No Fear Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus: Act 2 Scene 3

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Titus Andronicus

William Shakespeare

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter AARON, alone, carrying a bag of gold.	Enter AARON, alone, carrying a bag of gold.
AARON He that had wit would think that I had none, To bury so much gold under a tree And never after to inherit it. Let him that thinks of me so abjectly 5 Know that this gold must coin a stratagem Which, cunningly effected, will beget A very excellent piece of villainy. He hides the bag. And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest That have their alms out of the Empress’ chest.	AARON He that had wit would think that I had none, To bury so much gold under a tree And never after to inherit it. Let him that thinks of me so abjectly Know that this gold must coin a stratagem Which, cunningly effected, will beget A very excellent piece of villainy. He hides the bag. And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest That have their alms out of the Empress’ chest.
Enter TAMORA alone to AARON the Moor.	Enter TAMORA alone to AARON the Moor.
TAMORA 10 My lovely Aaron, wherefore look’st thou sad, When everything doth make a gleeful boast? The birds chant melody on every bush, The snakes lies rollèd in the cheerful sun, The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind 15 And make a checkered shadow on the ground. Under their sweet shade, Aaron, let us sit, And whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds, Replying shrilly to the well-tuned horns, As if a double hunt were heard at once, 20 Let us sit down and mark their yellowing noise. And after conflict such as was supposed The wand’ring prince and Dido once enjoyed When with a happy storm they were surprised, And curtained with a counsel-keeping cave, 25 We may, each wreathèd in the other’s arms, Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber, Whiles hounds and horns and sweet melodious birds Be unto us as is a nurse’s song Of lullaby to bring her babe asleep.	TAMORA My lovely Aaron, wherefore look’st thou sad, When everything doth make a gleeful boast? The birds chant melody on every bush, The snakes lies rollèd in the cheerful sun, The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind And make a checkered shadow on the ground. Under their sweet shade, Aaron, let us sit, And whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds, Replying shrilly to the well-tuned horns, As if a double hunt were heard at once, Let us sit down and mark their yellowing noise. And after conflict such as was supposed The wand’ring prince and Dido once enjoyed When with a happy storm they were surprised, And curtained with a counsel-keeping cave, We may, each wreathèd in the other’s arms, Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber, Whiles hounds and horns and sweet melodious birds Be unto us as is a nurse’s song Of lullaby to bring her babe asleep.
AARON 30 Madam, though Venus govern your desires, Saturn is dominator over mine. What signifies my deadly standing eye, My silence, and my cloudy melancholy, My fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls 35 Even as an adder when she doth unroll To do some fatal execution? No, madam, these are no venereal signs. Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, Blood and revenge are hammering in my head. 40 Hark, Tamora, the empress of my soul, Which never hopes more heaven than rests in thee, This is the day of doom for Bassianus. His Philomel must lose her tongue today, Thy sons make pillage of her chastity 45 And wash their hands in Bassianus’ blood. He takes out a paper. Seest thou this letter? Take it up, I pray thee, And give the King this fatal-plotted scroll. He hands her the paper. Now, question me no more. We are espied. Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty, 50 Which dreads not yet their lives’ destruction.	AARON Madam, though Venus govern your desires, Saturn is dominator over mine. What signifies my deadly standing eye, My silence, and my cloudy melancholy, My fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls Even as an adder when she doth unroll To do some fatal execution? No, madam, these are no venereal signs. Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, Blood and revenge are hammering in my head. Hark, Tamora, the empress of my soul, Which never hopes more heaven than rests in thee, This is the day of doom for Bassianus. His Philomel must lose her tongue today, Thy sons make pillage of her chastity And wash their hands in Bassianus’ blood. He takes out a paper. Seest thou this letter? Take it up, I pray thee, And give the King this fatal-plotted scroll. He hands her the paper. Now, question me no more. We are espied. Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty, Which dreads not yet their lives’ destruction.
Enter BASSIANUS and LAVINIA.	Enter BASSIANUS and LAVINIA.
TAMORA Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than life!	TAMORA Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than life!
AARON No more, great empress. Bassianus comes. Be cross with him, and I’ll go fetch thy sons To back thy quarrels, whatsoe’er they be.	AARON No more, great empress. Bassianus comes. Be cross with him, and I’ll go fetch thy sons To back thy quarrels, whatsoe’er they be.
He exits.	He exits.
