lanus: guess, but by my entertainment with 68
him, if thou standest not i' the state of hanging,
or of some death more long in spectatorship,
and crueller in suffering; behold now presently,
and swound for what's to come upon thee. [To 72
Coriolanus.] The glorious gods sit in hourly
synod about thy particular prosperity, and love
thee no worse than thy old father Menenius
does! O my son! my son! thou art preparing 76
fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it.
I was hardly moved to come to thee; but being
assured none but myself could move thee, I
have been blown out of your gates with sighs; 80
and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy
petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage
thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this
varlet here; this, who, like a block, hath denied 84
my access to thee.
Cor. Away!
Men. How! away!
Cor. Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs 88
Are servanted to others: though I owe
My revenge properly, my remission lies
In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,
Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather 92
Than pity note how much. Therefore, begone:
Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
Your gates against my force. Yet, for I lov'd thee,
Take this along; I writ it for thy sake, 96
[Gives a paper.]
68 entertainment: reception
70 more . . . spectatorship: which will still more prolong your public ignominy
72 swound: swoon
74 synod: conference
80 your: i.e. the Roman
84 block: block of wood, blockhead
89 servanted: made servants
90 properly: personally
remission: forgiveness, mercy; cf. n.
91–93 That . . . much; cf. n.
95 for: because
