第2章

FallsinEnterSATURNINUSwithAARONSATURNINUSAlongwithme:I’llseewhatholeishere,Andwhatheisthatnowisleap’dintoit。

SaywhoartthouthatlatelydidstdescendIntothisgapinghollowoftheearth?MARTIUSTheunhappysonofoldAndronicus:

Broughthitherinamostunluckyhour,TofindthybrotherBassianusdead。SATURNINUSMybrotherdead!Iknowthoudostbutjest:

HeandhisladybothareatthelodgeUponthenorthsideofthispleasantchase;

’TisnotanhoursinceIlefthimthere。MARTIUSWeknownotwhereyoulefthimallalive;

But,out,alas!herehavewefoundhimdead。

Re-enterTAMORA,withAttendants;TITUSANDRONICUS,andLuciusTAMORAWhereismylordtheking?SATURNINUSHere,Tamora,thoughgrievedwithkillinggrief。TAMORAWhereisthybrotherBassianus?SATURNINUSNowtothebottomdostthousearchmywound:

PoorBassianushereliesmurdered。TAMORAThenalltoolateIbringthisfatalwrit,Thecomplotofthistimelesstragedy;

Andwondergreatlythatman’sfacecanfoldInpleasingsmilessuchmurderoustyranny。

ShegivethSATURNINUSaletterSATURNINUS[Reads]’Anifwemisstomeethimhandsomely——

Sweethuntsman,Bassianus’tiswemean——

Dothousomuchasdigthegraveforhim:

Thouknow’stourmeaning。LookforthyrewardAmongthenettlesattheelder-treeWhichovershadesthemouthofthatsamepitWherewedecreedtoburyBassianus。

Dothis,andpurchaseusthylastingfriends。’

OTamora!waseverheardthelike?

Thisisthepit,andthistheelder-tree。

Look,sirs,ifyoucanfindthehuntsmanoutThatshouldhavemurderedBassianushere。AARONMygraciouslord,hereisthebagofgold。SATURNINUS[ToTITUS]Twoofthywhelps,fellcursofbloodykind,Haveherebereftmybrotherofhislife。

Sirs,dragthemfromthepituntotheprison:

ThereletthembideuntilwehavedevisedSomenever-heard-oftorturingpainforthem。TAMORAWhat,aretheyinthispit?Owondrousthing!

Howeasilymurderisdiscovered!TITUSANDRONICUSHighemperor,uponmyfeeblekneeIbegthisboon,withtearsnotlightlyshed,Thatthisfellfaultofmyaccursedsons,Accursedifthefaultbeprovedinthem,——SATURNINUSIfitbeproved!youseeitisapparent。

Whofoundthisletter?Tamora,wasityou?TAMORAAndronicushimselfdidtakeitup。TITUSANDRONICUSIdid,mylord:yetletmebetheirbail;

For,bymyfather’sreverendtomb,IvowTheyshallbereadyatyourhighness’willToanswertheirsuspicionwiththeirlives。SATURNINUSThoushaltnotbailthem:seethoufollowme。

Somebringthemurder’dbody,somethemurderers:

Letthemnotspeakaword;theguiltisplain;

For,bymysoul,werethereworseendthandeath,Thatenduponthemshouldbeexecuted。TAMORAAndronicus,Iwillentreattheking;

Fearnotthysons;theyshalldowellenough。TITUSANDRONICUSCome,Lucius,come;staynottotalkwiththem。

ExeuntSCENEIV。Anotherpartoftheforest。EnterDEMETRIUSandCHIRONwithLAVINIA,ravished;herhandscutoff,andhertonguecutoutDEMETRIUSSo,nowgotell,anifthytonguecanspeak,Who’twasthatcutthytongueandravish’dthee。CHIRONWritedownthymind,bewraythymeaningso,Anifthystumpswilllettheeplaythescribe。DEMETRIUSSee,howwithsignsandtokensshecanscrowl。CHIRONGohome,callforsweetwater,washthyhands。DEMETRIUSShehathnotonguetocall,norhandstowash;

Andsolet’sleavehertohersilentwalks。CHIRONAn’tweremycase,Ishouldgohangmyself。DEMETRIUSIfthouhadsthandstohelptheeknitthecord。

ExeuntDEMETRIUSandCHIRON

EnterMARCUSMARCUSWhoisthis?myniece,thatfliesawaysofast!

Cousin,aword;whereisyourhusband?

IfIdodream,wouldallmywealthwouldwakeme!

IfIdowake,someplanetstrikemedown,ThatImayslumberineternalsleep!

Speak,gentleniece,whatsternungentlehandsHavelopp’dandhew’dandmadethybodybareOfhertwobranches,thosesweetornaments,Whosecirclingshadowskingshavesoughttosleepin,AndmightnotgainsogreatahappinessAshavethylove?Whydostnotspeaktome?

Alas,acrimsonriverofwarmblood,Liketoabubblingfountainstirr’dwithwind,Dothriseandfallbetweenthyrosedlips,Comingandgoingwiththyhoneybreath。

But,sure,someTereushathdefloweredthee,And,lestthoushouldstdetecthim,cutthytongue。

Ah,nowthouturn’stawaythyfaceforshame!

And,notwithstandingallthislossofblood,Asfromaconduitwiththreeissuingspouts,YetdothycheekslookredasTitan’sfaceBlushingtobeencounteredwithacloud。

ShallIspeakforthee?shallIsay’tisso?

