Till one can do no more.
(i. ii. 34.)
And to this he adds boasts of his own, which Coriolanus omits. Nevertheless, though his professions are the loudest, Aufidius makes good neither pledge nor boasts, but lets himself be driven back despite the assistance of his friends. And then, just as he would rather be a successful Roman than a defeated Volsce, his thoughts turn to getting the better of his victor by whatever means; he cannot take his beating in a sportsmanlike way, and thus shows finally how hollow is the honour after which he strives. Whether intentionally or not, Lartius’ report gives a true description of his feeling:
He would pawn his fortunes
To hopeless restitution, so he might
Be call’d your vanquisher.
(iII. i. 15.)
“Be call’d”; as though the vain ascription of superiority were all that he desired. But in truth he has already made the same confession in so many words, with the more damaging admission that he now feels as though he no longer cared by what foul play such ascription is won.
By the elements,
If e’er again I meet him beard to beard,