第3章

TheysitDEMETRIUSHowmanywomensawthischildofhis?AARONWhy,so,bravelords!whenwejoininleague,Iamalamb:butifyoubravetheMoor,Thechafedboar,themountainlioness,TheoceanswellsnotsoasAaronstorms。

Butsay,again;howmanysawthechild?NurseCorneliathemidwifeandmyself;

Andnooneelsebutthedeliver’dempress。AARONTheempress,themidwife,andyourself:

Twomaykeepcounselwhenthethird’saway:

Gototheempress,tellherthisIsaid。

HekillsthenurseWeke,weke!socriesapigpreparedtothespit。DEMETRIUSWhatmean’stthou,Aaron?whereforedidstthouthis?AARONOLord,sir,’tisadeedofpolicy:

Shallshelivetobetraythisguiltofours,Along-tonguedbabblinggossip?no,lords,no:

Andnowbeitknowntoyoumyfullintent。

Notfar,oneMulilives,mycountryman;

Hiswifebutyesternightwasbroughttobed;

Hischildisliketoher,fairasyouare:

Gopackwithhim,andgivethemothergold,Andtellthemboththecircumstanceofall;

Andhowbythistheirchildshallbeadvanced,Andbereceivedfortheemperor’sheir,Andsubstitutedintheplaceofmine,Tocalmthistempestwhirlinginthecourt;

Andlettheemperordandlehimforhisown。

Harkye,lords;yeseeIhavegivenherphysic,PointingtothenurseAndyoumustneedsbestowherfuneral;

Thefieldsarenear,andyouaregallantgrooms:

Thisdone,seethatyoutakenolongerdays,Butsendthemidwifepresentlytome。

Themidwifeandthenursewellmadeaway,Thenlettheladiestattlewhattheyplease。CHIRONAaron,IseethouwiltnottrusttheairWithsecrets。DEMETRIUSForthiscareofTamora,Herselfandhersarehighlyboundtothee。

ExeuntDEMETRIUSandCHIRONbearingofftheNurse’sbodyAARONNowtotheGoths,asswiftasswallowflies;

Theretodisposethistreasureinminearms,Andsecretlytogreettheempress’friends。

Comeon,youthicklipp’dslave,I’llbearyouhence;

Foritisyouthatputsustoourshifts:

I’llmakeyoufeedonberriesandonroots,Andfeedoncurdsandwhey,andsuckthegoat,Andcabininacave,andbringyouupTobeawarrior,andcommandacamp。

ExitSCENEIII。Thesame。Apublicplace。EnterTITUS,bearingarrowswithlettersattheendsofthem;withhim,MARCUS,YoungLUCIUS,PUBLIUS,SEMPRONIUS,CAIUS,andotherGentlemen,withbowsTITUSANDRONICUSCome,Marcus;come,kinsmen;thisistheway。

Sirboy,nowletmeseeyourarchery;

Lookyedrawhomeenough,and’tistherestraight。

TerrasAstraeareliquit:

Beyouremember’d,Marcus,she’sgone,she’sfled。

Sirs,takeyoutoyourtools。You,cousins,shallGosoundtheocean,andcastyournets;

Happilyyoumaycatchherinthesea;

Yetthere’saslittlejusticeasatland:

No;PubliusandSempronius,youmustdoit;

’Tisyoumustdigwithmattockandwithspade,Andpiercetheinmostcentreoftheearth:

Then,whenyoucometoPluto’sregion,Iprayyou,deliverhimthispetition;

Tellhim,itisforjusticeandforaid,AndthatitcomesfromoldAndronicus,ShakenwithsorrowsinungratefulRome。

Ah,Rome!Well,well;ImadetheemiserableWhattimeIthrewthepeople’ssuffragesOnhimthatthusdothtyrannizeo’erme。

Go,getyougone;andpraybecarefulall,Andleaveyounotaman-of-warunsearch’d:

Thiswickedemperormayhaveshipp’dherhence;

And,kinsmen,thenwemaygopipeforjustice。MARCUSANDRONICUSOPublius,isnotthisaheavycase,Toseethynobleunclethusdistract?PUBLIUSTherefore,mylord,ithighlyusconcernsBydayandnighttoattendhimcarefully,Andfeedhishumourkindlyaswemay,Tilltimebegetsomecarefulremedy。MARCUSANDRONICUSKinsmen,hissorrowsarepastremedy。

JoinwiththeGoths;andwithrevengefulwarTakewreakonRomeforthisingratitude,AndvengeanceonthetraitorSaturnine。TITUSANDRONICUSPublius,hownow!hownow,mymasters!

What,haveyoumetwithher?PUBLIUSNo,mygoodlord;butPlutosendsyouword,IfyouwillhaveRevengefromhell,youshall:

Marry,forJustice,sheissoemploy’d,Hethinks,withJoveinheaven,orsomewhereelse,Sothatperforceyoumustneedsstayatime。TITUSANDRONICUSHedothmewrongtofeedmewithdelays。

I’lldiveintotheburninglakebelow,AndpullheroutofAcheronbytheheels。

Marcus,wearebutshrubs,nocedarsweNobig-bonedmenframedoftheCyclops’size;

Butmetal,Marcus,steeltotheveryback,Yetwrungwithwrongsmorethanourbackscanbear:

And,siththere’snojusticeinearthnorhell,WewillsolicitheavenandmovethegodsTosenddownJusticefortowreakourwrongs。

Come,tothisgear。Youareagoodarcher,Marcus;

Hegivesthemthearrows’AdJovem,’that’sforyou:here,’AdApollinem:’

’AdMartem,’that’sformyself:

Here,boy,toPallas:here,toMercury:

ToSaturn,Caius,nottoSaturnine;

Youwereasgoodtoshootagainstthewind。

Toit,boy!Marcus,loosewhenIbid。

Ofmyword,Ihavewrittentoeffect;

There’snotagodleftunsolicited。MARCUSANDRONICUSKinsmen,shootallyourshaftsintothecourt:

Wewillafflicttheemperorinhispride。TITUSANDRONICUSNow,masters,draw。

TheyshootO,wellsaid,Lucius!

