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Original Text |
Modern Text |
Enter AARON, CHIRON, and DEMETRIUS at one door, and at the other door YOUNG LUCIUS and another, with a bundle
of weapons and verses writ upon them.
|
Enter AARON, CHIRON, and DEMETRIUS at one door, and at the other door YOUNG LUCIUS and another, with a bundle
of weapons and verses writ upon them.
|
CHIRON
Demetrius, here’s the son of Lucius.
He hath some message to deliver us.
|
CHIRON
Demetrius, here’s the son of Lucius.
He hath some message to deliver us.
|
AARON
Ay, some mad message from his mad grandfather.
|
AARON
Ay, some mad message from his mad grandfather.
|
YOUNG LUCIUS
My lords, with all the humbleness I may,
5
I greet your Honors from Andronicus—Aside. And pray the Roman gods confound you both.
|
YOUNG LUCIUS
My lords, with all the humbleness I may,
I greet your Honors from Andronicus—
Aside. And pray the Roman gods confound you both.
|
DEMETRIUS
Gramercy, lovely Lucius. What’s the news?
|
DEMETRIUS
Gramercy, lovely Lucius. What’s the news?
|
YOUNG LUCIUS, aside
That you are both deciphered, that’s the news,
For villains marked with rape.—May it please you,
10
My grandsire, well advised, hath sent by meThe goodliest weapons of his armory
To gratify your honorable youth,
The hope of Rome; for so he bid me say,
And so I do, and with his gifts present
15
Your Lordships, that, whenever you have need,You may be armèd and appointed well,
And so I leave you both— (aside) like bloody villains.
|
YOUNG LUCIUS, aside
That you are both deciphered, that’s the news,
For villains marked with rape.—May it please you,
My grandsire, well advised, hath sent by me
The goodliest weapons of his armory
To gratify your honorable youth,
The hope of Rome; for so he bid me say,
And so I do, and with his gifts present
Your Lordships, that, whenever you have need,
You may be armèd and appointed well,
And so I leave you both— (aside) like bloody villains.
|
He exits, with Attendant.
|
He exits, with Attendant.
|
DEMETRIUS
What’s here? A scroll, and written round about.
Let’s see:
20 He reads:
“Integer vitae, scelerisque purus,Non eget Mauri iaculis, nec arcu.”
|
DEMETRIUS
What’s here? A scroll, and written round about.
Let’s see:
He reads:
“Integer vitae, scelerisque purus,Non eget Mauri iaculis, nec arcu.”
|
CHIRON
O, ’tis a verse in Horace; I know it well.
I read it in the grammar long ago.
|
CHIRON
O, ’tis a verse in Horace; I know it well.
I read it in the grammar long ago.
|
AARON
Ay, just; a verse in Horace; right, you have it.
25 Aside.
Now, what a thing it is to be an ass!Here’s no sound jest. The old man hath found their
guilt
And sends them weapons wrapped about with lines
That wound, beyond their feeling, to the quick.
30
But were our witty empress well afoot,She would applaud Andronicus’ conceit.
But let her rest in her unrest awhile.—
And now, young lords, was ’t not a happy star
Led us to Rome, strangers, and, more than so,
35
Captives, to be advancèd to this height?It did me good before the palace gate
To brave the tribune in his brother’s hearing.
|
AARON
Ay, just; a verse in Horace; right, you have it.
Aside.
Now, what a thing it is to be an ass!Here’s no sound jest. The old man hath found their
guilt
And sends them weapons wrapped about with lines
That wound, beyond their feeling, to the quick.
But were our witty empress well afoot,
She would applaud Andronicus’ conceit.
But let her rest in her unrest awhile.—
And now, young lords, was ’t not a happy star
Led us to Rome, strangers, and, more than so,
Captives, to be advancèd to this height?
It did me good before the palace gate
To brave the tribune in his brother’s hearing.
|
DEMETRIUS
But me more good to see so great a lord
Basely insinuate and send us gifts.
|
DEMETRIUS
But me more good to see so great a lord
Basely insinuate and send us gifts.
|
AARON
40
Had he not reason, Lord Demetrius?Did you not use his daughter very friendly?
|
AARON
Had he not reason, Lord Demetrius?
