2084Corio. Let them pull all about mine eares, present me

2085Death on the Wheele, or at wilde Horses heeles,

2086Or pile ten hilles on the Tarpeian Rocke,

2087That the precipitation might downe stretch

2088Below the beame of sight; yet will I still

2089Be thus to them.

2091Noble. You do the Nobler.

2092Corio. I muse my Mother

2093Do's not approue me further, who was wont

2094To call them Wollen Vassailes, things created

2095To buy and sell with Groats, to shew bare heads

2096In Congregations, to yawne, be still, and wonder,

2097When one but of my ordinance stood vp

2098To speake of Peace, or Warre. I talke of you,

2099Why did you wish me milder? Would you haue me

2100False to my Nature? Rather say, I play

2101The man I am.

2102Volum. Oh sir, sir, sir,

2103I would haue had you put your power well on

2104Before you had worne it out.

2105Corio. Let go.

2106Vol. You might haue beene enough the man you are,

2107With striuing lesse to be so: Lesser had bin

2108The things of your dispositions, if

2109You had not shew'd them how ye were dispos'd

2110Ere they lack'd power to crosse you.

2111Corio. Let them hang.

2112Volum. I, and burne too.

2114Men. Come, come, you haue bin too rough, somthing

2115too rough: you must returne, and mend it.

2116Sen. There's no remedy,

2117Vnlesse by not so doing, our good Citie

2118Cleaue in the midd'st, and perish.

2119Volum. Pray be counsail'd;

2120I haue a heart as little apt as yours,

2121But yet a braine, that leades my vse of Anger

2122To better vantage.

2123Mene. Well said, Noble woman:

2124Before he should thus stoope to'th' heart, but that

2125The violent fit a'th' time craues it as Physicke

2126For the whole State; I would put mine Armour on,

2127Which I can scarsely beare.

2128Corio. What must I do?

2129Mene. Returne to th' Tribunes.

2130Corio. Well, what then? what then?

2131Mene. Repent, what you haue spoke.

2132Corio. For them, I cannot do it to the Gods,

2133Must I then doo't to them?

2134Volum. You are too absolute,

2135Though therein you can neuer be too Noble,

2136But when extremities speake. I haue heard you say,

2137Honor and Policy, like vnseuer'd Friends,

2138I'th' Warre do grow together: Grant that, and tell me

2139In Peace, what each of them by th' other loose,

2140That they combine not there?

2141Corio. Tush, tush.

2142Mene. A good demand.

2143Volum. If it be Honor in your Warres, to seeme

2144The same you are not, which for your best ends

2145You adopt your policy: How is it lesse or worse

2146That it shall hold Companionship in Peace

2147With Honour, as in Warre; since that to both

2148It stands in like request.

2149Corio. Why force you this?

2150Volum. Because, that

2151Now it lyes you on to speake to th' people:

2152Not by your owne instruction, nor by'th' matter

2153Which your heart prompts you, but with such words

2154That are but roated in your Tongue;

2155Though but Bastards, and Syllables

2156Of no allowance, to your bosomes truth.

2157Now, this no more dishonors you at all,

2158Then to take in a Towne with gentle words,

2159Which else would put you to your fortune, and

2160The hazard of much blood.

2161I would dissemble with my Nature, where

2162My Fortunes and my Friends at stake, requir'd

2163I should do so in Honor. I am in this

bb3 Your

2164Your Wife, your Sonne: These Senators, the Nobles,

2165And you, will rather shew our generall Lowts,

2166How you can frowne, then spend a fawne vpon 'em,

2167For the inheritance of their loues, and safegard

2168Of what that want might ruine.

2169Menen. Noble Lady,

2170Come goe with vs, speake faire: you may salue so,

2171Not what is dangerous present, but the losse

2172Of what is past.

