir?

COMINIUS.

Ay; and you'll look pale

Before you find it other. All the regions

Do smilingly