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 follow.

Another Alarum. The Volsces and Romans re-enter, and the
Fight is renewed. The Volsces retire into Corioli, and MAR-
CIUS, follows them to the Gates.

So, now the gates are ope: - now prove good seconds.

'T is for the followers fortune widens them,

Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like.

1 Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels,

With them he enters; who, upon the sudden,
Clapp'd-to their gates: he is himself alone,

Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword,

And, when it bows, stands 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 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.

Call thither all the officers of the town,
Where they shall know our mind. Away!

SCENE VI.

Near the Camp of COMINIUS.

Enter COMINIUS and Forces, as in retreat.

[Exeunt.

Com. Breathe you, my friends. Well fought: we are come off

Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,

Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, Sirs,

We shall be charg'd again. Whiles we have struck,

By interims and conveying gusts, we have heard

The charges of our friends:

the Roman gods

Lead their successes as we wish our own,

That both our powers, with smiling fronts encountering,

May give you thankful sacrifice!

Enter a Messenger.

Thy news?

Mess. The citizens of Corioli have issued,

And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle:

I saw our party to their trenches driven,

And then I came away.

Com.

Though thou speak'st truth,

Methinks, thou speak'st not well. How long is 't since?

Mess. Above an hour, my lord.

Com. 'T is not a mile; briefly we heard their drums:

How could'st thou in a mile confound an hour,

And bring thy news so late?

Mess.

Spies of the Volsces

Held me in chase, that I was forc'd to wheel
Three or four miles about; else had I, Sir,
Half an hour since brought my report.

Enter MARCIUS.

Com.

Who's yonder,

That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods!

He has the stamp of Marcius, and I have

Before-time seen him thus.

Mar.

Come I too late?

Com. The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor,

More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue

From every meaner man.

Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,

But mantled in your own.

Mar.

O! let me clip you In arms as sound, as when I woo'd; in heart As merry, as when our nuptial day was done,

And tapers burn'd to bedward.

Com.

How is 't with Titus Lartius?

Flower of warriors,

Mar. As with a man busied about decrees:
Condemning some to death, and some to exile;
Ransoming him, or pitying, threatening the other;
Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,
Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,

Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?

Where is he? Call him hither.

Mar.

Let him alone,

He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen,

The common file, (A plague!

Tribunes for them?)

The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat, as they did budge

From rascals worse than they.

Com.

But how prevail'd you?

Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think

Where is the enemy? Are you lords o' the field?
If not, why cease you till you are so?

Com. Marcius, we have at disadvantage fought,

And did retire to win our purpose.

Mar. How lies their battle? Know you on which side

They have plac'd their men of trust?

Com.

As I guess, Marcius,

Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,

Of their best trust: o'er them Aufidius,

Their very heart of hope.

Mar.

I do beseech you,

By all the battles wherein we have fought,
By the blood we have shed together, by the vows

We have made to endure friends, that you directly

Set me against Aufidius, and his Antiates ;

And that you not delay the present, but,

Filling the air with swords advanc'd and darts,

We prove this very hour.

Com.

Though I could wish

You were conducted to a gentle bath,
And balms applied to you, yet dare I never
Deny your asking. Take your choice of those

That best can aid your action.

Mar.

Those are they
That most are willing.
If any such be here,
(As it were sin to doubt) that love this painting
Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear
Lesser his person than an ill report ;

If any think, brave death outweighs bad life,
And that his country 's dearer than himself;
Let him, alone, or so many so minded,
Wave thus, to express his disposition,

And follow Marcius.

[They all shout, and wave their Swords; take him
up in their arms, and cast up their Caps.

Ome, alone! Make you a sword of me?
If these shows be not outward, which of you
But is four Volsces? None of you, but is
Able to bear against the great Aufidius
A shield as hard as his. A certain number,
Though thanks to all, must I select from all: the rest
Shall bear the business in some other fight,
As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march;