[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.
[Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and MENENIUS]
- Volumnia. O, ye're well met: the hoarded plague o' the gods
2605
Requite your love!
- 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.
- 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?
- 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.
- 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!
- Sicinius Velutus. I would he had continued to his country
As he began, and not unknit himself
The noble knot he made.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
[Exeunt]
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