Goodboy,inVirgo’slap;giveitPallas。MARCUSANDRONICUSMylord,Iaimamilebeyondthemoon;

YourletteriswithJupiterbythis。TITUSANDRONICUSHa,ha!

Publius,Publius,whathastthoudone?

See,see,thouhastshotoffoneofTaurus’horns。MARCUSANDRONICUSThiswasthesport,mylord:whenPubliusshot,TheBull,beinggall’d,gaveAriessuchaknockThatdownfellboththeRam’shornsinthecourt;

Andwhoshouldfindthembuttheempress’villain?

Shelaugh’d,andtoldtheMoorheshouldnotchooseButgivethemtohismasterforapresent。TITUSANDRONICUSWhy,thereitgoes:Godgivehislordshipjoy!

EnteraClown,withabasket,andtwopigeonsinitNews,newsfromheaven!Marcus,thepostiscome。

Sirrah,whattidings?haveyouanyletters?

ShallIhavejustice?whatsaysJupiter?ClownO,thegibbet-maker!hesaysthathehathtakenthemdownagain,forthemanmustnotbehangedtillthenextweek。TITUSANDRONICUSButwhatsaysJupiter,Iaskthee?ClownAlas,sir,IknownotJupiter;Ineverdrankwithhiminallmylife。TITUSANDRONICUSWhy,villain,artnotthouthecarrier?ClownAy,ofmypigeons,sir;nothingelse。TITUSANDRONICUSWhy,didstthounotcomefromheaven?ClownFromheaven!alas,sir,InevercamethereGodforbidIshouldbesoboldtopresstoheaveninmyyoungdays。Why,Iamgoingwithmypigeonstothetribunalplebs,totakeupamatterofbrawlbetwixtmyuncleandoneoftheemperial’smen。MARCUSANDRONICUSWhy,sir,thatisasfitascanbetoserveforyouroration;andlethimdeliverthepigeonstotheemperorfromyou。TITUSANDRONICUSTellme,canyoudeliveranorationtotheemperorwithagrace?ClownNay,truly,sir,Icouldneversaygraceinallmylife。TITUSANDRONICUSSirrah,comehither:makenomoreado,Butgiveyourpigeonstotheemperor:

Bymethoushalthavejusticeathishands。

Hold,hold;meanwhilehere’smoneyforthycharges。

Givemepenandink。Sirrah,canyouwithagracedeliverasupplication?ClownAy,sir。TITUSANDRONICUSThenhereisasupplicationforyou。

Andwhenyoucometohim,atthefirstapproachyoumustkneel,thenkisshisfoot,thendeliverupyourpigeons,andthenlookforyourreward。I’llbeathand,sir;

seeyoudoitbravely。ClownIwarrantyou,sir,letmealone。TITUSANDRONICUSSirrah,hastthouaknife?come,letmeseeit。

Here,Marcus,folditintheoration;

Forthouhastmadeitlikeanhumblesuppliant。

Andwhenthouhastgivenittheemperor,Knockatmydoor,andtellmewhathesays。ClownGodbewithyou,sir;Iwill。TITUSANDRONICUSCome,Marcus,letusgo。Publius,followme。

ExeuntSCENEIV。Thesame。Beforethepalace。EnterSATURNINUS,TAMORA,DEMETRIUS,CHIRON,Lords,andothers;SATURNINUSwiththearrowsinhishandthatTITUSshotSATURNINUSWhy,lords,whatwrongsarethese!waseverseenAnemperorinRomethusoverborne,Troubled,confrontedthus;and,fortheextentOfegaljustice,usedinsuchcontempt?

Mylords,youknow,asknowthemightfulgods,HoweverthesedisturbersofourpeaceBuzinthepeople’sears,therenoughthathpass’d,Butevenwithlaw,againstthewillfulsonsOfoldAndronicus。AndwhatanifHissorrowshavesooverwhelm’dhiswits,Shallwebethusafflictedinhiswreaks,Hisfits,hisfrenzy,andhisbitterness?

Andnowhewritestoheavenforhisredress:

See,here’stoJove,andthistoMercury;

ThistoApollo;thistothegodofwar;

SweetscrollstoflyaboutthestreetsofRome!

What’sthisbutlibellingagainstthesenate,Andblazoningourinjusticeeverywhere?

Agoodlyhumour,isitnot,mylords?

Aswhowouldsay,inRomenojusticewere。

ButifIlive,hisfeignedecstasiesShallbenosheltertotheseoutrages:

ButheandhisshallknowthatjusticelivesInSaturninus’health,whom,ifshesleep,He’llsoawakeassheinfuryshallCutofftheproud’stconspiratorthatlives。TAMORAMygraciouslord,mylovelySaturnine,Lordofmylife,commanderofmythoughts,Calmthee,andbearthefaultsofTitus’age,Theeffectsofsorrowforhisvaliantsons,Whoselosshathpiercedhimdeepandscarr’dhisheart;

AndrathercomforthisdistressedplightThanprosecutethemeanestorthebestForthesecontempts。

AsideWhy,thusitshallbecomeHigh-wittedTamoratoglozewithall:

But,Titus,Ihavetouchedtheetothequick,Thylife-bloodout:ifAaronnowbewise,Thenisallsafe,theanchor’sintheport。

EnterClownHownow,goodfellow!wouldstthouspeakwithus?ClownYea,forsooth,anyourmistershipbeemperial。TAMORAEmpressIam,butyondersitstheemperor。Clown’Tishe。GodandSaintStephengiveyougoodden:

Ihavebroughtyoualetterandacoupleofpigeonshere。

SATURNINUSreadstheletterSATURNINUSGo,takehimaway,andhanghimpresently。ClownHowmuchmoneymustIhave?TAMORACome,sirrah,youmustbehanged。ClownHanged!by’rlady,thenIhavebroughtupanecktoafairend。

Exit,guardedSATURNINUSDespitefulandintolerablewrongs!

