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Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
AARON
Now climbeth Tamora Olympus’ top,
Safe out of Fortune’s shot, and sits aloft,
Secure of thunder’s crack or lightning flash,
Advanced above pale Envy’s threat’ning reach.
5
As when the golden sun salutes the morn
And, having gilt the ocean with his beams,
Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach
And overlooks the highest-peering hills,
So Tamora.
10
Upon her wit doth earthly honor wait,
And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown.
Then, Aaron, arm thy heart and fit thy thoughts
To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress,
And mount her pitch whom thou in triumph long
15
Hast prisoner held, fettered in amorous chains
And faster bound to Aaron’s charming eyes
Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus.
Away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts!
I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold
20
To wait upon this new-made emperess.
To wait, said I? To wanton with this queen,
This goddess, this Semiramis, this nymph,
This siren that will charm Rome’s Saturnine
And see his shipwrack and his commonweal’s.
25
Holla! What storm is this?
|
AARON
Now climbeth Tamora Olympus’ top,
Safe out of Fortune’s shot, and sits aloft,
Secure of thunder’s crack or lightning flash,
Advanced above pale Envy’s threat’ning reach.
And, having gilt the ocean with his beams,
Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach
And overlooks the highest-peering hills,
So Tamora.
And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown.
Then, Aaron, arm thy heart and fit thy thoughts
To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress,
And mount her pitch whom thou in triumph long
And faster bound to Aaron’s charming eyes
Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus.
Away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts!
I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold
To wait, said I? To wanton with this queen,
This goddess, this Semiramis, this nymph,
This siren that will charm Rome’s Saturnine
And see his shipwrack and his commonweal’s.
|
|
Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braving.
|
Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braving.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
Chiron, thy years wants wit, thy wits wants edge
And manners, to intrude where I am graced,
And may, for aught thou knowest, affected be.
|
DEMETRIUS
Chiron, thy years wants wit, thy wits wants edge
And manners, to intrude where I am graced,
And may, for aught thou knowest, affected be.
|
|
CHIRON
Demetrius, thou dost overween in all,
30
And so in this, to bear me down with braves.
’Tis not the difference of a year or two
Makes me less gracious or thee more fortunate.
I am as able and as fit as thou
To serve and to deserve my mistress’ grace,
35
And that my sword upon thee shall approve
And plead my passions for Lavinia’s love.
|
CHIRON
Demetrius, thou dost overween in all,
’Tis not the difference of a year or two
Makes me less gracious or thee more fortunate.
I am as able and as fit as thou
To serve and to deserve my mistress’ grace,
And plead my passions for Lavinia’s love.
|
|
AARON,
aside
Clubs, clubs! These lovers will not keep the peace.
|
AARON,
aside
Clubs, clubs! These lovers will not keep the peace.
|
|
DEMETRIUS,
to CHIRON
Why, boy, although our mother, unadvised,
Gave you a dancing rapier by your side,
40
Are you so desperate grown to threat your friends?
Go to. Have your lath glued within your sheath
Till you know better how to handle it.
|
DEMETRIUS,
to CHIRON
Why, boy, although our mother, unadvised,
Gave you a dancing rapier by your side,
Go to. Have your lath glued within your sheath
Till you know better how to handle it.
|
|
CHIRON
Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill I have,
Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare.
|
CHIRON
Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill I have,
Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
45
Ay, boy, grow you so brave?
|
DEMETRIUS
|
|
They draw.
|
They draw.
|
|
AARON
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.
50
I would not for a million of gold
The cause were known to them it most concerns,
Nor would your noble mother for much more
Be so dishonored in the court of Rome.
For shame, put up.
|
AARON
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.
The cause were known to them it most concerns,
Nor would your noble mother for much more
Be so dishonored in the court of Rome.
For shame, put up.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
55
Not I, till I have sheathed
My rapier in his bosom, and withal
Thrust those reproachful speeches down his throat
That he hath breathed in my dishonor here.
|
DEMETRIUS
My rapier in his bosom, and withal
Thrust those reproachful speeches down his throat
That he hath breathed in my dishonor here.
|
|
CHIRON
For that I am prepared and full resolved,
60
Foul-spoken coward, that thund’rest with thy tongue
And with thy weapon nothing dar’st perform.
|
CHIRON
For that I am prepared and full resolved,
And with thy weapon nothing dar’st perform.
|
|
AARON
Away, I say!
