 | Titus Andronicus, or The Rape of Lavinia |  |
ACT V.
SCENE I.
Enter a Woman and her Husband a Goth, the Man having a Black-a-more-Child in his Arms.Woman.
Now give me the Child, wait you without.
I see Company coming, be gone, the Moor must not
see you.
Enter Chiron, Demetrius.
O Princes, you are undone, disgrac't:
And Rome will shortly cast you forth with Scorn.
Dem.
Woman, wherefore dost thou exclaim?
What dost thou wrap and fumble in thy Arms?
Wom.
O that which I would hide from Heavens Eye,
Our Empress Shame, this Black and loathsome Child,
Of this in Secret she was deliver'd
After your Royall Father dy'd.—The Moor,—
Chi.
The very Image of that Fiend.
Demet.
Couple with a Moor! How cam'st thou by the Child?
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Wom.
O Sir he loves this black Imp above the World,
And when we were brought Captives unto Rome,
Order'd the Nurse, where privately 'twas kept,
To bring it after him:
She distemper'd with the Journey, Sicken'd,
And dy'd this Morning: With her latest breath
She call'd me to her; told me the Secret,
And bid me bear the Child to the Moor,
Who would reward me well; but lest it shou'd
Grow up to ruine you and the Empress,
And all the Goths Expose to Roman fury,
In Loyalty I bring it to you—
As both of you think fit to be dispos'd.
Enter Aron.
Here comes the Hell-bred Villain!
The father of this black and dismall Issue.
Moor do'st thou know this brat?
Aron.
Yes, Princes be kind to't, 'tis of kin to you.
Chi.
Accursed Off-spring!
Dem.
It shall not Live.
Aron.
It shall not; Princes, for the love I bear
to you and to the Empress, it shall not.
Dem.
Give it me, my sword shall dispatch it,
Aron.
Let no hand but mine do Execution
Aron takes the Child from the Woman.
On my flesh and blood—Now it shall not dye.
Sooner this sword shall plough thy bowells up;
Say Murderous Villains, will you kill your brother?
Now by the burning tapors of the Skye
That shone so brightly when this Boy was got,
He dyes upon my Cymiters sharp point,
That touches this my first-born son and heir:
I tell you younglings, not Enceladus
With all his threatning band of Typhons brood.
Nor great Alcides, nor the God of War
Shall Seize this Prey out of his Fathers hands.
Dem.
Would you toth' Empress shame preserve a thing
So foul and black?
Aron.
What, what ye sanguine hollow-hearted Boys,
Ye gawdy blossoms, checquer'd white and red,
See, here is a gloss that will not sully
Like your water colour'd complexions,
Which Chance does fade and Sickness washes out.
I say that black is better then another hue,
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For all the water in the Ocean
Can never turn the Swans black legs to white,
Although she lave them hourly in the floud.
Princes in spight of you this shall live.
Chir.
Wilt thou betray thy Mistress?
Aron.
My Mistress is my Mistress, this my self,
The Vigour and the Picture of my Youth.
This before all the world I do prefer,
This maugre all the world will I keep safe,
Or some of you shall feel my vengeance.
Demet.
I blush to think upon this Ignominy.
Aron.
Why there's the Privilege your beauty bears,
Fie trecherous colour that betrays with blushing
The close Enacts and Councells of the Heart.
Here's a Young Lad fram'd of another Leer,
Look how the Black Slave smiles upon the Father,
As who would say, Old Dad I am thine own.
He is your Brother Lords, your Brother by the surer side,
Altho' my Seal be Stamped on his face.
Chir.
By this the Empress will be Sham'd, Ruin'd,
Scorn'd in Rome, and dye by the Emperours rage.
Dem.
Consider, Aron what is best to do,
Save thou the Childe so we may all be safe.
Aron.
Why so Young Lords; when we joyn in League,
I am a Lamb, but if you Brave the Moor,
The Chased Bore, the Mountain Lyoness,
The Ocean swells not so as Aron Storms.
Now fit we down, and let us all consult,
All sit down upon the ground, and the Moor at a distance with his Sword between.
My Son and I will have the winde of you,
Keep there, now talk at leisure of your safety.
Dem.
Aron, none knows the Secret but this woman.
Aron.
How came she by that knowledge?
Dem.
The Nurse this Morning dying, to her care
did give the Child, told her the secret of its birth
And bid her bring't to you.
Aron.
Come hither Woman, art thou a Goth?
Wom.
Yes.
Aron.
Have you to none beside divulg'd the matter?
Wom.
To no one.
Aron.
Thou wilt keep it secret still, wilt thou?
Wom.
To my dying day.
Aron.
And so thou shall't.
Aron Stabs the Woman. She dyes, all stands up.
Chir.
