第2章
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  FallsinEnterSATURNINUSwithAARONSATURNINUSAlongwithme:I’llseewhatholeishere,Andwhatheisthatnowisleap’dintoit。

  SaywhoartthouthatlatelydidstdescendIntothisgapinghollowoftheearth?MARTIUSTheunhappysonofoldAndronicus:

  Broughthitherinamostunluckyhour,TofindthybrotherBassianusdead。SATURNINUSMybrotherdead!Iknowthoudostbutjest:

  HeandhisladybothareatthelodgeUponthenorthsideofthispleasantchase;

  ’TisnotanhoursinceIlefthimthere。MARTIUSWeknownotwhereyoulefthimallalive;

  But,out,alas!herehavewefoundhimdead。

  Re-enterTAMORA,withAttendants;TITUSANDRONICUS,andLuciusTAMORAWhereismylordtheking?SATURNINUSHere,Tamora,thoughgrievedwithkillinggrief。TAMORAWhereisthybrotherBassianus?SATURNINUSNowtothebottomdostthousearchmywound:

  PoorBassianushereliesmurdered。TAMORAThenalltoolateIbringthisfatalwrit,Thecomplotofthistimelesstragedy;

  Andwondergreatlythatman’sfacecanfoldInpleasingsmilessuchmurderoustyranny。

  ShegivethSATURNINUSaletterSATURNINUS[Reads]’Anifwemisstomeethimhandsomely——

  Sweethuntsman,Bassianus’tiswemean——

  Dothousomuchasdigthegraveforhim:

  Thouknow’stourmeaning。LookforthyrewardAmongthenettlesattheelder-treeWhichovershadesthemouthofthatsamepitWherewedecreedtoburyBassianus。

  Dothis,andpurchaseusthylastingfriends。’

  OTamora!waseverheardthelike?

  Thisisthepit,andthistheelder-tree。

  Look,sirs,ifyoucanfindthehuntsmanoutThatshouldhavemurderedBassianushere。AARONMygraciouslord,hereisthebagofgold。SATURNINUS[ToTITUS]Twoofthywhelps,fellcursofbloodykind,Haveherebereftmybrotherofhislife。

  Sirs,dragthemfromthepituntotheprison:

  ThereletthembideuntilwehavedevisedSomenever-heard-oftorturingpainforthem。TAMORAWhat,aretheyinthispit?Owondrousthing!

  Howeasilymurderisdiscovered!TITUSANDRONICUSHighemperor,uponmyfeeblekneeIbegthisboon,withtearsnotlightlyshed,Thatthisfellfaultofmyaccursedsons,Accursedifthefaultbeprovedinthem,——SATURNINUSIfitbeproved!youseeitisapparent。

  Whofoundthisletter?Tamora,wasityou?TAMORAAndronicushimselfdidtakeitup。TITUSANDRONICUSIdid,mylord:yetletmebetheirbail;

  For,bymyfather’sreverendtomb,IvowTheyshallbereadyatyourhighness’willToanswertheirsuspicionwiththeirlives。SATURNINUSThoushaltnotbailthem:seethoufollowme。

  Somebringthemurder’dbody,somethemurderers:

  Letthemnotspeakaword;theguiltisplain;

  For,bymysoul,werethereworseendthandeath,Thatenduponthemshouldbeexecuted。TAMORAAndronicus,Iwillentreattheking;

  Fearnotthysons;theyshalldowellenough。TITUSANDRONICUSCome,Lucius,come;staynottotalkwiththem。

  ExeuntSCENEIV。Anotherpartoftheforest。EnterDEMETRIUSandCHIRONwithLAVINIA,ravished;herhandscutoff,andhertonguecutoutDEMETRIUSSo,nowgotell,anifthytonguecanspeak,Who’twasthatcutthytongueandravish’dthee。CHIRONWritedownthymind,bewraythymeaningso,Anifthystumpswilllettheeplaythescribe。DEMETRIUSSee,howwithsignsandtokensshecanscrowl。CHIRONGohome,callforsweetwater,washthyhands。DEMETRIUSShehathnotonguetocall,norhandstowash;

  Andsolet’sleavehertohersilentwalks。CHIRONAn’tweremycase,Ishouldgohangmyself。DEMETRIUSIfthouhadsthandstohelptheeknitthecord。

  ExeuntDEMETRIUSandCHIRON

  EnterMARCUSMARCUSWhoisthis?myniece,thatfliesawaysofast!

  Cousin,aword;whereisyourhusband?

  IfIdodream,wouldallmywealthwouldwakeme!

  IfIdowake,someplanetstrikemedown,ThatImayslumberineternalsleep!

  Speak,gentleniece,whatsternungentlehandsHavelopp’dandhew’dandmadethybodybareOfhertwobranches,thosesweetornaments,Whosecirclingshadowskingshavesoughttosleepin,AndmightnotgainsogreatahappinessAshavethylove?Whydostnotspeaktome?

  Alas,acrimsonriverofwarmblood,Liketoabubblingfountainstirr’dwithwind,Dothriseandfallbetweenthyrosedlips,Comingandgoingwiththyhoneybreath。

  But,sure,someTereushathdefloweredthee,And,lestthoushouldstdetecthim,cutthytongue。

  Ah,nowthouturn’stawaythyfaceforshame!

  And,notwithstandingallthislossofblood,Asfromaconduitwiththreeissuingspouts,YetdothycheekslookredasTitan’sfaceBlushingtobeencounteredwithacloud。

  ShallIspeakforthee?shallIsay’tisso?