O,thatIknewthyheart;andknewthebeast,ThatImightrailathim,toeasemymind!

Sorrowconcealed,likeanovenstopp’d,Dothburnthehearttocinderswhereitis。

FairPhilomela,shebutlosthertongue,Andinatedioussamplersew’dhermind:

But,lovelyniece,thatmeaniscutfromthee;

AcraftierTereus,cousin,hastthoumet,Andhehathcutthoseprettyfingersoff,Thatcouldhavebettersew’dthanPhilomel。

O,hadthemonsterseenthoselilyhandsTremble,likeaspen-leaves,uponalute,Andmakethesilkenstringsdelighttokissthem,Hewouldnotthenhavetouch’dthemforhislife!

Or,hadheheardtheheavenlyharmonyWhichthatsweettonguehathmade,Hewouldhavedropp’dhisknife,andfellasleepAsCerberusattheThracianpoet’sfeet。

Come,letusgo,andmakethyfatherblind;

Forsuchasightwillblindafather’seye:

Onehour’sstormwilldrownthefragrantmeads;

Whatwillwholemonthsoftearsthyfather’seyes?

Donotdrawback,forwewillmournwiththeeO,couldourmourningeasethymisery!

ExeuntACTIIISCENEI。Rome。Astreet。EnterJudges,SenatorsandTribunes,withMARTIUSandQUINTUS,bound,passingontotheplaceofexecution;TITUSgoingbefore,pleadingTITUSANDRONICUSHearme,gravefathers!nobletribunes,stay!

Forpityofmineage,whoseyouthwasspentIndangerouswars,whilstyousecurelyslept;

ForallmybloodinRome’sgreatquarrelshed;

ForallthefrostynightsthatIhavewatch’d;

Andforthesebittertears,whichnowyouseeFillingtheagedwrinklesinmycheeks;

Bepitifultomycondemnedsons,Whosesoulsarenotcorruptedas’tisthought。

FortwoandtwentysonsIneverwept,Becausetheydiedinhonour’sloftybed。

Liethdown;theJudges,&;c。,passbyhim,andExeuntForthese,these,tribunes,inthedustIwriteMyheart’sdeeplanguorandmysoul’ssadtears:

Letmytearsstanchtheearth’sdryappetite;

Mysons’sweetbloodwillmakeitshameandblush。

Oearth,Iwillbefriendtheemorewithrain,Thatshalldistilfromthesetwoancienturns,ThanyouthfulAprilshallwithallhisshowers:

Insummer’sdroughtI’lldropupontheestill;

InwinterwithwarmtearsI’llmeltthesnowAndkeepeternalspring-timeonthyface,Sothourefusetodrinkmydearsons’blood。

EnterLUCIUS,withhissworddrawnOreverendtribunes!Ogentle,agedmen!

Unbindmysons,reversethedoomofdeath;

Andletmesay,thatneverweptbefore,Mytearsarenowprevailingorators。LUCIUSOnoblefather,youlamentinvain:

Thetribuneshearyounot;nomanisby;

Andyourecountyoursorrowstoastone。TITUSANDRONICUSAh,Lucius,forthybrothersletmeplead。

Gravetribunes,oncemoreIentreatofyou,——LUCIUSMygraciouslord,notribunehearsyouspeak。TITUSANDRONICUSWhy,tisnomatter,man;iftheydidhear,Theywouldnotmarkme,oriftheydidmark,Theywouldnotpityme,yetpleadImust;

ThereforeItellmysorrowstothestones;

Who,thoughtheycannotanswermydistress,Yetinsomesorttheyarebetterthanthetribunes,Forthattheywillnotinterceptmytale:

WhenIdoweep,theyhumblyatmyfeetReceivemytearsandseemtoweepwithme;

And,weretheybutattiredingraveweeds,Romecouldaffordnotribuneliketothese。

Astoneissoftaswax,——tribunesmorehardthanstones;

Astoneissilent,andoffendethnot,Andtribuneswiththeirtonguesdoommentodeath。

RisesButwhereforestand’stthouwiththyweapondrawn?LUCIUSTorescuemytwobrothersfromtheirdeath:

ForwhichattemptthejudgeshavepronouncedMyeverlastingdoomofbanishment。TITUSANDRONICUSOhappyman!theyhavebefriendedthee。

Why,foolishLucius,dostthounotperceiveThatRomeisbutawildernessoftigers?

Tigersmustprey,andRomeaffordsnopreyButmeandmine:howhappyartthou,then,Fromthesedevourerstobebanished!

ButwhocomeswithourbrotherMarcushere?

EnterMARCUSandLAVINIAMARCUSANDRONICUSTitus,preparethyagedeyestoweep;

Or,ifnotso,thynoblehearttobreak:

Ibringconsumingsorrowtothineage。TITUSANDRONICUSWillitconsumeme?letmeseeit,then。MARCUSANDRONICUSThiswasthydaughter。TITUSANDRONICUSWhy,Marcus,sosheis。LUCIUSAyme,thisobjectkillsme!TITUSANDRONICUSFaint-heartedboy,arise,andlookuponher。

Speak,Lavinia,whataccursedhandHathmadetheehandlessinthyfather’ssight?

Whatfoolhathaddedwatertothesea,Orbroughtafaggottobright-burningTroy?

