William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of Coriolanus

ACT IV. 5. SCENE V. Antium. A hall in AUFIDIUS'S house. (continued)

CORIOLANUS.
A gentleman.

THIRD SERVANT.
A marvellous poor one.

CORIOLANUS.
True, so I am.

THIRD SERVANT.
Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station; here's no
place for you. Pray you avoid; come.

CORIOLANUS.
Follow your function, go,
And batten on cold bits.

[Pushes him away.]

THIRD SERVANT.
What, you will not?--Pr'ythee, tell my master what a strange
guest he has here.

SECOND SERVANT.
And I shall.

[Exit.]

THIRD SERVANT.
Where dwell'st thou?

CORIOLANUS.
Under the canopy.

THIRD SERVANT.
Under the canopy?

CORIOLANUS.
Ay.

THIRD SERVANT.
Where's that?

CORIOLANUS.
I' the city of kites and crows.

THIRD SERVANT.
I' the city of kites and crows!--What an ass it is!--Then thou
dwell'st with daws too?

CORIOLANUS.
No, I serve not thy master.

THIRD SERVANT.
How, sir! Do you meddle with my master?

CORIOLANUS.
Ay; 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress.
Thou prat'st and prat'st; serve with thy trencher, hence!

[Beats him away.]

[Enter AUFIDIUS and the second SERVANT.]

AUFIDIUS.
Where is this fellow?

SECOND SERVANT.
Here, sir; I'd have beaten him like a dog, but for
disturbing the lords within.

AUFIDIUS.
Whence com'st thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?
Why speak'st not? speak, man: what's thy name?