  O,thatIknewthyheart;andknewthebeast,ThatImightrailathim,toeasemymind!

  Sorrowconcealed,likeanovenstopp’d,Dothburnthehearttocinderswhereitis。

  FairPhilomela,shebutlosthertongue,Andinatedioussamplersew’dhermind:

  But,lovelyniece,thatmeaniscutfromthee;

  AcraftierTereus,cousin,hastthoumet,Andhehathcutthoseprettyfingersoff,Thatcouldhavebettersew’dthanPhilomel。

  O,hadthemonsterseenthoselilyhandsTremble,likeaspen-leaves,uponalute,Andmakethesilkenstringsdelighttokissthem,Hewouldnotthenhavetouch’dthemforhislife!

  Or,hadheheardtheheavenlyharmonyWhichthatsweettonguehathmade,Hewouldhavedropp’dhisknife,andfellasleepAsCerberusattheThracianpoet’sfeet。

  Come,letusgo,andmakethyfatherblind;

  Forsuchasightwillblindafather’seye:

  Onehour’sstormwilldrownthefragrantmeads;

  Whatwillwholemonthsoftearsthyfather’seyes?

  Donotdrawback,forwewillmournwiththeeO,couldourmourningeasethymisery!

  ExeuntACTIIISCENEI。Rome。Astreet。EnterJudges,SenatorsandTribunes,withMARTIUSandQUINTUS,bound,passingontotheplaceofexecution;TITUSgoingbefore,pleadingTITUSANDRONICUSHearme,gravefathers!nobletribunes,stay!

  Forpityofmineage,whoseyouthwasspentIndangerouswars,whilstyousecurelyslept;

  ForallmybloodinRome’sgreatquarrelshed;

  ForallthefrostynightsthatIhavewatch’d;

  Andforthesebittertears,whichnowyouseeFillingtheagedwrinklesinmycheeks;

  Bepitifultomycondemnedsons,Whosesoulsarenotcorruptedas’tisthought。

  FortwoandtwentysonsIneverwept,Becausetheydiedinhonour’sloftybed。

  Liethdown;theJudges,&c。,passbyhim,andExeuntForthese,these,tribunes,inthedustIwriteMyheart’sdeeplanguorandmysoul’ssadtears:

  Letmytearsstanchtheearth’sdryappetite;

  Mysons’sweetbloodwillmakeitshameandblush。

  Oearth,Iwillbefriendtheemorewithrain,Thatshalldistilfromthesetwoancienturns,ThanyouthfulAprilshallwithallhisshowers:

  Insummer’sdroughtI’lldropupontheestill;

  InwinterwithwarmtearsI’llmeltthesnowAndkeepeternalspring-timeonthyface,Sothourefusetodrinkmydearsons’blood。

  EnterLUCIUS,withhissworddrawnOreverendtribunes!Ogentle,agedmen!

  Unbindmysons,reversethedoomofdeath;

  Andletmesay,thatneverweptbefore,Mytearsarenowprevailingorators。LUCIUSOnoblefather,youlamentinvain:

  Thetribuneshearyounot;nomanisby;

  Andyourecountyoursorrowstoastone。TITUSANDRONICUSAh,Lucius,forthybrothersletmeplead。

  Gravetribunes,oncemoreIentreatofyou,——LUCIUSMygraciouslord,notribunehearsyouspeak。TITUSANDRONICUSWhy,tisnomatter,man;iftheydidhear,Theywouldnotmarkme,oriftheydidmark,Theywouldnotpityme,yetpleadImust;

  ThereforeItellmysorrowstothestones;

  Who,thoughtheycannotanswermydistress,Yetinsomesorttheyarebetterthanthetribunes,Forthattheywillnotinterceptmytale:

  WhenIdoweep,theyhumblyatmyfeetReceivemytearsandseemtoweepwithme;

  And,weretheybutattiredingraveweeds,Romecouldaffordnotribuneliketothese。

  Astoneissoftaswax,——tribunesmorehardthanstones;

  Astoneissilent,andoffendethnot,Andtribuneswiththeirtonguesdoommentodeath。

  RisesButwhereforestand’stthouwiththyweapondrawn?LUCIUSTorescuemytwobrothersfromtheirdeath:

  ForwhichattemptthejudgeshavepronouncedMyeverlastingdoomofbanishment。TITUSANDRONICUSOhappyman!theyhavebefriendedthee。

  Why,foolishLucius,dostthounotperceiveThatRomeisbutawildernessoftigers?

  Tigersmustprey,andRomeaffordsnopreyButmeandmine:howhappyartthou,then,Fromthesedevourerstobebanished!

  ButwhocomeswithourbrotherMarcushere?

  EnterMARCUSandLAVINIAMARCUSANDRONICUSTitus,preparethyagedeyestoweep;

  Or,ifnotso,thynoblehearttobreak:

  Ibringconsumingsorrowtothineage。TITUSANDRONICUSWillitconsumeme?letmeseeit,then。MARCUSANDRONICUSThiswasthydaughter。TITUSANDRONICUSWhy,Marcus,sosheis。LUCIUSAyme,thisobjectkillsme!TITUSANDRONICUSFaint-heartedboy,arise,andlookuponher。

  Speak,Lavinia,whataccursedhandHathmadetheehandlessinthyfather’ssight?

  Whatfoolhathaddedwatertothesea,Orbroughtafaggottobright-burningTroy?

