Rome. A Room in Martius' House.
 Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA, mother and wife to Martius.
 They set them down on two low stools and sew.

Volumnia	I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself in a more 
	comfortable sort. If my son were my husband, I should 
	freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than 
	in the embracements of his bed where he would show most 
	love. When yet he was but tender-bodied and the only son of 
	my womb, when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his 
	way, when for a day of kings' entreaties a mother should 
	not sell him an hour from her beholding; I, considering how 
	honour would become such a person, that it was no better 
	than picture-like to hang by th' wall, if renown made it 
	not stir, was pleased to let him seek danger where he was 
	like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him, from whence 
	he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, 
	daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was 
	a man-child, than now, in first seeing he had proved 
	himself a man.

Virgilia	But had he died in the business, madam; how then?

Volumnia	Then his good report should have been my son, I therein 
	would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely: had I a 
	dozen sons, each in my love alike, and none less dear than 
	thine and my good Martius, I had rather had eleven die 
	nobly for their country, than one voluptuously surfeit out 
	of action.

                           Enter a GENTLEWOMAN.

Gentlewoman	Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.

Virgilia	Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.

Volumnia	Indeed you shall not.
	Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum,
	See him pluck Aufidius down by th' hair,
	As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him.
	Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus:
	'Come on you cowards, you were got in fear
	Though you were born in Rome.' His bloody brow
	With his mailed hand then wiping, forth he goes
	Like to a harvest-man that's tasked to mow
	Or all, or lose his hire.

Virgilia	His bloody brow? O Jupiter, no blood!

Volumnia	Away you fool; it more becomes a man
	Than gilt his trophy. The breasts of Hecuba
	When she did suckle Hector, looked not lovelier
	Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood
	At Grecian sword contemning. Tell Valeria
	We are fit to bid her welcome.
												[Exit GENTLEWOMAN.

Virgilia	Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!

Volumnia	He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,
	And tread upon his neck.

             Enter VALERIA with an USHER and the GENTLEWOMAN.

Valeria	My ladies both, good day to you.

Volumnia	Sweet madam.

Virgilia	I am glad to see your ladyship.

Valeria	How do you both? You are manifest housekeepers. What are 
	you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith. How does your 
	little son?

Virgilia	I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.

Volumnia	He had rather see the swords and hear a drum, than look 
	upon his schoolmaster.

Valeria	O'my word, the father's son. I'll swear 'tis a very pretty 
	boy. O'my troth, I looked upon him o' Wednesday half an 
	hour together: h'as such a confirmed countenance. I saw him 
	run after a gilded butterfly, and when he caught it, he let 
	it go again; and after it again; and over and over he 
	comes, and up again; catched it again; or whether his fall 
	enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth and tear 
	it. O, I warrant how he mammocked it!

Volumnia	One on's father's moods.

Valeria	Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.

Virgilia	A crack, madam.

Valeria	Come, lay aside your stitchery, I must have you play the 
	idle huswife with me this afternoon.

Virgilia	No, good madam, I will not out of doors.

Valeria	Not out of doors?

Volumnia	She shall, she shall.

Virgilia	Indeed no, by your patience; I'll not over the threshold 
	till my lord return from the wars.

Valeria	Fie! You confine yourself most unreasonably. Come, you must 
	go visit the good lady that lies in.

Virgilia	I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my 
	prayers; but I cannot go thither.

Volumnia	Why, I pray you?

Virgilia	'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.

Valeria	You would be another Penelope; yet they say, all the yarn 
	she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of 
	moths. Come, I would your cambric were sensible as your 
	finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, 
	you shall go with us.

Virgilia	No, good madam, pardon me; indeed I will not forth.

Valeria	In truth, la, go with me, and I'll tell you excellent news 
	of your husband.

Virgilia	O, good madam, there can be none yet.

Valeria	Verily, I do not jest with you. There came news from him 
	last night.

Virgilia	Indeed, madam?

Valeria	In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it 
	is: the Volsces have an army forth, against whom Cominius 
	the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power. Your 
	lord and Titus Lartius are set down before their city 
	Corioles; they nothing doubt prevailing and to make it 
	brief wars. This is true on mine honour, and so, I pray, go 
	with us.

Virgilia	Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in everything 
	hereafter.

Volumnia	Let her alone, lady; as she is now she will but disease our 
	better mirth.

Valeria	In troth, I think she would. Fare you well then. Come, good 
	sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy solemnness out 
	o'door, and go along with us.

Virgilia	No, at a word, madam; indeed I must not. I wish you much 
	mirth.

Valeria	Well then, farewell.
												[Exeunt.