Now by the gods that warlike Goths adore,
This petty brabble will undo us all.
65
Why, lords, and think you not how dangerous
It is to jet upon a prince’s right?
What, is Lavinia then become so loose
Or Bassianus so degenerate
That for her love such quarrels may be broached
70
Without controlment, justice, or revenge?
Young lords, beware! And should the Empress know
This discord’s ground, the music would not please.
|
AARON
Away, I say!
Now by the gods that warlike Goths adore,
This petty brabble will undo us all.
It is to jet upon a prince’s right?
What, is Lavinia then become so loose
Or Bassianus so degenerate
That for her love such quarrels may be broached
Young lords, beware! And should the Empress know
This discord’s ground, the music would not please.
|
|
CHIRON
I care not, I, knew she and all the world.
I love Lavinia more than all the world.
|
CHIRON
I care not, I, knew she and all the world.
I love Lavinia more than all the world.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
75
Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner choice.
Lavinia is thine elder brother’s hope.
|
DEMETRIUS
Lavinia is thine elder brother’s hope.
|
|
AARON
Why, are you mad? Or know you not in Rome
How furious and impatient they be,
And cannot brook competitors in love?
80
I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths
By this device.
|
AARON
Why, are you mad? Or know you not in Rome
How furious and impatient they be,
And cannot brook competitors in love?
By this device.
|
|
CHIRON
Aaron, a thousand deaths
Would I propose to achieve her whom I love.
|
CHIRON
Aaron, a thousand deaths
Would I propose to achieve her whom I love.
|
|
AARON
To achieve her how?
|
AARON
To achieve her how?
|
|
DEMETRIUS
85
Why makes thou it so strange?
She is a woman, therefore may be wooed;
She is a woman, therefore may be won;
She is Lavinia, therefore must be loved.
What, man, more water glideth by the mill
90
Than wots the miller of, and easy it is
Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know.
Though Bassianus be the Emperor’s brother,
Better than he have worn Vulcan’s badge.
|
DEMETRIUS
She is a woman, therefore may be wooed;
She is a woman, therefore may be won;
She is Lavinia, therefore must be loved.
What, man, more water glideth by the mill
Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know.
Though Bassianus be the Emperor’s brother,
Better than he have worn Vulcan’s badge.
|
|
AARON,
aside
Ay, and as good as Saturninus may.
|
AARON,
aside
Ay, and as good as Saturninus may.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
95
Then why should he despair that knows to court it
With words, fair looks, and liberality?
What, hast not thou full often struck a doe
And borne her cleanly by the keeper’s nose?
|
DEMETRIUS
With words, fair looks, and liberality?
What, hast not thou full often struck a doe
And borne her cleanly by the keeper’s nose?
|
|
AARON
Why, then, it seems some certain snatch or so
100
Would serve your turns.
|
AARON
Why, then, it seems some certain snatch or so
|
|
CHIRON
Ay, so the turn were served.
|
CHIRON
Ay, so the turn were served.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
Aaron, thou hast hit it.
|
DEMETRIUS
Aaron, thou hast hit it.
|
|
AARON
Would you had hit it too!
Then should not we be tired with this ado.
105
Why, hark you, hark you! And are you such fools
To square for this? Would it offend you then
That both should speed?
|
AARON
Would you had hit it too!
Then should not we be tired with this ado.
To square for this? Would it offend you then
That both should speed?
|
|
CHIRON
Faith, not me.
|
CHIRON
Faith, not me.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
Nor me, so I were one.
|
DEMETRIUS
Nor me, so I were one.
|
|
AARON
110
For shame, be friends, and join for that you jar.
’Tis policy and stratagem must do
That you affect, and so must you resolve
That what you cannot as you would achieve,
You must perforce accomplish as you may.
115
Take this of me: Lucrece was not more chaste
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus’ love.
A speedier course than ling’ring languishment
Must we pursue, and I have found the path.