What mean'st thou Aron? wherefore did'st thou this?
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I have Seal'd her Lips.
Demet.
She would have Nurs'd it for thee.
Aron.
I'le trust no more tatling Nurses.
They must be prating, even when they are dying.
Henceforth, I'le trust 'em with the Child, but not the Secret.
Chiron.
Now I've Consider'd on't 'twas wisely done.
Aron.
Now to dispose this treasure in my Arms,
Come on you thick-lip'd Slave, I'le bear you hence,
I'le make you feed on Berries and on Roots,
And Cabin in a Cave, and bring you up
To be a Warrior and command a Camp.
Exit Aron with the Child.
Dem.
Let's draw the body aside to that dark passage.
Chir.
This was the only sure way to Lay a Womans tongue.
Chi. Dem. dragging off the Woman. Exeunt.
Enter Man.
Man.
Where is my Wife, what makes her stay,
The Moor pass'd by me with the Child in's Arms?
Ha! they have Murder'd her,
They are dragging her aside.
This the reward? I'le after Aron and be reveng'd.
Swift as the raging wind I'le follow thee.
Enter Emperour, Empress, Tribunes; the Emperour with Arrows in his hands, with scrowls of Paper fix'd to 'em.
Emp.
Tribunes, what wrongs are these? Was ever known,
An Emperour in Rome thus us'd?
Publiquely exclaim'd against, call'd Tyrant!
If Titus or his Sons have suffer'd wrong,
Was it the Law or Emperour did that wrong?
Nothing has pass'd but what was done by Law
Against the Sons of Old Andronicus.
Yet here he writes to Heaven for his redress;
See here's to Jove, and this to Mercury,
This to Apollo, this to the God of War.
Fine Scrowls to fly about the Streets of Rome;
What's this but Libelling against the Senate?
As who wou'd say, in Rome no Justice were:
But his feign'd Extasies shall not shelter him,
Both he and his shall know, that Justice lives
In Saturninus Reign.
Tamora.
My gracious Emperour, my Saturnine,
Lord of my Life, Commander of my Thoughts.
Calm thee, and bear the faults of Titus Age,
The effects of sorrow for his Valiant Sons;
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Then be offended at these Injuries:
Titus offends you not, his Frenzy may,
And these Plebeans, these good honest men,
Will henceforth not blame you, but Titus Madness.
Enter Senators with Papers, which they give the Emperour—Chiron, Demetrius.
Emp.
See here, Libels against me in whole bundles,
Directed to each Senator in Rome.
Those on the points of Arrows were disperst,
These sent to every Tribunes habitation,
To incite Mutiny, and raise Rebellion.
Shall I endure all this?—
Go drag him round the City with wild Horses,
Nor Age nor Madness shall protect him now.
Tam.
You Noble Tribunes, Romes worthy Patrons,
I know your Love and pity for Andronicus,
He's a good man, and worthy your affections;
No man has serv'd his Country more then he,
Nor no man more oblig'd his Emperour;
Then doubt not he wants friends to intercede,
His merits plead much more then you can speak.
Go then and comfort him in his distress,
Except the Guilt of Bassianus death,
No Crime had reach'd the Lives of his two Sons.
In secret for their deaths my Lord does grieve,
Wishing they had been Innocent of the fact.
I see you burn with Zeal to do him Service,
But now the Emperour highly is incens'd,
And this is no fit time for intercession;
Leave me to pleade his cause, I'le watch the hour
That proper'st is to move in his behalf;
His coolest hours when Love has calm'd his thoughts;
Go then, appease the mind of good Old Titus.
With Sage advice recall his wandring sense,
And nothing then shall be too dear for him
To ask, or Romes great Emperour to Grant.
All.
Long live our gracious Empress.
[Trib. & Ple. Exeunt.
Empress.
See Emperour what flattery can do,
What secret Charms there are in well-tun'd words?
Unbend your brow then and dismiss your frown,
What need of anger whilst this art prevails?
Force oftner then a dissimulation fails.
Enter Chiron, Demetrius.
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Arm arm, my Lord, Rome never had more cause,
Plebeans to a numerous head are grown,
And Tribunes won by Marcus Elocution,
Joyn in Rebellion with the Multitude.
Emp.
Who is the head, the Leader of this faction?
Chir.
Marcus is yet the busy man.
Tam.
That Talker!
Dem.
The old Legions too by Titus late brought home,
Without the City make their Randevouze;
Within the People cry Revenge aloud,
Revenge for the wrong'd Titus and his slaughter'd Sons.
To them the Army Ecchoes with Loud shouts,
Long live Lucius Emperour of Rome:
Emp.
Ay, now begins the mischief to approach,
He is the darling of the Souldiers,
Him they did hope should be Romes Emperour,
When by the Senate, to Andronicus
Was given the Power to Nominate.
