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!
Sol.
'Twill be deliver'd back on good condition.
Auf.
Condition!—
I would, I were a Roman; for I cannot,
1 note
Being a Volce, be that I am.—Condition!
What good condition can a treaty find
I' the part that is at mercy? Fives 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 beard,
He is mine, or I am his: Mine emulation
Hath not that honour in't, 9Q0908 it had; for where
I thought to crush him in an equal force,
True sword to sword, 2 note
I'll potch at him some way;
Or wrath, or craft, may get him.
-- 369 --
Sol.
He's the devil.
Auf.
Bolder, though not so subtle: My valour's poison'd3 note
,
With only suffering stain by him; 4 note
for him
Shall flie out of itself: 5 note
nor sleep, nor sanctuary,
Being naked, sick; nor fane, nor Capitol,
The prayers of priests, nor times of sacrifice,
Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
-- 370 --
Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst
My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it
6 noteAt home, upon my brother's guard, 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.
Sol.
Will not you go?
Auf.
I am attended at the cypress grove:
I pray you,
('Tis south the city mills7 note
) 9Q0909 bring me word thither
How the world goes; that to the pace of it
I may spur on my journey.
Sol.
I shall, sir.
[Exeunt.
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
