Enter ORLANDO with his sword drawn. Orl. Forbear, and eat no more. Jaq. Why, I have eat none yet. Orl. Nor shalt not, till necessity be served. Jaq. Of what kind should this cock come of? Duke S. Art thou thus boldened, man, by thy distress; Or else a rude despiser of good manners, That in civility thou seem'st so empty? Orl. You touched my vein at first; the thorny point Of bare distress hath ta'en from me the show Of smooth civility: yet am I inland bred, And know some nurture. But, forbear, I say; He dies, that touches any of this fruit, Till I and my affairs are answered. Duke S. What would you have? Your gentleness shall force, More than your force move us to gentleness. Orl. I almost die for food, and let me have it. Duke S. Sit down and feed, and welcome to our table. Orl. Speak you so gently? Pardon me, I pray you; I thought that all things had been savage here; And therefore put I on the countenance Of stern commandment: But whate'er you are, Under the shade of melancholy boughs, Lose and neglect the creeping hours of time; If ever been where bells have knolled to church; If ever from your eyelids wiped a tear, Orl. Then, but forbear your food a little while, And give it food. There is an old poor man, And we will nothing waste till you return. Orl. I thank ye: and be blessed for your good comfort! Duke S. Thou see'st, we are not all alone unhappy: This wide and universal theatre Presents more woeful pageants than the scene Wherein we play in. Jaq. Even in the cannon's mouth: and then, the justice; SHAKSPEARE. 4.-CORIOLANUS AND AUFIDIUS. Cor. I PLAINLY, Tullus, by your looks perceive Auf. I mean not to assail thee with the clamour Cor. Speak, I hear thee. Auf. I need not tell thee, that I have performed It still may be in danger from our arms : Retire: I will take care thou may'st with safety. Cor. With safety?-Heavens !-and think'st thou Coriolanus Will stoop to thee for safety?—No: my safeguard Is in myself, a bosom void of fear. O, 'tis an act of cowardice and baseness, To seize the very time my hands are fettered Auf. Thou speak'st the truth: it had not. If you will bless me, grant it! Know, for that, For that dear purpose, I have now proposed Thou shouid'st return: I pray thee, Marcius, do it; Cor. Till I have cleared my honour in your council, Auf. Thou canst not hope acquittal from the Volscians. Cor. I do :-Nay, more, expect their approbation, Their thanks. I will obtain them such a peace As thou durst never ask; a perfect union Of their whole nation with imperial Rome, In all her privileges, all her rights; By the just gods, I will.-What would'st thou more? Auf. What would I more, proud Roman? This I wouldFire the cursed forest, where these Roman wolves Haunt and infest their nobler neighbours round them; A false, perfidious people, who, beneath The genuine seed of outlaws and of robbers. Cor. The seed of gods.-'Tis not for thee, vain boaster, "Tis not for such as thou,- -so often spared By her victorious sword, to speak of Rome, Of Roman story, than your Volscian annals Can boast through all their creeping, dark duration. Auf. I thank thy rage:-This full displays the traitor Auf. Ay, traitor, Marcius. Cor. Marcius! Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: Dost thou think You lords, and heads of the state, perfidiously Cor. Hearest thou, Mars? Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears. my Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made Auf. I court heart The worst thy sword can do; while thou from me Hast nothing to expect but sore destruction; Quit then this hostile camp: once more I tell thee, Cor. O, that I had thee in the field, SHAKSPEARE. 5.-MASTER MATTHEW AND BOBADIL. Mat. SAVE you, sir; save you, captain. Bob. Gentle, Master Matthew! Is it you, sir? Please you to sit down. Mat. Thank you, good captain; you may see I am somewhat audacious. Bob. Not so, sir. I was requested to supper last night by a sort of gallants, where you were wished for, and drank to, I assure you. Mat. Vouchsafe me, by whom, good captain? Bob. Marry, by young Wellbred and others. Why, hostess, a stool here for this gentleman. Mat. No haste, sir; 'tis very well. Bob. It was so late ere we parted last night, I can scarce open my eyes yet; I was but new risen as you came. How passes the day abroad, sir? you can tell. Mat. Faith, some half hour to seven. Now, trust me, you have an exceeding fine lodging here, very neat, and private ! Bob. Ay, sir: I pray you, Master Matthew, in any case, possess no gentleman of our acquaintance with notice of my lodging. |