Page 2893 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars, I tell thee
We have a power on foot, and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
Or lose mine arm for’t. Thou hast beat me out

Twelve several times, and I have nightly since [125]
Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me −
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat −

And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
Had we no other quarrel else to Rome but that [130]
Thou art thence banished, we would muster all
From twelve to seventy, and pouring war

Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
Like a bold flood o’erbear’t. O, come, go in,
And take our friendly senators by th’hands, [135]
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me

Who am prepared against your territories,
Though not for Rome itself.

CORIOLANUS
You bless me, gods!

AUFIDIUS
Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take [140]

Th’one half of my commission, and set down −
As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st
Thy country’s strength and weakness − thine own ways,
Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,

Or rudely visit them in parts remote [145]
To fright them ere destroy. But come in.
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!

And more a friend than e’er an enemy;
Yet, Martius, that was much, Your hand. Most welcome! [150]
Exeunt.

First and Second Servingmen come forward.