BASSIANUS 55 Who have we here? Rome’s royal empress, Unfurnished of her well-beseeming troop? Or is it Dian, habited like her, Who hath abandonèd her holy groves To see the general hunting in this forest?	BASSIANUS Who have we here? Rome’s royal empress, Unfurnished of her well-beseeming troop? Or is it Dian, habited like her, Who hath abandonèd her holy groves To see the general hunting in this forest?
TAMORA 60 Saucy controller of my private steps, Had I the power that some say Dian had, Thy temples should be planted presently With horns, as was Acteon’s, and the hounds Should drive upon thy new-transformèd limbs, 65 Unmannerly intruder as thou art.	TAMORA Saucy controller of my private steps, Had I the power that some say Dian had, Thy temples should be planted presently With horns, as was Acteon’s, and the hounds Should drive upon thy new-transformèd limbs, Unmannerly intruder as thou art.
LAVINIA Under your patience, gentle empress, ’Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning, And to be doubted that your Moor and you Are singled forth to try experiments. 70 Jove shield your husband from his hounds today! ’Tis pity they should take him for a stag.	LAVINIA Under your patience, gentle empress, ’Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning, And to be doubted that your Moor and you Are singled forth to try experiments. Jove shield your husband from his hounds today! ’Tis pity they should take him for a stag.
BASSIANUS Believe me, queen, your swarthy Cimmerian Doth make your honor of his body’s hue, Spotted, detested, and abominable. 75 Why are you sequestered from all your train, Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed, And wandered hither to an obscure plot, Accompanied but with a barbarous Moor, If foul desire had not conducted you?	BASSIANUS Believe me, queen, your swarthy Cimmerian Doth make your honor of his body’s hue, Spotted, detested, and abominable. Why are you sequestered from all your train, Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed, And wandered hither to an obscure plot, Accompanied but with a barbarous Moor, If foul desire had not conducted you?
LAVINIA 80 And being intercepted in your sport, Great reason that my noble lord be rated For sauciness.—I pray you, let us hence, And let her joy her raven-colored love. This valley fits the purpose passing well.	LAVINIA And being intercepted in your sport, Great reason that my noble lord be rated For sauciness.—I pray you, let us hence, And let her joy her raven-colored love. This valley fits the purpose passing well.
BASSIANUS 85 The King my brother shall have notice of this.	BASSIANUS The King my brother shall have notice of this.
LAVINIA Ay, for these slips have made him noted long. Good king to be so mightily abused!	LAVINIA Ay, for these slips have made him noted long. Good king to be so mightily abused!
TAMORA Why, I have patience to endure all this.	TAMORA Why, I have patience to endure all this.
Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS.	Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS.
DEMETRIUS How now, dear sovereign and our gracious mother, 90 Why doth your Highness look so pale and wan?	DEMETRIUS How now, dear sovereign and our gracious mother, Why doth your Highness look so pale and wan?
TAMORA Have I not reason, think you, to look pale? These two have ticed me hither to this place, A barren, detested vale you see it is; The trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean, 95 Overcome with moss and baleful mistletoe. Here never shines the sun, here nothing breeds, Unless the nightly owl or fatal raven. And when they showed me this abhorrèd pit, They told me, here at dead time of the night 100 A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes, Ten thousand swelling toads, as many urchins, Would make such fearful and confusèd cries As any mortal body hearing it Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. 105 No sooner had they told this hellish tale But straight they told me they would bind me here Unto the body of a dismal yew And leave me to this miserable death. And then they called me foul adulteress, 110 Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms That ever ear did hear to such effect. And had you not by wondrous fortune come, This vengeance on me had they executed. Revenge it as you love your mother’s life, 115 Or be you not henceforth called my children.	TAMORA Have I not reason, think you, to look pale? These two have ticed me hither to this place, A barren, detested vale you see it is; The trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean, Overcome with moss and baleful mistletoe. Here never shines the sun, here nothing breeds, Unless the nightly owl or fatal raven. And when they showed me this abhorrèd pit, They told me, here at dead time of the night A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes, Ten thousand swelling toads, as many urchins, Would make such fearful and confusèd cries As any mortal body hearing it Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. No sooner had they told this hellish tale But straight they told me they would bind me here Unto the body of a dismal yew And leave me to this miserable death. And then they called me foul adulteress, Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms That ever ear did hear to such effect. And had you not by wondrous fortune come, This vengeance on me had they executed. Revenge it as you love your mother’s life, Or be you not henceforth called my children.
