rape.

If thou be pleas'd with this my sudden choice, The dismall'st day is this, that e'er I saw,
Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride, To be dishonour'd by my sons in Rome!--
And will create thee emperess of Rome.

Well, bury him, and bury me the next!
Speak, queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice?

( Mutius is put into the tomb. And here I swear by all the Roman gods,

Luc. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy Sith priest and holy water are so near,

friends, And tapers burn so bright, and every thing Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb! In readiness for Hymeneus stands,

All. No man shed tears for noble Mutius;
I will not re-salute the streets of Rome,

He lives in fame, that died in virtue's cause.
Or climb my palace, till from forth this place Mar. My lord,--to step outofthese dreary dumps,-
I lead espous’d my bride along with me.

How comes it, that the subtle queen of Goths
Tam. And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome I swear, Is of a sudden thus advanc'd in Rome?
If Saturnine advance the queen of Goths,

Tit. I know not, Marcus; but, I know, it is;
She will a hand-maid be to his desires,

Whether by device, or no, the heavens can tell : A loving nurse, a mother to his youth!

Is she not then beholden to the man Sat. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon !-- Lords accom- That brought her for this high good turn so far? pany

Yes, and will nobly him remunerate. Your noble emperor, and his lovely bride,

Flourish. Re-enter, at one side, Satunnists, altendSent by the heavens for prince Saturnine,

ed; Tamora, Chiron, DEMETRIUS, and Aatos: di
Whose wisdom hath her fortone conquered : the other, Bassianus, Lavinia, and Others.
There shall we consummate our spousal rites. Sat. So, Bassianus, you have play'd your prize;
[Exeunt Saturninus, and his Followers ; Tamora, God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride!
and her Sons; Aaron and Goths.

Bas. And you of yours, my lord! I say not more,
Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride : Nor wishi no less; and so I take my leave!
Titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone,

Sat. Traitor, if Rome have law, or we have power,
Dishonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs? Thou and thy faction shall repent

this
Re-enter Marcus, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and Martius, Bas. Rape, call you it, my lord, to seize my own,
Mar. 0 Titus, see, O see what thou hast done! My true-betrothed love, and now my wife?
In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son!

But let the laws of Rome determine all:
Tit. No, foolish tribune, no! no son of mine,- Mean while I am possess'd of that is mine.
Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed Sat. 'Tis good, sir! You are very short with us;
That hath dishonour'd all our family:

But, if we live, we'll be as sharp with you.
Unworthy brother, and unworthy sons !

Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best I map,
Luc. But let us give him burial, as becomes; Answer I must, and shall do with my life.
Give Mutius burial with our brethren.

Only this much I give your grace to know,-
Tit. Traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb. By all the daties which I owe to Rome,
This monument five hundred years hath stood, This noble gentleman, lord Titus here,
Which I have sumptuously re-edified:

Is in opinion, and in honour, wrong'd;
Here none but soldiers, and Rome's servitors, That, in the rescue of Lavinia,
Repose in fame; none basely slaiu in brawls :- With his own hand did slay his youngest son,
Bury him where you can, he comes not here ! In zeal to you, and highly mov'd to wrath
Mar. My lord, this is impiety in you:

To be control'd in that he frankly gave:
My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him; Receive him then to favour, Saturnine !
He must be buried with his brethren!

That hath express'd himself, in all his deeds Quin. et Mart. And sliall, or him we will accom- A father, and a friend, to thee, and Rome! pany!

Tit. Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my
Tit. And shall ? What villain was it spoke that word ? 'Tis thou, and those, that have dishononr'd me!
Quin. He that would vouch't in any place but here. Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge

,
Tit. What, would you bury him in my despite? How I have lor'd aud honour'd Saturnine!
Mar. No, noble Titus! but entreat of theo Tum. My worthy lord, if ever Tainora
To pardon Mutius, and to bury him.

