Therefore, away with her; use her as you will; Lav. O, Tamora, be call'd a gentle queen, Tam. What, begg'st thou then? Fond woman, let me go. Lav. 'Tis present death I beg; and one thing more, That womanhood denies my tongue to tell: O keep me from their worse than killing lust, Tam. So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee: No, let them satisfy their lust on thee. Dem. Away; for thou hast staid us here too long. Lav. No grace, no womanhood? Ah, beastly creature! The blot and enemy to our general name! Confusion fall Chi. Nay, then, I'll stop your mouth.-Bring thou her husband; [Dragging off LAVINIA. This is the hole where Aaron bid us hide him. [Exeunt. Tam. Farewell, my sons; see, that you make her sure: Ne'er let my heart know merry cheer indeed, "Till all the Andronici be made away. Now will I hence to seek my lovely Moor, And let my spleenful sons this trull deflow'r. [Exit. SCENE IV.-The Same. Enter AARON, with QUINTUS and MARTIUS. Aar. Come on, my lords; the better foot before: Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit, Where I espied the panther fast asleep. Quin. My sight is very dull, whate'er it bodes. Mart. And mine, I promise you: Wer't not for shame, Well could I leave our sport, to sleep awhile. [MARTIUS falls into the Pit. Quin. What, art thou fallen? What subtle hole is this, Whose mouth is cover'd with rude growing briars, Upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood, As fresh as morning's dew distill'd on flowers? fatal place it seems to me.— A very Speak, brother, hast thou hurt thee with the fall? That ever eye, with sight, made heart lament. Aar. [Aside.] Now will I fetch the king to find them here: That he thereby may give a likely guess, How these were they that made away his brother. [Exit AARON. Mart. Why dost not comfort me, and help me out From this unhallow'd and blood-stained hole? Quin. I am surprised with an uncouth fear: Quin. Aaron is gone; and my compassionate heart Will not permit mine eyes once to behold The thing, whereat it trembles by surmise; Mart. Lord Bassianus lies embrewed here, Quin. If it be dark, how dost thou know 'tis he? As hateful as Cocytus' misty mouth. Quin. Reach me thy hand, that I may help thee out; Or, wanting strength to do thee so much good, I may be pluck'd into the swallowing womb Of this deep pit, poor Bassianus' grave. I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink. Mart. And I no strength to climb without thy help, Quin. Thy hand once more; I will not loose again, 'Till thou art here aloft, or I below: Thou canst not come to me, I come to thee. [Falls in, Enter SATURNINUS and AARON. Sat. Along with me:-I'll see what hole is here, And what he is, that now is leap'd into it.- Mart. The unhappy son of old Andronicus; Sat. My brother dead? I know thou dost but jest: He and his lady both are at the lodge, Upon the north side of this pleasant chace; "Tis not an hour since I left him there. Mart. We know not where you left him all alive, But, out alas! here have we found him dead. Enter TAMORA, with Attendants; TITUS ANDRONICUS and LUCIUS. Tam. Where is my lord the king? Sat. Here, Tamora; though griev'd with killing grief. Tam. Where is thy brother Bassianus ? Sat. Now to the bottom dost thou search my wound; Poor Bassianus here lies murdered. Tam. Then all too late I bring this fatal writ, The complot of this timeless tragedy; [Giving a Letter. And wonder greatly, that man's face can fold In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny. Sat. [reads.] An' if we miss to meet him handsomely,Sweet huntsman, Bassianus 'tis, we mean,― Do thou so much as dig the grave for him; Which overshades the mouth of that same pit, [Shewing it. Tit. High emperor, upon my feeble knee Sat. Thou shalt not bail them; see, thou follow me. Some bring the murder'd body, some the murderers: Let them not speak a word, the guilt is plain; |