104 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



said Cominius; and when it was suggested that they appeal to him 

 for mercy the general continued: — 



"Who shall ask it ? 

 "The tribunes cannot do't for shame; the people 

 "Deserve such pity of him as the wolf 

 "Does of the shepherds." 



We cannot do otherwise than pay some heed to the views of 

 Menenius, who although a warm friend of Coriolanus has throughout 

 the play shewn that he was not blind to his faults and has not hesitated 

 to correct him where he thought the occasion warranted it. The old 

 man seemed to regard the action of Coriolanus as the natural sequel 

 to his banishment. 



"If he were putting to my house the brand 

 "That should consume it, I have not the face 

 "To say 'Beseech you, cease," 



and again 



'If he could burn us all into one coal 

 'We have deserv'd it." 



Even the tribunes, with all their bitterness and hatred towards 

 him could not muster the courage to utter one word of reproof. Their 

 only thought was to fall upon their knees and crave his mercy. 



While we may regret the course of events and wish that they had 

 been otherwise, can we after all say that Coriolanus made so many 

 mistakes as are charged against him ? Weighing all the circumstances 

 can we not at least give him credit for honesty of purpose and conclude 

 that he was more sinned against than sinning ? 



