Mar.
Yonder comes news:—A wager, they have met.

Tit.
My horse to yours, no.

Mar.
'Tis done.

Tit.
Agreed.

Mar.
Say, has our general met the enemy?

Mes.
They lye in view, but have not spoke as yet.

Tit.
So, the good horse is mine.

Mar.
I'll buy him of you.

Tit.
No, I'll nor sell, ^note nor give him: lend you him I will,
For half a hundred years.—Summon the town.

Mar.
How far off lye these armies?

Mes.
Within this mile and half.

Mar.
Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours.—
Now, Mars, I pr'ythee, make us quick in work;
That we with smoking swords may march from hence,
To help our fielded friends!—Come, blow thy blast.— They sound a Parley. Enter, upon the Walls, some Senators, and other Volcians.
Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?

1. S.
No, nor a man that fears you less than ^note he,14Q0960
That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums [Alarums heard.
Are bringing forth our youth: We'll break our walls,
Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pin'd with rushes;
They'll open of themselves. Hark you, far off; [other Alarums.
There is Aufidius: list, what work he makes
Amongst your cloven army.

Mar.
O, they are at it.

Tit.
Their noise be our instruction.—Ladders, ho! The Volcians enter, and pass over.

Mar.
They fear us not, but issue forth their city.—
Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proof than shields.—Advance, brave Titus:
They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,
Which makes me sweat with wrath.—Come on, my fellows ^note;
He that retires, I'll take him for a Volcian,
And he shall feel mine edge. [Exeunt, as to the Fight.

Alarums. The Romans are beat back. Re-enter Marcius.

Mar.
All the contagion of the south light on you,
You shames of Rome, you! Herds of ^note boils and plagues
Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhor'd
Farther than seen, and one infect another
Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese,
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that apes would beat? Pluto and hell!
All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale
With flight and agu'd fear! Mend, and charge home,
Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe,
And make my wars on you: look to't: Come on;
If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives,
As they us to our trenches followed. ^note [Exeunt. Alarums. The Fight renew'd. Enter, in Retire towards their City, the Volcians; Marcius, and the Romans, pressing them.

Mar.
So, now the gates are ope:—Now prove good seconds:
'Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
Not for the fliers: Mark me, and do the like. [charges the flying Enemy: Enters the Gates with them; and is shut in.

1. R.
Fool-hardiness; not I.

2. R.
Nor I.

1. R.
See, they have shut him in.

all.
To the pot, I warrant him. [Alarum continues. Enter Titus Lartius.

Tit.
What is become of Marcius?

all.
Slain, sir, doubtless.

1. R.
Following the fliers at the very heels,

With them he enters: who, upon the sudden,
Clapt to their gates; he is himself alone,
To answer all the city.

Tit.
O noble fellow!
Who, sensible ^note,14Q0961 out-dares his senseless sword,
And, when it bows, stands ^note up! Thou art left, Marcius:
A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,
Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier
Even to Cato's ^note wish: not fierce and terrible
Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks, and
The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,
Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the world
Were feverous, and did tremble. Re-enter Marcius bleeding, assaulted by the Enemy.

1. R.
Look, sir.

Tit.
O, 'tis Marcius:
Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike. [They fight, and all enter the City.

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