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Act 1, Scene 7 — The gates of Corioles
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Original
Faithful Conversational Text-message
The argument Lartius, having left a garrison at Corioles, marches his troops toward Cominius to support the main battle against Aufidius.
Titus Lartius, having set a guard upon Corioles, going with drum and
trumpet toward Cominius and Caius Martius, enters with a Lieutenant,
other Soldiers, and a Scout.
LARTIUS ≋ verse confident assent

So, let the ports be guarded. Keep your duties

As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch

Those centuries to our aid; the rest will serve

For a short holding. If we lose the field,

We cannot keep the town.

Don't worry, sir. We'll take good care of things here.

Don't worry, sir. We've got this.

no fear we care for it

LIEUTENANT final orders and exit

Fear not our care, sir.

Go then. Lock the gates behind us. Scout, guide us back to the Roman camp.

All right. Lock us out. Scout, lead the way back to camp.

go shut gates guide us to camp

LARTIUS ≋ verse stage direction

Hence, and shut your gates upon’s.

Our guider, come. To th’ Roman camp conduct us.

Everyone exits together, marching back toward the main Roman forces.

They all leave, heading back to join Cominius.

exit march to roman camp

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

This is a brief scene of pure logistics and duty. Lartius is the professional soldier doing what needs to be done — securing the conquered city while moving to reinforce the main battle. There's no drama here, just competent military management. It exists to show us that while Martius is driving toward personal glory against Aufidius, someone has to do the tedious work of holding territory and managing supply lines.

If this happened today…

The successful startup's operations director, while the CEO is out raising Series B, stays behind to make sure the infrastructure holds. Unglamorous, necessary, and completely invisible to the press.

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