My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand;
120
There will the lovely Roman ladies troop.
The forest walks are wide and spacious,
And many unfrequented plots there are,
Fitted by kind for rape and villainy.
Single you thither then this dainty doe,
125
And strike her home by force, if not by words.
This way, or not at all, stand you in hope.
Come, come, our empress, with her sacred wit
To villainy and vengeance consecrate,
Will we acquaint withal what we intend,
130
And she shall file our engines with advice
That will not suffer you to square yourselves,
But to your wishes’ height advance you both.
The Emperor’s court is like the house of Fame,
The palace full of tongues, of eyes, and ears;
135
The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf, and dull.
There speak and strike, brave boys, and take your
turns.
There serve your lust, shadowed from heaven’s eye,
And revel in Lavinia’s treasury.
|
AARON
’Tis policy and stratagem must do
That you affect, and so must you resolve
That what you cannot as you would achieve,
You must perforce accomplish as you may.
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus’ love.
A speedier course than ling’ring languishment
Must we pursue, and I have found the path.
My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand;
The forest walks are wide and spacious,
And many unfrequented plots there are,
Fitted by kind for rape and villainy.
Single you thither then this dainty doe,
This way, or not at all, stand you in hope.
Come, come, our empress, with her sacred wit
To villainy and vengeance consecrate,
Will we acquaint withal what we intend,
That will not suffer you to square yourselves,
But to your wishes’ height advance you both.
The Emperor’s court is like the house of Fame,
The palace full of tongues, of eyes, and ears;
There speak and strike, brave boys, and take your
turns.
There serve your lust, shadowed from heaven’s eye,
And revel in Lavinia’s treasury.
|
|
CHIRON
140
Thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice.
|
CHIRON
|
|
DEMETRIUS
Sit fas aut nefas, till I find the stream
To cool this heat, a charm to calm these fits,
Per Stygia, per manes vehor.
|
DEMETRIUS
Sit fas aut nefas, till I find the stream
To cool this heat, a charm to calm these fits,
Per Stygia, per manes vehor.
|
|
They exit.
|
They exit.
|
Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
AARON
Now climbeth Tamora Olympus’ top,
Safe out of Fortune’s shot, and sits aloft,
Secure of thunder’s crack or lightning flash,
Advanced above pale Envy’s threat’ning reach.
5
As when the golden sun salutes the morn
And, having gilt the ocean with his beams,
Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach
And overlooks the highest-peering hills,
So Tamora.
10
Upon her wit doth earthly honor wait,
And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown.
Then, Aaron, arm thy heart and fit thy thoughts
To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress,
And mount her pitch whom thou in triumph long
15
Hast prisoner held, fettered in amorous chains
And faster bound to Aaron’s charming eyes
Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus.
Away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts!
I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold
20
To wait upon this new-made emperess.
To wait, said I? To wanton with this queen,
This goddess, this Semiramis, this nymph,
This siren that will charm Rome’s Saturnine
And see his shipwrack and his commonweal’s.
25
Holla! What storm is this?
|
AARON
Now climbeth Tamora Olympus’ top,
Safe out of Fortune’s shot, and sits aloft,
Secure of thunder’s crack or lightning flash,
Advanced above pale Envy’s threat’ning reach.
And, having gilt the ocean with his beams,
Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach
And overlooks the highest-peering hills,
So Tamora.
And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown.
Then, Aaron, arm thy heart and fit thy thoughts
To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress,
And mount her pitch whom thou in triumph long
And faster bound to Aaron’s charming eyes
Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus.
Away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts!
I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold
To wait, said I? To wanton with this queen,
This goddess, this Semiramis, this nymph,
This siren that will charm Rome’s Saturnine
And see his shipwrack and his commonweal’s.
|
|
Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braving.
|
Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braving.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
Chiron, thy years wants wit, thy wits wants edge
And manners, to intrude where I am graced,
And may, for aught thou knowest, affected be.
|
DEMETRIUS
Chiron, thy years wants wit, thy wits wants edge
And manners, to intrude where I am graced,
And may, for aught thou knowest, affected be.
|
|
CHIRON
Demetrius, thou dost overween in all,
30
And so in this, to bear me down with braves.
