William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of Coriolanus

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

SECOND SERVANT.
By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with a cudgel; and
yet my mind gave me his clothes made a false report of him.

FIRST SERVANT.
What an arm he has! He turned me about with his finger and his
thumb, as one would set up a top.

SECOND SERVANT.
Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in him; he had,
sir, a kind of face, methought,--I cannot tell how to term it.

FIRST SERVANT.
He had so, looking as it were,--would I were hanged, but I
thought there was more in him than I could think.

SECOND SERVANT.
So did I, I'll be sworn: he is simply the rarest man i' the
world.

FIRST SERVANT.
I think he is; but a greater soldier than he you wot on.

SECOND SERVANT.
Who, my master?

FIRST SERVANT.
Nay, it's no matter for that.

SECOND SERVANT.
Worth six on him.

FIRST SERVANT.
Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the greater soldier.

SECOND SERVANT.
Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that: for the defence
of a town our general is excellent.

FIRST SERVANT.
Ay, and for an assault too.

[Re-enter third SERVANT.]

THIRD SERVANT.
O slaves, I can tell you news,--news, you rascals!

FIRST and SECOND SERVANT.
What, what, what? let's partake.

THIRD SERVANT.
I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as lief be a
condemned man.

FIRST and SECOND SERVANT.
Wherefore? wherefore?