Page 2917 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

with sighs, and conjure thee to pardon Rome and thy petitionary countrymen.
He good gods assuage thy wrath and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here
− this, who, like a block, hath denied my access to thee. [75]

CORIOLANUS
Away!

MENENIUS
How? Away?

CORIOLANUS
Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs

Are servanted to others. Though I owe
My revenge properly, my remission lies [80]
In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,

Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison rather
Than pity note how much. Therefore be gone.
Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee, [85]
Take this along. I writ it for thy sake (gives a letter)

And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius,
I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius,
Was my beloved in Rome; yet thou behold’st.

AUFIDIUS
You keep a constant temper. [90]

Exeunt.

The Guard and Menenius stay behind.

FIRST WATCH
Now, sir, is your name Menenius?

SECOND WATCH
’Tis a spell, you see, of much power. You know the way home again.

FIRST WATCH