My sons would never so dishonour me :

Quin. He that would vouch't in any place but here Traitor, restore Lavinia to the emperor.

Tit. What, would you bury him in my despite ? Luc. Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife, Mar. No, noble Titus; but entreat of thee That is another's lawful promis'd love. (Erit. To pardon Mutius, and to bury him.

Sat. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not, Tit. Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest, Not her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock :

And, with these boys, mine honour thou has* I'll trust, by leisure, him that mocks me once;

wounded: Thee never, nor thy traitorous haughty sons, My foes I do repute you every one; Confederates all thus to dishonour me.

So trouble me no more, but get you gone. Was there none else in Rome to make a stale of, Mart. He is not with himself; let us withdraw. But Saturnine ? Full well, Andronicus,

Quin. Not I, till Mutius' bones be buried. Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine,

(Marcus and the sons of Titus kneel. That said’st, I begg'd the empire at thy hands. Mar. Brother, for in that name doth nature plead. Tit. O monstrous ! what reproachfül words are Quin. Father, and in that name doth nature speak. these?

Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed. Sat. But go thy ways; go, give that changing piece Mar. Renowned Titus, more than half my soul, To him that flourish'd for her with his sword :

Luc. Dear father, soul and substance of us all, A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy;

Mar. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons,

His noble nephew here in virtue's nest,
To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome.

That died in honour and Lavinia's cause.
Tit. These words are razors to my wounded heart. Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous.
Sat. And therefore, lovely Tamora, queen of The Greeks, upon advice, did bury Ajax
Goths, -

That slew himself and wise Laertes son
That like the stately Phæbe 'mongst her nymphs, Did graciously plead for his funerals.
Dost overshine the gallant'st dames of Rome, - Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy,
If thou be pleas'd with this my sudden choice, Be barr'd his entrance here.
Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride,

Tit.

Rise, Marcus, rise :And will create thee emperess of Rome.

The dismall'st day is this, that e'er I saw, Speak, queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice? To be dishonour'd by my sons in Rome ! And here I swear by all the Roman Gods,

Well, bury hiin, and bury me the next. Sith priest and holy water are so near,

(Mutius is put into the tomb. And tapers burn so bright, and every thing

Luc. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutins, with thy In readiness for Hymeneus stand,

friends, I will not re-salute the streets of Rome,

Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb!-
Or climb my palace, till from forth this place All. No man shed tears for noble Mutius;
I lead espous'd my bride along with me. (swear, 'He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause.

Tam. And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome I Mar. My lord, -to step out of these dreary If Saturnine advance the queen of Goths,

dumps, She will a handmaid be to his desires,

How comes it, that the subtle queen of Goths A loving nurse, a mother to his youth. [company is of a sudden thus advanc'd in Rome ?

Sat. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon :- Lords, ac- Tit. I know not, Marcus; but, I know, it is; Your noble emperor, and his lovely bride,

Whether by device, or no, the heavens can tell : Sent by the heavens for prince Saturnine,

Is she not then beholden to the man Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquer'd: That brought her for this high good turn so far? There shall we consummate our spousal rites. Yes, and will nobly him remunerate. [Ereunt SATURNINUS, and his Followers ; TAMORA, and her sons ; AARON, and Goths.

Flourish. Re-enter at one side, SATURNINUS, at. Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride ;

tended; TamorA, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, and Titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone,

Aaron: At the other, BASSIANUS, LAVINIA, and Dishonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs ?

others.

Sat. So, Bassianus, you have play'd your prize ; Re-enter Marcus, Lucius, Quintus, and Martius. God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride.

Mar. O, Titus, see, O, see, what thou hast done! Bas. And you of yours, my lord: I say no more, In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son.

Nor wish no less; and so I take my leave. Tit. No, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine, Sat. Traitor, if Rome have law, or we have power, Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape. That hath dishonour'd all our family;

Bas. Rape, call you it, my lord, to seize my own, Unworthy brother, and unworthy sons !