’Tis not the difference of a year or two
Makes me less gracious or thee more fortunate.
I am as able and as fit as thou
To serve and to deserve my mistress’ grace,
35
And that my sword upon thee shall approve
And plead my passions for Lavinia’s love.
|
CHIRON
Demetrius, thou dost overween in all,
’Tis not the difference of a year or two
Makes me less gracious or thee more fortunate.
I am as able and as fit as thou
To serve and to deserve my mistress’ grace,
And plead my passions for Lavinia’s love.
|
|
AARON,
aside
Clubs, clubs! These lovers will not keep the peace.
|
AARON,
aside
Clubs, clubs! These lovers will not keep the peace.
|
|
DEMETRIUS,
to CHIRON
Why, boy, although our mother, unadvised,
Gave you a dancing rapier by your side,
40
Are you so desperate grown to threat your friends?
Go to. Have your lath glued within your sheath
Till you know better how to handle it.
|
DEMETRIUS,
to CHIRON
Why, boy, although our mother, unadvised,
Gave you a dancing rapier by your side,
Go to. Have your lath glued within your sheath
Till you know better how to handle it.
|
|
CHIRON
Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill I have,
Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare.
|
CHIRON
Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill I have,
Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
45
Ay, boy, grow you so brave?
|
DEMETRIUS
|
|
They draw.
|
They draw.
|
|
AARON
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.
50
I would not for a million of gold
The cause were known to them it most concerns,
Nor would your noble mother for much more
Be so dishonored in the court of Rome.
For shame, put up.
|
AARON
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.
The cause were known to them it most concerns,
Nor would your noble mother for much more
Be so dishonored in the court of Rome.
For shame, put up.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
55
Not I, till I have sheathed
My rapier in his bosom, and withal
Thrust those reproachful speeches down his throat
That he hath breathed in my dishonor here.
|
DEMETRIUS
My rapier in his bosom, and withal
Thrust those reproachful speeches down his throat
That he hath breathed in my dishonor here.
|
|
CHIRON
For that I am prepared and full resolved,
60
Foul-spoken coward, that thund’rest with thy tongue
And with thy weapon nothing dar’st perform.
|
CHIRON
For that I am prepared and full resolved,
And with thy weapon nothing dar’st perform.
|
|
AARON
Away, I say!
Now by the gods that warlike Goths adore,
This petty brabble will undo us all.
65
Why, lords, and think you not how dangerous
It is to jet upon a prince’s right?
What, is Lavinia then become so loose
Or Bassianus so degenerate
That for her love such quarrels may be broached
70
Without controlment, justice, or revenge?
Young lords, beware! And should the Empress know
This discord’s ground, the music would not please.
|
AARON
Away, I say!
Now by the gods that warlike Goths adore,
This petty brabble will undo us all.
It is to jet upon a prince’s right?
What, is Lavinia then become so loose
Or Bassianus so degenerate
That for her love such quarrels may be broached
Young lords, beware! And should the Empress know
This discord’s ground, the music would not please.
|
|
CHIRON
I care not, I, knew she and all the world.
I love Lavinia more than all the world.
|
CHIRON
I care not, I, knew she and all the world.
I love Lavinia more than all the world.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
75
Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner choice.
Lavinia is thine elder brother’s hope.
|
DEMETRIUS
Lavinia is thine elder brother’s hope.
|
|
AARON
Why, are you mad? Or know you not in Rome
How furious and impatient they be,
And cannot brook competitors in love?
80
I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths
By this device.
|
AARON
Why, are you mad? Or know you not in Rome
How furious and impatient they be,
And cannot brook competitors in love?
By this device.
|
|
CHIRON
Aaron, a thousand deaths
Would I propose to achieve her whom I love.
|
CHIRON
Aaron, a thousand deaths
Would I propose to achieve her whom I love.
|
|
AARON
To achieve her how?
|
AARON
To achieve her how?
|
|
DEMETRIUS
85
Why makes thou it so strange?
She is a woman, therefore may be wooed;
She is a woman, therefore may be won;
She is Lavinia, therefore must be loved.
What, man, more water glideth by the mill
90
Than wots the miller of, and easy it is
Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know.