Were gracious in those princely eyes of thise,
Tit. Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest, Then hear me speak indillerently for all;
And, with these boys,mine honour thou hast wounded : Ard at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.
My foes I do repute you every one ;

Sat. What, madam! be dishonour'd openly

, So trouble me no more, but get you gone!

And basely put it up without revenge?
Mart. He is not with himself; let us withdraw! Tam. Not so, my lord! The gods of Rome forefend,
Quin. Not I, till Mutius' bones be buried.

I should be author to dishonour you!
(Marcus and the Sons of Titus kneel. But, on mine honour, dare I uudertake
Mar. Brother, for in that name doth nature plead. For good lord Titus' innocence in all,
Quin. Fatier, and in that name doth nature speak. Whose fury, not dissembled, speaks his griess

:
Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed. Then, at my suit, look graciously on him;
Mar. Renowned Titus, more than half my soul,- Lose not so uoble a friend on vain suppose,
Luc, Dear father, soul and substance of us all,- Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart

. Mar. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter

My lord, be ruld by me, be won at last, His noble nephew here in virtue's nest,

Dissemble all your griefs and discontents, That died in honour and Lavinia's cause.

You are but newly planted in your throne;
Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous !

Lest then the people, and patricians too,
The Greeks, upon advice, did bury Ajax

Upon a just survey, take Titus' part,
That slew himself; and wise Laertes' son

And so supplant us for ingratitude,
Did graciously plead for his funerals.

(Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,)
Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy, Yield at entreats, and then let me alone ;
Be barr'i his entrance here.

I'll find a day to massacre them all,
Tit. Rise, Marcus, rise! -

And raze their faction, and their camily,

a

• deeds!

Aside

The cruel father, and luis traitorous sons,

This siren, that will charm Rome's Saturpine, To whom I sued for my dear son's life;

And see his shipwreck, and his commonweal's! And make them know, what 'tis to let a

Holla! what storm is this?

Aside. queen

Enter Chiron and Demetrius, braving. Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace in

Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge, vain.

And manners, to intrude where I am grac'd;
Come, come, sweet emperor, - come, Andronicas! And may, for aught thou know'st, affected be.
Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart Chi. Demetrius, thou dost over-ween in all ;
That dies in tempest of thy angry frown!

And so in this to bear down with braves.
Sat. Rise, Titus, rise! my empress hath prevail'd ! 'Tis not the difference of a year, or two,
Tit. I thank your majesty, and her, my lord ! Makes me less gracions, thee more fortunate:
These words, these looks, infuse new life in me. I am as able, and as fit, as thou,
Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,

To serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace;
A Roman now adopted happily,

And that my sword upon thee shall approve,
And must advise the emperor for his good.

And plead my passions for Lavinia's love.
This day all quarrels die, Andronicus!

Aur.Clubs,clubs! these lovers will not keep the peace!
And let it be mine honour, good my lord,

Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadvis'd,
That I have reconcil'd your friends and you. - Gave you a dancing rapier by your side,
For you, prince Bassianus, I have pass’d

Are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends ?
My word and promise to the emperor,

Go to! have your lath glued within your sheath,
That you will be more mild and tractable.-

Till you know better how to handle it.
And fear not, lords, – and you, Lavinia ;

Chi. Mean while, sir, with the little skill I have,
By my advice, all humbled on your knees, Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare.
You shall ask pardon of his majesty.

Dein. Ay, boy, grow ye so brave?

[They draw.
Luc. We do; and vow to heaven,and to his highness, Aar. Why, low now, lords?
That, what we did, was mildly as we might, So near the emperor's palace dare you draw,
Tend'ring our sister's honour, and our own.

And maintain such a quarrel openly?
Mar. That, on mine honour, here I do protest. Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge;
Sat. A vay, and talk not! trouble ns no more!-. I would not for a million of gold,
Tam. Nay,nay,sweet emperor, we must all be friends! The cause were known to them it most concerns :
The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace;

Nor would your noble mother, for much more,
I will not be denied. Sweet heart, look back!