Did you not use his daughter very friendly?
|
DEMETRIUS
I would we had a thousand Roman dames
At such a bay, by turn to serve our lust.
|
DEMETRIUS
I would we had a thousand Roman dames
At such a bay, by turn to serve our lust.
|
CHIRON
A charitable wish, and full of love!
|
CHIRON
A charitable wish, and full of love!
|
AARON
45
Here lacks but your mother for to say amen. |
AARON
Here lacks but your mother for to say amen.
|
CHIRON
And that would she, for twenty thousand more.
|
CHIRON
And that would she, for twenty thousand more.
|
DEMETRIUS
Come, let us go and pray to all the gods
For our belovèd mother in her pains.
|
DEMETRIUS
Come, let us go and pray to all the gods
For our belovèd mother in her pains.
|
AARON, aside
Pray to the devils; the gods have given us over.
|
AARON, aside
Pray to the devils; the gods have given us over.
|
Trumpets sound offstage.
|
Trumpets sound offstage.
|
DEMETRIUS
50
Why do the Emperor’s trumpets flourish thus? |
DEMETRIUS
Why do the Emperor’s trumpets flourish thus?
|
CHIRON
Belike for joy the Emperor hath a son.
|
CHIRON
Belike for joy the Emperor hath a son.
|
DEMETRIUS
Soft, who comes here?
|
DEMETRIUS
Soft, who comes here?
|
Enter NURSE, with a blackamoor child in her arms.
|
Enter NURSE, with a blackamoor child in her arms.
|
NURSE
Good morrow, lords.
O, tell me, did you see Aaron the Moor?
|
NURSE
Good morrow, lords.
O, tell me, did you see Aaron the Moor?
|
AARON
55
Well, more or less, or ne’er a whit at all,Here Aaron is. And what with Aaron now?
|
AARON
Well, more or less, or ne’er a whit at all,
Here Aaron is. And what with Aaron now?
|
NURSE
O, gentle Aaron, we are all undone!
Now help, or woe betide thee evermore.
|
NURSE
O, gentle Aaron, we are all undone!
Now help, or woe betide thee evermore.
|
AARON
Why, what a caterwauling dost thou keep!
60
What dost thou wrap and fumble in thy arms? |
AARON
Why, what a caterwauling dost thou keep!
What dost thou wrap and fumble in thy arms?
|
NURSE
O, that which I would hide from heaven’s eye,
Our empress’ shame and stately Rome’s disgrace.
She is delivered, lords, she is delivered.
|
NURSE
O, that which I would hide from heaven’s eye,
Our empress’ shame and stately Rome’s disgrace.
She is delivered, lords, she is delivered.
|
AARON
To whom?
|
AARON
To whom?
|
NURSE
65
I mean, she is brought abed. |
NURSE
I mean, she is brought abed.
|
AARON
Well, God give her good rest. What hath he sent her?
|
AARON
Well, God give her good rest. What hath he sent her?
|
NURSE
A devil.
|
NURSE
A devil.
|
AARON
Why, then she is the devil’s dam. A joyful issue!
|
AARON
Why, then she is the devil’s dam. A joyful issue!
|
NURSE
A joyless, dismal, black, and sorrowful issue!
70
Here is the babe, as loathsome as a toadAmongst the fair-faced breeders of our clime.
The Empress sends it thee, thy stamp, thy seal,
And bids thee christen it with thy dagger’s point.
|
NURSE
A joyless, dismal, black, and sorrowful issue!
Here is the babe, as loathsome as a toad
Amongst the fair-faced breeders of our clime.
The Empress sends it thee, thy stamp, thy seal,
And bids thee christen it with thy dagger’s point.
|
AARON
Zounds, you whore, is black so base a hue?
75 To the baby.
Sweet blowse, you are a beauteousblossom, sure.
|
AARON
Zounds, you whore, is black so base a hue?
To the baby.
Sweet blowse, you are a beauteousblossom, sure.
|
DEMETRIUS
Villain, what hast thou done?
|
DEMETRIUS
Villain, what hast thou done?
|
AARON
That which thou canst not undo.
|
AARON
That which thou canst not undo.
|
CHIRON
Thou hast undone our mother.
|
CHIRON
Thou hast undone our mother.
|
AARON
80
Villain, I have done thy mother. |
AARON
Villain, I have done thy mother.
|
DEMETRIUS
And therein, hellish dog, thou hast undone her.
Woe to her chance, and damned her loathèd choice!
Accursed the offspring of so foul a fiend!
|
DEMETRIUS
And therein, hellish dog, thou hast undone her.
Woe to her chance, and damned her loathèd choice!
Accursed the offspring of so foul a fiend!
|
CHIRON
It shall not live.
|
CHIRON
It shall not live.
|
AARON
85
It shall not die. |
AARON
It shall not die.
|
NURSE
Aaron, it must. The mother wills it so.
|
NURSE
Aaron, it must. The mother wills it so.
|
AARON
What, must it, nurse? Then let no man but I
Do execution on my flesh and blood.
|
AARON
What, must it, nurse? Then let no man but I
Do execution on my flesh and blood.
|
DEMETRIUS
I’ll broach the tadpole on my rapier’s point.
