Page 2884 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

You had more beard when I last saw you, but your favour is well approved by
your tongue. What’s the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian [10]
state to find you out there. You have well saved me a day’s journey.

ROMAN
There hath been in Rome strange insurrections: the people against the
senators, patricians and nobles.

VOLSCE
Hath been? Is it ended then? Our state thinks not so. They are in a most
warlike preparation, and [15] hope to come upon them in the heat of their
division.

ROMAN
The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. For

the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus that
they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the [20] people and to pluck
from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is
almost mature for the violent breaking out.

VOLSCE
Coriolanus banished?

ROMAN
Banished, sir. [25]

VOLSCE
You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.

ROMAN
The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said the fittest time to
corrupt a man’s wife is when she’s fallen out with her husband. Your noble
Tullus [30] Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer,

Coriolanus, being now in no request of his country.

VOLSCE

He cannot choose. I am most fortunate thus accidentally to encounter you.