Tam.
Still be your thoughts Imperious like your Name.
Is the Sun dimn'd 'cause Gnats do fly in it;
The Eagle suffers little Birds to sing,
And is not carefull what they mean thereby,
Knowing that with the Shadow of his Wings
He can at pleasure stint their Harmony.
Em.
But who the harsh Musick of the Souldiers tongues,
Shall stop, that cry aloud, Revenge? or who
The Murmures of the giddy men of Rome?
Still Marcus to the people does declaim,
And Lucius to the Legions tells his wrongs.
Who shall their Voices still?
Tam.
That will I.
Titus.
Justice, Revenge, Revenge!
[Titus without.
Emp.
Hear this!
Is this Musick or discord to your Ear?
Chir.
It is the Voice of frantick Old Titus.
Deme.
He presses to your Royal presence.
Titus.
Let me come, give a Roman Liberty.
Tam.
Oppose him not.
Enter Titus.
Titus.
Justice ye Gods, Justice and Revenge.
Junius, help me to find them. Search narrowly my Boy.
Emp.
What looks the Mad man for?
Titus.
I look for Justice, but she is not here.
I have Search'd all Rome but cannot finde her.
Oh! now I think on't, Justice is fled from Earth,
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I will go sound the Ocean for her,
I'le drag the Sea, perchance I may find her there.
Yet there's, as little Justice as on Land.
No, fetch me my Tools, I'le dig with Mattock and with Spade,
And pierce the utmost Center of the Earth,
And when I come to Pluto's dark Region,
I will deliver him this Petition,
[a Paper.
And tell him, 'tis for Justice that I come,
That I am Old Andronicus—
Shaken with Sorrows in ungratefull Rome.
Ah Rome, 'twas I that made thee miserable,
When I threw the Peoples suffrages
On him that thus does Tyrannize o're me.
Well! now I'le be gone, I must be carefull,
I must not leave one Vessell unsearch'd,
This wicked Emperour may have Ship'd her hence,
And then we may go Pipe for Justice.
Emp.
See, all the dread of the Eagles presence
Cannot now awe to silence, that one poor single Grashopper.
Tam.
These are the Effects of Age and Madness,
The effects of Sorrow for his Valiant Sons.
Titus.
Where am I now! am I not in Hell allready?
Is not that Grim Pluto there; that Proserpine
His Queen?
Emp.
Stop his Mouth, take him away, and hang him.
Tamora.
Forbear,—Emperour leave me to deal with him.
Titus.
Pluto, you do me wrong with these delays,
Since you will not send Justice unto me,
I'le dive into the Burning-Lake below,
And pull her out of Acaron by the heels.
Emp.
What with this Mad man will you do?
Tam.
I will Enchant the good Andronicus,
With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous,
Then Baits to Fish, or Honey-stalks to Sheep,
When as the one is Wounded with the Bait,
The other rotted with delicious food.
Emp.
Can you lay Marcus Tongue, and Lucius too in Silence?
Tam.
I'le smooth the Fathers aged Cheeks with golden promises,
And he shall draw 'em both to his own house,
To treat of Friendship, and tell their grievances,
Whilst they are busied here in Long debate,
Friends we'le imploy to appease the Multitude,
And pacify the Angry Souldiers.
Em.
Stay then, and be successfull in thy Art,
45
I was deceiv'd, Justice is not in Hell neither,
Ti. with bundles of Paper.
'Twas not she I saw Swimming o're the black Lake,
But a poor Solon-Goose,—
I catch'd her by the wing, and knew her by her cackling.
I'le look no more for her; now I'le go find Revenge,
Confer with her of Murder and of Death.
There's not a Hollow-Cave, or Lurking-place,
No vast obscurity, or Misty-Vale;
Where Bloody Murder, or detested Rape,
Can couch for fear, but I will find 'em out.
Tell 'em my sorrowfull Name and Injuries.
Tam.
Now I will tamper him with all the Art I have
See Titus, I am come to talk with thee.
Titus.
No, not a word, how can I grace my talk?
Wanting a hand to give it action.
Thou hast the odds of me, therefore no more.
Tam.
Appease ye Gods the troubles of his Spirit,
If Titus knew me, Titus would talk to me.
Tit.
Why who art thou? Thou art not Revenge,
And yet I know thou art some direfull Fiend.
Thou hast Medusa's head, Megera's looks,
Ay, ay, thou art a Fiend, but not my dear Revenge,
Art thou, say?
Tam.
I'le close with him to fit his Lunacy,
What e're I forge to feed his frantick fits,
Do you uphold and in discourse maintain.
Titus.
Were't thou Revenge, how I could hug thee?
Tam.
