Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/123

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, IV. vi  Mess. You are sent for to the senate:

A fearful army, led by Caius Martius,

Associated with Aufidius, rages

Upon our territories; and have already

O'erborne their way, consum'd with fire, and took

What lay before them.

Com. O! you have made good work!

Men. What news? what news?

Com. You have holp to ravish your own daughters, and

To melt the city leads upon your pates,

To see your wives dishonour'd to your noses,—

Men. What's the news? what's the news?

Com. Your temples burned in their cement, and

Your franchises, whereon you stood, confin'd

Into an auger's bore.

Men. Pray now, your news?—

You have made fair work, I fear me. Pray, your news?

If Martius should be join'd with Volscians,—

Com. If!

He is their god: he leads them like a thing

Made by some other deity than Nature,

That shapes man better; and they follow him,

Against us brats, with no less confidence

Than boys pursuing summer butterflies,

Or butchers killing flies.

Men. You have made good work,

You, and your apron-men; you that stood so much

 79 O'erborne way: advanced like a wave

82 holp: helped

83 leads: leaden roofs

84 to: before

86 temples cement; cf. n.

87 franchises: public rights

whereon stood: which you asserted

87, 88 confin'd bore: reduced to absolute nullity

94 brats: mere children

97 apron-men: artisans, dressed in aprons