  Mygriefwasattheheightbeforethoucamest,AndnowlikeNilus,itdisdainethbounds。

  Givemeasword,I’llchopoffmyhandstoo;

  FortheyhavefoughtforRome,andallinvain;

  Andtheyhavenursedthiswoe,infeedinglife;

  Inbootlessprayerhavetheybeenheldup,Andtheyhaveservedmetoeffectlessuse:

  NowalltheserviceIrequireofthemIsthattheonewillhelptocuttheother。

  ’Tiswell,Lavinia,thatthouhastnohands;

  Forhands,todoRomeservice,arebutvain。LUCIUSSpeak,gentlesister,whohathmartyr’dthee?MARCUSANDRONICUSO,thatdelightfulengineofherthoughtsThatblabb’dthemwithsuchpleasingeloquence,Istornfromforththatprettyhollowcage,Where,likeasweetmelodiousbird,itsungSweetvariednotes,enchantingeveryear!LUCIUSO,saythouforher,whohathdonethisdeed?MARCUSANDRONICUSO,thusIfoundher,strayinginthepark,Seekingtohideherself,asdoththedeerThathathreceivedsomeunrecuringwound。TITUSANDRONICUSItwasmydeer;andhethatwoundedherHathhurtmemorethanhadhekilledmedead:

  FornowIstandasoneuponarockEnvironedwithawildernessofsea,Whomarksthewaxingtidegrowwavebywave,ExpectingeverwhensomeenvioussurgeWillinhisbrinishbowelsswallowhim。

  Thiswaytodeathmywretchedsonsaregone;

  Herestandsmyotherson,abanishedman,Andheremybrother,weepingatmywoes。

  Butthatwhichgivesmysoulthegreatestspurn,IsdearLavinia,dearerthanmysoul。

  HadIbutseenthypictureinthisplight,Itwouldhavemaddedme:whatshallIdoNowIbeholdthylivelybodyso?

  Thouhastnohands,towipeawaythytears:

  Nortongue,totellmewhohathmartyr’dthee:

  Thyhusbandheisdead:andforhisdeathThybrothersarecondemn’d,anddeadbythis。

  Look,Marcus!ah,sonLucius,lookonher!

  WhenIdidnameherbrothers,thenfreshtearsStoodonhercheeks,asdoththehoney-dewUponagather’dlilyalmostwither’d。MARCUSANDRONICUSPerchancesheweepsbecausetheykill’dherhusband;

  Perchancebecausesheknowstheminnocent。TITUSANDRONICUSIftheydidkillthyhusband,thenbejoyfulBecausethelawhathta’enrevengeonthem。

  No,no,theywouldnotdosofouladeed;

  Witnessthesorrowthattheirsistermakes。

  GentleLavinia,letmekissthylips。

  OrmakesomesignhowImaydotheeease:

  Shallthygooduncle,andthybrotherLucius,Andthou,andI,sitroundaboutsomefountain,LookingalldownwardstobeholdourcheeksHowtheyarestain’d,asmeadows,yetnotdry,Withmiryslimeleftonthembyaflood?

  AndinthefountainshallwegazesolongTillthefreshtastebetakenfromthatclearness,Andmadeabrine-pitwithourbittertears?

  Orshallwecutawayourhands,likethine?

  Orshallwebiteourtongues,andindumbshowsPasstheremainderofourhatefuldays?

  Whatshallwedo?letus,thathaveourtongues,Plotsomedeuceoffurthermisery,Tomakeuswonder’datintimetocome。LUCIUSSweetfather,ceaseyourtears;for,atyourgrief,Seehowmywretchedsistersobsandweeps。MARCUSANDRONICUSPatience,dearniece。GoodTitus,drythineeyes。TITUSANDRONICUSAh,Marcus,Marcus!brother,wellIwotThynapkincannotdrinkatearofmine,Forthou,poorman,hastdrown’ditwiththineown。LUCIUSAh,myLavinia,Iwillwipethycheeks。TITUSANDRONICUSMark,Marcus,mark!Iunderstandhersigns:

  Hadsheatonguetospeak,nowwouldshesayThattoherbrotherwhichIsaidtothee:

  Hisnapkin,withhistruetearsallbewet,Candonoserviceonhersorrowfulcheeks。

  O,whatasympathyofwoeisthis,AsfarfromhelpasLimboisfrombliss!

  EnterAARONAARONTitusAndronicus,mylordtheemperorSendstheethisword,——that,ifthoulovethysons,LetMarcus,Lucius,orthyself,oldTitus,Oranyoneofyou,chopoffyourhand,Andsendittotheking:heforthesameWillsendtheehitherboththysonsalive;

  Andthatshallbetheransomfortheirfault。TITUSANDRONICUSOgraciousemperor!OgentleAaron!

  Dideverravensingsolikealark,Thatgivessweettidingsofthesun’suprise?

  Withallmyheart,I’llsendtheemperorMyhand:

  GoodAaron,wiltthouhelptochopitoff?LUCIUSStay,father!forthatnoblehandofthine,Thathaththrowndownsomanyenemies,Shallnotbesent:myhandwillservetheturn:

  Myyouthcanbettersparemybloodthanyou;

  Andthereforemineshallsavemybrothers’lives。MARCUSANDRONICUSWhichofyourhandshathnotdefendedRome,Andrear’daloftthebloodybattle-axe,Writingdestructionontheenemy’scastle?

