Upon my party, I’ld revolt, to make
Only my wars with him: he is a lion
That I am proud to hunt.
(i. i. 237·)
This has sometimes been regarded as a hint in advance of Marcius’ readiness to desert the national cause. But that seems to be taking au pied de la lettre one of those conversational audacities that much discreeter men than he often permit themselves. It is rather an exaggerated expression of his delight in the contest, and an ironical comment on his later abandonment of it for the sake of revenge. At any rate even if the worst interpretation be put on it, it suggests a more respectable motive for desertion than the parallel outburst of Aufidius:
I would I were a Roman; for I cannot,
Being a Volsce, be that I am.
(i. x. 4.)
For Coriolanus would change sides in order to confront the severest test, Aufidius would do so in order not to be of the defeated party. There is a meanness and bitterness in Tullus from which his rival is wholly free. All through, Marcius shows the generosity of conscious heroism. He is very handsome in his acknowledgment of Aufidius’ merits:
They have a leader,