pruthvimv/DecoderonlyTransformer

1First Citizen:2Before we proceed any further, hear me speak.3 4All:5Speak, speak.6 7First Citizen:8You are all resolved rather to die than to famish?9 10All:11Resolved. resolved.12 13First Citizen:14First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people.15 16All:17We know't, we know't.18 19First Citizen:20Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price.21Is't a verdict?22 23All:24No more talking on't; let it be done: away, away!25 26Second Citizen:27One word, good citizens.28 29First Citizen:30We are accounted poor citizens, the patricians good.31What authority surfeits on would relieve us: if they32would yield us but the superfluity, while it were33wholesome, we might guess they relieved us humanely;34but they think we are too dear: the leanness that35afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an36inventory to particularise their abundance; our37sufferance is a gain to them Let us revenge this with38our pikes, ere we become rakes: for the gods know I39speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.40 41Second Citizen:42Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?43 44All:45Against him first: he's a very dog to the commonalty.46 47Second Citizen:48Consider you what services he has done for his country?49 50First Citizen:51Very well; and could be content to give him good52report fort, but that he pays himself with being proud.53 54Second Citizen:55Nay, but speak not maliciously.56 57First Citizen:58I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did59it to that end: though soft-conscienced men can be60content to say it was for his country he did it to61please his mother and to be partly proud; which he62is, even till the altitude of his virtue.63 64Second Citizen:65What he cannot help in his nature, you account a66vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous.67 68First Citizen:69If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations;70he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition.71What shouts are these? The other side o' the city72is risen: why stay we prating here? to the Capitol!73 74All:75Come, come.76 77First Citizen:78Soft! who comes here?79 80Second Citizen:81Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always loved82the people.83 84First Citizen:85He's one honest enough: would all the rest were so!86 87MENENIUS:88What work's, my countrymen, in hand? where go you89With bats and clubs? The matter? speak, I pray you.90 91First Citizen:92Our business is not unknown to the senate; they have93had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do,94which now we'll show 'em in deeds. They say poor95suitors have strong breaths: they shall know we96have strong arms too.97 98MENENIUS:99Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,100Will you undo yourselves?101 102First Citizen:103We cannot, sir, we are undone already.104 105MENENIUS:106I tell you, friends, most charitable care107Have the patricians of you. For your wants,108Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well109Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them110Against the Roman state, whose course will on111The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs112Of more strong link asunder than can ever113Appear in your impediment. For the dearth,114The gods, not the patricians, make it, and115Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack,116You are transported by calamity117Thither where more attends you, and you slander118The helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers,119When you curse them as enemies.120 121First Citizen:122Care for us! True, indeed! They ne'er cared for us123yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses124crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to125support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act126established against the rich, and provide more127piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain128the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and129there's all the love they bear us.130 131MENENIUS:132Either you must133Confess yourselves wondrous malicious,134Or be accused of folly. I shall tell you135A pretty tale: it may be you have heard it;136But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture137To stale 't a little more.138 139First Citizen:140Well, I'll hear it, sir: yet you must not think to141fob off our disgrace with a tale: but, an 't please142you, deliver.143 144MENENIUS:145There was a time when all the body's members146Rebell'd against the belly, thus accused it:147That only like a gulf it did remain148I' the midst o' the body, idle and unactive,149Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing150Like labour with the rest, where the other instruments151Did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,152And, mutually participate, did minister153Unto the appetite and affection common154Of the whole body. The belly answer'd--155 156First Citizen:157Well, sir, what answer made the belly?158 159MENENIUS:160Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile,161Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus--162For, look you, I may make the belly smile163As well as speak--it tauntingly replied164To the discontented members, the mutinous parts165That envied his receipt; even so most fitly166As you malign our senators for that167They are not such as you.168 169First Citizen:170Your belly's answer? What!171The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye,172The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,173Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter.174With other muniments and petty helps175In this our fabric, if that they--176 177MENENIUS:178What then?179'Fore me, this fellow speaks! What then? what then?180 181First Citizen:182Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd,183Who is the sink o' the body,--184 185MENENIUS:186Well, what then?187 188First Citizen:189The former agents, if they did complain,190What could the belly answer?191 192MENENIUS:193I will tell you194If you'll bestow a small--of what you have little--195Patience