The Tragedy of Coriolanus — Act 4 Scene 3

Enter a Roman, and a Volce.

Rom.I know you well sir, and you know mee: yourname 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,against 'em. Know you me yet.

Volce.Nicanor: no.

Rom.The same sir.

Volce.You had more Beard when I last saw you, butyour Fauour is well appear'd by your Tongue. What'sthe Newes in Rome: I haue a Note from the Volceanstate to finde you out there. You haue well saued mee adayes iourney.

Rom.There hath beene in Rome straunge Insurrections:The people, against the Senatours, Patricians, andNobles.

Vol.Hath bin; is it ended then? Our State thinks notso, they are in a most warlike preparation, & hope to comvpon them, in the heate of their diuision

Rom.The maine blaze of it is past, but a small thingwould make it flame againe. For the Nobles receyue soto heart, the Banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, thatthey are in a ripe aptnesse, to take al power from the people, and to plucke from them their Tribunes for euer.This lyes glowing I can tell you, and is almost mature forthe violent breaking out.

Vol.Coriolanus Banisht?

Rom.Banish'd sir.

Vol.You will be welcome with this intelligence Nicanor.

Rom.The day serues well for them now. I haue heardit saide, the fittest time to corrupt a mans Wife, is whenshee's falne out with her Husband. Your Noble TullusAuffidius well appeare well in these Warres, his greatOpposer Coriolanus being now in no request of his countrey.

Volce.He cannot choose: I am most fortunate, thusaccidentally to encounter you. You haue ended myBusinesse, and I will merrily accompany you home.

Rom.I shall betweene this and Supper, tell you moststrange things from Rome: all tending to the good oftheir Aduersaries. Haue you an Army ready say you?

Vol.A most Royall one: The Centurions, and theircharges distinctly billetted already in th'entertainment,and to be on foot at an houres warning.

Rom.I am ioyfull to heare of their readinesse, and amthe man I thinke, that shall set them in present Action. Sosir, 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.

Rom.Exeunt.Well, let vs go together.