Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from Getty Research Institute https://archive.org/details/titusandronicustOOshak TITUS ANDRONICUS A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS. BY WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. - ♦ -- CORRECTLY GIVEN, FROMTHE TEXT OF JOHNSON &STEEVENS. Remarks. SonDon: PRINTED BY AND FOR I). S'. MAURICE, Fenchurc/t Street; SOLD BY T. HUGHES, 35, LUDGATE STREET; J. BYSH.52, PATERNOSTER ROW; J. CUMMING, DUBLIN: J.SUTHER- LAND, EDINBURGH; &c.&c. REMARKS I The critics and editors of Shakspeare, with the i exception of Capell, are of opinion, that this play i is erroneously ascribed to, though always printed with the dramatic works of, our great author: (Schlegel, a celebrated German critic, consi¬ ders it as an early and immature production of Shakspeare, and observes, that it is included in the first folio edition of his works, conducted by Heminge and Condell, for many years his friends and fellow managers; and that it is mentioned by George Meres, a personal acquaintance of the poet, in an enumeration of his works, 1598. This direct testimony is too strong to be shaken by cri¬ tical conflict; but we may hazard the conjecture, that Shakspeare only beautified and repaired, in this play, the invention of an inferior artist. “ This tragedy, it is true, is framed according to a false idea of the tragic, which, by an accumulation of cruelties and enormities, degenerates into the horrible, and yet leaves no deep impression behind. In detail, there is no want of beautiful lines, bold images, nay, even features which betray the peculiar conception of Shakspeare. Among these, we may reckon the joy of the treacherous Moor at the blackness and ugliness of his child begot in adultery ; and in the compassion of Titus Andronicus, grown childish through grief, for a fly which had been struck dead, and his rage afterwards, when he imagines he discovers in it his black enemy, we recognize the future poet of Lear.” Schlegel, Led. on Dramatic Literatme , vol. ii. DRAMATIS PERSONS. Saturninus, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, and after¬ wards declared Emperor himself. Bassianus, Brother to Saturninus; in love with Lavinia. Titus Andronicus, a noble Roman, General against the Goths. Marcus Andronicus, Tribune of the People ; and Brother to Titus. Lucius, Quintus, Martius, Mutius, Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius. Publius, Son to Marcus the Tribune. iEmilius, a noble Roman. Alarbus, Chiron, Demetrius, Aaron, a Moor, beloved by Tamora. A Captain, Tribune, Messenger, and Clown; Romans. Goth3 and Romans. Tamora, Queen of the Goths. Lavinia, Daughter to Titus Andronicus. A Nurse and a black Child. Kinsmen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants. ^ Sons to Tamora. Sons to Titus Andronicus. SCENE.—Rome ; and the Country near it. TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I. — ROME. BEFORE THE CAPITOL. ! The Tomb of the Andronici appearing; the Tribunes and Senators aloft, as in the Senate. Enter, below, Saturninus and his fotloiv- ers, on one side; and Bassianus and his followers, on the other; I with drum and colours. Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right, Defeud the justice of my cause with arms; And, countrymen, my loving followers, Plead my successive title with your swords: ! I am his first-born son, that was the last I That ware the imperial diadem of Rome ; Then let my father’s honours live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. Bas. Romans,—friends, followers, favourers of my If ever Bassianus, Caesar’s son, [right,— Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, 1 Keep then this passage to the capitol; And suffer not dishonour to approach The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate, To justice, continence, and nobility : But let desert in pure election shine; And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice. Enter Marcus Andronicus aloft, with the crown. ! Mar. Princes,—that strivo by factions, and by Ambitiously for rule and einpery,— [friends, Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand A special party, have, by their common voice. 8 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT In election for the Roman empery. Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius For many good and great deserts to Rome; A nobler man, a braver warrior, .Lives not this day within the city walls: He by the senate is accited home. From weary wars against the barbarous Goths; That, with his sons, a terror to our foes. Hath yok’d a nation strong, train’d up in arms. Ten years are spent, since first he undertook This cause of Rome, and chastised with arms Our enemies’ pride: five times he hath return’d Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons In coffins from the field ; And now at last, laden with honour’s spoils, Returns the good Andronicus to Rome, Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms. Let us entreat,—by honour of his name. Whom, worthily, you would have now succeed, And in the capitol and senate’s right, Whom you pretend to honour and adore,— That you withdraw you, and abate your strength; Dismiss your followers, and, as suitors should, Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness. Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts! Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy In thy uprightness and integrity. And so I love and honour thee aud thine, Thy nobler brother Titus, and his sons. And her, to whom my thoughts are humbled all, Gracious Lavinia, Rome’s rich ornament. That I will here dismiss my loving friends; And to my fortunes, aud the people’s favour, Commit my cause in balance to be weigh’d. [ ex. Foil. Sat. Friends, that have been thusforward in my right, I thank you all, and here dismiss you all; I, scene ii. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 9 And to the love and favour of my country Commit myself, my person, and the cause, [ex’. Foil. Rome, be as just and gracious unto me, As I am confident and kind to thee.— Open the gates, and let me in. Bas. Tribunes! and me, a poor competitor. [Sat. and Ba$s. go into the capitol; with Senators, Sfc. SCENE II. THE SAME. Enter a Captain and others. Cap. Romans, make way; the good Andronicus, Patron of virtue, Rome’s best champion, Successful in the battles that he fights, With honour and with fortune is return’d. From where he circumscribed with his sword. And brought to yoke the enemies of Rome. Flourish of trumpets, &c. Enter Mutius and Martins: after them, two men bearing a coffin, covered with black ; then Quintus and Lucius. After them, Titus Andronicus ; and then Tamora, with Alarbus, Chiron, Demetrius, Aaron, and other Goths, prisoners ; Soldiers and people following. The bearers set down the coffin, and Titus speaks. Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds! Lo, as the bark that hath discharg’d her fraught. Returns with precious lading to the bay, From whence at first she weigh’d her anchorage, Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs, To re-salute his country with his tears; Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.— Thou great defender of this capitol, Stand gracious to the rites that we intend !—• Romans, of five and twenty valiant sons. Half of the number that king Priam had. Behold the poor remains, alive, and dead ! These, that survive, let Rome reward with love; These, that I bring unto their latest home, With burial amongst their ancestors: 10 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT 1. Here Goths have given me leave to sheath my sword. Titus, unkind, aud careless of thine own. Why suffer’st thou thy sons, unburied yet. To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx ?— Make way to lay them by their brethren. [tomb opened. There greet in silence, as the dead are wont, And sleep in peace, slain in your country’s wars! O sacred receptacle of my joys. Sweet cell of virtue and nobility, How many sons of mine hast thou in store. That thou wilt never render to me more ? Luc. Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths, That we may hew his limbs, and, on a pile. Ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesh, Before this earthly prison of their bones; That so the shadows be not unappeas’d. Nor we disturb’d with prodigies on earth. Tit. I give him you ; the noblest that survives. The eldest son of this distressed queen. Tam . Stay, Roman brethren;—Gracious conqueror. Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed, A mother’s tears in passion for her son: And, if thy sons were ever dear to thee, O, think ray son to be as dear to me. Sufficeth not, that we are brought to Rome, To beautify thy triumphs, and return. Captive to thee, and to thy Roman yoke ; But must my sons be slaughter’d in the streets. For valiant doings in their country’s cause ? O ! if to fight for king and oommon weal Were piety in thine, it is in these. Andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood : Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods? Draw near them then in being merciful: Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge ; Thrice-noble Titus, spare my first-born son. scene II. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 11 Tit. Patient yourself, madam, and pardon me. These are thejr brethren, whom you Goths beheld Alive and dead; and for their brethren slain, ! Religiously they ask a sacrifice : To this your son is mark’d; and die he must. To appease their groaning shadows that are gone. Luc. Away with him! and make a fire straight; And with our swords, upon a pile of wood. Let’s hew his limbs, till they be clean consum’d. [exeunt Luc. Quin. Mar. and Mut. with Alarb. Talh. O cruel, irreligious piety! Chi. Was ever Scythia half so barbarous? Bern. Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Rome. Alarbus goes to rest; and we survive jj To tremble under Titus’ threat’ning look. ( Then, madam, stand resolv’d ; but hope withal. The salf-saine gods, that arm’d the queen of Troy With opportunity of sharp revenge Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent. May favour Tamora, the queen of Goths (When Goths were Goths, and Tamora was queen). To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes. Re-enter Lucius , Quintus, Martius, and Mutius, with their swords bloody. Luc. See, lord and father, how we have perform’d Our Roman rites: Alarbus’ limbs are lopp’d. And entrails feed the sacrificing fire, Whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky. Remaineth nought, but to inter our brethren. And with loud ’iarums welcome them to Rome. Tit. Let it be so, and let Andronicus Make this his latest farewell to their souls. [trumpets sounded, and the coffins laid in the tomb . In peace and honour rest you here, my sons; Rome’s readiest champions, repose you here, Secure from worldly chances and mishaps! 12 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT I. Here lurks no treason, here no envy swells. Here grow no damned grudges; here are no storms, No noise, but silence and eternal sleep. Enter Lavinia. In peace and honour rest you here, my sons! Lav. In peace and honour live lord Titus long ; My noble lord and father, live in fame! Lo ! at this tomb my tributary tears I render, for my brethren’s obsequies; And at thy feet I kneel with tears of joy Shed on the earth, for thy return to Rome : * O, bless me here with thy victorious hand, Whose fortunes Rome’s best citizens applaud. Tit. Kind Rome, that hast thus lovingly reserv’d The cordial of mine age to glad my heart! Lavinia, live; outlive thy father’s days. And fame’s eternal date for virtue’s praise! Enter Marcus Andronicus, Saturninus, Bassianus, and others. Mar. Long live lord Titus, my beloved brother. Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome! Tit. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Marcus. Mar. And welcome, nephews, from successful wars. You that survive, and you that sleep in fame. Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all, That in your country’s service drew your swords : But safer triumph is this funeral pomp, That hath aspir’d to Solon’s happiness. And triumphs over chance in honour’s bed.— Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome, Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been, Send thee by me, their tribune, and their trust, This palliament of white and spotless hue; And name thee in election for the empire, With these our late-deceased emperor’s sons : Be candidatus then, and put it on, scene II. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 13 And help to set a head on headless Rome. Tit. A better head her glorious body fits, Than his, that shakes for age and feebleness: What! should I don this robe, and trouble you ? Be ehosen with proclamations to-day; To-morrow, yield up rule, resign my life, And set abroad new business for you all? Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years. And led my country’s strength successfully ; And buried one and twenty valiant sons. Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms, In right and service of their noble country: i Give me a staff of honour for mine age, ! But not a sceptre to controul the world : Upright he held it, lords, that held it last. Mar. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery. Sat. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou tell? Tit. Patience, prince Saturnine. Sat. Romans, do me right Patricians, draw your swords, and sheath them not I Till Saturninus be Rome’s emperor:— j Andronicus, ’would thou wert shipp’d to hell, Rather than rob me of the people’s hearts. IjUC. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good j That noble-minded Titus means to thee! Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee The people’s hearts, and wean them from themselves. Bas. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee, But honour thee, and will do till l die ; My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends, I will most thankful be : and thanks, to men Of noble minds, is honourable meed. Tit. People of Rome, and people’s tribunes here, I ask your voices, and your suffrages; Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus ? Trib. To gratify the good Andronicus, 14 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT I. And gratulate his safe return to Rome, The people will accept whom he admits. Tit. Tribunes, I thank you : and this suit I make, That you create your emperor’s eldest son, Lord Saturnine ; whose virtues will, I hope. Reflect on Rome, as Titan’s rays on earth. And ripen justice in this common-weal: Then if you will elect by my advice. Crown him, and say,—Long live our emperor ! Mar. With voices and applause of every sort. Patricians, and plebeians, we create Lord Saturninus, Rome’s great emperor ; And say ,—Long live our emperor Saturnine ! [a long flourish. Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done To us in our election this day, I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts, And will with deeds requite thy gentleness : And, for an onset, Titus, to advance Thy name, and honourable family, Lavinia will I make my emperess, Rome’s royal mistress, mistress of my heart, And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse : Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee? Tit. It doth, my worthy lord ; and, in this match, I hold me highly honour’d of your grace : And here, in sight of Rome, to Saturnine,— King and commander of our common-weal. The wide world’s emperor,—do I consecrate My sword, my chariot, and my prisoners; Presents well worthy Rome’s imperial lord : Receive them then, the tribute that I owe, Mine honour’s ensigns humbled at thy feet. Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life! How proud I am of thee, and of thy g^ts, Rome shall record; and, when I do forget SCENE II. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 15 The least of the.se unspeakable deserts, Romans, forget your fealty to m6. Tit. Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor; j . [to Tamora. To him that, for your honour and your state. Will use you nobly, and your followers. Sat. A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue That I would choose, were I to choose anew.— Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance; Though chance of war hath wrought this change of Thou com’st not to be made a scorn in Rome: [cheer. Princely shall be thy usage every way. Rest on my word, and let not discontent Daunt all your hopes; madam, he comforts you, Dan make you greater than the queen of Goths.— Lavinia, you are not displeas’d with this ? i Lav. Not I, my lord ; sith true nobility iVarrants these words in princely courtesy. Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia.— Romans, let us go: lansomless here we set our prisoners free : Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum. Bas. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine. [seizing Lavinia. Tit. How, sir ! Are you in earnest then, my lord ? Bas. Ay, noble Titus ; and resolv’d withal, ’o do myself this reason and this right. [The Emperor courts Tamora in dumb-show. 'j Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman justice : [’his prince injustice seizeth but his own. Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live. lit. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the emperor's 'reason, my lord ; Lavinia is surpris’d. [guard ? Sat. Surpris’d ! By whom ? Bas. By him that justly may jear his betroth’d from all the world away. [exeunt Marcus and Bassianus, with Lavinia. 16 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT I Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence away, And with my sword I’ll keep this door safe. [exeunt Lucius, Quintus, and Martius. Tit. Follow, my lord, and I’ll soon bring her back. Mut. My lord, you pass not here. Tit. What, villain boy ! Barr’st me my way in Rome ? [Titus kills Mutius. Mut. Help, Lucius, help. Re-enter Lucius. Luc. My lord, you are unjust: and, more than so, In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son. Tit. Nor thou, nor he, are any sons of mine : My sons would never so dishonour me : Traitor, restore Lavinia to the emperor. Luc. Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife. That is another’s lawful promis’d love. [exit. Sat. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not, Not her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock : I’ll trust, by leisure, him that mocks me once ; Thee never, nor thy traitorous haughty sons, Confederates all thus to dishonour me. Was there none else in Rome to make a stale of, But Saturnine ? Full well, Andronicus, Agree these deeds with that proad brag of thine. That said’st., I begg’d the empire at thy hauds. Tit. O monstrous! whatreproachful words are these ? Sat. But go thy ways; go, give that changing piece To him that flourish’d for her with his sword : A valiant son-in-law thou sbalt enjoy ; One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons. To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome. Tit. These words are razors to my wounded heart. Sat. Andtherefore,lovelyTamora, queen of Goths,— That, like the stately Phoebe ’mongst her nymphs, Dost overshine the gallaut’st dames of Rome,— If thou be pleas’d with this my sudden choice, SCENE II. TITUS ANDRONICUS. IT Eehold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride. And will create thee emperess of Rome. {Speak, queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice ? And heie I swear by all the Roman gods,— Sith priest and holy water are so near And tapers burn so bright, and every thing In readiness for Hymeneus stand,— [ will not re-salute the streets of Rome, Dr climb my palace, till from forth this place [ lead espous’d my bride along with me. Tam. And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome I swear, ! ff Saturnine advance the queen of Goths, IShe will a handmaid be to his desires, \ loving nurse, a mother to his youth. Sat. Ascend, fair queen. Pantheon :—Lords, accorn- our noble emperor, and his lovely bride, [pany Jient by the heavens for prince Saturnine, Vhose wisdom hath her fortune conquered : ^here shall we consummate our spousal rites. [exeunt Saturninus and his Followers, Tamora and her Sons, Aaron and Goths. Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride itus, when wert thou wont to walk alone. Dishonour’d thus, and challenged of wrongs ? Re-enter Marcus, Lucius, Quintus, and Martius. Mar. O, Titus, see, O see, what thou hast done ! a a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son. Tit. No, foolish tribune, no ; no son of mine,— i or thou, nor these, confederates in the deed hat hath dishonour’d all our family : unworthy brother, and unworthy sons! ; Luc. But let us give him burial, as becomes ; ive Mutius burial with our brethren. Tit. Traitors, away ! he rests notin this tomb, c 18 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT I. This monument five hundred years hath stood, Which I have sumptuously re-edified : Here none but soldiers, and Rome’s servitors, Repose in fame; none basely slain in brawls :— Bury him where you can, he comes not here. Mar. My lord, this is impiety in you : My nephew Mutius’ deeds do plead for him; He must be buried with his brelhren. Quin. Mart. And shall, or him we will accompanj\ Tit. And shall ? what villain was it spoke that word ? Quin. He that would vouch’t in any place but here. Tit. What, would you bury him in my despite ? Mar. No, noble Titus; but entreat of thee To pardon Mutius, and to bury him. Tit. Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest. And, with these boys, mine honour thou hast wounded : My foes I do repute you every one; So trouble me no more, but get you gone. Mart. He is not with himself, let us withdraw. Quin. Not I, till Mutius’ bones be buried. [Marcus and the Sons of Titus kneel. Mar. Brother, for in that name doth nature plead. Quin. Father, and in that name doth nature speak. Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed. Mar. Renowned Titus, more than half my soul,— Luc. Dear father, soul and substance of us all,— Mar. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter His noble nephew here in virtue’s nest, That died in honour and Lavinia’s cause. Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous. The Greeks, upon advice, did bury Ajax That slew himself; and wise Laertes’ son Did graciously plead for his funerals. Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy, Be barr’d his entrance here. Tit. Rise, Marcus, rise: SCENE ir. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 19 The dismall’st day is this, that e’er I saw, To be dishonour’d by my sons in Rome !— |Well, bury him, and bury me the next. [Mutius is put into the tomb. j Luc. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb;— [friends, All. No man shed tears for noble Mutius : He lives in fame that died in virtue’s cause. Mar. My lord,—-to step out of these dreary dumps,— How comes it, that the subtle queen of Goths [s of a sudden thus advanc’d in Rome ? Tit. I know not, Marcus : bul,Iknow, it is; jfcVhether by device, or no, the heavens can tell; s she not then beholden to the man That brought her for this high good turn so far ? iY"es, and will nobly him remunerate. Flourish. Re-enter, at one side, Saturninus, attended; Tamora, Chiron, Demetrius, and Aaron : at the other, I Bassianus, Lavinia, and others. Sat. So, Bassianus, you have play’d your prize ; Jod give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride. Bas. And you of yours, my lord : I say no more, 'Jor wish no less ; and so I take my leave. Sat. Traitor, if Rome have law, or we have power, rbou and thy faction shall repent this rape. Bas. Rape, call you it, my lord, to seize my own, My true-betrothed love, and now my wife ? Jut let the laws of Rome determine all; (dean while I am possess’d of that is mine. Sat. ’Tis good, sir : you are very short with us; Jut, if we live, we’ll be as Sharp with you. Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best I may, vnswer I must, and shall do, with my life. Inly thus much I give your grace to know, ly all the duties that I owe to Rome, |his noble gentleman, lord Titus here, 20 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT I Is in opinion, and in honour, wrong’d ; That, in the rescue of Lavinia, With his own hand did slay his youngest son, In zeal to you, and highly mov’d to wrath To be control’d in that he frankly gave : Receive him then to favour, Saturnine ; That hath express’d himself, in all his deeds, A father, and a friend, to thee, and Rome. Tit. Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds; ’Tis thou, and those, that have dishonour’d me : Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge. How I have lov’d and honour’d Saturnine ! Tam. My worthy lord, if ever Tamora Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine, Then hear me speak indifferently for all; And at niy suit, sweet, pardon what is past. Sat. What! madam! be dishonour’d openly. And basely put it up without revenge ? Tam. Not so, my lord ; the gods of Rome forefend, I should be author to dishonour you ; But, on mine honour, dare I undertake For good lord Titus’ innocence in all. Whose fury, not dissembled, speaks his griefs: Then, at my suit, look graciously on him ; Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose, Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.— My lord, be rul’d by me, be won at last, Dissemble all your grids and discontents: You are but newly planted in your throne: Lest then the people, and patricians too. Upon a just survey, take Titus’part, And so supplant us for ingratitude (Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin), Yield at entreats, and then let me alone : I’ll find a day to massacre them all. And raze their faction, and their family, j TITUS ANDRONICUS. 21 The cruel father, and his traitorous sons, To whom I sued for my dear son’s life ; f ., And make them know, what’tis to let a queen f Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace in vain.— j Come, come, sweet emperor,—come, Andronicus, Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart That dies in tempest of thy angry frown. Sat. Rise, Titus, rise ; my empress hath prevail’d. Tit. I thank your majesty, and her, my lord : These words, these looks, infuse new life in me. Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome, Roman now adopted happily, And must advise the emperor for his good. This day all quarrels die, Andronicus;— And let it be mine honour, good my lord, That I have reconcil’d your friends and you.— Por you, prince Bassianus, 1 have pass’d My word and promise to the emperor, That you will be more mild and tractable.— And fear not, lords,—and you, Lavinia ;— |3y my advice, all humbled on your knees, ou shall ask pardon of his majesty. Luc. VVe do ; and vow to heaven and to his high- That, what we did, was mildly, as we might, [ness, jTend’ring our sister’s honour, and our own. Mar. That on mine honour, here I do protest. Sat. Away, and talk not; trouble us no more.— Tam. Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all be ;f he tribune and his nephews kneel for grace; [friends: 1 will not be denied. Sweet heart, look back. ! Sat. Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brother’s here, tnd at my lovely Tamora’s entreats, do remit these young men’s heinous faults, jtand up. javinia, though yon left me like a churl, f. found a friend; and sure as death I swore it, 22 TITUS ANDRONICUS. act ii. I would not part a bachelor from the priest. Come, if the emperor’s court can feast two brides, You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends : This day shall be a love-day, Tamora. Tit . To-morrow, an it please your majesty. To hunt the panther and the hart with me, With horn and hound, we’ll give your grace bon-jour. Sat. Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too. [ exeunt. - *- ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. THE SAMP. BEFORE THE PALACE. Enter Aaron. Aar. Now climheth Tamora Olympus’ top, Safe out of fortune’s shot; and sits aloft. Secure of thunder’s crack, or lightning’s flash ; Advanc’d above pale envy’s threat’ning reach, As when the golden sun salutes the morn. And, having gilt the ocean with his beams. Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach. And overlooks the highest-peering hills; So Tamora.- Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait, And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown. Then, Aaron, arm thy heart, and fit thy thoughts, To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress, And mount her pitch ; whom thou in triumph long Hast prisoner held, fetter’d in amorous chains; And faster bound to Aaron’s charming eyes. Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus. Away with slavish weeds, and idle thoughts ! I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold. To wait upon this new-made emperess. To wait, said I ? to wanton with this queen, This goddess, this Semlramis;—this queen, SCENE I. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 23 This syren, that will charm Rome’s Saturnine, And see his shipwreck, and his commonweal’s. Holla ! what storm is this? Enter Chiron and Demetrius, braving. Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge, Aud manners, to intrude where I am grac’d ; And may, for aught thou know’st, affected be. Chi. Demetrius, thou dost overween in all; And so in this to bear me down with braves. ’Tis not the difference of a year, or two. Makes me less gracious, thee more fortunate : I am as able, and as fit, as thou, To serve, and to deserve my mistress’ grace ; And that my sword upon thee shall approve, And plead my passions for Lavinia’s love. .Aar .Clubs, clubs! these lovers will not keep the peace. Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadvis’d. Gave you a dancing-rapier by your side. Are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends? Go to : have your lath glued within your sheath. Till you know better how to handle it. Chi. Mean while, sir, with the little skill I have. Full well shalt thou perceive how much 1 dare. Dem. Ay, boy, grow ye so brave ? [they draw. Aar. Why, how now, lords ? So near the emperor’s palace dare you draw. And maintain such a quarrel openly ? Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge j I would not for a million of gold, The cause were known to them it most concerns: Nor would your noble mother, for much more. Be so dishonour’d in the court of Rome. For shame, put up. Dem. Not I; till I have sheath’d My rapier in his bosom, and, withal, Thrust these reproachful speeches down his throat. 24 TITUS ANDRONICUS. act it. That he hath breath’d in my dishonour here. Chi. For that I am prepar’d and full resolv’d,— Foul-spoken coward ! that thuuder’st with thy tongue. And with thy weapon nothing dar’st perform. Aar. Away, I say,— Now by the gods, that warlike Goths adore, This petty brabble will undo us all.— Why, lords,—and think you not how dangerous It is to jut upon a prince’s right ? What, is Lavinia then become so loose, Or Bassianus so degenerate. That for her love such quarrels may be broach’d. Without controlment, justice, or revenge ? Young lords, beware !—an should the empress know This discord’s ground, the music would not please. Chi. I care not, I, knew she and all the world ; I love Lavinia more than all the world. Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner Lavinia is thine elder brother’s hope. [choice; Aar. Why, are ye mad ? or know ye not, in Rome How furious and impatient they be, And cannot brook competitors in love ? I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths By this device. Chi. Aaron, a thousand deaths Would I propose, to achieve her whom I love. Aar. To achieve her!—How ? Dem. Why mak’st thou it so strange ? She is a woman, therefore may be woo’d j She is a woman, therefore may be won ; She is Lavinia, therefore must be lov’d. What, man ! more water glideth by the mill Than wots the miller of; and easy it is Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know; Though Bassianus be the emperor’s brother. Better than he have yet worn Vulcan’s badge. SCENE r. TITUS ANDRONIOUS. 25 Aar. Ay, and as good as Saturninus may. [aside. Dem. Then why should he despair, that knows to With words, fair looks, and liberality ? [court it What, hast thou not full often struck a doe, And borne her cleanly by the keeper’s nose ? Aar. Why then, it seems, some certain snatch or so Would serve your turns. I Chi. Ay, so the turn were serv’d. Dem. Aaron, thou hast hit it. Aar. ’Would you had hit it too; Then should not we be tir’d with this ado. :<|Why, hark ye, hark ye,—and are yon such fools, ||To square for this ? Would it offend you then I That both should speed! Chi. I’faith, not me. Dem. Nor me. So I were one. Aar. For shame, be friends ; and join for that you jar. ’Tis policy and stratagem must do That you affect; and so must you resolve ; 1 .pThal what you cannot, as you would, achieve, i5fou must perforce accomplish as you may. Take this of me, Lucrece was not more chaste [Than this Lavinia, Bassianus’ love. !A speedier course than lingering languishment Must we pursue, and I have found the path. My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand ; There will the lovely Roman ladies troop : The forest walks are wide and spacious ; And many unfrequented plots there are, Fitted by kind for rape and villainy : Single you thither then this dainty doe, And strike her home by force, if not by words : This way, or not at all, stand you in hope, j^ome, come, our empress, with her sacred wit. To villany and vengeance consecrate, 26 TITUS ANDRONICUS. Will we acquaint with all that we intend ; And she shall file our engines with advice, That will not suffer you to square yourselves, But to your wishes’ height advance you both. The emperor’s court is like the house of fame, The palace full of tongues, of eyes, of ears : The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf, and dull; There speak, and strike, brave boys, and take your turns: There serve your lust, shadow’d from heaven’s eye. And revel in Lavinia’s treasury. Chi. Thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice. Dem. Sit fas aut nefas, till I find the stream To cool this heat, a charm to calm these fits, Per Styga, per manes vehor. [ exeunt. SCENE XI. A FOREST NEAR ROME. A Lodge seen at a distance; horns, cry of Hounds , <|-c. Enter Titus Andronicus, with Hunters, $c. Marcus, Lucius, Quintus, and Martius. Tit. The hunt is up, the morn is bright and grey, The fields are fragrant, and the woods are green ; Uncouple here, and let us make a bay, And wake the emperor and his lovely bride, And rouse the prince ; and ring a hunter’s peal. That all the court may echo with the noise. Sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours, To tend the emperor’s person carefully: I have been troubled in my sleep this night. But dawning day new comfort hath inspir’d. Horns wind a peal. Enter Saturninus, Tamora, Bas- sianus, Lavinia, Chiron, Demetrius, and Attendants. Tit. Many good morrows to your majesty ;— Madam, to you as many and as good !— I promised your grace a hunter’s peal. Sat. And you have rung it lustily, my lords. SCENE III. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 27 Somewhat too early for new-married ladies. Bas. Laviuia, how say you ? Lav. I say, no ; I have been broad awake two hours and rrtore. Sat. Come on then, horse and chariots let us have, . And to our sport:—Madam, now shall ye see ( Our Roman hunting 1 . [to Tamora. Mar. I have dogs, my lord, i Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase, And climb the highest promontory top. j Tit. And I have horse will follow where the game Makes way, and run like swallows o’er the plain. Bern. Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound. But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground. [ exeunt. SCENE III. A DESERT PART OF THE FOREST. Enter Aaron , with a bag of gold. Aar. He, that had wit, would think that I had none, To bury so much gold under a tree, And never after to inherit it. Let him, that thinks of me so abjectly, Know, that this gold must coin a stratagem ; Which, cunningly effected, will beget A very excellent piece of villany : And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest [hides the gold. That have their alms out of the empress’ chest. Enter Tamora. Tam. My lovely Aaron, wherefore look’st thou sad. When every thing doth make a gleeful boast ? The birds chaunt melody on every bush ; The snake lies rolled in the cheerful sun ; The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind. And make a chequer’d shadow on the ground : Under their sweet shade, Aaron, let us sit, And—whilst the babbling echo moeks the hounds, 28 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT II, Replying shrilly to the weil-tun’d horns, As if a double hunt were heard at once,— Let us sit down, and mark their yelling noise: And—after conflict, such as was suppos’d The wandering prince and Dido once enjoy’d, When with a happy storm they were surpris’d, And curtain’d with a counsel-keeping cave,— We may, each wreathed in the other’s arms, Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber; Whiles hounds, and horns, and sweet melodious birds, Be unto us, as is a nurse’s song Of lullaby, to bring her babe asleep. Aar. Madam, though Venus govern your desires, Saturn is dominator over mine : What signifies ray deadly-standing eye. My silence, and my cloudy melancholy ? My fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls. Even as an adder, when she doth unroll To do some fatal execution ? No, madam, these are no venereal signs ; Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, Blood and revenge are hammering in my head. Hark, Tamora,—the empress of my soul, Which never hopes more heaven than rests in thee,— This is the day of doom for Bassianus ; His Philomel must lose her tongue to-day : Thy sons make pillage of her chastity, And wash their hands in Bassianus’blood. Seest thou this letter ? take it up, I pray thee, And give the king this fatal-plotted scroll - Now question me no more, we are espied ; Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty, Which dreads not yet their lives’ destruction. Tam. Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than life ! Aar. No more, great empress, Bassianus comes : Be cross with him ; and I’ll go fetch thy sons scene IIr. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 29 To back thy quarrels, whatso’er they he. [exit. Enter Bassianus arid Lavinia. Bas. Who have we here ? Rome’s royal emperess. Unfurnish’d of her well-beseeming troop ? Or is it Dian, habited like her; Who Lath abandoned her holy groves, To see the general hunting in this forest? Tam. Saucy controller of our private steps ! Had 1 the power, that some say, Dian had, i Thy temples should be planted presently I; With horns, as was Acteon’s : and the hounds ■ Should drive upon thy new-transformed limbs, Unmannerly intruder as thou art! Lav. Under your patience, gentle emperess, IrTis thought you have a goodly gift in horning ; And to be doubted, that your Moor and you Are singled forth to try experiments: Jove shield your husband from his hounds to-day ! i’Tis pity, they should take him for a stag. Bas. Believe me, queen, your swarth Cimmerian ' Doth make your honour of his body’s hue, , Spotted, detested, and abominable. j|jWhy are you sequester’d from all your train ? ^Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed, l|And wander’d hitherto an obscure plot, lijAccompanied with a barbarous Moor, t l!lf foul desire had not conducted you ? l\ Lav. And being intercepted in your sport, IjGreat reason that my noble lord be rated ■For sauciness,—-I pray you, let us hence, And let her’joy her raven-colour’d love ; IfThis valley tits the purpose passing well. Bas. The king, my brother, shall have note of this. I Lav. Ay, for these slips have made him noted long. ■Good king ! to be so mightily abus’d ! i; Tam. Why have I patience to endure all this ? 