My true-betrothed love, and now my wife ? Luc. But let us give him burial, as becomes ; But let the laws of Rome determine all; Give Mutius burial with our brethren.

Mean while I am possess'd of that is mine. Tit. Traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb. Sat. 'Tis good, sir: You are very short with us; This monument five hundred years hath stood, But, if we live, we'll be as sharp with you. Which I have sumptuously re-edified:

Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best as I may, Here none but soldiers, and Rome's servitors, Answer I must, and shall do with my life. Repose in fame; none basely slain in brawls :- Only thus much I give your grace to know, Bury him where you can, he comes not here. By all the duties that I owe to Rome, Mar. My lord, this is impiety in you :

This noble gentleman, lord Titus here,
My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him ; Is in opinion, and in honour, wrong'd;
He must be buried with his brethren.

That, in the rescue of Lavinia,
Quin. Mart. And sball, or him we will accompany. With his own hand did slay his youngest son,
Tit. And shall ? What villain was it spoke that In zeal to you, and highly mov'd to wrath
word ?

To be controllid in that he frankly gave:

Receive him then to favour, Saturnine;

You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends : That hath express'd himself, in all his deeds, This day shall be a love-day, Tamora. A father, and a friend, to thee, and Rome.

Tit. To-morrow, an it please your majesty, Tit. Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds; To hunt the panther and the hart with me, 'Tis thou, and those, that have dishonour'd me : With horn and hound, we'll give your grace bon-jour. Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge, Sat. Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too. (Ereunt. 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 ;

ACT II. And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.

Sat. W bat! madam! be dishonour'd openly, And basely put it up without revenge ? [fend,

SCENE I.— The sume. Before the Palace. Tam. Not so, my lord; The gods of Rome fore

Enter AARON. I should be author to dishonour you!

Aar. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top, But, on mine honour, dare I undertake

Safe out of fortune's shot; and sits aloft, For good lord Titus' innocence in all,

Secure of thunder's crack, or lightning's flash; Whose fury, not dissembled, speaks his griefs : Advanc'd above pale envy's threat’ning reach. Then, at my suit, look graciously on him ; As when the golden sun salutes the morn, Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose,

And, having gilt the ocean with his beams, Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.

Gallops the zodiack in his glistering coach, My lord, be rul'd by me, be won at last,

And overlooks the highest-peering hills; Dissemble all your griefs and discontents :

So Tamora.You are but newly planted in your throne:

Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait, Lest then the people, and patricians too,

And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown. Upon a just survey, take T'itus' part,

Then, Aaron, arm thy heart, and fit thy thoughts, And so supplant us for ingratitude,

To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress, (Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,)

And mount her pitch ; whom thou in triumph long Yield at entreats, and then let me alone; Aside. Hast prisoner held, fetter'd in amorous chains ; I'll find a day to massacre them all,

And faster bound to Aaron's charming eyes, And raze their faction, and their family,

Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus, The cruel father, and his traitorous sous,

Away with slavish weeds, and idle thoughts ! To whom I sued for my dear son's life ;

I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold, And make them know, what 'tis to let a To wait upon this new-made emperess. queen

To wait, said I ? to wanton with this queen, Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace in This goddess, this Semiramis ;—This queen, vain.

This syren, that will charm Rome's Saturnine, Come, come, sweet emperor,-come, Andronicus,

And see his shipwreck, and his commonweal's. Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart Holla! what storm is this? That dies in tempest of thy angry frown. Sat. Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath prevaild.

Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braving. Tit. I thank your majesty, and her, my lord : Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.

edge, Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,

And manners, to intrude where I am grac'd; A Roman now adopted happily,

And may, for aught thou know'st, affected be. And must advise the emperor for his good.

Chi. Demetrius, thou dost over-ween in all ; This day all quarrels die, Andronicus ;

And so in this to bear me down with braves. And let it be mine honour, good iny lord,

'Tis not the difference of a year, or two, That I have reconcil'd your friends and you.- Makes me less gracious, thee more fortunate : For you, prince Bassianus, I have pass'd

I am as able, and as fit, as thou, My word and promise to the emperor,

To serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace; That you will be more mild and tractable.