awhile, you'll hear the belly's answer.196 197First Citizen:198Ye're long about it.199 200MENENIUS:201Note me this, good friend;202Your most grave belly was deliberate,203Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd:204'True is it, my incorporate friends,' quoth he,205'That I receive the general food at first,206Which you do live upon; and fit it is,207Because I am the store-house and the shop208Of the whole body: but, if you do remember,209I send it through the rivers of your blood,210Even to the court, the heart, to the seat o' the brain;211And, through the cranks and offices of man,212The strongest nerves and small inferior veins213From me receive that natural competency214Whereby they live: and though that all at once,215You, my good friends,'--this says the belly, mark me,--216 217First Citizen:218Ay, sir; well, well.219 220MENENIUS:221'Though all at once cannot222See what I do deliver out to each,223Yet I can make my audit up, that all224From me do back receive the flour of all,225And leave me but the bran.' What say you to't?226 227First Citizen:228It was an answer: how apply you this?229 230MENENIUS:231The senators of Rome are this good belly,232And you the mutinous members; for examine233Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly234Touching the weal o' the common, you shall find235No public benefit which you receive236But it proceeds or comes from them to you237And no way from yourselves. What do you think,238You, the great toe of this assembly?239 240First Citizen:241I the great toe! why the great toe?242 243MENENIUS:244For that, being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest,245Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:246Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,247Lead'st first to win some vantage.248But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs:249Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;250The one side must have bale.251Hail, noble Marcius!252 253MARCIUS:254Thanks. What's the matter, you dissentious rogues,255That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,256Make yourselves scabs?257 258First Citizen:259We have ever your good word.260 261MARCIUS:262He that will give good words to thee will flatter263Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs,264That like nor peace nor war? the one affrights you,265The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,266Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;267Where foxes, geese: you are no surer, no,268Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,269Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is270To make him worthy whose offence subdues him271And curse that justice did it.272Who deserves greatness273Deserves your hate; and your affections are274A sick man's appetite, who desires most that275Which would increase his evil. He that depends276Upon your favours swims with fins of lead277And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust Ye?278With every minute you do change a mind,279And call him noble that was now your hate,280Him vile that was your garland. What's the matter,281That in these several places of the city282You cry against the noble senate, who,283Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else284Would feed on one another? What's their seeking?285 286MENENIUS:287For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say,288The city is well stored.289 290MARCIUS:291Hang 'em! They say!292They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know293What's done i' the Capitol; who's like to rise,294Who thrives and who declines; side factions295and give out296Conjectural marriages; making parties strong297And feebling such as stand not in their liking298Below their cobbled shoes. They say there's299grain enough!300Would the nobility lay aside their ruth,301And let me use my sword, I'll make a quarry302With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high303As I could pick my lance.304 305MENENIUS:306Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;307For though abundantly they lack discretion,308Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,309What says the other troop?310 311MARCIUS:312They are dissolved: hang 'em!313They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth proverbs,314That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat,315That meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent not316Corn for the rich men only: with these shreds317They vented their complainings; which being answer'd,318And a petition granted them, a strange one--319To break the heart of generosity,320And make bold power look pale--they threw their caps321As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon,322Shouting their emulation.323 324MENENIUS:325What is granted them?326 327MARCIUS:328Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,329Of their own choice: one's Junius Brutus,330Sicinius Velutus, and I know not--'Sdeath!331The rabble should have first unroof'd the city,332Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time333Win upon power and throw forth greater themes334For insurrection's arguing.335 336MENENIUS:337This is strange.338 339MARCIUS:340Go, get you home, you fragments!341 342Messenger:343Where's Caius Marcius?344 345MARCIUS:346Here: what's the matter?347 348Messenger:349The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.350 351MARCIUS:352I am glad on 't: then we shall ha' means to vent353Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders.354 355First Senator:356Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us;357The Volsces are in arms.358 359MARCIUS:360They have a leader,361Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to 't.362I sin in envying his nobility,363And were I any thing but what I am,364I would wish me only he.365 366COMINIUS:367You have fought together.368 369MARCIUS:370Were half to half the world by the ears and he.371Upon my party, I'ld revolt to make372Only my wars with him: he is a lion373That I am proud to hunt.374 375First Senator:376Then, worthy Marcius,377Attend upon Cominius to these wars.378 379COMINIUS:380It is your former promise.381 