Complete Plays, The Read Free Page A

determine all;Meanwhile I am possess’d of that is mine.
    Saturninus
    ’Tis good, sir: you are very short with us;But, if we live, we’ll be as sharp with you.
    Bassianus
    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,This noble gentleman, Lord Titus here,Is in opinion and in honour wrong’d;That in the rescue of LaviniaWith his own hand did slay his youngest son,In zeal to you and highly moved to wrathTo be controll’d in that he frankly gave:Receive him, then, to favor, Saturnine,That hath express’d himself in all his deedsA father and a friend to thee and Rome.
    Titus Andronicus
    Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds:’Tis thou and those that have dishonour’d me.Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge,How I have loved and honour’d Saturnine!
    Tamora
    My worthy lord, if ever TamoraWere gracious in those princely eyes of thine,Then hear me speak in indifferently for all;And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.
    Saturninus
    What, madam! be dishonour’d openly,And basely put it up without revenge?
    Tamora
    Not so, my lord; the gods of Rome forfendI should be author to dishonour you!But on mine honour dare I undertakeFor 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.
    Aside to Saturninus
    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 you for ingratitude,Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,Yield at entreats; and then let me alone:I’ll find a day to massacre them allAnd raze their faction and their family,The cruel father and his traitorous sons,To whom I sued for my dear son’s life,And make them know what ’tis to let a queenKneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain.
    Aloud
    Come, come, sweet emperor; come, Andronicus;Take up this good old man, and cheer the heartThat dies in tempest of thy angry frown.
    Saturninus
    Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath prevail’d.
    Titus Andronicus
    I thank your majesty, and her, my lord:These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.
    Tamora
    Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,A Roman now adopted happily,And must advise the emperor for his good.This day all quarrels die, Andronicus;And let it be mine honour, good my lord,That I have reconciled your friends and you.For you, Prince Bassianus, I have pass’dMy word and promise to the emperor,That you will be more mild and tractable.And fear not lords, and you, Lavinia;By my advice, all humbled on your knees,You shall ask pardon of his majesty.
    Lucius
    We do, and vow to heaven and to his highness,That what we did was mildly as we might,Tendering our sister’s honour and our own.
    Marcus Andronicus
    That, on mine honour, here I do protest.
    Saturninus
    Away, and talk not; trouble us no more.
    Tamora
    Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all be friends:The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace;I will not be denied: sweet heart, look back.
    Saturninus
    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: Stand up.Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,I found a friend, and sure as death I sworeI would not part a bachelor from the priest.Come, if the emperor’s court can feast two brides,You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends.This day shall be a love-day, Tamora.
    Titus Andronicus
    To-morrow, an it please your majestyTo hunt the panther and the hart with me,With horn and hound we’ll give your grace bonjour.
    Saturninus
    Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too.
    Flourish. Exeunt

A CT II

S CENE I. R OME . B EFORE THE P ALACE .
    Enter Aaron
    Aaron
    Now climbeth Tamora Olympus’ top,Safe out of fortune’s shot; and sits