I am Revenge to all that have offended you,
And I am come to joyn with you,
To work confusion on your Enemies.
Titus.
Yes, yes, now I perceive thou art Revenge,
Sensless I was that knew thee not before,
Loe by thy side where Rape and Murder stands.
But throughly to convince me that thou art Revenge,
Stab them, or tear them on thy Charriot-wheels,
And then I'le mount, and be thy Waggoner,
And whirle along with thee about the Globes,
Or if thou wilt, I'le by thy Waggon-wheel,
Trot like a servile Footman all day long,
Even from Epeons rising in the East,
Untill his very downfull in the Sea.
And day by day I'le do this heavy task,
So thou destroy Rapine and Murder there,
Tam.
These are my Ministers, and come with me
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But right you nam'd them, Murder and Rape they are call'd
'Cause they take Vengeance on such kind of men.
Titus.
Wellcome dread Fury to my wither'd Arms,
Rapine and Murder, you are wellcome too.
Now what shall us do?—
Tam.
What would'st thou have us to do Andronicus?
Tit.
Look round about the wicked streets of Rome,
And when thou find'st a man that's like thy self,
Good Murder Stab him, he's a Murderer.
Go thou with him, and when it is thy hap
To finde another that is like to thee,
Good Rapine Stab him, he's a Ravisher.
Go thou with them, and in the Emperours Court,
There is a Queen Attended by a Moor,
Well may'st thou know her by thy own proportion,
For all about she does resemble thee,
I prethee bring them to untimely Ends,
They have been violent to me and mine.
Tam.
Thou hast given us good directions, this shall we do.
But if 'twill please thee, good Andronicus,
To draw his Brother Marcus from his Friends,
And send for Lucius his most Valiant Son,
Who now heads the Old Legions thou brought'st home,
Before the Walls defying the power of Rome;
If these, with their chief friends of either party
To a great Entertainment at thy house,
Thou wilt invite to Feast and Banquet with thee.
There Saturnine, his Empress and her Sons,
Shall be thy guests too, if after Parlee there,
His doom of Banishment is not revok'd,
And all thy numerous injuries redress'd;
Then at thy Mercy shall they stoop and kneel,
And on them shalt thou ease thy angry Heart.
What says Andronicus to this proposal?
Titus.
But is not this a Plot for my other hand,
And to betray their Lives?—
Tam.
Six of our Noblest Romans shall attend you,
Whose Lives shall warrant thee safety and return
Of them, and all their Friends.
Titus.
Prepare your Hostages, I'le do't.
Tam.
Make but appear the Injuries, which thou
In Papers 'bout the streets of Rome disperst,
And then produce the wicked Authors of 'em.
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And all thy grievances redress'd.—
Titus.
Say no more the Old man will do't;
In token that I will, I leave with you
My pretty Junius here 'till my return,
Here's all the little treasure of my Life that's left.
Tam.
He shall be my Care.
Dem.
Mine.
Chiron.
And mine.
Tam.
And all our care.
Tam. Dem. Chiron Exeunt.
Titus.
Now my little Lad, remember thy Lesson:
And wherefore I brought thee hither:
Jun.
I do Grandfather.
Titus.
Remember thy wrong'd Aunt Lavinia.
Jun.
Yes, and my Banish'd Father, and my two dead Uncles,
And you Grandfather, that have but one hand.
[Weeps.
Titus.
That's my good Boy,
Forbear thy tears, his Passion makes me weep.
Jun.
You and my Uncle Marcus made me Swear,
And do you think Grandfather I will be forsworn?
Titus.
Junius, no, thou com'st of two Good a Kinde.
I know thou'lt prove a Chick of th' Game.
But do it cunningly.
Jun.
I warrant you Grandfather.
Enter Demetrius, Chiron.
Demet.
The Empress by us sends Titus word,
The Pledges shall meet you at the Flaminia-Gate
Where Marcus keeps free passage
For Lucius Entrance into Rome.
She nothing more requires but your speed.
Titus.
Tell her that the poor Old man is going,
Fast as the burdens of his grief and Age
Will let him creep along.—Farewell Junius.
[Exit Titus.
Jun.
Adien Grandfather Titus.
Demet.
Chiron, this is a sign of Titus Madness
To leave the Chicken to be kept by th' Kite.
Chiron.
She'l hover o're a while, but at the last
With a deadly swoop, she'l bear it away.
Dem.
This little Serpent ne're shall grow to sting.
[Jun. whilst they talk, puts out handfulls of Gold & lays on the ground.
What is the Childe doing there?
Is all that Gold, he strows about the floore?
Chi.
Gold. All Roman Coyn.
[Chi. takes some of it up to look on.
Jun.
O I have enough of this.
Dem.
Enough! Thou hast a treasure about thee.
