Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/26

14 

Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express

yourself in a more comfortable sort. If my son

were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that

absence wherein he won honour than in the

embracements of his bed where he would show

most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied

and the only son of my womb, when youth with

comeliness plucked all gaze his way, when for a

day of kings' entreaties a mother should not sell

him an hour from her beholding, I, considering

how honour would become such a person, that

it was no better than picture-like to hang by the

wall, if renown made it not stir, was pleased to

let him seek danger where he was like to find

fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence

he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell

thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first

hearing he was a man-child than now in first

seeing he had proved himself a man.

Vir. But had he died in the business, madam;

how then?

Vol. Then his good report should have been

my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear

me profess sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each

in my love alike, and none less dear than thine

and my good Martius, I had rather had eleven

 8, 9 for entreaties: though kings should entreat for a day

11 person: beauty of body

16 bound with oak; cf. n.

