Coriolanus Act 2.1.3

Scene 2.1.3

The Victory Parade

Rome held two sides to the world; the merry making side which they were never ashamed of displaying. She however hid the other side; the solemn streets filled with slums. That day, Rome had four of its main street cleaned and polished for the major event of welcoming their hero. The buildings on the street were given a brush off covered by the temporary structures put up by the gangs of constructor. They were building five rows of seated grandstands for the invited Noble who will grace it. The stand was garlanded with cloths of colorful shades that resembled Rome’ flag, while on the shoulders were ribbons of the same colorful shades. Each grand stand measured fifty feet and a height of fifteen with a depth of twelve. It was to cater for all the dimensions of the audience who may vary in accordance to their diet intake. The architect of the stand also took caution with every structure tested for shifting weights; he was being cautious not to irritate the Noble. Alas, cautions are still mere avoidance if the conditions are met but carelessness prevails to disrupt cautions. The architect did not measure for the sea of Commoners who had taken a rather curious interest in the home coming hero. The grandstands wobbled in many places by the sea of Commoners until the Enforcers arrived to set order. It was the smart move by the Enforcers’ leader to suggest the grandstand be removed one of every three, to create the space for the Commoner. The move was set in motion immediately with the crowds intermingle; rare but it had happened before. The Noble obliged only if the Commoners remained at ground level, while they remained seated. “To be or not to be; that is the question.” It was muttered by the few Noble who saw the scene. Then one, who has a more rational mind, told them to consent.

General Cominius was in the leading armored carrier; standing with his upper body seen above the turret. He was still dressed in his battle fatigue; smeared with dirt and mud, with some streaks of red to resembled blood. It was inevitable for he was most times behind the lines directing the army. He deserved that accolade of being a hero too, for without his leading and strategies, there may not have been any glory that day. The crowd cheered when his carrier went past, and he smiled with his best.

Then he saw the cheering behind him was more vocal. They weren’t just cheering, they were chanting his name.

Whose?

CAIUS MARCIUS CORIALANUS.

General Cominius looked to the rear and saw the need to shift his strategy. He waved to the rear as if he was calling them to him.

‘Them’ were the hero of the parade and Lartius Titus. They were mounted on the personal carrier of Lartius; won in a wager with Marcius. Both the officers were supported by their commanders who lined in columns behind the carrier. All the officers have their sabers out in salute of the hero.

It was not all.

There was a herald. It was a lady dressed in the battle fatigues. She marched before the carrier that stood the hero. She was attached with microphone that was linked to the speaker sets on the grandstands; with each step she took, she was praising the hero. The below was an excerpt of her praises.

“Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight within Corioli, where he had won with fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these in honor follows Coriolanus.”

“Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!” The crowd; Noble and Commoner hollered the name.