DEMETRIUS, drawing his dagger This is a witness that I am thy son.	DEMETRIUS, drawing his dagger This is a witness that I am thy son.
CHIRON, drawing his dagger And this for me, struck home to show my strength.	CHIRON, drawing his dagger And this for me, struck home to show my strength.
They stab BASSIANUS.	They stab BASSIANUS.
LAVINIA Ay, come, Semiramis, nay, barbarous Tamora, For no name fits thy nature but thy own!	LAVINIA Ay, come, Semiramis, nay, barbarous Tamora, For no name fits thy nature but thy own!
TAMORA 120 Give me the poniard! You shall know, my boys, Your mother’s hand shall right your mother’s wrong.	TAMORA Give me the poniard! You shall know, my boys, Your mother’s hand shall right your mother’s wrong.
DEMETRIUS Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her. First thrash the corn, then after burn the straw. This minion stood upon her chastity, 125 Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, And with that painted hope braves your mightiness; And shall she carry this unto her grave?	DEMETRIUS Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her. First thrash the corn, then after burn the straw. This minion stood upon her chastity, Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, And with that painted hope braves your mightiness; And shall she carry this unto her grave?
CHIRON And if she do, I would I were an eunuch! Drag hence her husband to some secret hole, 130 And make his dead trunk pillow to our lust.	CHIRON And if she do, I would I were an eunuch! Drag hence her husband to some secret hole, And make his dead trunk pillow to our lust.
TAMORA But when you have the honey you desire, Let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting.	TAMORA But when you have the honey you desire, Let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting.
CHIRON I warrant you, madam, we will make that sure.— Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy 135 That nice-preservèd honesty of yours.	CHIRON I warrant you, madam, we will make that sure.— Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy That nice-preservèd honesty of yours.
LAVINIA O Tamora, thou bearest a woman’s face—	LAVINIA O Tamora, thou bearest a woman’s face—
TAMORA I will not hear her speak. Away with her.	TAMORA I will not hear her speak. Away with her.
LAVINIA Sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word.	LAVINIA Sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word.
DEMETRIUS, to TAMORA Listen, fair madam. Let it be your glory 140 To see her tears, but be your heart to them As unrelenting flint to drops of rain.	DEMETRIUS, to TAMORA Listen, fair madam. Let it be your glory To see her tears, but be your heart to them As unrelenting flint to drops of rain.
LAVINIA When did the tiger’s young ones teach the dam? O, do not learn her wrath; she taught it thee. The milk thou suck’st from her did turn to marble. 145 Even at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny. Yet every mother breeds not sons alike. To CHIRON. Do thou entreat her show a woman’s pity.	LAVINIA When did the tiger’s young ones teach the dam? O, do not learn her wrath; she taught it thee. The milk thou suck’st from her did turn to marble. Even at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny. Yet every mother breeds not sons alike. To CHIRON. Do thou entreat her show a woman’s pity.
CHIRON What, wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard?	CHIRON What, wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard?
LAVINIA ’Tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark. 150 Yet have I heard—O, could I find it now!— The lion, moved with pity, did endure To have his princely paws pared all away. Some say that ravens foster forlorn children, The whilst their own birds famish in their nests. 155 O, be to me, though thy hard heart say no, Nothing so kind, but something pitiful.	LAVINIA ’Tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark. Yet have I heard—O, could I find it now!— The lion, moved with pity, did endure To have his princely paws pared all away. Some say that ravens foster forlorn children, The whilst their own birds famish in their nests. O, be to me, though thy hard heart say no, Nothing so kind, but something pitiful.
TAMORA I know not what it means.—Away with her.	TAMORA I know not what it means.—Away with her.
LAVINIA O, let me teach thee! For my father’s sake, That gave thee life when well he might have slain thee, 160 Be not obdurate; open thy deaf ears.	LAVINIA O, let me teach thee! For my father’s sake, That gave thee life when well he might have slain thee, Be not obdurate; open thy deaf ears.
TAMORA Hadst thou in person ne’er offended me, Even for his sake am I pitiless.— Remember, boys, I poured forth tears in vain To save your brother from the sacrifice, 165 But fierce Andronicus would not relent. Therefore away with her, and use her as you will; The worse to her, the better loved of me.	TAMORA Hadst thou in person ne’er offended me, Even for his sake am I pitiless.— Remember, boys, I poured forth tears in vain To save your brother from the sacrifice, But fierce Andronicus would not relent. Therefore away with her, and use her as you will; The worse to her, the better loved of me.

