Chapter XX: Act IV: SCENE I. Rome. Titus's garden

_Enter young_ LUCIUS _and_ LAVINIA _running after him, and the
boy flies from her, with his books under his arm. Then
enter_ TITUS _and_ MARCUS.[4443]

_Boy._ Help, grandsire, help! my aunt Lavinia[4444]
Follows me every where, I know not why:
Good uncle Marcus, see how swift she comes.
Alas, sweet aunt, I know not what you mean.

_Marc._ Stand by me, Lucius; do not fear thine aunt.[4445] 5

_Tit._ She loves thee, boy, too well to do thee harm.

_Boy._ Ay, when my father was in Rome she did.

_Marc._ What means my niece Lavinia by these signs?

_Tit._ Fear her not, Lucius: somewhat doth she mean:[4446]
See, Lucius, see how much she makes of thee:[4447] 10
Somewhither would she have thee go with her.[4448]
Ah, boy, Cornelia never with more care[4449]
Read to her sons than she hath read to thee[4450]
Sweet poetry and Tully's Orator.[4451]

_Marc._ Canst thou not guess wherefore she plies thee thus?[4452] 15

_Boy._ My lord, I know not, I, nor can I guess,
Unless some fit or frenzy do possess her:[4453]
For I have heard my grandsire say full oft,
Extremity of griefs would make men mad;[4454]
And I have read that Hecuba of Troy 20
Ran mad for sorrow: that made me to fear;[4455]
Although, my lord, I know my noble aunt
Loves me as dear as e'er my mother did,
And would not, but in fury, fright my youth:
Which made me down to throw my books and fly, 25
Causeless perhaps. But pardon me, sweet aunt:
And, madam, if my uncle Marcus go,
I will most willingly attend your ladyship.[4456]

_Marc._ Lucius, I will. [_Lavinia turns over with her
stumps the books which Lucius has let fall._[4457]

_Tit._ How now, Lavinia! Marcus, what means this? 30
Some book there is that she desires to see.
Which is it, girl, of these? Open them, boy.
But thou art deeper read, and better skill'd:
Come, and take choice of all my library,[4458]
And so beguile thy sorrow, till the heavens 35
Reveal the damn'd contriver of this deed.[4459]
Why lifts she up her arms in sequence thus?

_Marc._ I think she means that there were more than one[4460]
Confederate in the fact; ay, more there was;
Or else to heaven she heaves them for revenge.[4461] 40

_Tit._ Lucius, what book is that she tosseth so?[4462]

_Boy._ Grandsire, 'tis Ovid's Metamorphoses:[4463]
My mother gave it me.

_Marc._ For love of her that's gone,
Perhaps she cull'd it from among the rest.

_Tit._ Soft! so busily she turns the leaves![4464] 45
Help her:[4465]
What would she find? Lavinia, shall I read?
This is the tragic tale of Philomel,
And treats of Tereus' treason and his rape;
And rape, I fear, was root of thine annoy. 50

_Marc._ See, brother, see; note how she quotes the leaves.

_Tit._ Lavinia, wert thou thus surprised, sweet girl,
Ravish'd and wrong'd as Philomela was,
Forced in the ruthless, vast, and gloomy woods?
See, see![4466] 55
Ay, such a place there is, where we did hunt--[4466]
O, had we never, never hunted there!--
Pattern'd by that the poet here describes,
By nature made for murders and for rapes.

_Marc._ O, why should nature build so foul a den, 60
Unless the gods delight in tragedies?[4467]

_Tit._ Give signs, sweet girl, for here are none but friends,
What Roman lord it was durst do the deed:
Or slunk not Saturnine, as Tarquin erst,[4468]
That left the camp to sin in Lucrece' bed?[4469] 65

_Marc._ Sit down, sweet niece: brother, sit down by me.
Apollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury,
Inspire me, that I may this treason find!
My lord, look here: look here, Lavinia:
This sandy plot is plain; guide, if thou canst, 70
This after me. [_He writes his name with his staff, and
guides it with feet and mouth._] I have writ
my name[4470]
Without the help of any hand at all.
Cursed be that heart that forced us to this shift![4471]
Write thou, good niece; and here display at last[4472]
What God will have discovered for revenge:[4473] 75
Heaven guide thy pen to print thy sorrows plain,
That we may know the traitors and the truth!

[_She takes the staff in her month, and guides it
with her stumps, and writes._

_Tit._ O, do ye read, my lord, what she hath writ?[4474]
'Stuprum. Chiron. Demetrius.'

_Marc._ What, what! the lustful sons of Tamora 80
Performers of this heinous, bloody deed?[4475]

_Tit._ Magni Dominator poli,[4476]
Tam lentus audis scelera? tam lentus vides?

_Marc._ O, calm thee, gentle lord; although I know
There is enough written upon this earth 85
To stir a mutiny in the mildest thoughts
And arm the minds of infants to exclaims.[4477]
My lord, kneel down with me; Lavinia, kneel;
And kneel, sweet boy, the Roman Hector's hope;
And swear with me, as, with the woful fere[4478] 90
And father of that chaste dishonour'd dame,[4479]
Lord Junius Brutus sware for Lucrece' rape,[4480]
That we will prosecute by good advice[4481]
Mortal revenge upon these traitorous Goths,
And see their blood, or die with this reproach.[4482] 95

_Tit._ 'Tis sure enough, an you knew how.[4483]
But if you hunt these bear-whelps, then beware:[4484][4485]
The dam will wake; and if she wind you once,[4485][4486]
She's with the lion deeply still in league,
And lulls him whilst she playeth on her back,[4487] 100
And when he sleeps will she do what she list.
You are a young huntsman, Marcus; let alone;[4488]
And, come, I will go get a leaf of brass,
And with a gad of steel will write these words,
And lay it by: the angry northern wind 105
Will blow these sands, like Sibyl's leaves, abroad,
And where's your lesson then? Boy, what say you?[4489]

_Boy._ I say, my lord, that if I were a man,
Their mother's bed-chamber should not be safe
For these bad bondmen to the yoke of Rome. 110

_Marc._ Ay, that's my boy! thy father hath full oft
For his ungrateful country done the like.[4490]

_Boy._ And, uncle, so will I, an if I live.[4491]

_Tit._ Come, go with me into mine armoury;[4492]
Lucius, I'll fit thee, and withal, my boy[4493] 115
Shall carry from me to the empress' sons[4493][4494]
Presents that I intend to send them both:
Come, come; thou'lt do thy message, wilt thou not?[4495]

_Boy._ Ay, with my dagger in their bosoms, grandsire.[4496]

_Tit._ No, boy, not so; I'll teach thee another course.[4497] 120
Lavinia, come. Marcus, look to my house:
Lucius and I'll go brave it at the court;
Ay, marry, will we, sir; and we'll be waited on.

