And blazoning our injustice every where ? Tam. My gracious lord, my lovely Saturnine, Whose loss hath pierc'd him deep, and scarr'd his heart; And rather comfort his distressed plight, Than prosecute the meanest, or the best, For these contempts.-Why, thus it shall become But, Titus, I have touch'd thee to the quick, Enter Clown. [Aside. How now, good fellow? wouldst thou speak with us? Clo. Yes, forsooth, an your mistership be imperial. Tam. Empress I am, but yonder sits the emperor. Clo. 'Tis he.-God, and saint Stephen, give you good den; I have brought you a letter, and a couple of pigeons here. [SATURNINUS reads the letter. Sat. Go, take him away, and hang him presently. Clo. How much money must I have? Tam. Come, sirrah, you must be hang'd. Clo. Hang'd! By'r lady, then I have brought up a neck [Exit, guarded. to a fair end. Sat. Despiteful and intolerable wrongs! I know from whence this same device proceeds? In hope thyself should govern Rome and me. Enter EMILIUS. -What news with thee, Emilius ? Em. Arm, arm, my lords; Rome never had more cause! They hither march amain, under conduct Who threats, in course of this revenge, to do Sat. Is warlike Lucius general of the Goths? As flowers with frost, or grass beat down with storms; Ay, now begin our sorrows to approach: 'Tis he the common people love so much; Myself have often overheard them say, (When I have walked like a private man,) That Lucius' banishment was wrongfully, And they have wish'd that Lucius were their emperor. Tam. Why should you fear? is not your city strong? Sat. Ay, but the citizens favour Lucius; And will revolt from me, to succour him. Tum. King, be thy thoughts imperious, like thy name. With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, Sat. But he will not entreat his son for us.' For I can smooth, and fill his aged ear Yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue.— Go thou before, be our embassador : [TO EMIL. [1] Honey-stalks are clover flowers, which contain a sweet juice. It is common for cattle to overcharge themselves with clover, and die. JOHNSON. Say, that the emperor requests a parley Sat. Æmilius, do this message honourably : And if he stand on hostage for his safety, Bid him demand what pledge will please him best. [Exit. And temper him, with all the art I have, To pluck proud Lucius from the warlike Goths. And now, sweet emperor, be blithe again, And bury all thy fear in my devices. Sat. Then go successfully, and plead to him. [Exeunt. ACT V. SCENE I.-Plains near Rome. Enter LUCIUS, and Goths, with drum and Colours. Luc. APPROVED warriors, and my faithful friends, Which signify, what hate they bear their emperor, Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, 1 Goth. Brave slip, sprung from the great Andronicus, Whose name was once our terror, now our comfort; Whose high exploits, and honourable deeds, Ingrateful Rome requites with foul contempt, Be bold in us we'll follow where thou lead'st,— Goths. And, as he saith, so say we all with him. Enter a Goth, leading AARON, with his Child in his arms. 2 Goth. Renowned Lucius, from our troops I stray'd, To gaze upon a ruinous monastery; And as I earnestly did fix mine eye I heard a child cry underneath a wall: I made unto the noise; when soon I heard Peace, villain, peace!-even thus he rates the babe,- Who, when he knows thou art the emperess' babe, Luc. O worthy Goth! this is the incarnate devil, Why dost not speak? What! deaf? No; not a word? And by his side his fruit of bastardy. Aar. Touch not the boy, he is of royal blood. First, hang the child, that he may see it sprawl; Get me a ladder. [A ladder brought, which AARON is obliged to ascend. Aar. Lucius, save the child; And bear it from me to the emperess. If thou do this, I'll show thee wond'rous things, If thou wilt not, befall what may befall, I'll speak no more; But vengeance rot you all! Luc. Say on; and, if it please me which thou speak'st, Thy child shall live, and I will see it nourish'd. Aar An if it please thee? why, assure thee, Lucius, [2] Alluding to the proverb, "A black man is a pearl in a fair woman's eye." MALONE. "Twill vex thy soul to hear what I shall speak; Luc. Tell on thy mind; I say, thy child shall live. Aar. Swear, that he shall, and then I will begin. Luc. Who should I swear by ? thou believ'st no god; That granted, how canst thou believe an oath ? Aar. What if I do not? as, indeed, I do not: And hast a thing within thee, called conscience; And keeps the oath, which by that god he swears; To save my boy, to nourish, and bring him up; Luc. Even by my god, I swear to thee, I will. Aar. Tut, Lucius! this was but a deed of charity, 'Twas her two sons that murder'd Bassianus ; They cut thy sister's tongue, and ravish'd her, Luc. O, barbarous, beastly villains, like thyself! That bloody mind, I think, they learn'd of me, [2] An allusion to bull-dogs, whose generosity and courage are always shown by meeting the bull in front and seizing his nose. VOL. VIII. JOHNSON. |