Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy. 1 Sol. Lart. Look, sir. O! 't is Marcius: Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike. [They fight, and all enter the city. · SCENE V.Within the Town. A Street. Enter certain Romans, with spoils. 1 Rom. This will I carry to Rome. 2 Rom. And I this. 3 Rom. A murrain on 't! I took this for silver. [Alarum continues still afar off. Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS, with a trumpet. Mar. See here these movers, that do prize their hours At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons, Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves, Ere yet the fight be done, pack up :-Down with them And hark, what noise the general makes !-To him!There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius, Piercing our Romans: Then, valiant Titus, take Convenient numbers to make good the city; Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste To help Cominius. Lart. Worthy sir, thou bleed'st; Thy exercise hath been too violent Mar. Sir, praise me not: My work hath yet not warm'd me: Fare you well. The blood I drop is rather physical Lart. Now the fair goddess, Fortune, Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman, Prosperity be thy page! Mar. Thy friend no less [Exit MAR. Than those she placeth highest!-So, farewell. [Exeunt. SCENE VI.-Near the Camp of Cominius. Enter COMINIUS and Forces, retreating. Com. Breathe you, my friends; well fought: we are come off Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands, Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs, We shall be charg'd again. Whiles we have struck, The charges of our friends :-The Roman gods That both our powers, with smiling fronts encountering, May give you thankful sacrifice!-Thy news? Com. Though thou speak'st truth, Methinks thou speak'st not well. How long is 't since? Mess. Above an hour, my lord. Com. 'T is not a mile; briefly we heard their drums : How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour, Mess. Com. Enter MARCIUS. Who's yonder, That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods! Mar. Come I too late? Com. The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor, More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue From every meaner man. Mar. Come I too late? Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others, Mar. Com. How is 't with Titus Lartius? Flower of warriors, Mar. As with a man busied about decrees: Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash, Com. Where is that slave Which told me they had beat you to your trenches? Where is he? Call him hither. Let him alone, Mar. He did inform the truth: But for our gentlemen, The common file, (A plague!-Tribunes for them!) The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge Com. But how prevail'd you? Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think : Where is the enemy? Are you lords o' the field? If not, why cease you till you are so? Com. Marcius, we have at disadvantage fought, And did retire, to win our purpose. Mar. How lies their battle? Know you on which side They have plac'd their men of trust? Com. As I guess, Marcius, Their hands in the vaward are the Antiates, Mar. I do beseech you, By all the battles wherein we have fought, By the blood we have shed together, by the vows And that you not delay the present; but, Filling the air with swords advanc'd, and darts, Com. Though I could wish You were conducted to a gentle bath, And balms applied to you, yet dare I never Mar. If any think brave death outweighs bad life, Wave thus, [waving his hand] to express his disposition, And follow Marcius. [They all shout, and wave their swords; take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps. O me, alone! Make you a sword of me? If these shows be not outward, which of you But is four Volces? None of you but is Able to bear against the great Aufidius A shield as hard as his. A certain number, Though thanks to all, must I select from all the rest As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march; Com. March on, my fellows : [Exeunt. Make good this ostentation, and you shall SCENE VII.-The Gates of Corioli. TITUS LARTIUS, having set a guard upon Corioli, going with a drum and trumpet toward COMINIUS and CAIUS MARCIUS, enters with a Lieutenant, a party of Soldiers, and a Scout. Lart. So, let the ports be guarded; keep your duties, As I have set them down. If I do send, despatch For a short holding: If we lose the field, We cannot keep the town. Lieu. Fear not our care, sir. Lart. Hence, and shut your gates upon us.- [Exeunt. |