1 Watch.
Stay: whence are you?
Stand, and go back.

Men.
You guard like men, 'tis well. But by your leave,
I am an officer of state, and come
To speak with Coriolanus.

1 Watch.
Whence?

Men.
From Rome.

1 Watch.
You may not pass, you must return: our general
Will no more hear from thence.

Men.
Good my friends,
If you have heard your general talk of Rome,
And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks,
My name hath touch'd your ears; it is Menenius.

1 Watch.
Be it so, go back; the virtue of your name,
Is not here passable.

Men.
I tell thee, fellow,
Thy general is my lover: I have been
The book of his good acts, whence men have read
His fame unparallel'd, haply amplified:
Therefore, fellow, I must have leave to pass.

1 Watch.

'Faith, Sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalf, as you have utter'd words in your own, you should not pass here; therefore go back.

Men.

Has he din'd, canst thou tell? for I would not speak with him, 'till after dinner.

Cor.

What's the matter?

Men.

Now, you companion, I'll say an errand for you; you shall know now that I am in estimation; you shall perceive, that a jack-gardant cannot office me from my son Coriolanus; guess, by my entertainment with him, and swoon for what's to come upon thee.—The glorious gods sit in hourly synod, about thy particular prosperity, and love thee no worse

than thy old father Menenius does! O my son, my son! thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it. I was hardly mov'd to come to thee, but being assured none but myself could move thee, I have been blown out of our gates, with sighs, and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy petitionary countrymen. The good gods asswage thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here; this, who like a block, hath denied my access to thee—

Cor.

Away!§ ^note

Men.

How, away?

Cor.
Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs
Are servanted to others: though I owe
My revenge properly, remission lies
In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,
Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather
Than pity note how much. Therefore, be gone;
Mine ears against your suits are stronger, than
Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,
Take this along; I writ it for thy sake, [Gives him a letter.
And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius,
I will not hear thee speak. [Exeunt. Manent the guard and Menenius.

1 Watch.

Now, Sir, is your name Menenius?

Men.

I neither care for th' world, nor your general: for such things as you, I can scarce think there's any, y'are so slight. He that hath a will to die by himself, fears it not from another: I say to you, as I was said to, Away!* ^note

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