Be so dishonour'd in the court of Rome.
Sut. Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brother's here, For shame, put op!
And at my lovely Tamora's entreats,

Dem. Not I; till I have sheath'd
I do remit these young men's heinous faults. My rapier in his bosom, and, withal,
Stand up!

Thrust these reproachful speeches down his throat,
Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,

That he hath breath'd in my dishonour here.
I found a friend, and sure as death I swore,

Chi. For that I am prepar'd and full resolv’d, -
I would not part a bachelor from the priest. Foul-spoken coward ! that thunder’st with thy tongue,
Come, if the emperor's court can feast two brides, And with thy weapon nothing dar’st perform.
You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends! Aar. Away, I say!
This day shall be a love-day, Tamora !

Now, by the gods that warlike Goths adore,
Tit. To-morrow, au it please your majesty, This petty brabble will undo us all. -
To hunt the panther and the hart with me, Why, lords, – and think you not how dangerons
With horn and hound, we'll give your grace bon-jour. It is to jut upon a prince's right?
Sat. Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too! (Exeunt. What, is Lavinia then become so loose,

Or Bassianus so degenerate,

That for her love such quarrels may be broach'il,
ACT II.

Without controlment, justice, or revenge?
SCENE I. The same. Before the paluce. Young lords, beware! — an should the empress know
Enter Ainox.

This discord's ground, the music would not please.
Aur. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top,

Chi. I care not, I, knew she and all the world;
Safe out of fortune's shot; and sits alost,

I love Lavinia more, than all the world,
Secure of thunder's crack, or lightning's flash; Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner
Advanc'd above pale envy's threat’ning reach.

choice!
As when the golden sun salutes the morn,

Lavinia is thine elder brother's hope.
And, having gilt the ocean with his beams,

dur. Why, are ye mad? or know ye pot, in Rome Gallops the zodiack in his glistering coach,

How furious and impatient they be,
And overlooks the highest-peering hills;

And cannot brook competitors in love?
So Tamora.

I tell you, lords, you do but plot yonr deaths
Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait,

By this device.
And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown. Chi. Aaron, a thonsand deaths would I propose,
Then, Aaron, arm thy heart, and fit thy thoughts, To achieve her whom I love.
To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress,

Aar. To achieve her! - How?
And mount her pitch; whom thou in triumph long Dem. Why mak'st thon it so strange?
Hast prisoner held, fetter'd in amorous chains ; She is a woman, therefore may be woo'd ;
And faster bound to Aaron's charming eyes, She is a woman, therefore may be won;
Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasas.

She is Lavinia, therefore must be lov'il.
Away with slavish weeds, and idle thoughts ! What, man! more water glideth by the mill
I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold, Than wots the miller of; and easy it is
To wait upon this new-made emperess.

Of a cat loaf to steal a shive, we know :
To wait, said I? to wanton with this queen, Thoug! Bassianus be the emperor's brother,
This goddess, this Semiramis ! - this queeo, Better than he have yet worn Vulcau's badge.

a

Aar. Ay, and as good, as Saturninus may. [Aside. Sat. And you have rung it lustily, my lords, Dem. Then why should he despair, that knows to Somewhat too early for new-married ladies. court it

Bas. Lavinia, how say you?
With words, fair looks, and liberality?

Lav. I say, no;
What, hast thou not full often struck a doe, I have been broad awake two hours and more.
And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose? Sat. Come on then; horse and chariots let us have,
Aar. Why, then, it seems, some certain snatch or so And to our sport! -- Madam, now shall ve see
Would serve your turns.

Our Roman hunting.

[To Tamora. Chi, Ay, so the turn were serv’d.

Mar. I have dogs, my lord, Dem. Aaron, thou hast hit it.

Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase, Aar. 'Would you had hit it too;

And climb the highest promontery top. Then should not we be tir'd with this ado.

Tit. And I have horse will follow where the game Why, hark ye, hark ye, — And are you such fools, Makes way, and run like swallow's o'er the plain. To square for this? Would it oflend you then Dem. (å side.) Chiron, we hunt not, we, with That both should speed ?

horse nor hound, Chi. 'Faith, not me.

