Enter Tullus Aufidius bloody, with two or three Soldiers. AUFIDIUS The town is ta’en. SOLDIER
’Twill be delivered back on good condition. AUFIDIUS Condition?
I would I were a Roman, for I cannot,
Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition? 5
What good condition can a treaty find
I’ th’ part that is at mercy? Five times, Martius,
I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me
And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter
As often as we eat. By th’ elements, 10 | Meanwhile, over at the defeated Volscian camp, Tullus Aufidius is super bummed about losing to his arch enemy. |
If e’er again I meet him beard to beard,
He’s mine, or I am his. Mine emulation
Hath not that honor in ’t it had; for where
I thought to crush him in an equal force,
True sword to sword, I’ll potch at him some way 15
Or wrath or craft may get him. SOLDIER He’s the devil. AUFIDIUS
Bolder, though not so subtle. My valor’s poisoned
With only suff’ring stain by him; for him
Shall fly out of itself. Nor sleep nor sanctuary, 20
Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol,
The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,
Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
Their rotten privilege and custom ’gainst
My hate to Martius. Where I find him, were it 25
At home, upon my brother’s guard, even there,
Against the hospitable canon, would I
Wash my fierce hand in ’s heart. Go you to th’ city;
Learn how ’tis held and what they are that must
Be hostages for Rome. 30 SOLDIER Will not you go? AUFIDIUS
I am attended at the cypress grove. I pray you—
’Tis south the city mills—bring me word thither
How the world goes, that to the pace of it
I may spur on my journey. 35 SOLDIER I shall, sir. They exit, Aufidius through one door,
Soldiers through another. | Then Aufidius is all, "I'll be back." |