90
Nurse, give it me. My sword shall soon dispatch it. |
DEMETRIUS
I’ll broach the tadpole on my rapier’s point.
Nurse, give it me. My sword shall soon dispatch it.
|
AARON, taking the baby
Sooner this sword shall plow thy bowels up!
Stay, murderous villains, will you kill your brother?
Now, by the burning tapers of the sky
That shone so brightly when this boy was got,
95
He dies upon my scimitar’s sharp pointThat touches this my firstborn son and heir.
I tell you, younglings, not Enceladus
With all his threat’ning band of Typhon’s brood,
Nor great Alcides, nor the god of war
100
Shall seize this prey out of his father’s hands.What, what, you sanguine, shallow-hearted boys,
You white-limed walls, you alehouse painted signs!
Coal-black is better than another hue
In that it scorns to bear another hue;
105
For all the water in the oceanCan never turn the swan’s black legs to white,
Although she lave them hourly in the flood.
Tell the Empress from me, I am of age
To keep mine own, excuse it how she can.
|
AARON, taking the baby
Sooner this sword shall plow thy bowels up!
Stay, murderous villains, will you kill your brother?
Now, by the burning tapers of the sky
That shone so brightly when this boy was got,
He dies upon my scimitar’s sharp point
That touches this my firstborn son and heir.
I tell you, younglings, not Enceladus
With all his threat’ning band of Typhon’s brood,
Nor great Alcides, nor the god of war
Shall seize this prey out of his father’s hands.
What, what, you sanguine, shallow-hearted boys,
You white-limed walls, you alehouse painted signs!
Coal-black is better than another hue
In that it scorns to bear another hue;
For all the water in the ocean
Can never turn the swan’s black legs to white,
Although she lave them hourly in the flood.
Tell the Empress from me, I am of age
To keep mine own, excuse it how she can.
|
DEMETRIUS
110
Wilt thou betray thy noble mistress thus? |
DEMETRIUS
Wilt thou betray thy noble mistress thus?
|
AARON
My mistress is my mistress, this myself,
The vigor and the picture of my youth.
This before all the world do I prefer;
This maugre all the world will I keep safe,
115
Or some of you shall smoke for it in Rome. |
AARON
My mistress is my mistress, this myself,
The vigor and the picture of my youth.
This before all the world do I prefer;
This maugre all the world will I keep safe,
Or some of you shall smoke for it in Rome.
|
DEMETRIUS
By this our mother is forever shamed.
|
DEMETRIUS
By this our mother is forever shamed.
|
CHIRON
Rome will despise her for this foul escape.
|
CHIRON
Rome will despise her for this foul escape.
|
NURSE
The Emperor in his rage will doom her death.
|
NURSE
The Emperor in his rage will doom her death.
|
CHIRON
I blush to think upon this ignomy.
|
CHIRON
I blush to think upon this ignomy.
|
AARON
120
Why, there’s the privilege your beauty bears.Fie, treacherous hue, that will betray with blushing
The close enacts and counsels of thy heart.
Here’s a young lad framed of another leer.
Look how the black slave smiles upon the father,
125
As who should say “Old lad, I am thine own.”He is your brother, lords, sensibly fed
Of that self blood that first gave life to you,
And from that womb where you imprisoned were
He is enfranchisèd and come to light.
130
Nay, he is your brother by the surer side,Although my seal be stampèd in his face.
|
AARON
Why, there’s the privilege your beauty bears.
Fie, treacherous hue, that will betray with blushing
The close enacts and counsels of thy heart.
Here’s a young lad framed of another leer.
Look how the black slave smiles upon the father,
As who should say “Old lad, I am thine own.”
He is your brother, lords, sensibly fed
Of that self blood that first gave life to you,
And from that womb where you imprisoned were
He is enfranchisèd and come to light.
Nay, he is your brother by the surer side,
Although my seal be stampèd in his face.
|
NURSE
Aaron, what shall I say unto the Empress?
|
NURSE
Aaron, what shall I say unto the Empress?
|
DEMETRIUS
Advise thee, Aaron, what is to be done,
And we will all subscribe to thy advice.
135
Save thou the child, so we may all be safe. |
DEMETRIUS
Advise thee, Aaron, what is to be done,
And we will all subscribe to thy advice.
Save thou the child, so we may all be safe.
|
AARON
Then sit we down, and let us all consult.
My son and I will have the wind of you.
