Tam. Now will I hence about thy business, And take my ministers along with me. Tit. Nay, nay, let Rape and Murder stay with me; Or else I'll call my brother back again, And cleave to no revenge but Lucius. Tam. What say you, boys? will you abide with him, Whiles I go tell my lord the emperor, How I have govern'd our determin'd jest? And tarry with him, till I come again. [Aside. Tit. I know them all, though they suppose me mad; And will o'er-reach them in their own devices, [Aside. Dem. Madam, depart at pleasure, leave us here. Tam. Farewel, Andronicus: Revenge now goes To lay a complot to betray thy foes. [Exit Tamora. Tit. I know, thou dost; and, sweet Revenge, farewel. Chi. Tell us, old man, now shall we be em ploy'd? Tit. Tut, I have work enough for you to do.Publius, come hither Caius and Valentine! Pub. Th' empress' sons, I take them, Chiron, and Demetrius. Tit. Fie, Publius, fie! thou art too much deceiv'd; The one is Murder, Rape is the other's name: Caius, and Valentine, lay hands on them: [Exit Titus.-Publius, &c. lay hold on Chiron Chi. Villains, forbear; we are the empress' sons. Pub. And therefore do we what we are com manded. Stop close their mouths, let them not speak a word: Is he sure bound? look, that you bind them fast. Re-enter Titus Andronicus, with Lavinia; she bearing a bason; and he a knife. Tit. Come, come, Lavinia; look, thy foes are bound; Sirs, stop their mouths, let them not speak to me; But let them hear what fearful words I utter. O villains, Chiron and Demetrius! Here stands the spring whom you have stain'd with mud; This goodly summer with your winter mix'd. My hand cut off, and made a merry jest: Both her sweet hands, her tongue, and that, more dear Than hands or tongue, her spotless chastity, And make two pasties of your shameful heads; Receive the blood: and, when that they are dead, And in that paste let their vile heads be bak'd. To make this banquet; which I wish may prove More stern and bloody than the Centaurs' feast. So, now bring them in, for I will play the cook, And see them ready 'gainst their mother comes. [Exeunt, bearing the dead bodies. SCENE III. THE SAME. A PAVILION, WITH TABLES, &C. Enter Lucius, Marcus, and Goths, with Aaron, pri soner. Luc. Uncle Marcus, since 'tis my father's mind, That I repair to Rome, I am content. 1 Goth. And ours with thine, befall what fortune will. Luc. Good uncle, take you in this barbarous Moor, This ravenous tiger, this accursed devil; Let him receive no sustenance, fetter him, Aar. Some devil whisper curses in mine ear, [Exeunt Goths, with Aaron. Flourish. The trumpets show the emperor is at hand. Enter Saturninus, and Tamora, with Tribunes, Sat. What, hath the firmament more suns than one? Luc. What boots it thee, to call thyself a sun? Mar. Rome's emperor, and nephew, break the parle; These quarrels must be quietly debated. The feast is ready, which the careful Titus Hath órdain'd to an honourable end, For peace, for love, for league, and good to Rome: Please you, therefore, draw nigh, and take your places. Sat. Marcus, we will. [Hautboys sound. The company sit down at table. Enter Titus, dress'd like a cook, Lavinia, veiled, young Lucius, and Others. Titus places the dishes on the table. Tit. Welcome, my gracious lord; welcome, dread queen; Welcome, ye warlike Goths; welcome, Lucius; And welcome, all: although the cheer be poor, 'Twill fill your stomachs; please you eat of it. Sat. Why art thou thus attir'd, Andronicus? Tit. Because I would be sure to have all well, To entertain your highness, and your empress. Tam. We are beholden to you, good Andronicus. Tit. An if your highness knew my heart, you were. |