382MARCIUS:383Sir, it is;384And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou385Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.386What, art thou stiff? stand'st out?387 388TITUS:389No, Caius Marcius;390I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other,391Ere stay behind this business.392 393MENENIUS:394O, true-bred!395 396First Senator:397Your company to the Capitol; where, I know,398Our greatest friends attend us.399 400TITUS:401 402COMINIUS:403Noble Marcius!404 405First Senator:406 407MARCIUS:408Nay, let them follow:409The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither410To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners,411Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.412 413SICINIUS:414Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?415 416BRUTUS:417He has no equal.418 419SICINIUS:420When we were chosen tribunes for the people,--421 422BRUTUS:423Mark'd you his lip and eyes?424 425SICINIUS:426Nay. but his taunts.427 428BRUTUS:429Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods.430 431SICINIUS:432Be-mock the modest moon.433 434BRUTUS:435The present wars devour him: he is grown436Too proud to be so valiant.437 438SICINIUS:439Such a nature,440Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow441Which he treads on at noon: but I do wonder442His insolence can brook to be commanded443Under Cominius.444 445BRUTUS:446Fame, at the which he aims,447In whom already he's well graced, can not448Better be held nor more attain'd than by449A place below the first: for what miscarries450Shall be the general's fault, though he perform451To the utmost of a man, and giddy censure452Will then cry out of Marcius 'O if he453Had borne the business!'454 455SICINIUS:456Besides, if things go well,457Opinion that so sticks on Marcius shall458Of his demerits rob Cominius.459 460BRUTUS:461Come:462Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius.463Though Marcius earned them not, and all his faults464To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed465In aught he merit not.466 467SICINIUS:468Let's hence, and hear469How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion,470More than his singularity, he goes471Upon this present action.472 473BRUTUS:474Lets along.475 476First Senator:477So, your opinion is, Aufidius,478That they of Rome are entered in our counsels479And know how we proceed.480 481AUFIDIUS:482Is it not yours?483What ever have been thought on in this state,484That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome485Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone486Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think487I have the letter here; yes, here it is.488'They have press'd a power, but it is not known489Whether for east or west: the dearth is great;490The people mutinous; and it is rumour'd,491Cominius, Marcius your old enemy,492Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,493And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,494These three lead on this preparation495Whither 'tis bent: most likely 'tis for you:496Consider of it.'497 498First Senator:499Our army's in the field500We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready501To answer us.502 503AUFIDIUS:504Nor did you think it folly505To keep your great pretences veil'd till when506They needs must show themselves; which507in the hatching,508It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery.509We shall be shorten'd in our aim, which was510To take in many towns ere almost Rome511Should know we were afoot.512 513Second Senator:514Noble Aufidius,515Take your commission; hie you to your bands:516Let us alone to guard Corioli:517If they set down before 's, for the remove518Bring your army; but, I think, you'll find519They've not prepared for us.520 521AUFIDIUS:522O, doubt not that;523I speak from certainties. Nay, more,524Some parcels of their power are forth already,525And only hitherward. I leave your honours.526If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,527'Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike528Till one can do no more.529 530All:531The gods assist you!532 533AUFIDIUS:534And keep your honours safe!535 536First Senator:537Farewell.538 539Second Senator:540Farewell.541 542All:543Farewell.544 545VOLUMNIA:546I pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself in a547more comfortable sort: if my son were my husband, I548should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he549won honour than in the embracements of his bed where550he would show most love. When yet he was but551tender-bodied and the only son of my womb, when552youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way, when553for a day of kings' entreaties a mother should not554sell him an hour from her beholding, I, considering555how honour would become such a person. that it was556no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if557renown made it not stir, was pleased to let him seek558danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel559war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows560bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not561more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child562than now in first seeing he had proved himself a563man.564 565VIRGILIA:566But had he died in the business, madam; how then?567 568VOLUMNIA:569Then his good report should have been my son; I570therein would have found issue. Hear me profess571sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each in my love572alike and none less dear than thine and my good573Marcius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their574country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.575 576Gentlewoman:577Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.578 579VIRGILIA:580Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.581 582VOLUMNIA:583Indeed, you shall not.584Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum,585See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair,586As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him:587Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus:588'Come on, you