Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/144

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132
The Tragedy of Coriolanus, V. iv

Were you in my stead, would you have heard 192
A mother less, or granted less, Aufidius?

Auf. I was mov'd withal.

Cor. I dare be sworn you were:
And, sir, it is no little thing to make
Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, 196
What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part,
I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you: and pray you,
Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife!

Auf. [Aside.] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour 200
At difference in thee: out of that I'll work
Myself a former fortune.

[The ladies make signs to Coriolanus.]

Cor. Ay, by and by;
But we will drink together; and you shall bear
A better witness back than words, which we, 204
On like conditions, would have counterseal'd.
Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve
To have a temple built you: all the swords
In Italy, and her confederate arms, 208
Could not have made this peace. Exeunt.


Scene Four

[Rome. A Public Place]

Enter Menenius and Sicinius.

Men. See you yond coign o' the Capitol, yond
corner-stone?


194 withal: therewith
196 sweat compassion: weep with pity
199 Stand to: support
202 a . . . fortune: a position as great as formerly
204 A better witness: i.e. a formal document
205 If conditions had been reversed, should have been glad to confirm strongly
208 her . . . arms: the weapons of Italy's allies

1 coign: keystone