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Act 4, Scene 2
Coriolanus Translation Act 4, Scene 3
Enter a Roman and a Volsce, meeting
ROMAN
I know you well, sir, and you knowme: your name, I think, is Adrian.
ROMAN
I know you well, sir, and you know me: your name, I think, is Adrian.
VOLSCE
It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you.
VOLSCE
It is, sir. To be honest, though, I have forgotten your name.
ROMAN
I am a Roman; and my services are,as you are, against 'em: know you me yet?
ROMAN
I am a Roman, but I work—as you do—against Rome. Do you still not know me?
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VOLSCE
Nicanor? no.
VOLSCE
Nicanor? No, it can't be you!
ROMAN
The same, sir.
ROMAN
It is, sir.
VOLSCE
You had more beard when I last saw you; but your favour is well approved by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian state, to find you out there: you have well saved me a day's journey.
VOLSCE
You had more beard when I last saw you, but your voice does sound like Nicanor's. What's the news in Rome? I have a note for you from the Volscians; it's saved me a day's journey to meet you here.
ROMAN
There hath been in Rome strange insurrections; thepeople against the senators, patricians, and nobles.
ROMAN
There has been a strange insurrection in Rome: the people have risen up against the senators, patricians, and nobles.
VOLSCE
Hath been! is it ended, then? Our state thinks notso: they are in a most warlike preparation, andhope to come upon them in the heat of their division.
VOLSCE
Has been! Is it over, then? The Volscians wouldn't say so: they're preparing for war, and are hoping to catch Rome in the midst of this turmoil.
ROMAN
The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again: for the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out.
ROMAN
The main conflict is over, but almost anything would make it start again. The nobles have really taken the banishment of worthy Coriolanus to heart, and they are on the verge of taking power from the people and robbing them of their representatives forever. Their action lies glowing like an ember, believe me, and is ready to burst into flame.
VOLSCE
Coriolanus banished!
VOLSCE
Coriolanus has been banished?!
ROMAN
Banished, sir.
ROMAN
Banished, sir.
VOLSCE
You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.
VOLSCE
The Volscians will welcome you with this news, Nicanor.
ROMAN
The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife is when she's fallen out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no request of his country.
ROMAN
Things are good for them for now. I've heard it said that the best time to seduce a man's wife is when she and the husband are fighting. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will do well in these wars now that Coriolanus, the only man strong enough to oppose him, can't be called upon by Rome.
VOLSCE
He cannot choose. I am most fortunate, thusaccidentally to encounter you: you have ended mybusiness, and I will merrily accompany you home.
VOLSCE
He has no choice. It is really lucky that I've encountered you like this; my business is over now, and I'll merrily accompany you home.
ROMAN
I shall, between this and supper, tell you moststrange things from Rome; all tending to the good oftheir adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you?
ROMAN
Between now and supper, I'll tell you some very strange things from Rome, all of which will be good for their enemies. You have an army ready, you say?
VOLSCE
A most royal one; the centurions and their charges,distinctly billeted, already in the entertainment,and to be on foot at an hour's warning.
VOLSCE
A very powerful one. The centurions and their battalions, stationed all about, are ready to be on the march within an hour.
ROMAN
I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am theman, I think, that shall set them in present action.So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company.
ROMAN
I'm glad to hear they're ready, and I think my news will send them into action. So, sir, it's great to meet you here, and I'm glad to have your company.
VOLSCE
You take my part from me, sir; I have the most causeto be glad of yours.
VOLSCE
You've taken the words right out of my mouth, sir; I am the one who is glad of your company.
ROMAN
Well, let us go together.
ROMAN
Well, let us go together.
Exeunt
