Ransomless here we set our prisoners free: Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum. [Flourish. Saturninus courts Tamora in dumb show. Bas. [Seizing Lavinia] Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine. Tit. How, sir! are you in earnest then, my lord? To do myself this reason and this right. 280 This prince in justice seizeth but his own. Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live. Tit. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the emperor's guard? Treason, my lord! Lavinia is surprised! Sat. Surprised! by whom? Bas. By him that justly may Bear his betroth'd from all the world away. [Exeunt Bassianus and Marcus with Lavinia. Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence away, [Exeunt Lucius, Quintus, and Martius. Tit. Follow, my lord, and I'll soon bring her back. Mut. My lord, you pass not here. Tit. Mut. Barr'st me my way in Rome? What, villain boy! 290 [Stabbing Mutius. Help, Lucius, help! [Dies. "During the fray Saturninus, Tamora, Demetrius Chiron and Aaron go out, and re-enter above. Re-enter Lucius. Luc. My lord, you are unjust; and, more than so, In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son. Tit. Nor thou, nor he, are any sons of mine; My sons would never so dishonour me : Sat. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not, But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus, [Exit. Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine, To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome. Tit. These words are razors to my wounded heart. 300 310 320 Speak, Queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice? Sith priest and holy water are so near, I will not re-salute the streets of Rome, Or climb my palace, till from forth this place I lead espoused my bride along with me. She will a handmaid be to his desires, A loving nurse, a mother to his youth. Sat. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon. Lords, accompany 330 [Exeunt all but Titus. Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride. Titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone, Re-enter Marcus, Lucius, Quintus, and Martius. Tit. Traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb: This monument five hundred years hath stood, 340 350 Quin. My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him; } And shall, or him we will accompany. Tit. And shall! what villain was it spake that word: Quin. He that would vouch it in any place but here. 360 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. So trouble me no more, but get you gone. Mart. He is not with himself; let us withdraw. Quin. Not I, till Mutius' bones be buried. [Marcus and the sons of Titus kneel. Marc. Brother, for in that name doth nature plead. - - 370 Quin. Father, and in that name doth nature speak,Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed. Marc. Renowned Titus, more than half my soul,--Luc. Dear father, soul and substance of us all,Marc. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter Tit. His noble nephew here in virtue's nest, Rise, Marcus, rise: 380 To be dishonour'd by my sons in Rome! [Mutius is put into the tomb. He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause. Whether by device or no, the heavens can tell : That brought her for this high good turn so far? 390 Flourish. Re-enter, from one side, Saturninus attended, Tamora, Demetrius, Chiron, and Aaron; from the other, Bassianus, Lavinia, with others. Sat. So Bassianus, you have play'd your prize: God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride! Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best I may, 400 410 |