In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar, [Gives a Letter. And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius, I will not hear thee speak.-This man, Aufidius, beloved in Rome: yet thou behold'st Was my [Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFid. I G. Now, sir, is your name Menenius. 2 G. "Tis a spell, you see, of much power: You know the way home again. 1 G. Do you hear how we are shent for keeping your greatness back? 2 G. What cause, do you think, I have to swoon? Men. I neither care for the world, nor your general: for such things as you, I can scarce think there's any, you are so slight. He that hath a will to die by himself, fears it not from another. Let your general do his worst. For you, be that you are, long; and your misery increase with your age! say to you, as I was said to, Away! [Exit. I 1 G. A noble fellow, I warrant him. 2 G. The worthy fellow is our general: He is the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken. 6 for I lov'd thee,] i. e. because. [Exeunt. how we are shent-] i. e. shamed, disgraced, made ashamed of ourselves. Mr. Malone says, rebuked, reprimanded. Cole, in his Latin Dict. 1679, renders to shend, increpo. It is so used by many of our old writers. 7 by himself,] i. e. by his own hands. SCENE III. The Tent of Coriolanus. Enter CORIOLANUS, AUFIDIUS, and Others. Cor. We will before the walls of Rome to-morrow Auf. Cor. Nay, godded me, indeed. Their latest refuge [Shout within. Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow In the same time 'tis made? I will not. how plainly I have borne this business.] That is, how openly, how remotely from artifice or concealment. Enter, in mourning Habits, VIRGILIA, VOLUMNIA, leading young MARCIUS, VALERIA, and Attendants. My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould Wherein this trunk was fram'd, and in her hand The grand-child to her blood. But, out, affection! All bond and privilege of nature, break! Let it be virtuous, to be obstinate. What is that curt'sy worth? or those doves' eyes, In supplication nod: and my young boy And knew no other kin. Vir. My lord and husband! Cor. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome. Vir. The sorrow, that delivers us thus chang'd, Makes you think so." flesh, Cor. • The sorrow, that delivers us thus chang'd, Makes you think so.] Virgilia makes a voluntary misinterpretation of her husband's words. He says, These eyes are not the same, meaning, that he saw things with other eyes, or other dispositions. She lays hold on the word eyes, to turn his attention on their present appearance. JOHNSON. Now by the jealous queen of heaven,] That is, by Jano. VOL. VII. S I carried from thee, dear; and my true lip Of thy deep duty more impression show Vol. [Kneels. O, stand up bless'd! Show duty, as mistaken all the while [Kneels. Cor. Vol. Thou art my warrior; The moon of Rome; chaste as the icicle, Cor. The god of soldiers, With the consent of supreme Jove, inform Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou may'st prove To shame unvulnerable, and stick i' the wars Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw,3 2 on the hungry beach-] The hungry beach is the sterile unprolifick beach. 3 Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw,] That is, every gust, every storm. And saving those that eye thee! Your knee, sirrah. Vol. Cor. That's my brave boy. Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, Are suitors to you. Cor. I beseech you, peace: Or, if you'd ask, remember this before; The things, I have forsworn to grant, may never Again with Rome's mechanicks:-Tell me not To allay my rages and revenges, with Your colder reasons. 4 Vol. And state of bodies would bewray what life Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts, Constrains them weep, and shake with fear and sorrow; That, if you fail in our request,] That is, if you fail to grant us our request; if you are found failing or deficient in love to your country, and affection to your friends, when our request shall have been made to you, the blame, &c. |