ShallIendurethismonstrousvillany?

Iknowfromwhencethissamedeviceproceeds:

Maythisbeborne?——asifhistraitoroussons,Thatdiedbylawformurderofourbrother,Havebymymeansbeenbutcher’dwrongfully!

Go,dragthevillainhitherbythehair;

Noragenorhonourshallshapeprivilege:

ForthisproudmockI’llbethyslaughterman;

Slyfranticwretch,thatholp’sttomakemegreat,InhopethyselfshouldgovernRomeandme。

EnterAEMILIUS

Whatnewswiththee,AEmilius?AEMILIUSArm,arm,mylord;——Romeneverhadmorecause。

TheGothshavegather’dhead;andwithapowerhigh-resolvedmen,benttothespoil,Theyhithermarchamain,underconductOfLucius,sontooldAndronicus;

Whothreats,incourseofthisrevenge,todoAsmuchaseverCoriolanusdid。SATURNINUSIswarlikeLuciusgeneraloftheGoths?

Thesetidingsnipme,andIhangtheheadAsflowerswithfrostorgrassbeatdownwithstorms:

Ay,nowbeginoursorrowstoapproach:

’Tishethecommonpeoplelovesomuch;

Myselfhathoftenover-heardthemsay,WhenIhavewalkedlikeaprivateman,ThatLucius’banishmentwaswrongfully,Andtheyhavewish’dthatLuciusweretheiremperor。TAMORAWhyshouldyoufear?isnotyourcitystrong?SATURNINUSAy,butthecitizensfavorLucius,Andwillrevoltfrommetosuccorhim。TAMORAKing,bethythoughtsimperious,likethyname。

Isthesundimm’d,thatgnatsdoflyinit?

Theeaglesufferslittlebirdstosing,Andisnotcarefulwhattheymeanthereby,KnowingthatwiththeshadowofhiswingsHecanatpleasurestinttheirmelody:

EvensomaystthouthegiddymenofRome。

Thencheerthyspirit:forknow,thouemperor,IwillenchanttheoldAndronicusWithwordsmoresweet,andyetmoredangerous,Thanbaitstofish,orhoney-stalkstosheep,Whenastheoneiswoundedwiththebait,Theotherrottedwithdeliciousfeed。SATURNINUSButhewillnotentreathissonforus。TAMORAIfTamoraentreathim,thenhewill:

ForIcansmoothandfillhisagedearWithgoldenpromises;that,werehisheartAlmostimpregnable,hisoldearsdeaf,Yetshouldbothearandheartobeymytongue。

ToAEmiliusGothoubefore,beourambassador:

SaythattheemperorrequestsaparleyOfwarlikeLucius,andappointthemeetingEvenathisfather’shouse,theoldAndronicus。SATURNINUSAEmilius,dothismessagehonourably:

Andifhestandonhostageforhissafety,Bidhimdemandwhatpledgewillpleasehimbest。AEMILIUSYourbiddingshallIdoeffectually。

ExitTAMORANowwillItothatoldAndronicus;

AndtemperhimwithalltheartIhave,TopluckproudLuciusfromthewarlikeGoths。

Andnow,sweetemperor,beblitheagain,Andburyallthyfearinmydevices。SATURNINUSThengosuccessantly,andpleadtohim。

ExeuntACTVSCENEI。PlainsnearRome。EnterLUCIUSwithanarmyofGoths,withdrumandcoloursLUCIUSApprovedwarriors,andmyfaithfulfriends,IhavereceivedlettersfromgreatRome,WhichsignifywhathatetheybeartheiremperorAndhowdesirousofoursighttheyare。

Therefore,greatlords,be,asyourtitleswitness,Imperiousandimpatientofyourwrongs,AndwhereinRomehathdoneyouanyscath,Lethimmaketreblesatisfaction。FirstGothBraveslip,sprungfromthegreatAndronicus,Whosenamewasonceourterror,nowourcomfort;

WhosehighexploitsandhonourabledeedsIngratefulRomerequiteswithfoulcontempt,Beboldinus:we’llfollowwherethoulead’st,Likestingingbeesinhottestsummer’sdayLedbytheirmastertothefloweredfields,AndbeavengedoncursedTamora。AlltheGothsAndashesaith,sosayweallwithhim。LUCIUSIhumblythankhim,andIthankyouall。

Butwhocomeshere,ledbyalustyGoth?

EnteraGoth,leadingAARONwithhisChildinhisarmsSecondGothRenownedLucius,fromourtroopsIstray’dTogazeuponaruinousmonastery;

And,asIearnestlydidfixmineeyeUponthewastedbuilding,suddenlyIheardachildcryunderneathawall。

Imadeuntothenoise;whensoonIheardThecryingbabecontroll’dwiththisdiscourse:

’Peace,tawnyslave,halfmeandhalfthydam!

Didnotthyhuebewraywhosebratthouart,Hadnaturelenttheebutthymother’slook,Villain,thoumightsthavebeenanemperor:

Butwherethebullandcowarebothmilk-white,Theyneverdobegetacoal-blackcalf。

Peace,villain,peace!’——eventhusheratesthebabe,——

’ForImustbeartheetoatrustyGoth;

Who,whenheknowsthouarttheempress’babe,Willholdtheedearlyforthymother’ssake。’

Withthis,myweapondrawn,Irush’duponhim,Surprisedhimsuddenly,andbroughthimhither,Touseasyouthinkneedfuloftheman。LUCIUSOworthyGoth,thisistheincarnatedevilThatrobb’dAndronicusofhisgoodhand;

Thisisthepearlthatpleasedyourempress’eye,Andhere’sthebasefruitofhisburninglust。

Say,wall-eyedslave,whitherwouldstthouconveyThisgrowingimageofthyfiend-likeface?