But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground. [Exeunt.
Dem. Nor me,
So I were one.

SCENE III. - A desert part of the forest

.
Aar. For shame, be friends !and join for that you jar! Enter Aaron, with a bag of gold.
'Tis policy and stratagem must do

Aar. He, that had wit, would think that I had none,
That you aifect; and so must you resolve: To bury so much gold under a tree,
That what you cannot, as you would, achieve, And never after to inherit it.
You must perforce accomplish as you may.

Let him, that thinks of me so abjectly,
Take this of me, Lucrece was not more chaste, Know, that this gold must coin a stratagem ;
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus' love.

Which, cuuningly effected, will beget
A spcedier course than lingering languishment A very excellent piece of villainy:
Must we pursue, and I have found the path. And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest,
My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand;

That have their alms out of the empress chest!
There will the lovely Roman ladies troop:

Luides the gold

. The forest walks are wide and spacious;

Enter Tavora. And many unfrequented plots there are,

Tam. My lovely Aaron, wherefore look'st thon sad, Fitted by kind for rape and villainy:

When every thing doth make a gleeful boast?
Single you thither then this dainty doe,

The birds chaunt melody on every bush;
And strike her home by force, if not by words: The snake lies rolled in the cheerful sun;
This way, or not at all, stand you in hope. The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind,
Come, come, our empress, with her sacred wit, And make a chequer'd shadow on the ground:
To villainy and vengeance consecrate,

Under their sweet shade, Aaron, let as sit,
Will we acquaint with all that we intend; And – whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds,
And she shall file our engines with advice, Replying shrilly to the well-tun'd horns,
That will not suffer you to square yourselves,

As if a double hunt were heard at once,
But to your wishes' height advance you both. Let us sit down, and mark their yelling noise!
The emperor's court is like the house of fame, And -- after conflict, such as was suppos'd
The palace full of tongues, of eyes, of ears : The wandering prince and Dido once enjoy'd,
The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deal, and dull; When with a happy storm they were surpriz'd,
There speak, and strike, brave boys, and take your And curtain'd with a counsel-keeping cave, -
turns!

We may, each wreathed in the other's arms,
There serve your last, shadow'd from heaven's eye, Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber;
And revel in Lavinia's treasury !

Whilst hounds, and horns, and sweet melodious birds, Chi. Thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice. Be onto us as is a nurse's song Dem. Sit fus aut nefas, till I find the stream Of lullaby, to bring her babe asleep. To cool this heat, a charm to calm these fits, Aar. Madain, though Venus govern your desires, Per Stygu, per manes vehor.

(Exeunt. Saturn is dominator over mine :

What signifies my deadly-standing eye,
SCENE 11. – A forest near Rome. A lodge seen My silence, and my cloudy melancholy?
at a distance. Horns, and cry of hounds, heard. My fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls,
Enter Titus Andronicus, with Hunters, etc. Marcus, Even as an adder, when she doth unroll
Lucits, QUINTUS, and Martius.

To do some fatal execution?
Tit. The hunt is up, the morn is bright and grey, No, madam, these are no venereal signs;
The fields are fragrant, and the woods are green : Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand!
Uncouple here, and let us make a bay,

Blood and revenge are hammering in
And wake the emperor and his lovely bride, Hark, Tamora, – the empress of my soul,
Aud rouse the prince: and ring a hunter's peal, Which

never hopes more heaven, than rests in thee, -
That all the court may echo with the noise. This is the day of doom for Bassianus ;
Sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours, His Philomel must lose her tongue to-day
To tend the emperor's person carefully!

Thy sons make pillage of her chastity,
I have been troubled in my sleep this night, And wash their hands in Bassianus' blood.
But dawning day new comfort hath inspir’d. Seest thou this letter? take it up, I pray thee

,
Horns wind a peal. Enter SATURNINCS, Tamora, And give the king this fatal-plotted scroll! -
Bassians, Lavinia, Carros, Demetrius, and 41-Now question me no more, we are espied;
tendunts.

Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty, Tit. Many good-morrows to your majesty!- Which dreads not yet their lives destruction. Madam, to you as many and as good !

Tam. Ah, mysweet Moor, sweeter to me than life! I promised your grace a hunter's peal

Aar. No more, great empress, Bassianus cones!

a

my

head.

Be cross with him; and I'll go fetch thy sons Your mother's hand shall right your mother's wrong:
To back thy quarrels, whatsoe'er they be. [Exit. Dem. Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her!
Enter BASSIANU's and LAVINIA.

First, thrash the corn, then after burn the straw:
Bas. Whom have we here? Rome's royal empress, This minion stood upon her chastity,
Uufurnish'd of her well-beseeming troop? Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty
Or is it Dian, habited like her,

And with that painted hope braves your mightiness :
Who hath abandoned her holy groves,

And shall she carry this unto her grave?
To see the general hunting in this forest?

Chi. An if she do, I would I were an eunuch.
Tam. Saucy controller of our private steps ! Drag hence her husband to some secret hole,
Had I the power, that, some say, Dian had, And make his dead trunk pillow to our lust.
Thy temples should be planted presently

Tam. But when you have the honey you desire,
With horns, as was Actaeon's; and the hounds, Let not this wasp out-live, us both to sting.
Should drive upon thy new-transformed limbs, Chi. I warrant you, madam! we will make that
Unmannerly intruder as thou art!

sure! -
Lav. Under your patience, gentle emperess, Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy
'Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning ; That nice-preserved honesty of yours !
And to be doubted, that your Moor and you Lav. 0 Tamora! thou bear'st a woman's face,
Are singled forth to try experiments :

Tam, I will not hear her speak; away with her!
Jove shield your husband from his hounds to-day! Lav. Sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word !
'Tis pity, they should take him for a stag. Dem. Listen, fair madans! Let it be your glory
Bas. Believe me, queen, your swarth Cimmerian To see her tears; but be your heart to them,
Doth make your honour of his body's hue, As unrelenting flint to drops of rain.
Spotted, detested, and abominable.

Lav. When did the tiger's young ones teach the
Why are you séquester'd from all your train ?

dam ? Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed, 0, do not learn her wrath ; she taught it thee: And wander'd hither to an obscure plot,

The milk thou suck’dst from her, did turn to marble;
Accompanied with a barbarous Moor,

Even at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny: -
If foul desire had not conducted you?

Yet every mother breeds not sons alike;
Lav. And, being intercepted in your sport,

Do thou entreat her show a woman pity.
Great reason that my noble lord be rated

( To Chiron. For sauciness. - I pray you, let us hence,

Chi. What! would'st thou have me prove myself And let her 'joy her raven-colour'd love;

a bastard ?
This valley fits the purpose passing well.

Lav. 'Tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark;
Bas. The king, my brother, shall have note of this. Yet have I heard, (0 could I find it now!)
Lav. Ay, for these slips have made him noted long : The lion, mov'd with pity, did endure
Good king! to be so mightily abus'd !

To have his princely paws par'd all away:
Tam. Why have I patience to endure all this? Some say, that ravens foster forlorn children,
Enter Chiron and DEMETRIUS.

The whilst their own birds famish in their nests : Dem. How now, dear sovereign, and our gracious o, be to me, though thy hard heart say no, mother,

Nothing so kind, but something pitiful!
Why does your highness look so pale and wan? Tam. I know not what it means; away with her!
Tum. Have I not reason, think you, to look pale? Lav. 0, let :ne teach thee! for my father's sake,
These two have 'tic'd me hither to this place, That gave thee life, when well he might have slain
A barren detested vale, you see, it is !

thee,
The trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean, Be not obdurate, open thy deaf ears!
O'ercome with moss, and baleful misletoe.