30 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT II, Enter Chiron and Demetrius. Dem. How now, dear sovereign, and our gracious mother, Why doth your highness look so pale and wan ? Tam. Have I not reason, think you, to look pale? These two have ’tic’d me hither to this place, A barren detested vale, you see, it is : The trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean, O’ercome with moss, and baleful misletoe. Here never shines the sun; here nothing breeds, Unless the nightly owl, or fatal raven. And, when they show’d me this abhorred pit, They told me, here, at dead time of the night, A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes, Ten thousand swelling toads, as many urchins. Would make such fearful and confused cries. As any mortal body, hearing it, Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. No sooner had they told this hellish tale, But straight they told me, they would bind me here Unto the body of a dismal yew ; And leave me to this miserable death. And then they call’d me, foul adulteress, Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms That ever ear did hear to such effect. And, had you not by wondrous fortune come. This vengeance on me had they executed : Revenge it, as you love your mother’s life. Or be ye not henceforth call’d my children. Dem. This is a witness that I am thy son. [stabs Bassianus. Chi. And this for me, struck home to show my strength. [ stabbing him likewise. Lav. Ay come,Semiramis,—nay, barbarous Tatnora! For no name fits thy nature but thy own! [boys, Tam. Give me thy poniard; you shall know, my pCENEin. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 31 Your mother’s hand shall right your mother’s wrong. Dem. Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her; First, thrash the corn, then after burn the straw : This minion stood upon her chastity, Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, And with that painted hope braves your mightiness : And shall she carry this unto her grave ? Chi. An if she do, I would I were an eunuch. Drag hence her husband to some secret hole, And make his dead trunk pillow to our lust. Tam. But when you have the honey you desire, Let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting. Chi. I warrant you, madam ; we will make thatsure. pome, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy pbat nice-preserved honesty of yours. Lav. O Tamora ! thou bear’st a woman’s face,— Tam. I will not hear her speak; away with her. Lav. Sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word. Dem. Listen, fair madam: let it be your glory. To see her tears : but be your heart to them, As unrelenting flint to drops of rain. [dam ? Lav. When did the tiger’s young ones teach the D do not learn her wrath ; she taught it thee : The milk, thou suck’dst from her, did turn to marble ; jfHven at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny,— Yet every mother breeds not sons alike ; Do thou entreat her show a woman pity, [to Chiron. Chi. What! wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard ? Lav. ’Tis true ; the raven doth not hatch a lark : !Yet 1 have heard, (O could I find it now!) rhe lion, mov’d with pity, did endure To have his princely paws par’d all away, kome say, that ravens foster forlorn children, phe whilst their own birds famish in their nests : D, be to me, though thy hard heart say no, 32 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT 1 (> Nothing so kind, bat something pitiful! Tam. I know not what it means; away with her. Lav. O, let me teach thee : for my father’s sake. That gave thee life, when well he might have slain thee Be not obdurate, open thy deaf ears. Tam. Had thou in person ne’er offended me. Even for his sake am I pitiless :— Remember, boys, I pour’d forth tears in vain, To save your brother from the sacrifice ; But fierce Andronicus would not relent. Therefore away with her, and use her as you will; The worse to her, the better lov’d of me. Lav. O Tamora, be call’d a gentle queen, And with thine own hands kill me in this place : For ’tis not life, that 1 have begg’d so long; Poor I was slain, when Bassianus died. [go Tam. What begg’st thou then ? fond woman, let m< Lav. ’Tis present death I beg; and one thing more That womanhood denies my tongue to tell: O, keep me from their worse than killing lust. And tumble me into some loathsome pit; Where never man’s eye may behold my body : Do this, and be a charitable murderer. Tam. So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee : No, let them satisfy their lust on thee. Dem. Away ; for thou bast staid us here too long. Lav. No grace? no womanhood? Ah,beastly crea- The blot and enemy to our general name ! [ture Confusion fall- Chi. Nay, then I’ll stop your mouth :—Bring thou her husband ; [dragging off Lavinia,( This is the hole where Aaron bid us hide him. [e#m7§v| Tam. Farewell, my sons : see thatyou make her sure Ne’er let my heart know merry cheer indeed, Till all the Andronici be made away. SCENE IV. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 33 Sfow will I hence to seek my lovely Moor, And let my spleenful sons this troll deflour. [earif. SCENE IV. THE SAME. Enter Aaron, with Quintus and Martius. Aar. Come on, my lords ; the betjfer foot before : straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit, /Vhere I espy’d the panther fast asleep. Quin. My sight is very dull, whate’er it bodes. Mart. And mine, 1 promise you ; were’t not for shame, »Vcll could I leave our sport to sleen awhile. [Martiusfalls into the pit. | Quin. What, art thou fallen? What subtle hole is this, Vhose mouth is cover’d with rude-growing briars ; Jpon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood, is fresh as morning’s dew distill’d on flowers? l very fatal place it seems to me peak, brother, bast thou hurt thee with the fall ? Mart. O, brother, with the dismallest object ’hat ever eye, with sight, made heart lament. ' Aar. [Aside] Now will I fetch the king to find them ’hat he thereby may give a likely guess, [here; Jow these were they, that made away his brother. [exit Aaron . Mart. Why dost not comfort me, and help me out rom this unhallow’d and blood-stained hole? Quin. I am surprised with an uncouth fear : (. chilling sweat o’er-runs my trembling joints; Iy heart suspects more than mine eye can see. Mart. To prove thou hast a true-divining heart, jaron and thou look down into this den, ,nd see a fearful sight of blood and death. Quin. Aaron is gone; and ray compassionate heart ^ill not permit mine eyes once to behold he thing, whereat it trembles by surmise : D 34 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT I O, tell me how it is; for ne’er till now Was I a child, to fear I know not what. Mart. Lord Bassianus lies embrewed here, All on a heap, like to a slaughter’d lamb. In this detested, dark, blood-drinking- pit. Quin. If it be dark, how dost thou know ’tis he ? Mart. Upon his bloody finger he doth wear A precious ring, that lightens all the hole, Which, like a taper in some monument, Doth shine upon the dead man’s earthly cheeks, And shows the ragged entrails of this pit: So pale did shine the moon on Pyrainus, When he by night lay bath’d in maiden blood. O brother, help me with thy fainting hand,— If fear hath made thee faint, as me it hath,— Out of this fell-devouring receptacle. As hateful as Cocytus’ misty mouth. Quin. Reach me thy hand, that I may help the Or, wanting strength to do thee so much good, [one I may be pluck’d into the swallowing womb Of this deep pit, poor Bassianus’ grave. I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink. Mart. Nor I no strength to climb without thy heljl Quin. Thy hand once more ; I will not loose agai i Till thou art here aloft, or I below : Thou canst not come to me, I come to thee, [falls i Enter Saturninus and Aaron. Sat. Along with me :—I’ll see what hole is here, And what he is, that now is leap’d into it.— Say, who art thou, that lately didst descend Into this gaping hollow of the earth ? Mart. The unhappy son of old Andronicus; Brought hither in a most unlucky hour, To find thy brother Bassianus dead. Sat. My brother dead? I know, thou dost but jes He and his lady both are at the lodge. scene IV. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 35 Upon the north side of this pleasant chase; Tis not an hour since I left him there. Tam. We know not where you left him all alive, |3nt, out alas ! here have we found him dead. Enter Tamora, with Attendants; Titus Andronicus, and Lucius. Tam. Where is my lord, the king ? [grief. Sat. Here, Tamora; though griev’d with killing Tam. Where is thy brother Bassianus ? Sat. Now to the bottom dost thou search my Poor Bassianus here lies murdered. [wound ; Tam. Then all too late I bring this fatal writ. \giving a letter. The complot of this timeless tragedy; Ind wonder greatly, that man’s face can fold n pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny. Sat. [ Rea ds] An if we miss to meet him handsomely ,— i weet huntsman, Bassianus ’tis, we mean ,— )o thou so much as dig the grave for him ; Ihou know'st our meaning: look for thy reward Imong the nettles at the elder-tree , Vhich overshades the mouth of that same pit, Vhere we decreed to bury Bassianus. )o this, and purchase us thy Idsting friends. j), Tamora ! was ever heard the like? i'his is the pit, and this the elder-tree : jook, sirs, if you can find the huutsman out, (’hat should have murder’d Bassianus here. Aar. My gracious lord, here is the bag of gold. [showing it. > Sat. Two of thy whelps, [to Tit.] fell curs of bloody Jave here bereft my brother of his lifp :— [kind, iirs, drag them from the pit unto the prison; J’here let them bide, until we have devis’d I ome never-heard-of torturing pain for them, [thing ! Tam. What, are they in this pit ? O wondrous 36 TITUS ANDRONICUS. act hi. How easily murder is discovered ! Tit. High emperor, upon my feeble knee I beg this boon, with tears not lightly shed. That this fell fault of my accursed sons, Accursed, if the fault be prov’d in them,—— Sat. If it be prov’d ! you see, it is apparent.