Original Text	Modern Text
Enter AARON, alone, carrying a bag of gold.	Enter AARON, alone, carrying a bag of gold.
AARON He that had wit would think that I had none, To bury so much gold under a tree And never after to inherit it. Let him that thinks of me so abjectly 5 Know that this gold must coin a stratagem Which, cunningly effected, will beget A very excellent piece of villainy. He hides the bag. And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest That have their alms out of the Empress’ chest.	AARON He that had wit would think that I had none, To bury so much gold under a tree And never after to inherit it. Let him that thinks of me so abjectly Know that this gold must coin a stratagem Which, cunningly effected, will beget A very excellent piece of villainy. He hides the bag. And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest That have their alms out of the Empress’ chest.
Enter TAMORA alone to AARON the Moor.	Enter TAMORA alone to AARON the Moor.
TAMORA 10 My lovely Aaron, wherefore look’st thou sad, When everything doth make a gleeful boast? The birds chant melody on every bush, The snakes lies rollèd in the cheerful sun, The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind 15 And make a checkered shadow on the ground. Under their sweet shade, Aaron, let us sit, And whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds, Replying shrilly to the well-tuned horns, As if a double hunt were heard at once, 20 Let us sit down and mark their yellowing noise. And after conflict such as was supposed The wand’ring prince and Dido once enjoyed When with a happy storm they were surprised, And curtained with a counsel-keeping cave, 25 We may, each wreathèd in the other’s arms, Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber, Whiles hounds and horns and sweet melodious birds Be unto us as is a nurse’s song Of lullaby to bring her babe asleep.	TAMORA My lovely Aaron, wherefore look’st thou sad, When everything doth make a gleeful boast? The birds chant melody on every bush, The snakes lies rollèd in the cheerful sun, The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind And make a checkered shadow on the ground. Under their sweet shade, Aaron, let us sit, And whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds, Replying shrilly to the well-tuned horns, As if a double hunt were heard at once, Let us sit down and mark their yellowing noise. And after conflict such as was supposed The wand’ring prince and Dido once enjoyed When with a happy storm they were surprised, And curtained with a counsel-keeping cave, We may, each wreathèd in the other’s arms, Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber, Whiles hounds and horns and sweet melodious birds Be unto us as is a nurse’s song Of lullaby to bring her babe asleep.
AARON 30 Madam, though Venus govern your desires, Saturn is dominator over mine. What signifies my deadly standing eye, My silence, and my cloudy melancholy, My fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls 35 Even as an adder when she doth unroll To do some fatal execution? No, madam, these are no venereal signs. Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, Blood and revenge are hammering in my head. 40 Hark, Tamora, the empress of my soul, Which never hopes more heaven than rests in thee, This is the day of doom for Bassianus. His Philomel must lose her tongue today, Thy sons make pillage of her chastity 45 And wash their hands in Bassianus’ blood. He takes out a paper. Seest thou this letter? Take it up, I pray thee, And give the King this fatal-plotted scroll. He hands her the paper. Now, question me no more. We are espied. Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty, 50 Which dreads not yet their lives’ destruction.	AARON Madam, though Venus govern your desires, Saturn is dominator over mine. What signifies my deadly standing eye, My silence, and my cloudy melancholy, My fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls Even as an adder when she doth unroll To do some fatal execution? No, madam, these are no venereal signs. Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, Blood and revenge are hammering in my head. Hark, Tamora, the empress of my soul, Which never hopes more heaven than rests in thee, This is the day of doom for Bassianus. His Philomel must lose her tongue today, Thy sons make pillage of her chastity And wash their hands in Bassianus’ blood. He takes out a paper. Seest thou this letter? Take it up, I pray thee, And give the King this fatal-plotted scroll. He hands her the paper. Now, question me no more. We are espied. Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty, Which dreads not yet their lives’ destruction.
Enter BASSIANUS and LAVINIA.	Enter BASSIANUS and LAVINIA.
TAMORA Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than life!	TAMORA Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than life!
AARON No more, great empress. Bassianus comes. Be cross with him, and I’ll go fetch thy sons To back thy quarrels, whatsoe’er they be.	AARON No more, great empress. Bassianus comes. Be cross with him, and I’ll go fetch thy sons To back thy quarrels, whatsoe’er they be.
He exits.	He exits.