[_Exeunt Titus, Lavinia, and Young Lucius._[4498]

_Marc._ O heavens, can you hear a good man groan,
And not relent, or not compassion him? 125
Marcus, attend him in his ecstasy,
That hath more scars of sorrow in his heart
Than foemen's marks upon his batter'd shield,
But yet so just that he will not revenge.[4499]
Revenge, ye heavens, for old Andronicus! [_Exit._[4500] 130

SCENE II. _The same. A room in the palace._

_Enter_ AARON, CHIRON, _and_ DEMETRIUS _at one door; and at
another door, young_ LUCIUS _and an_ Attendant, _with a
bundle of weapons, and verses writ upon them_.[4501]

_Chi._ Demetrius, here's the son of Lucius;
He hath some message to deliver us.

_Aar._ Ay, some mad message from his mad grandfather.

_Boy._ My lords, with all the humbleness I may,
I greet your honours from Andronicus. 5
[_Aside_] And pray the Roman gods confound you both![4502]

_Dem._ Gramercy, lovely Lucius: what's the news?[4503]

_Boy._ [_Aside_] That you are both decipher'd, that's the news,[4502][4504]
For villains mark'd with rape.--May it please you,[4505]
My grandsire, well advised, hath sent by me 10
The goodliest weapons of his armoury
To gratify your honourable youth,
The hope of Rome; for so he bid me say;[4506]
And so I do, and with his gifts present
Your lordships, that, whenever you have need,[4507] 15
You may be armed and appointed well:
And so I leave you both, [_Aside_] like bloody villains.[4502]

[_Exeunt Boy and Attendant._[4508]

_Dem._ What's here? A scroll, and written round about!
Let's see:
[_Reads_] 'Integer vitæ, scelerisque purus, 20
Non eget Mauri jaculis, nec arcu.'[4509]

_Chi._ O, 'tis a verse in Horace; I know it well:
I read it in the grammar long ago.

_Aar._ Ay, just; a verse in Horace; right, you have it.
[_Aside_] Now, what a thing it is to be an ass![4510] 25
Here's no sound jest: the old man hath found their guilt,[4510][4511]
And sends them weapons wrapp'd about with lines,[4510][4512]
That wound, beyond their feeling, to the quick.[4510]
But were our witty empress well afoot,[4510]
She would applaud Andronicus' conceit:[4510] 30
But let her rest in her unrest awhile.--[4510]
And now, young lords, was't not a happy star
Led us to Rome, strangers, and more than so,
Captives, to be advanced to this height?
It did me good, before the palace gate 35
To brave the tribune in his brother's hearing.[4513]

_Dem._ But me more good, to see so great a lord
Basely insinuate and send us gifts.

_Aar._ Had he not reason, Lord Demetrius?
Did you not use his daughter very friendly? 40

_Dem._ I would we had a thousand Roman dames
At such a bay, by turn to serve our lust.[4514]

_Chi._ A charitable wish and full of love.[4515]

_Aar._ Here lacks but your mother for to say amen.[4515][4516]

_Chi._ And that would she for twenty thousand more. 45

_Dem._ Come, let us go, and pray to all the gods
For our beloved mother in her pains.

_Aar._ [_Aside_] Pray to the devils; the gods have given
us over. [_Trumpets sound within._[4517]

_Dem._ Why do the emperor's trumpets flourish thus?

_Chi._ Belike, for joy the emperor hath a son. 50

_Dem._ Soft! who comes here?

_Enter_ Nurse, _with a blackamoor_ Child.

_Nur._ Good morrow, lords:[4518][4519]
O, tell me, did you see Aaron the Moor?[4519]

_Aar._ Well, more or less, or ne'er a whit at all,
Here Aaron is; and what with Aaron now?

_Nur._ O gentle Aaron, we are all undone! 55
Now help, or woe betide thee evermore!

_Aar._ Why, what a caterwauling dost thou keep![4520]
What dost thou wrap and fumble in thine arms?

_Nur._ O, that which I would hide from heaven's eye,
Our empress' shame and stately Rome's disgrace! 60
She is deliver'd, lords, she is deliver'd.[4521]

_Aar._ To whom?[4522][4523]

_Nur._ I mean, she is brought a-bed.[4522]

_Aar._ Well, God give her good rest! What hath he sent her?[4522][4524]

_Nur._ A devil.[4522]

_Aar._ Why, then she is the devil's dam;[4522][4525]
A joyful issue.[4522][4525] 65

_Nur._ A joyless, dismal, black and sorrowful issue:
Here is the babe, as loathsome as a toad
Amongst the fairest breeders of our clime:[4526]
The empress sends it thee, thy stamp, thy seal,
And bids thee christen it with thy dagger's point. 70

_Aar._ 'Zounds, ye whore! is black so base a hue?[4527]
Sweet blowse, you are a beauteous blossom, sure.[4528]

_Dem._ Villain, what hast thou done?

_Aar._ That which thou canst not undo.[4529]

_Chi._ Thou hast undone our mother. 75

_Aar._ Villain, I have done thy mother.[4530]

_Dem._ And therein, hellish dog, thou hast undone her.[4531]
Woe to her chance, and damn'd her loathed choice!
Accursed the offspring of so foul a fiend!

_Chi._ It shall not live. 80

_Aar._ It shall not die.[4532]

_Nur._ Aaron, it must; the mother wills it so.

_Aar._ What, must it, nurse? then let no man but I
Do execution on my flesh and blood.

_Dem._ I'll broach the tadpole on my rapier's point: 85
Nurse, give it me; my sword shall soon dispatch it.

_Aar._ Sooner this sword shall plough thy bowels up.

[_Takes the Child from the Nurse, and draws._[4533]

Stay, murderous villains! will you kill your brother?
Now, by the burning tapers of the sky,
That shone so brightly when this boy was got, 90
He dies upon my scimitar's sharp point[4534]
That touches this my first-born son and heir!
I tell you, younglings, not Enceladus,
With all his threatening band of Typhon's brood,
Nor great Alcides, nor the god of war, 95
Shall seize this prey out of his father's hands.[4535]
What, what, ye sanguine, shallow-hearted boys![4536]
Ye white-limed walls! ye alehouse painted signs![4537]
Coal-black is better than another hue,
In that it scorns to bear another hue;[4538] 100
For all the water in the ocean
Can never turn the swan's black legs to white,[4539]
Although she lave them hourly in the flood.
Tell the empress from me, I am of age[4540]
To keep mine own, excuse it how she can. 105

_Dem._ Wilt thou betray thy noble mistress thus?

