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Original Text |
Modern Text |
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Enter AARON, alone, carrying a bag of gold.
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Enter AARON, alone, carrying a bag of gold.
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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.
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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
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.
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Enter TAMORA alone to AARON the Moor.
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Enter TAMORA alone to AARON the Moor.
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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.
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TAMORA
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
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,
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,
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.
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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.
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AARON
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
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.
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
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,
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Enter BASSIANUS and LAVINIA.
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Enter BASSIANUS and LAVINIA.
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TAMORA
Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than life!
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TAMORA
Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than life!
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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.
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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.
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He exits.
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He exits.
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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?
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BASSIANUS
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?
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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.
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TAMORA
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,
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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.
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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.
’Tis pity they should take him for a stag.
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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?
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BASSIANUS
Believe me, queen, your swarthy Cimmerian
Doth make your honor of his body’s hue,
Spotted, detested, and abominable.
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?
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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.
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LAVINIA
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.
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BASSIANUS
85
The King my brother shall have notice of this.
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BASSIANUS
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LAVINIA
Ay, for these slips have made him noted long.
Good king to be so mightily abused!
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LAVINIA
Ay, for these slips have made him noted long.
Good king to be so mightily abused!
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TAMORA
Why, I have patience to endure all this.
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TAMORA
Why, I have patience to endure all this.
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Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS.
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Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS.
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DEMETRIUS
How now, dear sovereign and our gracious mother,
90
Why doth your Highness look so pale and wan?
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DEMETRIUS
How now, dear sovereign and our gracious mother,
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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.
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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,
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
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.
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,
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,
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DEMETRIUS,
drawing his dagger
This is a witness that I am thy son.
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DEMETRIUS,
drawing his dagger
This is a witness that I am thy son.
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CHIRON,
drawing his dagger
And this for me, struck home to show my strength.
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CHIRON,
drawing his dagger
And this for me, struck home to show my strength.
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They stab BASSIANUS.
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They stab BASSIANUS.
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LAVINIA
Ay, come, Semiramis, nay, barbarous Tamora,
For no name fits thy nature but thy own!
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LAVINIA
Ay, come, Semiramis, nay, barbarous Tamora,
For no name fits thy nature but thy own!
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TAMORA
120
Give me the poniard! You shall know, my boys,
Your mother’s hand shall right your mother’s wrong.
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TAMORA
Your mother’s hand shall right your mother’s wrong.
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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?
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DEMETRIUS
Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her.
First thrash the corn, then after burn the straw.
This minion stood upon her chastity,
And with that painted hope braves your mightiness;
And shall she carry this unto her grave?
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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.
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CHIRON
And if she do, I would I were an eunuch!
Drag hence her husband to some secret hole,
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TAMORA
But when you have the honey you desire,
Let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting.
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TAMORA
But when you have the honey you desire,
Let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting.
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CHIRON
I warrant you, madam, we will make that sure.—
Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy
135
That nice-preservèd honesty of yours.
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CHIRON
I warrant you, madam, we will make that sure.—
Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy
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LAVINIA
O Tamora, thou bearest a woman’s face—
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LAVINIA
O Tamora, thou bearest a woman’s face—
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TAMORA
I will not hear her speak. Away with her.
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TAMORA
I will not hear her speak. Away with her.
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LAVINIA
Sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word.
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LAVINIA
Sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word.
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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.
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DEMETRIUS,
to TAMORA
Listen, fair madam. Let it be your glory
As unrelenting flint to drops of rain.
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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.
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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.
Yet every mother breeds not sons alike.
To CHIRON. Do thou entreat her show a woman’s pity.
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CHIRON
What, wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard?
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CHIRON
What, wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard?
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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.
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LAVINIA
’Tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark.
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.
Nothing so kind, but something pitiful.
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TAMORA
I know not what it means.—Away with her.
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TAMORA
I know not what it means.—Away with her.
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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.
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LAVINIA
O, let me teach thee! For my father’s sake,
That gave thee life when well he might have slain thee,
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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.
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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,
Therefore away with her, and use her as you will;
The worse to her, the better loved of me.