cowards! you were got in fear,589Though you were born in Rome:' his bloody brow590With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes,591Like to a harvest-man that's task'd to mow592Or all or lose his hire.593 594VIRGILIA:595His bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood!596 597VOLUMNIA:598Away, you fool! it more becomes a man599Than gilt his trophy: the breasts of Hecuba,600When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier601Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood602At Grecian sword, contemning. Tell Valeria,603We are fit to bid her welcome.604 605VIRGILIA:606Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!607 608VOLUMNIA:609He'll beat Aufidius 'head below his knee610And tread upon his neck.611 612VALERIA:613My ladies both, good day to you.614 615VOLUMNIA:616Sweet madam.617 618VIRGILIA:619I am glad to see your ladyship.620 621VALERIA:622How do you both? you are manifest house-keepers.623What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good624faith. How does your little son?625 626VIRGILIA:627I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.628 629VOLUMNIA:630He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than631look upon his school-master.632 633VALERIA:634O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear,'tis a635very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o'636Wednesday half an hour together: has such a637confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded638butterfly: and when he caught it, he let it go639again; and after it again; and over and over he640comes, and again; catched it again; or whether his641fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his642teeth and tear it; O, I warrant it, how he mammocked643it!644 645VOLUMNIA:646One on 's father's moods.647 648VALERIA:649Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.650 651VIRGILIA:652A crack, madam.653 654VALERIA:655Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play656the idle husewife with me this afternoon.657 658VIRGILIA:659No, good madam; I will not out of doors.660 661VALERIA:662Not out of doors!663 664VOLUMNIA:665She shall, she shall.666 667VIRGILIA:668Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the669threshold till my lord return from the wars.670 671VALERIA:672Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably: come,673you must go visit the good lady that lies in.674 675VIRGILIA:676I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with677my prayers; but I cannot go thither.678 679VOLUMNIA:680Why, I pray you?681 682VIRGILIA:683'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.684 685VALERIA:686You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all687the yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill688Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would your cambric689were sensible as your finger, that you might leave690pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.691 692VIRGILIA:693No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.694 695VALERIA:696In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you697excellent news of your husband.698 699VIRGILIA:700O, good madam, there can be none yet.701 702VALERIA:703Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from704him last night.705 706VIRGILIA:707Indeed, madam?708 709VALERIA:710In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it.711Thus it is: the Volsces have an army forth; against712whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of713our Roman power: your lord and Titus Lartius are set714down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt715prevailing and to make it brief wars. This is true,716on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.717 718VIRGILIA:719Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every720thing hereafter.721 722VOLUMNIA:723Let her alone, lady: as she is now, she will but724disease our better mirth.725 726VALERIA:727In troth, I think she would. Fare you well, then.728Come, good sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy729solemness out o' door. and go along with us.730 731VIRGILIA:732No, at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I wish733you much mirth.734 735VALERIA:736Well, then, farewell.737 738MARCIUS:739Yonder comes news. A wager they have met.740 741LARTIUS:742My horse to yours, no.743 744MARCIUS:745'Tis done.746 747LARTIUS:748Agreed.749 750MARCIUS:751Say, has our general met the enemy?752 753Messenger:754They lie in view; but have not spoke as yet.755 756LARTIUS:757So, the good horse is mine.758 759MARCIUS:760I'll buy him of you.761 762LARTIUS:763No, I'll nor sell nor give him: lend you him I will764For half a hundred years. Summon the town.765 766MARCIUS:767How far off lie these armies?768 769Messenger:770Within this mile and half.771 772MARCIUS:773Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours.774Now, Mars, I prithee, make us quick in work,775That we with smoking swords may march from hence,776To help our fielded friends! Come, blow thy blast.777Tutus Aufidius, is he within your walls?778 779First Senator:780No, nor a man that fears you less than he,781That's lesser than a little.782Hark! our drums783Are bringing forth our youth. We'll break our walls,784Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates,785Which yet seem shut, we, have but pinn'd with rushes;786They'll open of themselves.787Hark you. far off!788There is Aufidius; list, what work he makes789Amongst your cloven army.790 791MARCIUS:792O, they are at it!793 794LARTIUS:795Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho!796 797MARCIUS:798They fear us not, but issue forth their city.799Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight800With hearts more proof than shields. Advance,801brave Titus:802They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,803Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my fellows:804He that retires I'll take him for a Volsce,805And he shall feel mine edge.806 807MARCIUS:808All the contagion of the south light on you,809You shames of Rome! you herd of--Boils and plagues810Plaster you o'er, that you may be abhorr'd811Further