CORIOLANUS

Act 1 Scene 2

(Enter Aufidius, with Senators of Corioles)
l1l	First Senator	 So, your opinion is, Aufidius,
l2l		That they of Rome are entered in our counsels
l3l		And know how we proceed.
	Aufidius	Is it not yours?
l4l		What ever have been thought on in this state
l5l		That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
l6l		Had circumvention? ’Tis not four days gone
l7l		Since I heard thence. These are the words. I think
l8l		I have the letter here—yes, here it is.
		(He reads the letter)
l9l		“They have pressed a power, but it is not known
l10l		Whether for east or west. The dearth is great,
l11l		The people mutinous, and it is rumoured
l12l		Cominius, Martius your old enemy,
l13l		Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,
l14l		And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
l15l		These three lead on this preparation
l16l		Whither ’tis bent. Most likely ’tis for you.
l17l		Consider of it.”
	First Senator	Our army’s in the field.
l18l		We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
l19l		To answer us.
	Aufidius	Nor did you think it folly
l20l		To keep your great pretences veiled till when
l21l		They needs must show themselves, which in the hatching,
l22l		It seemed, appeared to Rome. By the discovery
l23l		We shall be shortened in our aim, which was
l24l		To take in many towns ere, almost, Rome
l25l		Should know we were afoot.
	Second Senator	Noble Aufidius,
l26l		Take your commission, hie you to your bands.
l27l		Let us alone to guard Corioles.
l28l		If they set down before ’s, for the remove
l29l		Bring up your army, but I think you’ll find
l30l		They’ve not prepared for us.
	Aufidius	O, doubt not that.
l31l		I speak from certainties. Nay, more,
l32l		Some parcels of their power are forth already,
l33l		And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
l34l		If we and Caius Martius chance to meet,
l35l		’Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike
l36l		Till one can do no more.
	All The Senators	The gods assist you!
l37l	Aufidius	And keep your honours safe.
	First Senator	Farewell.
	Second Senator	Farewell.
	All	Farewell.
		(Exeunt, Aufidius at one door,)
		Senators at another door]