As any mortal body, hearing it, Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly.1 But straight they told me, they would bind me here And leave me to this miserable death. And then they called me, foul adulteress, [Stabs BASSIANUS. Chi. And this for me, struck home to show my [Stabbing him likewise. Lav. Ay, come, Semiramis,2-nay, barbarous Tamora! For no name fits thy nature but thy own! strength. Tam. Give me thy poniard; you shall know, my boys, Your mother's hand shall right your mother's wrong. Dem. Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her; First, thrash the corn, then after burn the straw; This minion stood upon her chastity, Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, And with that painted hope braves your mightiness; Chi. An if she do, I would I were an eunuch. 1 This is said in fabulous physiology of those that hear the groan of the mandrake when torn up. 2 The propriety of this address will be best understood by consulting Pliny's Nat. Hist. ch. 42. 3 Painted hope is only specious hope, or ground of confidence more plausible than solid. Steevens thought that the word hope was interpolated, the sense being complete and the line more harmonious with out it. Chi. I warrant you, madam; we will make that sure. Come, mistress, now, perforce, we will enjoy Lav. O Tamora! thou bear'st a woman's face,- Lav. When did the tiger's young ones teach the dam ? O, do not learn her wrath; she taught it thee. [To CHIRON. Chi. What! wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard? Lav. 'Tis true the raven doth not hatch a lark: Tam. I know not what it means; away with her. Lav. O, let me teach thee; for my father's sake, That gave thee life, when well he might have slain thee, Be not obdurate, open thy deaf ears. Tam. Had thou in person ne'er offended me, Even for his sake am I pitiless. Remember, boys, I poured forth tears in vain, To save your brother from the sacrifice; But fierce Andronicus would not relent. Therefore away with her, and use her as you will; Lav. O Tamora, be called a gentle queen, And with thine own hands kill me in this place. Poor I was slain, when Bassianus died. Tam. What begg'st thou, then? Fond woman, let me go. Lav. 'Tis present death I beg; and one thing more, That womanhood denies my tongue to tell. O, keep me from their worse than killing lust, Tam. So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee; No, let them satisfy their lust on thee. Dem. Away, for thou hast staid us here too long. Lav. No grace? no womanhood? creature! The blot and enemy to our general name! Confusion fall Ah, beastly Chi. Nay, then I'll stop your mouth.-Bring thou her husband; [Dragging off LAVINIA. This is the hole where Aaron bid us hide him. [Exeunt. Tam. Farewell, my sons; see that you make her sure. Ne'er let my heart know merry cheer indeed, [Exit. Enter AARON, with QUINTUS and MARTIUS. Aar. Come on, my lords; the better foot before. Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit, Where I espied the panther fast asleep. Quin. My sight is very dull, whate'er it bodes. Mart. And mine, I promise you; were't not for shame, Well could I leave our sport to sleep awhile. [MARTIUS falls into the pit. Quin. What, art thou fallen? What subtle hole is this, Whose mouth is covered with rude-growing briers; Speak, brother, hast thou hurt thee with the fall? Aar. [Aside.] Now will I fetch the king to find them here; That he thereby may give a likely guess, How these were they that made away his brother. [Exit AARON. Mart. Why dost not comfort me, and help me out From this unhallowed and blood-stained hole? Quin. I am surprised with an uncouth fear; And see a fearful sight of blood and death. Quin. Aaron is gone; and my compassionate heart Mart. Lord Bassianus lies embrewed here, Quin. If it be dark, how dost thou know 'tis he? A precious ring, that lightens all the hole,1 1 Old naturalists assert that there is a gem called a carbuncle, which emits not reflected but native light. Boyle believed in the reality of its existence. It is often alluded to in ancient fable. Which, like a taper in some monument, As hateful as Cocytus' misty mouth. Quin. Reach me thy hand, that I may help thee out; Or, wanting strength to do thee so much good, I may be plucked into the swallowing womb Of this deep pit, poor Bassianus' grave. I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink. Mart. Nor I no strength to climb without thy help. Quin. Thy hand once more; I will not loose again, Till thou art here aloft, or I below. Thou canst not come to me; I come to thee. [Falls in. Enter SATURNINUS and AARON. Sat. Along with me.-I'll see what hole is here, Into this gaping hollow of the earth? Mart. The unhappy son of old Andronicus ; Brought hither in a most unlucky hour, To find thy brother Bassianus dead. Sat. My brother dead? I know thou dost but jest. He and his lady both are at the lodge, Upon the north side of this pleasant chase; 'Tis not an hour since I left him there. Mart. We know not where you left him all alive, But, out, alas! here have we found him dead. Enter TAMORA, with Attendants; TITUS ANDRONICUS and LUCIUS. Tam. Where is my lord, the king? Sat. Here, Tamora; though grieved with killing grief. |