Coriolanus · Act 1, Scene 8

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Alarum as in battle. Enter, from opposite sides, MARCIUS and AUFIDIUS
Alarum as in battle. Enter, from opposite sides, MARCIUS and AUFIDIUS
Marcius

I’ll fight with none but thee; for I do hate thee Worse than a promise-breaker.

Marcius

I’ll fight with no one except you; because I hate you More than a liar.

Aufidius

We hate alike: Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot.

Aufidius

We both hate each other: No snake in Africa disgusts me More than your reputation and jealousy. Stand your ground.

Marcius

Let the first budger die the other’s slave, And the gods doom him after!

Marcius

Let the first fighter fall, and let the other become his servant, And let the gods punish him afterwards!

Aufidius

If I fly, Marcius, Holloa me like a hare.

Aufidius

If I run, Marcius, Call me like you would call a rabbit.

Marcius

Within these three hours, Tullus, Alone I fought in your Corioli walls, And made what work I pleased: ’tis not my blood Wherein thou seest me mask’d; for thy revenge Wrench up thy power to the highest.

Marcius

In the last three hours, Tullus, I fought alone inside your Corioli walls, And I did whatever I wanted: it’s not my blood That you see on me; for your revenge Unleash your full power.

Aufidius

Wert thou the Hector That was the whip of your bragg’d progeny, Thou shouldst not scape me here.

Aufidius

If you were Hector The great hero who punished your proud ancestors, You still wouldn’t escape me here.

They fight, and certain Volsces come to the aid of AUFIDIUS. MARCIUS fights till they be driven in breathless
They fight, and certain Volsces come to the aid of AUFIDIUS. MARCIUS fights until they are forced to retreat, breathless.
Aufidius

Officious, and not valiant, you have shamed me In your condemned seconds.

Aufidius

Officious, and not brave, you have embarrassed me With your useless backup.

Exuent
Exuent

End of Act 1, Scene 8

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