Though Bassianus be the Emperor’s brother,
Better than he have worn Vulcan’s badge.
|
DEMETRIUS
She is a woman, therefore may be wooed;
She is a woman, therefore may be won;
She is Lavinia, therefore must be loved.
What, man, more water glideth by the mill
Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know.
Though Bassianus be the Emperor’s brother,
Better than he have worn Vulcan’s badge.
|
|
AARON,
aside
Ay, and as good as Saturninus may.
|
AARON,
aside
Ay, and as good as Saturninus may.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
95
Then why should he despair that knows to court it
With words, fair looks, and liberality?
What, hast not thou full often struck a doe
And borne her cleanly by the keeper’s nose?
|
DEMETRIUS
With words, fair looks, and liberality?
What, hast not thou full often struck a doe
And borne her cleanly by the keeper’s nose?
|
|
AARON
Why, then, it seems some certain snatch or so
100
Would serve your turns.
|
AARON
Why, then, it seems some certain snatch or so
|
|
CHIRON
Ay, so the turn were served.
|
CHIRON
Ay, so the turn were served.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
Aaron, thou hast hit it.
|
DEMETRIUS
Aaron, thou hast hit it.
|
|
AARON
Would you had hit it too!
Then should not we be tired with this ado.
105
Why, hark you, hark you! And are you such fools
To square for this? Would it offend you then
That both should speed?
|
AARON
Would you had hit it too!
Then should not we be tired with this ado.
To square for this? Would it offend you then
That both should speed?
|
|
CHIRON
Faith, not me.
|
CHIRON
Faith, not me.
|
|
DEMETRIUS
Nor me, so I were one.
|
DEMETRIUS
Nor me, so I were one.
|
|
AARON
110
For shame, be friends, and join for that you jar.
’Tis policy and stratagem must do
That you affect, and so must you resolve
That what you cannot as you would achieve,
You must perforce accomplish as you may.
115
Take this of me: Lucrece was not more chaste
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus’ love.
A speedier course than ling’ring languishment
Must we pursue, and I have found the path.
My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand;
120
There will the lovely Roman ladies troop.
The forest walks are wide and spacious,
And many unfrequented plots there are,
Fitted by kind for rape and villainy.
Single you thither then this dainty doe,
125
And strike her home by force, if not by words.
This way, or not at all, stand you in hope.
Come, come, our empress, with her sacred wit
To villainy and vengeance consecrate,
Will we acquaint withal what we intend,
130
And she shall file our engines with advice
That will not suffer you to square yourselves,
But to your wishes’ height advance you both.
The Emperor’s court is like the house of Fame,
The palace full of tongues, of eyes, and ears;
135
The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf, and dull.
There speak and strike, brave boys, and take your
turns.
There serve your lust, shadowed from heaven’s eye,
And revel in Lavinia’s treasury.
|
AARON
’Tis policy and stratagem must do
That you affect, and so must you resolve
That what you cannot as you would achieve,
You must perforce accomplish as you may.
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus’ love.
A speedier course than ling’ring languishment
Must we pursue, and I have found the path.
My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand;
The forest walks are wide and spacious,
And many unfrequented plots there are,
Fitted by kind for rape and villainy.
Single you thither then this dainty doe,
This way, or not at all, stand you in hope.
Come, come, our empress, with her sacred wit
To villainy and vengeance consecrate,
Will we acquaint withal what we intend,
That will not suffer you to square yourselves,
But to your wishes’ height advance you both.
The Emperor’s court is like the house of Fame,
The palace full of tongues, of eyes, and ears;
There speak and strike, brave boys, and take your
turns.
There serve your lust, shadowed from heaven’s eye,
And revel in Lavinia’s treasury.
|
|
CHIRON
140
Thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice.
|
CHIRON
|
|
DEMETRIUS
Sit fas aut nefas, till I find the stream
To cool this heat, a charm to calm these fits,
Per Stygia, per manes vehor.
|
DEMETRIUS
Sit fas aut nefas, till I find the stream
To cool this heat, a charm to calm these fits,
Per Stygia, per manes vehor.
|
|
They exit.
|
They exit.
|
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