Tam. Hadst thou in person ne'er offended me,
Here never shines the sun; here nothiug breeds, Even for his sake am i pitiless :
Unless the nigthly owl, or fatal raven.

Remember, boys, I pour'd forth tears in vain,
And, when they show'd me this abhorred pit, To save your brother from the sacrifice;
They told me here, at dead time of the night, But fierce Andronicus would not relent:
A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes, Therefore away with her, and use her as you will;
Ten thousand swelling toads, as many urchins, The worse to her, the better lov'd of me!
Would make such fearful and confused cries, Lav. 0. Tamora, be call's a gentle queen,
As any mortal body, hearing it,

And with thine own hands kill me in this place!
Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. For ’ris not life, that I have begg'd so long;
No sooner had they told this hellish tale,

Poor I was slain, when Bassianus died!
But straight they told me, they would bind me here Tam. What begg'st thou then? fond woman, let
Unto the body of a dismal yew;

me go!
And leave me to this miserable death.

Lav. 'Tis present death I beg; and one thing more,
And then they call'd me, foul adulteress,

That womanhood denies my tongue to tell :
Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms o, keep me from their worse than killing lust,
That ever ear did hear to such etlect.

And tumble me into some loathsome pit;
And, had you not by wondrous fortune come, Where never man's eye may behold my body!
This vengeance on me had they executed.

Do this, and be a charitable murderer!
Revenge it, as you love your mother's life, Tam. So should I rob my sweet soos of their fee :
Or be ye not from henceforth call'd my children ! No, let them satisfy their last on thee!
Dem. This is a witness that I am thy son.

Dem. Away, for thou hast staid us here too long!

[Stabs Bassianus. Lav. No grace? no womanhood ? Ah, beastly crea-
Chi. And this for me, struck home to shew my ture!
strength.

[Stabbing him likewise. The blot and enemy to our general name!
Lav. Ay come, Semiramis,-nay, barbarous Tamora! Confusion fall –
For no name fits thy nature but thy own!

Chi. Nay, then I'll stop your mouth! - Bring thou
Tam. Give me thy poniard ! you shall know, my boysol her husband; (Dragging off Lavinia.

(Giving a letter.

This is the hole where Aaron bide us hide him.

Enter SATURNINUS and AABOX.

[Exeunt. Sat. Along with me!-- I'll see what hole is here, E Tam. Farewell, my sons! see, that you make her And what he is, that now is leap'd into it. -sure!

Say, who art thou, that lately didst descend
Ne'er let my heart know merry cheer indeed,
Till all the Andronici be made away.

Into this gaping hollow of the earth?

Mart. The unhappy son of old Andronicus; Now will I hence to seek my lovely Moor,

Brought hither in a most unlucky hour,
And let my spleenful sons this trull deflow'r. (Exit. To find thy brother Bassianus dead.

Sat. My brother dead? I know, thou dost but
SCENE IV. - The same.

jest ; Enter Aaron, with Qurates and MARTIUS.

lle and his lady both are at the lodge,

Upon the north side of this pleasant chase ;
Aar. Come on, my lords! the better foot before! 'Tis not an hour since I left him there.
Straight will I bring you to the loatlısome pit, Murt. We know not where you left him all alive,
Where I espy'd the panther fast asleep:

But, ont alas! here have we found him dead.
Quin. My sight is very dull, whate'er it bodes. Enter TAMOPA, with Attendants; Titus Andiost-
Mart. And mine, I promise you; wer't not for

CUS, and Lucius. shame,

Tam. Where is my lord the king?
Well could I leave our sport to sleep awhile. Sat. Here, Tamora! though griev'd with killing

(Martius falls into the pit. grief,
Quin. What, art thou fallen? What subtle hole is Tam. Where is thy brother Bassianus ?
this,

Sat. Now to the bottom dost thou search my wound;
Whose mouth is cover'd with rude-growing briars; Poor Bassianus here lies murdered.
Upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood, Tam. Then all too late I bring this fatal writ,
As fresh as morning's dew distillid on flowers ?
A very fatal place it seems to me:-