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LAVINIA
O Tamora, be called a gentle queen,
And with thine own hands kill me in this place!
170
For ’tis not life that I have begged so long;
Poor I was slain when Bassianus died.
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LAVINIA
O Tamora, be called a gentle queen,
And with thine own hands kill me in this place!
Poor I was slain when Bassianus died.
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TAMORA
What begg’st thou, then? Fond woman, let me go!
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TAMORA
What begg’st thou, then? Fond woman, let me go!
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LAVINIA
’Tis present death I beg, and one thing more
That womanhood denies my tongue to tell.
175
O, keep me from their worse-than-killing lust,
And tumble me into some loathsome pit
Where never man’s eye may behold my body.
Do this, and be a charitable murderer.
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LAVINIA
’Tis present death I beg, and one thing more
That womanhood denies my tongue to tell.
And tumble me into some loathsome pit
Where never man’s eye may behold my body.
Do this, and be a charitable murderer.
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TAMORA
So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee.
180
No, let them satisfy their lust on thee.
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TAMORA
So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee.
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DEMETRIUS,
to LAVINIA
Away, for thou hast stayed us here too long!
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DEMETRIUS,
to LAVINIA
Away, for thou hast stayed us here too long!
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LAVINIA,
to TAMORA
No grace, no womanhood? Ah, beastly creature,
The blot and enemy to our general name,
Confusion fall—
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LAVINIA,
to TAMORA
No grace, no womanhood? Ah, beastly creature,
The blot and enemy to our general name,
Confusion fall—
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CHIRON
185
Nay, then, I’ll stop your mouth.—Bring thou her
husband.
This is the hole where Aaron bid us hide him.
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CHIRON
husband.
This is the hole where Aaron bid us hide him.
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They put BASSIANUS’ body in the pit and
exit, carrying off LAVINIA.
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They put BASSIANUS’ body in the pit and
exit, carrying off LAVINIA.
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TAMORA
Farewell, my sons. See that you make her sure.
Ne’er let my heart know merry cheer indeed
190
Till all the Andronici be made away.
Now will I hence to seek my lovely Moor,
And let my spleenful sons this trull deflower.
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TAMORA
Farewell, my sons. See that you make her sure.
Ne’er let my heart know merry cheer indeed
Now will I hence to seek my lovely Moor,
And let my spleenful sons this trull deflower.
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She exits.
Enter AARON with two of TITUS’ sons,
QUINTUS and MARTIUS.
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She exits.
Enter AARON with two of TITUS’ sons,
QUINTUS and MARTIUS.
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AARON
Come on, my lords, the better foot before.
Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit
195
Where I espied the panther fast asleep.
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AARON
Come on, my lords, the better foot before.
Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit
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QUINTUS
My sight is very dull, whate’er it bodes.
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QUINTUS
My sight is very dull, whate’er it bodes.
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MARTIUS
And mine, I promise you. Were it not for shame,
Well could I leave our sport to sleep awhile.
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MARTIUS
And mine, I promise you. Were it not for shame,
Well could I leave our sport to sleep awhile.
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He falls into the pit.
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He falls into the pit.
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QUINTUS
What, art thou fallen? What subtle hole is this,
200
Whose mouth is covered with rude-growing briers
Upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood
As fresh as morning dew distilled on flowers?
A very fatal place it seems to me.
Speak, brother! Hast thou hurt thee with the fall?
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QUINTUS
What, art thou fallen? What subtle hole is this,
Upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood
As fresh as morning dew distilled on flowers?
A very fatal place it seems to me.
Speak, brother! Hast thou hurt thee with the fall?
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MARTIUS
205
O, brother, with the dismal’st object hurt
That ever eye with sight made heart lament!
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MARTIUS
That ever eye with sight made heart lament!
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AARON,
aside
Now will I fetch the King to find them here,
That he thereby may have a likely guess
How these were they that made away his brother.
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AARON,
aside
Now will I fetch the King to find them here,
That he thereby may have a likely guess
How these were they that made away his brother.
