William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of Coriolanus

ACT IV. 2. SCENE II. Rome. A street near the gate.

[Enter SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and an AEDILE.]

SICINIUS.
Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further.--
The nobility are vex'd, whom we see have sided
In his behalf.

BRUTUS.
Now we have shown our power,
Let us seem humbler after it is done
Than when it was a-doing.

SICINIUS.
Bid them home:
Say their great enemy is gone, and they
Stand in their ancient strength.

BRUTUS.
Dismiss them home.

[Exit AEDILE.]

Here comes his mother.

SICINIUS.
Let's not meet her.

BRUTUS.
Why?

SICINIUS.
They say she's mad.

BRUTUS.
They have ta'en note of us: keep on your way.

[Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and MENENIUS.]

VOLUMNIA.
O, you're well met: the hoarded plague o' the gods
Requite your love!

MENENIUS.
Peace, peace, be not so loud.

VOLUMNIA.
If that I could for weeping, you should hear,--
Nay, and you shall hear some.--[To BRUTUS.] Will you be gone?

VIRGILIA.
You shall stay too[To SICINIUS.]: I would I had the power
To say so to my husband.

SICINIUS.
Are you mankind?

VOLUMNIA.
Ay, fool; is that a shame?--Note but this, fool.--
Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship
To banish him that struck more blows for Rome
Than thou hast spoken words?--

SICINIUS.
O blessed heavens!

VOLUMNIA.
Moe noble blows than ever thou wise words;
And for Rome's good.--I'll tell thee what;--yet go;--
Nay, but thou shalt stay too:--I would my son
Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him,
His good sword in his hand.