For this proud mock, I'll be thy slaughter-man; Sly frantick wretch, that holp'st to make me great, In hope thyself should govern Rome and me. Enter Æmilius. What news with thee, Æmilius? Emil. Arm, arm, my lords; Rome never had more cause! The Goths have gather'd head; and, with a power Who threats, in course of this revenge, to do Sat. Is warlike Lucius general of the Goths? As flowers with frost, or grass beat down with storms. Ay, now begin our sorrows to approach: 'Tis be the common people love so much; And they have wish'd that Lucius were their emperor. Tam. Why should you fear? is not your city strong? Sat. Ay, but the citizens favour Lucius ; And will revolt from me, to succour him. Tam. King, be thy thoughts imperious*, like thy name. Is the sun dimm'd, that gnats do fly in it? Then cheer thy spirit: for know, thou emperor, I will enchant the old Andronicus, With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, Sat. But he will not entreat his son for us. Yet should both ear aud heart obey my tongue.- [To Æmilius. Say, that the emperor requests a parley Of warlike Lucius, and appoint the meeting, Even at his father's house, the old Andronicus. Sat. Emilius, do this message honourably: And if he stand on hostage for his safety, Bid him demand what pledge will please him best. Emil. Your bidding shall I do effectually. [Erit Æmilius. Tam. Now will I to that old Audronicus; And temper him, with all the art I have, To pluck proud Lucius from the warlike Goths. And now, sweet emperor, be blithe again, And bury all thy fear in my devices. Sat. Then go successfully, and plead to him. [Exeunt. ACT V. SCENE 1. Plains near Rome. Enter Lucius, and Goths, with drum and colours. Luc. Approved warriors, and my faithful friends, I have received letters from great Rome, Which signify, what hate they bear their emperor, Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, 1 Goth. Brave slip, sprung from the great Andronicus, Whose name was once our terror, now our comfort; Goths. And, as he saith, so say we all with him. Luc. I humbly thank him, and I thank you all. But who comes here, led by a lusty Goth? Enter a Goth, leading Aaron, with his child in his arms. 2 Goth. Renowned Lucius, from our troops I stray'd, To gaze upon a ruinous monastery; And as I earnestly did fix mine eye * Harm. Upon the wasted building, suddenly I heard a child cry underneath a wall: I made unto the noise; when soon 1 heard Peace, villain, peace!-even thus he rates the babe,- Who, when he knows thou art the empress' babe, Will hold thee dearly for thy mother's sake. With this my weapon drawn, I rush'd upon him, Surpris'd him suddenly; and brought him hither, To use as you think needful of the man. Luc. O worthy Goth! this is the incarnate devil, That robb'd Andronicus of his good hand: This is the pearl that pleas'd your empress' eye*; And here's the base fruit of his burning lust.Say, wall-ey'd slave, whither would'st thou convey This growing image of thy fiend-like face? Why dost not speak? What! deaf? No; not a word? A halter, soldiers; hang him on this tree, And by his side his fruit of bastardy. Aar. Touch not the boy, he is of royal blood. Luc. Too like the sire for ever being good.— First, hang the child, that he may see it sprawl; A sight to vex the father's soul withal. Get me a ladder. [A ladder brought, which Aaron is obliged to ascend. : Aar. Lucius, save the child; And bear it from me to the emperess. • Alluding to the proverb, 'A black man is a pearl in a fair woman's eye,' That highly may advantage thee to hear: I'll speak no more; But vengeance rot you all! Luc. Say on; and, if it please me which thou speak'st, Thy child shall live, and I will see it nourish'd. "Twill vex thy soul to hear what I shall speak: god; That granted, how canst thou believe an oath? And hast a thing within thee, called conscience; And keeps the oath, which by that god he swears; Luc. Even by my god, I swear to thee, I will. To that which thou shalt hear of me anon. "Twas her two sons that murder'd Bassianus: |