— Who found this letter? Tamora, was it you ? Tam. Andronicus himself did take it up. Tit. I did, my lord : yet let me be their bail: For by my father’s reverend tomb, I vow, They shall be ready at your highness’will. To answer their suspicion with their lives. Sat. Thou shaltnot bail them : see, thou follow me. Some bring the murder’d body, some the murderers: Let them not speak a word, the guilt is plain; For, by my soul, wei'e there worse end than death. That end upon them should be executed. Tam. Andronicus, 1 will entreat the king; Fear not thy sons, they shall do well enough. Tit. Come, Lucius, come; stay not to talk with them. [exeunt severally. SCENE V. THE SAME. Enter Demetrius and Chiron, with Lavinia, ravished ; her hands cut off, and her tongue cut out. Dem. So, now go tell, an if thy tongue can speak. Who ’twas that cut thy tongue, and ravish’d thee. Chi. Write down thy mind, bewray thy meaning so; And, if thy stumps will let thee, play the scribe. Dem. See, how with signs and tokens she can scowl. Chi. Go home, call for sweet water, wash thy hands. Dem. She hath no tongue to call, nor hands to wash; And so let’s leave her to her silent walks. Chi. An ’twere my case, I should go hang myself. Dem. If thou hadst hands to help thee knit the cord. [exeunt Demetrius and Chiron. SCENE V, TITUS ANDRONICUS. 37 Enter Marcus. Mar. Who’s this,—my niece, that fliesawav so fast ? Cousin, a word ; where is your husband ?— If I do dream, ’wouldall my wealth would wake me! If I do wake, some planet strike me down. That I may slumber in eternal sleep !— Speak, gentle niece, what stern ungentle hands Have lopp’d, and bew’d, and made thy body bare Of her two branches P those sweet ornaments, Whose circling shadows kings bave sought to sleep in, And might not gain so great a happiness. As half thy love ? Why dost not speak to me ?—> Alas, a crimson river of warm blood, Like to a bubbling fountain stirr’d with wind. Doth rise and fall between thy rosed lips. Coming and going with thy honey breath. But, sure, some Tereus hath deflour’d thee ; And lest thou shouldst detect him, cut thy tongue. Ah, now thou turn’st away thy face for shame ! And notwithstanding all this loss of blood,— As from a conduit with three issuing spouts,— Yet do thy cheeks look red as Titan’s face. Blushing to be encounter’d with a cloud. Shall I speak for thee ? shall I say, ’tis so ? jO, that I knew thy heart; and knew the beast, That I might rail at him to ease my mind ! jSorrow concealed, like an oven stopp’d, iDoth burn the heart to cinders where it is. Pair Philomela, she but lost her tongue, |Vnd in a tedious sampler sew’d her mind: Out, lovely niece, that mien is cut from thee; craftier Tereus hast thou met withal, Lnd he hath cut those pretty fingers olf, ’hat could have better sew’d than Philomel. >, had the monster seen those lily hands j’remble, like aspen leaves, upon a lute. 38 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT III, And make the silken strings delight to kiss them. He would not then have touch’d them for his life : Or, had he heard the heavenly harmony Which that sweet tongue hath made, He would have dropp’d his knife, and fell asleep, As Cerberus at the Thracian poet’s feet. Come, let us go, and make thy father blind : For such a sight will blind a father’s eye : One hour’s storm will drown the fragrant meads ; What will whole months of tears thy father’s eyes ? Do not draw back, for we will mourn with thee ; O, could our mourning ease thy misery! [ exeunt. ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. ROME. A STREET. Enter Senators, Tribunes , and Officers of Justice, with Martius and Quintus, bound, passing on to the place of Execution: Titus going before, pleading. Tit. Hear me, grave fathers! noble tribunes, stay ! For pity of mine age, whose youth was spent In dangerous wars, whilst you securely slept; For all my blood in Rome’s great quarrel shed; For all the frosty nights that I have watch’d; And for these bitter tears, which now you see Filling the aged wrinkles in my cheeks; Be pitiful to my condemned sons. Whose souls are not corrupted as ’tis thought! For two aud twenty sons I never wept, Because they died in honour’s lofty bed. For these, these tribunes, in the dust I write [throwing himself on the ground, My heart’s deep langour, and my soul’s sad tears. Let my tears stanch the earth’s dry appetite; SCENE X. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 39 My sons’ sweet blood will make it shame and blush. [exeunt Senators, Tribunes,&c. with the Prisoners. 1 O earth, I will befriend thee more with rain, | That shall distil from these two antient urns, Than youthful April shall with all his showers : In summer’s drought, I’ll drop upon thee still; I In winter, with warm tears I’ll melt the snow, j And keep eternal spring-time on thy face, So thou refuse to drink my dear sons’ blood. Enter Lucius, with his sword drawn. O, reverend tribunes ! gentle aged men ! Unbind my sons, reverse the doom of death; And let me say, that never wept before, My tears are now prevailing orators. Luc. O, noble father, you lament in vain j The tribunes hear you not, no man is by. Arid you recount your sorrows to a stone. Tit. Ah, Lucius, for thy brothers let me plead : Grave tribunes, once more I entreat of you. Luc. My gracious lord, no tribune hears you speak. Tit. Why, ’tis no matter, man : if they did hear, They would not mark me; or, if they did mark. All bootless to them, they’d not pity me. Therefore I tell my sorrows to the stones; Who, though they cannot answer my distress, Yet in some sort they’re better than the tribunes, For that they will not intercept my tale : When I do weep, they humbly at my feet Receive my tears, and seem to weep with me ; And, were the}' but attired in grave weeds, Rome could afford no tribune like to these. A stone is soft as wax, tribunes more hard than stones : A stone is silent, and offendeth not ; And tribunes with their tongues doom men to death. But wherefore stand’st thou with thy weapon drawn ? Luc. To rescue my two brothers from their death : 40 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT III. For which attempt, the judges have pronounc’d My everlasting doom of banishment. Tit. O happy man ! they have befriended thee. Why, foolish Lucius, dost thou not perceive, That Rome is but a wilderness of tigers? Tigers must prey ; and Rome affords no prey, But me and mine : how happy art thou then. From these devonrers to be banished ? But who comes with our brother Marcus here ? Enter Marcus and Lavinia. Mar. Titus, prepare thy noble eyes to weepj Or, if not so, thy noble heart to break ; 1 bring consuming sorrow to thine age. Tit. Will it consume me ? let me see it then. Mar. This was thy daughter. Tit. Why, Marcus, so she is. Luc. Ah me! this object kills me! Tit. Faint-hearted boy, arise, and look upon her Speak, my Lavinia, what accursed hand Hath made thee handless in thy father’s sight ? What fool bath added water to the sea ? Or brought a faggot to bright burning Troy ? My grief was at the height before thou cain’st. And new, like Nilus, it disdaineth bounds.— Give me a Sword, I’ll chop off my hands too ; For they have fought for Rome, and all in vain ; And they have nurs’d this woe, in feeding life; In bootless prayer have they been held up, And they have serv’d me to effectless use: Now, all the service I require of them Is, that the one will help to cut the other.— ’Tis well, Lavinia, that thou hast no hands ; For hands, to do Rome service, are but vain. Luc. Speak, gentle sister, who hath martyr’d thee ? Mar. O, that delightful engine of her thoughts, That blabb’d them with such pleasing eloquence, SCENE 1. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 41 Is torn from forth that pretty hollow cage : Where, like a sweet melodious bird, it sung Sweet varied notes, enchanting every ear ! Luc. 0,say thou for her, who hath done this deed ? Mar. O, thus I found her, straying in the park. Seeking to hide herself; as doth the deer, That hath receiv’d some unrecuring wound. Tit. It was my deer ; and he, that wounded her. Hath hurt me more, than had he kill’d me dead : |For now I stand as one upon a rock, jEnviron’d with a wilderness of sea; Who marks the waxing tide grow wave by wave, Expecting ever when some envious surge Will in his brinish bowels swallow him. [This way to death my wretched sons are gone; ;Here stands my other son, a banish’d man ; And here, my brother, weeping at my woes; But that, which gives my soul the greatest spurn, Is dear Lavinia, dearer than my soul.— Had I but seen thy picture in this plight, jit would have madded me ; what shall I do Now I behold thy lively body so ? Thou hast no hands, to wipe away thy tears; Nor tongue, to tell me who hath martyr’d thee : Thy husband he is dead ; and, for his death, Thy brothers are condemn’d, and dead by this:— Look, Marcus ! ah, son Lucius, look on her! When I did name her brothers, then fresh tears Stood on her cheeks; as doth the honey dew Upon a gather’d lily almost wither’d. [husband : I Mar. Perchance, she weeps because they kill’d her Perchance, because she knows them innocent. 1 Tit. If they did kill thy husband, then be joyful, Because the law hath ta’en revenge on them.— Vo, no, they would not do so foul a deed; Witness the sorrow that their sister makes.