University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

The back Scene opens, and discovers the Deputies of the Volscian States, assembled in Council. They rise and salute Coriolanus; then resume their Places.
Galesus, Tullus, Coriolanus, Senators.
Galesus.
Assembled States, and Captains of the Volsci,
Behold the Chief so much renown'd in War;
Our once so formidable Foe, but now
Our proffer'd Friend and Soldier—Caius Marcius.

1st Senator.
We give him hearty Welcome, from our Souls!

Coriolanus.
Most noble Chiefs, and Fathers of the Volsci,
I need not say, how by the People's Rage,
And the poor Weakness of the timid Nobles,
I am expell'd from Rome. Had I confin'd
My Wishes merely to a safe Retreat,
Some Latine City might have given me that;
Or any nameless Corner. What imports it,
Where a tame patient Exile rots in Silence?
But, Volscian Lords, permit me to declare,
I would at once cut short my useless Days,
Rather than be that despicable Wretch,
Who neither can take Vengeance on his Foes,
Nor serve his Friends. That is my Temper, Chiefs.
I shall be glad to merit, by my Sword,
Th'Asylum which I seek among the Volsci.
Rome is our common Foe: Then let us join
Our common Suffering, Passions, and Resentments.
Yes, tho' but one, I bring so many Wrongs,
So large a Share of powerful Enmity,
Into the War, as gives me the Presumption,
To offer to the Volscian States th'Alliance
Even of my single Arm.—

Tullus.
That single Arm
Is in itself a numerous Army, Marcius;
The Volscians so esteem it—But proceed.

Coriolanus.
I will not mention, Volscian Chiefs, what Talent
The World allows me to possess in War:
But be it what it will, you may employ it.
Soldier, or Captain, in whatever Station
You place me, I will lose each Drop of Blood,
Or with this Hand I'll fix the Volscian Standard
On the proud Towers of Capitolian Jove.

Tullus.
Chiefs of the Volscian League, I give you Joy
Of our new Citizen, the noble Marcius.
The Genius of the Volscian State has sent him,
Whetted by Wrongs into a keener Hatred
Than that we bear to Rome. It were contemning,
With impious self-sufficient Arrogance,
This Bounty of the Gods, not to accept,
With every Mark of Honour, of his Service.
I, Volscians, I, even Attius Tullus, give,
First of you all, my Voice, that Caius Marcius
Be now receiv'd to high Command among us;
That instantly we do appoint him General
Of half our Troops, which here, with your Consent,
I to him yield.—Speak, Chiefs, is this your Pleasure?

1st Senator.
It is,—We give unanimous Consent.

Tullus,
embracing him.
Marcius, I joy to call thee my Companion,
And Collegue in this War.

Coriolanus.
By all the Gods!
Thou art the generous Victor of my Soul!
Yes, Tullus, I am conquer'd by thy Virtue.

Galesus.
Tho' I have oft, on great Occasions, Tullus,
Beheld thee in the Senate, and the Field,
Cover'd with Glory; yet, I must avow,
I never saw thee shew such genuine Greatness,
Such true Sublimity of Soul, as now.
To scorn th'all-powerful Charm of selfish Passions,
Chiefly the dazzling Pride of Emulation,
That noble Weakness of Heroic Minds,
To sink thyself that thou may'st raise thy Country;
To put the Sword into thy Rival's Hand,
And twine thy promis'd Laurels round his Brow—
O 'tis a Flight beyond the highest Point
Of Martial Glory! and what few can reach.
Go forth, the chosen Ministers of Justice;
And may that awful Power, whose secret Hand
Sways all our Passions, turns our partial Views
All to its own dread Purposes, attend you!

Coriolanus.
I burn to enter on the glorious Task
You now have mark'd me out. How flow the Time
To the warm Soul, that in the very Instant
It forms, would execute, a great Design.
'Tis my Advice we march direct to Rome;
We cannot be too quick. Let the first Dawn
See us in bright Array before her Walls.
Perhaps when they behold their Exile there,
Back'd by your Force, some conscious Hearts among them
May feel th'Alarm of Guilt.

Tullus.
I much approve
Of this Advice. 'Tis what I thought before,
Ere strengthen'd, Marcius, by thy mighty Arm:
But now 'tis doubly right. Here, Volscian Chiefs,
Here let our Council terminate—The Troops
Have had Repose sufficient. Strait to Rome,
Come, let us urge our March—As yet the Stars
Ride in their middle Watch: we shall with Ease,
Reach it by Dawn.—

Coriolanus.
Yes, we have time—too much!
Six tedious Hours till Morn—But hence! away!
My Soul on Fire anticipates the Dawn.