SHAKSPEARE ON THE SITUATION.
Caius Marcius Coriolanus Mr. Ch-mb-rl-n.
Tullus Aufidius L-rd S-l-sb-ry.
Act IV., Sc. 4. Antium (Downing Street). Before Aufidius's House.
Cor. O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn,
Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart,
Whose hours, whose bed, whose meals, and exercise,
Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love
Unseparable, should, within this hour,
On the dissension of a doit, break out
To bitterest enmity: so, fellest foes,
Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep,
To take the one the other, by some chance,
Some trick, not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends,
And interjoin their issues. So with me:
My birth-place hate I, and my love's upon
This enemy town. * * * *
Auf. (entering, Sc. 5). Say, what's thy name?
Cor. My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done,
To thee particularly, and all the Volces,
Great hurt and mischief.... Now, this extremity,
Hath brought me to thy hearth.
Auf. O Marcius, Marcius!
Each word thou has spoken hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yond' cloud speak divine things,
And say, "'Tis true," I'd not believe them more
Than thee, all noble Marcius.—Let me twine
Mine arms about that body, where against
My grainèd ash a hundred times hath broke.
.... I do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour.... Why, thou Mars! I tell thee
We have a power on foot.... O, come, go in,
And take our friendly senators by the hands....
Cor. You bless me, gods!
Auf. Therefore, most absolute Sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
The one half of my commission. But come in:
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say "Yea" to thy desires. A thousand welcomes
And more a friend than e'er an enemy;
Yet, Marcius, that was much. Your hand! most welcome!
[Exeunt Coriolanus and Aufidius.
Toby's Mem.—Wednesday, July 3.—"Dog Days begin." Go down to coast. "My bark is on the sea!" Avoid going south for fear of the Muzzle-man.