— 42 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT HI Gentle Laviuia, let me kiss thy lips ; Or make some sign how l may do thee ease : Shall thy good uncle, and thy brother Lucius; And thou, and I, sit round about some fountain ; Looking all downwards, to behold our cheeks How they are stain’d ? like meadows, yet not dry With miry slime left on them by a flood p And in the fountain shall we gaze so long, Till the fresh taste be taken from that clearness. And made a brine-pit with our bitter tears? Or shall we cut away our hands, like thine ? Or shall we bite our tongues, and in dumb shows Pass the remainder of our hateful days ? What shall we do ? let us, that have our tongues, Plot some device of further misery, To make us wonder’d at in time to come, [grief, Luc. Sweet father, cease your tears; for, at your See, how my wretched sister sobs and weeps, [eyes. Mar. Patience, dear niece good Tilus, dry thine Tit. Ah, Marcus, Marcus! brother, well I wot. Thy napkin cannot driuk a tear of mine, For thou, poor man, hast drown’d it with thine own. Luc. Ah, my Lavinia, I will wipe thy cheeks. Til. Mark, Marcus, mark! I understand her signs : Had she a tongue to speak, now would she say That to her brother which I said to thee ; His napkin, with his true tears all bewet, Can do no service on her sorrowful cheeks. O, what a sympathy of woe is this 1 As far from help as limbo is from bliss! Enter Aaron. Aar. Titus Andronicus, my lord the emperor Sends thee this word,—that, if thou love thy sons, Let Marcus, Lucius, or thyself, old Titus, Or any one of you, chop off your hand, And send it to the king: he for the same, SCENE I. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 43 Will send tbee hither both thy sons alive; And that shall be the ransom for their fault. Tit. O, gracious emperor ! O, gentle Aaron . Did ever raven sing so like a lark, That gives sweet tidings of the sun s uprise . With all my heart, I’ll send the emperor My hand : Good Aaron, wilt thou help to chop it on. Luc. Slay, father; for that noble hand of thine, That hath thrown down so many enemies, Shall not be sent: my hand will serve the turn : Mv youth can better spare my blood than you ; And therefore mine shall save my brothers lives. Mar. Which of your hands bath not defended Rome, And rear’d aloft the bloody battle-axe, Writing destruction on the enemy’s castle ? O, none of both but are of high desert: My hand hath been but idle ; let it serve To ransom my two nephews from their death ; Then have I kept it to a worthy end. Aar. Nay, come, agree whose hand shall go along. For fear they die before their pardon come. Mar. My hand shall go. Luc. By heaven, it shall not go. L ttiese Tit. Sirs, strive no more ; such wither d herbs as Are meet for plucking up, and therefore mine. Luc. Sweet father, if I shall be thought thy sou, Let me redeem my brothers both from death. , Mar. And, for our father’s sake, and mother s care. Now let me show a brother’s love to thee. Tit. Agree between you ; I will spare my hand. Luc. Then I’ll go fetch an axe. [Marcus. Mar. But I will use the axe. [exeunt Lucius and Tit. Come hither, Aaron ; I’ll deceive them both ; Lend me thy hand, and I will give thee mine. Aar. If that be call’d deceit, I will be honest, 44 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT ill. And never, whilst I live, deceive men so :— But I’ll deceive you in another sort, And that you’ll say, ere half an hour can pass, [aside. [he cuts off Titus' hand. Enter Lucius and Marcus. Tit. Now, stay your strife; what shall be, is des- Good Aaron, give his majesty my hand: [patch’d.— Tell him, it was a hand that warded him From thousand dangers; bid him bury it; More hath it merited, that let it have. As for my sons, say, I account of them As jewels purchas’d at an easy price; And yet dear too, because I bought mine own. Aar. I go, Andronicus : and for thy hand, Look by-and-by to have thy sons with thee :— Their heads, I mean.—O how this villany [aside. Doth fat me with the verj r thoughts of it! Let fools do good, and fair men call for grace, Aaron will have his soul black like his face. [exit. Tit. O, here I lift this one hand up to heaven, And bow this feeble ruin to the earth : If any power pities wretched tears. To that I call;—what wilt thou kneel with me ? [fo Lavinia. Do then, dear heart; for heaven shall hear our prayers; Or with our sighs we’ll breathe the welkin dim. And stain the sun with fog, as sometime clouds. When they do hug him in their melting bosoms. Mar. O! brother, speak with possibilities, And do not break into these deep extremes. Tit. Is not my sorrow deep, having no bottom ? Then be my passions bottomless with them. Mar. But yet let reason govern thy lament. Tit. If there were reason for these miseries. Then into limits could I bind my woes: When heaven doth weep, doth not the earth o’erflow ? SCENE I. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 45 If the winds rage, doth not the sea wax mad, Threat’ning the welkin with his big-swoln face? And wilt thoa have a reason for this coil ? I am the sea; hark, how her sighs do blow 1 She is the weeping welkin, I the earth ; Then must my sea be moved with her sighs ; Then must my earth with her continual tears Become a deluge, overflow’d and drown’d : For why? my bowels cannot hide her woes, But, like a drunkard, must I vomit them. jiThen give me leave ; for losers will have I To ease their stomachs with their bitter tongues. Enter a Messenger, with two heads and a hand. Mess. Worthy Andronicus, ill art thou repaid For that good hand thou sent’st the emperor, i Here are the heads of thy two noble sons j And here’s thy hand, in scorn to thee sent back ; I Thy griefs their sports, thy resolution mock’d : .'That woe is ine to think upon thy woes, |More than remembrance of my father’s death, [ea it. ! Mar. Now let hot ./Etna cool in Sicily, ^nd be my heart an ever-burning hell! •These miseries are more than may be borne ! To weep with them that weep doth ease some deal, .'But sorrow flouted at is double death. [wound, Luc. Ah, that this sight should make so deep a !i And yet detested life not shrink thereat! i That ever death should let life bear his name, i^Vhere life hath no more interest but to breathe ! [L avinia kisses him. i'j Mar. Alas, poor heart, that "kiss is comfortless, l f 4s frozen water to a starved snake. 1 Tit. When will this fearful slumber have an end ? |: Mar. Now, farewell, flattery : die, Andronicus ; Thou dost not slumber : see, thy two sons’ heads ; Thy warlike hand ; thy mangled daughter here ; 46 TITUS ANDRONICUS. act iii. Thy other banish’d son, with this dear sight Struck pale and bloodless ; and thy brother, I, Even like a stony image, cold and numb. Ah ! now no more will I control thy griefs; Rent off thy silver hair, thy other hand Gnawing with thy teeth ; and be this dismal sight The closing up of our most wretched eyes! Now is a time to storm ; why art thou still ? Tit. Ha, ha, ha ! [hour. Mar. Why dost thou laugh ? it fits not with this Tit. Why, I have not another tear to shed : Besides, this sorrow is an enemy, And would usurp upon my wat’ry eyes, And make them blind with tributary tears ; Then which way shall I find revenge’s cave ? For these two heads do seem to speak to me; And threat me, I shall never come to bliss, Till all those mischiefs’be return’d again, Even in their throats that have committed them. Come, let me see what task I have to do.— You heavy people, circle me about; That I may turn me to each one of you, And swear unto my soul to right your wrongs. The vow is made.—Come, brother, take a head ; And in this hand the other will I bear : Lavinia, thou slialt be employ’d in these things; Bear thou my hand, sweet wench, between thy teeth. As for thee, boy, go get thee from my sight; Thou art an exile, and thou must not stay : Hie to the Goths, and raise an army there : And, if you love me, as I think you do, Let’s kiss and part, for we have much to do. [exeunt Titus, Marcus, and Lavinia. Luc. Farewell, Andronicus, my noble father ; The woful’st man that ever liv’d in Rome! Farewell, proud Rome! till Lucius come again, CENE II. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 47 Fie leaves his pledges dearer than his life. Farewell, Lavinia, my noble sister; 3, ’would thon wert as thou ’tofore bast been! But now nor Lucius nor Lavinia lives, But in oblivion and hateful griefs. If Lucius live, he will requite your wrongs ; r\nd make proud Saturninus and his empress Beg at the gates, like Tarquin and his queen. Now will 1 to the Goths, and raise a power, To be reveng’d on Rome and Saturnine. [eiif. SCENE II. A ROOM IN TITUs’ HOUSE. A BANQUET SET our. Enter Titus, Marcus, Lavinia ,, and young Lucius, a Boy. Tit. So, so ; now sit: and look, you eat no more Than will preserve just so much strength in us lAs will revenge these bitter woes of ours. (Marcus, unknit that sorrow-wreathen knot; Thy niece and I, poor creatures, want our hands. And cannot passionate our tenfold grief (With folded arms. This poor right hand of mine Is left to tyrannise upon my breast; And when ray heart, all mad with misery, jBeats in this hollow prison of my flesh, ■Then thus I thump it down.— Thou map of woe, that thus dost talk in signs! [to Lav. When thy poor heart beats with outrageous beating, Thou canst not strike it thus to make it still. Wound it with sighing, girl, kill it with groans; Or get some little knife between thy teeth. And just against thy heart make thou a hole; That all the tears that thy poor eyes let fall, May run into that sink, and soaking in, Drown the lamenting fool in sea-salt tears. Mar. Fie, brother, fie! teach her not thus to lay 48 TITUS ANDRONICUS. act ii Such violent hands upon her tender life. Tit. How now ! has sorrow made thee dote already Why, Marcus, no man should be mad but I. What violent bands can she lay on her life ? Ah, wherefore dost thou urge the name of hands ;— To bid ./Eneas tell the tale twice o’er, How Troy was burnt, and he made miserable ? O, handle not the theme, to talk of hands; Lest we remember still, that we have none.— Fie, fie, how franticly I square my talk ! As if we should forget we had no hands, If Marcus did not name the word of hands!— Come, let’s fall to ; and, gentle girl, eat this:— Here is no drink ! hark, Marcus, what she says I can interpret all her martyr’d signs;'—* She says, she drinks no other drink but tears, Brew’d with her sorrows, mesh’d upon her cheeks Speechless complainer, I will learn thy thought; In thy dumb action will I be as perfect, As begging hermits in their holy prayers : Thou shalt not sigh, nor hold thy stumps to heaven. Nor wink, nor nod, nor kneel, nor make a sign, But I, of these, will wrest an alphabet, And, by slill practice, learn to know thy meaning. Toy. Good grandsire, leave these bitter deep la Make my aunt merry with some pleasing tale, [ments Mar. Alas, the tender boy, in passion mov’d. Doth weep to see bis grandsire’s heaviness. Tit. Peace, tender sapling ; thou art made of tears And tears will quickly melt thy life away.