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My noble lord and father, live in fame!
Lo! at this tomb my tributary tears
I render, for my brethren's obsequies;
And at thy feet I kneel with tears of joy
Shed on the earth, for thy return to Rome:
O, bless me here with thy victorious hand,
Whose fortunes Rome's best citizens applaud.
Tit. Kind Rome, that hast thus lovingly re-
serv'd

The cordial of mine age to glad my heart!-
Lavinia, live; outlive thy father's days,
And fame's eternal date, for virtue's praise!*
Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, SATURNINUS,
BASSIANUS, and others.

Mar. Long live lord Titus, my beloved brother,

Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome!
Tit. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother

Marcus.

Mar. And welcome, nephews, from successful wars,

You that survive, and you that sleep in fame.
Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all,
That in your country's service drew your

swords:

But safer triumph is this funeral pomp,
That hath aspir'd to Solon's happiness,t
And triumphs over chance in honour's bed.-
Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome,
Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been,
Send thee by me, their tribune, and their trust,
This palliament; of white and spotless hue;
And name thee in election for the empire,
With these our late-deceased emperor's sons:
Be candidatus then, and put it on,
And help to set a head on headless Rome.

Tit. A better head her glorious body fits,
Than his, that shakes for age and feebleness:
What! should I dons this robe, and trouble
Be chosen with proclamations to-day; [you?
To-morrow, yield up rule, resign my life,
And set abroad new business for you all?
Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years,
And buried one and twenty valiant sons,
Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms,
In right and service of their noble country:
Give me a staff of honour for mine age,
But got a sceptre to control the world:
Upright he held it, lords, that held it last.

Mar. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery.

Sat. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst

thou tell?

Tit. Patience, prince Saturnine.

Sat. Romans, do me right;

I will most thankful be: and thanks, to men
Of noble minds, is honourable meed.

Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes
I ask your voices, and your suffrages; [here,
Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus:
Trib. To gratify the good Andronicus,
And gratulate his safe return to Rome,
The people will accept whom he admits.
Tit. Tribunes, I thank you: and this sult!
make,

That you create your emperor's eldest son,
Lord Saturnine; whose virtues will, I hope,
Reflect on Rome, as Titan's rays on earth,
And ripen justice in this common-weal;
Then if you will elect by my advice,
Crown him, and say,-Long live our emperor!
Mar. With voices and applause of every sort,
Patricians, and plebeians, we create
Lord Saturninus, Rome's great emperor;
And say,-Long live our emperor Saturnine!
[4 long Flourish.
Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours de
To us in our election this day,

I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts,
And, for an onset, Titus, to advance
And will with deeds requite thy gentleness:
Thy name, and honourable family,
Lavinia will I make my emperess,
Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart,
And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse:
Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please
thee?

Tit. It doth, my worthy lord; and, in this

match,

I hold me highly honour'd of your grace: And here, in sight of Rome, to SaturnineKing and commander of our common-weal, The wide world's emperor,-do I consecrate My sword, my chariot, and my prisoners; Receive them then, the tribute that I owe, Presents well worthy Rome's imperial lord: Mine honour's ensigns humbled at thy feet

Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life' How proud I am of thee, and of thy gifts, Rome shall record; and, when I do forget The least of these unspeakable deserts, Romans, forget your fealty to me.

Tit. Now, madam, are you prisoner to emperor; [To TAMOR To him, that for your honour and your state, Will use you nobly, and your followers.

Sat. A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue That I would choose, were I to choose anew.— Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance; Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer,

Patricians, draw your swords, and sheath Thou com'st not to be made a scorn in Rome:

them not

Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor :-
Andronicus, 'would thou wert shipp'd to hell,
Rather than rob me of the people's hearts.
Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the
good

That noble-minded Titus means to thee!

Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee

The people's hearts, and wean them from

themselves.

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Princely shall be thy usage every way.
Rest on my word, and let not discontent
Daunt all your hopes; Madam, he comforts

you,

[GothsLavinia, you are not displeas'd with this? Can make you greater than the queen d Lav. Not I, my lord; sith true nobility Warrants these words in princely courtesy. Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia.-Romans, let Ransomless here we set our prisoners free: Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum.

us go:

Bas. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine. [Seizing LAVINIA. Tit. How, Sir? Are you in earnest then, my lord?