_Aar._ My mistress is my mistress, this myself,
The vigour and the picture of my youth:
This before all the world do I prefer;
This maugre all the world will I keep safe, 110
Or some of you shall smoke for it in Rome.

_Dem._ By this our mother is for ever shamed.

_Chi._ Rome will despise her for this foul escape.

_Nur._ The emperor in his rage will doom her death.

_Chi._ I blush to think upon this ignomy.[4541] 115

_Aar._ Why, there's the privilege your beauty bears:
Fie, treacherous hue, that will betray with blushing
The close enacts and counsels of the heart![4542]
Here's a young lad framed of another leer:
Look, how the black slave smiles upon the father, 120
As who should say 'Old lad, I am thine own.'
He is your brother, lords, sensibly fed
Of that self-blood that first gave life to you;
And from that womb where you imprison'd were[4543]
He is enfranchised and come to light: 125
Nay, he is your brother by the surer side,[4544]
Although my seal be stamped in his face.

_Nur._ Aaron, what shall I say unto the empress?[4545]

_Dem_. Advise thee, Aaron, what is to be done,
And we will all subscribe to thy advice:[4546] 130
Save thou the child, so we may all be safe.[4547]

_Aar._ Then sit we down, and let us all consult.
My son and I will have the wind of you:
Keep there: now talk at pleasure of your safety. [_They sit._[4548]

_Dem._ How many women saw this child of his? 135

_Aar._ Why, so, brave lords! when we join in league,[4549]
I am a lamb: but if you brave the Moor,
The chafed boar, the mountain lioness,
The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms.[4550]
But say, again, how many saw the child?[4551] 140

_Nur._ Cornelia the midwife and myself;
And no one else but the deliver'd empress.[4552]

_Aar._ The empress, the midwife, and yourself:
Two may keep counsel when the third's away:[4553]
Go to the empress, tell her this I said. [_He kills the Nurse._[4554] 145
Weke, weke![4555]
So cries a pig prepared to the spit.[4555][4556]

_Dem._ What mean'st thou, Aaron? wherefore didst thou this?[4557]

_Aar._ O Lord, sir, 'tis a deed of policy:
Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours, 150
A long-tongued babbling gossip? no, lords, no:
And now be it known to you my full intent.
Not far, one Muliteus, my countryman,[4558]
His wife but yesternight was brought to bed;
His child is like to her, fair as you are: 155
Go pack with him, and give the mother gold,
And tell them both the circumstance of all;
And how by this their child shall be advanced,[4559]
And be received for the emperor's heir,[4560]
And substituted in the place of mine, 160
To calm this tempest whirling in the court;[4561]
And let the emperor dandle him for his own.
Hark ye, lords; you see I have given her physic,

[_Pointing to the Nurse._[4562]

And you must needs bestow her funeral;
The fields are near, and you are gallant grooms: 165
This done, see that you take no longer days,[4563]
But send the midwife presently to me.
The midwife and the nurse well made away,
Then let the ladies tattle what they please.[4564]

_Chi._ Aaron, I see thou wilt not trust the air[4565] 170
With secrets.[4565]

_Dem._ For this care of Tamora,
Herself and hers are highly bound to thee.

[_Exeunt Dem. and Chi. bearing off the Nurse's body._[4566]

_Aar._ Now to the Goths, as swift as swallow flies;
There to dispose this treasure in mine arms,
And secretly to greet the empress' friends. 175
Come on, you thick-lipp'd slave, I'll bear you hence;
For it is you that puts us to our shifts:[4567]
I'll make you feed on berries and on roots,[4568]
And feed on curds and whey, and suck the goat,[4569]
And cabin in a cave, and bring you up 180
To be a warrior and command a camp. [_Exit._

SCENE III. _The same. A public place._

_Enter_ TITUS, _bearing arrows with letters at the ends of
them; with him_, MARCUS, _young_ LUCIUS, _and other_
Gentlemen (PUBLIUS, SEMPRONIUS, _and_ CAIUS), _with
bows_.[4570]

_Tit._ Come, Marcus, come; kinsmen, this is the way.[4571]
Sir boy, let me see your archery;[4572]
Look ye draw home enough, and 'tis there straight.
Terras Astræa reliquit:[4573]
Be you remember'd, Marcus, she's gone, she's fled.[4573][4574] 5
Sirs, take you to your tools. You, cousins, shall[4573][4575]
Go sound the ocean, and cast your nets;[4573]
Happily you may catch her in the sea;[4573][4576]
Yet there's as little justice as at land:
No; Publius and Sempronius, you must do it; 10
'Tis you must dig with mattock and with spade,
And pierce the inmost centre of the earth:
Then, when you come to Pluto's region,
I pray you, deliver him this petition;[4577]
Tell him, it is for justice and for aid, 15
And that it comes from old Andronicus,
Shaken with sorrows in ungrateful Rome.
Ah, Rome! Well, well; I made thee miserable
What time I threw the people's suffrages
On him that thus doth tyrannize o'er me. 20
Go, get you gone; and pray be careful all,
And leave you not a man-of-war unsearch'd:
This wicked emperor may have shipp'd her hence;
And, kinsmen, then we may go pipe for justice.

_Marc._ O Publius, is not this a heavy case, 25
To see thy noble uncle thus distract?

_Pub._ Therefore, my lord, it highly us concerns[4578][4579]
By day and night to attend him carefully,
And feed his humour kindly as we may,
Till time beget some careful remedy. 30

_Marc._ Kinsmen, his sorrows are past remedy.[4580]
Join with the Goths, and with revengeful war
Take wreak on Rome for this ingratitude
And vengeance on the traitor Saturnine.

_Tit._ Publius, how now! how now, my masters![4581] 35
What, have you met with her?[4581]

_Pub._ No, my good lord; but Pluto sends you word,[4578]
If you will have Revenge from hell, you shall:
Marry, for Justice, she is so employ'd,[4582]
He thinks, with Jove in heaven, or somewhere else, 40
So that perforce you must needs stay a time.

_Tit._ He doth me wrong to feed me with delays.
I'll dive into the burning lake below,
And pull her out of Acheron by the heels.[4583]
Marcus, we are but shrubs, no cedars we, 45
No big-boned men framed of the Cyclops' size;
But metal, Marcus, steel to the very back,
Yet wrung with wrongs more than our backs can bear:[4584]
And sith there's no justice in earth nor hell,[4585]
We will solicit heaven, and move the gods 50
To send down Justice for to wreak our wrongs.
Come, to this gear. You are a good archer, Marcus;[4586]

[_He gives them the arrows._

'Ad Jovem,' that's for you: here, 'Ad Apollinem:'[4587]
'Ad Martem,' that's for myself:[4588]
Here, boy, to Pallas: here, to Mercury: 55
To Saturn, Caius, not to Saturnine;[4589]
You were as good to shoot against the wind.
To it, boy! Marcus, loose when I bid.[4590]
Of my word, I have written to effect;[4591]
There's not a god left unsolicited. 60

_Marc._ Kinsmen, shoot all your shafts into the court:[4592]
We will afflict the emperor in his pride.

