And let her 'joy her raven-colour'd love; Bas. The king, my brother, shall have note of this. Lav. Ay, for these slips have made him noted long: Good king! to be so mightily abus'd! Tam. Why have I patience to endure all this? Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS. Dem. How now, dear sovereign, and our gracious Why doth your highness look so pale and wan? Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. No sooner had they told this hellish tale, But straight they told me, they would bind me here Unto the body of a dismal yew; And leave me to this miserable death. And then they call'd me, foul adulteress, Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms [Stabs Bassianus. mora! For no name fits thy nature but thy own! 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. Let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting. Chi. I warrant you, madam; we will make that sure.— Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy That nice-preserved honesty of yours. Lav. O Tamora! thou bear'st a woman's face,Tam. I will not hear her speak; away with her. Lav. Sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word. Dem. Listen, fair madam: Let it be your glory, To see her tears; but be your heart to them, As unrelenting flint to drops of rain. Lav. When did the tyger's young ones teach the dam? O, do not learn her wrath; she taught it thee: The milk, thou suck'dst from her, did turn to marble; Even at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny.— Yet every mother breeds not sons alike; Do thou entreat her show a woman pity. [To Chiron. Chi. What! would'st thou have me prove myself a bastard? Lav. 'Tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark: Yet I have heard, (O could I find it now!) The lion, mov'd with pity, did endure 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. Hadst thou in person ne'er offended me, Even for his sake am I pitiless:- Therefore away with her, and use her as you will; Lav. O Tamora, be call'd a gentle queen, 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? Ah beastly creature! The blot and enemy to our general name! Confusion fall 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, SCENE IV. The Same. [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 espy'd the panther fast asleep. Quin. My sight is very dull, whate'er it bodes. Mart. And mine, I promise you; wer'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 cover'd with rude-growing briars; Upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood, As fresh as morning's dew distill'd on flowers? A very fatal place it seems to me: Speak, brother, hast thou hurt thee with the fall? Mart. O, brother, with the dismallest object That ever eye, with sight, made heart lament. them here; |