Bas. Ay, noble Titus; and resolv'd withal,

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Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman justice: This prince in justice seizeth but his own. Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live.

Tit. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the emper-
or's guard?

Treason, my lord; Lavinia is surpris'd.
Sat. Surpris'd! by whom?
Bus. By him that justly may
Bear his betroth'd from all the world away.
[Exeunt MARCUS and BASSIANUS, with
LAVINIA.

Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence

away,

And with my sword I'll keep this door safe.
[Exeunt LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MAR-

TIUS.

Tit. Follow my lord, and I'll soon bring her
back.

Mut. My lord, you pass not here.
Tit. What, villain boy!
Barr'st me my way in Rome?

Tam. And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome
I swear,

If Saturnine advance the queen of Goths,
She will a handmaid be to his desires,
A loving nurse, a mother to his youth.
Sat. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon:-Lords,

accompany

Your noble emperor, and his lovely bride,
Sent by the heavens for prince Saturnine,
Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered:
There shall we cónsummate our spousal rites.
[Exeunt SATURNINUS, and his Follow-

ers; TAMORA, and her Sons; AARON,
and Goths.

Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride;Titus, when wert thou wont to talk alone, Dishonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs? Re-enter MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS.

Mar. O, Titus, see, O, see, what thou hast In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son. [done! Tit. No, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine,

Nor thon, nor these, confederates in the deed [TITUS kills MUTIUS. That hath dishonour'd all our family;

Mut. Help, Lucius, help.

Re-enter LUCIUS.

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[of,

Not her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock:
I'll trust, by leisure, him that mocks me once;
Thee never, nor thy traitorous haughty sons,
Confederates all thus to dishonour ine.
Was there none else in Rome to make a stale*
But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus,
Agree these deeds with that proud brag of
thine,

That said'st, I begg'd the empire at thy hands.
Tit. O monstrous! what reproachful words
are these?

Sat. But go thy ways; go, give that changing

piece

To him that flourish'd for her with his sword:
A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy;
One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons,
To rufflet in the commonwealth of Rome.
Tit. These words are razors to my wounded
heart.

Sat. And therefore, lovely Tamora, queen
of Goths,-
[nymphs,
That like the stately Phoebe 'mongst her
Dost overshine the gallant'st dames of Rome,-
If thou be pleas'd with this my sudden choice,
Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride,
And will create thee emperess of Rome.
Speak, queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my

choice?

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Unworthy brother, and unworthy sons!

Luc. But let us give him burial as becomes; Give Mutius burial with our brethren.

Tit. Traitors, away! he rests not in this

tomb.

This monument five hundred years hath stood,
Which I have sumptuously re-edified:
Here none but soldiers, and Rome's servitors,
Repose in fame; none basely slain in brawls:-
Bury him where you can, he comes not here.

Mar. My lord, this is impiety in you:
My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him;
He must be buried with his brethren.

Quin. Mart. And shall, or him we will ac

company.

Tit. And shall? What villain was it spoke that word?

Quin. He that would vouch't in any place but here.

Tit. What, would you bury him in my despite?

Mar. No, noble Titus; but entreat of thee To pardon Mutius, and to bury him.

Tit. Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest,

And, with these boys, mine honour thou hast
wounded:

My foes I do repute you every one;
So trouble me no more, but get you gone.
Mart. He is not with himself; let us with-
draw.

Quin. Not I, till Mutius' bones be buried.
[MARCUS and the Sons of TITUS kneel.
Mar. Brother, for in that name doth nature
plead.

Quin. Father, and in that name doth nature
speak.

Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed.

Mar. Renowned Titus, more than half my soul,

Luc. Dear father, soul and substance of us

all,

Mar. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter
His noble nephew here in virtue's nest,
That died in honour and Livinia's cause.
Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous.
The Greeks upon advice, did bury Ajax
That slew himself; and wise Laertes' son

* Invited.

Did graciously plead for his funerals.

Then, at my suit, look graciously on him;

Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy, Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose, Be barr'd his entrance here.

Tit. Rise, Marcus, rise:

The dismall'st day is this, that e'er I saw,-
To be dishonour'd by my sons in Rome!-
Well, bury him, and bury me the next.

