_Enter_ MARIUS _the son_, ALBINOVANUS, CETHEGUS, LECTORIUS, _with Soldiers_.
YOUNG MARIUS. My countrymen, and favourites of Rome, This melancholy desert where we meet, Resembleth well young Marius' restless thoughts. Here dreadful silence, solitary caves, No chirping birds with solace singing sweetly, Are harbour'd for delight; but from the oak, Leafless and sapless through decaying age, The screech-owl chants her fatal-boding lays. Within my breast care, danger, sorrow dwell; Hope and revenge sit hammering in my heart: The baleful babes of angry Nemesis Disperse their furious fires upon my soul.
LECTORIUS. Fie, Marius, are you discontented still, When as occasion favoureth your desire! Are not these noble Romans come from Rome? Hath not the state recall'd your father home?
YOUNG MARIUS. And what of this? What profit may I reap, That want my father to conduct us home?
LECTORIUS. My lord, take heart; no doubt this stormy flaw[131], That Neptune sent to cast us on this shore, Shall end these discontentments at the last.
MARIUS. Whom see mine eyes? What, is not yon my son?
YOUNG MARIUS. What solitary father walketh there?
MARIUS. It is my son! these are my friends I see. What, have sore-pining cares so changed me? Or are my looks distemper'd through the pains And agonies that issue from my heart? Fie, Marius! frolic, man! thou must to Rome, There to revenge thy wrongs, and wait thy tomb.
YOUNG MARIUS. Now, fortune, frown and palter if thou please. Romans, behold my father and your friend. O father!
MARIUS. Marius, thou art fitly met. Albinovanus, and my other friends, What news at Rome? What fortune brought you hither?
ALBINOVANUS. My lord, the Consul Cinna hath restor'd The doubtful course of your betrayed state, And waits your present swift approach to Rome, Your foeman Sylla posteth very fast With good success from Pontus, to prevent Your speedy entrance into Italy. The neighbouring cities are your very friends; Nought rests, my lord, but you depart from hence.
YOUNG MARIUS. How many desert ways hath Marius sought, How many cities have I visited! To find my father, and relieve his wants!
MARIUS. My son, I 'quite thy travails with my love. And, lords and citizens, we will to Rome, And join with Cinna. Have you shipping here? What, are these soldiers bent to die with me?