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O but I can shew you a huge deal more.
Chi.
Can'st thou, where?
Jun.
In my Grandfathers Garden.
Demet.
Ha!
Jun.
There is a hugeous deep hole,
Thus broad, and thus long I warrant you;
And that's full up to the very top truly.
Dem.
And who laid it there good boy?
Jun.
I don't know, I believe my Uncle Marcus
And my Grandfather, for they us'd always
To be walking thereabouts, and sometimes
Wou'd tell me it was a Rich spot of ground.
Chi.
How cam'st thou to find it?
Jun.
This morning shooting my Arrow up on high,
It fell down and stuck deep in the ground,
Plucking it out, it pull'd up a piece of Turf,
And so I saw it.
Chi.
All yellow like this?
Jun.
Yes all yellow.
Dem.
Ask no more Questions. Heark you Chiron,
Let you and I in Old Titus absence,
Deprive him of all this great Mass of Wealth.
What shou'd old men do with't,
That are past the pleasure of spending it?
Chir.
Thou say'st right.
Besides we shall do the State good service,
Such a Treasure in Private bands is dangerous.
Dem.
They are Rebels already; 'tis with this
They win the Peoples and the Soldiers hearts.
Chir.
Come, we'le remove it to our own Coffers.
Let's entice young Junius to shew it us.
Dem.
He'le after make discovery who took it.
Chir.
We'le contrive his death to look like accident,
Pull some great Stone from off a high Wall,
Lay't by him bloudy, as if it fell by chance,
And knock'd out his Brains.—How like you the Project?
Dem.
Well.—But shall applaud it better when 'tis done.
Chi.
Let us about it now, come pretty Junius,
Thou shalt walk with us in thy Grandfathers Gardens,
We'le shew you other fine things there;
Finer then these, which he conceals from thee.
Jun.
Are there any Swords?
Chi.
Yes.
Jun.
And Shields and Arrows.
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O fine ones, they are hid just by the Gold.
Jun.
We'le go look'em then,—but I'le have 'em all.
Dem.
Ay thou shalt have 'em.
Chi.
Thou shalt have them Junius.
Jun.
Come then, O brave!
[Dem. Chi. Jun. Exeunt.
Enter Lucius and Captains.
Lucius.
Approved Warriors and my faithfull Friends,
I lead you into Rome at Marcus call,
To joyn in Councell with him, 'tis believ'd.
He sent me word the Emperour is hated,
And how desirous the People are
To see us within their Gates; be therefore
Loud in complains, impatient of wrongs,
And wherein we have receiv'd Injuries,
Let Rome make treble satisfaction.
Cap.
Brave Youth, sprung from the great Andronicus,
Whose great Exploits and Honourable deeds,
Ingratefull Rome requites with foul contempt,
Be bold in us, we'll follow where thou lead'st,
Like stinging Bees in Hottest Summers day,
Led by their Master to the flowred fields,
And be Reveng'd on cursed Tamora.
Luci.
I thank you friends.—Here Marcus comes.
Enter Marcus.
Mar.
Lucius, I send for you to let you know
Your Father does invite us to his House,
And with us too the Noblest of your Friends:
This day a mighty Banquet is Prepar'd,
The Emperour and Empress are his Guests:
This as we Love him and regard
His Aged Life, Andronicus commands.
Lucius.
Him I'le Obey without Enquiry:
And at his call thro' thousand dangers go,
Where e're I leade, these I am sure will follow.
Capt.
Whilst Life does last, and Swords can make our way.
Marcus.
Let's go,—
Faint hearts dispute, but Noble minds obey.
[Exeunt.
Enter Demetrius, Chiron, Junius, in Titus Garden.
Demet.
Now Junius, which is the place?
Jun.
A little further.—
[Walking forward.
Chiron.
Now shall that Wealth be our Easy purchase,
For which Titus sweat drops of Blood in War,
Jun.
The place is cover'd close since I was here.
Lend me your Sword, my Lord, to peirce the ground,
And with the point find where the Gold does Lie.
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Take mine.
[Dem. gives Jun. his naked Sword.
Chi.
Wherefore dost thou pause.
Jun.
Why should this wound the Earth that's innocent?
'Twere better run it in the Hearts of Villains,
Of Murderers and Ravishers.
Dem.
What means the Child?
Jun.
Thieves, Thieves!
Enter Titus and Servants.
Chir.
We are betray'd.
Titus.
There, Seize them, bind their hands, stop their Mouths.
Dem.
Villains forbear, we are the Empress Sons.
Titus.
Princes, and come to Rob an Old mans Orchard?
So: binde them fast, Oh my Little dear decoy,
Handsomly thou hast brought these Wild fowl to my Nets.
Enter Lavinia.
Come, come Lavinia, look, thy foes are bound.