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He exits.
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He exits.
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MARTIUS
210
Why dost not comfort me and help me out
From this unhallowed and bloodstainèd hole?
|
MARTIUS
From this unhallowed and bloodstainèd hole?
|
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QUINTUS
I am surprisèd with an uncouth fear.
A chilling sweat o’erruns my trembling joints.
My heart suspects more than mine eye can see.
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QUINTUS
I am surprisèd with an uncouth fear.
A chilling sweat o’erruns my trembling joints.
My heart suspects more than mine eye can see.
|
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MARTIUS
215
To prove thou hast a true-divining heart,
Aaron and thou look down into this den
And see a fearful sight of blood and death.
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MARTIUS
Aaron and thou look down into this den
And see a fearful sight of blood and death.
|
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QUINTUS
Aaron is gone, and my compassionate heart
Will not permit mine eyes once to behold
220
The thing whereat it trembles by surmise.
O, tell me who it is, for ne’er till now
Was I a child to fear I know not what.
|
QUINTUS
Aaron is gone, and my compassionate heart
Will not permit mine eyes once to behold
O, tell me who it is, for ne’er till now
Was I a child to fear I know not what.
|
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MARTIUS
Lord Bassianus lies berayed in blood,
All on a heap, like to a slaughtered lamb,
225
In this detested, dark, blood-drinking pit.
|
MARTIUS
Lord Bassianus lies berayed in blood,
All on a heap, like to a slaughtered lamb,
|
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QUINTUS
If it be dark, how dost thou know ’tis he?
|
QUINTUS
If it be dark, how dost thou know ’tis he?
|
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MARTIUS
Upon his bloody finger he doth wear
A precious ring that lightens all this hole,
Which like a taper in some monument
230
Doth shine upon the dead man’s earthy cheeks
And shows the ragged entrails of this pit.
So pale did shine the moon on Pyramus
When he by night lay bathed in maiden blood.
O, brother, help me with thy fainting hand—
235
If fear hath made thee faint as me it hath—
Out of this fell devouring receptacle,
As hateful as Cocytus’ misty mouth.
|
MARTIUS
Upon his bloody finger he doth wear
A precious ring that lightens all this hole,
Which like a taper in some monument
And shows the ragged entrails of this pit.
So pale did shine the moon on Pyramus
When he by night lay bathed in maiden blood.
O, brother, help me with thy fainting hand—
Out of this fell devouring receptacle,
As hateful as Cocytus’ misty mouth.
|
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QUINTUS,
reaching into the pit
Reach me thy hand, that I may help thee out,
Or, wanting strength to do thee so much good,
240
I may be plucked into the swallowing womb
Of this deep pit, poor Bassianus’ grave.
He pulls MARTIUS’ hand.
I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink.
|
QUINTUS,
reaching into the pit
Reach me thy hand, that I may help thee out,
Or, wanting strength to do thee so much good,
Of this deep pit, poor Bassianus’ grave.
He pulls MARTIUS’ hand.
I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink.
|
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MARTIUS
Nor I no strength to climb without thy help.
|
MARTIUS
Nor I no strength to climb without thy help.
|
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QUINTUS
Thy hand once more. I will not loose again
245
Till thou art here aloft or I below.
Thou canst not come to me. I come to thee.
|
QUINTUS
Thy hand once more. I will not loose again
Thou canst not come to me. I come to thee.
|
|
He falls in.
Enter the Emperor SATURNINUS, with ATTENDANTS,
and AARON the Moor.
|
He falls in.
Enter the Emperor SATURNINUS, with ATTENDANTS,
and AARON the Moor.
|
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SATURNINUS
Along with me! I’ll see what hole is here
And what he is that now is leapt into it.—
Say, who art thou that lately didst descend
250
Into this gaping hollow of the earth?
|
SATURNINUS
Along with me! I’ll see what hole is here
And what he is that now is leapt into it.—
Say, who art thou that lately didst descend
|
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MARTIUS
The unhappy sons of old Andronicus,
Brought hither in a most unlucky hour
To find thy brother Bassianus dead.
|
MARTIUS
The unhappy sons of old Andronicus,
Brought hither in a most unlucky hour
To find thy brother Bassianus dead.
|
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SATURNINUS
My brother dead! I know thou dost but jest.