Mygriefwasattheheightbeforethoucamest,AndnowlikeNilus,itdisdainethbounds。

Givemeasword,I’llchopoffmyhandstoo;

FortheyhavefoughtforRome,andallinvain;

Andtheyhavenursedthiswoe,infeedinglife;

Inbootlessprayerhavetheybeenheldup,Andtheyhaveservedmetoeffectlessuse:

NowalltheserviceIrequireofthemIsthattheonewillhelptocuttheother。

’Tiswell,Lavinia,thatthouhastnohands;

Forhands,todoRomeservice,arebutvain。LUCIUSSpeak,gentlesister,whohathmartyr’dthee?MARCUSANDRONICUSO,thatdelightfulengineofherthoughtsThatblabb’dthemwithsuchpleasingeloquence,Istornfromforththatprettyhollowcage,Where,likeasweetmelodiousbird,itsungSweetvariednotes,enchantingeveryear!LUCIUSO,saythouforher,whohathdonethisdeed?MARCUSANDRONICUSO,thusIfoundher,strayinginthepark,Seekingtohideherself,asdoththedeerThathathreceivedsomeunrecuringwound。TITUSANDRONICUSItwasmydeer;andhethatwoundedherHathhurtmemorethanhadhekilledmedead:

FornowIstandasoneuponarockEnvironedwithawildernessofsea,Whomarksthewaxingtidegrowwavebywave,ExpectingeverwhensomeenvioussurgeWillinhisbrinishbowelsswallowhim。

Thiswaytodeathmywretchedsonsaregone;

Herestandsmyotherson,abanishedman,Andheremybrother,weepingatmywoes。

Butthatwhichgivesmysoulthegreatestspurn,IsdearLavinia,dearerthanmysoul。

HadIbutseenthypictureinthisplight,Itwouldhavemaddedme:whatshallIdoNowIbeholdthylivelybodyso?

Thouhastnohands,towipeawaythytears:

Nortongue,totellmewhohathmartyr’dthee:

Thyhusbandheisdead:andforhisdeathThybrothersarecondemn’d,anddeadbythis。

Look,Marcus!ah,sonLucius,lookonher!

WhenIdidnameherbrothers,thenfreshtearsStoodonhercheeks,asdoththehoney-dewUponagather’dlilyalmostwither’d。MARCUSANDRONICUSPerchancesheweepsbecausetheykill’dherhusband;

Perchancebecausesheknowstheminnocent。TITUSANDRONICUSIftheydidkillthyhusband,thenbejoyfulBecausethelawhathta’enrevengeonthem。

No,no,theywouldnotdosofouladeed;

Witnessthesorrowthattheirsistermakes。

GentleLavinia,letmekissthylips。

OrmakesomesignhowImaydotheeease:

Shallthygooduncle,andthybrotherLucius,Andthou,andI,sitroundaboutsomefountain,LookingalldownwardstobeholdourcheeksHowtheyarestain’d,asmeadows,yetnotdry,Withmiryslimeleftonthembyaflood?

AndinthefountainshallwegazesolongTillthefreshtastebetakenfromthatclearness,Andmadeabrine-pitwithourbittertears?

Orshallwecutawayourhands,likethine?

Orshallwebiteourtongues,andindumbshowsPasstheremainderofourhatefuldays?

Whatshallwedo?letus,thathaveourtongues,Plotsomedeuceoffurthermisery,Tomakeuswonder’datintimetocome。LUCIUSSweetfather,ceaseyourtears;for,atyourgrief,Seehowmywretchedsistersobsandweeps。MARCUSANDRONICUSPatience,dearniece。GoodTitus,drythineeyes。TITUSANDRONICUSAh,Marcus,Marcus!brother,wellIwotThynapkincannotdrinkatearofmine,Forthou,poorman,hastdrown’ditwiththineown。LUCIUSAh,myLavinia,Iwillwipethycheeks。TITUSANDRONICUSMark,Marcus,mark!Iunderstandhersigns:

Hadsheatonguetospeak,nowwouldshesayThattoherbrotherwhichIsaidtothee:

Hisnapkin,withhistruetearsallbewet,Candonoserviceonhersorrowfulcheeks。

O,whatasympathyofwoeisthis,AsfarfromhelpasLimboisfrombliss!

EnterAARONAARONTitusAndronicus,mylordtheemperorSendstheethisword,——that,ifthoulovethysons,LetMarcus,Lucius,orthyself,oldTitus,Oranyoneofyou,chopoffyourhand,Andsendittotheking:heforthesameWillsendtheehitherboththysonsalive;

Andthatshallbetheransomfortheirfault。TITUSANDRONICUSOgraciousemperor!OgentleAaron!

Dideverravensingsolikealark,Thatgivessweettidingsofthesun’suprise?

Withallmyheart,I’llsendtheemperorMyhand:

GoodAaron,wiltthouhelptochopitoff?LUCIUSStay,father!forthatnoblehandofthine,Thathaththrowndownsomanyenemies,Shallnotbesent:myhandwillservetheturn:

Myyouthcanbettersparemybloodthanyou;

Andthereforemineshallsavemybrothers’lives。MARCUSANDRONICUSWhichofyourhandshathnotdefendedRome,Andrear’daloftthebloodybattle-axe,Writingdestructionontheenemy’scastle?

