Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good Madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school-master.

Val. O' my word, the father's son; I'll swear, 't is a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o' Wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; catched it again: or whether his fall enraged him, or how 't was, he did so set his teeth, and tear it; O! I warrant, how he mammocked it!

Vol. One of his father's moods.

Val. Indeed la, 't is a noble child.

Vir. A crack, Madam.

Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play

the idle huswife with me this afternoon.

Vir. No, good Madam; I will not out of doors.

Val. Not out of doors!

Vol. She shall, she shall.

Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, till my lord return from the wars.

Vol. Fie! you confine yourself most unreasonably. Come; you must go visit the good lady that lies in.

Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my

prayers; but I cannot go thither.

Vol. Why, I pray you?

Vir. 'T is not to save labour, nor that I want love.

Val. You would be another Penelope; yet, they say, all the yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come: I would, your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us. Vir. No, good Madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth. Val. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.

Vir. O! good Madam, there can be none yet.

Val. Verily, I do not jest with you: there came news from him last night.

That we with smoking swords may march from hence,
To help our fielded friends! Come, blow thy blast.

A Parley sounded. Enter, on the Walls, two Senators, and

Others.

Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?

[Drums afar off.

1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he,
That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums
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 pinn'd with rushes;

They 'll open of themselves. Hark you, far off; [Alarum afar off.

There is Aufidius: list, what work he makes

Amongst your cloven army.

Lart. Their noise be our instruction. - Ladders, ho!

The Volsces enter, and pass over the Stage.

Advance, brave Titus:

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.
They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,
Which makes me sweat with wrath. - Come on, my fellows:
He that retires, I'll take him for a Volsce,

And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarum, and exeunt Romans and Volsces, fighting. The Romans are beaten back to their Trenches. Re-enter MARCIUS enraged.

Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you,
You shames of Rome! you herd of - Boils and plagues
Plaster you o'er, that you may be abhorr'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 agued fear! Mend, and charge home,
Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe,