Chi. Was ever Scythia half so barbarous? To tremble under Titus' threatening looks. Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent, May favour Tamora, the Queen of Goths When Goths were Goths and Tamora was queen To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes. 140 Re-enter LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and MUTIUS, with their swords bloody. Luc. See, lord and father, how we have perform'd Our Roman rites: Alarbus' limbs are lopp'd, And entrails feed the sacrificing fire, Whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky. Make this his latest farewell to their souls. [Trumpets sounded, and the coffin laid in the tomb. In peace and honour rest you here, my sons; In peace and honour rest you here, my sons! Enter LAVINIA. Lav. In peace and honour live Lord Titus long; I render, for my brethren's obsequies; O, bless me here with thy victorious hand, Tit. Kind Rome, that hast thus lovingly reserved Lavinia, live; outlive thy father's days, And fame's eternal date, for virtue's praise! 150 160 Enter, below, MARCUS ANDRONICUS and Tribunes; re-enter SATURNINUS and BASSIANUS, attended. Marc. Long live Lord Titus, my beloved brother, Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome!. Tit. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Marcus. That in your country's service drew your swords: Tit. A better head her glorious body fits 170 180 190 200 Marc. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery. Andronicus, would thou wert shipp'd to hell, Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good That noble-minded Titus means to thee! Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee 210 The people's hearts, and wean them from themselves. But honour thee, and will do till I die: My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends, I will most thankful be; and thanks to nien Of noble minds is, honourable meed. Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes here, Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus? Til. Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I make, Crown him, and say "Long live our emperor !" Lord Saturninus Rome's great emperor, 220 230 [A long flourish till they come down. Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done. To us in our election this day, I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts, And will with deeds requite thy gentleness; Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart, And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse: Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee? Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life! Romans, forget your fealty to me. 240 250 Tit. [To Tamora] Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor; 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: 260 Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer, Daunt all your hopes: madam, he comforts you Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia. Romans, let us go: 270 [Flourish. Saturninus courts Tamora in dumb show. 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 resolved withal To do myself this reason and this right. Marc. Suum cuique" is our Roman justice: This prince in justice seizeth but his own. Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live. 279 Tit. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the emperor's guard? Treason, my lord! Lavinia is surprised! Sat. Surprised! by whom? By him that justly may [Exeunt Bassianus and Marcus 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. Tit. Barr'st me my way in Rome? What, villain boy! 290 [Stabbing Mutius. Help, Lucius, help! [Dies. Mut. [During the fray, Saturninus, Tamora, Demetrius, Chiron and Aaron go out and re-enter, above. Re-enter LUCIUS. 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: Luc. Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife, Sat. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not, Was there none else in Rome to make a stale, Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine, [Exit. 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 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 espoused 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. 300 310 320 330 Sat. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon. Lords, accompany Your noble emperor and his lovely bride, Sent by the heavens for Prince Saturnine, Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered: There shall we consummate our spousal rites. [Exeunt all but Titus. 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? 340 |