BASSIANUS 55 Who have we here? Rome’s royal empress, Unfurnished of her well-beseeming troop? Or is it Dian, habited like her, Who hath abandonèd her holy groves To see the general hunting in this forest?	BASSIANUS Who have we here? Rome’s royal empress, Unfurnished of her well-beseeming troop? Or is it Dian, habited like her, Who hath abandonèd her holy groves To see the general hunting in this forest?
TAMORA 60 Saucy controller of my private steps, Had I the power that some say Dian had, Thy temples should be planted presently With horns, as was Acteon’s, and the hounds Should drive upon thy new-transformèd limbs, 65 Unmannerly intruder as thou art.	TAMORA Saucy controller of my private steps, Had I the power that some say Dian had, Thy temples should be planted presently With horns, as was Acteon’s, and the hounds Should drive upon thy new-transformèd limbs, Unmannerly intruder as thou art.
LAVINIA Under your patience, gentle empress, ’Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning, And to be doubted that your Moor and you Are singled forth to try experiments. 70 Jove shield your husband from his hounds today! ’Tis pity they should take him for a stag.	LAVINIA Under your patience, gentle empress, ’Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning, And to be doubted that your Moor and you Are singled forth to try experiments. Jove shield your husband from his hounds today! ’Tis pity they should take him for a stag.
BASSIANUS Believe me, queen, your swarthy Cimmerian Doth make your honor of his body’s hue, Spotted, detested, and abominable. 75 Why are you sequestered from all your train, Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed, And wandered hither to an obscure plot, Accompanied but with a barbarous Moor, If foul desire had not conducted you?	BASSIANUS Believe me, queen, your swarthy Cimmerian Doth make your honor of his body’s hue, Spotted, detested, and abominable. Why are you sequestered from all your train, Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed, And wandered hither to an obscure plot, Accompanied but with a barbarous Moor, If foul desire had not conducted you?
LAVINIA 80 And being intercepted in your sport, Great reason that my noble lord be rated For sauciness.—I pray you, let us hence, And let her joy her raven-colored love. This valley fits the purpose passing well.	LAVINIA And being intercepted in your sport, Great reason that my noble lord be rated For sauciness.—I pray you, let us hence, And let her joy her raven-colored love. This valley fits the purpose passing well.
BASSIANUS 85 The King my brother shall have notice of this.	BASSIANUS The King my brother shall have notice of this.
LAVINIA Ay, for these slips have made him noted long. Good king to be so mightily abused!	LAVINIA Ay, for these slips have made him noted long. Good king to be so mightily abused!
TAMORA Why, I have patience to endure all this.	TAMORA Why, I have patience to endure all this.
Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS.	Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS.
DEMETRIUS How now, dear sovereign and our gracious mother, 90 Why doth your Highness look so pale and wan?	DEMETRIUS How now, dear sovereign and our gracious mother, Why doth your Highness look so pale and wan?
TAMORA Have I not reason, think you, to look pale? These two have ticed me hither to this place, A barren, detested vale you see it is; The trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean, 95 Overcome with moss and baleful mistletoe. Here never shines the sun, here nothing breeds, Unless the nightly owl or fatal raven. And when they showed me this abhorrèd pit, They told me, here at dead time of the night 100 A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes, Ten thousand swelling toads, as many urchins, Would make such fearful and confusèd cries As any mortal body hearing it Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. 105 No sooner had they told this hellish tale But straight they told me they would bind me here Unto the body of a dismal yew And leave me to this miserable death. And then they called me foul adulteress, 110 Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms That ever ear did hear to such effect. And had you not by wondrous fortune come, This vengeance on me had they executed. Revenge it as you love your mother’s life, 115 Or be you not henceforth called my children.	TAMORA Have I not reason, think you, to look pale? These two have ticed me hither to this place, A barren, detested vale you see it is; The trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean, Overcome with moss and baleful mistletoe. Here never shines the sun, here nothing breeds, Unless the nightly owl or fatal raven. And when they showed me this abhorrèd pit, They told me, here at dead time of the night A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes, Ten thousand swelling toads, as many urchins, Would make such fearful and confusèd cries As any mortal body hearing it Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. No sooner had they told this hellish tale But straight they told me they would bind me here Unto the body of a dismal yew And leave me to this miserable death. And then they called me foul adulteress, Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms That ever ear did hear to such effect. And had you not by wondrous fortune come, This vengeance on me had they executed. Revenge it as you love your mother’s life, Or be you not henceforth called my children.
