Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee, 124
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 128
Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyself and me;
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other's throat, 131
And wak'd half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that
Thou art thence banish'd, we would muster all
From twelve to seventy, and, pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome, 136
Like a bold flood o'er-bear. O! come; go in,
And take our friendly senators by the hands,
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
Who am prepar'd against your territories, 140
Though not for Rome itself.
Cor. You bless me, gods!
Auf. Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
Th' one half of my commission, and set down, 144
As best thou art experienc'd, 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, 148
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; 152
126 brawn: brawny arm
127 out: outright
132 wak'd: I have awaked
137 o'er-bear: bear all before us; cf. n.
142 absolute: perfect
144 set down: determine