Keep there. Now talk at pleasure of your safety.
|
AARON
Then sit we down, and let us all consult.
My son and I will have the wind of you.
Keep there. Now talk at pleasure of your safety.
|
DEMETRIUS, to the NURSE
How many women saw this child of his?
|
DEMETRIUS, to the NURSE
How many women saw this child of his?
|
AARON
140
Why, so, brave lords! When we join in league,I am a lamb; but if you brave the Moor,
The chafèd boar, the mountain lioness,
The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms.
To the NURSE. But say again, how many saw the
145
child? |
AARON
Why, so, brave lords! When we join in league,
I am a lamb; but if you brave the Moor,
The chafèd boar, the mountain lioness,
The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms.
To the NURSE. But say again, how many saw the
child?
|
NURSE
Cornelia the midwife and myself,
And no one else but the delivered Empress.
|
NURSE
Cornelia the midwife and myself,
And no one else but the delivered Empress.
|
AARON
The Empress, the midwife, and yourself.
Two may keep counsel when the third’s away.
150
Go to the Empress; tell her this I said. |
AARON
The Empress, the midwife, and yourself.
Two may keep counsel when the third’s away.
Go to the Empress; tell her this I said.
|
He kills her.
|
He kills her.
|
“Wheak, wheak”! So cries a pig preparèd to the spit.
|
“Wheak, wheak”! So cries a pig preparèd to the spit.
|
DEMETRIUS
What mean’st thou, Aaron? Wherefore didst thou this?
|
DEMETRIUS
What mean’st thou, Aaron? Wherefore didst thou this?
|
AARON
O Lord, sir, ’tis a deed of policy.
Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours,
155
A long-tongued babbling gossip? No, lords, no.And now be it known to you my full intent:
Not far one Muliteus my countryman
His wife but yesternight was brought to bed.
His child is like to her, fair as you are.
160
Go pack with him, and give the mother gold,And tell them both the circumstance of all,
And how by this their child shall be advanced
And be receivèd for the Emperor’s heir,
And substituted in the place of mine,
165
To calm this tempest whirling in the court;And let the Emperor dandle him for his own.
Hark you, lords, you see I have given her physic,
indicating the NURSE
And you must needs bestow her funeral.
The fields are near, and you are gallant grooms.
170
This done, see that you take no longer days,But send the midwife presently to me.
The midwife and the nurse well made away,
Then let the ladies tattle what they please.
|
AARON
O Lord, sir, ’tis a deed of policy.
Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours,
A long-tongued babbling gossip? No, lords, no.
And now be it known to you my full intent:
Not far one Muliteus my countryman
His wife but yesternight was brought to bed.
His child is like to her, fair as you are.
Go pack with him, and give the mother gold,
And tell them both the circumstance of all,
And how by this their child shall be advanced
And be receivèd for the Emperor’s heir,
And substituted in the place of mine,
To calm this tempest whirling in the court;
And let the Emperor dandle him for his own.
Hark you, lords, you see I have given her physic,
indicating the NURSE
And you must needs bestow her funeral.
The fields are near, and you are gallant grooms.
This done, see that you take no longer days,
But send the midwife presently to me.
The midwife and the nurse well made away,
Then let the ladies tattle what they please.
|
CHIRON
Aaron, I see thou wilt not trust the air
175
With secrets. |
CHIRON
Aaron, I see thou wilt not trust the air
With secrets.
|
DEMETRIUS
For this care of Tamora,
Herself and hers are highly bound to thee.
|
DEMETRIUS
For this care of Tamora,
Herself and hers are highly bound to thee.
|
DEMETRIUS and CHIRON exit, carrying the NURSE’s body.
|
DEMETRIUS and CHIRON exit, carrying the NURSE’s body.
|
AARON
Now to the Goths, as swift as swallow flies,
There to dispose this treasure in mine arms
180
And secretly to greet the Empress’ friends.—Come on, you thick-lipped slave, I’ll bear you hence,
For it is you that puts us to our shifts.
I’ll make you feed on berries and on roots,
And feed on curds and whey, and suck the goat,
185
And cabin in a cave, and bring you upTo be a warrior and command a camp.
|
AARON
Now to the Goths, as swift as swallow flies,
There to dispose this treasure in mine arms
And secretly to greet the Empress’ friends.—
Come on, you thick-lipped slave, I’ll bear you hence,
For it is you that puts us to our shifts.
