SCENE X.
The Camp of the Volces.
A Flourish. Cornets. Enter Tullus Aufidius,
bloody, with Two or Three Soldiers.
Auf.
The town is ta'en!
1 Sol.
'Twill be deliver'd back on good condition.
Auf.
Condition!—
I would, I were a Roman; for I cannot,
Being a Volce, be that I am7 note
.—Condition!
-- 55 --
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 would'st do so, I think, should we encounter
As often as we eat.—By the elements,
If e'er again I meet him beard to beard8 note
,
He is mine, or I am his: Mine emulation
Hath not that honour in't, it had; for where9 note
I thought to crush him in an equal force,
(True sword to sword,) I'll potch at him some way1 note
;
Or wrath, or craft, may get him.
1 Sol.
He's the devil.
Auf.
Bolder, though not so subtle: My valour's poison'd2 note
,
-- 56 --
With only suffering stain by him; for him
Shall fly out of itself3 note
: nor sleep, nor sanctuary,
Being naked, sick: nor fane, nor Capitol,
The prayers of priests, nor times of sacrifice,
Embarquements all of fury4 note
, shall lift up
Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst
My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it
At home, upon my brother's guard5 note
, even there
Against the hospitable canon, would I
Wash my fierce hand in his heart. Go you to the city;
Learn, how 'tis held; and what they are, that must
Be hostages for Rome.
-- 57 --
1 Sol.
Will not you go?
Auf.
I am attended6 note at the cypress grove: I pray you,
('Tis south the city mills7 note
,) bring me word thither
How the world goes; that to the pace of it
I may spur on my journey.
1 Sol.
I shall, sir.
[Exeunt.
-- 58 --
James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