Whydostnotspeak?what,deaf?notaword?

Ahalter,soldiers!hanghimonthistree。

Andbyhissidehisfruitofbastardy。AARONTouchnottheboy;heisofroyalblood。LUCIUSToolikethesireforeverbeinggood。

Firsthangthechild,thathemayseeitsprawl;

Asighttovexthefather’ssoulwithal。

Getmealadder。

Aladderbrought,whichAARONismadetoascendAARONLucius,savethechild,Andbearitfrommetotheempress。

Ifthoudothis,I’llshowtheewondrousthings,Thathighlymayadvantagetheetohear:

Ifthouwiltnot,befallwhatmaybefall,I’llspeaknomorebut’Vengeancerotyouall!’LUCIUSSayon:anifitpleasemewhichthouspeak’stThychildshalllive,andIwillseeitnourish’d。AARONAnifitpleasethee!why,assurethee,Lucius,’TwillvexthysoultohearwhatIshallspeak;

ForImusttalkofmurders,rapesandmassacres,Actsofblacknight,abominabledeeds,Complotsofmischief,treason,villaniesRuthfultohear,yetpiteouslyperform’d:

Andthisshallallbeburiedbymydeath,Unlessthousweartomemychildshalllive。LUCIUSTellonthymind;Isaythychildshalllive。AARONSwearthatheshall,andthenIwillbegin。LUCIUSWhoshouldIswearby?thoubelievestnogod:

Thatgranted,howcanstthoubelieveanoath?AARONWhatifIdonot?as,indeed,Idonot;

Yet,forIknowthouartreligiousAndhastathingwithintheecalledconscience,Withtwentypopishtricksandceremonies,WhichIhaveseentheecarefultoobserve,ThereforeIurgethyoath;forthatIknowAnidiotholdshisbaubleforagodAndkeepstheoathwhichbythatgodheswears,TothatI’llurgehim:thereforethoushaltvowBythatsamegod,whatgodsoe’eritbe,Thatthouadorestandhastinreverence,Tosavemyboy,tonourishandbringhimup;

OrelseIwilldiscovernoughttothee。LUCIUSEvenbymygodIsweartotheeIwill。AARONFirstknowthou,Ibegothimontheempress。LUCIUSOmostinsatiateandluxuriouswoman!AARONTut,Lucius,thiswasbutadeedofcharityTothatwhichthoushalthearofmeanon。

’Twashertwosonsthatmurder’dBassianus;

Theycutthysister’stongueandravish’dherAndcutherhandsandtrimm’dherasthousaw’st。LUCIUSOdetestablevillain!call’stthouthattrimming?AARONWhy,shewaswash’dandcutandtrimm’d,and’twasTrimsportforthemthathadthedoingofit。LUCIUSObarbarous,beastlyvillains,likethyself!AARONIndeed,Iwastheirtutortoinstructthem:

Thatcoddingspirithadtheyfromtheirmother,Assureacardaseverwontheset;

Thatbloodymind,Ithink,theylearn’dofme,Astrueadogaseverfoughtathead。

Well,letmydeedsbewitnessofmyworth。

Itrain’dthybrethrentothatguilefulholeWherethedeadcorpseofBassianuslay:

IwrotetheletterthatthyfatherfoundAndhidthegoldwithinthelettermention’d,Confederatewiththequeenandhertwosons:

Andwhatnotdone,thatthouhastcausetorue,WhereinIhadnostrokeofmischiefinit?

Iplay’dthecheaterforthyfather’shand,And,whenIhadit,drewmyselfapartAndalmostbrokemyheartwithextremelaughter:

Ipry’dmethroughthecreviceofawallWhen,forhishand,hehadhistwosons’heads;

Beheldhistears,andlaugh’dsoheartily,Thatbothmineeyeswererainyliketohis:

AndwhenItoldtheempressofthissport,Sheswoonedalmostatmypleasingtale,Andformytidingsgavemetwentykisses。FirstGothWhat,canstthousayallthis,andneverblush?AARONAy,likeablackdog,asthesayingis。LUCIUSArtthounotsorryfortheseheinousdeeds?AARONAy,thatIhadnotdoneathousandmore。

EvennowIcursetheday——andyet,Ithink,Fewcomewithinthecompassofmycurse,——

WhereinIdidnotsomenotoriousill,Askillaman,orelsedevisehisdeath,Ravishamaid,orplotthewaytodoit,Accusesomeinnocentandforswearmyself,Setdeadlyenmitybetweentwofriends,Makepoormen’scattlebreaktheirnecks;

Setfireonbarnsandhay-stacksinthenight,Andbidtheownersquenchthemwiththeirtears。

OfthaveIdigg’dupdeadmenfromtheirgraves,Andsetthemuprightattheirdearfriends’doors,Evenwhentheirsorrowsalmostwereforgot;

Andontheirskins,asonthebarkoftrees,HavewithmyknifecarvedinRomanletters,’Letnotyoursorrowdie,thoughIamdead。’

Tut,IhavedoneathousanddreadfulthingsAswillinglyasonewouldkillafly,AndnothinggrievesmeheartilyindeedButthatIcannotdotenthousandmore。LUCIUSBringdownthedevil;forhemustnotdieSosweetadeathashangingpresently。AARONIftherebedevils,wouldIwereadevil,Toliveandburnineverlastingfire,SoImighthaveyourcompanyinhell,Buttotormentyouwithmybittertongue!LUCIUSSirs,stophismouth,andlethimspeaknomore。

