Thus, with his speechless hand: what he would do 68
He sent in writing after me, what he would not,
Bound with an oath to yield to his conditions:
So that all hope is vain
Unless his noble mother and his wife, 72
Who, as I hear, mean to solicit him
For mercy to his country. Therefore let's hence,
And with our fair entreaties haste them on. Exeunt.
Scene Two
[The Volscian Camp before Rome. The Guards at their stations]
Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard.
1. Wat. Stay! whence are you?
2. Wat. Stand! and go back.
Men. You guard like men; 'tis well; but, by your leave,
I am an officer of state, and come
To speak with Coriolanus.
1. Wat. From whence?
Men. From Rome. 4
1. Wat. You may not pass; you must return: our general
Will no more hear from thence.
2. Wat. You'll see your Rome embrac'd with fire before
You'll speak with Coriolanus.
Men. Good my friends, 8
If you have heard your general talk of Rome,
And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks
68–70 what . . . conditions; cf. n.
72 Unless: unless in the efforts of
10 lots to blanks; cf. n.
