They sound a Parley. Enter two Senators with others on the Walls of Corioli.
Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?
1. Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he:
That's lesser than a little.
Drum afar off.
Hark, our drums
Are bringing forth our youth: we'll break our walls, 16
Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes;
They'll open of themselves. Hark you, far off!
Alarum far off.
There is Aufidius: list, what work he makes 20
Amongst your cloven army.
Mar. O! they are at it!
Lart. Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho!
Enter the Army of the Volsces.
Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their city.
Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight 24
With hearts more proof than shields. Advance, brave Titus:
They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,
Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my fellows:
He that retires, I'll take him for a Volsce, 28
And he shall feel mine edge.
Alarum. The Romans are beat back to their trenches.
Enter Martius, cursing.
Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you,
You shames of Rome! you herd of—Boils and plagues
14 less; cf. n.
17 pound . . . up: impound, confine
22 instruction: directions for proceeding
26 beyond . . . thoughts: more than we expected
30 south: south wind (thought to bring disease)
