Act IV · Scene III
A highway between Rome and Antium.
Hover a speech to translate it — or press play to hear it performed.
Enter a Roman and a Volsce, meeting
Roman
I know you well, sir, and you knowme: your name, I think, is Adrian.
Volsce
It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you.
Roman
I am a Roman; and my services are,as you are, against 'em: know you me yet?
Volsce
Nicanor? no.
Roman
The same, sir.
Volsce
You had more beard when I last saw you; but yourfavour is well approved by your tongue. What's thenews in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian state,to find you out there: you have well saved me aday's journey.
Roman
There hath been in Rome strange insurrections; thepeople against the senators, patricians, and nobles.
Volsce
Hath been! is it ended, then? Our state thinks notso: they are in a most warlike preparation, andhope to come upon them in the heat of their division.
Roman
The main blaze of it is past, but a small thingwould make it flame again: for the nobles receiveso to heart the banishment of that worthyCoriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness to takeall power from the people and to pluck from themtheir tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I cantell you, and is almost mature for the violentbreaking out.
Volsce
Coriolanus banished!
Roman
Banished, sir.
Volsce
You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.
Roman
The day serves well for them now. I have heard itsaid, the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife iswhen she's fallen out with her husband. Your nobleTullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, hisgreat opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no requestof his country.
Volsce
He cannot choose. I am most fortunate, thusaccidentally to encounter you: you have ended mybusiness, and I will merrily accompany you home.
Roman
I shall, between this and supper, tell you moststrange things from Rome; all tending to the good oftheir adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you?
Volsce
A most royal one; the centurions and their charges,distinctly billeted, already in the entertainment,and to be on foot at an hour's warning.
Roman
I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am theman, I think, that shall set them in present action.So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company.
Volsce
You take my part from me, sir; I have the most causeto be glad of yours.
Roman
Well, let us go together.
Exeunt