I’ll make you feed on berries and on roots,
And feed on curds and whey, and suck the goat,
And cabin in a cave, and bring you up
To be a warrior and command a camp.
|
He exits with the baby.
|
He exits with the baby.
|
Original Text |
Modern Text |
Enter AARON, CHIRON, and DEMETRIUS at one door, and at the other door YOUNG LUCIUS and another, with a bundle
of weapons and verses writ upon them.
|
Enter AARON, CHIRON, and DEMETRIUS at one door, and at the other door YOUNG LUCIUS and another, with a bundle
of weapons and verses writ upon them.
|
CHIRON
Demetrius, here’s the son of Lucius.
He hath some message to deliver us.
|
CHIRON
Demetrius, here’s the son of Lucius.
He hath some message to deliver us.
|
AARON
Ay, some mad message from his mad grandfather.
|
AARON
Ay, some mad message from his mad grandfather.
|
YOUNG LUCIUS
My lords, with all the humbleness I may,
5
I greet your Honors from Andronicus—Aside. And pray the Roman gods confound you both.
|
YOUNG LUCIUS
My lords, with all the humbleness I may,
I greet your Honors from Andronicus—
Aside. And pray the Roman gods confound you both.
|
DEMETRIUS
Gramercy, lovely Lucius. What’s the news?
|
DEMETRIUS
Gramercy, lovely Lucius. What’s the news?
|
YOUNG LUCIUS, aside
That you are both deciphered, that’s the news,
For villains marked with rape.—May it please you,
10
My grandsire, well advised, hath sent by meThe goodliest weapons of his armory
To gratify your honorable youth,
The hope of Rome; for so he bid me say,
And so I do, and with his gifts present
15
Your Lordships, that, whenever you have need,You may be armèd and appointed well,
And so I leave you both— (aside) like bloody villains.
|
YOUNG LUCIUS, aside
That you are both deciphered, that’s the news,
For villains marked with rape.—May it please you,
My grandsire, well advised, hath sent by me
The goodliest weapons of his armory
To gratify your honorable youth,
The hope of Rome; for so he bid me say,
And so I do, and with his gifts present
Your Lordships, that, whenever you have need,
You may be armèd and appointed well,
And so I leave you both— (aside) like bloody villains.
|
He exits, with Attendant.
|
He exits, with Attendant.
|
DEMETRIUS
What’s here? A scroll, and written round about.
Let’s see:
20 He reads:
“Integer vitae, scelerisque purus,Non eget Mauri iaculis, nec arcu.”
|
DEMETRIUS
What’s here? A scroll, and written round about.
Let’s see:
He reads:
“Integer vitae, scelerisque purus,Non eget Mauri iaculis, nec arcu.”
|
CHIRON
O, ’tis a verse in Horace; I know it well.
I read it in the grammar long ago.
|
CHIRON
O, ’tis a verse in Horace; I know it well.
I read it in the grammar long ago.
|
AARON
Ay, just; a verse in Horace; right, you have it.
25 Aside.
Now, what a thing it is to be an ass!Here’s no sound jest. The old man hath found their
guilt
And sends them weapons wrapped about with lines
That wound, beyond their feeling, to the quick.
30
But were our witty empress well afoot,She would applaud Andronicus’ conceit.
But let her rest in her unrest awhile.—
And now, young lords, was ’t not a happy star
Led us to Rome, strangers, and, more than so,
35
Captives, to be advancèd to this height?It did me good before the palace gate
To brave the tribune in his brother’s hearing.
|
AARON
Ay, just; a verse in Horace; right, you have it.
Aside.
Now, what a thing it is to be an ass!Here’s no sound jest. The old man hath found their
guilt
And sends them weapons wrapped about with lines
That wound, beyond their feeling, to the quick.
But were our witty empress well afoot,
She would applaud Andronicus’ conceit.
But let her rest in her unrest awhile.—
And now, young lords, was ’t not a happy star
Led us to Rome, strangers, and, more than so,
Captives, to be advancèd to this height?
It did me good before the palace gate
To brave the tribune in his brother’s hearing.
|
DEMETRIUS
But me more good to see so great a lord
Basely insinuate and send us gifts.
|
DEMETRIUS
But me more good to see so great a lord
Basely insinuate and send us gifts.
|
AARON
40
Had he not reason, Lord Demetrius?Did you not use his daughter very friendly?
|
AARON
Had he not reason, Lord Demetrius?
