SECOND WATCH.
The worthy fellow is our general. He is the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE III. The tent of Coriolanus
Enter Coriolanus and Aufidius.
CORIOLANUS.
We will before the walls of Rome tomorrow
Set down our host. My partner in this action,
You must report to th’ Volscian lords how plainly
I have borne this business.
AUFIDIUS.
Only their ends
You have respected, stopped your ears against
The general suit of Rome; never admitted
A private whisper, no, not with such friends
That thought them sure of you.
CORIOLANUS.
This last old man,
Whom with cracked heart I have sent to Rome,
Loved me above the measure of a father,
Nay, godded me indeed. Their latest refuge
Was to send him, for whose old love I have—
Though I showed sourly to him—once more offered
The first conditions, which they did refuse
And cannot now accept, to grace him only
That thought he could do more. A very little
I have yielded to. Fresh embassies and suits,
Nor from the state nor private friends, hereafter
Will I lend ear to.
[Shout within.]
Ha? What shout is this?
Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow
In the same time ’tis made? I will not.
Enter Virgilia, Volumnia, Valeria, young Martius with attendants.