255
He and his lady both are at the lodge
Upon the north side of this pleasant chase.
’Tis not an hour since I left them there.
|
SATURNINUS
My brother dead! I know thou dost but jest.
Upon the north side of this pleasant chase.
’Tis not an hour since I left them there.
|
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MARTIUS
We know not where you left them all alive,
But, out alas, here have we found him dead.
|
MARTIUS
We know not where you left them all alive,
But, out alas, here have we found him dead.
|
|
Enter TAMORA, TITUS ANDRONICUS, and LUCIUS.
|
Enter TAMORA, TITUS ANDRONICUS, and LUCIUS.
|
|
TAMORA
260
Where is my lord the King?
|
TAMORA
|
|
SATURNINUS
Here, Tamora, though grieved with killing grief.
|
SATURNINUS
Here, Tamora, though grieved with killing grief.
|
|
TAMORA
Where is thy brother Bassianus?
|
TAMORA
Where is thy brother Bassianus?
|
|
SATURNINUS
Now to the bottom dost thou search my wound.
Poor Bassianus here lies murderèd.
|
SATURNINUS
Now to the bottom dost thou search my wound.
Poor Bassianus here lies murderèd.
|
|
TAMORA
265
Then all too late I bring this fatal writ,
The complot of this timeless tragedy,
And wonder greatly that man’s face can fold
In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny.
|
TAMORA
The complot of this timeless tragedy,
And wonder greatly that man’s face can fold
In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny.
|
|
She giveth SATURNINE a letter.
|
She giveth SATURNINE a letter.
|
|
SATURNINUS (reads the letter) :
An if we miss to meet him handsomely,
270
Sweet huntsman—Bassianus ’tis we mean—
Do thou so much as dig the grave for him;
Thou know’st our meaning. Look for thy reward
Among the nettles at the elder tree
Which overshades the mouth of that same pit
275
Where we decreed to bury Bassianus.
Do this, and purchase us thy lasting friends.
O Tamora, was ever heard the like?
This is the pit, and this the elder tree.—
Look, sirs, if you can find the huntsman out
280
That should have murdered Bassianus here.
|
SATURNINUS (reads the letter) :
An if we miss to meet him handsomely,
Do thou so much as dig the grave for him;
Thou know’st our meaning. Look for thy reward
Among the nettles at the elder tree
Which overshades the mouth of that same pit
Do this, and purchase us thy lasting friends.
O Tamora, was ever heard the like?
This is the pit, and this the elder tree.—
Look, sirs, if you can find the huntsman out
|
|
AARON
My gracious lord, here is the bag of gold.
|
AARON
My gracious lord, here is the bag of gold.
|
|
SATURNINUS,
to TITUS
Two of thy whelps, fell curs of bloody kind,
Have here bereft my brother of his life.—
Sirs, drag them from the pit unto the prison.
285
There let them bide until we have devised
Some never-heard-of torturing pain for them.
|
SATURNINUS,
to TITUS
Two of thy whelps, fell curs of bloody kind,
Have here bereft my brother of his life.—
Sirs, drag them from the pit unto the prison.
Some never-heard-of torturing pain for them.
|
|
TAMORA
What, are they in this pit? O wondrous thing!
How easily murder is discoverèd.
|
TAMORA
What, are they in this pit? O wondrous thing!
How easily murder is discoverèd.
|
|
ATTENDANTS pull QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and
the body of BASSIANUS from the pit.
|
ATTENDANTS pull QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and
the body of BASSIANUS from the pit.
|
|
TITUS,
kneeling
High Emperor, upon my feeble knee
290
I beg this boon with tears not lightly shed,
That this fell fault of my accursèd sons—
Accursèd if the faults be proved in them—
|
TITUS,
kneeling
High Emperor, upon my feeble knee
That this fell fault of my accursèd sons—
Accursèd if the faults be proved in them—
|
|
SATURNINUS
If it be proved! You see it is apparent.