Did you not use his daughter very friendly?
|
DEMETRIUS
I would we had a thousand Roman dames
At such a bay, by turn to serve our lust.
|
DEMETRIUS
I would we had a thousand Roman dames
At such a bay, by turn to serve our lust.
|
CHIRON
A charitable wish, and full of love!
|
CHIRON
A charitable wish, and full of love!
|
AARON
45
Here lacks but your mother for to say amen. |
AARON
Here lacks but your mother for to say amen.
|
CHIRON
And that would she, for twenty thousand more.
|
CHIRON
And that would she, for twenty thousand more.
|
DEMETRIUS
Come, let us go and pray to all the gods
For our belovèd mother in her pains.
|
DEMETRIUS
Come, let us go and pray to all the gods
For our belovèd mother in her pains.
|
AARON, aside
Pray to the devils; the gods have given us over.
|
AARON, aside
Pray to the devils; the gods have given us over.
|
Trumpets sound offstage.
|
Trumpets sound offstage.
|
DEMETRIUS
50
Why do the Emperor’s trumpets flourish thus? |
DEMETRIUS
Why do the Emperor’s trumpets flourish thus?
|
CHIRON
Belike for joy the Emperor hath a son.
|
CHIRON
Belike for joy the Emperor hath a son.
|
DEMETRIUS
Soft, who comes here?
|
DEMETRIUS
Soft, who comes here?
|
Enter NURSE, with a blackamoor child in her arms.
|
Enter NURSE, with a blackamoor child in her arms.
|
NURSE
Good morrow, lords.
O, tell me, did you see Aaron the Moor?
|
NURSE
Good morrow, lords.
O, tell me, did you see Aaron the Moor?
|
AARON
55
Well, more or less, or ne’er a whit at all,Here Aaron is. And what with Aaron now?
|
AARON
Well, more or less, or ne’er a whit at all,
Here Aaron is. And what with Aaron now?
|
NURSE
O, gentle Aaron, we are all undone!
Now help, or woe betide thee evermore.
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NURSE
O, gentle Aaron, we are all undone!
Now help, or woe betide thee evermore.
|
AARON
Why, what a caterwauling dost thou keep!
60
What dost thou wrap and fumble in thy arms? |
AARON
Why, what a caterwauling dost thou keep!
What dost thou wrap and fumble in thy arms?
|
NURSE
O, that which I would hide from heaven’s eye,
Our empress’ shame and stately Rome’s disgrace.
She is delivered, lords, she is delivered.
|
NURSE
O, that which I would hide from heaven’s eye,
Our empress’ shame and stately Rome’s disgrace.
She is delivered, lords, she is delivered.
|
AARON
To whom?
|
AARON
To whom?
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NURSE
65
I mean, she is brought abed. |
NURSE
I mean, she is brought abed.
|
AARON
Well, God give her good rest. What hath he sent her?
|
AARON
Well, God give her good rest. What hath he sent her?
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NURSE
A devil.
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NURSE
A devil.
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AARON
Why, then she is the devil’s dam. A joyful issue!
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AARON
Why, then she is the devil’s dam. A joyful issue!
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NURSE
A joyless, dismal, black, and sorrowful issue!
70
Here is the babe, as loathsome as a toadAmongst the fair-faced breeders of our clime.
The Empress sends it thee, thy stamp, thy seal,
And bids thee christen it with thy dagger’s point.
|
NURSE
A joyless, dismal, black, and sorrowful issue!
Here is the babe, as loathsome as a toad
Amongst the fair-faced breeders of our clime.
The Empress sends it thee, thy stamp, thy seal,
And bids thee christen it with thy dagger’s point.
|
AARON
Zounds, you whore, is black so base a hue?
75 To the baby.
Sweet blowse, you are a beauteousblossom, sure.
|
AARON
Zounds, you whore, is black so base a hue?
To the baby.
Sweet blowse, you are a beauteousblossom, sure.
|
DEMETRIUS
Villain, what hast thou done?
|
DEMETRIUS
Villain, what hast thou done?
|
AARON
That which thou canst not undo.
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AARON
That which thou canst not undo.
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CHIRON
Thou hast undone our mother.
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CHIRON
Thou hast undone our mother.
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AARON
80
Villain, I have done thy mother. |
AARON
Villain, I have done thy mother.
|
DEMETRIUS
And therein, hellish dog, thou hast undone her.
Woe to her chance, and damned her loathèd choice!
Accursed the offspring of so foul a fiend!
|
DEMETRIUS
And therein, hellish dog, thou hast undone her.
Woe to her chance, and damned her loathèd choice!
Accursed the offspring of so foul a fiend!
|
CHIRON
It shall not live.
|
CHIRON
It shall not live.
|
AARON
85
It shall not die. |
AARON
It shall not die.
|
NURSE
Aaron, it must. The mother wills it so.
|
NURSE
Aaron, it must. The mother wills it so.
|
AARON
What, must it, nurse? Then let no man but I
Do execution on my flesh and blood.
|
AARON
What, must it, nurse? Then let no man but I
Do execution on my flesh and blood.
|
DEMETRIUS
I’ll broach the tadpole on my rapier’s point.
