Men. Nay, but, fellow, fellow,— 55
Enter Coriolanus and Aufidius.[3740]
Cor. What's the matter?
Men. Now, you companion, I'll say an errand for you:[3741]
you shall know now that I am in estimation; you shall perceive
that a Jack guardant cannot office me from my son
Coriolanus: guess, but by my entertainment with him, if[3742] 60
thou standest not i' the state of hanging, or of some death
more long in spectatorship and crueller in suffering; behold
now presently, and swoon for what's to come upon thee.[3743]
The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular
prosperity, and love thee no worse than thy old father 65
Menenius does! O my son, my son! thou art preparing
fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it. I was
hardly moved to come to thee; but being assured none
but myself could move thee, I have been blown out of
your gates with sighs; and conjure thee to pardon Rome[3744] 70
and thy petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage
thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here,—this,[3745]
who, like a block, hath denied my access to thee.
Cor. Away!
Men. How! away! 75
Cor. Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs
Are servanted to others: though I owe
My revenge properly, my remission lies[3746]
In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,
Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison rather[3747] 80
Than pity note how much. Therefore be gone.[3748]
Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,
Take this along; I writ it for thy sake,
And would have sent it. [Gives him a letter.] Another word, Menenius,[3749]85
I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius,
Was my beloved in Rome: yet thou behold'st.[3750]
Auf. You keep a constant temper.
[Exeunt Coriolanus and Aufidius.[3751]
First Sen. Now, sir, is your name Menenius?