His despair drove him to the Volscians, and fortunately, he found more humanity in the heart of Tullus, whom he had once defeated as an enemy, than in the minds of his own people, for whom he had won victories against that same Tullus. I insist by saying that due to his innate ungratefulness, Rome cast him aside when he was fighting a war he had started for her. I insist, further, in remembering that to merit the unfair treatment he received from the Romans, he betrayed the Volscians who were protecting him and who, with extraordinary trust, had chosen him to be the general of their army. Some could argue that Coriolanus did more harm to the Romans by accepting this position among the Volscians than if he had corrupted Rome's consuls, misappropriated wealth, stirred up the people, or led an army against them. For it was observed that his mere presence and command in the Volscian camp provoked a radical change in their situation, and those who had many times sought peace from Rome had been forced to buy it at a high price. Do not think that this was simply due to his behavior and courage. No, our gods certainly guided his arm to reduce the arrogance of those who considered themselves invincible and were accustomed to humiliating their allies. But despite these successes, he never forgot he was born a Roman. Even if the Senate had abandoned him to the anger of the people, he safeguarded their fields and farms despite the ravages of war. He even showed respect towards those who had become his enemies.

Despite his own disastrous fate, he never asked anything for himself in the claims he proposed and claimed nothing unfair for the Volscians he was protecting. Once again, Romans, that was Coriolanus. I recognize my son in the portrait I have made of him for you. Keep his image in your hearts. Remember that without his generosity, famine would have caused the death of your fathers, brothers, husbands, children, and yourselves. Worse still, you could have become the spouses of their chains and their servitude without his military exploits. Let us not follow, noble Romans, the ingratitude of our fellow citizens. Let us immortalize our glory to their disadvantage and with our gratitude, cover them in shame. This temple that was granted to us when my son offered us his mercy will not be as memorable as the affection you will demonstrate in wanting to perpetuate the memory of Coriolanus. You will dedicate your tears to the one who once wiped them away and broke your chains. You will somewhat soothe the bitterness of my pain with the one you will show for his loss. I sacrificed my son out of love for you, it is up to you to be moved out of love for me. And since you all would have mourned for my son's valor if he had died fighting for Rome, it is only right that you all now mourn to honor his memory.

Let's go then, Volumnia, let's go, Romans, to ask this permission from the Senate. But is it possible that we should have to ask for permission to mourn our liberator?

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