In that it scorns to bear another hue: Can never turn a swan's black legs to white, Dem. By this our mother is for ever sham'd. Chi. I blush to think upon this ignomy.' Aar. Why, there's the privilege your beauty bears: Nay, he's your brother by the surer side, Nur. Aaron, what shall I say unto the empress? Dem. Advise thee, Aaron, what is to be done, And we will all subscribe to thy advice; Save thou the child, so we may all be safe. for this foul escape.] This foul illegitimate child. 2 another leer:] Leer is complexion, or hue. Aar. Then sit we down, and let us all consult. My son and I will have the wind of you: Keep there: Now talk at pleasure of your safety. I am a lamb: but if you brave the Moor, Aar. The emperess, the midwife, and yourself: Two may keep counsel, when the third's away: Go to the empress; tell her, this I said: [Stabbing her. Weke, weke!-so cries a pig, prepar'd to the spit. Dem. What mean'st thou, Aaron? Wherefore didst thou this? Aar. O, lord, sir, 'tis a deed of policy: 3 Go pack with him, and give the mother gold, Go pack with him,] Pack here seems to have the meaning of make a bargain. Or it may mean, as in the phrase of modern gamesters, to act collusively, or to contrive insidiously, Hark ye, lords; ye see, that I have given her [Pointing to the Nurse. And you must needs bestow her funeral; physick, The fields are near, and you are gallant grooms: The midwife, and the nurse, well made away, Dem. For this care of Tamora, Herself, and hers, are highly bound to thee. [Exeunt DEM. and CHI. bearing off the Nurse. Aar. Now to the Goths, as swift as swallow flies; There to dispose this treasure in mine arms, And secretly to greet the empress' friends.Come on, you thick-lipp'd slave, I'll bear you hence; For it is you that puts us to our shifts: I'll make you feed on berries, and on roots, And feed on curds and whey, and suck the goat, SCENE III. The same. A publick Place. [Exit. Enter TITUS, bearing Arrows, with Letters at the ends of them; with him MARCUS, young Lucius, and other Gentlemen, with Bows. Tit. Come, Marcus, come;-Kinsmen, this is the way: Sir boy, now let me see your archery; Look ye draw home enough, and 'tis there straight: Terras Astræa reliquit: Be you remember'd, Marcus, she's gone, she's fled. Mar. This was the sport, my lord: when Publius shot, The bull being gall'd, gave Aries such a knock That down fell both the ram's horns in the court; And who should find them but the empress' villain? She laugh'd, and told the Moor, he should not choose But give them to his master for a present. Tit. Why, there it goes: God give your lordship joy. Enter a Clown, with a Basket and Two Pigeons. News, news from heaven! Marcus, the post is come. Sirrah, what tidings? have you any letters? Clo. Ho! the gibbet-maker? he says, that he hath taken them down again, for the man must not be hanged till the next week. Tit. But what says Jupiter, I ask thee? Clo. Alas, sir, I know not Jupiter; I never drank with him in all my life. Tit. Why villain, art not thou the carrier? Clo. Ay, of my pigeons, sir; nothing else. Tit. Why, didst thou not come from heaven? Clo. From heaven? alas, sir, I never came there: God forbid, I should be so bold to press to heaven in my young days. Why, I am going with my pigeons to the tribunal plebs, to take up a matter of brawl betwixt my uncle and one of the emperial's men. for Mar. Why, sir, that is as fit as can be, to serve your oration; and let him deliver the pigeons to the emperor from you. Tit. Tell me, can you deliver an oration to the emperor with a grace? Clo. Nay, truly, sir, I could never say grace in all my life. Tit. Sirrah, come hither: make no more ado, But give your pigeons to the emperor: By me thou shalt have justice at his hands. Hold, hold; mean while, here's money for thy charges. Give me a pen and ink. Sirrah, can you with a grace deliver a supplication? Clo. Ay, sir. Tit. Then here is a supplication for you. And when you come to him, at the first approach, you must kneel; then kiss his foot; then deliver up your pigeons: and then look for your reward, I'Îl be at hand, sir; see you do it bravely. Clo. I warrant you, sir; let me alone. Tit. Sirrah, hast thou a knife? Come, let me see it. Here, Marcus, fold it in the oration; For thou hast made it like an humble suppliant:- Tit. Come, Marcus, let's go:-Publius, follow me. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. The same. Before the Palace. Enter SATURNINUS, TAMORA, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, Lords and Others: SATURNINUS with the Arrows in his Hand, that TITUS shot. Sat. Why, lords, what wrongs are these? Was ever seen An emperor of Rome thus overborne, VOL. VIII. Q |