SCENE III
A highway between Rome and Antium.Enter a Roman and a Volsce, meeting.
Rom.
I know you well, sir, and you know
me: your name, I think, is Adrian.
Vols.
It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you.
Rom.
I am a Roman; and my services are,
as you are, against 'em: know you me yet?
Vols.
Nicanor? no.
Rom.
The same, sir.
Vols.
You had more beard when I last saw
you; but your favour is well approved by your
tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a
note from the Volscian state, to find you out
there: you have well saved me a day's journey.
Rom.
There hath been in Rome strange insurrections;
the people against the senators,
patricians, and nobles.
Vols.
Hath been! is it ended, then? Our
state thinks not so: they are in a most war-like
preparation, and hope to come upon them
in the heat of their division. (20)
Rom.
The main blaze of it is past, but a
small thing would make it flame again: for
the nobles receive so to heart the banishment
of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a
ripe aptness to take all power from the people
and to pluck from them their tribunes for
ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is
almost mature for the violent breaking out.
Vols.
Coriolanus banished!
Rom.
Banished, sir.
Vols.
You will be welcome with this intelligence,
Nicanor.
Rom.
The day serves well for them now.
I have heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt
a man's wife is when she's fallen out with her
husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear
well in these wars, his great opposer,
Coriolanus, being now in no request of his
country.
Vols.
He cannot choose. I am most fortunate,
thus accidentally to encounter you: you
have ended my business, and I will merrily
accompany you home.
Rom.
I shall, between this and supper, tell
you most strange things from Rome; all tending
to the good of their adversaries. Have you
an army ready, say you?
Vols.
A most royal one; the centurions
and their charges, distinctly billeted, already
in the entertainment, and to be on foot at an
hour's warning. (51)
Rom.
I am joyful to hear of their readiness,
and am the man, I think, that shall set
them in present action. So, sir, heartily well
met, and most glad of your company.
Vols.
You take my part from me, sir; I
have the most cause to be glad of yours.
Rom.
Well, let us go together. Exeunt.