EnteraGothThirdGothMylord,thereisamessengerfromRomeDesirestobeadmittedtoyourpresence。LUCIUSLethimcomenear。

EnterAEMILIUS

Welcome,AEmiliuswhat’sthenewsfromRome?AEMILIUSLordLucius,andyouprincesoftheGoths,TheRomanemperorgreetsyouallbyme;

And,forheunderstandsyouareinarms,Hecravesaparleyatyourfather’shouse,Willingyoutodemandyourhostages,Andtheyshallbeimmediatelydeliver’d。FirstGothWhatsaysourgeneral?LUCIUSAEmilius,lettheemperorgivehispledgesUntomyfatherandmyuncleMarcus,Andwewillcome。Marchaway。

ExeuntSCENEII。Rome。BeforeTITUS’shouse。EnterTAMORA,DEMETRIUS,andCHIRON,disguisedTAMORAThus,inthisstrangeandsadhabiliment,IwillencounterwithAndronicus,AndsayIamRevenge,sentfrombelowTojoinwithhimandrighthisheinouswrongs。

Knockathisstudy,where,theysay,hekeeps,Toruminatestrangeplotsofdirerevenge;

TellhimRevengeiscometojoinwithhim,Andworkconfusiononhisenemies。

TheyknockEnterTITUS,aboveTITUSANDRONICUSWhodothmolestmycontemplation?

Isityourtricktomakemeopethedoor,Thatsomysaddecreesmayflyaway,Andallmystudybetonoeffect?

Youaredeceived:forwhatImeantodoSeehereinbloodylinesIhavesetdown;

Andwhatiswrittenshallbeexecuted。TAMORATitus,Iamcometotalkwiththee。TITUSANDRONICUSNo,notaword;howcanIgracemytalk,Wantingahandtogiveitaction?

Thouhasttheoddsofme;thereforenomore。TAMORAIfthoudidstknowme,thouwouldesttalkwithme。TITUSANDRONICUSIamnotmad;Iknowtheewellenough:

Witnessthiswretchedstump,witnessthesecrimsonlines;

Witnessthesetrenchesmadebygriefandcare,Witnessthetiringdayandheavynight;

Witnessallsorrow,thatIknowtheewellForourproudempress,mightyTamora:

Isnotthycomingformyotherhand?TAMORAKnow,thousadman,IamnotTamora;

Sheisthyenemy,andIthyfriend:

IamRevenge:sentfromtheinfernalkingdom,Toeasethegnawingvultureofthymind,Byworkingwreakfulvengeanceonthyfoes。

Comedown,andwelcomemetothisworld’slight;

Conferwithmeofmurderandofdeath:

There’snotahollowcaveorlurking-place,Novastobscurityormistyvale,WherebloodymurderordetestedrapeCancouchforfear,butIwillfindthemout;

Andintheirearstellthemmydreadfulname,Revenge,whichmakesthefouloffenderquake。TITUSANDRONICUSArtthouRevenge?andartthousenttome,Tobeatormenttomineenemies?TAMORAIam;thereforecomedown,andwelcomeme。TITUSANDRONICUSDomesomeservice,ereIcometothee。

Lo,bythysidewhereRapeandMurderstands;

NowgivemesomesurancethatthouartRevenge,Stabthem,ortearthemonthychariot-wheels;

AndthenI’llcomeandbethywaggoner,Andwhirlalongwiththeeabouttheglobe。

Providetheetwoproperpalfreys,blackasjet,Tohalethyvengefulwaggonswiftaway,Andfindoutmurderersintheirguiltycaves:

Andwhenthycarisloadenwiththeirheads,Iwilldismount,andbythewaggon-wheelTrot,likeaservilefootman,alldaylong,EvenfromHyperion’srisingintheeastUntilhisverydownfallinthesea:

AnddaybydayI’lldothisheavytask,SothoudestroyRapineandMurderthere。TAMORAThesearemyministers,andcomewithme。TITUSANDRONICUSArethesethyministers?whataretheycall’d?TAMORARapineandMurder;thereforecalledso,Causetheytakevengeanceofsuchkindofmen。TITUSANDRONICUSGoodLord,howliketheempress’sonstheyare!

Andyou,theempress!butweworldlymenHavemiserable,mad,mistakingeyes。

OsweetRevenge,nowdoIcometothee;

And,ifonearm’sembracementwillcontentthee,Iwillembracetheeinitbyandby。

ExitaboveTAMORAThisclosingwithhimfitshislunacyWhate’erIforgetofeedhisbrain-sickfits,Doyouupholdandmaintaininyourspeeches,FornowhefirmlytakesmeforRevenge;

And,beingcredulousinthismadthought,I’llmakehimsendforLuciushisson;

And,whilstIatabanquetholdhimsure,I’llfindsomecunningpractiseoutofhand,ToscatteranddispersethegiddyGoths,Or,attheleast,makethemhisenemies。

See,herehecomes,andImustplymytheme。

EnterTITUSbelowTITUSANDRONICUSLonghaveIbeenforlorn,andallforthee:

Welcome,dreadFury,tomywofulhouse:

RapineandMurder,youarewelcometoo。

Howliketheempressandhersonsyouare!

Wellareyoufitted,hadyoubutaMoor:

Couldnotallhellaffordyousuchadevil?

