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Rome. A room in Martius' house.
[Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA they set them down on two low stools, and sew]
VOLUMNIA
I pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself in a more comfortable sort:
if my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein
he won honor than in the embracements of his bed where he would show most
love. When yet he was but tender-bodied and the only son of my womb, when
youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way, when for a day of kings'
entreaties a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding, I,
considering how honor would become such a person. that it was no better than
picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir, was pleased to
let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent
him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee,
daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child than
now in first seeing he had proved himself a man.
VIRGILIA
But had he died in the business, madam; how then?
VOLUMNIA
Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found
issue. Hear me profess sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each in my love alike
and none less dear than thine and my good Martius, I had rather had eleven
die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.
[Enter a Gentlewoman]
GENTLEWOMAN
Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.
VIRGILIA
Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.
VOLUMNIA
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Indeed | you shall not: ????
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Methinks,| I hear | hither | your hus|band's
drum:
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See him | pluck Au|fidius | down by | the hair,
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(As chil|dren from a | bear) the | Volces |
shunning him:
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Methinks | I see him | stamp thus, and call |
thus: ??
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Come^on | you cow|ards, you | were got | in fear
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Though you | were born | in Rome;| his bloo|dy
brow
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With his / mailed hand | then wi|ping, forth | he
goes
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Like to | a har|vest-man,| that's tasked | to mow
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Or all,| or lose | his hire. \\
VIRGILIA
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His bloo|dy brow?| O Ju|piter,/ no blood.
VOLUMNIA
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Away | you fool;| it more | becomes | a man
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Than gilt | his tro|phy: the | breasts of |
Hecuba*,
, x
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When she | did suckle | Hector,| looked
not^|lovelier
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Than Hec|tor's fore|head when it | spit forth
blood
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At Gre|cian sword.| Contem|ning, tell |
Vale||ria,
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o
We | are fit | to bid | her wel|come.
[Exit Gentlewoman]
VIRGILIA
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Heavens | bless my | lord from | fell Au|fidius.
VOLUMNIA
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He'll beat | Aufi|dius' head | below | his knee
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And tread | upon | his neck. \\
[Enter VALERIA, with an Usher and Gentlewoman]
VALERIA
My ladies both good day to you.
VOLUMNIA
Sweet madam.
VIRGILIA
I am glad to see your ladyship.
VALERIA
How do you both? you are manifest house-keepers.
What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good
faith. How does your little son?
VIRGILIA
I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.
VOLUMNIA
He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his
school-master.
VALERIA
On my word, the father's son: I'll swear,'tis a very pretty boy. On my
troth, I looked upon him on Wednesday half an hour together: 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 again; catched it again; or whether his fall enraged him, or how
'twas, he did so set his teeth and tear it; O, I warrant it, how he
mammocked it!
VOLUMNIA
One on his father's moods.
VALERIA
Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.
VIRGILIA
A crack, madam.
VALERIA
Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle housewife with
me this afternoon.
VIRGILIA
No, good madam; I will not out of doors.
VALERIA
Not out of doors!
VOLUMNIA
She shall, she shall.
VIRGILIA
Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the threshold till my lord
return from the wars.
VALERIA
Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably: come, you must go visit the
good lady that lies in.
VIRGILIA
I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot
go thither.
VOLUMNIA
Why, I pray you?
VIRGILIA
'Tis not to save labor, nor that I want love.
VALERIA
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.
VIRGILIA
No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.
VALERIA
In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.
VIRGILIA
O, good madam, there can be none yet.
VALERIA
Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.
VIRGILIA
Indeed, madam?
VALERIA
In earnest it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is: the Volces
have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part
of our Roman power: your lord and Titus Lartius are set down before their
city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing and to make it brief wars. This
is true, on mine honor; and so, I pray, go with us.
VIRGILIA
Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every thing hereafter.
VOLUMNIA
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Let her | alone | lady,| as she | is now,
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She will | but di|sease our | better | mirth.
VALERIA
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In troth,| I think | she would.
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Fare you | well then*.| Come good sweet | lady.
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Prithee Vir|gilia,| turn thy | solem|ness out ||
of door.
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And go | along | with us.
VIRGILIA
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No (match tri from above?)
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At a word | madam,| indeed | I must | not,
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I wish | you much | mirth.
VALERIA
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Well, then | farewell.
[Exeunt]