VIII.

CORIOLANUS' mother, wife, and child, with another noble lady of Rome, come to entreat for peace. AUFIDIUS' old hate being revived by the admiration of the Volsces for CORIOLANUS, he seeks occasion to destroy him.

Vol. ..... Thou shalt no sooner
March to assault thy country, than to tread
(Trust to 't thou shalt not) on thy mother's womb,
That brought thee to this world.
VIR.

Ay, and on mine,
That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name
Living to time.

Vol. . . . . . . . . Nay, behold us :
This boy, that cannot tell what he would have,
But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship,
Does reason our petition with more strength
Than thou hast to deny it.

Aur. I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour
At difference in thee: out of that I'll work
Myself a former fortune.”

(Aside.) . Act V. S. 3.

CORIOLANUS accused by AUFIDIUS of having be

trayed the trust reposed in him by the Volsces. They rise against him.

“ AUF. ....... At his nurse's tears
He whined and roar'd away your victory;
That pages blush'd at him, and men of heart
Look'd wondering at each other.
Cor.

Hear’st thou, Mars?
AUF. Name not the god, thou boy of tears!

Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart
Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave!-
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
Flutter'd your Volsces in Corioli;
Alone I did it.—Boy!
Cit. Tear him to pieces !"

Act V. S. 5.