Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,
But mantled in your own.
Mar. O, let me clip ye[2686]
In arms as sound as when I woo'd; in heart[2687][2688] 30
As merry as when our nuptial day was done,[2688]
And tapers burn'd to bedward!
Com. Flower of warriors,[2689]
How is't with Titus Lartius?[2689][2690]
Mar. As with a man busied about decrees:
Condemning some to death, and some to exile; 35
Ransoming him or pitying, threatening the other;
Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,
Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,
To let him slip at will.[2691]
Com. Where is that slave
Which told me they had beat you to your trenches? 40
Where is he? call him hither.
Mar. Let him alone;
He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen,[2692]
The common file—a plague! tribunes for them!—[2693]
The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge
From rascals worse than they.
Com. But how prevail'd you? 45
Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.[2694]
Where is the enemy? are you lords o' the field?[2695]
If not, why cease you till you are so?
Com. Marcius,[2696]
We have at disadvantage fought and did[2696]
Retire to win our purpose.[2696][2697] 50
Mar. How lies their battle? know you on which side[2698][2699]
They have placed their men of trust?[2698]