Boy. Ay, when my father was in Rome she did. See, Lucius, see how much she makes of thee: ΙΟ Marc. Canst thou not guess wherefore she plies thee thus ? Unless some fit or frenzy do possess her: I will most willingly attend your ladyship. 20 30 [Lavinia turns over with her stumps the books which Lucius has let fall. Tit. How now, Lavinia! Marcus, what means this? Some book there is that she desires to see. Which is it, girl, of these? Open them, boy. But thou art deeper read, and better skill'd: Come, and take choice of all my library, And so beguile thy sorrow, till the heavens Reveal the damn'd contriver of this deed. Why lifts she up her arms in sequence thus? Marc. I think she means that there were more than one Confederate in the fact; ay, more there was; Marc. For love of her that's gone, Tit. Soft! so busily she turns the leaves ! What would she find? Lavinia, shall I read? And treats of Tereus' treason and his rape; 40 Mar Marc. See, brother, see; note how she quotes the leaves. Ravish'd and wrong'd, as Philomela was, Forced in the ruthless, vast, and gloomy woods? Ay, such a place there is, where we did hunt,— Unless the gods delight in tragedies? 60 Tit. Give signs, sweet girl, for here are none but friends, Or slunk not Saturnine, as Tarquin erst, That left the camp to sin in Lucrece' bed? Marc. Sit down, sweet niece brother, sit down by me. Apollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury, Inspire me, that I may this treason find! M My lord, look here: look here, Lavinia: This sandy plot is plain; guide, if thou canst, 70 This after me. [He writes his name with his staff, and guides it with feet and mouth.] I have writ my name Without the help of any hand at all. Cursed be that heart that forced us to this shift! [She takes the staff in her mouth, and guides it with her stumps, and writes. Tit. O, do ye read, my lord, what she hath writ? Stuprum. Chiron. Demetrius.' Marc. What, what! the lustful sons of Tamora Tit. Magni Dominator poli, Tam lentus audis scelera? tam lentus vides? 80 90 But if you hunt these bear-whelps, then beware 100 Will blow these sands, like Sibyl's leaves, abroad, Boy. I say, my lord, that if I were a man, Their mother's bed-chamber should not be safe Boy. And, uncle, so will I, an if I live. I 20 Come, come; thou 'lt do thy message, wilt thou not? Boy. Ay, with my dagger in their bosoms, grandsire. Tit. No, boy, not so; I'll teach thee another course. Lavinia, come. Marcus, look to my house: Lucius and I'll go brave it at the court; Ay, marry, will we, sir; and we'll be waited on. [Exeunt Titus, Lavinia, and young Lucius. Marc. O heavens, can you hear a good man groan, And not relent, or not compassion him? Marcus, attend him in his ecstasy, That hath more scars of sorrow in his heart Than foemen's marks upon his batter'd shield, Scene II. The same. A room in the palace. 129 [Exit. Enter Aaron, Chiron, and Demetrius at one door; and at another door, young Lucius, and an Attendant, with a bundle of weapons, and verses writ upon them. Chi. Demetrius, here's the son of Lucius; He hath some message to deliver us. Aar. Ay, some mad message from his mad grandfather I greet your honours from Andronicus. [Aside] And pray the Roman gods confound you Dem. Gramercy, lovely Lucius: what's the news? To gratify your honourable youth, The hope of Rome; for so he bid me say; Your lordships, that, whenever you have need, You may be armed and appointed well: ΙΟ And so I leave you both, [Aside] like bloody villains. [Exeunt Boy and Attendant. Dem. What's here? A scroll, and written round about! Let's see: |