Stop close their Mouths, let 'em not speak to me;
But let them hear what fearfull words I utter.
Oh Villains! Chiron and Demetrius!
Here stands the Spring whom you have stain'd with Mud:
This goodly Summer with your Winter mix'd.
You kill'd her Husband, and for that vile fault,
Two of her Brothers were Condemn'd to death,
My hand Cut-off, and Subject made of Mirth.
Both her sweet Hands, her Tongue, and that more dear
Then Hands or Tongue, her spotless Chastity,
Inhumane Traytors, you constrain'd and forc'd.
Hark Villains, how I mean to Martyr you:
This one hand yet is left to Cut your Throats,
Whilst that Lavinia 'twixt her Stumps does hold
The Bason that receives your Guilty Blood.
Then shall your flesh be torn off with hot Pincers,
And your bones scrap'd 'till you are Skellitons.
For worse then Philomel you us'd my Daughter,
And worse then Progne I will be reveng'd.
Your Flesh shall be Cook'd for the Empress Pallate,
And your Blood mixt with all the Wine that's drunk.
Come bring them in, be every one officious,
To make this Banquet, which I wish may prove
More stern and Bloody then the Centaurs Feast.
[Exeunt.
Enter Marcus, Lucius, Captains and Romans.
Mar.
Wellcome worthy Romans.
Lucius.
Wellcome, Valiant Friends.
Mar.
All wellcome to the house of Old Andronicus.
A house of Woe and Sorrow, for nothing
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And yet at sight of you the good Old man,
The Injur'd Titus will Even weep for Joy.
Enter Titus.
Lucius.
See where he comes, but why dear aged Father
Dost thou appear thus like an Executioner?
Why is this Bloody Weapon in thy hand?
And why are these gray-hairs sprinkl'd with blood?
Titus.
'Tis done, the bloody Act is done.
I have taken Vengeance on the Ravishers,
Chiron, Demetrius.—But I want the Moor,
The Moor, that dismall Fiend of darkness,
Those others Junius and I entrap'd.—
Enter Goth and Souldiers, with the Moor Bound.
Goth.
Bring in the Villain.
Titus.
Ha the Moor!
Now would I clap my hands for Joy,
Were I not prevented by his Cruelty,
Which rob'd me of one.
Goth.
Renowned Roman! Now Revenge that loss,
Revenge thy wrongs and mine.
Ti.
Say Goth, for by thy habit Goth thou art,
Why hast thou done me this good turn?
Goth.
I am a Soldier, and love not to speak but to the purpose.
Short then will be my speech and blunt.
Lucius.
Say on.
Goth.
Behold this Moor the Sire of this squob toad.
For this he and Tamora club'd together,
The Queen of Goths Tup'd by a Goat.
Tit.
Ha! ha! ha!
Goth.
The Nurse that only knew this secret deed—
This morning dy'd, but with her parting breath
Declar'd the secret to my Wife her frend.
And bid her bear this issue to the Moor—
Who wou'd reward her sor't—and so he did:
For she no sooner had perform'd the trust,
But he his dagger struck into her heart,
And Bore away the Child in's Arms.—
I was not then far off, and knew it well.
And therefore follow'd him with these my friends.
Seiz'd him in flight, and bring him bound to you.
Marc.
Now Empress thy deeds of darkness come to light.
Goth.
If not concern'd for Romes dishonour
In a polluted Empress, Lustfull Tamora,
At least, incited by your private Wrongs,
Torment the Villain; Add to his pain one more
52
Tit.
O worthy Goth be ever lov'd of us.
We will devise the Villains Punishment,
And thou shall be an Executioner.
Luc.
Say wall-Ey'd slave, whither would you convey
This growing Image of thy fiend-like face?
Why do'st not Speak? what, deaf, not a word!
Tit.
What! Monsters are thou sullen?
But this and More, much more thou shalt confess.
Drag him from hence, within there is a Rack,
Go bind him to't, that shall Extort from him
Each secret that lies hid in his dark soul.
Exeunt Goth, Moor, and Child.
Luc.
Behold the Hellish Dog;
See how he Rowls his eyes and grins.
Marc.
The Trumpets sound, the Emperour is near,
Retire and lay your bloody weapon by.
Tit.
I'le fit my self for his reception.
[Tit. Exit
Luc.
Look out and give the word.
The Emperour shall hear our Musick too.
Mar.
See here he comes—see how the Tribunes croud above.
Enter Emperor, Tamora, Senators, and others; Marcus, Lucius, and Captains Range themselves on the other side.
Emp.
What, hath the Firmament more Suns then one?
Luc.
What dost avail to call thy self a Sun,
That art so muffl'd in black clouds,
The steams that rise from blood, hang round thee like a fog.