_Tit._ Now, masters, draw. [_They shoot._] O, well said, Lucius![4593]
Good boy, in Virgo's lap; give it Pallas.[4594]

_Marc._ My lord, I aim a mile beyond the moon;[4595] 65
Your letter is with Jupiter by this.

_Tit._ Ha, ha![4596]
Publius, Publius, what hast thou done?[4596]
See, see, thou hast shot off one of Taurus' horns.[4597]

_Marc._ This was the sport, my lord: when Publius shot, 70
The Bull, being gall'd, gave Aries such a knock
That down fell both the Ram's horns in the court;
And who should find them but the empress' villain?[4598]
She laugh'd, and told the Moor he should not choose
But give them to his master for a present. 75

_Tit._ Why, there it goes: God give his lordship joy![4599]

_Enter a Clown, with a basket, and two pigeons in it._[4600]

News, news from heaven! Marcus, the post is come.[4601]
Sirrah, what tidings? have you any letters?
Shall I have justice? what says Jupiter?

_Clo._ O, the gibbet-maker! he says that he hath taken[4602] 80
them down again, for the man must not be hanged till the
next week.

_Tit._ But what says Jupiter, I ask thee?[4603]

_Clo._ Alas, sir, I know not Jupiter; I never drank with[4604][4605]
him in all my life.[4604] 85

_Tit._ Why, villain, art not thou the carrier?

_Clo._ Ay, of my pigeons, sir; nothing else.[4606]

_Tit._ Why, didst thou not come from heaven?

_Clo._ From heaven! alas, sir, I never came there: God[4607]
forbid I should be so bold to press to heaven in my young[4608] 90
days. Why, I am going with my pigeons to the tribunal
plebs, to take up a matter of brawl betwixt my uncle and
one of the emperial's men.

_Marc._ Why, sir, that is as fit as can be to serve for
your oration; and let him deliver the pigeons to the 95
emperor from you.

_Tit._ Tell me, can you deliver an oration to the emperor
with a grace?

_Clo._ Nay, truly, sir, I could never say grace in all my life.

_Tit._ Sirrah, come hither: make no more ado, 100
But give your pigeons to the emperor:
By me thou shalt have justice at his hands.
Hold, hold; meanwhile here's money for thy charges.[4609]
Give me pen and ink.[4610]
Sirrah, can you with a grace deliver a supplication? 105

_Clo._ Ay, sir.

_Tit._ Then here is a supplication for you. And when you
come to him, at the first approach you must kneel; then kiss
his foot; then deliver up your pigeons; and then look for
your reward. I'll be at hand, sir; see you do it bravely. 110

_Clo._ I warrant you, sir, let me alone.

_Tit._ Sirrah, hast thou a knife? come, let me see it.
Here, Marcus, fold it in the oration;
For thou hast made it like an humble suppliant:
And when thou hast given it to the emperor,[4611] 115
Knock at my door, and tell me what he says.

_Clo._ God be with you, sir; I will. [_Exit._[4612]

_Tit._ Come, Marcus, let us go. Publius, follow me. [_Exeunt._[4613]

SCENE IV. _The same. Before the palace._

_Enter_ SATURNINUS, TAMORA, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, Lords, _and
others_; SATURNINUS _with the Arrows in his hand that_
TITUS _shot_.[4614]

_Sat._ Why, lords, what wrongs are these! was ever seen[4615]
An emperor in Rome thus overborne,[4616]
Troubled, confronted thus, and for the extent
Of egal justice used in such contempt?[4617]
My lords, you know, as know the mightful gods,[4618] 5
However these disturbers of our peace[4619]
Buzz in the people's ears, there nought hath pass'd
But even with law against the wilful sons[4620]
Of old Andronicus. And what an if[4621]
His sorrows have so overwhelm'd his wits, 10
Shall we be thus afflicted in his wreaks,[4622]
His fits, his frenzy and his bitterness?
And now he writes to heaven for his redress:
See, here's to Jove, and this to Mercury;
This to Apollo; this to the god of war: 15
Sweet scrolls to fly about the streets of Rome!
What's this but libelling against the senate,[4623]
And blazoning our unjustice every where?[4623][4624]
A goodly humour, is it not, my lords?
As who would say, in Rome no justice were. 20
But if I live, his feigned ecstasies[4625]
Shall be no shelter to these outrages:
But he and his shall know that justice lives
In Saturninus' health; whom, if he sleep,[4626][4627]
He'll so awake, as he in fury shall[4627] 25
Cut off the proud'st conspirator that lives.[4628]

_Tam._ My gracious lord, my lovely Saturnine,[4629]
Lord of my life, commander of my thoughts,[4630]
Calm thee, and bear the faults of Titus' age,[4631]
The effects of sorrow for his valiant sons, 30
Whose loss hath pierced him deep and scarr'd his heart;
And rather comfort his distressed plight[4632]
Than prosecute the meanest or the best
For these contempts. [_Aside_] Why, thus it shall become[4633]
High-witted Tamora to gloze with all:[4634] 35
But, Titus, I have touch'd thee to the quick,[4635]
Thy life-blood out: if Aaron now be wise,[4635][4636]
Then is all safe, the anchor in the port.[4637]

_Enter_ Clown.

How now, good fellow! wouldst thou speak with us?

_Clo._ Yea, forsooth, an your mistership be emperial.[4638] 40

_Tam._ Empress I am, but yonder sits the emperor.

_Clo._ 'Tis he. God and Saint Stephen give you god-den:[4639][4640]
I have brought you a letter and a couple of pigeons[4639]
here. [_Saturninus reads the letter._[4639][4641]

_Sat._ Go, take him away, and hang him presently.[4642] 45

_Clo._ How much money must I have?[4643]

_Tam._ Come, sirrah, you must be hanged.[4644]

_Clo._ Hanged! by'r lady, then I have brought up a neck[4645]
to a fair end. [_Exit, guarded._[4646]

_Sat._ Despiteful and intolerable wrongs! 50
Shall I endure this monstrous villany?
I know from whence this same device proceeds:[4647]
May this be borne? As if his traitorous sons,[4648]
That died by law for murder of our brother,
Have by my means been butcher'd wrongfully![4649] 55
Go, drag the villain hither by the hair;
Nor age nor honour shall shape privilege:[4650]
For this proud mock I'll be thy slaughter-man;
Sly frantic wretch, that holp'st to make me great,
In hope thyself should govern Rome and me. 60

_Enter_ ÆMILIUS.[4651]

What news with thee, Æmilius?[4652]

_Æmil._ Arm, my lords; Rome never had more cause.[4653]
The Goths have gather'd head, and with a power[4654]
Of high-resolved men, bent to the spoil,
They hither march amain, under conduct[4655] 65
Of Lucius, son to old Andronicus;
Who threats, in course of this revenge, to do[4656]
As much as ever Coriolanus did.

