The wide world's emperor, do I consecrate TIT. Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor; SAT. A goodly lady, trust me, of the hue That I would choose, were I to choose anew: Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance : Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer, LAV. Not I, my lord, sith true nobility Warrants these words in princely courtesy. SAT. Thanks, sweet Lavinia. Romans, let us go: Ransomless here we set our prisoners free. To do myself this reason and this right. This prince in justice seizeth but his own. Treason, my lord! Lavinia is surpris'd. BASS. By him that justly may Bear his betroth'd from all the world away. [TO TAMORA. [Seizing LAVINIA. [Exeunt MARCUS and BASSIANUS, with LAVINIA. MUT. Brothers, help to convey her hence away, [Exeunt LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS. TIT. Follow, my lord, and I'll soon bring her back. MUT. My lord, you pass not here. TIT. What! villain, boy, barr'st me my way in Rome? MUT. Help, Lucius, help! Re-enter LUCIUS. [TITUS kills him. Luc. My lord, you are unjust, and more than so; [Exit. Enter aloft the EMPEROR, with TAMORA and her two Sons, and AARON the Moor. SAT. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not, Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock: I'll trust, by leisure, him that mocks me once; Was none in Rome to make a stale but Saturninea? Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine, One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons, TIT. These words are razors to my wounded heart. Speak, queen of Goths; dost thou applaud my choice? And tapers burn so bright, and everything I will not re-salute the streets of Rome, a The second folio has "Was there none else in Rome, to make a stale, Or climb my palace, till from forth this place I lead espous'd my bride along with me. TAM. And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome I swear, A loving nurse, a mother to his youth. SAT. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon: Lords, accompany [Exeunt SATURNINE and his Followers; TAMORA, and her Sons; TIT. I am not bid to wait upon this bride;— Re-enter MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS. MARC. O, Titus, see! O see what thou hast done! In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son. Here none but soldiers, and Rome's servitors, My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him: QUINT., MART. And shall, or him we will accompany. To pardon Mutius, and to bury him. TIT. Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest, And with these boys mine honour thou hast wounded : My foes I do repute you every one. So trouble me no more, but get you gone. [The Brother and the Sons kneel. MART. He is not with himself a; let us withdraw. TIT. His noble nephew here in virtue's nest, Rise, Marcus, rise! [They put MUTIUS in the tomb. Luc. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends, He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause. [They all kneel and say, [Exeunt all but MARCUS and TITUS. MARC. My lord,-to step out of these sudden dumps,— Is of a sudden thus advanc'd in Rome ? TIT. I know not, Marcus: but I know it is: Is she not then beholding to the man That brought her for this high good turn so far? Yes; and will nobly him remunerate©. Enter the Emperor, Tamora, and her two Sons, with the Moor, at one side; enter at the other side, BASSIANUS and LAVINIA, with others. SAT. So, Bassianus, you have play'd your prize! God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride! BASS. And you of yours, my lord. I say no more, Nor wish no less; and so I take my leave. a With himself, in the quarto. The folio omits with. Sudden, in the folio. The quarto, dreary. This line, found in the folio, is wanting in the quarto. It is, probably, not intended to be spoken by Titus. Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape. BASS. Rape call you it, my lord, to seize my own, My true betrothed love, and now my wife? But let the laws of Rome determine all; Meanwhile I am possess'd of that is mine. SAT. 'T is good, sir; you are very short with us; But, if we live, we 'll be as sharp with you. BASS. My lord, what I have done, as best I may, Answer I must, and shall do with my life. Only thus much I give your grace to know: By all the duties that I owe to Rome, With his own hand did slay his youngest son, Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine, Then hear me speak, indifferently for all: And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past. SAT. What, madam! be dishonour'd openly, And basely put it up without revenge? TAM. Not so, my lord; the gods of Rome forfend I should be author to dishonour you. But on mine honour, dare I undertake For good lord Titus' innocence in all; Whose fury not dissembled speaks his griefs: Then, at my suit, look graciously on him: Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose; Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart. My lord, be rul'd by me, be won at last; Dissemble all your griefs and discontents: You are but newly planted in your throne; Lest then the people, and patricians too, Upon a just survey take Titus' part, And so supplant us for ingratitude, Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin, |