This goddess, this Semiramis, this nymph, Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braving. Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge, And manners, to intrude where I am grac'd; Makes me less gracious, or thee more fortunate: To serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace; Aar. Clubs, clubs! these lovers will not keep the peace. Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadvis'd, 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. Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge. The cause were known to them it most concerns; For shame! put up. Dem. Not I; till I have sheath'd My rapier in his bosom, and, withall, 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 resolv'd, Now, by the gods that warlike Goths adore, Why, lords, and think you not how dangerous 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 Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner choice; Lavinia is thine elder brother's hope. Aar. Why, are ye mad? or know ye not in Rome How furious and impatient they be, And cannot brook competitors in love? I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths Chi. Aaron, a thousand deaths Would I propose, to achieve her whom I love. Dem. 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, 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. '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, Chi. Dem. So I were one. I' faith, not me. Nor me, 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; A speedier course than lingering languishment That will not suffer you to square yourselves, turns: There serve your lusts, shadow'd from Heaven's eye, Chi. Thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Forest near Rome. A Lodge seen at a distance. Horns, and cry of Hounds heard. Enter TITUS ANDRONICUS, with Hunters, &c. MARCUs, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS. Titus Andronicus. HE hunt up, the morn and gray, The fields are fragrant, and the woods are green. Uncouple here, and let us make a bay, And wake the Emperor and his lovely bride; Horns wind a Peal. Enter SATURNINUS, TAMORA, 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. [To TAMORA. Tit. And I have horse will follow where the game Makes way, and run like swallows o'er the plain. Dem. -Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound, But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground. [Aside. Exeunt. SCENE III. A desert Part of the Forest. Enter AARON, with a Bag of Gold. HE that had wit would think that I had none, To bury so much gold under a tree, And never after to inherit it. Let him, that thinks of me so abjectly, And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest, [Hides the Gold. That have their alms out of the Empress' chest. Enter TAMORA. Tam. My lovely Aaron, wherefore look'st thou sad, When every thing doth make a gleeful boast? The birds chant melody on every bush; The snake lies rolled in the cheerful sun; |