once vanquished as an enemy, than in the spirit of his own people, for whom he had won victories against this same Tullus. I persist in saying that due to his innate ingratitude, Rome abandoned him when he was fighting for a war he had started for her. I persist in reminding you that to deserve the unjust treatment he received from the Romans, he betrayed the Volscis who were protecting him and who, with extraordinary trust, had chosen him as their army general. Some might argue that Coriolanus did more harm to the Romans by accepting this position with the Volsci than if he had corrupted the consuls of Rome, diverted wealth, raised the people, or led an army against them. For it was observed that his mere presence and command in the Volsci camp provoked a radical change in their situation, and those who had repeatedly asked Rome for peace were forced to buy it at a high price. Do not believe that this simply due to his behavior and valour. No, our gods certainly guided his arm to reduce the arrogance of those who thought themselves invincible and were used to humiliating their allies. Despite these successes, he did not forget that he was born Roman. Even if the Senate had abandoned him to the anger of the people, he preserved their fields and their farms despite the ravages of war. He even showed respect towards those who were his enemies.

Despite his own disastrous fate, he never asked for anything for himself in the demands he proposed and claimed nothing unfair for the Volsci he protected. Once again, Romans, this was Coriolanus. I recognize my son in the portrait I painted of him. Keep his image in your hearts. Remember that without his generosity, famine would have caused your fathers, brothers, husbands, and children to die and even you yourselves. Even worse, without his military exploits, you might have become the wives of those who were their chains and servitude. Let us not follow, noble Romans, the ingratitude of our citizens. Let's immortalize our glory to their disadvantage and cover them with shame with our recognition. This temple that was granted to us when my son gave us his clemency will not be as memorable as the affection you will show by wanting to perpetuate the memory of Coriolanus. You will devote your tears to the one who wiped them away in the past and broke your chains. You will slightly sweeten the bitterness of my sorrow with the one you will show for his loss. I sacrificed my son out of love for you, now it is your turn to be moved out of love for me. Since you all would have mourned for the bravery of my son if he had died fighting for Rome, it is fair that you all mourn to honor his memory.

Let's go then, Volumnia, let's go, Romans, and ask the Senate for this permission. But is it possible that we need permission to mourn our liberator? Yes, the corruption of our time demands it. Therefore let's go once again and tearfully implore the last thing we can ask for my son since he is dead. For I am very assured that Rome will be destroyed when we stop talking about Coriolanus.
                              
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