Page 2866 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf
Than flatter him in a bower.

Enter Cominius.

Here is Cominius.

COMINIUS
I have been i’th’market-place; and, sir, ’tis fit

You make strong party, or defend yourself
By calmness or by absence. All’s in anger. [95]

MENENIUS
Only fair speech.

COMINIUS
I think ‘twill serve, if he
Can thereto frame his spirit.

VOLUMNIA
He must, and will.

Prithee now, say you will, and go about it.

CORIOLANUS

Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce? Must I
With my base tongue give to my noble heart [100]
A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do’t.

Yet, were there but this single plot to lose,
This mould of Martius, they to dust should grind it
And throw’t against the wind. To th’market-place!
You have put me now to such a part which never [105]
I shall discharge to th’life.

COMINIUS

Come, come, we’ll prompt you.

VOLUMNIA