Page 2786 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

ALL

Farewell.
Exeunt.

Scene III IT

Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother and wife to Martius. They set them
down on two low stools and sew.

VOLUMNIA
I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself in a more comfortable sort. If
my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he
won honour than in the embracements of his bed where he would show most

love. When yet he was [5] but tenderbodied and the only son of my womb,
when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way, when for a day of
kings’ entreaties a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding, I,
considering how honour would become such a person − that it was no [10]

better than picture-like to hang by th’wall, if renown made it not stir − was
pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel
war I sent him, from whence he returned his brows bound with oak. I tell
thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy at [15] first hearing he was a

manchild than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man.

VIRGILIA
But had he died in the business, madam, how then?

VOLUMNIA
Then his good report should have been my [20] son; I therein would have
found issue. Hear me profess sincerely, had I a dozen sons, each in my love
alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Martius, I had rather had

eleven die nobly for their country than
one voluptuously surfeit out of action. [25]

Enter a Gentlewoman.

GENTLEWOMAN
Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.