No voise : but silence and eternal sleep: I ask your voices, and your suffrages_

Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus ? Enter LAVINIA.

Trib. To gratify the good Andronicus,

And gratulate bis safe return to Rome, Ill peace and honour rest you here, my sons !

The people will accept whom he adınits. Lav. Iu peace and honour live lord Titus

Tit. Tribunes, I thank you : aud this suit ! long;

make, My noble lord and father, live in fame!

That you create your emperor's eldest son, Lo! at this tomb my tributary tears

Lord Saturmine, whose virtues will, I hope, I render, for my brethreu's obsequies ;

Retlect on Roine as Titan's rays on earth, And at thy feet I kneel, with tears of joy

Aud ripen justice in this commou-weal : Shed on the earth, for thy return to Roine :

Then, it you will elect by my advice, O bless me here with thy victorious band,

Crown him, and say,-Long live our emperor! Whose fortunes Roine's best citizens appland.

Mar. With voices and applause of every sort, Tit. Kind Rome, that bast thus lovingly re- Patricians and plebeians, we create sery'd

Lord S. turninns, Rome's great einperor ; The cordial of mine age to glad my heart !

And say, Long live our emperor Suturninus. Lavinia, live ; outlive thy father's days,

(A long Flourish. And fame's eternal date, for virtue's praise ! *

Sut. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, SATURNINUS,

To us in our election this day,

I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts,
BASSIANUS, and others.

And will with deeds requite thy gentleness :
Mar. Long live lord Titus, my beloved brother, And, for au onset, Titus, to advance
Gracious triúinpher in the eyes of Roine ! Thy naine, and honourable family,
T'it. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Lavinia will I make my empress,
Marcus.

Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart, Mar. And welcome, nephews, from successful And in the sacred Pantheon her esponse : wars,

Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please You that survive, and you that sleep in fame.

thee? Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all,

Tit. It doth, my worthy lord; and, in this That in your country's service drew your swords:

match, But safer triumph is this funeral pomp,

I hold me bighly bonjour'd of your grace : That bath aspir'd to Solon's happiness, +

And here, in sight of Rome, to Saturnine,And triumphs over chance in honour's bed.- King and cominander of our common-Weal, Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome,

The wide world's emperor,--do I consecrate Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been, My sword, my chariot, and my prisoners; Send thee by me, their tribune, and their trust, Presents well worthy Roine’s imperial lord : This palliament i of white and spotless hue ; Receive them then, the tribute that I owe, And name thee in election for the einpire, Mine honour's ensignis humbled at thy feet. With these our late-deceased emperor's sons : Sat. Thanks, uoble Titus, father of my life! Be candidatus then, and put it on,

How proud I am of thee, and of thy gitis, And help to set a head on headless Rome. Rome shall record ; and, when I do forget

Til. Å better head ber glorious body tits, The least of these wspeakable deserts, Than his, that sbakes for age and feebleness : Romaus, forget your fealty to me. Whai ! should I don ý this robe, and trouble Tit. Now, madamn, are you prisoner to an emyou?

peror ;

(70 TAMORA. Be chosen with proclamations to-day ;.

To him, that for your honour and your state, Tomorrow, yield up rule, resigo my life, Will use you nobly, and your followers. And set abroad new business for you all ?

Sat. A goodly lady, trust me ; of the hue Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years,

That I would choose, were I to choose anew.And buried one and twenty valiant sons,

Clear up, fair qucen, that cloudy countenance ; Knighted in field, slain inamfully in arms, Though chance of war bath wrought this change In right and service of their noble country:

of cheer, Give me a staff of honour for mine age,

Thou coin'st not to be made a scorn in Rome : But not a sceptre to control the world.

Princely shall be thy usage every way. Upriglit he held it, lords, that held it last. Rest on my word, and let not discontent Dar. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the Daunt all your hopes. Madam, be comforts empery.

you, Sut. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou Can inake you greater than the queen of tell !

Goths. Tit. Patience, prince Saturnine.

