Page 2793 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

He that retires, I’ll take him for a Volsce,
And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarum. The Romans are beat back to their trenches.
Enter Martius, cursing.

MARTIUS
All the contagion of the south light on you, [30]

You shames of Rome! You herd of − Boils and plagues
Plaster you o’er, that you may be abhorred
Farther than seen, and infect another
Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese

That bear the shapes of men, how have you run [35]
From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell!
All hurt behind! Backs red, and faces pale
With flight and agued fear! Mend and charge home,

Or, by the fires of heaven, I’ll leave the foe
And make my wars on you. Look to’t. Come on! [40]
If you’ll stand fast, we’ll beat them to their wives,
As they us to our trenches. Follow’s!

Another alarum. The Volsces fly, and Martius follows them to the gates,
and is shut in.

So, now the gates are ope. Now prove good seconds.
’Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
Not for the fliers. Mark me, and do the like. [45]

He enters the gates.

FIRST SOLDIER

Fool-hardiness, not I.

SECOND SOLDIER
Nor I.

FIRST SOLDIER
See, they have shut him in.