Aar. Ay, and as good as Saturninus may. [Aside. Dem. Then why should he despair, that knows to court it With words, fair looks, and liberality? or so Would serve your turns. Chi. Ay, so the turn were serv'd. 'Would you had hit it too; Dem. Aaron, thou hast hit it. Aar. Then should not we be tir'd with this ado. Why, hark ye, hark ye, And are you such fools, To square for this? Would it offend you then That both should speed? Chi. Dem. 8 So I were one. I'faith, not me. Nor me, Aar. For shame, be friends; and join for that you jar. 'Tis policy and stratagem must do That you affect; and so must you resolve; A speedier course than lingering languishment 8 Quarrel. VOL. IX. This way, or not at all, stand you in hope. And revel with Lavinia. Chi. Thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice. Dem. Sit fas aut nefas, till I find a charm To calm these fits, per Styga, per manes vehor. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Forest near Rome. A Lodge seen at a distance. Horns, and cry of Hounds heard. Enter TITUS ANDRONICUS, with Hunters, &c. MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS. Tit. The hunt is up, the morn is bright and grey, The fields are fragrant, and the woods are green: And wake the emperor and his lovely bride, 1 Sacred here signifies accursed; a Latinisın. I have been troubled in my sleep this night, Horns wind a Peal. Enter SATURNINUS, Tamora, BASSIANUS, LAVINIA, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, and Attendants. Tit. Many good morrows to your majesty ;: Sat. And you have rung it lustily, my lords, Lav. I say, no; I have been broad awake two hours and more. Sat. Come on then, horse and chariots let us have, And to our sport: Madam, now shall ye see [TO TAMORA. I have dogs, my lord, Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase, And climb the highest promontory top. Tit. And I have horse will follow where the game Makes way, and run like swallows o'er the plain. Dem. 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, 2 And never after to inherit it. Let him, that thinks of me so abjectly,. A very excellent piece of villainy; And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest 3, [Hides the Gold. That have their alms out of the empress' chest. Enter TAMORA. Tam. My lovely Aaron, wherefore look'st thou sad, When every thing doth make a gleeful boast? -- And whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds, Replying shrilly to the well-tun'd horns, As if a double hunt were heard at once,· Let us sit down, and mark their yelling noise: Whiles 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, Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, 2 Possess. 3 Disquiet. This is the day of doom for Bassianus ; 5 Aar. No more, great empress, Bassianus comes : Be cross with him; and I'll go fetch thy sons To back thy quarrels, whatso'er they be. Enter BASSIANUS and LAVINIA. [Exit. Bas. Who have we here? Rome's royal emperess, Unfurnish'd of her well-beseeming troop? Who hath abandoned her holy groves, Lav. Under your patience, gentle emperess, 'Tis to be doubted, that your Moor and you Are singled forth to try experiments: Jove shield your husband from his hounds to-day! 'Tis pity, they should take him for a stag. 4 See Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book VI, 5. Part. |