  O,noneofbothbutareofhighdesert:

  Myhandhathbeenbutidle;letitserveToransommytwonephewsfromtheirdeath;

  ThenhaveIkeptittoaworthyend。AARONNay,come,agreewhosehandshallgoalong,Forfeartheydiebeforetheirpardoncome。MARCUSANDRONICUSMyhandshallgo。LUCIUSByheaven,itshallnotgo!TITUSANDRONICUSSirs,strivenomore:suchwither’dherbsastheseAremeetforpluckingup,andthereforemine。LUCIUSSweetfather,ifIshallbethoughtthyson,Letmeredeemmybrothersbothfromdeath。MARCUSANDRONICUSAnd,forourfather’ssakeandmother’scare,Nowletmeshowabrother’slovetothee。TITUSANDRONICUSAgreebetweenyou;Iwillsparemyhand。LUCIUSThenI’llgofetchanaxe。MARCUSANDRONICUSButIwillusetheaxe。

  ExeuntLUCIUSandMARCUSTITUSANDRONICUSComehither,Aaron;I’lldeceivethemboth:

  Lendmethyhand,andIwillgivetheemine。AARON[Aside]Ifthatbecall’ddeceit,Iwillbehonest,Andnever,whilstIlive,deceivemenso:

  ButI’lldeceiveyouinanothersort,Andthatyou’llsay,erehalfanhourpass。

  CutsoffTITUS’shandRe-enterLUCIUSandMARCUSTITUSANDRONICUSNowstayyourstrife:whatshallbeisdispatch’d。

  GoodAaron,givehismajestymyhand:

  TellhimitwasahandthatwardedhimFromthousanddangers;bidhimburyitMorehathitmerited;thatletithave。

  Asformysons,sayIaccountofthemAsjewelspurchasedataneasyprice;

  Andyetdeartoo,becauseIboughtmineown。AARONIgo,Andronicus:andforthyhandLookbyandbytohavethysonswiththee。

  AsideTheirheads,Imean。O,howthisvillanyDothfatmewiththeverythoughtsofit!

  Letfoolsdogood,andfairmencallforgrace。

  Aaronwillhavehissoulblacklikehisface。

  ExitTITUSANDRONICUSO,hereIliftthisonehanduptoheaven,Andbowthisfeebleruintotheearth:

  Ifanypowerpitieswretchedtears,TothatIcall!

  ToLAVINIA

  What,wiltthoukneelwithme?

  Do,then,dearheart;forheavenshallhearourprayers;

  Orwithoursighswe’llbreathethewelkindim,Andstainthesunwithfog,assometimecloudsWhentheydohughimintheirmeltingbosoms。MARCUSANDRONICUSObrother,speakwithpossibilities,Anddonotbreakintothesedeepextremes。TITUSANDRONICUSIsnotmysorrowdeep,havingnobottom?

  Thenbemypassionsbottomlesswiththem。MARCUSANDRONICUSButyetletreasongovernthylament。TITUSANDRONICUSIftherewerereasonforthesemiseries,ThenintolimitscouldIbindmywoes:

  Whenheavendothweep,dothnottheeartho’erflow?

  Ifthewindsrage,dothnottheseawaxmad,Threateningthewelkinwithhisbig-swolnface?

  Andwiltthouhaveareasonforthiscoil?

  Iamthesea;hark,howhersighsdoblow!

  Sheistheweepingwelkin,Itheearth:

  Thenmustmyseabemovedwithhersighs;

  ThenmustmyearthwithhercontinualtearsBecomeadeluge,overflow’danddrown’d;

  Forwhymybowelscannothideherwoes,ButlikeadrunkardmustIvomitthem。

  Thengivemeleave,forloserswillhaveleaveToeasetheirstomachswiththeirbittertongues。

  EnteraMessenger,withtwoheadsandahandMessengerWorthyAndronicus,illartthourepaidForthatgoodhandthousent’sttheemperor。

  Herearetheheadsofthytwonoblesons;

  Andhere’sthyhand,inscorntotheesentback;

  Thygriefstheirsports,thyresolutionmock’d;

  ThatwoeismetothinkuponthywoesMorethanremembranceofmyfather’sdeath。

  ExitMARCUSANDRONICUSNowlethotAEtnacoolinSicily,Andbemyheartanever-burninghell!

  Thesemiseriesaremorethanmaybeborne。

  Toweepwiththemthatweepdotheasesomedeal;

  Butsorrowfloutedatisdoubledeath。LUCIUSAh,thatthissightshouldmakesodeepawound,Andyetdetestedlifenotshrinkthereat!

  Thateverdeathshouldletlifebearhisname,Wherelifehathnomoreinterestbuttobreathe!

  LAVINIAkissesTITUSMARCUSANDRONICUSAlas,poorheart,thatkissiscomfortlessAsfrozenwatertoastarvedsnake。TITUSANDRONICUSWhenwillthisfearfulslumberhaveanend?MARCUSANDRONICUSNow,farewell,flattery:die,Andronicus;

  Thoudostnotslumber:see,thytwosons’heads,Thywarlikehand,thymangleddaughterhere:

  Thyotherbanish’dson,withthisdearsightStruckpaleandbloodless;andthybrother,I,Evenlikeastonyimage,coldandnumb。

  Ah,nownomorewillIcontrolthygriefs:

  Rendoffthysilverhair,thyotherhandGnawingwiththyteeth;andbethisdismalsightTheclosingupofourmostwretchedeyes;

  Nowisatimetostorm;whyartthoustill?TITUSANDRONICUSHa,ha,ha!MARCUSANDRONICUSWhydostthoulaugh?itfitsnotwiththishour。TITUSANDRONICUSWhy,Ihavenotanotherteartoshed:

  Besides,thissorrowisanenemy,AndwouldusurpuponmywateryeyesAndmakethemblindwithtributarytears:

  ThenwhichwayshallIfindRevenge’scave?

