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Coriolanus - Act 4, scene 3
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Coriolanus - Act 4, scene 3Act 4, scene 3
⌜Scene 3⌝
Synopsis:
A Roman informer tells a Volscian spy of Coriolanus’s banishment.
Enter a Roman ⌜(Nicanor)⌝ and a Volsce ⌜(Adrian).⌝ROMAN 2592 I know you well, sir, and you know me. Your
2593 name I think is Adrian.
VOLSCE 2594 It is so, sir. Truly, I have forgot you.
ROMAN 2595 I am a Roman, and my services are, as you are,
2596 5 against ’em. Know you me yet?
VOLSCE 2597 Nicanor, no?
ROMAN 2598 The same, sir.
VOLSCE 2599 You had more beard when I last saw you, but
2600 your favor is well ⌜approved⌝ by your tongue.
2601 10 What’s the news in Rome? I have a note from the
2602 Volscian state to find you out there. You have well
2603 saved me a day’s journey.
ROMAN 2604 There hath been in Rome strange insurrections,
2605 the people against the senators, patricians,
2606 15 and nobles.
VOLSCE 2607 Hath been? Is it ended, then? Our state thinks
2608 not so. They are in a most warlike preparation and
2609 hope to come upon them in the heat of their
2610 division.
ROMAN 2611 20The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing
2612 would make it flame again; for the nobles receive
2613 so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus
2614 that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power
2615 from the people and to pluck from them their tribunes
2616 25 forever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and
2617 is almost mature for the violent breaking out.
VOLSCE 2618 Coriolanus banished?
ROMAN 2619 Banished, sir.
VOLSCE 2620 You will be welcome with this intelligence,
2621 30 Nicanor.
ROMAN 2622 The day serves well for them now. I have heard
p.
193
2623
it said the fittest time to corrupt a man’s wife is2624 when she’s fall’n out with her husband. Your noble
2625 Tullus Aufidius ⌜will⌝ appear well in these wars, his
2626 35 great opposer Coriolanus being now in no request
2627 of his country.
VOLSCE 2628 He cannot choose. I am most fortunate thus
2629 accidentally to encounter you. You have ended my
2630 business, and I will merrily accompany you home.
ROMAN 2631 40I shall between this and supper tell you most
2632 strange things from Rome, all tending to the good
2633 of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say
2634 you?
VOLSCE 2635 A most royal one. The centurions and their
2636 45 charges, distinctly billeted, already in th’ entertainment,
2637 and to be on foot at an hour’s warning.
ROMAN 2638 I am joyful to hear of their readiness and am
2639 the man, I think, that shall set them in present action.
2640 So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of
2641 50 your company.
VOLSCE 2642 You take my part from me, sir. I have the most
2643 cause to be glad of yours.
ROMAN 2644 Well, let us go together.
They exit.