| 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, |
| Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition! | 5 |
| 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 |
| As often as we eat. By the elements, | 10 |
| 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, |
| True sword to sword, I'll potch at him some way | 15 |
| 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 |
| Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary, | 20 |
| 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 |
| My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it | 25 |
| 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 |
| Be hostages for Rome. | 30 |
| 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 |
| I may spur on my journey. | 35 |
| First Soldier | I shall, sir. |
| [Exeunt] |
Shakespeare's Sources for Coriolanus