Thy child shall live, and I will see it nourish'd. Twill vex thy soul to hear what I shall speak : no god; That granted, how canst thou believe an oath? And hast a thing within thee, called conscience ¡ e. And keeps the oath, which by that god he swears; Luc. Even by my god, I swear to thee, I will. press. Luc. O most insatiate, luxurious woman! Aar. Tut, Lucius! this was but a deed of charity To that which thou shalt hear of me anon. Twas her two sons that murder'd Bassianus : They cut thy sister's tongue, and ravish'd her, And cut her hands; and trimm'd her as thou saw'st. Luc. O, détestable villain! call's ou that trim ming? Aar. Why, she was wash'd, and cut, and trimm'd; and 'twas Trim sport for them that had the doing of it. Luc. O, barbarous, beastly villains, like thyself! Aar. Indeed, I was their tutor to instruct them, That codding spirit had they from their mother, As sure a card as ever won the set : That bloody mind, I think, they learn'd of me, Well, let my deeds be witness of iny worth. Aar. Ay, like a black dog, as the saying is. Set fire on barns and hay-stacks in the night, Luc. Bring down the devil; for he must not die So sweet a death, as hanging presently. Aar. If there be devils, 'would I were a devil, To live and burn in everlasting fire; So I might have your company in hell, But to torment you with my bitter tongue! Luc. Sirs, stop his mouth, and let him speak no more. Enter a Goth. Goth. My lord, there is a messenger from Rome, Desires to be admitted to your presence. Luc. Let him come near.— Enter Emilius. Welcome, Æmilius, what's the news from Rome? The Roman emperor greets you all by me: Luc. Emilius, let the emperor give his pledges [Exeunt. (1) Perhaps this is a stage-direction, crept inte the text. SCENE II-Rome. Before Titus's house. Enter Tamora, Chiron, and Demetrius, disguised. Tam. Thus, in this strange and sad habiliment, I will encounter with Andronicus; And say, I am Revenge, sent from below, Tit. Who doth molest my contemplation? You are deceiv'd: for what I mean to do, grace my talk, Tam. Titus, I am come to talk with thee. Tit. No; not a word: How can I g Wanting a hand to give it action? Thou hast the odds of me, therefore no more. T'am. If thou didst know me, thou would'st talk with me. Tit. I am not mad; I know thee well enough: Witness this wretched stump, these crimson lines; Witness these trenches, made by grief and care; Witness the tiring day, and heavy night; Witness all sorrow, that I know thee well For our proud empress, mighty Tamora : Is not thy coming for my other hand? Tam. Know thou, sad man, I am not Tamora; She is thy enemy, and I thy friend : I am Revenge; sent from the infernal kingdom, There's not a hollow cave, or lurking-place, Where bloody murder, or detested rape, Tam. I am; therefore come down, and welcome me. Tit. Do me some service, ere I come to thee. Lo, by thy side where Rape, and Murder, stand; Now give some 'surance that thou art Revenge, Stab them, or tear them on thy chariot wheels; And then I'll come, and be thy waggoner, And whirl along with thee about the globes. Provide thee proper palfries, black as jet, To hale thy vengeful waggon swift away, And find out murderers in their guilty caves: And, when thy car is loaden with their heads, I will dismount, and by the waggon wheel Trot, like a servile footman, all day long; Even from Hyperion's rising in the east, Until his very downfall in the sea. And day by day I'll do this heavy task, So thou destroy Rapine and Murder there. Tam. These are my ministers, and come with me. Tit. Are they thy ministers? what are they call'd? Tam. Rapine, and Murder; therefore called so, 'Cause they take vengeance of such kind of men. Tit. Good lord, how like the empress' sons they are! And you, the empress! But we worldly men O sweet Revenge, now do I come to thee : And, if one arm's embracement will content thee, I will embrace thee in it by and by. [Exit Titus, from above. Tam. This closing with him fits his lunacy: Whate'er I forge, to feed his brain-sick fits, |