Lavinia, you are not displeas'd with this? Sat. Romans, do me rigiit :

Lav. Not I, my lord ; sith + true nobility Patricians, draw your swords, and sheath them Warrants these words in princely courtesy: not

Sat. Tbauks, sweet Lavinia.-Romans, let Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor :

is go Andronicus, 'would thou wert shipp'd to hell, Ransomless here we set our prisoners free: Rather than rob me of the people's hearts. Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good

drum. That doble-injuded Titus means to thee !

Bas. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to

mine.

(Seizing LAVINIA. thee

Tit. How, Sir ? are you in caruest then, my The people's hearts, and wean thein from them

lord ! selves.

Bas. Ay, noble Titus ; and resolv'd withal, Bas. Audronicus, I do not fatter thee, To do inyself this reason and this right. But honour thee, and will do till I die :

(The Emperor courts TAYORA in dumb My faction is thou strengthen with thy friends,

shou'. I will most thankful be: and thanks, to men Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman justice : or noble minds, is bonourable meed.

This prince in justice seizeth but his own. Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius here,

live.

Tit. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the empe• He wishes that her lite may be longer than his, and

ror's guard? her praise longer than faine + the waxin alluded to is, that no man can be pro

Treason, my lord! Lavinia is surpris'd. nounced bappy before his death. A robe. $ Put it on. • The sun.

† Since.

than 60,

mine:

wife.

Sat. Surpris'd ! by whom?

Tit. I am not bid * to wait

upon

this Bas. By him that justly may

bride :
Bear bis betroth'd from all the world away. Titus, when wert thou wont to talk alone,
[Excunt Marcus and BASSIANUS, with Dishonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs S

LAVINIA.
Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence

Re-enter Marcus, Lucius, QUINTUS, and away,

MARTIUS. And with my sword I'll keep this door safe. Mar. 0 Titus, see, oh! see, what thou hast (Exeunt LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and

done! MARTIUS.

In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son. Tit. Follow my lord, and I'll soon bring her T'it. No, foolish tribune, no; no son of back.

mine, Muf. My lord, you pass not here.

Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed
Tit. What, villain boy!

That hath dishonour'd all our family ;
Barrist me my way in Rome ?

Unworthy brother, and unworthy sous !
(Titus kills Mutius. Luc. But let us give him burial as becomes ;
Mut. Help, Lucius, help.

Give Mutius burial with our brethren.
Re-enter Lucius.

Tit. Traitors, away! be rests not in this lomb.

This inonument five hundred years hath stood, Luc. My lord, you are unjust ; and, more which I have sumptuously re-editied :

Here none but soldiers, and Rome's servitors, la wrongful quarrel you have slain your son. Repose in fame : uone basely slain in brawls : l'it. Nor thou, nor he, are any sons of Bury him where you can, he comes not here.

Mur. My lord, this is impiety in you :
My sons would never so dishonour me:

My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him :
Traitor, restore Lavinia to the emperor.

He must be buried with his brethren.
Luc. Dead, if you will : but not to be his Quin. Mar. And shall, or bin we will ac-

company:
That is another's lawful promis'd love.

Tit. And shall? What villain was it spoke that (Exit.

word ? Sat. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her Quin. He that would vouch't in any place but not,

here. Not her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock :

Tit. What, would you bury him in my de-
I'll trust, by leisure, him that mocks me once :

spite ?
Thee never, nor thy traitorous baughty sons, Mar. No, noble Titus ; but entreat of thee
Confederates all thus to dishonour me,

To pardon Mutius, and to bury him.
Was there none else in Rome to make a Tit. Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my
stale of

crest, But Saturnine ? Full well, Andronicus,

And, with these boys, mine honour thou hast Agree these deeds with that proud' brag of My roes I do repute you every one; (wounded : thine,

So trouble me no more, but get you gone.
That said'st, i begy'd the empire at thy hands.