90
Nurse, give it me. My sword shall soon dispatch it. |
DEMETRIUS
I’ll broach the tadpole on my rapier’s point.
Nurse, give it me. My sword shall soon dispatch it.
|
AARON, taking the baby
Sooner this sword shall plow thy bowels up!
Stay, murderous villains, will you kill your brother?
Now, by the burning tapers of the sky
That shone so brightly when this boy was got,
95
He dies upon my scimitar’s sharp pointThat touches this my firstborn son and heir.
I tell you, younglings, not Enceladus
With all his threat’ning band of Typhon’s brood,
Nor great Alcides, nor the god of war
100
Shall seize this prey out of his father’s hands.What, what, you sanguine, shallow-hearted boys,
You white-limed walls, you alehouse painted signs!
Coal-black is better than another hue
In that it scorns to bear another hue;
105
For all the water in the oceanCan never turn the swan’s black legs to white,
Although she lave them hourly in the flood.
Tell the Empress from me, I am of age
To keep mine own, excuse it how she can.
|
AARON, taking the baby
Sooner this sword shall plow thy bowels up!
Stay, murderous villains, will you kill your brother?
Now, by the burning tapers of the sky
That shone so brightly when this boy was got,
He dies upon my scimitar’s sharp point
That touches this my firstborn son and heir.
I tell you, younglings, not Enceladus
With all his threat’ning band of Typhon’s brood,
Nor great Alcides, nor the god of war
Shall seize this prey out of his father’s hands.
What, what, you sanguine, shallow-hearted boys,
You white-limed walls, you alehouse painted signs!
Coal-black is better than another hue
In that it scorns to bear another hue;
For all the water in the ocean
Can never turn the swan’s black legs to white,
Although she lave them hourly in the flood.
Tell the Empress from me, I am of age
To keep mine own, excuse it how she can.
|
DEMETRIUS
110
Wilt thou betray thy noble mistress thus? |
DEMETRIUS
Wilt thou betray thy noble mistress thus?
|
AARON
My mistress is my mistress, this myself,
The vigor and the picture of my youth.
This before all the world do I prefer;
This maugre all the world will I keep safe,
115
Or some of you shall smoke for it in Rome. |
AARON
My mistress is my mistress, this myself,
The vigor and the picture of my youth.
This before all the world do I prefer;
This maugre all the world will I keep safe,
Or some of you shall smoke for it in Rome.
|
DEMETRIUS
By this our mother is forever shamed.
|
DEMETRIUS
By this our mother is forever shamed.
|
CHIRON
Rome will despise her for this foul escape.
|
CHIRON
Rome will despise her for this foul escape.
|
NURSE
The Emperor in his rage will doom her death.
|
NURSE
The Emperor in his rage will doom her death.
|
CHIRON
I blush to think upon this ignomy.
|
CHIRON
I blush to think upon this ignomy.
|
AARON
120
Why, there’s the privilege your beauty bears.Fie, treacherous hue, that will betray with blushing
The close enacts and counsels of thy heart.
Here’s a young lad framed of another leer.
Look how the black slave smiles upon the father,
125
As who should say “Old lad, I am thine own.”He is your brother, lords, sensibly fed
Of that self blood that first gave life to you,
And from that womb where you imprisoned were
He is enfranchisèd and come to light.
130
Nay, he is your brother by the surer side,Although my seal be stampèd in his face.
|
AARON
Why, there’s the privilege your beauty bears.
Fie, treacherous hue, that will betray with blushing
The close enacts and counsels of thy heart.
Here’s a young lad framed of another leer.
Look how the black slave smiles upon the father,
As who should say “Old lad, I am thine own.”
He is your brother, lords, sensibly fed
Of that self blood that first gave life to you,
And from that womb where you imprisoned were
He is enfranchisèd and come to light.
Nay, he is your brother by the surer side,
Although my seal be stampèd in his face.
|
NURSE
Aaron, what shall I say unto the Empress?
|
NURSE
Aaron, what shall I say unto the Empress?
|
DEMETRIUS
Advise thee, Aaron, what is to be done,
And we will all subscribe to thy advice.
135
Save thou the child, so we may all be safe. |
DEMETRIUS
Advise thee, Aaron, what is to be done,
And we will all subscribe to thy advice.
Save thou the child, so we may all be safe.
|
AARON
Then sit we down, and let us all consult.
My son and I will have the wind of you.
