Act IV, Scene 2

The same. A street near the gate.

[Enter SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and an AEdile]

• Sicinius Velutus. Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further.
  The nobility are vex'd, whom we see have sided
  In his behalf. 2590

• Junius Brutus. Now we have shown our power,
  Let us seem humbler after it is done
  Than when it was a-doing.

• Sicinius Velutus. Bid them home:
  Say their great enemy is gone, and they 2595
  Stand in their ancient strength.

• Junius Brutus. Dismiss them home.
  [Exit AEdile]
  Here comes his mother.

• Sicinius Velutus. Let's not meet her. 2600

• Junius Brutus. Why?

• Sicinius Velutus. They say she's mad.

• Junius Brutus. They have ta'en note of us: keep on your way.

[Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and MENENIUS]

• Volumnia. O, ye're well met: the hoarded plague o' the gods 2605
  Requite your love!

• Menenius Agrippa. Peace, peace; be not so loud.

• Volumnia. If that I could for weeping, you should hear,—
  Nay, and you shall hear some.
  [To BRUTUS] 2610
  Will you be gone?

• Virgilia. [To SICINIUS] You shall stay too: I would I had the power
  To say so to my husband.

• Sicinius Velutus. Are you mankind?

• Volumnia. Ay, fool; is that a shame? Note but this fool. 2615
  Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship
  To banish him that struck more blows for Rome
  Than thou hast spoken words?

• Sicinius Velutus. O blessed heavens!

• Volumnia. More noble blows than ever thou wise words; 2620
  And for Rome's good. I'll tell thee what; yet go:
  Nay, but thou shalt stay too: I would my son
  Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him,
  His good sword in his hand.

• Sicinius Velutus. What then? 2625

• Virgilia. What then!
  He'ld make an end of thy posterity.

• Volumnia. Bastards and all.
  Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome!

• Menenius Agrippa. Come, come, peace. 2630

• Sicinius Velutus. I would he had continued to his country
  As he began, and not unknit himself
  The noble knot he made.

• Junius Brutus. I would he had.

• Volumnia. 'I would he had'! 'Twas you incensed the rabble: 2635
  Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth
  As I can of those mysteries which heaven
  Will not have earth to know.

• Junius Brutus. Pray, let us go.

• Volumnia. Now, pray, sir, get you gone: 2640
  You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this:—
  As far as doth the Capitol exceed
  The meanest house in Rome, so far my son—
  This lady's husband here, this, do you see—
  Whom you have banish'd, does exceed you all. 2645

• Junius Brutus. Well, well, we'll leave you.

• Sicinius Velutus. Why stay we to be baited
  With one that wants her wits?

• Volumnia. Take my prayers with you.
  [Exeunt Tribunes] 2650
  I would the gods had nothing else to do
  But to confirm my curses! Could I meet 'em
  But once a-day, it would unclog my heart
  Of what lies heavy to't.

• Menenius Agrippa. You have told them home; 2655
  And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll sup with me?

• Volumnia. Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself,
  And so shall starve with feeding. Come, let's go:
  Leave this faint puling and lament as I do,
  In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come. 2660

• Menenius Agrippa. Fie, fie, fie!

[Exeunt]