Another embassy was now sent, conjuring him not to exact from his native city aught but what became Romans to grant.

Coriola'nus, however, naturally severe, still persisted in his former demands, and granted them only three days for deliberation.19.In this exigence, all that was left to be done was another deputation, still more solemn than either of the former, composed of the pontiffs, priests, and augurs.

These, clothed in their habits of ceremony, and with a grave and mournful deportment, issued from the city, and entered the camp of the conqueror: but all in vain, they found him severe and inflexible.
[Illustration: Coriolanus yielding to the entreaties of his Mother.] 20.

When the people saw them return without success, they began to give up the commonwealth as lost.

Their temples were filled with old men, with women and children, who, prostrate at the altars, put up their ardent prayers for the preservation of their country.