(i. i. 266.)
and attribute it to base calculation in keeping with their own natures; but to this view Shakespeare’s story gives no support. The real explanation is simpler: it is his former promise and he is constant (i. i. 241).
Even more pleasant is the famous instance of his respect for the claims of hospitality. This episode is obtained from Plutarch, but in several respects it is completely altered. After describing how Coriolanus declined all special reward, the original narrative proceeds:
“Only this grace (sayed he) I crave, and beseeche you to graunt me. Among the Volsces there is an olde friende and hoste of mine, an honest wealthie man and now a prisoner, who living before in great wealthe in his owne countrie, liveth now a poore prisoner in the handes of his enemies: and yet notwithstanding all this his miserie and misfortune, it would do me great pleasure if I could save him from this one daunger: to keepe him from being solde as a slave.” The souldiers hearing Martius wordes, made a marvelous great showte among them.
Compare this with the scene in Shakespeare:
Coriolanus. The gods begin to mock me. I, that now
Refused most princely gifts, am bound to beg
Of my lord general.
Cominius. Take’t; ’tis yours. What is’t?
Coriolanus. I sometime lay here in Corioli