_Sat._ Is warlike Lucius general of the Goths?[4657][4658]
These tidings nip me, and I hang the head 70
As flowers with frost or grass beat down with storms:
Ay, now begin our sorrows to approach:[4659]
'Tis he the common people love so much;
Myself hath often heard them say,[4660]
When I have walked like a private man, 75
That Lucius' banishment was wrongfully,
And they have wish'd that Lucius were their emperor.[4661]

_Tam._ Why should you fear? is not your city strong?[4662]

_Sat._ Ay, but the citizens favour Lucius,[4657]
And will revolt from me to succour him. 80

_Tam._ King, be thy thoughts imperious, like thy name.
Is the sun dimm'd, that gnats do fly in it?[4663]
The eagle suffers little birds to sing,
And is not careful what they mean thereby,
Knowing that with the shadow of his wings[4664] 85
He can at pleasure stint their melody:
Even so mayst thou the giddy men of Rome.[4665]
Then cheer thy spirit: for know, thou emperor,
I will enchant the old Andronicus
With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, 90
Than baits to fish, or honey-stalks to sheep;
Whenas the one is wounded with the bait,
The other rotted with delicious feed.[4666]

_Sat._ But he will not entreat his son for us.[4657][4667]

_Tam._ If Tamora entreat him, then he will:[4668] 95
For I can smooth, and fill his aged ears[4669]
With golden promises; that, were his heart
Almost impregnable, his old ears deaf,[4670]
Yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue.
[_To Æmilius_] Go thou before, be our ambassador:[4671] 100
Say that the emperor requests a parley
Of warlike Lucius, and appoint the meeting
Even at his father's house, the old Andronicus.[4672]

_Sat._ Æmilius, do this message honourably:[4657][4667]
And if he stand on hostage for his safety,[4673] 105
Bid him demand what pledge will please him best.

_Æmil._ Your bidding shall I do effectually. [_Exit._

_Tam._ Now will I to that old Andronicus,
And temper him with all the art I have,[4674]
To pluck proud Lucius from the warlike Goths. 110
And now, sweet emperor, be blithe again,
And bury all thy fear in my devices.[4675]

_Sat._ Then go successantly, and plead to him. [_Exeunt._[4676]

FOOTNOTES:

[4443] ACT IV. SCENE I.] Rowe. Actus Quartus. Ff. om. Qq.

Rome. Titus's garden.] Edd. Titus's House. Theobald. Before Titus' House. Capell.

Enter young Lucius....] Ff. Enter Lucius sonne.... Qq.

Then enter....] Enter.... Qq Ff.

[4444] Boy.] Ff. Puer. Qq (and throughout the scene).

[4445] _thine_] Qq. _thy_ Ff.

[4446] _Fear her not_] Qq. _Feare not_ Ff. _Fear thou not_ Rowe.

[4447] _See_] Marc. _See_ S. Walker conj.

[4448] _Somewhither_] _Some whether_ Qq F₁. _Some whither_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[4449] Ah,] F₄. _A_ Q₁. _Ah_ Q₂ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[4450] _Read ... read_] Ff. _Red ... red_ Qq.

[4451] _Orator_] _Oratory_ Rowe. _oratory_ Pope.

[4452] Marc.] Capell. Qq Ff continue the line to the preceding speaker.

[4453] _or_] _of_ Anon. conj.

[4454] _griefs_] _greeves_ Q₁. _grief_ Rowe.

[4455] _for_] Q₁. _through_ Q₂ Ff.

[4456] _will_] F₁ F₂. om. F₃ F₄.

[4457] [Lavinia....] Malone, following Capell. om. Qq Ff.

[4458] _take_] _make_ Rowe.

[4459] After _deed_ Ff insert, as a separate line, _What booke?_

[4460] _were_] Q₁. _was_ Q₂ Ff.

[4461] _for_] Qq. _to_ Ff.

[4462] _tosseth_] _tosses_ Rowe.

[4463] _Metamorphoses_] Pope. _Metamorphosis_ Qq Ff.

[4464] _Soft! so_] _Soft, so_ Qq Ff. _Soft! see how_ Rowe. _Soft, soft; how_ Capell. _Soft! how_ Knight. _Soft, soft! so_ Keightley.

[4465] _Help her:_] As a separate line in Capell. Joined to line 47 in Qq Ff. Helping her (as a stage direction) Edd. Globe ed. (Dyce conj.) See note (VI).

[4466] _See ... hunt_] As in Pope. One line in Qq Ff.

[4467] _tragedies?_] _tragedies,_ Q₁.

[4468] _slunk_] F₃ F₄. _slunke_ F₁ F₂. _slonke_ Qq.

_erst_] _ersts_ F₁.

[4469] _sin_] _finne_ Q₁.

_bed?_] F₃ F₄. _bed._ Qq F₁ F₂.

[4470] _me. I_] _mee, I_ Q₁. _me, I_ Q₂ F₁. _me, when I_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _me. where I_ Collier MS. _me. There I_ Collier conj. _me. See, I_ Keightley.

[He ... mouth.] Qq Ff, after line 69. Transferred hither by Collier. Placed after line 72 by Capell.

feet] his feet F₄.

mouth.] mouths. F₂.

[4471] _be that_] _be the_ Collier MS.

_heart_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _hart_ Qq F₁.

_this_] Qq F₂ F₃ F₄. _that_ F₁.

[4472] _last_] _least_ Rowe.

[4473] _discovered_] _discover'd_ F₃ F₄.

[4474] Tit.] F₂ F₃ F₄. Titus. Q₂. Ti. F₁. Omitted in Q₁. Boy. Capell MS. conj.

_ye_] _you_ F₃ F₄.

_writ_] _writs_ F₁.

[4475] _heinous_] _hateful_ Rowe.

[4476] _Magni Dominator_] Qq Ff. _Magne Dominator_ Theobald. _Magne Regnator_ Hanmer.

[4477] _exclaims_] _exclaim_ Keightley. _extremes_ Anon. conj.

[4478] _fere_] _feere_ Qq F₁ F₂. _feer_ F₃. _peer_ F₄.

[4479] _dishonour'd_] Capell. _dishonoured_ Qq Ff.

