Coriolanus

A highway between Rome and Antium.
 
[Enter a Roman and a Volsce, meeting]
 
ROMAN
I know you well sir, and you know me: your name I think is Adrian.
 
VOLSCE
It is so sir, truly I have forgot you.
 
ROMAN
I am a Roman, and my services are as you are, against 'em. Know you me yet.
 
VOLSCE
Nicanor: no.
 
ROMAN
The same sir.
 
VOLSCE
You had more beard when I last saw you, but your favor is well approved by your tongue. What's the news in Rome: I have a note from the Volscian state to find you out there. you have well saved me a day's journey.
 
ROMAN
There hath been in Rome strange insurrections: the people, against the senators, patricians, and nobles.
 
VOLSCE
Hath been: is it ended then? Our state thinks not so, they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them, in the heat of their division.
 
ROMAN
The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. For the nobles receive so to heart, the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness, to take all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes forever. This lies glowing I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out.
 
VOLSCE
Coriolanus banished?
 
ROMAN
Banished sir.
 
VOLSCE
You will be welcome with this intelligence Nicanor.
 
ROMAN
The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife, is when she's fallen out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer Coriolanus being now in no request of his country.
 
VOLSCE
He cannot choose: I am most fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you. You have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home.
 
ROMAN
I shall between this and supper, tell you most strange things from Rome: all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready say you?
 
VOLSCE
A most royal one: the centurions, and their charges distinctly billeted already in the entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning.
 
ROMAN
I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man I think, that shall set them in present action. So sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company.
 
VOLSCE
You take my part from me sir, I have the most cause to be glad of yours.
 
ROMAN
Well, let us go together.
 
[Exeunt]