— [Marcus strikes the dish with a knife What dost thou strike at, Marcus, with thy knife? Mar. At that that I have kill’d, my lord; a fly. Tit. Out on thee, murderer ! thou kill’st my heart Mine eyes are cloy’d with view of tyranny : I, scene II. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 4£ A deed of death, done on the innocent, j)| Becomes not Titus’ brother : get thee gone ; 1 1 see, thou art not for my company. Mar. Alas, ray lord, 1 have but kill’d a fly. - Tlt ' But fjow > if tha t Ay had a father and mother? How would he hang his slender gilded wings. And buz lamenting doings in the air ? SPoor harmless fly! That with his pretty buzzing melody. Came here to make us merry; and thou hast kill’d him. Mar. Pardon me, sir ; ’twasa black ill-favour’d fly. Like to the empress’ Moor; therefore I kill’d him. Tit. O, O, O, Then pardon me for reprehending thee, For thou hast done a charitable deed. 3ive me thy knife, I will insult on him; _ Flattering myself, as if it were the Moor, ^ome hither purposely to poison me.— there’s for thyself, and that’s for Tamora.— th, sirrah!— ^et I do think we are not brought so low, iut that, between us, we can kill a fly, i'hat comes in likeness of a coal-black Moor, i Mar. Alas, poor man ! grief has so wrought on him, j. takes false shadows for true substances. U \ 'Tit. Come, take away.—Lavinia, go with me: II to thy closet; and go read with thee id stories, chanced in the times of old._ , jome, boy, and go with me; thy sight is young, ud thou shalt read, when mine begins to dazzle, [ex. 50 TITUS ANDRONICUS, ACT IV. j ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I. THE SAME. BEFORE TITUS* HOUSE. Enier Titus and Marcus. Then enter young Lucius , Lavinia running after him. Boy. Help, grandsire, help! my aunt Lavinia Follows me every where, I know not why :— Good uncle Marcus, see how swift she comes! Alas, sweet aunt, I know not what you mean. Mar. Stand by me, Lucius ; do not fear thine aunt. Tit. She loves thee, boy, too well to do thee harm. Boy. Ay, when my father was in Rome, she did. Mar. What means my niece Lavinia by these signs? Tit. Fear her not, Lucius:—Somewhat doth she mean: See, Lucius, see, how much she makes of thee : Somewhither would she have thee go with her. Ah, boy, Cornelia never with more care Read to her sons, than she hath read to thee, Sweet poetry, and Tully’s Orator. Canst thou not guess wherefore she plies thee thus ? Boy. My lord, I know not, I, nor can I guess. Unless some fit or frenzy do possess her : For I have heard my grandsire say full oft, Extremity of grief would make men mad ; And I have read, that Hecuba of Troy Ran mad through sorrow; that made me to fear; Although, my lord, I know, my noble aunt Loves me as dear as e’er my mother did, And would not, but in fury, fright my youth : Which made me down to throw my books, and fly ; Causeless, perhaps ; but pardon me, sweet aunt: And, madam, if my uncle Marcus go, I will most willingly attend your ladyship. Mar. Lucius, 1 will. [ Lavinia turns over the book which Lucius has let fall iCENE I. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 51 Tit. How now, Lavinia ?—Marcus, what means this? ine book there is that she desires to see :— hich is it, girl, of these ?—.Open them, boy.— ut thou art deeper read, and better skill’d ; ome, and take choice of all my library, nd so beguile thy sorrow, till the heavens eveal the damn’d contriver of this deed.— (Why lifts she up her arms in sequence thus ? [one 1 Mar. I think, she means, that there was more than Confederate in the factay, more there was :— pr else to heaven she heaves them for revenge. i Tit. Lucius, what book is that she tosseth so? j Boy. Grandsire, ’tis Ovid’s Metamorphoses ; My mother gave’t me. I Mar. For love of her that’s gone, Perhaps she cull’d it from among the rest. )il Tit. Soft! see, how busily she turns the leaves! Help her:— What would she find?—Lavinia, shall I read ? This is the tragic tale of Philomel, And treats ofTereus’ treason, and his rape! And rape, I fear, was root of thine annoy. [leaves. Mar. See, brother, see; note, how she quotes the Tit. Lavinia, wert thou thus surpris’d, sweet girl, Ravish’d and wrong’d, as Philomela was, (Forc'd in the ruthless, vast, and gloomy woods ?— * See, see!- Ay, such a place there is, where we did bunt, 'O, had we never, never, hunted there!) Pattern’d by that the poet here describes, By nature made for murders, and for rapes. Mar. O, why should nature build so foul a den, • Unless the gods delight in tragedies! i Tit. Give signs, sweet girl,—for here are none but What Roman lord it was durst do the deed: [friends, Or slunk not Saturnine, as Tarquin erst, 52 TITUS ANDRONICUS. act iv.. That left the camp to sin iri Lucrece’ bed? Mar. Sit down, sweet niece;—brother, sit down by Apollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury, [me.— Inspire me, that I may this treason find !— My lord, look herelook here, Lavinia : This sandy plot is plain; guide, if thou canst, This after me, when l have writ my name Without the help of any hand at ail. [he writes his name with his staff, and guides it with his feet and mouth. Curs’d be that heart, that forc’d us to this shift!— Write thou, good niece ; and here display, at last, What God will have discover’d for revenge: Heaven guide thy pen to print thy sorrows plain. That we may know the traitors, and the truth ! [she takes the staff in her mouth, and guides it with her stwnps, and writes. Tit. O, do you read, my lord, what she hath writ! Stuprum—Chiron—Demetrius. Mar. What, what!—the lustful sons of Tamora Performers of this heinous, bloody deed ? Tit. Magne Dominator poli , Tam lentus audis scelera ? tarn lentus vides ? Mar. O, calm thee, gentle lord! although, l know. There is enough written upon this earth. To stir a mutiny in the mildest thoughts, And arm the minds of infants to exclaims. My lord, kneel down with me : Lavinia, kneel; And kneel, sweet boy, the Roman Hector’s hope ; And swear with me,—as with the woful feere, And father, of that chaste dishonour’d dame. Lord Junius Brutus sware for Lucrece’ rape,— That we will prosecute, by good advice. Mortal revenge upon t-hese traitorous Goths, And see their blood, or die with this reproach. Tit. ’Tis sure enough, an you knew how ; scene I. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 53 Bat if you hurt these bear-whelps, then beware : The dam will wake; and, if she wind you onoe. She’s with the lion deeply still in league, And lulls him whilst she playeth on her back. And, when he sleeps, will she do what she list. You’re a young huntsman, Marcus ; let it alone; And, come, I will go get a leaf of brass, i And with a gad of steel will write these words. And lay it by: the angry northern wind Will blow these sands, like Sybil’s leaves, abroad, And where’s your lesson then ?—Boy, what say you i Boy. I say, my lord, that if I were a man, Their mother’s bed-chamber should not be safe For these bad-bondmen to the yoke of Rome. Mar. Ay, that’s my boy ! thy father hath full oft For this ungrateful country done the like. Boy. And, uncle, so will I, an if I Jive. Tit. Come, go with me into mine armoury ; Lucius, I’ll fit thee; and withal, my boy Shall carry from me to the empress’ sons IPresents, that I intend to send them both : Come, come; thou’lt do thy message, wilt thou not ? ;; Boy. Ay, with my dagger in their bosoms, grand- sire. Tit. No,boy, not so; I’ll teach thee another course. |Lavinia, come:—Marcus, look to my house; Lucius and I’ll go brave it at the court; Ay, marry, will we, sir : and we’ll be waited on. [examt Titus, Lavinia, and Boy. | Mar. O heavens, can you hear a good man groan. And not relent, or not compassion him ? i(Vfarcus, attend him in his ecstacy ; That hath more scars of sorrow in his heart, [Than foe-men’s marks upon his batter’d shield : But yet so just, that he will not revenge. fleveuge the heavens for old Andronicus! [exit. 54 TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT IV. SCENE II. THE SAME. A ROOM IN THE PALACE. Enter Aaron, Chiron, and Demetrius, at one door; at another door, young Lucius, and an Attendant, with a bundle of weapons, and verses writ upon them. Chi. Demetrius, here’s the son of Lucius; He hath seme message to deliver to us. [tber. Aar. Ay, some mad message from his mad grandfa- Boy. My lords, with all the humbleness I may, I greet your honours from Andronicus;— And pray the Roman gods, confound you both, [aside. Dem. Gramercy, lovely Lucius: what’s the news? Boy. That you are both decipher’d, that’s the news, For villains mark’d with rape. [ aside 1 may* it please My grandsire, well-advis’d, hath sent by me [you. The goodliest weapons of his armoury. To gratify your honourable youth. The hope of Rome ; for so he bade me say; And so I do, and with his gifts present Your lordships, that whenever you have need You may be armed and appointed well: And so I leave you both, [aside] like bloody villains. [exeunt Boy and Attendant. Dem.What’s here ? a scroll; and written round about? Let’s see; Integer vitce, scelerisque purus, Non eget Mauri jaculis nec arcu. Chi. O, ’tis a verse in Horace; I know it well: I read it in the grammar long ago. [have it. Aar. Ay, just!—-a verse* in Horaceright, you Now, what a thing it is to be an ass! Here’s no sound jest! the old man hath found § their guilt; [lines, * And sends the weapons wrapp’d about with That w ound, beyond their feeling, to the quick. But were our witty empress well afoot, SCENE II. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 55 She would applaud Andronicus’ conceit. i ., i But let her rest in her unrest awhile.— $