O,noneofbothbutareofhighdesert:

Myhandhathbeenbutidle;letitserveToransommytwonephewsfromtheirdeath;

ThenhaveIkeptittoaworthyend。AARONNay,come,agreewhosehandshallgoalong,Forfeartheydiebeforetheirpardoncome。MARCUSANDRONICUSMyhandshallgo。LUCIUSByheaven,itshallnotgo!TITUSANDRONICUSSirs,strivenomore:suchwither’dherbsastheseAremeetforpluckingup,andthereforemine。LUCIUSSweetfather,ifIshallbethoughtthyson,Letmeredeemmybrothersbothfromdeath。MARCUSANDRONICUSAnd,forourfather’ssakeandmother’scare,Nowletmeshowabrother’slovetothee。TITUSANDRONICUSAgreebetweenyou;Iwillsparemyhand。LUCIUSThenI’llgofetchanaxe。MARCUSANDRONICUSButIwillusetheaxe。

ExeuntLUCIUSandMARCUSTITUSANDRONICUSComehither,Aaron;I’lldeceivethemboth:

Lendmethyhand,andIwillgivetheemine。AARON[Aside]Ifthatbecall’ddeceit,Iwillbehonest,Andnever,whilstIlive,deceivemenso:

ButI’lldeceiveyouinanothersort,Andthatyou’llsay,erehalfanhourpass。

CutsoffTITUS’shandRe-enterLUCIUSandMARCUSTITUSANDRONICUSNowstayyourstrife:whatshallbeisdispatch’d。

GoodAaron,givehismajestymyhand:

TellhimitwasahandthatwardedhimFromthousanddangers;bidhimburyitMorehathitmerited;thatletithave。

Asformysons,sayIaccountofthemAsjewelspurchasedataneasyprice;

Andyetdeartoo,becauseIboughtmineown。AARONIgo,Andronicus:andforthyhandLookbyandbytohavethysonswiththee。

AsideTheirheads,Imean。O,howthisvillanyDothfatmewiththeverythoughtsofit!

Letfoolsdogood,andfairmencallforgrace。

Aaronwillhavehissoulblacklikehisface。

ExitTITUSANDRONICUSO,hereIliftthisonehanduptoheaven,Andbowthisfeebleruintotheearth:

Ifanypowerpitieswretchedtears,TothatIcall!

ToLAVINIA

What,wiltthoukneelwithme?

Do,then,dearheart;forheavenshallhearourprayers;

Orwithoursighswe’llbreathethewelkindim,Andstainthesunwithfog,assometimecloudsWhentheydohughimintheirmeltingbosoms。MARCUSANDRONICUSObrother,speakwithpossibilities,Anddonotbreakintothesedeepextremes。TITUSANDRONICUSIsnotmysorrowdeep,havingnobottom?

Thenbemypassionsbottomlesswiththem。MARCUSANDRONICUSButyetletreasongovernthylament。TITUSANDRONICUSIftherewerereasonforthesemiseries,ThenintolimitscouldIbindmywoes:

Whenheavendothweep,dothnottheeartho’erflow?

Ifthewindsrage,dothnottheseawaxmad,Threateningthewelkinwithhisbig-swolnface?

Andwiltthouhaveareasonforthiscoil?

Iamthesea;hark,howhersighsdoblow!

Sheistheweepingwelkin,Itheearth:

Thenmustmyseabemovedwithhersighs;

ThenmustmyearthwithhercontinualtearsBecomeadeluge,overflow’danddrown’d;

Forwhymybowelscannothideherwoes,ButlikeadrunkardmustIvomitthem。

Thengivemeleave,forloserswillhaveleaveToeasetheirstomachswiththeirbittertongues。

EnteraMessenger,withtwoheadsandahandMessengerWorthyAndronicus,illartthourepaidForthatgoodhandthousent’sttheemperor。

Herearetheheadsofthytwonoblesons;

Andhere’sthyhand,inscorntotheesentback;

Thygriefstheirsports,thyresolutionmock’d;

ThatwoeismetothinkuponthywoesMorethanremembranceofmyfather’sdeath。

ExitMARCUSANDRONICUSNowlethotAEtnacoolinSicily,Andbemyheartanever-burninghell!

Thesemiseriesaremorethanmaybeborne。

Toweepwiththemthatweepdotheasesomedeal;

Butsorrowfloutedatisdoubledeath。LUCIUSAh,thatthissightshouldmakesodeepawound,Andyetdetestedlifenotshrinkthereat!

Thateverdeathshouldletlifebearhisname,Wherelifehathnomoreinterestbuttobreathe!

LAVINIAkissesTITUSMARCUSANDRONICUSAlas,poorheart,thatkissiscomfortlessAsfrozenwatertoastarvedsnake。TITUSANDRONICUSWhenwillthisfearfulslumberhaveanend?MARCUSANDRONICUSNow,farewell,flattery:die,Andronicus;

Thoudostnotslumber:see,thytwosons’heads,Thywarlikehand,thymangleddaughterhere:

Thyotherbanish’dson,withthisdearsightStruckpaleandbloodless;andthybrother,I,Evenlikeastonyimage,coldandnumb。

Ah,nownomorewillIcontrolthygriefs:

Rendoffthysilverhair,thyotherhandGnawingwiththyteeth;andbethisdismalsightTheclosingupofourmostwretchedeyes;

Nowisatimetostorm;whyartthoustill?TITUSANDRONICUSHa,ha,ha!MARCUSANDRONICUSWhydostthoulaugh?itfitsnotwiththishour。TITUSANDRONICUSWhy,Ihavenotanotherteartoshed:

Besides,thissorrowisanenemy,AndwouldusurpuponmywateryeyesAndmakethemblindwithtributarytears:

ThenwhichwayshallIfindRevenge’scave?

