Act IV, Scene iii:
A highway between Rome and Antium.

[Enter a ROMAN and a VOLSCE, meeting.]

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.

ROMAN:

I am a Roman; and my services are, as you are, against 'em: know

you me yet?

VOLSCE:

Nicanor? no!

ROMAN:

The same, 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.

ROMAN:

There hath been in Rome strange insurrections: the people

against the senators, patricians, and nobles.

VOLSCE:

Hath been! is it ended, then? Our state thinks not so;

they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon

them in the heat of their division.

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.

VOLSCE:

Coriolanus banished!

ROMAN:

Banished, sir.

VOLSCE:

You will be welcome with this intelligence, 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.

VOLSCE:

He cannot choose. I am most fortunate thus accidentally to

encounter you; you have ended my business, and I will merrily

accompany you home.

ROMAN:

I shall between this and supper tell you most strange things

from Rome; all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you

an army ready, say you?

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.

ROMAN:

I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think,

that shall set them in present action. So, sir, heartily well

met, and most glad of your company.

VOLSCE:

You take my part from me, sir; I have the most cause to be

glad of yours.

ROMAN:

Well, let us go together.

[Exeunt.]