Coriolanus: Act 4, Scene 3 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 3 of Coriolanus from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter a Roman (Nicanor) and a Volsce (Adrian). 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? 5 VOLSCE Nicanor, no? ROMAN The same, sir. VOLSCE You had more beard when I last saw you, but your favor is well approved by your tongue. What’s the news in Rome? I have a note from the 10 Volscian state to find you out there. You have well saved me a day’s journey.	On a highway between Rome and Antium, a Roman who has been spying for the Volscians has a secret meeting with a Volscian guy named Adrian.
ROMAN There hath been in Rome strange insurrections, the people against the senators, patricians, and nobles. 15 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 20 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 forever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and 25 is almost mature for the violent breaking out. VOLSCE Coriolanus banished? ROMAN Banished, sir. VOLSCE You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.	After some friendly chit-chat, they get down to business. The Roman spy reports that there's been a ton of drama in Rome lately. The patricians have been fighting with the plebeians and Coriolanus has been totally banished. Plus, the patricians are about two seconds away from taking away the plebeians' right to elect tribunes.
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 fall’n out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer Coriolanus being now in no request 35 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 40 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 th’ entertainment, 45 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. 50 VOLSCE You take my part from me, sir. I have the most cause to be glad of yours. ROMAN Well, let us go together. They exit.	Adrian the Volscian thinks this is great. Now the Volscian army can take advantage of all the in-fighting going on in Rome.