Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse The city ports by this hath enter'd, and 7 To purge himself with words: dispatch. [Exeunt Attendants. Enter three or four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' faction. Most welcome ! FIRST CONSPIRATOR. AUFIDIUS. How is it with our general? Even so As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, 12 you SECOND CONSPIRATOR. Most noble sir, AUFIDIUS. Sir, I cannot tell : We must proceed as we do find the people. 16 THIRD CONSPIRATOR. The people will remain uncertain whilst 'Twixt you there 's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. AUFIDIUS. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd He bow'd his nature, never known before But to be rough, unswayable, and free. AUFIDIUS. 20 24 28 32 That I would have spoke of: Being banish'd for 't, he came unto my hearth; Presented to my knife his throat: I took him; Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way In all his own desires; nay, let him choose Out of my files, his projects to accomplish, My best and freshest men; serv'd his designments In mine own person; holp to reap the fame Which he did end all his; and took some pride To do myself this wrong: till, at the last, I seem'd his follower, not partner; and 36 He wag'd me with his countenance, as if I had been mercenary. 40 lord : FIRST CONSPIRATOR. So he did, my AUFIDIUS. There was it; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. 44 48 [Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the People. FIRST CONSPIRATOR. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. SECOND CONSPIRATOR. And patient fools, Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear With giving him glory. sword, THIRD CONSPIRATOR. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your Which we will second. When he lies along, After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury His reasons with his body. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd LORDS. FIRST LORD. 52 56 60 We have. And grieve to hear 't. 64 What faults he made before the last, I think AUFIDIUS. He approaches: you shall hear him. 68 Enter CORIOLANUS, with drums and colours; a crowd of Citizens with him. CORIOLANUS. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; No more infected with my country's love 72 Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting 76 The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home Than shame to the Romans; and we here deliver, AUFIDIUS. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor in the highest degree He hath abus'd your powers. CORIOLANUS. AUFIDIUS. CORIOLANUS. 80 85 Ay, traitor, Marcius. Marcius! AUFIDIUS. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius. Dost thou think I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously He has betray'd your business, and given up, CORIOLANUS. Hear'st thou, Mars? AUFIDIUS. Name not the god, thou boy of tears. CORIOLANUS. AUFIDIUS. No more. CORIOLANUS. heart 88 92 Ha! Measureless liar, thou hast made my Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave! 104 Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever I was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, 108 111 FIRST LORD. Peace, both, and hear me speak. CORIOLANUS. Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads, Stain all your edges on me. Boy! False hound! If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there, That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? CONSPIRATORS. Let him die for 't. 116 119 ALL THE PEOPLE. Tear him to pieces.-Do it presently. He killed my son. My daughter.-He killed my cousin Marcus.-He killed my father. SECOND LORD. Peace, ho! no outrage! peace! The man is noble and his fame folds in This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us CORIOLANUS. 123 O! that I had him, 128 Insolent villain ! With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, AUFIDIUS. CONSPIRATORS. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him! LORDS. [AUFIDIUS and the Conspirators draw, and kill CORIOLANUS, who falls: AUFIDIUS stands on his body. Hold, hold, hold, hold! AUFIDIUS. My noble masters, hear me speak. FIRST LORD. O Tullus! SECOND LORD. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. 133 THIRD LORD. Tread not upon him. Masters all, be quiet. Put up your swords. AUFIDIUS. My lords, when you shall know,—as in this rage, 136 Provok'd by him, you cannot,-the great danger FIRST LORD. Bear from hence his body; And mourn you for him! Let him be regarded Did follow to his urn. SECOND LORD. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. AUFIDIUS. My rage is gone, 140 144 148 152 [Exeunt, bearing the body of CORIOLANUS. A dead march sounded. |