_Enter_ VOLUMNIA _and_ VIRGILIA: _they set them down on two low
stools, and sew_.[2588]
_Vol._ I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself in a
more comfortable sort: if my son were my husband, I should[2589]
freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than[2590]
in the embracements of his bed where he would show most[2591]
love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son 5
of my womb; when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze
his way; when, for a day of kings' entreaties, a mother[2592]
should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I, considering[2593]
how honour would become such a person; that it
was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown 10
made it not stir, was pleased to let him seek danger where
he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from
whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee,
daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was[2594]
a man-child than now in first seeing he had proved himself 15
a man.
_Vir._ But had he died in the business, madam: how then?
_Vol._ Then his good report should have been my son; I
therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely:
had I a dozen sons, each in my love alike, and none less 20
dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather had[2595]
eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously
surfeit out of action.
_Enter a_ Gentlewoman.
_Gent._ Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.
_Vir._ Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself. 25
_Vol._ Indeed, you shall not.[2596]
Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum;[2597]
See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair;[2598]
As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him:[2599]
Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus:[2600] 30
'Come on, you cowards! you were got in fear,[2601]
Though you were born in Rome:' his bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes,
Like to a harvest-man that's task'd to mow[2602]
Or all, or lose his hire.[2603] 35
_Vir._ His bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood!
_Vol._ Away, you fool! it more becomes a man
Than gilt his trophy: the breasts of Hecuba,[2604]
When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier
Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood 40
At Grecian sword, contemning. Tell Valeria[2605]
We are fit to bid her welcome. [_Exit Gent._[2606]
_Vir._ Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!
_Vol._ He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,[2607]
And tread upon his neck. 45
_Enter_ VALERIA, _with an_ Usher _and_ Gentlewoman.[2608]
_Val._ My ladies both, good day to you.[2609]
_Vol._ Sweet madam.
_Vir._ I am glad to see your ladyship.
_Val._ How do you both? you are manifest house-keepers.
What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith.[2610] 50
How does your little son?
_Vir._ I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.
_Vol._ He had rather see the swords and hear a drum[2611]
than look upon his schoolmaster.
_Val._ O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis a very[2612] 55
pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o' Wednesday[2612][2613]
half an hour together: has such a confirmed countenance.[2614]
I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught
it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over
he comes, and up again; catched it again: or whether his[2615] 60
fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and
tear it; O, I warrant, how he mammocked it!
_Vol._ One on 's father's moods.[2616]
_Val._ Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.
_Vir._ A crack, madam. 65
_Val._ Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you
play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.
_Vir._ No, good madam; I will not out of doors.[2617]
_Val._ Not out of doors!
_Vol._ She shall, she shall. 70
_Vir._ Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the
threshold till my lord return from the wars.
_Val._ Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably:[2618]
come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.
_Vir._ I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with 75
my prayers; but I cannot go thither.
_Vol._ Why, I pray you?
Vir. 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.
_Val._ You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all
the yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca[2619] 80
full of moths. Come; I would your cambric were sensible
as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity.
Come, you shall go with us.
_Vir._ No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not
forth. 85
_Val._ In truth, la, go with me, and I'll tell you excellent
news of your husband.
_Vir._ O, good madam, there can be none yet.
_Val._ Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news
from him last night. 90
_Vir._ Indeed, madam?[2620]
_Val._ In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it.
Thus it is: the Volsces have an army forth; against whom
Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman
power: your lord and Titus Lartius are set down before 95
their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to[2621]
make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so,[2622]
I pray, go with us.
_Vir._ Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you
in every thing hereafter. 100
_Vol._ Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but[2623][2624]
disease our better mirth.[2623]
_Val._ In troth, I think she would. Fare you well,[2623]
then. Come, good sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy[2623]
solemness out o' door, and go along with us.[2623][2625] 105
_Vir._ No, at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I[2623]
wish you much mirth.[2623]
_Val._ Well then, farewell. [_Exeunt._[2626]