[4480] _sware_] F₃ F₄. _sweare_ Qq F₁ F₂.

[4481] _advice_] Q₁ F₃ F₄. _advise_ Q₂ F₁ F₂. _device_ Collier conj.

[4482] _or_] _ere_ Theobald.

[4483] _an_] Capell. _and_ Qq Ff. _if_ Pope.

_how_] _how to do it_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[4484] _hunt_] _hurt_ Rowe.

[4485] _beware: The_] Capell. _beware, The_ Qq. _beware The_ Ff. _be ware: The_ Capell conj.

[4486] _wake; and if ... once,_] Theobald. _wake, and if ... once,_ Qq Ff. _wake, an if ... once:_ Staunton.

[4487] _playeth_] _palyeth_ F₁.

[4488] _You are_] _You're_ Pope.

_let alone_] Q₁. _let it alone_ Q₂ Ff.

[4489] _your_] _you_ Q₁.

[4490] _his_] _this_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[4491] _an if_] Theobald. _and if_ Qq Ff.

[4492] _mine_] _my_ Pope.

[4493] _boy Shall_] _boy, Shalt_ Capell.

[4494] _from_] _for_ Capell.

[4495] _thy_] _my_ Rowe.

[4496] _bosoms_] _bosomes_ Qq F₁. _bosome_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[4497] _thee_] om. Collier MS.

[4498] [Exeunt....] Exeunt Boy, Titus and Lavinia. Capell. Exeunt. Qq Ff.

[4499] _yet_] _yet's_ Hanmer.

[4500] _Revenge, ye heavens,_] Dyce (Johnson conj.) _Revenge the heavens_ Qq Ff. _Revenge, oh heav'ns,_ Hanmer. _Revenge thee, heav'ns,_ Warburton. _Revenge then heavens,_ Tyrwhitt conj. _Revenge thee, heaven,_ Capell. _Revenge!--the heavens'_ Jackson conj. _Revenge, the heavens,_ S. Walker conj.

[4501] SCENE II.] Pope.

The same. A room in the palace.] Capell. The Palace. Theobald.

Enter ... an Attendant....] Enter ... another.... Qq Ff.

[4502] [Aside] First marked by Capell.

[4503] _what's_] _what_ Q₁.

[4504] Boy. _That ... news,_] Puer. _That ... newes,_ Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[4505] _For villains_] _For villaines_ Qq. _For villaine's_ F₁. Boy. _For villaines_ F₂. Boy. _For villains_ F₃ F₄.

[4506] _bid_] Q₁. _bad_ Q₂ Ff.

[4507] _that_] Pope. om. Qq Ff.

[4508] _like bloody_] _like-bloody_ Anon. conj.

[Exeunt....] Capell. Exit. Qq Ff.

[4509] _eget_] Qq F₃ F₄. _egit_ F₁ F₂.

_Mauri_] _maury_ Q₂ F₁.

_arcu_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _arcus_ Qq F₁.

[4510] _Now ... awhile_] First marked as 'Aside' by Johnson.

[4511] _sound_] _fond_ Theobald.

[4512] _them_] Q₁. _the_ Q₂ Ff.

[4513] _brother's_] Rowe. _brothers_ Q₂ Ff. _bothers_ Q₁.

[4514] _our_] _out_ F₂.

[4515] Chi. _A charitable ... love._ Aar. _Here_] Aar. _A charitable ... love: Here_ S. Walker conj.

[4516] _lacks_] Qq F₃ F₄. _lack's_ F₁ F₂. _lacketh_ Theobald.

_your_] Qq F₃ F₄. _you_ F₁ F₂.

_for to say_] _for say_ F₂. _to say_ Pope.

[4517] [Aside] Johnson.

[Trumpets sound within.] Trumpets sound. Qq. Flourish. Ff. Trumpets within. Capell.

[4518] Enter....] Qq Ff. Enter a Nurse hastily, with a Child in her Arms. Capell.

SCENE III. Pope.

[4519] _Good ... Moor?_] As in Ff. One line in Qq.

[4520] _caterwauling_] Theobald. _catterwaling_ Q₁. _catterwalling_ Q₂ Ff.

[4521] _deliver'd ... deliver'd_] Pope. _delivered ... delivered_ Qq Ff.

[4522] _To whom ... issue_] Capell ends the lines at _God ... devil ... joyful issue._

[4523] _whom_?] _whom._ Q₁.

_a-bed_] _a bed_ Qq F₁ F₂. _to bed_ F₃ F₄.

[4524] _Well ... her_] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

[4525] _Why ... issue_] Arranged as by Hanmer. One line in Qq Ff.

[4526] _breeders_] _burdens_ Collier MS.

[4527] _'Zounds, ye_] _Zounds ye_ Qq. _Out you_ Ff. _Out, out, you_ Theobald. _Out on you,_ Capell. _Why, zounds you_ Keightley. _Zounds, you white_ Lettsom conj.

[4528] _blowse_] _blows_ Q₂.

[4529] _That_] _Done! that_ Capell, ending the line at _thou_.

[4530] Aar. _Villain ... mother._] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

_I have_] _I've_ Theobald.

[4531] _undone her._] _undone her,_ Q₁. _undone,_ Q₃ F₁ F₂. _undone--_ F₃ F₄.

[4532] _It ... die_] _I say, it ... die_ Steevens conj.

[4533] [Takes....] Capell, substantially. Omitted in Qq Ff.

[4534] _scimitar's_] Hanmer. _Semitars_ Qq Ff. _Cymitar's_ Rowe.

[4535] _prey_] _pray_ Q₁.

[4536] _ye sanguine_] _y'unsanguine_ Hanmer.

[4537] _white-limed_] _white limed_ Pope (ed. 2). _white-lim'd_ Theobald, _white-limbde_ Qq. _white-limb'd_ Ff. _white-limn'd_ Malone conj.

[4538] _scorns_] _seems_ Johnson. See note (VII).

[4539] _white_] _write_ F₂.

[4540] _of age_] _a man_ Collier MS.

[4541] _ignomy_] _ignomie_ Qq. _ignominie_ F₁. _ignominy_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[4542] _the heart_] _thy heart_ Q₁.

[4543] _that_] Q₂ Ff. _your_ Q₁.

_imprison'd_] Pope. _imprisoned_ Qq Ff.

[4544] _he is_] _he's_ Pope.

[4545] _empress?_] _empresse._ Q₁.

[4546] _advice_] F₄. _advise_ Qq F₁ F₂ F₃.

[4547] _all be_] _be all_ Pope.

[4548] [They sit.] They sit on the ground. Rowe. Omitted in Qq Ff.

[4549] _when_] _now when_ or _so when_ Anon. conj.