DEMETRIUS, drawing his dagger This is a witness that I am thy son.	DEMETRIUS, drawing his dagger This is a witness that I am thy son.
CHIRON, drawing his dagger And this for me, struck home to show my strength.	CHIRON, drawing his dagger And this for me, struck home to show my strength.
They stab BASSIANUS.	They stab BASSIANUS.
LAVINIA Ay, come, Semiramis, nay, barbarous Tamora, For no name fits thy nature but thy own!	LAVINIA Ay, come, Semiramis, nay, barbarous Tamora, For no name fits thy nature but thy own!
TAMORA 120 Give me the poniard! You shall know, my boys, Your mother’s hand shall right your mother’s wrong.	TAMORA Give me the poniard! You shall know, my boys, Your mother’s hand shall right your mother’s wrong.
DEMETRIUS Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her. First thrash the corn, then after burn the straw. This minion stood upon her chastity, 125 Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, And with that painted hope braves your mightiness; And shall she carry this unto her grave?	DEMETRIUS Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her. First thrash the corn, then after burn the straw. This minion stood upon her chastity, Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, And with that painted hope braves your mightiness; And shall she carry this unto her grave?
CHIRON And if she do, I would I were an eunuch! Drag hence her husband to some secret hole, 130 And make his dead trunk pillow to our lust.	CHIRON And if she do, I would I were an eunuch! Drag hence her husband to some secret hole, And make his dead trunk pillow to our lust.
TAMORA But when you have the honey you desire, Let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting.	TAMORA But when you have the honey you desire, Let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting.
CHIRON I warrant you, madam, we will make that sure.— Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy 135 That nice-preservèd honesty of yours.	CHIRON I warrant you, madam, we will make that sure.— Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy That nice-preservèd honesty of yours.
LAVINIA O Tamora, thou bearest a woman’s face—	LAVINIA O Tamora, thou bearest a woman’s face—
TAMORA I will not hear her speak. Away with her.	TAMORA I will not hear her speak. Away with her.
LAVINIA Sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word.	LAVINIA Sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word.
DEMETRIUS, to TAMORA Listen, fair madam. Let it be your glory 140 To see her tears, but be your heart to them As unrelenting flint to drops of rain.	DEMETRIUS, to TAMORA Listen, fair madam. Let it be your glory To see her tears, but be your heart to them As unrelenting flint to drops of rain.
LAVINIA When did the tiger’s young ones teach the dam? O, do not learn her wrath; she taught it thee. The milk thou suck’st from her did turn to marble. 145 Even at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny. Yet every mother breeds not sons alike. To CHIRON. Do thou entreat her show a woman’s pity.	LAVINIA When did the tiger’s young ones teach the dam? O, do not learn her wrath; she taught it thee. The milk thou suck’st from her did turn to marble. Even at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny. Yet every mother breeds not sons alike. To CHIRON. Do thou entreat her show a woman’s pity.
CHIRON What, wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard?	CHIRON What, wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard?
LAVINIA ’Tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark. 150 Yet have I heard—O, could I find it now!— The lion, moved with pity, did endure To have his princely paws pared all away. Some say that ravens foster forlorn children, The whilst their own birds famish in their nests. 155 O, be to me, though thy hard heart say no, Nothing so kind, but something pitiful.	LAVINIA ’Tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark. Yet have I heard—O, could I find it now!— The lion, moved with pity, did endure To have his princely paws pared all away. Some say that ravens foster forlorn children, The whilst their own birds famish in their nests. O, be to me, though thy hard heart say no, Nothing so kind, but something pitiful.
TAMORA I know not what it means.—Away with her.	TAMORA I know not what it means.—Away with her.
LAVINIA O, let me teach thee! For my father’s sake, That gave thee life when well he might have slain thee, 160 Be not obdurate; open thy deaf ears.	LAVINIA O, let me teach thee! For my father’s sake, That gave thee life when well he might have slain thee, Be not obdurate; open thy deaf ears.
TAMORA Hadst thou in person ne’er offended me, Even for his sake am I pitiless.— Remember, boys, I poured forth tears in vain To save your brother from the sacrifice, 165 But fierce Andronicus would not relent. Therefore away with her, and use her as you will; The worse to her, the better loved of me.	TAMORA Hadst thou in person ne’er offended me, Even for his sake am I pitiless.— Remember, boys, I poured forth tears in vain To save your brother from the sacrifice, But fierce Andronicus would not relent. Therefore away with her, and use her as you will; The worse to her, the better loved of me.