[Linenotes: 1-2. +Pavor ingens ... omnia.+ One of the Roman armies (mainly recruited from Plebeians) refused to obey orders, entrenched itself on Mons Sacer, and threatened to secede from Rome altogether. 2. +oratorem+ (i.e. _legatum_) = _spokesman_, charged with a _verbal_ message. 4. +inde+, i.e. from the Plebs. 10-11. +ventrem ... quietum+ = _whereas the belly resting calmly in their midst_. --Rawlins. 13. +conficerent+ = _grind_, and so aid digestion. Cf. +confecto+ l. 20. 19-20. +maturum confecto cibo+ = _brought to perfection only when the food is digested_. --R. 24. +sacrosancti+ = _consecrated and inviolable_. 24-25. +quibus ... esset+, i.e. as official protectors of the Plebs, by their right of veto on the official actions of all other magistrates.]
+For the Fable+, cf. Seneca _de Ira_ ii. 31, and 1 Corinthians, xii. 12-27.
Coriolanus prope ut amens consternatus ab sede sua cum ferret matri obviae complexum, mulier in iram ex precibus versa ‘Sine, priusquam complexum accipio, sciam’ inquit, ‘ad hostem an ad filium venerim, captiva mater-ne in castris tuis sim. In { 5} hoc me longa vita et infelix senecta traxit, ut exulem te, deinde hostem viderem? Potuisti populari hanc terram, quae te genuit atque aluit? Non tibi, quamvis infesto animo et minaci perveneras, ingredienti fines ira cecidit? Non, cum in conspectu { 10} Roma fuit, succurrit: Intra illa moenia domus ac penates mei sunt, mater, coniunx liberique? Ergo ego nisi peperissem, Roma non oppugnaretur; nisi filium haberem, libera in libera patria mortua essem.’ ... Uxor deinde ac liberi amplexi, fletusque ab { 15} omni turba mulierum ortus et conploratio sui patriaeque fregere tandem virum. Complexus inde suos dimittit; ipse retro ab urbe castra movit. Abductis deinde legionibus ex agro Romano invidia rei oppressum perisse tradunt alii alio leto. { 20}
[Linenotes: 1. +Coriolanus.+ Gaius Marcius received the cognomen of Coriolanus for his bravery at the capture of the Volscian town of Corioli (S.E. of Rome). After this, in a time of famine at Rome, C. advised that the corn obtained elsewhere should not be distributed, unless the Plebeians would give up their Tribunes. For this he was impeached and went into voluntary exile among the Volsci. +consternatus+ = _in strong emotion_--lit. ‘stretched on the ground.’ 7. +potuisti+ = _had you the heart to_--question indicated by _tone_ of the voice. 10-11. +non ... succurrit+ = _did it not occur to you_? 19-20. +invidia rei oppressum+ = _overwhelmed by the unpopularity of his action_. 20. +alii alio leto+, e.g. i. by a voluntary death; ii. put to death by the Volscians; iii. lived to old age in exile.]