  Forthesetwoheadsdoseemtospeaktome,AndthreatmeIshallnevercometoblissTillallthesemischiefsbereturn’dagainEvenintheirthroatsthathavecommittedthem。

  Come,letmeseewhattaskIhavetodo。

  Youheavypeople,circlemeabout,ThatImayturnmetoeachoneofyou,Andswearuntomysoultorightyourwrongs。

  Thevowismade。Come,brother,takeahead;

  AndinthishandtheotherIwillbear。

  Lavinia,thoushaltbeemploy’d:thesearms!

  Bearthoumyhand,sweetwench,betweenthyteeth。

  Asforthee,boy,gogettheefrommysight;

  Thouartanexile,andthoumustnotstay:

  HietotheGoths,andraiseanarmythere:

  And,ifyouloveme,asIthinkyoudo,Let’skissandpart,forwehavemuchtodo。

  ExeuntTITUS,MARCUS,andLAVINIALUCIUSFarewellAndronicus,mynoblefather,Thewofull’stmanthateverlivedinRome:

  Farewell,proudRome;tillLuciuscomeagain,Heleaveshispledgesdearerthanhislife:

  Farewell,Lavinia,mynoblesister;

  O,wouldthouwertasthoutoforehastbeen!

  ButnownorLuciusnorLavinialivesButinoblivionandhatefulgriefs。

  IfLuciuslive,hewillrequiteyourwrongs;

  AndmakeproudSaturnineandhisempressBegatthegates,likeTarquinandhisqueen。

  NowwillItotheGoths,andraiseapower,ToberevengedonRomeandSaturnine。

  ExitSCENEII。AroominTitus’shouse。Abanquetsetout。EnterTITUS,MARCUS,LAVINIAandYoungLUCIUS,aboyTITUSANDRONICUSSo,so;nowsit:andlookyoueatnomoreThanwillpreservejustsomuchstrengthinusAswillrevengethesebitterwoesofours。

  Marcus,unknitthatsorrow-wreathenknot:

  ThynieceandI,poorcreatures,wantourhands,AndcannotpassionateourtenfoldgriefWithfoldedarms。ThispoorrighthandofmineIslefttotyrannizeuponmybreast;

  Who,whenmyheart,allmadwithmisery,Beatsinthishollowprisonofmyflesh,ThenthusIthumpitdown。

  ToLAVINIA

  Thoumapofwoe,thatthusdosttalkinsigns!

  Whenthypoorheartbeatswithoutrageousbeating,Thoucanstnotstrikeitthustomakeitstill。

  Wounditwithsighing,girl,killitwithgroans;

  Orgetsomelittleknifebetweenthyteeth,Andjustagainstthyheartmakethouahole;

  ThatallthetearsthatthypooreyesletfallMayrunintothatsink,andsoakinginDrownthelamentingfoolinsea-salttears。MARCUSANDRONICUSFie,brother,fie!teachhernotthustolaySuchviolenthandsuponhertenderlife。TITUSANDRONICUSHownow!hassorrowmadetheedotealready?

  Why,Marcus,nomanshouldbemadbutI。

  Whatviolenthandscanshelayonherlife?

  Ah,whereforedostthouurgethenameofhands;

  TobidAEneastellthetaletwiceo’er,HowTroywasburntandhemademiserable?

  O,handlenotthetheme,totalkofhands,Lestwerememberstillthatwehavenone。

  Fie,fie,howfranticlyIsquaremytalk,Asifweshouldforgetwehadnohands,IfMarcusdidnotnamethewordofhands!

  Come,let’sfallto;and,gentlegirl,eatthis:

  Hereisnodrink!Hark,Marcus,whatshesays;

  Icaninterpretallhermartyr’dsigns;

  Shesaysshedrinksnootherdrinkbuttears,Brew’dwithhersorrow,mesh’duponhercheeks:

  Speechlesscomplainer,Iwilllearnthythought;

  InthydumbactionwillIbeasperfectAsbegginghermitsintheirholyprayers:

  Thoushaltnotsigh,norholdthystumpstoheaven,Norwink,nornod,norkneel,normakeasign,ButIofthesewillwrestanalphabetAndbystillpractiselearntoknowthymeaning。YoungLUCIUSGoodgrandsire,leavethesebitterdeeplaments:

  Makemyauntmerrywithsomepleasingtale。MARCUSANDRONICUSAlas,thetenderboy,inpassionmoved,Dothweeptoseehisgrandsire’sheaviness。TITUSANDRONICUSPeace,tendersapling;thouartmadeoftears,Andtearswillquicklymeltthylifeaway。

  MARCUSstrikesthedishwithaknifeWhatdostthoustrikeat,Marcus,withthyknife?MARCUSANDRONICUSAtthatthatIhavekill’d,mylord;afly。TITUSANDRONICUSOutonthee,murderer!thoukill’stmyheart;

  Mineeyesarecloy’dwithviewoftyranny:

  AdeedofdeathdoneontheinnocentBecomesnotTitus’brother:gettheegone:

  Iseethouartnotformycompany。MARCUSANDRONICUSAlas,mylord,Ihavebutkill’dafly。TITUSANDRONICUSButhow,ifthatflyhadafatherandmother?

  Howwouldhehanghisslendergildedwings,Andbuzzlamentingdoingsintheair!

