ACT I SCENE X

Coriolanus

ACT I SCENE X. The camp of the Volsces.
[ A flourish. Cornets. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, bloody, with two or three Soldiers ]
AUFIDIUS	The town is ta’en!
First Soldier	‘Twill be deliver’d back on good condition.
AUFIDIUS	Condition!
	I would I were a Roman; for I cannot,
	Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition!	5
	What good condition can a treaty find
	I’ the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius,
	I have fought with thee: so often hast thou beat me,
	And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter
	As often as we eat. By the elements,	10
	If e’er again I meet him beard to beard,
	He’s mine, or I am his: mine emulation
	Hath not that honour in’t it had; for where
	I thought to crush him in an equal force,
	True sword to sword, I’ll potch at him some way	15
	Or wrath or craft may get him.
First Soldier	He’s the devil.
AUFIDIUS	Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour’s poison’d
	With only suffering stain by him; for him
	Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary,	20
	Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol,
	The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,
	Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
	Their rotten privilege and custom ‘gainst
	My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it	25
	At home, upon my brother’s guard, even there,
	Against the hospitable canon, would I
	Wash my fierce hand in’s heart. Go you to the city;
	Learn how ’tis held; and what they are that must
	Be hostages for Rome.	30
First Soldier	Will not you go?
AUFIDIUS	I am attended at the cypress grove: I pray you–
	‘Tis south the city mills–bring me word thither
	How the world goes, that to the pace of it
	I may spur on my journey.	35
First Soldier	I shall, sir.
[Exeunt]

Next: Coriolanus, Act 2, Scene 1