Near the camp of Cominius.
[Enter COMINIUS, as it were
in retire, with soldiers]
MARCIUS Come I too late?
COMINIUS The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabour
More than I know the sound of Marcius’ tongue
From every meaner man.
[Enter MARCIUS]
MARCIUS Come I too late?
COMINIUS Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,
But mantled in your own.
COMINIUS But how prevail’d you?
MARCIUS Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.
Where is the enemy? are you lords o’ the field?
If not, why cease you till you are so?
COMINIUS Marcius,
We have at disadvantage fought and did
Retire to win our purpose.
MARCIUS I do beseech you,
By all the battles wherein we have fought,
By the blood we have shed together, by the vows
We have made to endure friends, that you directly
Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates;
And that you not delay the present, but,
Filling the air with swords advanced and darts,
We prove this very hour.
COMINIUS Though I could wish
You were conducted to a gentle bath
And balms applied to, you, yet dare I never
Deny your asking: take your choice of those
That best can aid your action.
MARCIUS Those are they
That most are willing. If any such be here–
As it were sin to doubt–that love this painting
Wherein you see me smear’d; if any fear
Lesser his person than an ill report;
If any think brave death outweighs bad life
And that his country’s dearer than himself;
Let him alone, or so many so minded,
Wave thus, to express his disposition,
And follow Marcius.
[They all shout and wave their swords,
take him up in their arms,
and cast up their caps]
O, me alone! make you a sword of me?
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