Forthesetwoheadsdoseemtospeaktome,AndthreatmeIshallnevercometoblissTillallthesemischiefsbereturn’dagainEvenintheirthroatsthathavecommittedthem。

Come,letmeseewhattaskIhavetodo。

Youheavypeople,circlemeabout,ThatImayturnmetoeachoneofyou,Andswearuntomysoultorightyourwrongs。

Thevowismade。Come,brother,takeahead;

AndinthishandtheotherIwillbear。

Lavinia,thoushaltbeemploy’d:thesearms!

Bearthoumyhand,sweetwench,betweenthyteeth。

Asforthee,boy,gogettheefrommysight;

Thouartanexile,andthoumustnotstay:

HietotheGoths,andraiseanarmythere:

And,ifyouloveme,asIthinkyoudo,Let’skissandpart,forwehavemuchtodo。

ExeuntTITUS,MARCUS,andLAVINIALUCIUSFarewellAndronicus,mynoblefather,Thewofull’stmanthateverlivedinRome:

Farewell,proudRome;tillLuciuscomeagain,Heleaveshispledgesdearerthanhislife:

Farewell,Lavinia,mynoblesister;

O,wouldthouwertasthoutoforehastbeen!

ButnownorLuciusnorLavinialivesButinoblivionandhatefulgriefs。

IfLuciuslive,hewillrequiteyourwrongs;

AndmakeproudSaturnineandhisempressBegatthegates,likeTarquinandhisqueen。

NowwillItotheGoths,andraiseapower,ToberevengedonRomeandSaturnine。

ExitSCENEII。AroominTitus’shouse。Abanquetsetout。EnterTITUS,MARCUS,LAVINIAandYoungLUCIUS,aboyTITUSANDRONICUSSo,so;nowsit:andlookyoueatnomoreThanwillpreservejustsomuchstrengthinusAswillrevengethesebitterwoesofours。

Marcus,unknitthatsorrow-wreathenknot:

ThynieceandI,poorcreatures,wantourhands,AndcannotpassionateourtenfoldgriefWithfoldedarms。ThispoorrighthandofmineIslefttotyrannizeuponmybreast;

Who,whenmyheart,allmadwithmisery,Beatsinthishollowprisonofmyflesh,ThenthusIthumpitdown。

ToLAVINIA

Thoumapofwoe,thatthusdosttalkinsigns!

Whenthypoorheartbeatswithoutrageousbeating,Thoucanstnotstrikeitthustomakeitstill。

Wounditwithsighing,girl,killitwithgroans;

Orgetsomelittleknifebetweenthyteeth,Andjustagainstthyheartmakethouahole;

ThatallthetearsthatthypooreyesletfallMayrunintothatsink,andsoakinginDrownthelamentingfoolinsea-salttears。MARCUSANDRONICUSFie,brother,fie!teachhernotthustolaySuchviolenthandsuponhertenderlife。TITUSANDRONICUSHownow!hassorrowmadetheedotealready?

Why,Marcus,nomanshouldbemadbutI。

Whatviolenthandscanshelayonherlife?

Ah,whereforedostthouurgethenameofhands;

TobidAEneastellthetaletwiceo’er,HowTroywasburntandhemademiserable?

O,handlenotthetheme,totalkofhands,Lestwerememberstillthatwehavenone。

Fie,fie,howfranticlyIsquaremytalk,Asifweshouldforgetwehadnohands,IfMarcusdidnotnamethewordofhands!

Come,let’sfallto;and,gentlegirl,eatthis:

Hereisnodrink!Hark,Marcus,whatshesays;

Icaninterpretallhermartyr’dsigns;

Shesaysshedrinksnootherdrinkbuttears,Brew’dwithhersorrow,mesh’duponhercheeks:

Speechlesscomplainer,Iwilllearnthythought;

InthydumbactionwillIbeasperfectAsbegginghermitsintheirholyprayers:

Thoushaltnotsigh,norholdthystumpstoheaven,Norwink,nornod,norkneel,normakeasign,ButIofthesewillwrestanalphabetAndbystillpractiselearntoknowthymeaning。YoungLUCIUSGoodgrandsire,leavethesebitterdeeplaments:

Makemyauntmerrywithsomepleasingtale。MARCUSANDRONICUSAlas,thetenderboy,inpassionmoved,Dothweeptoseehisgrandsire’sheaviness。TITUSANDRONICUSPeace,tendersapling;thouartmadeoftears,Andtearswillquicklymeltthylifeaway。

MARCUSstrikesthedishwithaknifeWhatdostthoustrikeat,Marcus,withthyknife?MARCUSANDRONICUSAtthatthatIhavekill’d,mylord;afly。TITUSANDRONICUSOutonthee,murderer!thoukill’stmyheart;

Mineeyesarecloy’dwithviewoftyranny:

AdeedofdeathdoneontheinnocentBecomesnotTitus’brother:gettheegone:

Iseethouartnotformycompany。MARCUSANDRONICUSAlas,mylord,Ihavebutkill’dafly。TITUSANDRONICUSButhow,ifthatflyhadafatherandmother?

Howwouldhehanghisslendergildedwings,Andbuzzlamentingdoingsintheair!