Mart. He is not with himself; let us with-
Tr. O monstrous ! what reproachful words

draw. are these 1

Quin. Not I, till Mutius' bones be buried. Sat. But go thy ways: go, give that changing (MARCUS and the Sons of Titus kneel. piece

Mar. Brother, for in that name doth nature To him that flourish'd for her with his sword :

plead. A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy ;

Quin. Father, and in that name doth nature One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons,

speak. To rufie + in the commonwealth of Rome.

Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will T'it. These words are razors to my wounded

speed. heart.

Mar. Repowned Titus, more than half my Sat. Aud therefore, lovely Tamora, queen of

soul, Goths,

Luc. Dear father, soul and substance of us That like the stately Phæbe

'mongst her

all,
nymphs,

Mar. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter
Dest oversbine the gallant'st dames of Rome,

His noble nephew here in virtue's nest,
If thou he pleas'd with this my sudden choice,

That died in honour and Lavinia's cause.
Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride,

Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous.
And will create thee emperess of Rome.

The Greeks, upon advice, did bury Ajax,
Speak, queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my Tbat slew himself; and wise Laertes son'

Did graciously plead for his funerals.
choice 1

Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy,
And here I swear by all the Roman gods,

Be barr'a his entrance here.
Sith priest and holy water are so near,

Tit. Rise, Marcus, rise :-
And tapers buru so bright, and every thing

The dismall'st day is this, that e'er I saw,--
In readiness for Hymeneus stand..

To be dishonour'd by my sons in Rome !
I will not re-salute the streets of Rome,

Well, bury him, and bury me the next.
Or climb my palace, till from forth this place

[Mutius is put into the Tomb. I lead espous'd my bride along with me.

Luc. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with
T'am. And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome

thy friends,
I swear,

Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb !-
If Saturnine advance the queen of Goths,

All. No man shed tears for noble Mutius :
She will a handmaid be to his desires,

He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause.
A loving nurse, a mother to his youth,

Mur. My lord,--to step out of these dreary
Sat. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon :-Lords,

dumps,
accompany

How comes it, that the subtle queen of Goths
Your noble emperor, and his lovely bride,

Is of a sudden thus advanc'd in Rome ?
bent by the heavens for prince Saturnine,

Tit. I know not, Marcus ; but, I know, it is :
Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered :

Whether by device, or no, the heavens can teil ;
There shall we consummate our spousal rites.

(Ereunt SATURNINUs and his followers; Is she not iben beholden to the man

Tamora and her sons ; AARON and That brought her for this high good turn so faut
Goths.

Yes, and will nobly him remunerate.

• Inviteit
+ A rufiter was a bully.
*A stalking horse.

(Excunt,

Flourish. Re-enter, at one side, SATURNINUS, | for you, prince Bassianus, I have pass'd

attended ; TAMORA, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, My word and promise to the emperor, and AARON : At the other, BASSIANUS, La. That you will be more mild and tractable.VINIA, and others.

And fear not, lords, and you, Lavinia ; Sat. So, Bassianus, you have play'd your By my advice, all humbled on your knees, prize :

You shall ask pardon of his majesty. God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride. Luc. We do ; and vow to heaven, and to his Bas. And you of your's, my lord, I say no That what we did was mildly, as we might,

highness, ore, Nor wish no less ; and so I take my leave. Tend'ring our sister's honour and our own. Sat. Traitor, if Rome have law, or we have Mar. That on mine honour here I do protest. power,

Sat. Away, and talk net : trouble us no Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape.

more. Bus. Rape, call you it, my lord, to seize my Tam. Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all OW 11,

be friends : My true-betrothed love, and now my wife?

The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace : But let the laws of Rome determine all :

I will not be denied. Sweet heart, look back. Mean while I am possess'd of what is mine.