Who found this letter? Tamora, was it you?
|
SATURNINUS
If it be proved! You see it is apparent.
Who found this letter? Tamora, was it you?
|
|
TAMORA
295
Andronicus himself did take it up.
|
TAMORA
|
|
TITUS
I did, my lord, yet let me be their bail,
For by my father’s reverend tomb I vow
They shall be ready at your Highness’ will
To answer their suspicion with their lives.
|
TITUS
I did, my lord, yet let me be their bail,
For by my father’s reverend tomb I vow
They shall be ready at your Highness’ will
To answer their suspicion with their lives.
|
|
SATURNINUS
300
Thou shalt not bail them. See thou follow me.—
Some bring the murdered body, some the murderers.
Let them not speak a word. The guilt is plain.
For, by my soul, were there worse end than death,
That end upon them should be executed.
|
SATURNINUS
Some bring the murdered body, some the murderers.
Let them not speak a word. The guilt is plain.
For, by my soul, were there worse end than death,
That end upon them should be executed.
|
|
TAMORA
305
Andronicus, I will entreat the King.
Fear not thy sons; they shall do well enough.
|
TAMORA
Fear not thy sons; they shall do well enough.
|
|
TITUS,
rising
Come, Lucius, come. Stay not to talk with them.
|
TITUS,
rising
Come, Lucius, come. Stay not to talk with them.
|
|
They exit, with ATTENDANTS leading MARTIUS and
QUINTUS and bearing the body of BASSIANUS.
|
They exit, with ATTENDANTS leading MARTIUS and
QUINTUS and bearing the body of BASSIANUS.
|
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
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
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
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,
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,
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
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
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.
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
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,
|
|
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
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
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,
|
|
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.
’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.
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
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
|
|
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,
|
|
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,
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
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.
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,
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,
|
|
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
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,
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,
|
|
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
|
|
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
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.
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.
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.
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,
|
|
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,
Therefore away with her, and use her as you will;
The worse to her, the better loved of me.
|
|
LAVINIA
O Tamora, be called a gentle queen,
And with thine own hands kill me in this place!
170
For ’tis not life that I have begged so long;
Poor I was slain when Bassianus died.
|
LAVINIA
O Tamora, be called a gentle queen,
And with thine own hands kill me in this place!
Poor I was slain when Bassianus died.
|
|
TAMORA
What begg’st thou, then? Fond woman, let me go!
|
TAMORA
What begg’st thou, then? Fond woman, let me go!
|
|
LAVINIA
’Tis present death I beg, and one thing more
That womanhood denies my tongue to tell.
175
O, keep me from their worse-than-killing lust,
And tumble me into some loathsome pit
Where never man’s eye may behold my body.
Do this, and be a charitable murderer.
|
LAVINIA
’Tis present death I beg, and one thing more
That womanhood denies my tongue to tell.
And tumble me into some loathsome pit
Where never man’s eye may behold my body.
Do this, and be a charitable murderer.
|
|
TAMORA
So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee.
180
No, let them satisfy their lust on thee.
|
TAMORA
So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee.
|
|
DEMETRIUS,
to LAVINIA
Away, for thou hast stayed us here too long!
|
DEMETRIUS,
to LAVINIA
Away, for thou hast stayed us here too long!
|
|
LAVINIA,
to TAMORA
No grace, no womanhood? Ah, beastly creature,
The blot and enemy to our general name,
Confusion fall—
|
LAVINIA,
to TAMORA
No grace, no womanhood? Ah, beastly creature,
The blot and enemy to our general name,
Confusion fall—
|
|
CHIRON
185
Nay, then, I’ll stop your mouth.—Bring thou her
husband.
This is the hole where Aaron bid us hide him.
|
CHIRON
husband.
This is the hole where Aaron bid us hide him.
|
|
They put BASSIANUS’ body in the pit and
exit, carrying off LAVINIA.
|
They put BASSIANUS’ body in the pit and
exit, carrying off LAVINIA.
|
|
TAMORA
Farewell, my sons. See that you make her sure.