than seen and one infect another812Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese,813That bear the shapes of men, how have you run814From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell!815All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale816With flight and agued fear! Mend and charge home,817Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe818And make my wars on you: look to't: come on;819If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives,820As they us to our trenches followed.821So, now the gates are ope: now prove good seconds:822'Tis for the followers fortune widens them,823Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like.824 825First Soldier:826Fool-hardiness; not I.827 828Second Soldier:829Nor I.830 831First Soldier:832See, they have shut him in.833 834All:835To the pot, I warrant him.836 837LARTIUS:838What is become of Marcius?839 840All:841Slain, sir, doubtless.842 843First Soldier:844Following the fliers at the very heels,845With them he enters; who, upon the sudden,846Clapp'd to their gates: he is himself alone,847To answer all the city.848 849LARTIUS:850O noble fellow!851Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword,852And, when it bows, stands up. Thou art left, Marcius:853A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,854Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier855Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible856Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks and857The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,858Thou madst thine enemies shake, as if the world859Were feverous and did tremble.860 861First Soldier:862Look, sir.863 864LARTIUS:865O,'tis Marcius!866Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.867 868First Roman:869This will I carry to Rome.870 871Second Roman:872And I this.873 874Third Roman:875A murrain on't! I took this for silver.876 877MARCIUS:878See here these movers that do prize their hours879At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons,880Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would881Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,882Ere yet the fight be done, pack up: down with them!883And hark, what noise the general makes! To him!884There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius,885Piercing our Romans: then, valiant Titus, take886Convenient numbers to make good the city;887Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste888To help Cominius.889 890LARTIUS:891Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;892Thy exercise hath been too violent for893A second course of fight.894 895MARCIUS:896Sir, praise me not;897My work hath yet not warm'd me: fare you well:898The blood I drop is rather physical899Than dangerous to me: to Aufidius thus900I will appear, and fight.901 902LARTIUS:903Now the fair goddess, Fortune,904Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms905Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman,906Prosperity be thy page!907 908MARCIUS:909Thy friend no less910Than those she placeth highest! So, farewell.911 912LARTIUS:913Thou worthiest Marcius!914Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place;915Call thither all the officers o' the town,916Where they shall know our mind: away!917 918COMINIUS:919Breathe you, my friends: well fought;920we are come off921Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,922Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,923We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck,924By interims and conveying gusts we have heard925The charges of our friends. Ye Roman gods!926Lead their successes as we wish our own,927That both our powers, with smiling928fronts encountering,929May give you thankful sacrifice.930Thy news?931 932Messenger:933The citizens of Corioli have issued,934And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle:935I saw our party to their trenches driven,936And then I came away.937 938COMINIUS:939Though thou speak'st truth,940Methinks thou speak'st not well.941How long is't since?942 943Messenger:944Above an hour, my lord.945 946COMINIUS:947'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums:948How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour,949And bring thy news so late?950 951Messenger:952Spies of the Volsces953Held me in chase, that I was forced to wheel954Three or four miles about, else had I, sir,955Half an hour since brought my report.956 957COMINIUS:958Who's yonder,959That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods960He has the stamp of Marcius; and I have961Before-time seen him thus.962 963MARCIUS:964 965COMINIUS:966The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabour967More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue968From every meaner man.969 970MARCIUS:971Come I too late?972 973COMINIUS:974Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,975But mantled in your own.976 977MARCIUS:978O, let me clip ye979In arms as sound as when I woo'd, in heart980As merry as when our nuptial day was done,981And tapers burn'd to bedward!982 983COMINIUS:984Flower of warriors,985How is it with Titus Lartius?986 987MARCIUS:988As with a man busied about decrees:989Condemning some to death, and some to exile;990Ransoming him, or pitying, threatening the other;991Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,992Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,993To let him slip at will.994 995COMINIUS:996Where is that slave997Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?998Where is he? call him hither.999 1000MARCIUS:1001Let him alone;1002He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen,1003The common file--a plague! tribunes for them!