| ACT I SCENE X | The camp of the Volsces. | |
| | A flourish. Cornets. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS,bloody, with two or three Soldiers | |
| AUFIDIUS | The town is ta'en! | |
| First Soldier | 'Twill be deliver'd back on good condition. | |
| AUFIDIUS | Condition! | |
| | I would I were a Roman; for I cannot, | 5 |
| | Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition! | |
| | What good condition can a treaty find | |
| | I' the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius, | |
| | I have fought with thee: so often hast thou beat me, | |
| | And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter | 10 |
| | As often as we eat. By the elements, | |
| | If e'er again I meet him beard to beard, | |
| | He's mine, or I am his: mine emulation | |
| | Hath not that honour in't it had; for where | |
| | I thought to crush him in an equal force, | 15 |
| | True sword to sword, I'll potch at him some way | |
| | Or wrath or craft may get him. | |
| First Soldier | He's the devil. | |
| AUFIDIUS | Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour's poison'd | |
| | With only suffering stain by him; for him | 20 |
| | Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary, | |
| | Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol, | |
| | The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice, | |
| | Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up | |
| | Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst | 25 |
| | My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it | |
| | At home, upon my brother's guard, even there, | |
| | Against the hospitable canon, would I | |
| | Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to the city; | |
| | Learn how 'tis held; and what they are that must | 30 |
| | Be hostages for Rome. | |
| First Soldier | Will not you go? | |
| AUFIDIUS | I am attended at the cypress grove: I pray you-- | |
| | 'Tis south the city mills--bring me word thither | |
| | How the world goes, that to the pace of it | 35 |
| | I may spur on my journey. | |
| First Soldier | I shall, sir. | |
| | Exeunt | |
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