Poorharmlessfly,That,withhisprettybuzzingmelody,Cameheretomakeusmerry!andthouhastkill’dhim。MARCUSANDRONICUSPardonme,sir;itwasablackill-favor’dfly,Liketotheempress’Moor;thereforeIkill’dhim。TITUSANDRONICUSO,O,O,Thenpardonmeforreprehendingthee,Forthouhastdoneacharitabledeed。

Givemethyknife,Iwillinsultonhim;

Flatteringmyself,asifitweretheMoorComehitherpurposelytopoisonme。——

There’sforthyself,andthat’sforTamora。

Ah,sirrah!

Yet,Ithink,wearenotbroughtsolow,ButthatbetweenuswecankillaflyThatcomesinlikenessofacoal-blackMoor。MARCUSANDRONICUSAlas,poorman!griefhassowroughtonhim,Hetakesfalseshadowsfortruesubstances。TITUSANDRONICUSCome,takeaway。Lavinia,gowithme:

I’lltothycloset;andgoreadwiththeeSadstorieschancedinthetimesofold。

Come,boy,andgowithme:thysightisyoung,Andthoushaltreadwhenminebegintodazzle。

ExeuntACTIVSCENEI。Rome。Titus’sgarden。EnteryoungLUCIUS,andLAVINIArunningafterhim,andtheboyfliesfromher,withbooksunderhisarm。ThenenterTITUSandMARCUSYoungLUCIUSHelp,grandsire,help!myauntLaviniaFollowsmeeverywhere,Iknownotwhy:

GooduncleMarcus,seehowswiftshecomes。

Alas,sweetaunt,Iknownotwhatyoumean。MARCUSANDRONICUSStandbyme,Lucius;donotfearthineaunt。TITUSANDRONICUSShelovesthee,boy,toowelltodotheeharm。YoungLUCIUSAy,whenmyfatherwasinRomeshedid。MARCUSANDRONICUSWhatmeansmynieceLaviniabythesesigns?TITUSANDRONICUSFearhernot,Lucius:somewhatdothshemean:

See,Lucius,seehowmuchshemakesofthee:

Somewhitherwouldshehavetheegowithher。

Ah,boy,CornelianeverwithmorecareReadtohersonsthanshehathreadtotheeSweetpoetryandTully’sOrator。MARCUSANDRONICUSCanstthounotguesswhereforeshepliestheethus?YoungLUCIUSMylord,Iknownot,I,norcanIguess,Unlesssomefitorfrenzydopossessher:

ForIhaveheardmygrandsiresayfulloft,Extremityofgriefswouldmakemenmad;

AndIhavereadthatHecubaofTroyRanmadthroughsorrow:thatmademetofear;

Although,mylord,IknowmynobleauntLovesmeasdearase’ermymotherdid,Andwouldnot,butinfury,frightmyyouth:

Whichmademedowntothrowmybooks,andfly——

Causeless,perhaps。Butpardonme,sweetaunt:

And,madam,ifmyuncleMarcusgo,Iwillmostwillinglyattendyourladyship。MARCUSANDRONICUSLucius,Iwill。

LAVINIAturnsoverwithherstumpsthebookswhichLUCIUShasletfallTITUSANDRONICUSHownow,Lavinia!Marcus,whatmeansthis?

Somebookthereisthatshedesirestosee。

Whichisit,girl,ofthese?Openthem,boy。

Butthouartdeeperread,andbetterskill’dCome,andtakechoiceofallmylibrary,Andsobeguilethysorrow,tilltheheavensRevealthedamn’dcontriverofthisdeed。

Whyliftssheupherarmsinsequencethus?MARCUSANDRONICUSIthinkshemeansthattherewasmorethanoneConfederateinthefact:ay,moretherewas;

Orelsetoheavensheheavesthemforrevenge。TITUSANDRONICUSLucius,whatbookisthatshetossethso?YoungLUCIUSGrandsire,’tisOvid’sMetamorphoses;

Mymothergaveitme。MARCUSANDRONICUSForloveofherthat’sgone,Perhapsshecull’ditfromamongtherest。TITUSANDRONICUSSoft!seehowbusilysheturnstheleaves!

HelpingherWhatwouldshefind?Lavinia,shallIread?

ThisisthetragictaleofPhilomel,AndtreatsofTereus’treasonandhisrape:

Andrape,Ifear,wasrootofthineannoy。MARCUSANDRONICUSSee,brother,see;notehowshequotestheleaves。TITUSANDRONICUSLavinia,wertthouthussurprised,sweetgirl,Ravish’dandwrong’d,asPhilomelawas,Forcedintheruthless,vast,andgloomywoods?

See,see!

Ay,suchaplacethereis,wherewedidhunt——

O,hadwenever,neverhuntedthere!——

Pattern’dbythatthepoetheredescribes,Bynaturemadeformurdersandforrapes。MARCUSANDRONICUSO,whyshouldnaturebuildsofouladen,Unlessthegodsdelightintragedies?TITUSANDRONICUSGivesigns,sweetgirl,forherearenonebutfriends,WhatRomanlorditwasdurstdothedeed:

OrslunknotSaturnine,asTarquinerst,ThatleftthecamptosininLucrece’bed?MARCUSANDRONICUSSitdown,sweetniece:brother,sitdownbyme。

Apollo,Pallas,Jove,orMercury,Inspireme,thatImaythistreasonfind!

Mylord,lookhere:lookhere,Lavinia:

Thissandyplotisplain;guide,ifthoucanstThisafterme,whenIhavewritmynameWithoutthehelpofanyhandatall。

Hewriteshisnamewithhisstaff,andguidesitwithfeetandmouthCursedbethatheartthatforcedustothisshift!

