TALES OF THE ROMANS
her up, “what have you done? You have gained a victory, and saved Rome, but ruined me.”
He sent the women back to Rome, and the next morning he drew off the army and marched it back to the Volscian country. The Volscians let him do so, for they felt that only Coriolanus was able enough a leader to conduct the war against Rome. Without him there could be little worth doing. The Romans rejoiced, and the citizens crowded to the temples to place garlands of flowers on the altars of the gods. All the men praised the work of the women who had gone with such courage to the camp and prayed for mercy.
The elders of the senate met, and made a decree that the women might have whatever reward they chose.
“We desire only one thing,” said the Roman ladies. “Let a new temple be built for the Good-Fortune of Women. We will subscribe the money for the building.”
The senate said the temple should be set up at the public expense. Nevertheless, the Roman ladies each paid what they were able to the fund; and when the temple was built, about four miles outside the city, on the spot where the tent of Coriolanus had rested, the first priestess to take charge of it was the aged mother who had saved Rome.
Not long afterward Coriolanus was killed by
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