Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/37

The Tragedy of Coriolanus, I. vi

The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge

From rascals worse than they.

Com. But how prevail'd you?

Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.

Where is the enemy? Are you lords o' the field?

If not, why cease you till you are so?

Com. Martius, we have at disadvantage fought,

And did retire to win our purpose.

Mar. How lies their battle? Know you on which side

They have plac'd their men of trust?

Com. As I guess, Martius,

Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,

Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius,

Their very heart of hope.

Mar. I do beseech you,

By all the battles wherein we have fought,

By the blood we have shed together, by the vows

We have made to endure friends, that you directly

Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates;

And that you not delay the present, but,

Filling the air with swords advanc'd and darts,

We prove this very hour.

Com. Though I could wish

You were conducted to a gentle bath,

And balms applied to you, yet dare I never

Deny your asking: take your choice of those

That best can aid your action.

Mar. Those are they

That most are willing. If any such be here—

As it were sin to doubt—that love this painting

 44 budge: shrink

53 vaward: vanguard

Antiates: inhabitants of Antium

58 endure: continue

60 delay present: make present delay

62 We prove: that we make trial of

