But, if I live, his feigned ecstasies

Shall be no shelter to these outrages:

But he and his shall know, that Justice lives
In Saturninus' health; whom, if she sleep,
He'll so awake, as she in fury shall
Cut off the proud'st conspirator that lives.

Tam. My gracious lord, my lovely Saturnine,
Lord of my life, commander of my thoughts,
Calm thee, and bear the faults of Titus' age,
The effects of sorrow for his valiant sons,

Whose loss hath pierced him deep, and scarr'd his heart;

And rather comfort his distressed plight,

[aside.

Than prosecute the meanest, or the best,
For these contempts. Why, thus it shall become
High-witted Tamora to gloze 1 with all.
But, Titus, I have touch'd thee to the quick,
Thy life-blood out: if Aaron now be wise,
Then is all safe, the anchor 's in the port.

Enter CLOWN.

How now, good fellow? wouldst thou speak with us?

Clown. Yes, forsooth, an your mistership be im

perial.

Tam. Empress I am, but yonder sits the emperor. Clown. "Tis he. God, and saint Stephen, give

1 Flatter.

you good den: I have brought you a letter, and a couple of pigeons here. [Saturninus reads the letter.

Sat. Go, take him away, and hang him presently.
Clown. How much money must I have?

Tam. Come, sirrah, you must be hanged. Clown. Hanged! By 'r lady, then I have brought up a neck to a fair end. [Exit, guarded. Sat. Despiteful and intolerable wrongs! Shall I endure this monstrous villany?

I know from whence this same device proceeds.
May this be borne ?—as if his traitorous sons,
That died by law for murder of our brother,
Have by my means been butcher'd wrongfully!
Go, drag the villain hither by the hair;
Nor age nor honor shall shape privilege :
For this proud mock, I'll be thy slaughterman,
Sly, frantic wretch, that holp'st to make me great,
In hope thyself should govern Rome and me.

Enter EMILIUS.

What news with thee, Æmilius ?

Em. Arm, arm, my lords: Rome never had more

cause.

The Goths have gather'd head; and, with a power Of high-resolved men, bent to the spoil,

They hither march amain, under conduct

Of Lucius, son to old Andronicus;

Who threats, in course of this revenge, to do

1 Good even.

As much as ever Coriolanus did.

Sat. Is warlike Lucius general of the Goths? These tidings nip me; and I hang the head,

As flowers with frost, or grass beat down with

storms.

Ay, now begin our sorrows to approach.
"Tis he the common people love so much :
Myself hath often overheard them say,
When I have walked like a private man,
That Lucius' banishment was wrongfully,

And they have wish'd that Lucius were their emperor.

Tam. Why should you fear? is not your city strong?

Sat. Ay, but the citizens favor Lucius; And will revolt from me, to succour him.

Tam. King, be thy thoughts imperious,1 like thy

name.

Is the sun dimm'd, that gnats do fly in it?
The eagle suffers little birds to sing,
And is not careful what they mean thereby;
Knowing, that with the shadow of his wings,
He can at pleasure stint 2 their melody:
Even so mayst thou the giddy men of Rome.
Then cheer thy spirit: for know, thou emperor,
I will enchant the old Andronicus,

With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous,
Than baits to fish, or honey-stalks' to sheep;

1i. e. imperial.

2 Stop.

3 Clover-flowers.

When as the one is wounded with the bait,
The other rotted with delicious feed.

Sat. But he will not entreat his son for us.
Tam. If Tamora entreat him, then he will:
For I can smoothe, and fill his aged ear
With golden promises; that were his heart
Almost impregnable, his old ears deaf;—
Yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue.
Go thou before; be our ambassador: [to Æmilius.
Say, that the emperor requests a parley

Of warlike Lucius; and appoint the meeting,
Even at his father's house, the old Andronicus.
Sat. Æmilius, do this message honorably:
And if he stand on hostage for his safety,
Bid him demand what pledge will please him best.
Em. Your bidding shall I do effectually.

[Exit Emilius. Tam. Now will I to that old Andronicus;

And temper him, with all the art I have,
To pluck proud Lucius from the warlike Goths.
And now, sweet emperor, be blithe again,

And bury all thy fear in my devices.

Sat. Then go successfully, and plead to him.

[Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE 1.

Plains near Rome.

Enter LUCIUS and Goths, with drum and colors.

Lucius. Approved warriors, and my faithful friends,

I have received letters from great Rome,

Which signify, what hate they bear their emperor,
And how desirous of our sight they are.

Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness,
Imperious, and impatient of your wrongs;
And, wherein Rome hath done you any scath,1
Let him make treble satisfaction.

1 Goth. Brave slip, sprung from the great Andronicus,

Whose name was once our terror, now our com

fort;

Whose high exploits and honorable deeds

Ingrateful Rome requites with foul contempt;-
Be bold in us; we'll follow where thou lead'st,
Like stinging bees in hottest summer's day,

Led by their master to the flower'd fields,

And be avenged on cursed Tamora.

Goths. And, as he saith, so say we all with him.

1 Harm.