Volsce, meeting note.
Rom.
I know you well, sir, and you know me: your
name, I think, is Adrian.
Vols.
It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you.
Rom.
I am a Roman; and note my services are, as you are,
against 'em note: know you me yet?
Vols.
Nicanor? note no.
Rom.
The same, sir.
Vols.
You had more beard when I last saw you; but
your favour is note well appeared note by your tongue. What's the
-- 373 --
news in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian state, to
find you out there note: you have well saved me a day's journey.
Rom.
There hath been in Rome strange insurrections note;
the people against the senators, patricians and nobles.
Vols.
Hath been! note 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.
Vols.
Coriolanus banished!
Rom.
Banished, sir.
Vols.
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 note appear well in these wars, his great opposer, Coriolanus,
being now in no request of his country.
Vols.
He cannot choose. 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?
Vols.
A most royal one; the centurions and their
charges, distinctly billeted, already 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.
-- 374 --
Vols.
You take my part from note me, sir; I have the most
cause to be glad of yours.
Rom.
Well, let us go together.
[Exeunt.
note
William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].