Sat. What! madam! be dishonour'd openly, And basely put it up without revenge? Tam. Not so, my lord: The gods of Rome forefend', I should be author to dishonour you! Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace in vain. Come, come, sweet emperor, Aside. come, Andronicus, Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart That dies in tempest of thy angry frown. Sat. Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath prevail'd. Tit. I thank your majesty, and her, my lord: These words, these looks, infuse new life in me. Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome, A Roman now adopted happily, And must advise the emperor for his good. 5 Forbid. This day all quarrels die, Andronicus ;- you, By my advice, all humbled on your knees, Luc. We do; and vow to heaven, and to his high ness, That, what we did, was mildly, as we might, Marc. That on mine honour here I do protest. The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace; And at my lovely Tamora's entreats, I do remit these young men's heinous faults. Lavinia, though you left me like a churl, I found a friend; and sure as death I swore, - Tit. To-morrow, an it please your majesty, Sat. Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too. [Exeunt. ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. Before the Palace. Enter AARON. Aar. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top, Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait, And mount her pitch; whom thou in triumph long Hast prisoner held, fetter'd in amorous chain Away with slavish weeds, and idle thoughts! To wait, said I? to wanton with this queen, Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braving. Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge, And may, And manners, to intrude where I am grac'd; To serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace; Aar. Clubs, clubs! these lovers will not keep Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadvis'd, Gave you a dancing-rapier by your side, your Are you so desperate grown, to threat friends? Chi. Mean while, sir, with the little skill I have, Full well I wot' the ground of all this grudge; The cause were known to them it most concerns: For shame, put up. Dem. Not I; till I have sheath'd My rapier in his bosom, and, withal, 6 This was the usual outcry for assistance, when any riot in the street happened. 7 Know. Thrust these reproachful speeches down his throat, That he hath breath'd in my dishonour here. Chi. For that I am prepar'd and full resolv'd, Foul-spoken coward! that thunder'st with thy tongue, And with thy weapon nothing dar'st perform. Now by the gods, that warlike Goths adore, Why, lords, and think you not how dangerous What, is Lavinia then become so loose, Or Bassianus so degenerate, That for her love such quarrels may be broach'd, Young lords, beware! an should the empress know This discord's ground, the musick would not please. Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner choice: Lavinia is thine elder brother's hope. Aar. Why, are ye mad? or know ye not, in Rome How furious and impatient they be, And cannot brook competitors in love? I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths By this device. Chi. Aaron, a thousand deaths Would I propose, to achieve her whom I love. Dem. Why mak'st thou it so strange? She is a woman, therefore may be woo'd; She is a woman, therefore may be won; |