ForwellIwottheempressneverwagsButinhercompanythereisaMoor;

And,wouldyourepresentourqueenaright,Itwereconvenientyouhadsuchadevil:

Butwelcome,asyouare。Whatshallwedo?TAMORAWhatwouldstthouhaveusdo,Andronicus?DEMETRIUSShowmeamurderer,I’lldealwithhim。CHIRONShowmeavillainthathathdonearape,AndIamsenttoberevengedonhim。TAMORAShowmeathousandthathavedonetheewrong,AndIwillberevengedonthemall。TITUSANDRONICUSLookroundaboutthewickedstreetsofRome;

Andwhenthoufind’stamanthat’slikethyself。

GoodMurder,stabhim;he’samurderer。

Gothouwithhim;andwhenitisthyhapTofindanotherthatisliketothee,GoodRapine,stabhim;he’saravisher。

Gothouwiththem;andintheemperor’scourtThereisaqueen,attendedbyaMoor;

Wellmaystthouknowherbythyownproportion,forupanddownshedothresemblethee:

Ipraythee,doonthemsomeviolentdeath;

Theyhavebeenviolenttomeandmine。TAMORAWellhastthoulesson’dus;thisshallwedo。

Butwoulditpleasethee,goodAndronicus,TosendforLucius,thythrice-valiantson,WholeadstowardsRomeabandofwarlikeGoths,Andbidhimcomeandbanquetatthyhouse;

Whenheishere,evenatthysolemnfeast,Iwillbringintheempressandhersons,Theemperorhimselfandallthyfoes;

Andatthymercyshalttheystoopandkneel,Andonthemshaltthoueasethyangryheart。

WhatsaysAndronicustothisdevice?TITUSANDRONICUSMarcus,mybrother!’tissadTituscalls。

EnterMARCUS

Go,gentleMarcus,tothynephewLucius;

ThoushaltinquirehimoutamongtheGoths:

Bidhimrepairtome,andbringwithhimSomeofthechiefestprincesoftheGoths;

Bidhimencamphissoldierswheretheyare:

TellhimtheemperorandtheempresstooFeastatmyhouse,andheshallfeastwiththem。

Thisdothouformylove;andsolethim,Asheregardshisagedfather’slife。MARCUSANDRONICUSThiswillIdo,andsoonreturnagain。

ExitTAMORANowwillIhenceaboutthybusiness,Andtakemyministersalongwithme。TITUSANDRONICUSNay,nay,letRapeandMurderstaywithme;

OrelseI’llcallmybrotherbackagain,AndcleavetonorevengebutLucius。TAMORA[Asidetohersons]Whatsayyou,boys?

willyoubidewithhim,WhilesIgotellmylordtheemperorHowIhavegovern’dourdeterminedjest?

Yieldtohishumour,smoothandspeakhimfair,AndtarrywithhimtillIturnagain。TITUSANDRONICUS[Aside]Iknowthemall,thoughtheysupposememad,Andwillo’erreachthemintheirowndevices:

Apairofcursedhell-houndsandtheirdam!DEMETRIUSMadam,departatpleasure;leaveushere。TAMORAFarewell,Andronicus:RevengenowgoesTolayacomplottobetraythyfoes。TITUSANDRONICUSIknowthoudost;and,sweetRevenge,farewell。

ExitTAMORACHIRONTellus,oldman,howshallwebeemploy’d?TITUSANDRONICUSTut,Ihaveworkenoughforyoutodo。

Publius,comehither,Caius,andValentine!

EnterPUBLIUSandothersPUBLIUSWhatisyourwill?TITUSANDRONICUSKnowyouthesetwo?PUBLIUSTheempress’sons,Itakethem,ChironandDemetrius。TITUSANDRONICUSFie,Publius,fie!thouarttoomuchdeceived;

TheoneisMurder,Rapeistheother’sname;

Andthereforebindthem,gentlePublius。

CaiusandValentine,layhandsonthem。

Ofthaveyouheardmewishforsuchanhour,AndnowIfindit;thereforebindthemsure,Andstoptheirmouths,iftheybegintocry。

ExitPUBLIUS,&;c。layholdonCHIRONandDEMETRIUSCHIRONVillains,forbear!wearetheempress’

sons。PUBLIUSAndthereforedowewhatwearecommanded。

Stopclosetheirmouths,letthemnotspeakaword。

Ishesurebound?lookthatyoubindthemfast。

Re-enterTITUS,withLAVINIA;hebearingaknife,andsheabasinTITUSANDRONICUSCome,come,Lavinia;look,thyfoesarebound。

Sirs,stoptheirmouths,letthemnotspeaktome;

ButletthemhearwhatfearfulwordsIutter。

Ovillains,ChironandDemetrius!

Herestandsthespringwhomyouhavestain’dwithmud,Thisgoodlysummerwithyourwintermix’d。

Youkill’dherhusband,andforthatvilefaultTwoofherbrotherswerecondemn’dtodeath,Myhandcutoffandmadeamerryjest;

Bothhersweethands,hertongue,andthatmoredearThanhandsortongue,herspotlesschastity,Inhumantraitors,youconstrain’dandforced。

Whatwouldyousay,ifIshouldletyouspeak?

Villains,forshameyoucouldnotbegforgrace。

Hark,wretches!howImeantomartyryou。

Thisonehandyetislefttocutyourthroats,WhilstthatLavinia’tweenherstumpsdothholdThebasinthatreceivesyourguiltyblood。

Youknowyourmothermeanstofeastwithme,AndcallsherselfRevenge,andthinksmemad:

Hark,villains!IwillgrindyourbonestodustAndwithyourbloodanditI’llmakeapaste,AndofthepasteacoffinIwillrearAndmaketwopastiesofyourshamefulheads,Andbidthatstrumpet,yourunhallow’ddam,Liketotheearthswallowherownincrease。

ThisisthefeastthatIhavebidherto,Andthisthebanquetsheshallsurfeiton;

ForworsethanPhilomelyouusedmydaughter,AndworsethanProgneIwillberevenged:

Andnowprepareyourthroats。Lavinia,come,HecutstheirthroatsReceivetheblood:andwhenthattheyaredead,LetmegogrindtheirbonestopowdersmallAndwiththishatefulliquortemperit;

Andinthatpastelettheirvileheadsbebaked。

Come,come,beeveryoneofficiousTomakethisbanquet;whichIwishmayproveMoresternandbloodythantheCentaurs’feast。