And that my sword upon thee shall approve, And fear not, lords,—and you, Lavinia;

And plead my passions for Lavinia's love. By my advice, all humbled on your knees,

Aar. Clubs, clubs! these lovers will not keep the You shall ask pardon of his majesty. (ness,

peace.
Luc. We do, and vow to heaven, and to his high- Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadvis’d,
That, what we did, was mildly, as we might, Gave you a dancing-rapier by your side,
Tend'ring our sister's honour, and our own. Are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends!

Mar. That on mine honour here I do protest. Go to: have your lath glued within your sheath,
Sat. Away, and talk not; trouble us no more.- Till you know better how to handle it.
Tam. Nay, nay, sweat emp?roi, we must all be Cii. Mean while, sir, witb the little skill I have,
friends:

Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare. The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace ; Dem. Ay, boy, grow ye so brave ?

| They draw. I will not be denied. Sweet heart, look back. Aar.

Why, how now, lords i Sat. Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brother's here, so near the emperor's palace dare you draw, And at my lovely Tamora's entreats,

And maintain such a quarrel openly ? I do remit

' these young men's heinous faults. Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge; Stand up.

I would not for a million of gold, Lavinia, though you left me like a chur),

The cause were known to them it most concerns : I found a friend : and sure as death I swore, Nor would your noble mother, for much more, I would not part a bachelor from the priest. Be so dishonour'd in the court of Roine. Come, if the emperor's court can feast two brides, For shame, put up.

Dem.

Not I; till I have sheath'd Single you thither then this dainty doe, My rapier in his bosom, and, withal,

And strike her home by force, if not by words: Thrust these reproachful speeches down his throat, This way, or not at all, stand you in hope That he hath breath'd in my dishonour here. Come, come, our empress, with her sacred wit,

Chi. For that I am prepar'd and full resolv'd, - To villainy and vengeance consecrate, Foul-spoken coward! that thunder'st with thy tongue, Will we acquaint with all that we intend; And with thy weapon nothing dar’st perform. And she shall file our engines with advice, Aar. Away, I say.

That will not suffer you to square yourselves, Now by the gods, that warlike Goths adore, But to your wishes' height advance you both. This petty brabble will undo us all.

The emperor's court is like the house of fame, Why, lords,—and think you not how dangerous The palace full of tongues, of eyes, of

ears : It is to jut upon a prince's right?

The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf, and dull; What, is Lavinia then become so loose,

There speak, and strive, brave boys, and take your Or Bassianus so degenerate,

turns: That for her love such quarrels may be broach'd, There serve your lust, shadow'd from heaven's eye, Without controlment, justice, or revenge ?

And revel in Lavinia's treasury. Young lords, beware! an should the empress know Chi. Thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice. This discord's ground, the musick would not please. Dem. Sit fas aut nefas, till I find the stream

Chi. I care not, I, knew she and all the world : To cool this heat, a charm to calm these fits, I love Lavinia more than all the world.

Per Styga, per manes vehor.

(Eseunt. Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner choice :

SCENE II.-A Forest near Rome. A Lodge seen Lavinia is thine elder brother's hope.

at a distance. Horns and cry of Hounds heard. Aar. Why, are ye mad ? or know ye not, in Rome Enter Titus Andronicus, with Hunters, &c. MARHow furious and impatient they be, And cannot brook competitors in love?

cus, Lucius, Quintus, and MARTINS. I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths

Tit. The hunt is up, the morn is bright and grey, By this device.

The fields are fragrant, and the woods are green: Chi,

Aaron, a thousand deaths Uncouple here, and let us make a bay, Would I propose, to achieve her whom I love. And wake the emperor and his lovely bride, Aar. To achieve her !-How?

And rouse the prince; and ring a hunter's peal, Dem.

