Coriolanus Act 4.6.1

Scene 4.6.1

A public place in Rome

They cometh again

The scene in Rome after the banishment of Coriolanus had dwindled to a state of restive moods. There were no issues to bear on the Nobles neither onto the Commoners, with all sides keeping to their own. Everybody was getting their mind on their everyday chores, while Consuls sitting was mundane with trivial issues. Brutus awaits his friend, Sicinius who was at his mistress at that high noon time. The later stepped out by the rear door of the house and hopped onto the adjacent back door to exit at the street behind. He eyed Brutus brooding by the sidewalk café and strolled over.

“We hear not of him.” Sicinius smiled. His subject was Coriolanus whom they had banished with the help of the Commoners. Since Coriolanus have left the borders of Rome, they had no news of his whereabouts. “Neither need we fear him.”

Sicinius had sensed Brutus brooding was of the unknown that Coriolanus could unleash on them.

“His remedies are tame.” Coriolanus was then no more a Consul nor a soldier. “The present peace and quietness of the people, which before were in wild hurry, here do make his friends, blush that the world goes well; though they themselves did suffered by it. Behold the dissentious numbers pestering streets than see our tradesmen singing in their shops and going about their business.”

“We stood to it in good time.” Brutus brooded. Then they saw the smiling Menenius approaching them.

“It’s him. He has grown most kind of late.” Sicinius spoke out cynically. Since Coriolanus departure, the old man had not been in the light for issues, and if he did, it was on yesterday’s issues. “Hail, Sir.”

“Hail to you too.” Menenius sank his weary legs onto the nearest chair. He had been doing his rounds but no one had stirred up an issue that was worthy of his effort. He began to feel old and unwanted.

“Your Coriolanus is not much missed but maybe with his friends.” Sicinius commented. “The Commoners do stand united and would do were he angry at them.”

“All’s well, and might had been better if he could have temporized.” Menenius replied with a sigh.

“Where is he?” Sicinius added on his mocking voice.

“I heard nothing. His mother and wife none had heard from him too.” Menenius then saw the Audile approaching them.

“Worthy Consuls, there is a spy we caught. He resides in our prison. He reported that the Volsces with their army have invaded our lands again. They have destroyed what lies in their path.”

“So Audifius marched on us when he knew we are without Coriolanus.” Menenius spoke up. “The man lowered his horns like a bull when the opportunity present. Where was he when Coriolanus was around? He was not seen without a peep from him.”

“Find out more.” Sicinius told the Audile. Another Audile was seen approaching them.

“The Consuls are going to the House; some news is come that turns to their countenance.” The new arrived Audile informed the Consuls. He looked to the other Audile. “The report he brought had been supported by the other. What’s more fearful was that that one named Marcius had joined Audifius. They lead the army against Rome.”

“This is most unlikely.” Sicinius felt the fear welling up his body. Then he felt his left arm pulled from the rear. Before he could react, he was landed onto his back by the punishing blow on the cheek.

“You have made good work.” It was Cominius who had sneaked up and took the blow onto the other Consul. “You just helped the Volsces to invade us. Our ladies; the daughters we helped to birth would be ravished by these Volsces. Would you like see your wives dishonored by them too?”

Sicinius looked away, but Cominius was not finished as yet.

“Your temples burned to their foundation, and your franchise reduced to ashes.”

‘Pray to your Gods. If Marcius…” Menenius pleaded to them.

“If?” Cominius snapped back. “Marcius is their God now. He leads them like one. They will follow him against us brats with no less confidence.”

“Aye! You and your apron men.” Menenius compared them to the staff at those private feasts. “You stood so much with these garlic eaters.”

“He will shake your Rome about your ears.” Cominius cursed at them.

“Is this true?” Brutus awaken up to the new issue, stirred himself up

“Aye, it’s true. You look pale.” Cominius replied. “The regions had smilingly revolt, and who resist are mocked for valiant ignorance, and perish constant fools. Who is can blame him? Your enemies and his find something in him.”

“We are all undone, unless the man had mercy.” Menenius uttered his prayer.

“Who shall ask for it? They won’t do it for fear of shame.” Cominius point to the Consuls appointed among the Commoners. “The people deserved such pity of him as the wolf does of the shepherds; for all his best friends if they should say, be good to Rome; they charged him even as those should do that had deserved his hate.”

“You have brought a trembling upon Rome, such as never was she was incapable of help.” Cominius glared at the two Consuls.

“Say not we bought it.”Sicinius deny his role.

“How! Was we? We loved him but like beasts and cowardly nobles, have way unto your clusters who did the boot of him from the city.” Menenius changed his sides to get closer with Cominius.

“I fear they will roar him in again. Tullus Audifius, the second name of the men, obey his points as if he were his officer. Desperation is all the policy, strength, and defense that Rome can make against them.” Cominius stated the fact. He then saw the trooping of people approaching them.

“Here come the clusters. And is Audifius with him?”

“We hear fearful news.”The leader of the people voiced out. “When I said banish, it was pity.”

The others all echoed the same. They are chummy when the odds are lined against them.

“We consented to the banishment, yet it was against our will.” The leader stated their stand.

“You are goodly things, you voices!” Cominius replied and walked off.