To him, that for your honour and your state, Sat. A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue [Aside1 [To her.] Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance: Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer, Thou com'st not to be made a scorn in Rome : Princely shall be thy usage every way. Rest on my word, and let not discontent Daunt all your hopes: madam, he comforts you, Lav. Not I, my lord; sith true nobility Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia.-Romans, let us go. Ransomless 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, To do myself this reason and this right. [The Emperor courts TAMORA in dumb show. Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman justice: This prince in justice seizeth but his own. Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live. Tit. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the emperor's guard? Treason, my lord! Lavinia is surpris'd. Sat. Surpris'd! By whom? Bas. By him that justly may Bear his bethroth'd from all the world away. [Exeunt MARCUS and BASSIANUS, with LAVINIA. 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. Luc. My lord, you are unjust; and, more than so, 1 Not in f. e. In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son. Luc. Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife, Was there none else in Rome to make a stale', Tit. O monstrous! what reproachful 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 shalt enjoy; One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons, Tit. These words are razors to my wounded heart. 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 I will not re-salute 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 Your noble emperor, and his lovely bride, 1 A stalking horse. VOL. VI.-19 Sent by the heavens for prince Saturnine, [Exeunt SATURNINUS and his Followers; TAMORA, 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 done! In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son. 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. Here none but soldiers, and Rome's servitors, My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him: Quin. Mart. And shall, or him we will accompany. 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. Mar. He is not' himself: let us withdraw awhile. [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, 1 not with: in f. e. 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. Rise, Marcus, rise. Tit. [MUTIUS is put into the Tomb. 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 Is of a sudden thus advanc'd in Rome ? Tit. I know not, Marcus, but I know it is; That brought her for this high good turn so far? Flourish. Re-enter, at one side, SATURNINUS, attended; 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. 'T is good, sir: you are very short with us; But, if we live, we 'll be as sharp with you. 1 folio sullen; a dump was originally a strain of music, or a poem. 2 This line is not in the quartos. Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best I may, With his own hand did slay his youngest son, Tit. Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds: Tam. My worthy lord, if ever Tamora Tam. Not so, my lord: the gods of Rome forefend, I should be author to dishonour you! But, on mine honour, dare I undertake Whose fury, not dissembled, speaks his griefs. Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart. My lord, be rul'd by me, be won at last; [Aside to SAT. |