Why mak’st thou it so strange ? That all the court may echo with the noise. She is a woman, therefore may be woo'd;

Sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours, She is a woman, therefore may be won;

To tend the emperor's person carefully : She is Lavinia, therefore must be lov’d.

I have been troubled in my sleep this night, What, man! more water glideth by the mill But dawning day new comfort hath inspir’d. Than wots the miller of; and easy it is

Horns wind a peal. Enter SATURNINUS, TAMORA, Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know:

Bassianus, LAVINIA, CHIRON, DEMETrius, and Though Bassianus be the emperor's brother,

Attendants.
Better than he have yet woru Vulcan's badge.
Aar. Ay, and as good as Saturninus may.

(Aside. Madam, to you as many and as good

Tit. Many good morrows to vour majesty ;Dem. Then why should he despair, that knows to court it

I promised your grace a hunter's peal. With words, fair looks, and liberality ?

Sat. And you have rung it lustily, my lords, What, hast thou not full often struck a doe,

Somewhat too early for new-married ladies.

Bas. Lavinia, how say you ?
And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose ? (so

Lav.
Aar. Why then, it seems, some certain snatch or I have been broad awake two hours and more.

I say, no;
Would serve your turns.

Sat. Come on then, horse and chariots let us have, Chi,

Ay, so the turn were serv’d. And to our sport :- Madam, now shall ye see Dem. Aaron, thou hast hit it.

Our Roman hunting.

[To TAMORA Aar. 'Would you had hit it too;

Mar.

I have dogs, my lord, Then should not we be tir'd with this ado.

Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase,
Why, hark ye, hark ye,-And are you such fools,

And climb the highest promontory top.
To square for this ? Would it offend you then
That both should speed ?

Tit. And I have horse will follow where the game Chi. l'faith, not me.

Makes way, and run like swallows o'er the plain.

Dem. Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor Dem.

hound, So I were one.

jar. Aar. For shame, be friends; and join for that vou

But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground. (Ezeunt. 'Tis policy and stratagem must do

SCENE III.-A desert Part of the Forest. That you affect; and so must you resolve; That what you cannot, as you would, achieve,

Enter Aaron, with a bag of gold. You must perforce accomplish as you may.

Aar. He that had wit, would think that I had none,
Take this of me, Lucrece was not more chaste To bury so much gold under a tree,
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus' love.

And never after to inherit it.
A speedier course than lingering languishment Let him, that thinks of nie so abjectly,
Must we pursue, and I have found the path. Know, that this gold must coin a stratagem;
My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand;

Which, cunningly effected, will beget
There will the lovely Roman ladies troo ::

A very excellent picce of villainy: The forest walks are wide and spacious;

And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest, And many unfrequented plots there are,

(Hides the gold. Fitted by kind for rape and villainy:

That have their alms out of the empress' chest.

Nor me,

Accompanied with a barbarous Moor,
Enter Tamora.

If foui desire had not conducted you ?
Tam. My lovely Aaron, wherefore look’st thou sad, Lav. And, being intercepted in your spor,
When every thing doth make a gleeful boast ? Great reason that my noble lord be rated
The birds chaunt melody on every bush ;

For sauciness.- I pray you, let us hence, The snake lies rolled in the cheerful sun;

And let her 'joy her raven-colour'd love; The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind, This valley fits the purpose passing well. And make a chequer'd shadow on the ground: Bas. The king, my brother, shall have note of this. Under their sweet shade, Aaron, let us sit,

Lav. Ay, for these slips have made him noted And-whilst the babbling echo mocks the bounds,

long : Replying shrilly to the well-tun'd horns,

Good king! to be so mightily abus'd ! As if a double hunt were heard at once,

Tam. Why have I patience to endure all this? Let us sit down, and mark their yelling noise : And after conflict, such as was suppos’d

Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS. The wandering prince of Dido once enjoy'd,

Dem. How now, dear sovereign, and our gracious When with a happy storm they were surpriz’d,

mother, And curtain'd with a counsel-keeping cave,- Why doth your highness look so pale and wan ? We may, each wreathed in the other's arms,

Tam. Have I not reason, think you, to look pale ? Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber; These two have 'tic'd me hither to this place, Whiles hounds, and horns, and sweet melodious birds, A barren detested vale you see, it is: Be unto us, as is a nurse's song

The trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean, Of lullaby, to bring her babe asleep.