_we_] Qq F₁. _we all_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[4550] _as_] Qq F₃ F₄. _at_ F₁ F₂.

[4551] _child?_] _child._ Q₁.

[4552] _no one_] Qq. _none_ Ff.

_deliver'd_] Pope. _delivered_ Qq Ff.

[4553] _the_] _the the_ F₁.

[4554] [He kills the Nurse.] He kils her. Qq Ff.

[4555] _Weke ... spit_] Edd. One line in Qq Ff.

[4556] _prepared_] Qq F₁ F₂. _prepar'd_ F₃ F₄.

[4557] _What ... this?_] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

[4558] _far, one Muliteus_] Qq Ff. _far, one Muliteus lives_ Rowe. _far, one Muley lives_ Steevens conj. _far, one Muli lives_ Singer. _far hence, Muli lives_ Collier (Collier MS.), _far on, Muli lives_ Collier conj.

[4559] _shall_] _may_ Johnson (1771).

[4560] _received_] _receiv'd_ Warburton.

[4561] _whirling_] _whistling_ Long MS.

[4562] _Hark ye, lords_] _Hark ye, my lords_ Theobald. _But, hark ye, lords_ Capell.

_you see_] Q₁. _ye see_ Q₂ Ff.

_I_] _that I_ Steevens (1793).

[Pointing to the Nurse.] Johnson. om. Qq Ff.

[4563] _take no longer days_] _make no long delays_ Collier MS.

[4564] _please_] _may_ Collier MS.

[4565] _Aaron ... secrets_] Arranged as by Theobald. One line in Qq. Ff.

[4566] [Exeunt....] Exeunt ... Nurse. Capell. Exeunt. Qq. Ff.

[4567] _puts_] _put_ Theobald.

[4568] _feed_] _thrive_ Collier MS. See note (VIII).

[4569] _feed_] _feast_ Hanmer.

[4570] SCENE III.] Capell. SCENE IV. Pope.

The same. A public place.] Capell. A street near the Palace. Theobald.

Enter....] Enter Titus, old Marcus, young Lucius, and other gentlemen with bowes, and Titus beares the arrowes with Letters on the endes of them. Qq Ff.

young Lucius, and other Gentlemen (Publius ... Caius)] Edd. Publius, young Lucius, and other Gentlemen, Collier, ed. 2 (Williams conj.)

[4571] _come; kinsmen_,] Theobald. _come, kinsemen_ Q₁. _come, kinsmen_ Q₂ F₁ F₂ F₃. _come kinsmen,_ F₄.

[4572] _let_] Qq F₁. _now let_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[4573] _Terras ... sea_] Arranged as by Capell. Four lines, ending _Marcus ... tooles, ... Ocean, ... sea,_ in Qq Ff.

[4574] _you_] _your_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[4575] _Sirs_] _Sir_ Johnson (1771).

[4576] _Happily_] _happily_ Qq. _haply_ Ff.

_catch_] Q₁. _finde_ Q₂. _find_ Ff.

[4577] _deliver him_] Qq F₁ F₂. _to deliver him_ F₃ F₄. _to deliver_ Pope.

[4578] Pub.] 1. G. Capell.

[4579] _lord_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _lords_ Qq F₁.

[4580] _Kinsmen_] _Kinsman_ S. Walker conj.

[4581] _masters! What, have_] _masters, what? Have_ Hanmer. _masters? well; What, have_ Capell.

[4582] _so_] _now_ Hanmer.

[4583] _Acheron_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _Acaron_ Qq F₁.

[4584] _backs_] Qq F₄. _back_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[4585] _there's no justice_] _no justice is_ Collier (Collier MS.)

_nor_] _or_ Hanmer.

[4586] _Come, to_] Theobald. _Come to_ Qq Ff.

_You are_] _you're_ Pope.

[4587] _Apollinem_] Rowe (ed. 2). _Apollonem_ Qq F₂ F₃ F₄. _Appollonem_ F₁.

[4588] _that's_] _O, that's_ Capell.

[4589] _To Saturn, Caius_] Capell. _To Saturnine, to Caius_ Qq Ff. _To Cœlus and to Saturn_ Rowe (ed. 1). _To Saturn and to Cœlus_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[4590] _boy_] _my boys_ Capell. _my boy_ Keightley.

_loose_] _loose thou_ Hanmer. _loose you_ Malone.

[4591] _Of my_] _O' my_ Hanmer. _Sirs, o' my_ Capell.

[4592] _Kinsmen_] _Kindsmen_ Q₁.

[4593] [They shoot.] Rowe. om. Qq Ff.

[4594] _boy, in_] Theobald. _boy in_ Qq Ff.

_give it_] _she'll give it_ Capell. _give it to_ Johnson.

_Pallas_] _to Pallas_ Hanmer.

[4595] _aim_] F₄. _aime_ Qq F₁. _ayme_ F₂. _aym_ F₃. _am_ Rowe. _aim'd_ Collier MS.

[4596] _Ha! ha! Publius, Publius_] As in Dyce. In the same line in Qq Ff. _Ha, Publius, Publius, ha!_ Hanmer. _Ha! Publius, Publius_ Capell.

[4597] _thou hast_] _thou'st_ Pope.

[4598] _empress' villain_] _empress, villain_ Rowe.

_villain?_] Hanmer. _villaine:_ Qq Ff.

[4599] _his_] Q₁. _your_ Q₂ Ff.

[4600] a Clown] the Clowne Qq Ff.

in it] Qq F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

[4601] _News ... come._] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two, the first ending _heaven,_ in Qq Ff.

[4602] _O,_] _Ho_ Qq Ff. _Who?_ Rowe.

_gibbet-maker_] F₄. _Iiebbetmaker_ Q₁. _Iibbetmaker_ Q₂ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_he hath_] _hath_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[4603] _But_] _Tut_ F₃ F₄.

[4604] _Alas, ... life._] As prose first by Capell. Two lines, the first ending _Jupiter,_ in Qq Ff.

[4605] _Jupiter_] _Jew Peter_ Steevens conj.

[4606] _nothing_] _of nothing_ Keightley.

[4607] _From ... there:_] As prose in Pope. A separate line in Qq Ff.

[4608] _to heaven_] _into heaven_ Rowe.

[4609] _here's_] Qq F₄. _her's_ F₁ F₃. _hers_ F₂.

[4610] _pen_] Qq F₁. _a pen_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[4611] _to_] Q₁. om. Q₂ Ff.

[4612] [Exit.] Qq F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

[4613] _let us_] _let's_ Steevens (1793).

[4614] SCENE IV.] Capell. SCENE V. Pope.

The same. Before....] Capell. The Palace. Theobald.

