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Corioli. The Senate-house. | |
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Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS and Senators. | |
| First Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius, | |
| That they of Rome are enter’d in our counsels, | |
| And know how we proceed. | 5 |
| Auf. Is it not yours? | |
| What ever have been thought on in this state, | |
| That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome | |
| Had circumvention? ’Tis not four days gone | |
| Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think | 10 |
| I have the letter here; yes, here it is. | |
| They have press’d a power, but it is not known | |
| Whether for east, or west: the dearth is great; | |
| The people mutinous; and it is rumour’d, | |
| Cominius, Marcius, your old enemy,— | 15 |
| Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,— | |
| And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, | |
| These three lead on this preparation | |
| Whither ’tis bent: most likely ’tis for you: | |
| Consider of it. | 20 |
| First Sen. Our army’s in the field: | |
| We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready | |
| To answer us. | |
| Auf. Nor did you think it folly | |
| To keep your great pretences veil’d till when | 25 |
| They needs must show themselves; which in the hatching, | |
| It seem’d, appear’d to Rome. By the discovery | |
| We shall be shorten’d in our aim, which was | |
| To take in many towns ere almost Rome | |
| Should know we were afoot. | 30 |
| Sec. Sen. Noble Aufidius, | |
| Take your commission; hie you to your bands; | |
| Let us alone to guard Corioli: | |
| If they set down before’s, for the remove | |
| Bring up your army; but, I think you’ll find | 35 |
| They’ve not prepared for us. | |
| Auf. O! doubt not that; | |
| I speak from certainties. Nay, more; | |
| Some parcels of their power are forth already, | |
| And only hitherward. I leave your honours. | 40 |
| If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet, | |
| ’Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike | |
| Till one can do no more. | |
| All. The gods assist you! | |
| Auf. And keep your honours safe! | 45 |
| First Sen. Farewell. | |
| Sec. Sen. Farewell. | |
| All. Farewell. [Exeunt. | |
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