My lord, be rul'd by me, be won at last, Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace in vain. >Aside. Come, come, sweet emperor,-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. This day all quarrels die, Andronicus ;And let it be mine honour, good my lord, That I have reconcil'd your friends and you. For you, prince Bassianus, I have pass'd My word and promise to the emperor, That you will be more mild and tractable.And fear not, lords, and you, Lavinia ;— 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, Mar. That on mine honour here I do protest. The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace; Sat. Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brother's here, And at my lovely Tamora's entreats, I do remit these young men's heinous faults. Stand up. 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, SCENE I. ACT II. The same. Before the Palace. Enter AARON. Aar. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top, Safe out of fortune's shot: and sits aloft, Secure of thunder's crack, or lightning's flash; Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait, upon Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braving. Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge, And manners, to intrude where I am grac'd; Chi. Demetrius, thou dost overween in all; I am as able, and as fit, as thou, my mistress' grace; sword upon thee shall approve, To serve, and to deserve And plead my passions for Lavinia's love. Aar. Clubs, clubs! these lovers will not keep the peace. Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadvis'd, Gave you a dancing-rapier' by your side, Are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends? Chi. Mean while, sir, with the little skill I have, [They draw. Aar. Why, how now, lords? So near the emperor's palace dare you draw, And maintain such a quarrel openly? Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge; I would not for a million of gold, 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, 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, • Favour. 9 This was the usual outcry for assistance, when any riot in the street happened. A sword worn in dancing. 2 Know. And with thy weapon nothing dar'st perform. Aar. Away, I say. 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. Chi. I care not, I, knew she and all the world; I love Lavinia more than all the world. 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 Chi. Aaron, a thousand deaths Would I propose, to achieve her whom I love. Aar. To achieve her!-How? 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; She is Lavinia, therefore must be lov'd. What, man! more water glideth by the mill Than wots the miller of; and easy it is ? |