Was there none else in Rome to make a stale of, |
But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus,
Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine,
That said'st, I begg'd the empire at thy hands.
Tit. O monstrous! what reproachful words
are these?

[piece
Sat. But go thy ways; go, give that changing
To him that flourish'd for her with his sword:
A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy;
One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons,
To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome.
Tit. These words are razors to my wounded
[Goths,

heart.

Sat. And therefore, lovely Tamora, queen of That, like the stately Phoebe 'mongst her nymphs,

Dost overshine the gallant'st dames of Rome,
If thou be pleas'd with this my sudden choice,
Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride,
And will create thee emperess of Rome.
Speak, queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my
choice?

And here 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,--
I will not resalute the streets of Rome,
Or climb my palace, till from forth this place
I lead espous'd my bride along with me.
Tam. And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome

I swear,

If Saturnine advance the queen of Goths,
She will a handmaid be to his desires,
A loving nurse, a mother to his youth.
Sat. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon:-Lords,
accompany

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. [speak. Quin. Father, and in that name doth nature Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed. [soul,Mar. Renowned Titus, more than half my 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 :---The dismal'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. Luc. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends,

Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb!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,

Your noble emperor, and his lovely bride, Sent by the heavens for prince Saturnine, Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered: There shall we consummate our spousal rites. [Exeunt SATURNINUS and his Followers; TA

MORA, and her Sons; AARON, and Goths. Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride; Titus, 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 In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son. [done! Tit. No, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine,Nor thou, nor these confederates in the deed That hath dishonour'd all our family; Unworthy brother, and unworthy sons!

Luc. But let us give him burial, as becomes; Give Mutius burial with our brethren.

Tit. Traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb. 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 brethren. [pany. Quin. Mart. And shall, or him we will accomTit. And shall? What villain was it spoke that word? [but here. Quin. He that would vouch 't in any place Tit. What, would you bury him in my despite? Mar. No, noble Titus; but entreat of thee To pardon Mutius and to bury him. [crest, Tit. Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my And, with these boys, mine honour thou hast My foes I do repute you every one; [wounded: So trouble me no more, but get you gone.

Bas. And you of yours, my lord: I say no more, Nor wish no less; and so I take my leave. Sat. Traitor, if Rome have law, or we have power,

Thou 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?
But let the laws of Rome determine all:
Mean while I am possess'd of that is mine.

Sat. 'Tis good, sir. You are very short with us; But, if we live, we'll be as sharp with you.

Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best I may, Answer I must, and shall do with my life. Only thus much I give your grace to know, By all the duties that I owe to Rome, This noble gentleman, Lord Titus here, 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 controll'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

Then hear me speak indifferently for all;
And at my 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 griefs and discon-
[throne;

tents:

You are but newly planted in your
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 raise their faction, and their family,
The cruel father, and his traitorous sons,
To whom I sued for my dear son's life;
And make them know, what 'tis to let
a queen
[in vain.

Aside.

Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace 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. A 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. For you, Prince Bassianus, I 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, By my advice, all humbled on your knees You shall ask pardon of his majesty.

Luc. We do; and vow to heaven, and to his highness,

That, what we did, was mildly, as we might,
Tend'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 friends-

The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace;
I will not be denied. Sweet heart, look back.
Sat. Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brother's
And at my lovely Tamora's entreats, [here,
I do remit these young men's heinous faults.
Stand up.

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 servile 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 nymph,
This goddess, this Semiramis-this queen,
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,

And manners, to intrude where I am grac'dAnd may, for ought thou know'st, affected be.

Chi. Demetrius, thou dost overween in allAnd so in this to bear me down with braves. "Tis not the difference of a year, or two, Makes me less gracious, the more fortunateI 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. [vis'd, Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadGave 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. Meanwhile, sir,with the little skill I have, Full well shalt thou perceive how much I 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; I would not for a million of gold, The cause were known to them it must 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,

he hath breath'd in my dishonour here. Chi.For that I am prepar'd and full resolv'd,Foul spoken coward! that thunder'st with thy tongue,

And with thy weapon nothing dar'st perform. Aar. Away, I say.

Now by the gods, that warlike Goths adore,

Replying shrilly to the well 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 supris'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;
While hounds, and horns, and sweet melodious
Be unto us, as is a nurse's song
[birds,
Of lullaby, to bring her babe asleep.
Aar. Madam, though Venus govern your de-
Saturn is dominator over mine:
[sires,
What signifies my 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 rest in
This is the day of doom for Bassianus; [thee,
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!
[comes:

Aar. No more, great empress, Bassianus Be cross with him; and I'll go fetch thy sons To back thy quarrels, whatsoe'er they be.

[Exit.

Enter BASSIANUS and 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 hath abandoned her holy groves,
To see the general hunting in this forest?
Tam. Saucy controller of our private steps!
Had I the power, that, some say, Dian bad,
Thy temples should be planted presently
With horns, as was Actæon's: and the hounds
Should drive upon thy new transformed limbs,
Unmannerly intruder as thou art!

Lav. Under your patience, gentle emperess, 'Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning; And to be doubted, that your Moor and you Are singled forth to try experiments: [day! Jove shield your husband from his hounds to'Tis pity, they should take him for a stag. Bas. Believe me, queen, your swarth Cim-] merian

Doth make your honour of his body's hue,
Spotted, detested, and abominable.
Why are you sequester'd from all your train?
Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed,
And wander'd hither to an obscure plot,
Accompanied with a barbarous Moor,
If foul desire had not conducted you?

Good king! to be so mightily abus'd!
Tam. Why have I patience to endure all this?
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 abhorr'd 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
Unto the body of a dismal yew;
[here
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.

First, thrash the corn, then after burn the straw:
This minion stood upon her chastity,
Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, [iness:
And with that painted hope braves your might-
And shall she carry this unto her grave?

Chi. An if she do, I would I were a 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

that sure.

Tam. I will not hear her speak; away with 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.

Lav. When did the tiger's young ones teach

the dam?

O, do not learn her wrath; she taught it thee: The milk, thou suck'dst from her, did turn to marble;

of this.