[MUTIUS is put into the Tomb. Luc. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends,

Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb!All. No man shed tears for noble Mutius; He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause. Mar. My lord,-to step out of these dreary dumps,

How comes it, that the subtle queen of Goths Is of a sudden thus advanc'd in Rome?

Tit. I know not, Marcus; but, I know, it is; Whether by device, or no, the heavens can tell: Is she not then beholden to the man That brought her for this high good turn so far? Yes, and will nobly him remunerate.

.

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may,

Answer I must, and shall do with my life.
Only thus much I give your grace to know,
By all the duties that I owe to Rome,
This noble gentleman, lord Titus here,
Is in opinion, and in honour, wrong'd;
That, in the rescue of Lavinia,

With his own hand did slay his youngest son,
In zeal to you, and highly mov'd to wrath
To be control'd in that he frankly gave:
Receive him then to favour, Saturnine;
That hath express'd himself, in all his deeds,
A father, and a friend, to thee, and Rome.
Tit. Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my

deeds;

'Tis thou, and those, that have dishonour'd me: Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge, How I have lov'd and honour'd Saturnine!

Tam. My worthy lord, if ever Tamora Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine, Then hear me speak indifferently for all; And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.

Sat. What! madam! be dishonour'd openly,
And basely put it up without revenge?
Tam. Not so, my lord; The gods of Rome
forefend,

I should be author to dishonour you!
But, on mine honour, dare I undertake
For good lord Titus' innocence in all,
Whose fury, not dissembled, speaks his griefs:

* Forbid.

Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.-
My lord, be rul'd by me, be won at last, [
Dissemble all your griefs and discontents:
You are but newly planted in your throne;
Lest then the people, and patricians too,
Upon a just survey, take Titus' part,
And so supplant us for ingratitude,
(Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,)
Yield at entreats, and then let me alone:
I'll find a day to massacre them all,
And raze their faction, and their family,
The cruel father, and his traitorous sons,
To whom I sued for my dear son's life;
And make them know, what 'tis to let a queet
Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace in
vain.-.

Come, come, sweet emperor,—come, Androm
cus,
Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart
That dies in tempest of thy angry frown.
Sat. Rise, Titus, rise; my empress bath

prevail'd.

Tit. I thank your majesty, and her, my lord These words, these looks, infuse new life in

me.

A Roman now adopted happily,
Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,
And must advise the emperor for his good.
And let it be mine honour, good my lord,
This day all quarrels die, Andronicus;-
That I have reconcil'd your friends and you.-
For you, prince Bassianus, I have pass'd
My word and promise to the emperor,
That you will be more mild and tractable.-
By my advice, all humbled on your knees,
And fear not, lords,-and you, Lavinia;—
You shall ask pardon of his majesty.

Luc. We do; and vow to heaven, and to his

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more.

Tum. Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all
be friends:

The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace;
I will not be denied. Sweet heart, look back.
Sat. Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brother's
I do remit these young men's heinous faults.
And at my lovely Tamora's entreats,
[here,
Stand up.

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.
Come, if the emperor's court can feast two

brides,

This day shall be a love-day, Tamora.
You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends:

Tit. To-morrow, an it please your majesty, To hunt the panther and the hart with me, With horn and hound, we'll give your grace bonjour.

Sat. Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too.

ACT II.

[Exeunt.

SCENE 1.-The same. Before the Palace. Enter AARON.

Aar. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top, Safe out of fortune's shot: and sits aloft, Secure of thunder's crack, or lightning's flash;

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Advanc'd above pale envy's threat'ning reach.
As when the golden sun salutes the morn,
And, having gilt the ocean with his beams,
Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach,
And overlooks the highest-peering hills;
So Tamora.-

Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait,
And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown,
Then, Aaron, arm thy heart, and fit thy
thoughts,

To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress, And mount her pitch; whom thou in triumph long

Hast prisoner held, fetter'd in amorous chains;
And faster bound to Aaron's charming eyes,
Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus.
Away with slavish weeds, and idle thoughts!
I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold,
To wait upon this new-made emperess.
To wait, said I? to wanton with this queen,
This goddess, this Semiramis ;-this queen,
This syren, that will charm Rome's Saturnine,
And see his shipwreck, and his commonweal's.
Holla! what storm is this?

Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braving. Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge,

And manners, to intrude where I am grac'd;
And may, for aught thou know'st, affected be.
Chi. Demetrius, thou dost overween in all;
And so in this to bear me down with braves.
"Tis not the difference of a year, or two,
Makes me less gracious, thee more fortunate:
, I am as able, and as fit, as thou,

To serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace;
And that my sword upon thee shall approve,
And plead my passions for Lavinia's love.
Aar. Clubs, clubs!t these lovers will not
keep the peace.

Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, un-
advis'd,

Gave you a dancing-rapiert by your side, Are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends? [sheath, Go to; have your lath glued within your Till you know better how to handle it.

Chi. Mean while, 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.

Aar. Why, how now, lords? So near the emperor's palace dare you draw, And maintain such a quarrel openly? Full well I wots the ground of all this grudge; I would not for a million of gold, [cerns: The cause were known to them it most conNor would your noble mother, for much more, Be so dishonour'd in the court of Rome. For shame, put up.

Dem. Not I; till I have sheath'd My rapier in his bosom, and, withal, Thrust these reproachful speeches down his throat,

That he hath breath'd in my dishonour here.
Chi. For that I am prepar'd and full re-
solv'd,-
[tongue,
Foul-spoken coward! that thunder'st with thy
And with thy weapon nothing dar'st perform.
Aar. 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

* Favour. + This was the usual outcry for assistance, when any riot in the street happened. Know.

A sword worn in dancing.

It is to jut upon a prince's right?
What, is Lavinia then become so loose,
Or Bassianus so degenerate, [broach'd,
That for her love such quarrels may be
Without controlment, justice, or revenge?
Young lords, beware!-an should the empress
[please.
This discord's ground, the music would not
Chi. I care not, I, knew she and all the
world;

know

I love Lavinia more than all the world. Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner choice:

Lavinia is thine elder brother's hope.

Aur. Why, are ye mad? or know ye not, in How furious and impatient they be, [Rome And cannot brook competitors in love? I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths By this device.

Chi. Aaron, a thousand deaths Would I propose, to achieve her whom I love. Aar. To achieve her!-How?

Dem. Why makest thou it so strange? She is a woman, therefore may be woo'd; She is a woman, therefore may be won; She is Lavinia, therefore must be lov'd. What, man! more water glideth by the mill Than wots the miller of; and easy it is Of a cut loaf to steal a shive,* we know: Though Bassianus be the emperor's brother, Better than he have yet worn Vulcan's badge. Aar. Ay, and as good as Saturninus may.

[Aside. Dem. Then why should he despair, that knows to court it

With words, fair looks, and liberality?
What, hast thou not full often struck a doe,
And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose?
Aar. Why then, it seems, some certain
snatch, or so
Would serve your turns.

Chi. Ay, so the turn were serv'd.
Dem. Aaron, thou hast hit it.
Aar. 'Would you had hit it too;

Then should not we be tir'd with this ado. Why, hark ye, hark ye,-And are you such fools,

To squaret for this? Would it offend you then That both should speed?

Chi. I'faith, not me.
Dem. Nor me,

So I were one.

Aar. For shame, be friends; and join for that you jar.

'Tis policy and stratagem must do
That you affect; and so must you resolve;
That what you cannot, as you would, achieve,
You must perforce accomplish as you may.
Take this of me, Lucrece was not more chaste
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus' love.
A speedier course than lingering languishment
Must we pursue, and I have found the path.
My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand;
There will the lovely Roman ladies troop:
The forest walks are wide and spacious;
And many unfrequented plots there are,
Fitted by kindt for rape and villany:
Single you thither then this dainty doe,
And strike her home by force, if not by words:
This way, or not at all, stand you in hope.
Come, come, our empress, with her sacred§
To villany and vengeance consecrate,
Will we acquaint with all that we intend;
And she shall file our engines with advice,
That will not suffer you to square yourselves,
* Slice.
+ Quarrel.
By nature.
Sacred here significs accursed; a Latinism,

[wit,

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Enter TITUS ANDRONICUS, with Hunters, &c.
MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS.
Tit. The hunt is up, the morn is bright and
[green:
The fields are fragrant, and the woods are
Uncouple here, and let us make a bay,
And wake the emperor and his lovely bride,

grey,

And rouse the prince; and ring a hunter's peal,
That all the court may echo with the noise.
Sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours,
To tend the emperor's person carefully:
I have been troubled in my sleep this night,
But dawning day new comfort hath inspir'd.