Sat. Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brother's Sat. 'Tis good, Sir: You are very short with

here, But, if we live, we'll be as sharp with you. [us; And at my lovely Tamora's entreats, Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best i 1 do reinit these young men's heinous faults. way,

Stand up.
Answer I must, and shall do with my life. Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,
Ouly thus much I give your grace to know-

I found a friend; and sure as death I swore, By all the duties that I owe to Rome,

I would not part a bachelor from the priest. This noble gentleman, lord Titus bere,

Come, if the emperor's court can feast two Is in opinion, and in honour, wrong'd ;

brides. That, in the rescue of Lavinia,

You are iny guest, Lavinia, and your friends; With his own hand did slay his youngest son,

This day shall be a love-day, Tamora. łu zeal to you, and highly mov'd to wrath

Tit. To-morrow, an it please your majesty, To be control'd in that he frankly gave :

To hunt the panther and ibe hart with me, Receive him then to favour, Saturnine;

With born and bound, we'll give your grace That hath expressed himseli, in all his deeds,

bonjour. A father and a friend to thee and Rome.

Sat. Be it so, Titus, and gramercy, too. Tit. Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my

deeds ; 'Tis thou, and those, that have dishonour'd me; Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge. How I have lov'd and honour'd Saturnine !

ACT II. Tom. My worthy lord, if ever Tamora Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine, SCENE 1.–The same.-Before the Palace. Then hear mo speak indifferently for all ; And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.

Enter AARON. Sat. What ! inadam! be dishonour'd openly,

A ar. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top, And basely put it up without revenge ?

Sale out of fortune's shot : and sits aloft, Tam. Not so, my lord : The gods of Rome Secure of thuuder's crack, or lightning's fash: forefend,

Advanc'd above pale envy's threatning reach. I should be author to dishonour you!

As when the golden sun salutes the inom, But, on mjue honour, dare I undertake

And having gilt the ocean with his beams, For good lord Titus' innocence in all,

Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach, Whose fury, not dissembled, speaks his griefs : And overlooks the highest-peering bills : Then, at my suit, look graciously on him ; So Tamora.Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose, Upon her wit doth early honour wait, Nor with sour looks afflict bis gentle heart. And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown:

[A side. Then, Aaron, arm thy heart, and fit thy thoughts, My lord, be rul’d by me, he won at last, To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress, Dissemble all your griefs and discontents : And mount ber pitch : whom thou in triumph You are but newly planted in your throne :

long Lest then the people and patricians too,

Hast prisoner held, fetter'd in amorous chains; Upon a just survey, take Titus' part,

And faster bound to Aaron's charming eyes, And so supplant us for ingratitude,

Than is Promethens tied to Caucasus. (Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,) Away with slavish weeds, and idle thoughts! Yield at entreats, and then let me alone : I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold, l'll find a day to massacre them all,

To wait upon this new-made emperess. And raze their faction, and their family,

To wait, said I ? to wanton with this queen, The cruel father, and bis traitorous sons, This goddess, this Semiramis ;--this queen, To whom I sted for my dear son's life ;

This syren, that will charm Rome's Satornine, And make them know, what 'tis to let a queen And see his shipwreck, and his commonweai's. Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace in Iloila! what storm is this?

vain.-Come, come, sweet emperor,-come, Andronicus,

Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braring. Take ap this good old man, and cheer ite licait Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants That dies in tempest of thy angry frown.

edge, Sat. Rise, Titus, rise; my einpress bath pre- And manners, to intrude where I am grac'd; vail'd.

And may, for ought thou know'st, affected be. TX. I thank your majesty, aud her, my lord ; Chi. Demetrius, tbou dost o'erween in all ; These words, these looks, infuse new life in me. And so in this to bear me down with braves.

'Tis not the difference of a year or two, Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,

Makes me less gracious, thee more fortunate : A Roman now adopted happily,

I am as able and as tit as thou, And must advise the emperor for his good,

To serve and to deserve my mistress' grace ; ! This day all quarrels die, Andronicus ;

And that my sword upon thee shall approve, And let it be mine honour, good my lord, That I have reconcil'd your friends and you. And plead any passions for Lavinia's love. • Forbid. • firand merce-gte at thanks

+ Favoar.

cant, look

ald tyr

rats,

2 chari

bare passió Aar. Clubs, clubs ! * these lovers will not keep Chi. l'faith, not me.
emperor,
the peace.

