University of Virginia Library

SCENE 3.

Enter Andronicus, Alexius, Panergus, Asotus, and Spiculator.
Andr.
Your Highnesse now appears in your full lustre,
Free'd from the wardship of your factious Peers.

Alex.
Therein we owe much to your diligence.

Andr.
We have expressed some small part of our duty,
And are still ready to performe the rest.
Still one thing is to do, which being done,
No Clouds can Darken your now glorious Sun.

Alex.
What is't?

Andr.
I can reveale it t'you with safety,
And yet with loyalty I can conceale it.
'Tis the unhappy Zena.

Alex.
What, my Mother?

Andr.
Your goodnesse 'tis, that's pleas'd to style
Her so,
Fathers o'th'Countrey never did know Mothers
Royall affections onely do designe,
The Publique good oth, Place they Governe in.
She must be made away.

Alex.
For such a Crime
Nero's recorded Monster to all Ages.

Andr.
His was a damned and unnaturall deed,
This is an Act of Justice, and Necessity.

Alex.
She gave me life, what shall I cause her death?

Andr.
That life She seeks from you to take againe.

Alex.
Let her be soone confin'd to some close Covent.

Andr.
Close with her Body, to be loose in Minde.

Alex.
That She may Heaven, and pious Thoughts enjoy.

Andr.
And plot how to destroy you, and the State.

Alex.
Stay but a while, Her Age will save our paines,
A yeare or two will post her to the Grave.

Andr.
You right your selfe the more, and do wrong not her,
Few years of Hers will impe your Reigne.

Asot.
With your owne hand, do you the Warrant signe.

Andr.
I'de rather loose my Arme to save her life.

Pan.
He only is concern'd i'th'publique good,
Takes no delight in shedding Womens blood.

Alex.
Write you my Name.

Andr.
My heart abhors all fraud.

Aso.
Ducks cannot swim, you cannot counterfeit.

(aside.
Alex.
'Tis no deceit, when done by my Command,
But if it must be so, we'le set our hand.

[He Signes the Warrant.
Andr.
Sure Heaven did guide your Pen, how faire you write.
Not like those Lords, who mak't their cheifest Art
To cozen others by their writing ill.
Posterity shall reare Trophyes to you,
And future Kings shall swear by your just Ghost.

Aso.
He quickly meanes to make a Ghost of you

[aside.
Andr.
Spiculator, take this Warrant, about your businesse.

Spicu.
I fly Sir.
[Exit Speculator.