  Poorharmlessfly,That,withhisprettybuzzingmelody,Cameheretomakeusmerry!andthouhastkill’dhim。MARCUSANDRONICUSPardonme,sir;itwasablackill-favor’dfly,Liketotheempress’Moor;thereforeIkill’dhim。TITUSANDRONICUSO,O,O,Thenpardonmeforreprehendingthee,Forthouhastdoneacharitabledeed。

  Givemethyknife,Iwillinsultonhim;

  Flatteringmyself,asifitweretheMoorComehitherpurposelytopoisonme。——

  There’sforthyself,andthat’sforTamora。

  Ah,sirrah!

  Yet,Ithink,wearenotbroughtsolow,ButthatbetweenuswecankillaflyThatcomesinlikenessofacoal-blackMoor。MARCUSANDRONICUSAlas,poorman!griefhassowroughtonhim,Hetakesfalseshadowsfortruesubstances。TITUSANDRONICUSCome,takeaway。Lavinia,gowithme:

  I’lltothycloset;andgoreadwiththeeSadstorieschancedinthetimesofold。

  Come,boy,andgowithme:thysightisyoung,Andthoushaltreadwhenminebegintodazzle。

  ExeuntACTIVSCENEI。Rome。Titus’sgarden。EnteryoungLUCIUS,andLAVINIArunningafterhim,andtheboyfliesfromher,withbooksunderhisarm。ThenenterTITUSandMARCUSYoungLUCIUSHelp,grandsire,help!myauntLaviniaFollowsmeeverywhere,Iknownotwhy:

  GooduncleMarcus,seehowswiftshecomes。

  Alas,sweetaunt,Iknownotwhatyoumean。MARCUSANDRONICUSStandbyme,Lucius;donotfearthineaunt。TITUSANDRONICUSShelovesthee,boy,toowelltodotheeharm。YoungLUCIUSAy,whenmyfatherwasinRomeshedid。MARCUSANDRONICUSWhatmeansmynieceLaviniabythesesigns?TITUSANDRONICUSFearhernot,Lucius:somewhatdothshemean:

  See,Lucius,seehowmuchshemakesofthee:

  Somewhitherwouldshehavetheegowithher。

  Ah,boy,CornelianeverwithmorecareReadtohersonsthanshehathreadtotheeSweetpoetryandTully’sOrator。MARCUSANDRONICUSCanstthounotguesswhereforeshepliestheethus?YoungLUCIUSMylord,Iknownot,I,norcanIguess,Unlesssomefitorfrenzydopossessher:

  ForIhaveheardmygrandsiresayfulloft,Extremityofgriefswouldmakemenmad;

  AndIhavereadthatHecubaofTroyRanmadthroughsorrow:thatmademetofear;

  Although,mylord,IknowmynobleauntLovesmeasdearase’ermymotherdid,Andwouldnot,butinfury,frightmyyouth:

  Whichmademedowntothrowmybooks,andfly——

  Causeless,perhaps。Butpardonme,sweetaunt:

  And,madam,ifmyuncleMarcusgo,Iwillmostwillinglyattendyourladyship。MARCUSANDRONICUSLucius,Iwill。

  LAVINIAturnsoverwithherstumpsthebookswhichLUCIUShasletfallTITUSANDRONICUSHownow,Lavinia!Marcus,whatmeansthis?

  Somebookthereisthatshedesirestosee。

  Whichisit,girl,ofthese?Openthem,boy。

  Butthouartdeeperread,andbetterskill’dCome,andtakechoiceofallmylibrary,Andsobeguilethysorrow,tilltheheavensRevealthedamn’dcontriverofthisdeed。

  Whyliftssheupherarmsinsequencethus?MARCUSANDRONICUSIthinkshemeansthattherewasmorethanoneConfederateinthefact:ay,moretherewas;

  Orelsetoheavensheheavesthemforrevenge。TITUSANDRONICUSLucius,whatbookisthatshetossethso?YoungLUCIUSGrandsire,’tisOvid’sMetamorphoses;

  Mymothergaveitme。MARCUSANDRONICUSForloveofherthat’sgone,Perhapsshecull’ditfromamongtherest。TITUSANDRONICUSSoft!seehowbusilysheturnstheleaves!

  HelpingherWhatwouldshefind?Lavinia,shallIread?

  ThisisthetragictaleofPhilomel,AndtreatsofTereus’treasonandhisrape:

  Andrape,Ifear,wasrootofthineannoy。MARCUSANDRONICUSSee,brother,see;notehowshequotestheleaves。TITUSANDRONICUSLavinia,wertthouthussurprised,sweetgirl,Ravish’dandwrong’d,asPhilomelawas,Forcedintheruthless,vast,andgloomywoods?

  See,see!

  Ay,suchaplacethereis,wherewedidhunt——

  O,hadwenever,neverhuntedthere!——

  Pattern’dbythatthepoetheredescribes,Bynaturemadeformurdersandforrapes。MARCUSANDRONICUSO,whyshouldnaturebuildsofouladen,Unlessthegodsdelightintragedies?TITUSANDRONICUSGivesigns,sweetgirl,forherearenonebutfriends,WhatRomanlorditwasdurstdothedeed:

  OrslunknotSaturnine,asTarquinerst,ThatleftthecamptosininLucrece’bed?MARCUSANDRONICUSSitdown,sweetniece:brother,sitdownbyme。

  Apollo,Pallas,Jove,orMercury,Inspireme,thatImaythistreasonfind!

