Act IVScene 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 heirOf these fair edifices ’fore my warsHave I heard groan and drop. Then know me not,Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stonesIn 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 stateAt 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 seems to wear one heart,Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal and exerciseAre still together, who twin, as ’twere, in loveUnseparable, shall within this hour,On a dissension of a doit, break outTo bitterest enmity; so fellest foes,Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleepTo take the one the other, by some chance,Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friendsAnd interjoin their issues. So with me:My birthplace hate I, and my love’s uponThis 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.