I will not do’
Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth
And by my body’s action teach my mind
A most inherent baseness.
(iII. ii. 120.)
And following on this is his innate loyalty. Nothing revolts him like a breach of that obligation, and in the crises of his career it is the accusation of treason that rouses him to a frenzy. Thus, after his imprudent speech, Sicinius cries:
Has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer
As traitors do.
(iII. i. 162.)
And Coriolanus bursts out: