Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus? Tit. Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I make, Crown him, and say,-Long live our emperor! [A long flourish. Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts, Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart, Presents well worthy Rome's imperial lord: Tit. Now, madam, are you prisoner to an empe ror; [To Tamora. To him, that for your honour and your state, Will use you nobly, and your followers. Sat. A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue That I would choose, were I to choose anew.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, Can make you greater than the queen of Goths.Lavinia, you are not displeas'd with this? Lav. Not I, my lord; sith true nobility Warrants these words in princely courtesy. 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 [Seizing Lavinia. Tit. How, sir? Are you in earnest then, my lord? Bas. Ay, noble Titus; and resolv'd withal, mine. 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 surpriz'd. Sat. Surpriz'd! By whom? Bas. By him that justly may Bear his betroth'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, In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son. Tit. Nor thou, nor he, are any sons of mine; My sons would never so dishonour me: Traitor, restore Lavinia to the emperor. Luc. Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife, That is another's lawful promis'd love. [Exit. Sat. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not, Not her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock: I'll trust, by leisure, him that mocks me once; Was there none else in Rome to make a stale of, Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine, Sat. But go thy ways; go, give that changing piece To him that flourish'd for her with his sword: One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons, To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome. Tit. These words are razors to my wounded heart. Sat. And therefore, lovely Tamora, queen of That, like the stately Phoebe 'mongst her nymphs, 4 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 re-salute the streets of Rome, Or climb my palace, till from forth this place 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, [Exeunt Saturninus, and his followers; Tamora, 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. This monument five hundred years hath stood, Which I have sumptuously re-edified: |