The town is ta’en.
The town has been conquered.
We've taken the city.
we got the city
’Twill be delivered back on good condition.
It will be handed back if we agree to terms.
They'll give it back if we make a deal.
well get it back if we deal
Condition?
I would I were a Roman, for I cannot,
Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition?
What good condition can a treaty find
I’ th’ part that is at mercy? Five times, Martius,
I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me
And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter
As often as we eat. By th’ elements,
If e’er again I meet him beard to beard,
He’s mine or I am his. Mine emulation
Hath not that honour in’t it had; for where
I thought to crush him in an equal force,
True sword to sword, I’ll potch at him some way,
Or wrath or craft may get him.
Terms? I wish I were a Roman, because I can't, Being a Volscian, become what I need to be. Terms? What fair agreement could there be When one side has all the power? Five times, Martius, I have fought you; you've beaten me every time And probably would again, if we fought as often As we eat. By all the elements, If I ever face you again, He's mine or I am his. My rivalry With you has lost its honor; where I thought to defeat you in fair combat, Sword to sword, I'll attack him by any means, Or with anger or with cunning I'll get him.
Terms? I wish I was Roman, but I can't be— I'm a Volscian, so I'll always be what I am. Terms? How can we talk terms when one side has all the power? Five times I've fought Martius, and five times he's beaten me. If we fought as often as we eat, he'd beat me every time. By all the powers, if I face him again, one of us dies. This rivalry with him has destroyed my honor. I used to think I could beat him fair and square, sword against sword, but I don't care anymore. I'll get him any way I can— with rage or with tricks.
terms? i wish i was roman but im not martius beat me 5 times if i see him again one of us dies ill get him any way
He’s the devil.
He's inhuman.
He's not even human.
hes not human
Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour’s poisoned
With only suff’ring stain by him; for him
Shall fly out of itself. Nor sleep nor sanctuary,
Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol,
The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,
Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
Their rotten privilege and custom ’gainst
My hate to Martius. Where I find him, were it
At home, upon my brother’s guard, even there,
Against the hospitable canon, would I
Wash my fierce hand in’s heart. Go you to th’ city;
Learn how ’tis held and what they are that must
Be hostages for Rome.
More courageous, though not as cunning. My sense of honor is poisoned By only having been shamed by him; for him I will act with fury. Neither sleep nor holy ground, Being naked, sick, nor temple nor palace, The prayers of clergy or times of worship, No restrictions whatsoever or traditions will protect His rotten privilege against My hatred for Martius. Wherever I find him, even At home, in his family's house, even there, Against all laws of hospitality, would I Wash my fierce hands in his blood. Go to the city; Find out how they'll hold it and which people they want As hostages to Rome.
Braver, yeah, but not as clever. His shame to me has poisoned everything—my honor is destroyed by him. I swear I will come after him with everything I have. Nothing will stop me— not sleep, not churches, not being sick or naked, not temples or palaces, not prayers, not holy times, no tradition or custom will keep him safe from me. I don't care where he is—at home, with his family, anywhere— I'll break every law of hospitality and kill him with my bare hands. Go check the city; find out how they're managing and who they'll send as hostages to Rome.
hes braver not smarter he poisoned my honor ill get him anywhere home church doesnt matter ill kill him check the city whos the hostage
Will not you go?
You're not going with us?
You're not coming?
ur not coming?
I am attended at the cypress grove. I pray you—
’Tis south the city mills,—bring me word thither
How the world goes, that to the pace of it
I may spur on my journey.
I'm waiting at the cypress grove. Please— it's south of the city mills—bring me word there How things are going, so that according to what's happening I can speed up my journey.
I'm at the cypress grove. Hey— it's south of the mills—bring me news there about how things are going, so I can decide how fast to travel.
im at cypress grove south of mills bring me news so i know how fast to go
I shall, sir.
I will do that, sir.
Will do, sir.
yes sir
The Reckoning
This short scene shows the other side of the victory: Aufidius swearing an oath that will drive the entire second half of the play. He can't beat Martius in fair fighting, so he'll use deception. The moment he realizes this, his character crystallizes. He's no longer just Martius's rival — he's become his nemesis, and he's willing to abandon honour to win.
If this happened today…
The athlete who can't beat his rival on the track decides to destroy him through social media.