  Mylord,lookhere:lookhere,Lavinia:

  Thissandyplotisplain;guide,ifthoucanstThisafterme,whenIhavewritmynameWithoutthehelpofanyhandatall。

  Hewriteshisnamewithhisstaff,andguidesitwithfeetandmouthCursedbethatheartthatforcedustothisshift!

  Writethougoodniece;andheredisplay,atlast,WhatGodwillhavediscover’dforrevenge;

  Heavenguidethypentoprintthysorrowsplain,Thatwemayknowthetraitorsandthetruth!

  Shetakesthestaffinhermouth,andguidesitwithherstumps,andwritesTITUSANDRONICUSO,doyeread,mylord,whatshehathwrit?

  ’Stuprum。Chiron。Demetrius。’MARCUSANDRONICUSWhat,what!thelustfulsonsofTamoraPerformersofthisheinous,bloodydeed?TITUSANDRONICUSMagniDominatorpoli,Tamlentusaudisscelera?tamlentusvides?MARCUSANDRONICUSO,calmthee,gentlelord;althoughI

  knowThereisenoughwrittenuponthisearthTostiramutinyinthemildestthoughtsAndarmthemindsofinfantstoexclaims。

  Mylord,kneeldownwithme;Lavinia,kneel;

  Andkneel,sweetboy,theRomanHector’shope;

  Andswearwithme,as,withthewofulfereAndfatherofthatchastedishonour’ddame,LordJuniusBrutusswareforLucrece’rape,ThatwewillprosecutebygoodadviceMortalrevengeuponthesetraitorousGoths,Andseetheirblood,ordiewiththisreproach。TITUSANDRONICUS’Tissureenough,anyouknewhow。

  Butifyouhuntthesebear-whelps,thenbeware:

  Thedamwillwake;and,ifshewindyouonce,She’swiththeliondeeplystillinleague,Andlullshimwhilstsheplayethonherback,Andwhenhesleepswillshedowhatshelist。

  Youareayounghuntsman,Marcus;letitalone;

  And,come,Iwillgogetaleafofbrass,Andwithagadofsteelwillwritethesewords,Andlayitby:theangrynorthernwindWillblowthesesands,likeSibyl’sleaves,abroad,Andwhere’syourlesson,then?Boy,whatsayyou?YoungLUCIUSIsay,mylord,thatifIwereaman,Theirmother’sbed-chambershouldnotbesafeForthesebadbondmentotheyokeofRome。MARCUSANDRONICUSAy,that’smyboy!thyfatherhathfulloftForhisungratefulcountrydonethelike。YoungLUCIUSAnd,uncle,sowillI,anifIlive。TITUSANDRONICUSCome,gowithmeintominearmoury;

  Lucius,I’llfitthee;andwithal,myboy,Shaltcarryfrommetotheempress’sonsPresentsthatIintendtosendthemboth:

  Come,come;thou’ltdothymessage,wiltthounot?YoungLUCIUSAy,withmydaggerintheirbosoms,grandsire。TITUSANDRONICUSNo,boy,notso;I’llteachtheeanothercourse。

  Lavinia,come。Marcus,looktomyhouse:

  LuciusandI’llgobraveitatthecourt:

  Ay,marry,willwe,sir;andwe’llbewaitedon。

  ExeuntTITUS,LAVINIA,andYoungLUCIUSMARCUSANDRONICUSOheavens,canyouhearagoodmangroan,Andnotrelent,ornotcompassionhim?

  Marcus,attendhiminhisecstasy,ThathathmorescarsofsorrowinhisheartThanfoemen’smarksuponhisbatter’dshield;

  Butyetsojustthathewillnotrevenge。

  Revenge,yeheavens,foroldAndronicus!

  ExitSCENEII。Thesame。Aroominthepalace。Enter,fromoneside,AARON,DEMETRIUS,andCHIRON;fromtheotherside,YoungLUCIUS,andanAttendant,withabundleofweapons,andverseswrituponthemCHIRONDemetrius,here’sthesonofLucius;

  Hehathsomemessagetodeliverus。AARONAy,somemadmessagefromhismadgrandfather。YoungLUCIUSMylords,withallthehumblenessImay,IgreetyourhonoursfromAndronicus。

  AsideAndpraytheRomangodsconfoundyouboth!DEMETRIUSGramercy,lovelyLucius:what’sthenews?YoungLUCIUS[Aside]Thatyouarebothdecipher’d,that’sthenews,Forvillainsmark’dwithrape。——Mayitpleaseyou,Mygrandsire,welladvised,hathsentbymeThegoodliestweaponsofhisarmouryTogratifyyourhonourableyouth,ThehopeofRome;forsohebademesay;

  AndsoIdo,andwithhisgiftspresentYourlordships,that,wheneveryouhaveneed,Youmaybearmedandappointedwell:

  AndsoIleaveyouboth:

  Asidelikebloodyvillains。

  ExeuntYoungLUCIUS,andAttendantDEMETRIUSWhat’shere?Ascroll;andwrittenroundabout?

  Let’ssee;

  Reads’Integervitae,scelerisquepurus,NonegetMaurijaculis,necarcu。’CHIRONO,’tisaverseinHorace;Iknowitwell:

  Ireaditinthegrammarlongago。AARONAy,just;averseinHorace;right,youhaveit。

  AsideNow,whatathingitistobeanass!

  Here’snosoundjest!theoldmanhathfoundtheirguilt;

  Andsendsthemweaponswrappedaboutwithlines,Thatwound,beyondtheirfeeling,tothequick。

  Butwereourwittyempresswellafoot,ShewouldapplaudAndronicus’conceit:

  Butletherrestinherunrestawhile。

  Andnow,younglords,was’tnotahappystarLedustoRome,strangers,andmorethanso,Captives,tobeadvancedtothisheight?