Emp.
See Empress I am brav'd already,
Came I to talk with Boys?
Marc.
Nephew, cease discourse,
This business must be quietly debated.
Scene draws and discovers a Banquett.
Enter Titus, Junius, Lavinia Vayl'd.
This great preparation by the carefull Titus
Was ordain'd to that Honourable End.
Titus.
With their presence let no'ne refuse to grace
The poor Table of Andronicus.—
First, I entreat that favour of the Emperour.
Next of his Empress.
Tam.
We are beholding to the good Andronicus.
Titus.
A poor Old man, but a well-meaning heart.
Give me a Bowl fill'd with Falernian Wine,
The like to every one—Health to the Emperour.
Madam, you'l pledge this Health.
All drink, Trumpets sound on both sides.
Tam.
Ay, honest Titus.
Tit.
Honest if you knew my thoughts.
Emp.
Why is that Lady Veil'd?
53
My Lord the Emperour, resolve me this.
Was it well done of Old Virginius
To slay his Daughter with his own right hand
Because she had been Forc'd, Stain'd and Deflowr'd?
Emp.
It was Andronicus.
Tit.
Your reason, mighty Emperour.
Emp.
Because she shou'd not then survive her shame,
And by her presence still renew his sorrows.
Titus.
A Reason weighty, strong and effectual,
A Pattern, President, and lively warrant
For me most wretched to perform the like.
Dye, then, Lavinia, and thy shame with thee,
And with thy shame thy Fathers sorrow dye.
[Kills Lav.
Emp.
What hast thou done, unnatural and unkind?
Tam.
Why hast thou slain thy only Daughter thus?
Tit.
See there—no hands, no tongue is left,
Titus pulls off Lavinias Veil.
Nothing that could explain her Injuries,
I am more wofull then Virginius was;
And had a thousand times more cause then he
To do this deed.
Emp.
If she was Ravish'd, tell by whom?
Tit.
That Aron best can tell.
Emp.
The Moor!
Tam
Hear him not, he's Mad.
Emp.
If it be not Frenzy, make it appear.
Tam.
He cannot, 'tis perfect Madness.
Tit.
I'le make both that and more appear.
A Child of darkness too is come to light.
Draw back that Screen.
The Moor discover'd on a Rack
Tam.
Aron in Torment!
Tit.
Empress keep your seat,
What here you see, is now beyond redress.
Moor confess the Ravishers.
Aron shakes his head in sign he will not.
No! Stretch him.—
By whom had'st thou this black brat,
This Babe of darkness?
Aron shakes his head again.
Nor that neither: Disjoynt his Limbs
Say now, did not Chiron and Demetrius
By thine and this Empress advice,
Wrong my Lavinia, and prompted
By you two, Murder Bassianus?
Aron.
Ha—ha—ha—
Emp.
Empress, what Crimes are these laid to your charge
And to your Sons—they Murder Bassianus!
Tam.
All distraction still; They! Alas! no.
54
Where are my Sons, if safe they would be here?
Tit.
Reveal then what is yet unseen.—Empress behold,
A Curtain drawn discovers the heads and hands of Dem. and Chir. hanging up against the wall. Their bodys in Chairs in bloody Linnen.
There are their heads, their hands, and mangl'd Truncks.
Tam.
O dismall sight!
Tit.
But here their hearts and Tongues.
No dish but holds some part of which y'ave fed.
And all the Wine y'ave drunk mixt with their blood.
Tam
Inhumane Villain!
Tit.
Like the Earth thou hast swallow'd thy own encrease,
Thy self hast Eaten what thy self hast bred;
Thus cramn'd, thou'rt bravely saten'd up for Hell.
And thus to Pluto I do serve thee up.
[Titus stabs the Empress.
Emp.
Dye frantick Wretch, for these effects of Madnes.
[Emp. stabs Titus.
Luc.
Can the sons eye behold the father bleed?
Thus quickly I revenge what thou hast done:
Dye unbelieving Tyrant.
[Lucius stabs the Emperour.
Mar.
Romans before you stir hear me a word;
The Sena. and Capt. begin to move from above
I charge you hear me.
Emill.
Speak Marcus.
Mar.
Let any then forbear to move from's place
'Till we have heard the Moors confession.
Though he laughs upon the Wheel and mocks our torments,
Yet I will try another Experiment.
Marcus holds the Child as if he wou'd Kill it.
Give me the Hellish infant: Moor, now speak
Or the young Kid goes after the Old Goat.
Aron.
Save but the Child I'le tell thee wondrous things.
That highly may advantage you to hear.
Tam.
Moor, speak not a word against my honour
To save the World.
Aron.
Yes Empress to save that childe I will.
