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  • Title: Coriolanus (Folio 1, 1623)

  • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Coriolanus (Folio 1, 1623)

    2570Enter a Roman, and a Volce.
    Rom. I know you well sir, and you know mee: your
    name I thinke is Adrian.
    Volce. It is so sir, truly I haue forgot you.
    Rom. I am a Roman, and my Seruices are as you are,
    2575against 'em. Know you me yet.
    Volce. Nicanor: no.
    Rom. The same sir.
    Volce. You had more Beard when I last saw you, but
    your Fauour is well appear'd by your Tongue. What's
    2580the Newes in Rome: I haue a Note from the Volcean
    state to finde you out there. You haue well saued mee a
    dayes iourney.
    Rom. There hath beene in Rome straunge Insurrecti-
    ons: The people, against the Senatours, Patricians, and
    2585Nobles.
    Vol. Hath bin; is it ended then? Our State thinks not
    so, they are in a most warlike preparation, & hope to com
    vpon them, in the heate of their diuision
    Rom. The maine blaze of it is past, but a small thing
    2590would make it flame againe. For the Nobles receyue so
    to heart, the Banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that
    they are in a ripe aptnesse, to take al power from the peo-
    ple, and to plucke from them their Tribunes for euer.
    This lyes glowing I can tell you, and is almost mature for
    2595the violent breaking out.
    Vol. Coriolanus Banisht?
    Rom. Banish'd sir.
    Vol. You will be welcome with this intelligence Ni-
    canor.
    2600Rom. The day serues well for them now. I haue heard
    it saide, the fittest time to corrupt a mans Wife, is when
    shee's falne out with her Husband. Your Noble Tullus
    Auffidius well appeare well in these Warres, his great
    Opposer Coriolanus being now in no request of his coun-
    2605trey.
    Volce. He cannot choose: I am most fortunate, thus
    accidentally to encounter you. You haue ended my Bu-
    sinesse, and I will merrily accompany you home.
    Rom. I shall betweene this and Supper, tell you most
    2610strange things from Rome: all tending to the good of
    their Aduersaries. Haue you an Army ready say you?
    Vol. A most Royall one: The Centurions, and their
    charges distinctly billetted already in th' entertainment,
    and to be on foot at an houres warning.
    2615Rom. I am ioyfull to heare of their readinesse, and am
    the man I thinke, that shall set them in present Action. So
    sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your Company.
    Volce. You take my part from me sir, I haue the most
    cause to be glad of yours.
    2620Rom. Well, let vs go together. Exeunt.