A highway between Rome and Antium.
[Enter a ROMAN and a VOLSCE, meeting.] ROMAN I know you well, sir, and you know me; your name, I think,
is Adrian.
VOLSCE It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you.
ROMAN I am a Roman; and my services are, as you are, against 'em: know
you me yet?
VOLSCE Nicanor? no!
ROMAN The same, sir.
VOLSCE You had more beard when I last saw you; but your favour is
well approved by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a
note from the Volscian state, to find you out there; you have
well saved me a day's journey.
ROMAN There hath been in Rome strange insurrections: the people
against the senators, patricians, and nobles.
VOLSCE Hath been! is it ended, then? Our state thinks not so;
they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon
them in the heat of their division.
ROMAN The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it
flame again; for the nobles receive so to heart the banishment
of that worthy Coriolanus that they are in a ripe aptness to take
all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes
for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature
for the violent breaking out.
VOLSCE Coriolanus banished!
ROMAN Banished, sir.
VOLSCE You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.
ROMAN The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said the
fittest time to corrupt a man's wife is when she's fallen out
with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in
these wars, his great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no
request of his country.
VOLSCE He cannot choose. I am most fortunate thus accidentally to
encounter you; you have ended my business, and I will merrily
accompany you home.
ROMAN I shall between this and supper tell you most strange things
from Rome; all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you
an army ready, say you?
VOLSCE A most royal one; the centurions and their charges, distinctly
billeted, already in the entertainment, and to be on foot at an
hour's warning.
ROMAN I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think,
that shall set them in present action. So, sir, heartily well
met, and most glad of your company.
VOLSCE You take my part from me, sir; I have the most cause to be
glad of yours.
ROMAN Well, let us go together.
[Exeunt.]