Writethougoodniece;andheredisplay,atlast,WhatGodwillhavediscover’dforrevenge;

Heavenguidethypentoprintthysorrowsplain,Thatwemayknowthetraitorsandthetruth!

Shetakesthestaffinhermouth,andguidesitwithherstumps,andwritesTITUSANDRONICUSO,doyeread,mylord,whatshehathwrit?

’Stuprum。Chiron。Demetrius。’MARCUSANDRONICUSWhat,what!thelustfulsonsofTamoraPerformersofthisheinous,bloodydeed?TITUSANDRONICUSMagniDominatorpoli,Tamlentusaudisscelera?tamlentusvides?MARCUSANDRONICUSO,calmthee,gentlelord;althoughI

knowThereisenoughwrittenuponthisearthTostiramutinyinthemildestthoughtsAndarmthemindsofinfantstoexclaims。

Mylord,kneeldownwithme;Lavinia,kneel;

Andkneel,sweetboy,theRomanHector’shope;

Andswearwithme,as,withthewofulfereAndfatherofthatchastedishonour’ddame,LordJuniusBrutusswareforLucrece’rape,ThatwewillprosecutebygoodadviceMortalrevengeuponthesetraitorousGoths,Andseetheirblood,ordiewiththisreproach。TITUSANDRONICUS’Tissureenough,anyouknewhow。

Butifyouhuntthesebear-whelps,thenbeware:

Thedamwillwake;and,ifshewindyouonce,She’swiththeliondeeplystillinleague,Andlullshimwhilstsheplayethonherback,Andwhenhesleepswillshedowhatshelist。

Youareayounghuntsman,Marcus;letitalone;

And,come,Iwillgogetaleafofbrass,Andwithagadofsteelwillwritethesewords,Andlayitby:theangrynorthernwindWillblowthesesands,likeSibyl’sleaves,abroad,Andwhere’syourlesson,then?Boy,whatsayyou?YoungLUCIUSIsay,mylord,thatifIwereaman,Theirmother’sbed-chambershouldnotbesafeForthesebadbondmentotheyokeofRome。MARCUSANDRONICUSAy,that’smyboy!thyfatherhathfulloftForhisungratefulcountrydonethelike。YoungLUCIUSAnd,uncle,sowillI,anifIlive。TITUSANDRONICUSCome,gowithmeintominearmoury;

Lucius,I’llfitthee;andwithal,myboy,Shaltcarryfrommetotheempress’sonsPresentsthatIintendtosendthemboth:

Come,come;thou’ltdothymessage,wiltthounot?YoungLUCIUSAy,withmydaggerintheirbosoms,grandsire。TITUSANDRONICUSNo,boy,notso;I’llteachtheeanothercourse。

Lavinia,come。Marcus,looktomyhouse:

LuciusandI’llgobraveitatthecourt:

Ay,marry,willwe,sir;andwe’llbewaitedon。

ExeuntTITUS,LAVINIA,andYoungLUCIUSMARCUSANDRONICUSOheavens,canyouhearagoodmangroan,Andnotrelent,ornotcompassionhim?

Marcus,attendhiminhisecstasy,ThathathmorescarsofsorrowinhisheartThanfoemen’smarksuponhisbatter’dshield;

Butyetsojustthathewillnotrevenge。

Revenge,yeheavens,foroldAndronicus!

ExitSCENEII。Thesame。Aroominthepalace。Enter,fromoneside,AARON,DEMETRIUS,andCHIRON;fromtheotherside,YoungLUCIUS,andanAttendant,withabundleofweapons,andverseswrituponthemCHIRONDemetrius,here’sthesonofLucius;

Hehathsomemessagetodeliverus。AARONAy,somemadmessagefromhismadgrandfather。YoungLUCIUSMylords,withallthehumblenessImay,IgreetyourhonoursfromAndronicus。

AsideAndpraytheRomangodsconfoundyouboth!DEMETRIUSGramercy,lovelyLucius:what’sthenews?YoungLUCIUS[Aside]Thatyouarebothdecipher’d,that’sthenews,Forvillainsmark’dwithrape。——Mayitpleaseyou,Mygrandsire,welladvised,hathsentbymeThegoodliestweaponsofhisarmouryTogratifyyourhonourableyouth,ThehopeofRome;forsohebademesay;

AndsoIdo,andwithhisgiftspresentYourlordships,that,wheneveryouhaveneed,Youmaybearmedandappointedwell:

AndsoIleaveyouboth:

Asidelikebloodyvillains。

ExeuntYoungLUCIUS,andAttendantDEMETRIUSWhat’shere?Ascroll;andwrittenroundabout?

Let’ssee;

Reads’Integervitae,scelerisquepurus,NonegetMaurijaculis,necarcu。’CHIRONO,’tisaverseinHorace;Iknowitwell:

Ireaditinthegrammarlongago。AARONAy,just;averseinHorace;right,youhaveit。

AsideNow,whatathingitistobeanass!

Here’snosoundjest!theoldmanhathfoundtheirguilt;

Andsendsthemweaponswrappedaboutwithlines,Thatwound,beyondtheirfeeling,tothequick。

Butwereourwittyempresswellafoot,ShewouldapplaudAndronicus’conceit:

Butletherrestinherunrestawhile。

Andnow,younglords,was’tnotahappystarLedustoRome,strangers,andmorethanso,Captives,tobeadvancedtothisheight?

