ACT IV - SCENE II. The same. A street near the gate.
Enter SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and an AEdile
SICINIUS
1 Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further. 2 The nobility are vex'd, whom we see have sided 3 In his behalf.
BRUTUS
4 Now we have shown our power, 5 Let us seem humbler after it is done 6 Than when it was a-doing.
SICINIUS
7 Bid them home: 8 Say their great enemy is gone, and they 9 Stand in their ancient strength.
BRUTUS
10 Dismiss them home. Exit AEdile 11 Here comes his mother.
SICINIUS
12 Let's not meet her.
BRUTUS
13 Why?
SICINIUS
14 They say she's mad.
BRUTUS
15 They have ta'en note of us: keep on your way.
Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and MENENIUS
VOLUMNIA
16 O, ye're well met: the hoarded plague o' the gods 17 Requite your love!
MENENIUS
18 Peace, peace; be not so loud.
VOLUMNIA
19 If that I could for weeping, you should hear,-- 20 Nay, and you shall hear some. To BRUTUS 21 Will you be gone?
VIRGILIA
To SICINIUS 22 You shall stay too: I would I had the power 23 To say so to my husband.
SICINIUS
24 Are you mankind?
VOLUMNIA
25 Ay, fool; is that a shame? Note but this fool. 26 Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship 27 To banish him that struck more blows for Rome 28 Than thou hast spoken words?
SICINIUS
29 O blessed heavens!
VOLUMNIA
30 More noble blows than ever thou wise words; 31 And for Rome's good. I'll tell thee what; yet go: 32 Nay, but thou shalt stay too: I would my son 33 Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him, 34 His good sword in his hand.
SICINIUS
35 What then?
VIRGILIA
36 What then! 37 He'ld make an end of thy posterity.
VOLUMNIA
38 Bastards and all. 39 Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome!
MENENIUS
40 Come, come, peace.
SICINIUS
41 I would he had continued to his country 42 As he began, and not unknit himself 43 The noble knot he made.
BRUTUS
44 I would he had.
VOLUMNIA
45 'I would he had'! 'Twas you incensed the rabble: 46 Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth 47 As I can of those mysteries which heaven 48 Will not have earth to know.
BRUTUS
49 Pray, let us go.
VOLUMNIA
50 Now, pray, sir, get you gone: 51 You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this:-- 52 As far as doth the Capitol exceed 53 The meanest house in Rome, so far my son-- 54 This lady's husband here, this, do you see-- 55 Whom you have banish'd, does exceed you all.
BRUTUS
56 Well, well, we'll leave you.
SICINIUS
57 Why stay we to be baited 58 With one that wants her wits?
VOLUMNIA
59 Take my prayers with you. Exeunt Tribunes 60 I would the gods had nothing else to do 61 But to confirm my curses! Could I meet 'em 62 But once a-day, it would unclog my heart 63 Of what lies heavy to't.
MENENIUS
64 You have told them home; 65 And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll sup with me?
VOLUMNIA
66 Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself, 67 And so shall starve with feeding. Come, let's go: 68 Leave this faint puling and lament as I do, 69 In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come.