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? Shall I have justice? what says Jupiter? 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. Mar. Why, sir, that is as fit as can be, to serve for 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 Troubled, confronted thus; and, for the extent Buz in the people's ears, there nought hath pass'd, Tam. My gracious lord, my lovely Saturnine, Whose loss hath pierc'd him deep, and scarr'd his heart; And rather comfort his distressed plight, [Aside. For these contempts. Why, thus it shall become Enter Clown. How now, good fellow? would'st thou speak with us? Clo. Yes, forsooth, an your mistership be imperial. Tam. Empress I am, but yonder sits the emperor. Clo. "Tis he.-God, and saint Stephen, give you good den: I have brought you a letter, and a couple of pigeons here. [SATURNINUS reads the Letter. Sat. Go, take him away, and hang him presently. Clo. How much money must I have? Tam. Come, sirrah, you must be hang'd. Clo. Hang'd! By'r lady, then I have brought up a neck to a fair end. [Exit, guarded. Sat. Despiteful and intolerable wrongs! Shall I endure this monstrous villainy? I know from whence this same device proceeds; Enter EMILIUS. What news with thee, Æmilius? Emil. Arm, arm, my lords; Rome never had more cause! The Goths have gather'd head; and with a power Of high-resolved men, bent to the spoil, They hither march amain, under condúct Of Lucius, son to old Andronicus; Who threats, in course of this revenge, to do Sat. Is warlike Lucius general of the Gatha These tidings nip me; and I hang the head 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? 8 With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, Sat. But he will not entreat his son for us. imperious, like thy name.] Imperious was formerly used for imperial. MALONE. 8 stint their melody:] i. e. stop their melody. honey stalks to sheep;] Honey-stalks are clover-flowers, which contain a sweet juice. It is common for black cattle to over-charge themselves with clover, and die, but not for sheep. |