Dem. Nor me,
and tractable Dem. Why, boy, although our motber, unad. So I were one.
bu, Latina;
vis'd,

Aar. For shame, be friends; and join for that ! Foartners, Gave you a dancing-rapier + by your side,

you jar. majesty.

Are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends? | 'Tis policy and stratagem must do
Go to! have your lath glued within your sheath, That you affect ; and so must you resolve:
Till you know better how to handle it.

That what you cannot, as you would, achieve,
, 25 We miski
,

Chi. Mean while, Sir, with the little skill I have, You must perforce accomplish as you may. and oor. Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare. Take this of me, Lucrece was not more cbaste there to Dem. Ay, boy, grow ye so brave ?

Than this Lavinia, Bassianus' love.

(They draw. A speedier course than lingering languishment
Aar. Why, how now, lords?

Must we pursue, and I have found the path.
So near the emperor's palace dare you draw, My lords, a soleinn hunting is in band;
And maintain such a quarrel openly !

There will the lovely Roman ladies troop: ned for

Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge ; The forest walks are wide and spacious,
I would not for a million of gold,

And many uptrequented plots there are,
The cause were known to them it most concerns : Fitted by kind. for rape and villainy :
Nor would your noble mother, for much more, Single you thither then this dainty doe.
Be so dishonour'd in the court of Rome.

And strike her home by force, if not by words:
For shame, put up,

This way, or not at all, stand you in hope.
Dea. Not I, till I have sheath'd

Come, come, our empress, with her sacred † wit,
My rapier in bis bosom, and, withal,

To villainy and vengeance consecrate,
Thrust these reproachful speeches down his throat, Will we acquaint with all that we intend :
That he hath breath'd in my dishonour here. And she shall file our engives with advice,
Chi. For that I am prepar'd and full re- That will not sutter you to square yourselves,
solv'd, -

(tongne, But to your wishes' height advance you both.
Foul-spoken coward! that thunder'st with thy The emperor's court is like the house of fame,
And with thy weapon hotbing dar'st perforin. The palace full of tongues, of eyes, of ears :
Aar. Away, I say.--

The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf and dull :
Now by the gods, that warlike Goths adore, There speak, and strike, brave boys, and take
This petty brabble will undo us all.--

your turns :

[eye,
Why, lords, and think you not how dangerous There serve your lust, shadow'd from heaven's
It is to jut upon a prince's right?

And revel in Lavinia's treasury.
What, is Lavinia then become so loose,

Chi. Thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice.
Or Bassianus so degenerate,

Dem. Sit fas aut nejas, till I find the stream
That for her love such quarrels may be broach'd, To cool this heat, a charm to calm these fits,
Without controlment, justice, or revenge 3 Per Styga, per manes vehor. [Eleuni.
Young lords, beware!-an should the empress
krow

SCEVE II.--A Forest near Rome.-A Lodge
This discord's ground, the music would not please. seen at a distance. Horns, and cry of

(hi. I care not; I, knew she and all the world; Hounds heard.
I love Lavinia more than all the world.

Enter TITUS ANDRONICUS, with Ilunters, fc.
Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make some

MARCUS, LUCTUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS.
meaner choice :
Lavinia is thine elder brother's hope.

Tit. The hunt is up, the morn is bright and
Aar. Why, are ye mad ? or know ye not, in

grey,

(green :
Roine.

The fields are fragrant, and the woods are
How furious and impatient they be,

Uncoupled bere, and let us make a bay,
And cannot brook competitors in love ?

And wake the emperor and his lovely bride, 1

I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths And rouse the prince ; and ring a hunter's peal,
By this device.

That all the court may echo with the noise.
Chi. Aaron, a thousand deaths

Sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours,
Would I propose, to achieve her whom I love. To tend the emperor's person carefully :
Car. To achieve her!-How?