Enter....] Malone, after Capell. Enter Emperour and Empresse, and her two sonnes, the Emperour brings the Arrowes in his hand that Titus shot at him. Qq Ff (shoot F₂).

[4615] _Why, lords,_] As in Qq. As a separate line in Ff.

[4616] _An_] _Am_ F₂.

_in_] _of_ Rowe.

[4617] _egal_] _egall_ Qq F₁. _equall_ F₂. _equal_ F₃ F₄.

_contempt?_] _contempt._ Q₁.

[4618] _know, as know ... gods_] Edd. _know, as do ... gods_ Rowe. _know the mightfull gods_ Qq Ff. _know, the mightfull gods no less_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[4619] _these_] _the_ Rowe.

[4620] _law_] _the law_ Boswell. See note (IX).

[4621] _an if_] Theobald. _and if_ Qq Ff.

[4622] _wreaks_] _freaks_ Hanmer.

[4623] _the senate, And blazoning_] _the state, And blazing_ Capell conj.

[4624] _unjustice_] Qq. _injustice_ Ff.

[4625] _ecstasies_] _extasy_ Capell conj.

[4626] _health_] _wealth_ Capell conj.

_whom_] _who_ Capell.

[4627] _if he ... as he_] Qq Ff. _if she ... as she_ Rowe.

[4628] _proud'st_] _proudest_ Rowe.

[4629] _my lovely_] _most lovely_ Warburton.

[4630] _thoughts_] _thought_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[4631] _age_] _rage_ Capell conj.

[4632] _comfort_] _pity_ Capell.

[4633] [Aside] F₁, opposite line 35. Omitted in Qq F₂ F₃ F₄.

[4634] _with all_] _withal_ Pope.

[4635] _quick, Thy_] _quick, And, through the bodies of thy children, drawn Thy_ S. Walker conj.

[4636] _Thy life-blood out_] _Thy life blood out_ Qq F₁. _Thy life blood ont_ F₂. _Thy life blood on't_ F₃ F₄. _My ... on't_ Grant White. _The ... on't_ Collier MS. See note (VIII).

_out: ... wise,_] _out, ... wise:_ Staunton conj.

[4637] _anchor_] Q₁. _anchor's_ Q₂ Ff.

[4638] _Yea_] _Yes_ Johnson.

_an_] Pope. _&_ Q₁. _and_ Q₂ Ff.

_mistership_] _mistresship_ Johnson.

[4639] _'Tis ... here._] As prose first in Capell. Two lines in Qq Ff. Four rhyming lines in Collier MS.

[4640] _god-den_] _godden_ Q₁. _good den_ Q₂ F₁ F₂ F₃. _good-e'en_ F₄. _good-even_ Theobald.

[4641] _here_] _for want of better_ Collier MS.

[Saturninus....] The Emperor.... Johnson. Hee.... Qq Ff.

[4642] _presently._] _presently?_ Q₁.

[4643] _have?_] _have._ Q₁.

[4644] _you_] _thou_ F₃ F₄.

[4645] _by'r_] F₄. _ber_ F₁ _bir_ F₂ F₃. _be_ Qq.

_then_] _then, friend,_ Collier MS., reading as rhymed verse.

_up a_] _my_ Collier MS.

[4646] [Exit, guarded.] Capell. Exit. Qq Ff.

[4647] _device_] F₄. _devise_ Qq F₁ F₂ F₃.

[4648] _borne? As_] Ff. _borne, as_ Qq.

[4649] _butcher'd_] Ff. _butchered_ Qq.

[4650] _shape_] _share_ Hanmer. _have_ Collier MS.

[4651] Enter Æmilius.] Theobald. Enter Nuntius Emillius. Qq F₁ F₂. Enter Nuntius Emilius. F₃. Enter Nuntius Æmilius. F₄.

[4652] _What...._] Capell. Satur. _What...._ Q₁ F₁ F₂ F₃. Saturn. _What...._ Q₂. Sat. _What...._ F₄.

[4653] _Arm, my lords_] _Arme my Lords_ Qq F₁ F₂. _Arm my Lords_ F₃ F₄. _Arm, my lords, arm_ Hanmer. _Arm, arm, my lords_ Warburton. _Arm, arm, my lord_ Edd., Globe Ed. (Capell conj.) _Arm, my lord_ Dyce. _Arm ye, my lords_ Anon. conj.

[4654] _gather'd_] Ff. _gathered_ Qq.

[4655] _conduct_] Qq F₁. _the conduct_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[4656] _this_] _his_ Rowe.

[4657] Sat.] King. Qq.

[4658] _Goths?_] _Gothes,_ Qq.

[4659] _Ay, now begin_] Rowe. _I, now begin_ F₃ F₄. _I now begins_ Q₁. _I, now begins_ Q₂ F₁. _I now begin_ F₂.

[4660] _hath often heard_] Qq Ff. _hath often over-heard_ Theobald. _have often over-heard_ Hanmer. _hath very often heard_ Collier (Collier MS.)

_say_] _say aloud_ Keightley.

[4661] _they have_] om. Collier MS.

_that Lucius_] _he_ Anon. conj.

[4662] _your_] Qq. _our_ Ff.

[4663] _in it_] _in 's flame_ Collier MS.

_in it?_] _in it;_ Qq.

[4664] _wings_] _wing_ Knight, reading lines 83-86 as a quatrain.

[4665] _mayst_] _may'st_ F₃ F₄. _mayest_ Qq F₁ F₂.

[4666] _feed_] _feede_ Q₂. _seede_ Q₁. _Foode_ F₁ F₂. _Food_ F₃ F₄.

[4667] Sat.] King. Qq Ff.

[4668] _then_] _than_ Q₁.

[4669] _smooth_] _sooth_ Capell conj.

_ears_] _eares_ Q₁. _eare_ Q₂ F₁ F₂. _ear_ F₃ F₄.

[4670] _ears_] _yeares_ Qq.

[4671] [To Æmilius] Rowe. _before, be_] Capell. _before to be_ Qq. _before to_ Ff. _before as_ Rowe.

[4672] _Even ... Andronicus._] Q₁. Omitted in Q₂ Ff.

[4673] _on_] F₄. _in_ Qq F₁ F₂ F₃.

[4674] _with all_] _withall_ F₂.

[4675] _devices_] F₃ F₄. _devises_ Qq F₁ F₂.

[4676] _successantly_] _successfully_ Rowe. _incessantly_ Capell. _thou instantly_ Collier conj.

_successantly, and plead_] _and plead incessantly_ Collier conj.

_to him_] Qq. _for him_ Ff. _for me_ Rowe. _'fore him_ Collier (Collier MS.) See note (VIII).

[Exeunt] Qq. Exit. Ff.