Coriolanus: Act 4, Scene 3 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 3 of Coriolanus from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

  Original Text

 Translated Text

  Source: Folger Shakespeare Library

Enter a Roman (Nicanor) and a Volsce (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.

ROMAN I am a Roman, and my services are, as you are,
against ’em. Know you me yet? 5

VOLSCE Nicanor, no?

ROMAN The same, sir.

VOLSCE You had more beard when I last saw you, but
your favor is well approved by your tongue.
What’s the news in Rome? I have a note from the 10
Volscian state to find you out there. You have well
saved me a day’s journey.

On a highway between Rome and Antium, a Roman who has been spying for the Volscians has a secret meeting with a Volscian guy named Adrian.

ROMAN There hath been in Rome strange insurrections,
the people against the senators, patricians,
and nobles. 15

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 20
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
forever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and 25
is almost mature for the violent breaking out.

VOLSCE Coriolanus banished?

ROMAN Banished, sir.

VOLSCE You will be welcome with this intelligence,
Nicanor.

After some friendly chit-chat, they get down to business.

The Roman spy reports that there's been a ton of drama in Rome lately. The patricians have been fighting with the plebeians and Coriolanus has been totally banished. Plus, the patricians are about two seconds away from taking away the plebeians' right to elect tribunes.

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 fall’n out with her husband. Your noble
Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his
great opposer Coriolanus being now in no request 35
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 40
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 th’ entertainment, 45
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. 50

VOLSCE You take my part from me, sir. I have the most
cause to be glad of yours.

ROMAN Well, let us go together.

They exit.

Adrian the Volscian thinks this is great. Now the Volscian army can take advantage of all the in-fighting going on in Rome.