They hither march amain, under conduct Who threats, in course of this revenge, to do Sat. Is warlike Lucius general of the Goths? As flowers with frost, or grass beat down with storms, Ay, now begin our sorrows to approach: "Tis he the common people love so much; Myself hath often over-heard them say, (When I have walked like a private man,) That Lucius banishment was wrongfully, And they have wish'd that Lucius were their emperor. Tam .Why should you fear? is not your city strong? Sat. Ay, but the citizens favour Lucius; And will revolt from me, to succour him. Tam. King, be thy thoughts imperious, like thy name. Is the sun dimm'd, that gnats do fly in it? Even so may'st thou the giddy men of Rome. With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, Sat. But he will not entreat his son for us. Yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue.— Of warlike Lucius, and appoint the meeting, [Exit EMILIUS. And bury all thy fear in my devices. .Sut. Then go successfully, and plead to him. ACT V. SCENE I. Plains near Rome. [Exeunt. Enter LUCIUS, and Goths, with Drum and Colours. Luc. Approved warriors, and my faithful friends, I have received letters from great Rome, Which signify, what hate they bear their emperor, And how desirous of our sight they are, Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, Imperious, and impatient of your wrongs; And, wherein Rome hath done you any scath,1 1 Goth. Brave slip, sprung from the great Andronicus, Whose name was once our terror, now our comfort; Goths. And, as he saith, so say we all with him. Luc. I humbly thank him, and I thank you all. But who comes here, led by a lusty Goth? Enter a Goth, leading AARON, with his Child in his Arms. 2 Goth. Renowned Lucius, from our troops I stray'd, To gaze upon a ruinous monastery; And as I earnestly did fix mine eye I heard a child cry underneath a wall: 1 Harm. They never do beget a coal-black calf. Peace, villain, peace !-even thus he rates the babe,- Who, when he knows thou art the empress' babe, With this my weapon drawn, I rush'd upon him. Luc. O worthy Goth! this is the incarnate devil That robb'd Andronicus of his good hand: This is the pearl that pleas'd your empress' eye;1 And here's the base fruit of his burning lust.Say, wall-ey'd slave, whither would'st thou convey This growing image of thy fiend-like face?: Why dost not speak? What! deaf? No; not a word? A halter, soldiers; hang him on this tree, And by his side his fruit of bastardy. Aar. Touch not the boy, he is of royal blood. Luc. Too like the sire for ever being good.First, hang the child, that he may see it sprawl; A sight to vex the father's soul withal. Get me a ladder. [A Ladder brought, which AARON is obliged to ascend. Aar. Lucius, save the child; If thou do this, I'll show thee wond'rous things, If thou wilt not, befall what may befall, I'll speak no more; But vengeance rot you all! 2 Alluding to the proverb, "a black man is a pearl in a fair woman's eye." Luc. Say on; and, if it please me which thou speak'st, Thy child shall live, and I will see it nourish'd. Aar. An if it please thee? why, assure thee, "Twill vex thy soul to hear what I shall speak; Luc. Tell on thy mind; I say, thy child shall live. god; That granted, how canst thou believe an oath ? And hast a thing within thee, called conscience; And keeps the oath, which by that god he swears; Luc. Even by my god, I swear to thee, I will.' |