Men. So do I too, if it be not too much:Brings a victory in his pocket?-The wounds become him. Vol. On's brows, Menenius: he comes the third time home with the oaken garland. Men. Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly? Vol. Titus Lartius writes,-they fought together, but Aufidius got off. Men. And 'twas time for him too, I'll warrant him that: an he had staid by him, I would not have been so fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold that's in them. Is the senate possessed of this?5 Vol. Good ladies, let's go :-Yes, yes, yes: the senate has letters from the general, wherein he gives my son the whole name of the war: he hath in this action outdone his former deeds doubly. Val. In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him. Men. Wondrous? ay, I warrant you, and not without his true purchasing. Vir. The gods grant them true! Vol. True? pow, wow. Men. True? I'll be sworn they are true:-Where is he wounded?-God save your good worships! [To the Tribunes, who come forward.] Marcius is coming home: he has more cause to be proud.Where is he wounded? Vol. I' the shoulder, and i̇' the left arm: There will be large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall stand for his place. He received in the repulse of Tarquin, seven hurts i' the body. Men. One in the neck, and two in the thigh,— there's nine that I know. 5-possessed of this?] Possessed, in our author's language, is fully informed. Vol. He had, before this last expedition, twentyfive wounds upon him. Men. Now it's twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave: [A Shout, and Flourish.] Hark! the trumpets. Vol. These are the ushers of Marcius: before him He carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears; Death, that dark spirit, in's nervy arm doth lie; Which being advanc'd, declines; and then men die. A Sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS and TITUS LARTIUS; between them, CORIOLANUS, crowned with an oaken Garland; with Captains, Soldiers, and a Herald. Her. Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight Within Corioli' gates: where he hath won, With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these In honour follows, Coriolanus: Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus! [Flourish. All. Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus! Cor. No more of this, it does offend my heart; Pray now, no more. Com. Cor. Look, sir, your mother, You have, I know, petition'd all the gods O! [Kneels. Nay, my good soldier, up; My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and By deed-achieving honour newly nam'd, Cor. My gracious silence, hail!" 6 Which being advanc'd, declines;] Volumnia, in her boasting strain, says, that her son to kill his enemy, has nothing to do but to lift his hand up and let it fall. JOHNSON. "My gracious silence, hail!] i, e. " My beauteous silence," or Would'st thou have laugh'd, had I come coffin'd home, That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear, And mothers that lack sons. Men. don. [TO VALERIA. Vol. I know not where to turn:-O welcome home; And welcome, general;-And you are welcome all. Men. A hundred thousand welcomes: I could weep, And I could laugh; I am light, and heavy: Wel come: A curse begin at very root of his heart, That is not glad to see thee!-You are three, will not Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors: Com. Cor. Menenius, ever, ever. Her. Give way there, and go on. Cor. Ever right. Your hand, and yours: [To his Wife and Mother. Ere in our own house I do shade my head, The good patricians must be visited; From whom I have receiv'd not only greetings, But with them change of honours. Vol. To see inherited my very wishes, 66 my I have lived silent Grace." Gracious seems to have had the same meaning formerly that graceful has at this day. And the buildings of my fancy: only there Cor. Know, good mother, I had rather be their servant in my way, Com. On, to the Capitol. [Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. The Tribunes remain. Bru. All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights Are spectacled to see him: Your pratling nurse While she chats him: the kitchen malkin' pins Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges hors'd • Into a rapture-] Rapture, a common term at that time used for a fit, simply. So, to be rap'd, signified, to be in a fit. 9 the kitchen malkin-] Malkin is properly the diminutive of Mal (Mary); as Wilkin, Tomkin, &c. In Scotland, pronounced Maukin, it signifies a hare. Grey malkin (corruptly grimalkin) is a cat. The kitchen malkin is just the same as the kitchen Madge or Bess: the scullion. RITSON. 1 Her richest lockram, &c.] Lockram was some kind of cheap linen. 2 3 her reechy neck,] Reechy is greasy, sweaty. seld-shown flamens-] i. e. priests who seldom exhibit themselves to publick view. Seld is often used by ancient writers for seldom. a vulgar station:] i. e. a common standing-place, such as is distinguished by no particular convenience. Of Phoebus' burning kisses: such a pother, Sic. I warrant him consul. Bru. On the sudden, Then our office may, During his power, go sleep. Sic. He cannot temperately transport his honours From where he should begin, and end; but will Lose those that he hath won. Bru. In that there's comfort. Sic. Doubt not, the commoners, for whom we stand, But they, upon their ancient malice, will Forget, with the least cause, these his new honours; Which that he'll give them, make as little question As he is proud to do't." Bru. I heard him swear, Were he to stand for consul, never would he Nor, showing (as the manner is) his wounds. Sic. "From where he should begin, and end;] Our author means, though he has expressed himself most licentiously, he cannot carry his honours temperately from where he should begin to where he should end. The word transport includes the ending as well as the beginning. He cannot begin to carry his honours, and conclude his journey, from the spot where he should begin, and to the spot where he should end. As he is proud to do't.] Proud to do, is the same as, proud of doing. As means here, as that. 7 The napless vesture-] By napless Shakspeare means threadbare. |