ACT I
SCENE III Rome. A room in Marcius' house.


 [Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA they set them down
 on two low stools, and sew]

VOLUMNIA I pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself in a
 more comfortable sort: if my son were my husband, I
 should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he
 won honour than in the embracements of his bed where
 he would show most love. When yet he was but
 tender-bodied and the only son of my womb, when
 youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way, when
 for a day of kings' entreaties a mother should not
 sell him an hour from her beholding, I, considering
 how honour would become such a person. that it was
 no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if
 renown made it not stir, was pleased to let him seek
 danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel
 war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows
 bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not
 more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child
 than now in first seeing he had proved himself a
 man.

VIRGILIA But had he died in the business, madam; how then?

VOLUMNIA Then his good report should have been my son; I
 therein would have found issue. Hear me profess
 sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each in my love
 alike and none less dear than thine and my good
 Marcius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their
 country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.

 [Enter a Gentlewoman]

Gentlewoman Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.

VIRGILIA Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.

VOLUMNIA Indeed, you shall not.
 Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum,
 See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair,
 As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him:
 Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus:
 'Come on, you cowards! you were got in fear,
 Though you were born in Rome:' his bloody brow
 With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes,
 Like to a harvest-man that's task'd to mow
 Or all or lose his hire.

VIRGILIA His bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood!

VOLUMNIA Away, you fool! it more becomes a man
 Than gilt his trophy: the breasts of Hecuba,
 When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier
 Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood
 At Grecian sword, contemning. Tell Valeria,
 We are fit to bid her welcome.

 [Exit Gentlewoman]

VIRGILIA Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!

VOLUMNIA He'll beat Aufidius 'head below his knee
 And tread upon his neck.

 [Enter VALERIA, with an Usher and Gentlewoman]

VALERIA My ladies both, good day to you.

VOLUMNIA Sweet madam.

VIRGILIA I am glad to see your ladyship.

VALERIA How do you both? you are manifest house-keepers.
 What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good
 faith. How does your little son?

VIRGILIA I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.

VOLUMNIA He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than
 look upon his school-master.

VALERIA O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear,'tis a
 very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o'
 Wednesday half an hour together: has such a
 confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded
 butterfly: and when he caught it, he let it go
 again; and after it again; and over and over he
 comes, and again; catched it again; or whether his
 fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his
 teeth and tear it; O, I warrant it, how he mammocked
 it!

VOLUMNIA One on 's father's moods.

VALERIA Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.

VIRGILIA A crack, madam.

VALERIA Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play
 the idle husewife with me this afternoon.

VIRGILIA No, good madam; I will not out of doors.

VALERIA Not out of doors!

VOLUMNIA She shall, she shall.

VIRGILIA Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the
 threshold till my lord return from the wars.

VALERIA Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably: come,
 you must go visit the good lady that lies in.

VIRGILIA I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with
 my prayers; but I cannot go thither.

VOLUMNIA Why, I pray you?

VIRGILIA 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.

VALERIA You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all
 the yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill
 Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would your cambric
 were sensible as your finger, that you might leave
 pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.

VIRGILIA No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.

VALERIA In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you
 excellent news of your husband.

VIRGILIA O, good madam, there can be none yet.

VALERIA Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from
 him last night.

VIRGILIA Indeed, madam?

VALERIA In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it.
 Thus it is: the Volsces have an army forth; against
 whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of
 our Roman power: your lord and Titus Lartius are set
 down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt
 prevailing and to make it brief wars. This is true,
 on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.

VIRGILIA Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every
 thing hereafter.

VOLUMNIA Let her alone, lady: as she is now, she will but
 disease our better mirth.

VALERIA In troth, I think she would. Fare you well, then.
 Come, good sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy
 solemness out o' door. and go along with us.

VIRGILIA No, at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I wish
 you much mirth.

VALERIA Well, then, farewell.

 [Exeunt]




 CORIOLANUS


ACT I