Itdidmegood,beforethepalacegateTobravethetribuneinhisbrother’shearing。DEMETRIUSButmemoregood,toseesogreatalordBaselyinsinuateandsendusgifts。AARONHadhenotreason,LordDemetrius?

Didyounotusehisdaughterveryfriendly?DEMETRIUSIwouldwehadathousandRomandamesAtsuchabay,byturntoserveourlust。CHIRONAcharitablewishandfulloflove。AARONHerelacksbutyourmotherfortosayamen。CHIRONAndthatwouldshefortwentythousandmore。DEMETRIUSCome,letusgo;andpraytoallthegodsForourbelovedmotherinherpains。AARON[Aside]Praytothedevils;thegodshavegivenusover。

TrumpetssoundwithinDEMETRIUSWhydotheemperor’strumpetsflourishthus?CHIRONBelike,forjoytheemperorhathason。DEMETRIUSSoft!whocomeshere?

EnteraNurse,withablackamoorChildinherarmsNurseGoodmorrow,lords:

O,tellme,didyouseeAarontheMoor?AARONWell,moreorless,orne’erawhitatall,HereAaronis;andwhatwithAaronnow?NurseOgentleAaron,weareallundone!

Nowhelp,orwoebetidetheeevermore!AARONWhy,whatacaterwaulingdostthoukeep!

Whatdostthouwrapandfumbleinthinearms?NurseO,thatwhichIwouldhidefromheaven’seye,Ourempress’shame,andstatelyRome’sdisgrace!

Sheisdeliver’d,lords;sheisdeliver’d。AARONTowhom?NurseImean,sheisbroughta-bed。AARONWell,Godgivehergoodrest!Whathathhesenther?NurseAdevil。AARONWhy,thensheisthedevil’sdam;ajoyfulissue。NurseAjoyless,dismal,black,andsorrowfulissue:

Hereisthebabe,asloathsomeasatoadAmongstthefairestbreedersofourclime:

Theempresssendsitthee,thystamp,thyseal,Andbidstheechristenitwiththydagger’spoint。AARON’Zounds,yewhore!isblacksobaseahue?

Sweetblowse,youareabeauteousblossom,sure。DEMETRIUSVillain,whathastthoudone?AARONThatwhichthoucanstnotundo。CHIRONThouhastundoneourmother。AARONVillain,Ihavedonethymother。DEMETRIUSAndtherein,hellishdog,thouhastundone。

Woetoherchance,anddamn’dherloathedchoice!

Accursedtheoffspringofsofoulafiend!CHIRONItshallnotlive。AARONItshallnotdie。NurseAaron,itmust;themotherwillsitso。AARONWhat,mustit,nurse?thenletnomanbutI

Doexecutiononmyfleshandblood。DEMETRIUSI’llbroachthetadpoleonmyrapier’spoint:

Nurse,giveitme;myswordshallsoondispatchit。AARONSoonerthisswordshallploughthybowelsup。

TakestheChildfromtheNurse,anddrawsStay,murderousvillains!willyoukillyourbrother?

Now,bytheburningtapersofthesky,Thatshonesobrightlywhenthisboywasgot,Hediesuponmyscimitar’ssharppointThattouchesthismyfirst-bornsonandheir!

Itellyou,younglings,notEnceladus,WithallhisthreateningbandofTyphon’sbrood,NorgreatAlcides,northegodofwar,Shallseizethispreyoutofhisfather’shands。

What,what,yesanguine,shallow-heartedboys!

Yewhite-limedwalls!yealehousepaintedsigns!

Coal-blackisbetterthananotherhue,Inthatitscornstobearanotherhue;

ForallthewaterintheoceanCanneverturntheswan’sblacklegstowhite,Althoughshelavethemhourlyintheflood。

Telltheempressfromme,IamofageTokeepmineown,excuseithowshecan。DEMETRIUSWiltthoubetraythynoblemistressthus?AARONMymistressismymistress;thismyself,Thevigourandthepictureofmyyouth:

ThisbeforealltheworlddoIprefer;

ThismaugrealltheworldwillIkeepsafe,OrsomeofyoushallsmokeforitinRome。DEMETRIUSBythisourmotherisforevershamed。CHIRONRomewilldespiseherforthisfoulescape。NurseTheemperor,inhisrage,willdoomherdeath。CHIRONIblushtothinkuponthisignomy。AARONWhy,there’stheprivilegeyourbeautybears:

Fie,treacheroushue,thatwillbetraywithblushingThecloseenactsandcounselsoftheheart!

Here’sayoungladframedofanotherleer:

Look,howtheblackslavesmilesuponthefather,Aswhoshouldsay’Oldlad,Iamthineown。’

Heisyourbrother,lords,sensiblyfedOfthatself-bloodthatfirstgavelifetoyou,Andfromthatwombwhereyouimprison’dwereHeisenfranchisedandcometolight:

Nay,heisyourbrotherbythesurerside,Althoughmysealbestampedinhisface。NurseAaron,whatshallIsayuntotheempress?DEMETRIUSAdvisethee,Aaron,whatistobedone,Andwewillallsubscribetothyadvice:

Savethouthechild,sowemayallbesafe。AARONThensitwedown,andletusallconsult。

MysonandIwillhavethewindofyou:

Keepthere:nowtalkatpleasureofyoursafety。