Com. As I guess, Marcius,
Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,[2700]
Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius,
Their very heart of hope.
Mar. I do beseech you, 55
By all the battles wherein we have fought,
By the blood we have shed together, by the vows[2701][2702]
We have made to endure friends, that you directly[2701][2702]
Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates;[2701]
And that you not delay the present, but, 60
Filling the air with swords advanced and darts,
We prove this very hour.[2703]
Com. 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 65
That best can aid your action.
Mar. Those are they
That most are willing. If any such be here—[2704]
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;[2705] 70
If any think brave death outweighs bad life,
And that his country's dearer than himself;
Let him alone, or so many so minded,[2706]
Wave thus, to express his disposition,
And follow Marcius. 75
[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?[2707]
If these shows be not outward, which of you
But is four Volsces? none of you but is
Able to bear against the great Aufidius
A shield as hard as his. A certain number,[2708] 80
Though thanks to all, must I select from all: the rest[2709]
Shall bear the business in some other fight,
As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march;[2710]
And four shall quickly draw out my command,[2710][2711][2712]
Which men are best inclined.[2712]
Com. March on, my fellows: 85
Make good this ostentation, and you shall
Divide in all with us. [Exeunt.
Scene VII. The gates of Corioli.[2713]
Titus Lartius, having set a guard upon Corioli, going with drum and trumpet toward Cominius and Caius Marcius, enters with a Lieutenant, other Soldiers, and a Scout.
Lart. So, let the ports be guarded: keep your duties,
As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch[2714]
Those centuries to our aid; the rest will serve[2715]
For a short holding: if we lose the field,
We cannot keep the town.[2716]