The complot of this timeless tragedy;
Speak, brother, hast thou hurt thee with the fall? And wonder greatly that mau's face can fold

Mart. O brother, with the dismallest object In pleasing seniles such murderons tyranvy.
That ever eye, with sight, made heart lament. Sat. (Reads. ] An if we miss to meet him hand-
Aar. [ Aside. ] Now will I fetch the king to find suinely, --
them here;

Sweet huntsman, Bassianus 'tis, we inean, --
That he thereby may give a likely guess,

Do thou so much as dig the grave for him; How these were they that made away his brother. Thou know'st our meaning. Look for thy reward

[Exit Aaron. Among the nettles at the elder tree,
Mart. Why dost not comfort me, and help me out which overshades the mouth of that same pit,
From this uhallow'd and blood-stained hole? Where we decreeıl to bury Bassianus.

Quin. I am surprised with an uncouth fear: Do this, and purchase us thy lasting friends.
A chilling sweat o'er-runs my trembling joints; i 0, Tamora! was ever heard the like?
My heart suspects more, than mine eye can see. This is the pit, and this the elder-tree.

Klart. To prove thou hast a true-diviuing heart, Look, sirs, if you can find the huntsman out,
Aaron and thou look down into this den,

That should have murder'l Bassiаuns here.
And see a fearful sight of blood and death.

dur. My gracious lord, here is the bag of gol!! Quin. Aaron is gone; and my compassionate heart Will not permit mine eyes once to behold

Sat. Two of thy whelps, (T. Tit.) fell curs of The thing, wherent it trembles by surmise :

bloody kind, 0, tell me how it is! for ne'er till now

Have here bereft my brother of his life:Was I a child, to fear I know not what.

Sirs, drag them from the pit onto the prison; Mart. Lord Bassianus lies embrewed here, There let them bide, until we have devis'd All on a heap, like to a slaughter'd lamb,

Some never-heard of torturing pain for them, In this detested, dark, blood-drinking pit. Tam. What, are they in this pit? O wondrous Quin. If it be dark, how dost thou kuow 'tis he?

thing! Dlart. Upon his bloody finger he doth wear How easily murder is discovered! A precious ring, that lightens all the hole,

Tit. High emperor, upon my feeble knee
Which, like a taper in some monument,

I beg this boon, with tears not lightly shed,
Doth shine upon the dead man's earthy cheeks, That this fell fault of my accursed sous,
And shows the ragged entrails of this pit: Accursed, if the fault be prov'd in them
So pale did shine the moon ou Pyramus,

Sat. If it be prov'l! you see, it is apparent! When lie by night lay bath'd in inaiden blood. Who found this letter? Tamara, was it you? O brother, help me with thy fainting hand,

Tam. Andronicus himself did take it up. if fear hath made thee faint, as me it hath, Tic. I did, my lord ! yet let me be their bail: Out of this fell devouring receptacle,

For by my father's reverend tomb, I vow, As hateful as Cocytus' misty mouth.

They shall be ready at your lighness' will, Quin. Reach me thy hand, that I may help thee To answer their suspicion with their lives. out;

Sat. Thou shalt not bail them ; see, thor folOr, wanting strength to do thee so much good,

low me! I may be pluck'd into the swallowing womb

Some bring the murder'd body, some the murderers: of this deep pit, poor Bassianus' grave.

Let them not speak a word, the guilt is plain; I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink. | For, by my soul, were there worse eud than death, Dlart. Nor I no strength to climb without thy help. That end upon them should be executed. Quin. Thy hand once more; I will not loose again, Tam. Andronicus, I will evtreat the fingi Till thou art here aloft, or I below:

Fear nol thy sons, they shall do well enougli Thou canst not come to me, I come to thee!

Tit. Come, Lucius, come! stay not to talk with [ Falls in. them!

(Show'uga

[Exeuni severaln.