Horns wind a Peal. Enter SATURNINUS, TAMO-
RA, BASSIANUS, LAVINIA, CHIRON, DEME-
TRIUS, and Attendants.

Tit. Many good morrows to your majesty ;Madam, to you as many and as good!I promised your grace a hunter's peal. Sat. And you have rung it lustily, my lords, Somewhat too early for new-married ladies. Bas. Lavinia, how say you? Lav. I say, no;

I have been broad awake two hours and more. Sat. Come on then, horse and chariots let us have,

And to our sport:-Madam, now shall ye see Our Roman hunting. [To TAMORA.

Mar. I have dogs, my lord, Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase, And climb the highest promontory top.

Tit. And I have horse will follow where the game

[plain. Makes way, and run like swallows o'er the Dem. Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound,

But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-A desert Part of the Forest.

Enter AARON, with a Bag of Gold.

When every thing doth make a gleeful boast!
The birds chant melody on every bush;
The snake lies rolled in the cheerful sun;
The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind,
And make a chequer'd shadow on the ground:
Under their sweet shade, Aaron, let us sit,
And-whilst the babbling echo mocks the
hounds,

Replying shrilly to the well-tun'd horns,
As if a double hunt were heard at once,-
Let us sit down, and mark their yelling noise:
And-after conflict, such as was suppos'd
The wandering prince of Dido once enjoy'd,
When with a happy storm they were surpris'd,
And curtain'd with a counsel-keeping cave,-
We may, each wreathed in the other's arms,
Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber;
Whiles hounds, and horns, and sweet me
dious birds,

Be unto us, as is a nurse's song

Of lullaby, to bring her babe asleep.

Aar. Madam, though Venus govern your Saturn is dominator over mine: desires,

What signifies my deadly-standing eye, My fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls, My silence, and my cloudyanelancholy? Even as an adder, when she doth unroll To do some fatal execution?

No, madam, these are no venereal signs; Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, Blood and revenge are hammering in my head. Hark, Tamora,-the empress of my soul, Which never hopes more heaven than rests in

thee,

This is the day of doom for Bassianus;
His Philomel* must lose her tongue to-day:
Thy sons make pillage of her chastity,
And wash their hands in Bassianus' blood.
Seest thou this letter? Take it up I pray thee,
And give the king this fatal-plotted scroll:-
Now question me no more, we are espied;
Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty,
Which dreads not yet their lives' destruction.
Tam. Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me
than life!

Aar. No more, great empress, Bassianus

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Enter BASSIANUS and LAVINIA.
Bus. Who have we here? Rome's royal em-
peress,

Unfurnish'd of her well-beseeming troop?
Or is it Dian, habited like her;
Who hath abandoned her holy groves,
To see the general hunting in this forest?
Tam. Saucy controller of our private steps!
Had I the power, that, some say, Dian had,

Aar. He, that had wit, would think that I Thy temples should be planted presently

had none,

To bury so much gold under a tree,

And never after to inherit* it.

Let him, that thinks of me so abjectly,
Know, that this gold must coin a stratagem;
Which, cunningly effected, will beget

A very excellent piece of villany;
And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest,t
[Hides the Gold.
That have their alms out of the empress' chest.
Enter TAMORA.

With horns, as was Acteon's; and the hounds Should drive upon thy new transformed limbs, Unmannerly intruder as thou art!

Lav. Under your patience, gentle emperess, 'Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning; And to be doubted, that your Moor and you Are singled forth to try experiments: [day! Jove shield your husband from his hounds to"Tis pity, they should take him for a stag.

Bus. Believe me, queen, your swarth Cim

merian

Doth make your honour of his body's hue,

Tam. My lovely Aaron, wherefore look'st Spotted, detested, and abominable.

thou sad,

* Possess.

+ Disquict.

*Sce Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book VI.

+ Part.

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