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The Tragedy of Coriolanus
 
   
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Aufidius complete text pdf version
 
Aufidius. Is it not yours?1.2.4
        What ever have been thought on in this state,1.2.5
        That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome1.2.6
        Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone1.2.7
        Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think1.2.8
        I have the letter here; yes, here it is.1.2.9

[Reads]

        'They have press'd a power, but it is not known1.2.10
        Whether for east or west: the dearth is great;1.2.11
        The people mutinous; and it is rumour'd,1.2.12
        Cominius, Marcius your old enemy,1.2.13
        Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,1.2.14
        And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,1.2.15
        These three lead on this preparation1.2.16
        Whither 'tis bent: most likely 'tis for you:1.2.17
        Consider of it.' 1.2.18
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Aufidius. Nor did you think it folly1.2.22
        To keep your great pretences veil'd till when1.2.23
        They needs must show themselves; which1.2.24
        in the hatching,1.2.25
        It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery.1.2.26
        We shall be shorten'd in our aim, which was1.2.27
        To take in many towns ere almost Rome1.2.28
        Should know we were afoot. 1.2.29
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Aufidius. O, doubt not that;1.2.36
        I speak from certainties. Nay, more,1.2.37
        Some parcels of their power are forth already,1.2.38
        And only hitherward. I leave your honours.1.2.39
        If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,1.2.40
        'Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike1.2.41
        Till one can do no more. 1.2.42
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Aufidius. And keep your honours safe! 1.2.44
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Aufidius. We hate alike:1.8.3
        Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor1.8.4
        More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot. 1.8.5
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Aufidius. If I fly, Marcius,1.8.8
        Holloa me like a hare. 1.8.9
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Aufidius. Wert thou the Hector1.8.15
        That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,1.8.16
        Thou shouldst not scape me here.1.8.17

They fight, and certain Volsces come to the aid of AUFIDIUS. MARCIUS fights till they be driven in breathless

        Officious, and not valiant, you have shamed me1.8.18
        In your condemned seconds.1.8.19

Exeunt

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Aufidius. The town is ta'en! 1.10.1
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Aufidius. Condition!1.10.3
        I would I were a Roman; for I cannot,1.10.4
        Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition!1.10.5
        What good condition can a treaty find1.10.6
        I' the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius,1.10.7
        I have fought with thee: so often hast thou beat me,1.10.8
        And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter1.10.9
        As often as we eat. By the elements,1.10.10
        If e'er again I meet him beard to beard,1.10.11
        He's mine, or I am his: mine emulation1.10.12
        Hath not that honour in't it had; for where1.10.13
        I thought to crush him in an equal force,1.10.14
        True sword to sword, I'll potch at him some way1.10.15
        Or wrath or craft may get him. 1.10.16
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Aufidius. Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour's poison'd1.10.18
        With only suffering stain by him; for him1.10.19
        Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary,1.10.20
        Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol,1.10.21
        The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,1.10.22
        Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up1.10.23
        Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst1.10.24
        My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it1.10.25
        At home, upon my brother's guard, even there,1.10.26
        Against the hospitable canon, would I1.10.27
        Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to the city;1.10.28
        Learn how 'tis held; and what they are that must1.10.29
        Be hostages for Rome. 1.10.30
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Aufidius. I am attended at the cypress grove: I pray you--1.10.32
        'Tis south the city mills--bring me word thither1.10.33
        How the world goes, that to the pace of it1.10.34
        I may spur on my journey. 1.10.35
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Aufidius. Where is this fellow? 4.5.47
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Aufidius. Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?4.5.50
        Why speak'st not? speak, man: what's thy name? 4.5.51
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Aufidius. What is thy name? 4.5.56
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Aufidius. Say, what's thy name?4.5.59
        Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face4.5.60
        Bears a command in't; though thy tackle's torn.4.5.61
        Thou show'st a noble vessel: what's thy name? 4.5.62
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Aufidius. I know thee not: thy name? 4.5.65
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Aufidius. O Marcius, Marcius!4.5.104
        Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart4.5.105
        A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter4.5.106
        Should from yond cloud speak divine things,4.5.107
        And say 'Tis true,' I'ld not believe them more4.5.108
        Than thee, all noble Marcius. Let me twine4.5.109
        Mine arms about that body, where against4.5.110
        My grained ash an hundred times hath broke4.5.111
        And scarr'd the moon with splinters: here I clip4.5.112
        The anvil of my sword, and do contest4.5.113
        As hotly and as nobly with thy love4.5.114
        As ever in ambitious strength I did4.5.115
        Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,4.5.116
        I loved the maid I married; never man4.5.117
        Sigh'd truer breath; but that I see thee here,4.5.118
        Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart4.5.119
        Than when I first my wedded mistress saw4.5.120
        Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,4.5.121
        We have a power on foot; and I had purpose4.5.122
        Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,4.5.123
        Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out4.5.124
        Twelve several times, and I have nightly since4.5.125
        Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyself and me;4.5.126
        We have been down together in my sleep,4.5.127
        Unbuckling helms, fisting each other's throat,4.5.128
        And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Marcius,4.5.129
        Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that4.5.130
        Thou art thence banish'd, we would muster all4.5.131
        From twelve to seventy, and pouring war4.5.132
        Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,4.5.133
        Like a bold flood o'er-bear. O, come, go in,4.5.134
        And take our friendly senators by the hands;4.5.135
        Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,4.5.136
        Who am prepared against your territories,4.5.137
        Though not for Rome itself. 4.5.138
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Aufidius. Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have4.5.140
        The leading of thine own revenges, take4.5.141
        The one half of my commission; and set down--4.5.142
        As best thou art experienced, since thou know'st4.5.143
        Thy country's strength and weakness,--thine own ways;4.5.144
        Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,4.5.145
        Or rudely visit them in parts remote,4.5.146
        To fright them, ere destroy. But come in:4.5.147
        Let me commend thee first to those that shall4.5.148
        Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!4.5.149
        And more a friend than e'er an enemy;4.5.150
        Yet, Marcius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!4.5.151

Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. The two Servingmen come forward

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Aufidius. Do they still fly to the Roman? 4.7.1
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Aufidius. I cannot help it now,4.7.7
        Unless, by using means, I lame the foot4.7.8
        Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier,4.7.9
        Even to my person, than I thought he would4.7.10
        When first I did embrace him: yet his nature4.7.11
        In that's no changeling; and I must excuse4.7.12
        What cannot be amended. 4.7.13
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Aufidius. I understand thee well; and be thou sure,4.7.19
        when he shall come to his account, he knows not4.7.20
        What I can urge against him. Although it seems,4.7.21
        And so he thinks, and is no less apparent4.7.22
        To the vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly.4.7.23
        And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state,4.7.24
        Fights dragon-like, and does achieve as soon4.7.25
        As draw his sword; yet he hath left undone4.7.26
        That which shall break his neck or hazard mine,4.7.27
        Whene'er we come to our account. 4.7.28
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Aufidius. All places yield to him ere he sits down;4.7.30
        And the nobility of Rome are his:4.7.31
        The senators and patricians love him too:4.7.32
        The tribunes are no soldiers; and their people4.7.33
        Will be as rash in the repeal, as hasty4.7.34
        To expel him thence. I think he'll be to Rome4.7.35
        As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it4.7.36
        By sovereignty of nature. First he was4.7.37
        A noble servant to them; but he could not4.7.38
        Carry his honours even: whether 'twas pride,4.7.39
        Which out of daily fortune ever taints4.7.40
        The happy man; whether defect of judgment,4.7.41
        To fail in the disposing of those chances4.7.42
        Which he was lord of; or whether nature,4.7.43
        Not to be other than one thing, not moving4.7.44
        From the casque to the cushion, but commanding peace4.7.45
        Even with the same austerity and garb4.7.46
        As he controll'd the war; but one of these--4.7.47
        As he hath spices of them all, not all,4.7.48
        For I dare so far free him--made him fear'd,4.7.49
        So hated, and so banish'd: but he has a merit,4.7.50
        To choke it in the utterance. So our virtues4.7.51
        Lie in the interpretation of the time:4.7.52
        And power, unto itself most commendable,4.7.53
        Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair4.7.54
        To extol what it hath done.4.7.55
        One fire drives out one fire; one nail, one nail;4.7.56
        Rights by rights falter, strengths by strengths do fail.4.7.57
        Come, let's away. When, Caius, Rome is thine,4.7.58
        Thou art poor'st of all; then shortly art thou mine.4.7.59

Exeunt

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Aufidius. You keep a constant temper.5.2.98

Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS

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Aufidius. Only their ends5.3.5
        You have respected; stopp'd your ears against5.3.6
        The general suit of Rome; never admitted5.3.7
        A private whisper, no, not with such friends5.3.8
        That thought them sure of you. 5.3.9
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Aufidius. I was moved withal. 5.3.211
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Aufidius. [Aside] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and5.3.218
        thy honour5.3.219
        At difference in thee: out of that I'll work5.3.220
        Myself a former fortune.5.3.221

The Ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS

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Aufidius. Go tell the lords o' the city I am here:5.6.1
        Deliver them this paper: having read it,5.6.2
        Bid them repair to the market place; where I,5.6.3
        Even in theirs and in the commons' ears,5.6.4
        Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse5.6.5
        The city ports by this hath enter'd and5.6.6
        Intends to appear before the people, hoping5.6.7
        To purge herself with words: dispatch.5.6.8

Exeunt Attendants

Enter three or four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' faction

        Most welcome! 5.6.9
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Aufidius. Even so5.6.11
        As with a man by his own alms empoison'd,5.6.12
        And with his charity slain. 5.6.13
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Aufidius. Sir, I cannot tell:5.6.18
        We must proceed as we do find the people. 5.6.19
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Aufidius. I know it;5.6.23
        And my pretext to strike at him admits5.6.24
        A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn'd5.6.25
        Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd,5.6.26
        He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery,5.6.27
        Seducing so my friends; and, to this end,5.6.28
        He bow'd his nature, never known before5.6.29
        But to be rough, unswayable and free. 5.6.30
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Aufidius. That I would have spoke of:5.6.34
        Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth;5.6.35
        Presented to my knife his throat: I took him;5.6.36
        Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way5.6.37
        In all his own desires; nay, let him choose5.6.38
        Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,5.6.39
        My best and freshest men; served his designments5.6.40
        In mine own person; holp to reap the fame5.6.41
        Which he did end all his; and took some pride5.6.42
        To do myself this wrong: till, at the last,5.6.43
        I seem'd his follower, not partner, and5.6.44
        He waged me with his countenance, as if5.6.45
        I had been mercenary. 5.6.46
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Aufidius. There was it:5.6.51
        For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him.5.6.52
        At a few drops of women's rheum, which are5.6.53
        As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour5.6.54
        Of our great action: therefore shall he die,5.6.55
        And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark!5.6.56

Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the People

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Aufidius. Say no more:5.6.69
        Here come the lords.5.6.70

Enter the Lords of the city

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Aufidius. I have not deserved it.5.6.72
        But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused5.6.73
        What I have written to you? 5.6.74
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Aufidius. He approaches: you shall hear him.5.6.83

Enter CORIOLANUS, marching with drum and colours; commoners being with him

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Aufidius. Read it not, noble lords;5.6.98
        But tell the traitor, in the high'st degree5.6.99
        He hath abused your powers. 5.6.100
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Aufidius. Ay, traitor, Marcius! 5.6.102
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Aufidius. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: dost thou think5.6.104
        I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name5.6.105
        Coriolanus in Corioli?5.6.106
        You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously5.6.107
        He has betray'd your business, and given up,5.6.108
        For certain drops of salt, your city Rome,5.6.109
        I say 'your city,' to his wife and mother;5.6.110
        Breaking his oath and resolution like5.6.111
        A twist of rotten silk, never admitting5.6.112
        Counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears5.6.113
        He whined and roar'd away your victory,5.6.114
        That pages blush'd at him and men of heart5.6.115
        Look'd wondering each at other. 5.6.116
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Aufidius. Name not the god, thou boy of tears! 5.6.118
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Aufidius. No more. 5.6.120
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Aufidius. Why, noble lords,5.6.136
        Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,5.6.137
        Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,5.6.138
        'Fore your own eyes and ears? 5.6.139
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Aufidius. Insolent villain! 5.6.152
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Aufidius. My noble masters, hear me speak. 5.6.155
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Aufidius. My lords, when you shall know--as in this rage,5.6.160
        Provoked by him, you cannot--the great danger5.6.161
        Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice5.6.162
        That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours5.6.163
        To call me to your senate, I'll deliver5.6.164
        Myself your loyal servant, or endure5.6.165
        Your heaviest censure. 5.6.166
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Aufidius. My rage is gone;5.6.174
        And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up.5.6.175
        Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one.5.6.176
        Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully:5.6.177
        Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he5.6.178
        Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one,5.6.179
        Which to this hour bewail the injury,5.6.180
        Yet he shall have a noble memory. Assist.5.6.181

Exeunt, bearing the body of CORIOLANUS. A dead march sounded

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