Coriolanus Act Scene 1.1.6

Scene 1.1.6

Messages of War

 “Where’s Caius Marcius?” The officer of the Elite Troopers pushed himself through the assembled. Such was his influence that he came alone and unarmed except for the battle fatigue worn on his frame. He held the rank of a Lieutenant; the highest a Commoner could envisage. He was from Colonel Caius Marcius Company and sought his commander then.

“Here!” Marcius called out. He eyed the officer and stood there. “What’ the matter?”

In Marcius mind was the anticipated announcement of the war with the Volsces. He had fought them twice and both times he had won, but the victory was hard earned. He had the scars to show for his valiant acts. The lieutenant saluted his commanding officer, and then relayed the message.

“Colonel, the order is that the Volsces are in arms. We are to retaliate immediately.”

“I am glad on it. We shall have the mean to battle now.” Marcius smiled. He then saw the arrival of the Consuls. The standoff there must have been told to the Senate, or they are here to antagonize him. He knew he was not favored by the Senate except for his exploits in war.

Among the Consuls were Cominius, Titus Lartius, Junius Brutus, and Sicinius Velutus.

Cominius was the tall one with the straight back from his military background. His reclining hairline displayed his age, but he projected himself well among the Consuls. H had lavished them with his heroic exploits; they are all alike in some stages but it held up his esteemed state on the Senate by leading the military in command.

Titus Lartius; another war hero, but he held himself well to be accorded the rank of their leader among the Consuls. He spoke well of Coriolanus’ efforts to preserved Rome like himself during his military years. His last effort caused him a limp that he walked with pride among the so-named heroes of war like a true earned glory. He was always in praise of the younger Colonel, but little was known of his intentions.

Junius Brutus, and Sicinius Velutus; the scorn of the Consuls for they were from among the Commoners to be in the Senate. They knew their status was a privilege and so be it they abused it to exploit the dissent on the Commoners and the Senate. They picked their foes by subjective topics, and the one named Caius Marcius was their latest subject. They feared him of his popularity among the Commoners for his battle exploits.

“Marcius, is it true that you Volsces are in arms?” One of the Consuls stepped forth to gain the spot light.

“Aye, they have a leader. Tullus Aufidius.” Marcius replied. “A noble warrior. One I envy and I was him.”

“You have fought together?” Cominius pushed his way forth to speak. His overbearing frame blocked the earlier Consul.

“Aye, we had stood across each other, face to face. He is a lion that I am proud to hunt.” Marcius declared of his enemy.

“Then, worthy Marcius. Attend upon Cominius to these wars.” The Consul who earlier spoke raised his voice beside Cominius. In those eyes was the contempt for the later to declare war.

“It’s your former promise.” Cominius looked to the young Colonel. He was playing with the words to command him.

“Sir, it is. I am constant.” Marcius looked to his friend, Titus Lartius. “You shall see me strike once more at Tullus’ face.”

The later smiled and rejoiced in those words. He tapped his left feet to show his limp.

“I’ll lean upon one crutch and fight with the other.” Titus replied and then to Cominius. “Lead you on.”

“Follow Cominius, we must follow you. Rightful leader for the cause.” Titus hailed the one who will lead them. At then, the Consul left out of the discussion appeared to the stage to uphold another issue.

“Hence to you homes; be gone.” The Consul called out to the assembled. His intention was to spur the mass up for the new issue but Marcius took the call to belittle their efforts.

“Nay let them follow. The Volsces have much grain; these rats shall garner from them.” The assembled had heard of the new threat and found theirs was no of any importance anymore. The survival of Rome had surpassed their hunger needs. They dispersed without a murmur to their homes leaving only their elected Consuls. The two had stood on the side watching the debacle and hoping for an opening to gnaw at the bone but there was none.