The blow is given that will send you soon
Both from the shame and Punishment,
But all shall now be bury'd in my death,
Unless you swear to me that child shall Live.
Mar.
Tell on thy Mind, thy child shall live.
Aron.
Swear that it shall, and then I will begin.
Marc.
Whom should we swear by, thou believ'st no God.
Moor.
What if I do not? as indeed I do not,
Yet do I know you are Religious,
And have a thing within you called Conscience,
Therefore I urge your Oath for that I know
An Idiot holds his bauble for a God,
And keeps the Oath which by that god he swears.
55
To save my Boy, Nourish and bring him up,
Or else I will discover nought to thee.
Mar.
By our Gods I swear.
Moor.
And Lucius too, swear thou.
Lucius.
I swear as Marcus did.
Moor.
First know then I begot him on the Empress.
Emp.
O Luxurious woman.
Moor.
Nay this was but a deed of Charity
To that which you shall hear of me anon.
'Twas her two sons that Murder'd Bassianus.
They Cut Lavinia's tongue and ravish'd her.
Mar.
Barbarous Villains, like thy self.
Aron.
Indeed I was their tutor to instruct them,
I train'd thy Nephews to that obscure hole,
I wrote the Letter which was found,
And hid the Gold within the Letter mention'd,
Confederate with the Queen and her two Sons.
I play'd the cheater for Old Titus hand.
For this device the Empress gave me twenty Kisses,
Sweet as were those I had in her Embraces,
When we were acting Pleasures, which produc'd
That Little thing where Moor and Goths combin'd,
And that is it which you have Sworn to save.
Emp.
Stop the Villains Mouth, let him speak no more;
No more such words to my dishonour.
Tam.
I have now no other Son, and shou'd
Be kind to it in Death, let it approach me then,
That I may leave with it my parting Kiss.—
The Child is brought to the Empress, she Stabs it.
Dye thou off-spring of that Blab-tongu'd Moor.
Aron.
Accursed Empress!
Tam.
Accursed Moor.
May that breath be thy last as this is mine.
[dies.
Aron.
She has out-done me in my own Art—
Out-done me in Murder—Kill'd her own Child.
Give it me—I'le eat it.
Emp.
If Spirits Live after our Bodies dye,
May the good Gods at distance for keep mine,
From that damn'd Moors, and Empress too from thine.
Marcus.
Romans, from what you have seen and heard.
Now Judge what cause had Titus to Revenge
These Wrongs unspeakable, past patience,
Have we done ought amiss, shew us wherein?
And from the highest Tower of this great Pile,
The poor remainder of Andronice
Will hand in hand all headlong cast us down,
56
Speak Romans speak, and if you say we shall,
Lucius and I will thus Embracing fall.
Emil.
Worthy Marcus, and Valiant Lucius Live;
Lucius, Live Emperour of Rome.
I know it is the wish of all, then speak aloud.
Omnes.
Lucius, all hail, Romes Royall Emperour.
Lucius.
Thanks Noble Romans.
But worthy Friends, pray give me leave a while,
All disappear from above.
For Nature puts me to a heavy task,
At distance stand, but Marcus draw you near,
To shed obsequious tears upon this trunk.
O take this warm Kiss on thy pale cold Lips,
These sorrowfull drops upon thy bloud-stayn'd face;
The last true duty of thy pious Son.
Marcus.
Tear for Tear, and Loving Kiss,
Thy Brother Marcus tenders on thy Lips.
Jun.
Ah my poor dear Grandfather—
Father I cannot speak more for tears.—
Enter All below.
Emil.
You sad Andronici, having done with grief,
Give Sentence on this execrable Wretch—
That fill'd your House with all this Ruine.
Lucius.
It was decreed he should expire in flames,
Around him kindle streight his Funeral Fire.
The Matter is prepar'd, now let it blaze:
He shall at once be burnt and Rack'd to death.
The Fire flames about the Moor.
Aron.
Wherefore shou'd Rage be mute and Fury dumb.
Ten thousand worser ills then e're I did
Would I perform if I might have my will.
If one good deed in all my Life I did
I now repent it from my very heart,
For proof I do, I'le Curse ye 'till I dye—
Vengeance and blewest Plagues consume ye all.
Marcus.
Snarle on, and like a Curs'd fell dog,
In howlings end thy Life.
[The Scene closes.
Lucius.
Now convey the Emp'rour to his Fathers Tomb;
As for that hatefull Tygress Tamora,
No Rights nor Funerall Ceremony.
My Noble Father and Lavinia
Shall be closed in our Houshold Monument,
Romans and Friends, assist ye all a while.
When these sad Ceremonies be perform'd,
Lead me to Empire, Crown me if you please,
But nothing this afflicted heart can ease.
FINIS.
| Titus Andronicus, or The Rape of Lavinia | |