I have been troubled in my sleep this night,
Dem. Why makest thou it so strange ? But dawning day new comfort bath inspir’d.
She is a wonian, therefore may be woo'd;

Horns wind a Peal. Enter SATURNINUS, TÀ-
She is a woman, therefore may be won ;

MORA, BASSIANUS, LAVINIA, CHIRON, DE-
She is Lavinia, therefore must be lov'll.

METRIUS, and attendants,
What, man ! more water glideth by the mill
Than wots the miller of , and easy it is

Tit. Many good morrows to your majesty :-
Or a cut loaf to steal a shive, ý we know : Madam, to you as many and as gooi!
Though Bassianus be the emperor's brother, I promised your grace à hunter's peal.
Better than he have yet worn Vulcan's badge. Sat. And you have rung it lustily, my lords,
Car. Ay, and as good as Saturninus may Somewhat too early for new-married ladies.

(A side.

Bas, Lavinia, how say you ?

Lay, I say, no:
Dem. Then why shoald he despair, that knows

I have been broad awake two hours and more.
to court it
With ords, fair looks and liberality?

Sat. Come on then, horse and chariots let us

have,
What; hast thou not full often struck a doe,

And to our sport :- Madam, now shall ye see
And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose?

[To TAYOR A.
l'ar. Why then, it seems, some certain snatch, Our Roman bunting.

Mar. I have dogs, my lord,
or so,
Would serve your turns.

Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase,

And climb the highest promontory top.
Chi. Ay, so the turn were servid.

Tit. And I have horse will follow where the
Dem. Aaron, thou hast bit it.
Car. 'Would you had hit it too ;

Makes way, and run like swallows o'er the plain.
Theu should tot we be tir'd with this ado.

Dem. Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor
by, hark ye, bark ye,m-And are you such fools,

hound,

[Exeunt. That both should speed ?

game

To square | for this I Would it offend you then

But bope to pluck a dainty doe to ground.

• Dynatre.
Sacred here signines de mrsed : « Laton,

tiet bappened.

I know.

"This was the usual outcry for assistance, when any

† Asword woru in dancing.
Slice. I Quarrel.

SCENE III.-A desert Part of the Forest. Tis thoughit you have a goodly gift iu horning ;

And to be doubted, that your Moor and you Enter AARON, with a Bag of Gold.

Are singled forth to try experiments : Aar. He that had wit, would think that I had Jove shield your husband from his bounds to-day : none,

'Tis pity they should take him for a stag. To bury so much gold under a tree,

Bus. Believe me, queen, your swarth CimmeAnd never after to inherit. it.

rian Let him that thinks of me so ahjectly,

Doth make your houoir of his body's bue,
Know, that this gold must coin a stratagein ; Spotted, detested, and aboininable.
Which, cunningly eflected, will beget

Why are you sequester'd froin all your train ? A very excellent piece of villany;

Dismounted from your show-white goodly steed, And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest, + And wander'd hither to an ab ure ploi,

[Hides the Gold. Accompanied with a barbarous Moor, That have their alıns out of the empress' chest. If foul desire had not conducted you ?

Lav. And, being intercepled in your sport, Enter TAVORA.

Great reason that iny noble lord be rated Tam. My lovely Aaron, wherefore look'st thou For sauciness.- pray you, let us hence, sad,

And let her 'joy her raven colour'd love; When everything doth make a gleeful boast ! This valley fits the purpose passing well. The birds chaunt melody on every bush :

Bas. The king, my brother, shall have note The snake lies rolled in the cheerful sun;

of this. The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind, Lav. Ay, for these slips have made him noted And inake a chequer'd shadow on the ground:

long : Under their sweet shade, Aaron, let us sit: Good king ! to be so mightily abus'd ! And-whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds, Tam. Why have 1 patience to endure all this? Replying shrilly to the well-tuu'd horas, As if a double hunt were heard at once,

