Coriolanus Act 5.4.4

Scene 5.4.4

Hell can be cold at times

Coriolanus had arrived with the people of Corioli in his tow. He had informed the people of the treaty He was hailing the silence of the guns was due to the treaty. Homes and life would be saved, and home need not be rebuilt again after they had these built.

“Hail, lords!” Coriolanus called out. His battle fatigue was covered with the garland of flowers and silvery medals favored by the Coriolian.”I have returned your soldier.”

Coriolanus hugged the Lords before he continued.

“No more infected with my country’ love than when I parted hence, but still subsisting under your great command. You ought to know that I have attempted, and with bloody passage led your wars even to the gates of Rome.”  Coriolanus had his index finger and thumb to show the distance they were to Rome’ gates. “Our spoils we have brought home doth more than counterpoise a full third part the charges of the action. It will rebuild the city.”

The Lord was to speak but Coriolanus was into continuing his victory speech.

“We have made peace with no less honor to the Antiates.” The Antiates was the next hated enemies of the Rome, until Rome dealt them a major blow and exerted a hefty bounty for the victory.

“Read it not his words, noble Lords.”Audifius turned to the Lords. “That man had robbed our victory to that of a truce. He brought back treasures to hide his true self from us. That man sold out our victory to gain his own favor back with Rome. He treads this land as a traitor.”

“Traitor? How now!” Coriolanus was surprised at the turnaround in friendship. They had bonded well in the last weeks and then he had accused Coriolanus of betrayal.

“Traitor! You whose name is Caius Marcius; I declared thee as the traitor to the Volsces.” Audifius shouted out for all to hear. “I will grace thee that robbery; thy stole the name Coriolanus in Corioli? Dear Lords and heads of the city. He had betrayed your business and given up for certain drops of tears, your city to the Romans. He gave it also to his mother and wife. He’s more devoted to his family than you all.”

The people who earlier tailed Coriolanus began to move aside and gave the hero a wide berth. Audifius was not yet complete.

“Coriolanus had broken his oath to us.” Audifius lashed out to the people who were digging into their past and began remembering the atrocities of the Romans. Coriolanus sensed the shift of the people emotions and prayed to the Gods

“Heat thee, Mars. These fellows know not of loyalty and friendship.”

“Name not the God; thou boy of tears.” Audifius barked back. “I am sure the Gods are ashamed of you with your moving loyalties.”

“Measureless liars! Thou has made my heart too great for what it contains.” Coriolanus turned to the Lords. “Pardon me, Lords, this the first time that ever I was forced to scold. Your judgments must give his cur the lie; and his own notion shall join to thrust the lie unto him.”

Coriolanus looked to Audifius. Then he began to hate the man once more.

“Slain me, Volsces. Be the man you were to be.” Coriolanus cursed out. “I fluttered your city, Volsces, Corioli was mine then. So were you before. You were not worth the seeds I spewed into you.”

Audifius felt the anger welled up his head, and murderous intention in his eyes. The people standing nearby had begun to move towards Coriolanus. They were then muttering in words of killings and murder. Past memories were brought out; my father died in his hands; my wife died in the bombing; my son died fighting here.

“Peace, people of Corioli. The man is noble and would be heard justly with a judicious hearing.” The Lord spoke out in defense of the Coriolanus. “Don’t let ourselves be a lynch mob. We are not …”

A Corioli there floored the Lord and stepped over the fallen body. Coriolanus had seen the immediate danger and pulled off the garlands of flowers before he withdraw his hidden dagger.

“He has a weapon.” One of the assembled shouted. Those words went out fast to the others and they all grabbed at anything they lay their hands on. Audifius stepped forth to hold back the people. He faced them and spoke to them.

“If there was to be any killing, it would be mine. All of it mine, and I would be assisted only by my own.” Audifius told the people. He signaled his close friends who had drawn out their weapons. All of them carried daggers in their jackets. 

They began to circle Coriolanus and taunt him with feigned attacks.

“Come and fight me, you curs.” Coriolanus shouted out, but he was one against six. He charged at the Major but that one had age and was battle hardened with the last war. He side stepped and chopped with weapon onto the other. Coriolanus was good at knife fighting, but of late, he had not done it like before. He felt the searing pain on his wrist and dropped the dagger. It was then Audifius charged in and struck with his dagger. He stabbed it into Coriolanus at the left ribs, while another Colonel stabbed his into the back. It was happening too fast for Coriolanus to react but he tried. It was of no use for Coriolanus was already mortally wounded. Audifius saw his chance and pulled out the dagger before he grabbed Coriolanus by the neck. He pushed Coriolanus neck back and stabbed the dagger into the throat.

“Die, Coriolanus. Die and bleed on Corioli streets where you had taken many of them before.” Audifius whispered to Coriolanus. “Die well, my old friend.”

With that Audifius twisted the dagger inside Coriolanus throat.