Ne’er let my heart know merry cheer indeed
190
Till all the Andronici be made away.
Now will I hence to seek my lovely Moor,
And let my spleenful sons this trull deflower.
|
TAMORA
Farewell, my sons. See that you make her sure.
Ne’er let my heart know merry cheer indeed
Now will I hence to seek my lovely Moor,
And let my spleenful sons this trull deflower.
|
|
She exits.
Enter AARON with two of TITUS’ sons,
QUINTUS and MARTIUS.
|
She exits.
Enter AARON with two of TITUS’ sons,
QUINTUS and MARTIUS.
|
|
AARON
Come on, my lords, the better foot before.
Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit
195
Where I espied the panther fast asleep.
|
AARON
Come on, my lords, the better foot before.
Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit
|
|
QUINTUS
My sight is very dull, whate’er it bodes.
|
QUINTUS
My sight is very dull, whate’er it bodes.
|
|
MARTIUS
And mine, I promise you. Were it not for shame,
Well could I leave our sport to sleep awhile.
|
MARTIUS
And mine, I promise you. Were it not for shame,
Well could I leave our sport to sleep awhile.
|
|
He falls into the pit.
|
He falls into the pit.
|
|
QUINTUS
What, art thou fallen? What subtle hole is this,
200
Whose mouth is covered with rude-growing briers
Upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood
As fresh as morning dew distilled on flowers?
A very fatal place it seems to me.
Speak, brother! Hast thou hurt thee with the fall?
|
QUINTUS
What, art thou fallen? What subtle hole is this,
Upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood
As fresh as morning dew distilled on flowers?
A very fatal place it seems to me.
Speak, brother! Hast thou hurt thee with the fall?
|
|
MARTIUS
205
O, brother, with the dismal’st object hurt
That ever eye with sight made heart lament!
|
MARTIUS
That ever eye with sight made heart lament!
|
|
AARON,
aside
Now will I fetch the King to find them here,
That he thereby may have a likely guess
How these were they that made away his brother.
|
AARON,
aside
Now will I fetch the King to find them here,
That he thereby may have a likely guess
How these were they that made away his brother.
|
|
He exits.
|
He exits.
|
|
MARTIUS
210
Why dost not comfort me and help me out
From this unhallowed and bloodstainèd hole?
|
MARTIUS
From this unhallowed and bloodstainèd hole?
|
|
QUINTUS
I am surprisèd with an uncouth fear.
A chilling sweat o’erruns my trembling joints.
My heart suspects more than mine eye can see.
|
QUINTUS
I am surprisèd with an uncouth fear.
A chilling sweat o’erruns my trembling joints.
My heart suspects more than mine eye can see.
|
|
MARTIUS
215
To prove thou hast a true-divining heart,
Aaron and thou look down into this den
And see a fearful sight of blood and death.
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MARTIUS
Aaron and thou look down into this den
And see a fearful sight of blood and death.
|
|
QUINTUS
Aaron is gone, and my compassionate heart
Will not permit mine eyes once to behold
220
The thing whereat it trembles by surmise.
O, tell me who it is, for ne’er till now
Was I a child to fear I know not what.
|
QUINTUS
Aaron is gone, and my compassionate heart
Will not permit mine eyes once to behold
O, tell me who it is, for ne’er till now
Was I a child to fear I know not what.
|
|
MARTIUS
Lord Bassianus lies berayed in blood,
All on a heap, like to a slaughtered lamb,
225
In this detested, dark, blood-drinking pit.
|
MARTIUS
Lord Bassianus lies berayed in blood,
All on a heap, like to a slaughtered lamb,
|
|
QUINTUS
If it be dark, how dost thou know ’tis he?
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QUINTUS
If it be dark, how dost thou know ’tis he?
|
|
MARTIUS
Upon his bloody finger he doth wear
A precious ring that lightens all this hole,
Which like a taper in some monument
230
Doth shine upon the dead man’s earthy cheeks
And shows the ragged entrails of this pit.