Enter Chiron and DEMETRIUS. Let us sit down, and mark their yelling noise : Dem. How now, dear sovereign, and our graAnd-after conflict, such as was suppos'd

cious mother, The wandering prince of Dido once enjoy'd, Why doth your higliness look so pale and want When with a happy storm they were surpris’d, Tum. Have I not reason, think you, to look And curtain'd with a counsel-keeping cave,

pale ? We may, each wreathed in the other's arms, These two bave 'ric'd me hither to this place, Our pastimes done, possess a golden sluinber; A barreu detested vale, you see, it is : Whiles hounds, and horns, and sweet melodious The trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean, birds,

O'ercoine with moss, and baleful misletoe. Be unto us, as is a nurse's song

Here never shines the sun; here nothing breeds, or lullaby, to bring her babe asleep.

Unless the nightly owl, or fatal raven ; Aar. Madam, though Venus govern your de. And, when they show'd me this abhorred pit, sires,

They told me, here, at dead time of the night, Saturn is dominator over mine :

A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes, What signifies my deadly standing eye,

Ten thousand swelling toads, as many urchins, My silence, and iny ciondy melancholy,

Would make such fearful and confused cries, My fleece of woolly hair that now ancurls, As any mortal body, hearing it, Even as an adder, when she doth unroll Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. To do same fatal execution ?

No sooner had they told this bellish tale, No, madam, these are no venereal signs ; But straigbt they told me, they would bind me Vengeance is in my heart, death in iny hand,

here Blood and revenge are hainmering in iny head. Unto the body of a dismal yew; Hark, Tamora--the empress of my soul, And leave mne to this miserable death. Which never hopes more beaven' than rests in And then they call'd ine, foul adulteress, thee,

Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms This is the day of doom for Bassianus :

That ever ear did hear to such effect. His Philomel i must loose her tongrie to-day : And, had you not by wondrous fortune come, Thy sons make pillage of her chastity,

This vengeance on we had they executed : And wash their hands in Bassianus' blood. Revenge it, as yon love your mother's life, Seest thou this letter? Take it up, I pray thee, Or be ye not henceforth call'd my children. And give the king this fatal-plotted scroll :- Deni. This is a witness that I am thy sor. Now question me no more, we are espied ;

(Stabs BassiaNTS. Here coines a parcel ý of our hopeful booty, Chi. And this for me, struck home to show Which dreads not yet their lives' destruction.

my strength. Tam. Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than

(Stabbing him likewise. lire!

Lav. Ay, come, Semirainis,-nay, barbarous Jar. No more, great empress, Bassianus comes:

Tamora !
Be cross with hin; aud I'll go fetch thy sons For no name tits thy nature but thy own!
To back thy quarrels whatsoe'er they be.

Tam. Give me thiy poniard ; you shall kuow, (Exit.

my boys,

Your mother's band shall right your mother's Enter BASSIANUs and LAVINIA.

wrong. Bas. Who have we here ? Rome's royal em- Dem. Stay, madam, here is inore belongs to

peress, Un ournish'd of her well-beseeming troop ? First thrash the corn, then after burn the straw: Or is it Dian, habited like her ;

This minion stood upon her chastity, Who hath abandoned her holy groves,

Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, To see the general hunting in this forest ? And with that painted hope braves your mighti. Tarr. Saucy controller of our private steps !

ness. Had I the power that some say, Dian had, And sball sbe carry this unto her grave ? Thy temples should be planted presently

Chi. An if she do, I would I were a eunuch. With horns, as was Actæl's; and the hounds Drag hence her husband to some secret hole, Should drive upon thy new transformed limbs : And make his dead trunk pillow to our lust. Unmannerly intruder as thou art !

Tam. But wlien you have the honey you de. Lar. Under your patience, gentle emperess,

sire,

Let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting • Posupss.

+ Disquiet. : SeOrru's Metamorphoses, Book 1. Parí.

• Iledge-hors.

her;