O’ercome with moss, and baleful misletoe. Aar. Madam, though Venus govern your desires, Here never shines the sun ; here nothing breeds Saturn is dominator over mine :

Unless the nightly owl, or fatal raven. What signifies my deadly-standing eye,

And, when they show'd me this abhorred pit, My silence, and my cloudy melancholy?

They told me, here, at dead time of the night, My fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls, A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes, Even as an adder, when she doth unroll

Ten thousand swelling toads, as many urcbins, To do some fatal execution ?

Would make such fearful and confused cries, No, madam, these are no venereal signs;

As any mortal body, hearing it, Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. Blood and revenge are hammering in my head. No sooner had they told this hellish tale, Hark, Tamora,—the empress of my soul,

But straight they told me, they would bind me here Which never hopes more heaven than rests in thee,- Unto the body of a dismal yew; This is the day of doom for Bassianus;

And leave me to this miserable death. His Philomel must lose her tongue to-day :

And then they call'd me, foul adulteress, Thy sons make pillage of her chastity,

Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms
And wash their hands in Bassianus' blood.

That ever ear did hear to such effect,
Seest thou this letter? take it up, I pray thee, And, had you not by wondrous fortune come,
And give the king this fatal-plotted scroll:- This vengeance on me had they executed :
Now question me no more, we are espied;

Revenge it, as you love your mother's life,
Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty, Or be ye not henceforth call’d my children.
Which dreads not yet their lives' destruction.

Dem. This is a witness that I am thy sun. Tam. Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than life!

(Slabs BASSIANUS. Aar. No more, great empress, Bassianus comes : Chi. And this from me, struck home to show my Be cross with him; and I'll go fetch thy sons

strength.

(Stabbing him likewise. To back thy quarrels, whatsoe'er they be. Erit. Lav. Ay, come, Semiramis,-nay, barbarous Ta.

mora ! Enter BASSIANUS and LAVINIA,

For no name fits thy nature but thy own! (boy Bas. Who have we here ? Rome's royal emperess, your mother's hand shall right your mother's wrong

Tam. Give me thy poniard; you shall know, n. Unfurnish'd of her well-beseeming troop ? Or is it Dian, habited like her;

Dem. Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her Who hath abandoned her holy groves,

First, thrash the corn, then after burn the straw: To see the general hunting in this forest ?

This minion stood upon her chastity, Tam. Saucy controller of our private steps ! Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, Had I the power, that, some say, Dian had, And with that painted hope braves your mightiness : Thy temples should be planted presently

And shall she carry this unto her grave ? With horns, as was Actæon's; and the hounds Chi. An if she do, I would I were an eunuch. Should drive upon thy new-transformed limbs, Drag hence her husband to some secret hole, Unmannerly intruder as thou art !

And make his dead trunk pillow to our lust. Lav. Under your patience, gentle emperess,

Tam. But when you have the honey you desire, 'Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning ; Let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting. And to be doubted, that your Moor and you

Chi. I warrant you, madam; we will make that Are singled forth to try experiments : Jove shield your husband from his hounds to-day! Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy 'Tis pity, they should take him for a stag.

That nice-preserved honesty of yours. Bas. Believe me, queen, your swarth Cimmerian Lav. 0 Tamora! thou bear'st a woman's face, Doth make your honour of his body's bue,

Tam. I will not hear her speak; away with her. Spotted, detested, and abominable.

Lav. Sweet lords, entreat her hear me buta word Why are you sequester'd from all your train ? Dem. Listen, fair madam : Let it be your glory Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed, To see her tears; but be your heart to them, And wander'd hither to ao obscure plot,

As unrelenting flint to drops of rain.

sure.