destruction.  Whenever persons come to suspect each other, they take amiss everything even that is done in their behalf, and yield wholly to their belligerent instincts.  Coriolanus had invariably evinced contempt for the people, and after grain had been brought in from many sources (most of it sent as a gift from princes in Sicily) he would not allow them to receive allotments of it as they were petitioning.  Accordingly, the tribunes, whose functions he was especially eager to abolish, brought him to trial before the populace on a charge of aiming at tyranny and drove him into exile.  It availed nothing that all his peers exclaimed and expressed their consternation at the fact that tribunes dared to pass such sentences upon their order.  So on being expelled he betook himself, raging at his treatment, to the Volsci, though they had been his bitterest foes.  His valor, of which they had had a taste, and the wrath that he cherished toward his fellow-citizens gave him reason to expect that they would receive him gladly, since they might hope, thanks to him, to inflict upon the Romans injuries equal to what they had endured, or even greater.  When one has suffered particular damage at the hands of any party, one is strongly inclined to believe in the possibility of benefit from the same party in case it is willing and also able to confer favors. (Mai, p.147.  Cp.  Zonaras 7, 16.) 3.  For he was very angry that they, who were incurring danger for their own country would not even under these conditions withdraw from the possessions of others.  When, accordingly, this news also was brought, the men did not cease any the more from factional strife.  They were, indeed, so bitterly at variance that they could be reconciled not even by dangers.  But the women, Volumnia the wife of Coriolanus and Veturia his mother, gathering a company of the other most eminent ladies visited him in camp and took his children with them; and they caused him to end the war not only without requiring the submission of the country, but without even demanding restoration from exile.  For he admitted them at once as soon as he learned they were there, and granted them a conversation, the course of which was as follows.  While the rest wept without speaking Veturia began:  “Why are you surprised, my child?  Why are you startled?  We are not deserters, but the country has sent to you, if you should yield, your mother and wife and children, if otherwise, your spoil; hence, if even now you still are angry, kill us first.  Why do you weep?  Why turn away?  Can you fail to know how we have just ceased lamenting the affairs of state, in order that we might see you?  Be reconciled to us, then, and retain no longer your anger against your citizens, friends, temples, tombs; do not come rushing down into the city with hostile wrath nor take by storm your native land in which you were born, were reared, and became Coriolanus, bearer of this great name.  Yield to me, my child, and send me not hence without result, unless you would see me dead by own hand.”