Coriolanus

Coriolanus

ACT I SCENE II	Corioli. The Senate-house.
	Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS and certain Senators
First Senator	So, your opinion is, Aufidius,
	That they of Rome are entered in our counsels
	And know how we proceed.
AUFIDIUS	Is it not yours?	5
	What ever have been thought on in this state,
	That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
	Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone
	Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think
	I have the letter here; yes, here it is.	10
	Reads
	'They have press'd a power, but it is not known
	Whether for east or west: the dearth is great;
	The people mutinous; and it is rumour'd,
	Cominius, Marcius your old enemy,
	Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,	15
	And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
	These three lead on this preparation
	Whither 'tis bent: most likely 'tis for you:
	Consider of it.'
First Senator	Our army's in the field	20
	We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
	To answer us.
AUFIDIUS	Nor did you think it folly
	To keep your great pretences veil'd till when
	They needs must show themselves; which	25
	in the hatching,
	It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery.
	We shall be shorten'd in our aim, which was
	To take in many towns ere almost Rome
	Should know we were afoot.	30
Second Senator	Noble Aufidius,
	Take your commission; hie you to your bands:
	Let us alone to guard Corioli:
	If they set down before 's, for the remove
	Bring your army; but, I think, you'll find	35
	They've not prepared for us.
AUFIDIUS	O, doubt not that;
	I speak from certainties. Nay, more,
	Some parcels of their power are forth already,
	And only hitherward. I leave your honours.	40
	If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
	'Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike
	Till one can do no more.
All	The gods assist you!
AUFIDIUS	And keep your honours safe!	45
First Senator	Farewell.
Second Senator	Farewell.
All	Farewell.
	Exeunt