So,nowbringthemin,forI’llplaythecook,Andseethemready’gainsttheirmothercomes。

Exeunt,bearingthedeadbodiesSCENEIII。CourtofTITUS’shouse。Abanquetsetout。EnterLUCIUS,MARCUS,andGoths,withAARONprisonerLUCIUSUncleMarcus,sinceitismyfather’smindThatIrepairtoRome,Iamcontent。FirstGothAndourswiththine,befallwhatfortunewill。LUCIUSGooduncle,takeyouinthisbarbarousMoor,Thisravenoustiger,thisaccurseddevil;

Lethimreceivenosustenance,fetterhimTillhebebroughtuntotheempress’face,Fortestimonyofherfoulproceedings:

Andseetheambushofourfriendsbestrong;

Ifeartheemperormeansnogoodtous。AARONSomedevilwhispercursesinmineear,Andpromptme,thatmytonguemayutterforthThevenomousmaliceofmyswellingheart!LUCIUSAway,inhumandog!unhallow’dslave!

Sirs,helpouruncletoconveyhimin。

ExeuntGoths,withAARON。FlourishwithinThetrumpetsshowtheemperorisathand。

EnterSATURNINUSandTAMORA,withAEMILIUS,Tribunes,Senators,andothersSATURNINUSWhat,haththefirmamentmoresunsthanone?LUCIUSWhatbootsittheetocallthyselfasun?MARCUSANDRONICUSRome’semperor,andnephew,breaktheparle;

Thesequarrelsmustbequietlydebated。

Thefeastisready,whichthecarefulTitusHathordain’dtoanhonourableend,Forpeace,forlove,forleague,andgoodtoRome:

Pleaseyou,therefore,drawnigh,andtakeyourplaces。SATURNINUSMarcus,wewill。

Hautboyssound。TheCompanysitdownattableEnterTITUSdressedlikeaCook,LAVINIAveiled,YoungLUCIUS,andothers。TITUSplacesthedishesonthetableTITUSANDRONICUSWelcome,mygraciouslord;welcome,dreadqueen;

Welcome,yewarlikeGoths;welcome,Lucius;

Andwelcome,all:althoughthecheerbepoor,’Twillfillyourstomachs;pleaseyoueatofit。SATURNINUSWhyartthouthusattired,Andronicus?TITUSANDRONICUSBecauseIwouldbesuretohaveallwell,Toentertainyourhighnessandyourempress。TAMORAWearebeholdingtoyou,goodAndronicus。TITUSANDRONICUSAnifyourhighnessknewmyheart,youwere。

Mylordtheemperor,resolvemethis:

WasitwelldoneofrashVirginiusToslayhisdaughterwithhisownrighthand,Becauseshewasenforced,stain’d,anddeflower’d?SATURNINUSItwas,Andronicus。TITUSANDRONICUSYourreason,mightylord?SATURNINUSBecausethegirlshouldnotsurvivehershame,Andbyherpresencestillrenewhissorrows。TITUSANDRONICUSAreasonmighty,strong,andeffectual;

Apattern,precedent,andlivelywarrant,Forme,mostwretched,toperformthelike。

Die,die,Lavinia,andthyshamewiththee;

KillsLAVINIA

And,withthyshame,thyfather’ssorrowdie!SATURNINUSWhathastthoudone,unnaturalandunkind?TITUSANDRONICUSKill’dher,forwhommytearshavemademeblind。

IamaswofulasVirginiuswas,AndhaveathousandtimesmorecausethanheTodothisoutrage:anditnowisdone。SATURNINUSWhat,wassheravish’d?tellwhodidthedeed。TITUSANDRONICUSWill’tpleaseyoueat?will’tpleaseyourhighnessfeed?TAMORAWhyhastthouslainthineonlydaughterthus?TITUSANDRONICUSNotI;’twasChironandDemetrius:

Theyravish’dher,andcutawayhertongue;

Andthey,’twasthey,thatdidherallthiswrong。SATURNINUSGofetchthemhithertouspresently。TITUSANDRONICUSWhy,theretheyareboth,bakedinthatpie;

Whereoftheirmotherdaintilyhathfed,Eatingthefleshthatsheherselfhathbred。

’Tistrue,’tistrue;witnessmyknife’ssharppoint。

KillsTAMORASATURNINUSDie,franticwretch,forthisaccurseddeed!

KillsTITUSLUCIUSCantheson’seyebeholdhisfatherbleed?

There’smeedformeed,deathforadeadlydeed!

KillsSATURNINUS。Agreattumult。LUCIUS,MARCUS,andothersgoupintothebalconyMARCUSANDRONICUSYousad-facedmen,peopleandsonsofRome,Byuproarsever’d,likeaflightoffowlScatter’dbywindsandhightempestuousgusts,O,letmeteachyouhowtoknitagainThisscatter’dcornintoonemutualsheaf,Thesebrokenlimbsagainintoonebody;

LestRomeherselfbebaneuntoherself,Andshewhommightykingdomscourt’syto,Likeaforlornanddesperatecastaway,Doshamefulexecutiononherself。

Butifmyfrostysignsandchapsofage,Gravewitnessesoftrueexperience,Cannotinduceyoutoattendmywords,ToLUCIUS

Speak,Rome’sdearfriend,aserstourancestor,WhenwithhissolemntonguehediddiscourseTolove-sickDido’ssadattendingearThestoryofthatbalefulburningnightWhensubtleGreekssurprisedKingPriam’sTroy,TelluswhatSinonhathbewitch’dourears,OrwhohathbroughtthefatalengineinThatgivesourTroy,ourRome,thecivilwound。

Myheartisnotcompactofflintnorsteel;

NorcanIutterallourbittergrief,Butfloodsoftearswilldrownmyoratory,Andbreakmyutterance,eveninthetimeWhenitshouldmoveyoutoattendmemost,Lendingyourkindcommiseration。

