Rom.
I know you well, Sir, and you know me.
Your name, I think, is Adrian.

Vol.

It is so, Sir. Truly, I have forgot you.

Rom.

I am a Roman, but my services are as you are, against 'em. Know you me yet?

Vol.

Nicanor? no.

Rom.

The same, Sir.

Vol.

You had more beard when I last saw you,

^{5 note}

Rom.

There have been in Rome strange insurrections; the People against the Senators, Patricians and Nobles.

Vol.

Hath been! is it ended then? our State thinks not so; they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division.

Rom.

The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. For the Nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the People, and to pluck from them their Tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you; and is almost mature for the violent breaking out.

Vol.

Coriolanus banish'd?

Rom.

Banish'd, Sir.

Vol.

You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.

Rom.

The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt a man's Wife, is when she's fallen out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great Opposer Coriolanus being now in no request of his Country.

Vol.

He cannot chuse. I am most fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you. You have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home.

Rom.

I shall between this and supper tell you most strange things from Rome; all tending to the good of their Adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you?

Vol.

A most royal one. The Centurions and their Charges distinctly billeted, * ^notealready in the entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning.

Rom.

I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think, that shall set them in present action. So, Sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company.

Vol.

You take my Part from me, Sir, I have the most cause to be glad of yours.

Rom.

Well, let us go together.

Cor.
A goodly City is this Antium.—City,
'Tis I, that made thy widows; many an heir
Of these fair edifices 'fore my wars
Have I heard groan, and drop; then know Me not,
Lest that thy Wives with spits, and boys with stones, Enter a Citizen.
In puny battle slay me. Save you, Sir.

Cit.
And you.

Cor.

Direct me, if it be your will, where great Aufidius lies: Is he in Antium?

Cit.
He is, and feasts the Nobles of the State,
At his house this night.

Cor.
Which is his house, I beseech you?

Cit.
This, here, before you.

Cor.
Thank you, Sir. Farewel. [Exit Citizen.

^{6 note}Oh, world, thy slippery turns! friends now fast-sworn,
Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart,
Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal and exercise
Are still together, who twine, as 'twere, in love
Unseparable, shall within this hour,
On a dissension of a doit, break out
To bitterest enmity. So fellest foes,
Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep
To take the one the other, by some chance,
Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends,
And inter-join their issues. ^{7 note}

Previous section

Next section