--1004The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge1005From rascals worse than they.1006 1007COMINIUS:1008But how prevail'd you?1009 1010MARCIUS:1011Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.1012Where is the enemy? are you lords o' the field?1013If not, why cease you till you are so?1014 1015COMINIUS:1016Marcius,1017We have at disadvantage fought and did1018Retire to win our purpose.1019 1020MARCIUS:1021How lies their battle? know you on which side1022They have placed their men of trust?1023 1024COMINIUS:1025As I guess, Marcius,1026Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,1027Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius,1028Their very heart of hope.1029 1030MARCIUS:1031I do beseech you,1032By all the battles wherein we have fought,1033By the blood we have shed together, by the vows1034We have made to endure friends, that you directly1035Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates;1036And that you not delay the present, but,1037Filling the air with swords advanced and darts,1038We prove this very hour.1039 1040COMINIUS:1041Though I could wish1042You were conducted to a gentle bath1043And balms applied to, you, yet dare I never1044Deny your asking: take your choice of those1045That best can aid your action.1046 1047MARCIUS:1048Those are they1049That most are willing. If any such be here--1050As it were sin to doubt--that love this painting1051Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear1052Lesser his person than an ill report;1053If any think brave death outweighs bad life1054And that his country's dearer than himself;1055Let him alone, or so many so minded,1056Wave thus, to express his disposition,1057And follow Marcius.1058O, me alone! make you a sword of me?1059If these shows be not outward, which of you1060But is four Volsces? none of you but is1061Able to bear against the great Aufidius1062A shield as hard as his. A certain number,1063Though thanks to all, must I select1064from all: the rest1065Shall bear the business in some other fight,1066As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march;1067And four shall quickly draw out my command,1068Which men are best inclined.1069 1070COMINIUS:1071March on, my fellows:1072Make good this ostentation, and you shall1073Divide in all with us.1074 1075LARTIUS:1076So, let the ports be guarded: keep your duties,1077As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch1078Those centuries to our aid: the rest will serve1079For a short holding: if we lose the field,1080We cannot keep the town.1081 1082Lieutenant:1083Fear not our care, sir.1084 1085LARTIUS:1086Hence, and shut your gates upon's.1087Our guider, come; to the Roman camp conduct us.1088 1089MARCIUS:1090I'll fight with none but thee; for I do hate thee1091Worse than a promise-breaker.1092 1093AUFIDIUS:1094We hate alike:1095Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor1096More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot.1097 1098MARCIUS:1099Let the first budger die the other's slave,1100And the gods doom him after!1101 1102AUFIDIUS:1103If I fly, Marcius,1104Holloa me like a hare.1105 1106MARCIUS:1107Within these three hours, Tullus,1108Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,1109And made what work I pleased: 'tis not my blood1110Wherein thou seest me mask'd; for thy revenge1111Wrench up thy power to the highest.1112 1113AUFIDIUS:1114Wert thou the Hector1115That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,1116Thou shouldst not scape me here.1117Officious, and not valiant, you have shamed me1118In your condemned seconds.1119 1120COMINIUS:1121If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work,1122Thou'ldst not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it1123Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles,1124Where great patricians shall attend and shrug,1125I' the end admire, where ladies shall be frighted,1126And, gladly quaked, hear more; where the1127dull tribunes,1128That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours,1129Shall say against their hearts 'We thank the gods1130Our Rome hath such a soldier.'1131Yet camest thou to a morsel of this feast,1132Having fully dined before.1133 1134LARTIUS:1135O general,1136Here is the steed, we the caparison:1137Hadst thou beheld--1138 1139MARCIUS:1140Pray now, no more: my mother,1141Who has a charter to extol her blood,1142When she does praise me grieves me. I have done1143As you have done; that's what I can; induced1144As you have been; that's for my country:1145He that has but effected his good will1146Hath overta'en mine act.1147 1148COMINIUS:1149You shall not be1150The grave of your deserving; Rome must know1151The value of her own: 'twere a concealment1152Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement,1153To hide your doings; and to silence that,1154Which, to the spire and top of praises vouch'd,1155Would seem but modest: therefore, I beseech you1156In sign of what you are, not to reward1157What you have done--before our army hear me.1158 1159MARCIUS:1160I have some wounds upon me, and they smart1161To hear themselves remember'd.1162 1163COMINIUS:1164Should they not,1165Well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude,1166And tent themselves with death. Of all the horses,1167Whereof we have ta'en good and good store, of all1168The treasure in this field achieved and city,1169We render you the tenth, to be ta'en forth,1170Before the common distribution, at1171Your only choice.1172 1173MARCIUS:1174I thank you, general;1175But cannot make my heart consent to take1176A bribe to pay my sword: I do refuse it;1177And stand upon my common part with those1178That have beheld the doing.1179 1180MARCIUS:1181May these same instruments, which you profane,1182Never sound more! when drums and trumpets shall1183I' the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be1184Made all of false-faced soothing!1185When steel grows soft as the parasite's silk,1186Let him be made a coverture for the wars!1187No more, I say! For that I have not wash'd1188My nose that bled, or foil'd some debile wretch.--1189Which, without note, here's many else have done,--1190You shout me forth1191In acclamations hyperbolical;1192As if I loved my little should be dieted1193In praises sauced with lies.1194 1195COMINIUS:1196Too modest are you;1197More cruel to your good report than grateful1198To us that give you truly: by your patience,1199If 'gainst yourself you be incensed, we'll put you,1200Like one that means his proper harm, in manacles,

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