  Itdidmegood,beforethepalacegateTobravethetribuneinhisbrother’shearing。DEMETRIUSButmemoregood,toseesogreatalordBaselyinsinuateandsendusgifts。AARONHadhenotreason,LordDemetrius?

  Didyounotusehisdaughterveryfriendly?DEMETRIUSIwouldwehadathousandRomandamesAtsuchabay,byturntoserveourlust。CHIRONAcharitablewishandfulloflove。AARONHerelacksbutyourmotherfortosayamen。CHIRONAndthatwouldshefortwentythousandmore。DEMETRIUSCome,letusgo;andpraytoallthegodsForourbelovedmotherinherpains。AARON[Aside]Praytothedevils;thegodshavegivenusover。

  TrumpetssoundwithinDEMETRIUSWhydotheemperor’strumpetsflourishthus?CHIRONBelike,forjoytheemperorhathason。DEMETRIUSSoft!whocomeshere?

  EnteraNurse,withablackamoorChildinherarmsNurseGoodmorrow,lords:

  O,tellme,didyouseeAarontheMoor?AARONWell,moreorless,orne’erawhitatall,HereAaronis;andwhatwithAaronnow?NurseOgentleAaron,weareallundone!

  Nowhelp,orwoebetidetheeevermore!AARONWhy,whatacaterwaulingdostthoukeep!

  Whatdostthouwrapandfumbleinthinearms?NurseO,thatwhichIwouldhidefromheaven’seye,Ourempress’shame,andstatelyRome’sdisgrace!

  Sheisdeliver’d,lords;sheisdeliver’d。AARONTowhom?NurseImean,sheisbroughta-bed。AARONWell,Godgivehergoodrest!Whathathhesenther?NurseAdevil。AARONWhy,thensheisthedevil’sdam;ajoyfulissue。NurseAjoyless,dismal,black,andsorrowfulissue:

  Hereisthebabe,asloathsomeasatoadAmongstthefairestbreedersofourclime:

  Theempresssendsitthee,thystamp,thyseal,Andbidstheechristenitwiththydagger’spoint。AARON’Zounds,yewhore!isblacksobaseahue?

  Sweetblowse,youareabeauteousblossom,sure。DEMETRIUSVillain,whathastthoudone?AARONThatwhichthoucanstnotundo。CHIRONThouhastundoneourmother。AARONVillain,Ihavedonethymother。DEMETRIUSAndtherein,hellishdog,thouhastundone。

  Woetoherchance,anddamn’dherloathedchoice!

  Accursedtheoffspringofsofoulafiend!CHIRONItshallnotlive。AARONItshallnotdie。NurseAaron,itmust;themotherwillsitso。AARONWhat,mustit,nurse?thenletnomanbutI

  Doexecutiononmyfleshandblood。DEMETRIUSI’llbroachthetadpoleonmyrapier’spoint:

  Nurse,giveitme;myswordshallsoondispatchit。AARONSoonerthisswordshallploughthybowelsup。

  TakestheChildfromtheNurse,anddrawsStay,murderousvillains!willyoukillyourbrother?

  Now,bytheburningtapersofthesky,Thatshonesobrightlywhenthisboywasgot,Hediesuponmyscimitar’ssharppointThattouchesthismyfirst-bornsonandheir!

  Itellyou,younglings,notEnceladus,WithallhisthreateningbandofTyphon’sbrood,NorgreatAlcides,northegodofwar,Shallseizethispreyoutofhisfather’shands。

  What,what,yesanguine,shallow-heartedboys!

  Yewhite-limedwalls!yealehousepaintedsigns!

  Coal-blackisbetterthananotherhue,Inthatitscornstobearanotherhue;

  ForallthewaterintheoceanCanneverturntheswan’sblacklegstowhite,Althoughshelavethemhourlyintheflood。

  Telltheempressfromme,IamofageTokeepmineown,excuseithowshecan。DEMETRIUSWiltthoubetraythynoblemistressthus?AARONMymistressismymistress;thismyself,Thevigourandthepictureofmyyouth:

  ThisbeforealltheworlddoIprefer;

  ThismaugrealltheworldwillIkeepsafe,OrsomeofyoushallsmokeforitinRome。DEMETRIUSBythisourmotherisforevershamed。CHIRONRomewilldespiseherforthisfoulescape。NurseTheemperor,inhisrage,willdoomherdeath。CHIRONIblushtothinkuponthisignomy。AARONWhy,there’stheprivilegeyourbeautybears:

  Fie,treacheroushue,thatwillbetraywithblushingThecloseenactsandcounselsoftheheart!

  Here’sayoungladframedofanotherleer:

  Look,howtheblackslavesmilesuponthefather,Aswhoshouldsay’Oldlad,Iamthineown。’

  Heisyourbrother,lords,sensiblyfedOfthatself-bloodthatfirstgavelifetoyou,Andfromthatwombwhereyouimprison’dwereHeisenfranchisedandcometolight:

  Nay,heisyourbrotherbythesurerside,Althoughmysealbestampedinhisface。NurseAaron,whatshallIsayuntotheempress?DEMETRIUSAdvisethee,Aaron,whatistobedone,Andwewillallsubscribetothyadvice:

  Savethouthechild,sowemayallbesafe。AARONThensitwedown,andletusallconsult。

  MysonandIwillhavethewindofyou:

  Keepthere:nowtalkatpleasureofyoursafety。

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