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 O, no more, no more!. 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. Making the mother, wife, and child, to see Our wish, which side should win for either thou With manacles through our streets, or else I These wars determine: if I cannot persuade thee Vir. Boy. He shall not tread on me; I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight. [Rising Vol. These wars determine:] i. e. conclude, end. To save the Romans, thereby to destroy To tear with thunder the wide checks o'the air, More bound to his mother; yet here he lets me prate When she, (poor hen!) fond of no second brood, Has cluck'd thee to the wars, and safely home, the fine strains-] The niceties, the refinements. And yet to charge thy sulphur-] The meaning of the pas sage is, To threaten much, and yet be merciful. Like one i' the stocks.] Keeps me in a state of ignominy talking to no purpose. Loaden with honour. Say, my request's unjust, Like him by chance :-Yet give us our despatch: I am hush'd until our city be afire, And then I'll speak a little. Cor. O mother, mother! [Holding VOLUMNIA by the Hands, silent. What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope, The gods look down, and this unnatural scene They laugh at. O my mother, mother! O! You have won a happy victory to Rome: But, for your son, believe it, O, believe it, Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd, If not most mortal to him. But, let it come :Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars, I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius, Were you in my stead, say, would you have heard A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius? - Auf. I was mov'd withal. Cor. I dare be sworn, you were: And, sir, it is no little thing, to make • Does reason our petition] Does argue for us and our petitiom Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part, I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you, Stand to me in this cause.-O mother! wife! Auf. I am glad, thou has set thy mercy and thy honour At difference in thee: out of that I'll work Cor. [Aside. [The Ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS. Ay, by and by; [To VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, &c. But we will drink together; and you shall bear A better witness back than words, which we, On like conditions, will have counter-seal'd. Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve To have a temple built you: all the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, Could not have made this peace. SCENE IV. Rome. A publick Place. Enter MENENIUS and SICINIUS. [Exeunt. Men. See you yond' coign o'the Capitol; yond' corner-stone? Sic. Why, what of that? Men. If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. a former fortune.] i. e. restore myself to my former credit and power. To have a temple built you:] Plutarch inform us, that a temple dedicated to the Fortune of the Ladies, was built on this occasion by order of the senate. |