So pale did shine the moon on Pyramus
When he by night lay bathed in maiden blood.
O, brother, help me with thy fainting hand—
235
If fear hath made thee faint as me it hath—
Out of this fell devouring receptacle,
As hateful as Cocytus’ misty mouth.
|
MARTIUS
Upon his bloody finger he doth wear
A precious ring that lightens all this hole,
Which like a taper in some monument
And shows the ragged entrails of this pit.
So pale did shine the moon on Pyramus
When he by night lay bathed in maiden blood.
O, brother, help me with thy fainting hand—
Out of this fell devouring receptacle,
As hateful as Cocytus’ misty mouth.
|
|
QUINTUS,
reaching into the pit
Reach me thy hand, that I may help thee out,
Or, wanting strength to do thee so much good,
240
I may be plucked into the swallowing womb
Of this deep pit, poor Bassianus’ grave.
He pulls MARTIUS’ hand.
I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink.
|
QUINTUS,
reaching into the pit
Reach me thy hand, that I may help thee out,
Or, wanting strength to do thee so much good,
Of this deep pit, poor Bassianus’ grave.
He pulls MARTIUS’ hand.
I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink.
|
|
MARTIUS
Nor I no strength to climb without thy help.
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MARTIUS
Nor I no strength to climb without thy help.
|
|
QUINTUS
Thy hand once more. I will not loose again
245
Till thou art here aloft or I below.
Thou canst not come to me. I come to thee.
|
QUINTUS
Thy hand once more. I will not loose again
Thou canst not come to me. I come to thee.
|
|
He falls in.
Enter the Emperor SATURNINUS, with ATTENDANTS,
and AARON the Moor.
|
He falls in.
Enter the Emperor SATURNINUS, with ATTENDANTS,
and AARON the Moor.
|
|
SATURNINUS
Along with me! I’ll see what hole is here
And what he is that now is leapt into it.—
Say, who art thou that lately didst descend
250
Into this gaping hollow of the earth?
|
SATURNINUS
Along with me! I’ll see what hole is here
And what he is that now is leapt into it.—
Say, who art thou that lately didst descend
|
|
MARTIUS
The unhappy sons of old Andronicus,
Brought hither in a most unlucky hour
To find thy brother Bassianus dead.
|
MARTIUS
The unhappy sons of old Andronicus,
Brought hither in a most unlucky hour
To find thy brother Bassianus dead.
|
|
SATURNINUS
My brother dead! I know thou dost but jest.
255
He and his lady both are at the lodge
Upon the north side of this pleasant chase.
’Tis not an hour since I left them there.
|
SATURNINUS
My brother dead! I know thou dost but jest.
Upon the north side of this pleasant chase.
’Tis not an hour since I left them there.
|
|
MARTIUS
We know not where you left them all alive,
But, out alas, here have we found him dead.
|
MARTIUS
We know not where you left them all alive,
But, out alas, here have we found him dead.
|
|
Enter TAMORA, TITUS ANDRONICUS, and LUCIUS.
|
Enter TAMORA, TITUS ANDRONICUS, and LUCIUS.
|
|
TAMORA
260
Where is my lord the King?
|
TAMORA
|
|
SATURNINUS
Here, Tamora, though grieved with killing grief.
|
SATURNINUS
Here, Tamora, though grieved with killing grief.
|
|
TAMORA
Where is thy brother Bassianus?
|
TAMORA
Where is thy brother Bassianus?
|
|
SATURNINUS
Now to the bottom dost thou search my wound.
Poor Bassianus here lies murderèd.
|
SATURNINUS
Now to the bottom dost thou search my wound.
