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The Tragedy of Coriolanus: Act 4 Scene 4

Scene IV Antium. Before Aufidius's house.

[Enter CORIOLANUS in mean apparel, disguised

and muffled]

CORIOLANUS

A goodly city is this Antium. City,

'Tis I that made thy widows: many an heir

Of these fair edifices 'fore my wars

Have I heard groan and drop: then know me not,

Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones

In puny battle slay me.

[Enter a Citizen]

Save you, sir.

CITIZEN

And you.

CORIOLANUS

Direct me, if it be your will,

Where great Aufidius lies: is he in Antium?

CITIZEN

He is, and feasts the nobles of the state

At his house this night.

CORIOLANUS

Which is his house, beseech you?

CITIZEN

This, here before you.

CORIOLANUS

Thank you, sir: farewell.

[Exit Citizen]

O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn,

Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart,

Whose house, whose bed, whose meal, and exercise,

Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love

Unseparable, shall within this hour,

On a dissension of a doit, break out

To bitterest enmity: so, fellest foes,

Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep,

To take the one the other, by some chance,

Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends

And interjoin their issues. So with me:

My birth-place hate I, and my love's upon

This enemy town. I'll enter: if he slay me,

He does fair justice; if he give me way,

I'll do his country service.

[Exit]