Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/144

132

Were you in my stead, would you have heard

A mother less, or granted less, Aufidius?

Auf. I was mov'd withal.

Cor. I dare be sworn you were:

And, sir, it is no little thing to make

Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir,

What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part,

I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you: and pray you,

Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife!

Auf. [Aside.] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour

At difference in thee: out of that I'll work

Myself a former fortune.

[The ladies make signs to Coriolanus.]

Cor. Ay, by and by;

But we will drink together; and you shall bear

A better witness back than words, which we,

On like conditions, would have counterseal'd.

Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve

To have a temple built you: all the swords

In Italy, and her confederate arms,

Could not have made this peace.

Men. See you yond coign o' the Capitol, yond

corner-stone?

 194 withal: therewith

196 sweat compassion: weep with pity

199 Stand to: support

202 a fortune: a position as great as formerly

204 A better witness: i.e. a formal document

205 If conditions had been reversed, should have been glad to confirm strongly

208 her arms: the weapons of Italy's allies  1 coign: keystone