Hereisacaptain,lethimtellthetale;

Yourheartswillthrobandweeptohearhimspeak。LUCIUSThen,nobleauditory,beitknowntoyou,ThatcursedChironandDemetriusWeretheythatmurderedouremperor’sbrother;

Andtheyitwerethatravishedoursister:

Fortheirfellfaultsourbrotherswerebeheaded;

Ourfather’stearsdespised,andbaselycozen’dOfthattruehandthatfoughtRome’squarrelout,Andsentherenemiesuntothegrave。

Lastly,myselfunkindlybanished,Thegatesshutonme,andturn’dweepingout,TobegreliefamongRome’senemies:

Whodrown’dtheirenmityinmytruetears。

Andopedtheirarmstoembracemeasafriend。

Iamtheturnedforth,beitknowntoyou,Thathavepreservedherwelfareinmyblood;

Andfromherbosomtooktheenemy’spoint,Sheathingthesteelinmyadventurousbody。

Alas,youknowIamnovaunter,I;

Myscarscanwitness,dumbalthoughtheyare,Thatmyreportisjustandfulloftruth。

But,soft!methinksIdodigresstoomuch,Citingmyworthlesspraise:O,pardonme;

Forwhennofriendsareby,menpraisethemselves。MARCUSANDRONICUSNowismyturntospeak。Beholdthischild:

PointingtotheChildinthearmsofanAttendantOfthiswasTamoradelivered;

TheissueofanirreligiousMoor,Chiefarchitectandplotterofthesewoes:

ThevillainisaliveinTitus’house,Andasheis,towitnessthisistrue。

NowjudgewhatcausehadTitustorevengeThesewrongs,unspeakable,pastpatience,Ormorethananylivingmancouldbear。

Nowyouhaveheardthetruth,whatsayyou,Romans?

Havewedoneaughtamiss,——showuswherein,And,fromtheplacewhereyoubeholdusnow,ThepoorremainderofAndroniciWill,handinhand,allheadlongcastusdown。

Andontheraggedstonesbeatforthourbrains,Andmakeamutualclosureofourhouse。

Speak,Romans,speak;andifyousayweshall,Lo,handinhand,LuciusandIwillfall。AEMILIUSCome,come,thoureverendmanofRome,Andbringouremperorgentlyinthyhand,Luciusouremperor;forwellIknowThecommonvoicedocryitshallbeso。AllLucius,allhail,Rome’sroyalemperor!MARCUSANDRONICUSGo,gointooldTitus’sorrowfulhouse,ToAttendantsAndhitherhalethatmisbelievingMoor,Tobeadjudgedsomedirefulslaughteringdeath,Aspunishmentforhismostwickedlife。

ExeuntAttendantsLUCIUS,MARCUS,andtheothersdescendAllLucius,allhail,Rome’sgraciousgovernor!LUCIUSThanks,gentleRomans:mayIgovernso,TohealRome’sharms,andwipeawayherwoe!

But,gentlepeople,givemeaimawhile,Fornatureputsmetoaheavytask:

Standallaloof:but,uncle,drawyounear,Toshedobsequioustearsuponthistrunk。

O,takethiswarmkissonthypalecoldlips,KissingTITUS

Thesesorrowfuldropsuponthyblood-stain’dface,Thelasttruedutiesofthynobleson!MARCUSANDRONICUSTearfortear,andlovingkissforkiss,ThybrotherMarcustendersonthylips:

OwerethesumofthesethatIshouldpayCountlessandinfinite,yetwouldIpaythem!LUCIUSComehither,boy;come,come,andlearnofusTomeltinshowers:thygrandsirelovedtheewell:

Manyatimehedancedtheeonhisknee,Sungtheeasleep,hislovingbreastthypillow:

Manyamatterhathhetoldtothee,Meetandagreeingwiththineinfancy;

Inthatrespect,then,likealovingchild,Shedyetsomesmalldropsfromthytenderspring,Becausekindnaturedothrequireitso:

Friendsshouldassociatefriendsingriefandwoe:

Bidhimfarewell;commithimtothegrave;

Dohimthatkindness,andtakeleaveofhim。YoungLUCIUSOgrandsire,grandsire!evenwithallmyheartWouldIweredead,soyoudidliveagain!

OLord,Icannotspeaktohimforweeping;

Mytearswillchokeme,ifIopemymouth。

Re-enterAttendantswithAARONAEMILIUSYousadAndronici,havedonewithwoes:

Givesentenceonthisexecrablewretch,Thathathbeenbreederofthesedireevents。LUCIUSSethimbreast-deepinearth,andfamishhim;

Therelethimstand,andrave,andcryforfood;

Ifanyonerelievesorpitieshim,Fortheoffencehedies。Thisisourdoom:

Somestaytoseehimfasten’dintheearth。AARONO,whyshouldwrathbemute,andfurydumb?

Iamnobaby,I,thatwithbaseprayersIshouldrepenttheevilsIhavedone:

TenthousandworsethaneveryetIdidWouldIperform,ifImighthavemywill;

IfonegooddeedinallmylifeIdid,Idorepentitfrommyverysoul。LUCIUSSomelovingfriendsconveytheemperorhence,Andgivehimburialinhisfather’sgrave:

MyfatherandLaviniashallforthwithBeclosedinourhousehold’smonument。

Asforthatheinoustiger,Tamora,Nofuneralrite,normanmmourningweeds,Nomournfulbellshallringherburial;

Butthrowherforthtobeastsandbirdsofprey:

Herlifewasbeast-like,anddevoidofpity;

And,beingso,shallhavelikewantofpity。

SeejusticedoneonAaron,thatdamn’dMoor,Bywhomourheavyhapshadtheirbeginning:

Then,afterwards,toorderwellthestate,Thatlikeeventsmayne’eritruinate。