Entrance of the Volscian
camp before Rome.Two Sentinels on guard.
[Enter to them, MENENIUS]
MENENIUS And the glorious gods love thee no worse than
thy old father Menenius does! O my son, my son!
thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here’s
water to quench it. I was hardly moved to come to
thee; but being assured none but myself could move
thee, I have been blown out of your gates with
sighs; and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy
petitionary countrymen.
CORIOLANUS Away!
MENENIUS How! away!
CORIOLANUS Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs
Are servanted to others: though I owe
My revenge properly, my remission lies
In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,
Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather
Than pity note how much. Therefore, be gone.
Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,
Take this along; I writ it for thy sake
[Gives a letter]
And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius,
I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius,
Was my beloved in Rome: yet thou behold’st!
AUFIDIUS You keep a constant temper.
[Exeunt CORIOLANUS
and AUFIDIUS]
Act 5.1 | Act 5.3
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