Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/137

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, V. iii

You must report to the Volscian lords, how plainly

I have borne this business.

Auf. Only their ends

You have respected; stopp'd your ears against

The general suit of Rome; never admitted

A private whisper; no, not with such friends

That thought them sure of you.

Cor. This last old man,

Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome,

Lov'd me above the measure of a father;

Nay, godded me indeed. Their latest refuge

Was to send him; for whose old love I have,

Though I show'd sourly to him, once more offer'd

The first conditions, which they did refuse,

And cannot now accept, to grace him only

That thought he could do more. A very little

I have yielded to; fresh embassies and suits,

Nor from the state, nor private friends, hereafter

Will I lend ear to. Ha! what shout is this?

Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow

In the same time 'tis made? I will not.

My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould

Wherein this trunk was fram'd, and in her hand

The grandchild to her blood. But out, affection!

All bond and privilege of nature, break!

Let it be virtuous to be obstinate.

What is that curtsy worth? or those doves' eyes,

Which can make gods forsworn? I melt, and am not

 3 plainly: candidly, honestly

4 borne: conducted

6 general Rome: petitions of all Rome

11 godded: deified

18 Nor friends: neither from the state nor from private friends

23 in hand: led by the hand