2173Volum. I pry thee now, my Sonne,

2174Goe to them, with this Bonnet in thy hand,

2175And thus farre hauing stretcht it (here be with them)

2176Thy Knee bussing the stones: for in such businesse

2177Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th' ignorant

2178More learned then the eares, wauing thy head,

2179Which often thus correcting thy stout heart,

2180Now humble as the ripest Mulberry,

2181That will not hold the handling: or say to them,

2182Thou art their Souldier, and being bred in broyles,

2183Hast not the soft way, which thou do'st confesse

2184Were fit for thee to vse, as they to clayme,

2185In asking their good loues, but thou wilt frame

2186Thy selfe (forsooth) hereafter theirs so farre,

2187As thou hast power and person.

2188Menen. This but done,

2189Euen as she speakes, why their hearts were yours:

2190For they haue Pardons, being ask'd, as free,

2191As words to little purpose.

2192Volum. Prythee now,

2193Goe, and be rul'd: although I know thou hadst rather

2194Follow thine Enemie in a fierie Gulfe,

2195Then flatter him in a Bower. Enter Cominius.

2196Here is Cominius.

2197Com. I haue beene i'th' Market place: and Sir 'tis fit

2198You make strong partie, or defend your selfe

2199By calmenesse, or by absence: all's in anger.

2200Menen. Onely faire speech.

2201Com. I thinke 'twill serue, if he can thereto frame his

2202spirit.

2203Volum. He must, and will:

2204Prythee now say you will, and goe about it.

2205Corio. Must I goe shew them my vnbarb'd Sconce?

2206Must I with my base Tongue giue to my Noble Heart

2207A Lye, that it must beare well? I will doo't:

2208Yet were there but this single Plot, to loose

2209This Mould of Martius, they to dust should grinde it,

2210And throw't against the Winde. To th' Market place:

2211You haue put me now to such a part, which neuer

2212I shall discharge to th' Life.

2213Com. Come, come, wee'le prompt you.

2214Volum. I prythee now sweet Son, as thou hast said

2215My praises made thee first a Souldier; so

2216To haue my praise for this, performe a part

2217Thou hast not done before.

2218Corio. Well, I must doo't:

2219Away my disposition, and possesse me

2220Some Harlots spirit: My throat of Warre be turn'd,

2221Which quier'd with my Drumme into a Pipe,

2222Small as an Eunuch, or the Virgin voyce

2223That Babies lull a-sleepe: The smiles of Knaues

2224Tent in my cheekes, and Schoole-boyes Teares take vp

2225The Glasses of my sight: A Beggars Tongue

2226Make motion through my Lips, and my Arm'd knees

2227Who bow'd but in my Stirrop, bend like his

2228That hath receiu'd an Almes. I will not doo't,

2229Least I surcease to honor mine owne truth,

2230And by my Bodies action, teach my Minde

2231A most inherent Basenesse.

2232Volum. At thy choice then:

2233To begge of thee, it is my more dis-honor,

2234Then thou of them. Come all to ruine, let

2235Thy Mother rather feele thy Pride, then feare

2236Thy dangerous Stoutnesse: for I mocke at death

2237With as bigge heart as thou. Do as thou list,

2238Thy Valiantnesse was mine, thou suck'st it from me:

2239But owe thy Pride thy selfe.

2240Corio. Pray be content:

2241Mother, I am going to the Market place:

2242Chide me no more. Ile Mountebanke their Loues,

2243Cogge their Hearts from them, and come home belou'd

2244Of all the Trades in Rome. Looke, I am going:

2245Commend me to my Wife, Ile returne Consull,

2246Or neuer trust to what my Tongue can do

2247I'th way of Flattery further.

2248Volum. Do your will. Exit Volumnia

2249Com. Away, the Tribunes do attend you: arm your self

2250To answer mildely: for they are prepar'd

2251With Accusations, as I heare more strong

2252Then are vpon you yet.

2253Corio. The word is, Mildely. Pray you let vs go,

2254Let them accuse me by inuention: I

2255Will answer in mine Honor.

2256Menen. I, but mildely.

2257Corio. Well mildely be it then, Mildely. Exeunt.