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Breathe you, my friends: well fought; we are come off Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands, Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs, We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck, By interims and conveying gusts we have heard The charges of our friends. Ye Roman gods! Lead their successes as we wish our own, That both our powers, with smiling fronts encountering, May give you thankful sacrifice.
Take a breath, my friends: well fought; we’ve come through Like Romans, neither foolish in our positions, Nor cowardly in retreat: believe me, gentlemen, We’ll be attacked again. While we’ve struck, In intervals and shifting winds we’ve heard Our friends’ signals. Ye Roman gods! Guide their success as we wish for ours, That both our forces, meeting each other With confident faces, May give you grateful sacrifices.
Thy news?
What’s the news?
The citizens of Corioli have issued, And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle: I saw our party to their trenches driven, And then I came away.
The citizens of Corioli have come out, And given battle to Lartius and to Marcius: I saw our men pushed back to their trenches, And then I left.
Though thou speak’st truth, Methinks thou speak’st not well. How long is’t since?
Though you speak the truth, I think you’re not saying it well. How long ago was this?
Above an hour, my lord.
Over an hour ago, my lord.
’Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums: How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour, And bring thy news so late?
That’s not very far; we’ve just heard their drums: How could you get so far in an hour, And bring your news so late?
Spies of the Volsces Held me in chase, that I was forced to wheel Three or four miles about, else had I, sir, Half an hour since brought my report.
Spies from the Volsces Were chasing me, so I had to go around Three or four miles, or else, sir, I would have given my report half an hour ago.
Who’s yonder, That does appear as he were flay’d? O gods He has the stamp of Marcius; and I have Before-time seen him thus.
Who’s that over there, Looking as if he’d been skinned? Oh gods, He has the mark of Marcius; I’ve seen him like this before.
[Within] Come I too late?
[From inside] Am I too late?
The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabour More than I know the sound of Marcius’ tongue From every meaner man.
A shepherd can’t tell thunder from a drum Any more than I can tell Marcius’ voice From any other ordinary man.
Come I too late?
Am I too late?
Ay, if you come not in the blood of others, But mantled in your own.
Yes, unless you come covered in the blood of others, And not your own.
O, let me clip ye In arms as sound as when I woo’d, in heart As merry as when our nuptial day was done, And tapers burn’d to bedward!
Oh, let me embrace you In arms as strong as when I courted you, with a heart As happy as when our wedding day was done, And the candles were put out for bed!
Flower of warriors, How is it with Titus Lartius?
Flower of warriors, How is Titus Lartius?
As with a man busied about decrees: Condemning some to death, and some to exile; Ransoming him, or pitying, threatening the other; Holding Corioli in the name of Rome, Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash, To let him slip at will.
Like a man busy with decisions: Sentencing some to death, and others to exile; Ransoming one, pitying another, threatening yet another; Holding Corioli in the name of Rome, Like a well-trained greyhound on a leash, Ready to let him go whenever he wishes.
Where is that slave Which told me they had beat you to your trenches? Where is he? call him hither.
Where’s that slave Who told me they had beaten you to your trenches? Where is he? Call him here.
Let him alone; He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen, The common file--a plague! tribunes for them!-- The mouse ne’er shunn’d the cat as they did budge From rascals worse than they.
Leave him alone; He told the truth. But as for our gentlemen, The common soldiers—a curse on them! Tribunes for them! The mouse didn’t run from the cat any faster than they ran From men worse than themselves.
But how prevail’d you?
But how did you succeed?
Will the time serve to tell? I do not think. Where is the enemy? are you lords o’ the field? If not, why cease you till you are so?
Do we have time to talk about it? I don’t think so. Where is the enemy? Are you masters of the battlefield? If not, why are you waiting until you are?
Marcius, We have at disadvantage fought and did Retire to win our purpose.
Marcius, We fought at a disadvantage, but we retreated To gain our objective.
How lies their battle? know you on which side They have placed their men of trust?
How is their army arranged? Do you know where They’ve placed their most trusted men?
As I guess, Marcius, Their bands i’ the vaward are the Antiates, Of their best trust; o’er them Aufidius, Their very heart of hope.
I think, Marcius, Their front lines are the Antiates, Of their most trusted soldiers; over them, Aufidius, Their most important hope.
I do beseech you, By all the battles wherein we have fought, By the blood we have shed together, by the vows We have made to endure friends, that you directly Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates; And that you not delay the present, but, Filling the air with swords advanced and darts, We prove this very hour.
I beg you, By all the battles we’ve fought together, By the blood we’ve shed, by the promises We’ve made to be loyal friends, that you immediately Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates; And don’t delay, but, With swords raised and weapons ready, Let’s prove ourselves right now.
Though I could wish You were conducted to a gentle bath And balms applied to, you, yet dare I never Deny your asking: take your choice of those That best can aid your action.
Although I’d prefer You were taken to a safe place and treated, I won’t deny your request: choose anyone Who can best support you in this mission.
Those are they That most are willing. If any such be here-- As it were sin to doubt--that love this painting Wherein you see me smear’d; if any fear Lesser his person than an ill report; If any think brave death outweighs bad life And that his country’s dearer than himself; Let him alone, or so many so minded, Wave thus, to express his disposition, And follow Marcius.
These are the ones Who are most willing. If anyone here— And it would be wrong to doubt—who loves the idea Of me stained with disgrace; if anyone fears More for their reputation than for themselves; If anyone believes that a noble death is better than a bad life And that their country comes before their own life; Let them stand aside, or those of like mind, Wave their hands to show their loyalty, And follow me.
O, me alone! make you a sword of me? If these shows be not outward, which of you But is four Volsces? none of you but is Able to bear against the great Aufidius A shield as hard as his. A certain number, Though thanks to all, must I select from all: the rest Shall bear the business in some other fight, As cause will be obey’d. Please you to march; And four shall quickly draw out my command, Which men are best inclined.
Oh, not just me! You’re turning me into a weapon? If these actions aren’t just for show, which of you Isn’t just as strong as the Volsces? None of you are Less capable of fighting against the great Aufidius With a shield as tough as his. A select few, Though thanks to everyone, I’ll choose From all of you: the rest Will fight in other battles, as necessary. Please march; And four will quickly follow my orders, The ones most ready to join.
March on, my fellows: Make good this ostentation, and you shall Divide in all with us.
March on, my friends: Keep up this show of strength, and you’ll share In all the rewards with us.