way, and ambassadors being sent to Marcius concerning peace, brought
back a harsh answer: "If their lands were restored to the Volscians,
that they might then consider the question of peace; if they were
disposed to enjoy the plunder of war at their ease, that he, mindful
both of the injurious treatment of his countrymen, as well as of the
kindness of strangers, would do his utmost to make it appear that his
spirit was irritated by exile, not crushed." When the same persons are
sent back a second time, they are not admitted into the camp. It is
recorded that the priests also, arrayed in their insignia, went as
suppliants to the enemy's camp; and that they did not influence his mind
more than the ambassadors.

[Footnote 95: Scil. Rome. Dionysius narrates the expedition of
Coriolanus in a different order from that given by Livy, and says that
he approached the city twice. Niebuhr, ii. p. 94, n. 535, thinks that
the words "passing across the country into the Latin way" (in Latinam
viam transversis itineribus transgressus) have been transposed from
their proper place, and that they should come in after "he then took,"
&c. (tunc deinceps).]

40. Then the matrons assemble in a body around Veturia, the mother of
Coriolanus, and his wife, Volumnia: whether that was the result of
public counsel, or of the women's fear, I cannot ascertain. They
certainly carried their point that Veturia, a lady advanced in years,
and Volumnia, leading her two sons by Marcius, should go into the camp
of the enemy, and that women should defend by entreaties and tears a
city which men were unable to defend by arms. When they reached the
camp, and it was announced to Coriolanus, that a great body of women
were approaching, he, who had been moved neither by the majesty of the
state in its ambassadors, nor by the sanctity of religion so strikingly
addressed to his eyes and understanding in its priests, was much more
obdurate against the women's tears. Then one of his acquaintances, who
recognised Veturia, distinguished from all the others by her sadness,
standing between her daughter-in-law and grand-children, says, "Unless
my eyes deceive me, your mother, children, and wife, are approaching."
When Coriolanus, almost like one bewildered, rushing in consternation
from his seat, offered to embrace his mother as she met him, the lady,
turning from entreaties to angry rebuke, says, "Before I receive your
embrace, let me know whether I have come to an ene