Keep there. Now talk at pleasure of your safety.
|
AARON
Then sit we down, and let us all consult.
My son and I will have the wind of you.
Keep there. Now talk at pleasure of your safety.
|
DEMETRIUS, to the NURSE
How many women saw this child of his?
|
DEMETRIUS, to the NURSE
How many women saw this child of his?
|
AARON
140
Why, so, brave lords! When we join in league,I am a lamb; but if you brave the Moor,
The chafèd boar, the mountain lioness,
The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms.
To the NURSE. But say again, how many saw the
145
child? |
AARON
Why, so, brave lords! When we join in league,
I am a lamb; but if you brave the Moor,
The chafèd boar, the mountain lioness,
The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms.
To the NURSE. But say again, how many saw the
child?
|
NURSE
Cornelia the midwife and myself,
And no one else but the delivered Empress.
|
NURSE
Cornelia the midwife and myself,
And no one else but the delivered Empress.
|
AARON
The Empress, the midwife, and yourself.
Two may keep counsel when the third’s away.
150
Go to the Empress; tell her this I said. |
AARON
The Empress, the midwife, and yourself.
Two may keep counsel when the third’s away.
Go to the Empress; tell her this I said.
|
He kills her.
|
He kills her.
|
“Wheak, wheak”! So cries a pig preparèd to the spit.
|
“Wheak, wheak”! So cries a pig preparèd to the spit.
|
DEMETRIUS
What mean’st thou, Aaron? Wherefore didst thou this?
|
DEMETRIUS
What mean’st thou, Aaron? Wherefore didst thou this?
|
AARON
O Lord, sir, ’tis a deed of policy.
Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours,
155
A long-tongued babbling gossip? No, lords, no.And now be it known to you my full intent:
Not far one Muliteus my countryman
His wife but yesternight was brought to bed.
His child is like to her, fair as you are.
160
Go pack with him, and give the mother gold,And tell them both the circumstance of all,
And how by this their child shall be advanced
And be receivèd for the Emperor’s heir,
And substituted in the place of mine,
165
To calm this tempest whirling in the court;And let the Emperor dandle him for his own.
Hark you, lords, you see I have given her physic,
indicating the NURSE
And you must needs bestow her funeral.
The fields are near, and you are gallant grooms.
170
This done, see that you take no longer days,But send the midwife presently to me.
The midwife and the nurse well made away,
Then let the ladies tattle what they please.
|
AARON
O Lord, sir, ’tis a deed of policy.
Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours,
A long-tongued babbling gossip? No, lords, no.
And now be it known to you my full intent:
Not far one Muliteus my countryman
His wife but yesternight was brought to bed.
His child is like to her, fair as you are.
Go pack with him, and give the mother gold,
And tell them both the circumstance of all,
And how by this their child shall be advanced
And be receivèd for the Emperor’s heir,
And substituted in the place of mine,
To calm this tempest whirling in the court;
And let the Emperor dandle him for his own.
Hark you, lords, you see I have given her physic,
indicating the NURSE
And you must needs bestow her funeral.
The fields are near, and you are gallant grooms.
This done, see that you take no longer days,
But send the midwife presently to me.
The midwife and the nurse well made away,
Then let the ladies tattle what they please.
|
CHIRON
Aaron, I see thou wilt not trust the air
175
With secrets. |
CHIRON
Aaron, I see thou wilt not trust the air
With secrets.
|
DEMETRIUS
For this care of Tamora,
Herself and hers are highly bound to thee.
|
DEMETRIUS
For this care of Tamora,
Herself and hers are highly bound to thee.
|
DEMETRIUS and CHIRON exit, carrying the NURSE’s body.
|
DEMETRIUS and CHIRON exit, carrying the NURSE’s body.
|
AARON
Now to the Goths, as swift as swallow flies,
There to dispose this treasure in mine arms
180
And secretly to greet the Empress’ friends.—Come on, you thick-lipped slave, I’ll bear you hence,
For it is you that puts us to our shifts.
I’ll make you feed on berries and on roots,
And feed on curds and whey, and suck the goat,
185
And cabin in a cave, and bring you upTo be a warrior and command a camp.
|
AARON
Now to the Goths, as swift as swallow flies,
There to dispose this treasure in mine arms
And secretly to greet the Empress’ friends.—
Come on, you thick-lipped slave, I’ll bear you hence,
For it is you that puts us to our shifts.
I’ll make you feed on berries and on roots,
And feed on curds and whey, and suck the goat,
And cabin in a cave, and bring you up
To be a warrior and command a camp.
|
He exits with the baby.
|
He exits with the baby.
|