That hath dishonour'd all our family; Luc. But let us give him burial, as becomes; Tit. Traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb. This monument five hundred years hath stood, Which I have sumptuously re-edified: Here none but soldiers, and Rome's servitors, My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him; Quin. Mart. And shall, or him we will accom pany. Tit. And shall? What villain was it spoke that word? Quin. He that would vouch't in any place but here. Tit. What, would you bury him in my despite ? Mar. No, noble Titus; but entreat of thee 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. Mart. He is not with himself, let us withdraw. Quin. Not I, till Mutius' bones be buried. [Marcus and the Sons of Titus kneel. Mar. Brother, for in that name doth nature plead. Quin. Father, and in that name doth nature speak. Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed. Mur. Renowned Titus, more than half my soul,Luc. Dear father, soul and substance of us all,Mar. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter, His noble nephew here in virtue's nest, That died in honour and Lavinia's cause. Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous. The Greeks, upon advice, did bury Ajax That slew himself; and wise Laertes' son Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy, Tit. Rise, Marcus, rise: The dismall'st day is this, that e'er I saw, [Mutius is put into the tomb. Luc. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends, Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb! All. No man shed tears for noble Mutius; He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause. Mar. My lord,-to step out of these dreary dumps, How comes it, that the subtle queen of Goths Tit. I know not, Marcus; but, I know, it is; That brought her for this high good turn so far? Flourish. Re-enter, at one side, Saturninus, attended; Tamora, Chiron, Demetrius, and Aaron: At the other, Bassianus, Lavinia, and Others. Sat. So Bassianus, you have play'd your prize; God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride. Bas. And you of yours, my lord: I say no more, Nor wish no less; and so I take my leave. Sat. Traitor, if Rome have law, or we have power, Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape. Bus. 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; Mean while I am possess'd of that is mine. Sat. 'Tis good, sir: You are very short with us; But, if we live, we'll be as sharp with you. Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best I may, With his own hand did slay his youngest son, Tit. Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds; up Tam. Not so, my lord; The gods of Rome fore I should be author to dishonour you! • Forbid. [Aside. (Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin), queen Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace in vain. [Aside. Come, come, sweet emperor,-come, Andronicus, Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart That dies in tempest of thy angry frown. Sat. Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath prevail'd. Tit. I thank your majesty, and her, my lord: These words, these looks, infuse new life in me. Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome, A Roman now adopted happily, And must advise the emperor for his good. Luc. We do; and vow to heaven, and to his high ness, That, what we did, was mildly, as we might, Tend'ring our sister's honour, and our own. Mar. That on mine honour here I do protest. The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace; Sat. Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brother's here, And at my lovely Tamora's entreats, I do remit these young men's heinous faults. Lavinia, though you left me like a churl, I found a friend; and sure as death I swore, Tit. To-morrow, an it please your majesty, Sat. Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. The same. Before the palace. Enter Aaron. Aar. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top, Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait, And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown. |