Dem. [Aside.] Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound, But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground. [Exeunt. SCENE III-A desert part of the forest. Enter AARON, with a bag of gold. Aar. He, that had wit, would think that I had none, To bury so much gold under a tree, And never after to inherit it. Let him, that thinks of me so abjectly, Know, that this gold must coin a stratagem; A very excellent piece of villainy : And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest, That have their alms out of the empress' chest. Enter TAMORA. [Hides the gold. Tam. My lovely Aaron, wherefore look'st thou sad, When every thing doth make a gleeful boast? As if a double hunt were heard at once,- may, G Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber; Whilst hounds, and horns, and sweet melodious birds, Be unto us, as is a nurse's song Of lullaby, to bring her babe asleep. Aar. Madam, though Venus govern your desires, Saturn is dominator over mine: What signifies my deadly-standing eye, No, madam, these are no venereal signs; Which never hopes more heaven than rests in thee,— Enter BASSIANUS and LAVINIA. [Exit. Bas. Whom have we here? Rome's royal enperess, Unfurnish'd of her well-beseeming troop? Or is it Dian, habited like her, Who hath abandoned her holy groves, To see the general hunting in this forest? Tam. Saucy controller of our private steps! Had I the power, that, some say, Dian hal, Lav. Under your patience, gentle emperess, Jove shield your husband from his hounds to-day! 'Tis pity, they should take him for a stag. Bas. Believe me, queen, your swarth Cimmerian Why are you sequester'd from all your train? Bas. The king, my brother, shall have note of this. Lav. Ay, for these slips have made him noted long : Good king! to be so mightily abus'd! Tam. Why have I patience to endure all this? Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS. Dem. How now, dear sovereign, and our gracious mother, Why does your highness look so pale and wan? The trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean, O'ercome with moss, and baleful misletoe. And, when they show'd me this abhorred pit, Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. But straight they told me, they would bind me here And leave me to this miserable death. And then they call'd me, foul adulteress, Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms [Stabs Bassianus. Chi. And this for me, struck home to shew my strength. [Stabbing him likewise. Lav. Ay come, Semiramis,-nay, barbarous Ta mora! For no name fits thy nature but thy own! Tam. Give me thy poinard; you shall know, my boys, Your mother's hand shall right your mother's wrong. Dem. Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her; First, thrash the corn, then after burn the straw: This minion stood upon her chastity, Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, And with that painted hope braves your mightiness: And shall she carry this unto her grave e? Chi. An if she do, I would I were an eunuch. Chi. I warrant you, madam; we will make that sure. Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy Lav. O Tamora! thou bear'st a woman's face,- Lav. When did the tiger's young ones teach the dam? O, do not learn her wrath; she taught it thee: Yet every mother breeds not sons alike; Do thou entreat her show a woman pity. [To Chiron. Chi. What! would'st thou have me prove myself a bastard? Lav. "Tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark : Yet have I heard, (O could I find it now!) The lion, mov'd with pity, did endure Tam. I know not what it means; away with her. Lav. O, let me teach thee! for my father's sake, That gave thee life, when well he might have slain thee, Be not obdurate, open thy deaf ears, |