And so supplant us for ingratitude, [aside. Come, come, sweet emperor; come, Andronicus, Sat. Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath pre vail'd. Tit. I thank your majesty, and her, my lord. These words, these looks, infuse new life in me. Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome, A Roman now adopted happily, And must advise the emperor for his good. Lucius. We do; and vow to Heaven, and to his highness, . That, what we did, was mildly, as we might, Tendering our sister's honor and our own. Mar. That on mine honor here I do protest. The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace : Sat. 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. Lavinia, though you left me like a churl, I found a friend; and sure as death I swore, I would not part a bachelor from the priest. Tit. To-morrow, an it please your majesty, jour. Sat. Be it so, Titus, and gramercy 1 too. [Exeunt. I Probably here a contraction of grand merci, i. e. I thank you. ACT II. SCENE I. The same. Before the palace. Enter AARON. Aaron. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top, Upon her wit doth earthly honor wait, And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown. And see his shipwreck, and his commonweal's. Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braving. Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge, And manners, to intrude where I am graced; To serve and to deserve my mistress' grace; Aaron. Clubs, clubs! these lovers will not keep Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadvised, Gave you a dancing-rapier by your side, Are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends? Go to; have your lath glued within your sheath, Till you know better how to handle it. Chi. Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill I have, Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare. Dem. Ay, boy, grow ye so brave? [they draw. ! Beloved. 2 This was the usual outcry for assistance when any riot happened, in our author's time. Aaron. Why, how now, lords? So near the emperor's palace dare you draw, Full well I wot1 the ground of all this grudge. I would not for a million of gold, The cause were known to them it most concerns: Nor would your noble mother, for much more, Be so dishonor'd in the court of Rome. For shame; put up. Dem. Not I, till I have sheathed My rapier in his bosom, and, withal, Thrust these reproachful speeches down his throat, That he hath breathed in my dishonor here. Chi. For that I am prepared and full resolved, Foul-spoken coward! that thunder'st with thy tongue, And with thy weapon nothing darest perform. Aaron. Away, I say. Now by the gods, that warlike Goths adore, This petty brabble will undo us all. Why, lords,—and think you not how dangerous It is to jut upon a prince's right? What, is Lavinia then become so loose, Or Bassianus so degenerate, That for her love such quarrels may be broach'd Young lords, beware! an should the empress know 1 Know. |