Poor Bassianus here lies murderèd.
|
|
TAMORA
265
Then all too late I bring this fatal writ,
The complot of this timeless tragedy,
And wonder greatly that man’s face can fold
In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny.
|
TAMORA
The complot of this timeless tragedy,
And wonder greatly that man’s face can fold
In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny.
|
|
She giveth SATURNINE a letter.
|
She giveth SATURNINE a letter.
|
|
SATURNINUS (reads the letter) :
An if we miss to meet him handsomely,
270
Sweet huntsman—Bassianus ’tis we mean—
Do thou so much as dig the grave for him;
Thou know’st our meaning. Look for thy reward
Among the nettles at the elder tree
Which overshades the mouth of that same pit
275
Where we decreed to bury Bassianus.
Do this, and purchase us thy lasting friends.
O Tamora, was ever heard the like?
This is the pit, and this the elder tree.—
Look, sirs, if you can find the huntsman out
280
That should have murdered Bassianus here.
|
SATURNINUS (reads the letter) :
An if we miss to meet him handsomely,
Do thou so much as dig the grave for him;
Thou know’st our meaning. Look for thy reward
Among the nettles at the elder tree
Which overshades the mouth of that same pit
Do this, and purchase us thy lasting friends.
O Tamora, was ever heard the like?
This is the pit, and this the elder tree.—
Look, sirs, if you can find the huntsman out
|
|
AARON
My gracious lord, here is the bag of gold.
|
AARON
My gracious lord, here is the bag of gold.
|
|
SATURNINUS,
to TITUS
Two of thy whelps, fell curs of bloody kind,
Have here bereft my brother of his life.—
Sirs, drag them from the pit unto the prison.
285
There let them bide until we have devised
Some never-heard-of torturing pain for them.
|
SATURNINUS,
to TITUS
Two of thy whelps, fell curs of bloody kind,
Have here bereft my brother of his life.—
Sirs, drag them from the pit unto the prison.
Some never-heard-of torturing pain for them.
|
|
TAMORA
What, are they in this pit? O wondrous thing!
How easily murder is discoverèd.
|
TAMORA
What, are they in this pit? O wondrous thing!
How easily murder is discoverèd.
|
|
ATTENDANTS pull QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and
the body of BASSIANUS from the pit.
|
ATTENDANTS pull QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and
the body of BASSIANUS from the pit.
|
|
TITUS,
kneeling
High Emperor, upon my feeble knee
290
I beg this boon with tears not lightly shed,
That this fell fault of my accursèd sons—
Accursèd if the faults be proved in them—
|
TITUS,
kneeling
High Emperor, upon my feeble knee
That this fell fault of my accursèd sons—
Accursèd if the faults be proved in them—
|
|
SATURNINUS
If it be proved! You see it is apparent.
Who found this letter? Tamora, was it you?
|
SATURNINUS
If it be proved! You see it is apparent.
Who found this letter? Tamora, was it you?
|
|
TAMORA
295
Andronicus himself did take it up.
|
TAMORA
|
|
TITUS
I did, my lord, yet let me be their bail,
For by my father’s reverend tomb I vow
They shall be ready at your Highness’ will
To answer their suspicion with their lives.
|
TITUS
I did, my lord, yet let me be their bail,
For by my father’s reverend tomb I vow
They shall be ready at your Highness’ will
To answer their suspicion with their lives.
|
|
SATURNINUS
300
Thou shalt not bail them. See thou follow me.—
Some bring the murdered body, some the murderers.
Let them not speak a word. The guilt is plain.
For, by my soul, were there worse end than death,
That end upon them should be executed.
|
SATURNINUS
Some bring the murdered body, some the murderers.
Let them not speak a word. The guilt is plain.
For, by my soul, were there worse end than death,
That end upon them should be executed.
|
|
TAMORA
305
Andronicus, I will entreat the King.
Fear not thy sons; they shall do well enough.
|
TAMORA
Fear not thy sons; they shall do well enough.
|
|
TITUS,
rising
Come, Lucius, come. Stay not to talk with them.
|
TITUS,
rising
Come, Lucius, come. Stay not to talk with them.
|
|
They exit, with ATTENDANTS leading MARTIUS and
QUINTUS and bearing the body of BASSIANUS.
|
They exit, with ATTENDANTS leading MARTIUS and
QUINTUS and bearing the body of BASSIANUS.
|
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