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  • William Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus, Act IV, Scene IV

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Scene IVThe same. Before the palaceEnter Saturninus, Tamora, Demetrius, Chiron, Lords, and others; Saturninus with the arrows in his hand that Titus shotSaturninusWhy, lords, what wrongs are these! was ever seen An emperor in Rome thus overborne, Troubled, confronted thus; and, for the extent Of egal justice, used in such contempt? My lords, you know, as know the mightful gods, However these disturbers of our peace Buz in the people’s ears, there nought hath pass’d, But even with law, against the willful sons Of old Andronicus. And what an if His sorrows have so overwhelm’d his wits, Shall we be thus afflicted in his wreaks, 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; Sweet scrolls to fly about the streets of Rome! What’s this but libelling against the senate, And blazoning our injustice every where? A goodly humour, is it not, my lords? As who would say, in Rome no justice were. But if I live, his feigned ecstasies Shall be no shelter to these outrages: But he and his shall know that justice lives In Saturninus’ health, whom, if she sleep, He’ll so awake as she in fury shall Cut off the proud’st conspirator that lives.TamoraMy gracious lord, my lovely Saturnine, Lord of my life, commander of my thoughts, Calm thee, and bear the faults of Titus’ age, The effects of sorrow for his valiant sons, Whose loss hath pierced him deep and scarr’d his heart; And rather comfort his distressed plight Than prosecute the meanest or the best For these contempts.AsideWhy, thus it shall become High-witted Tamora to gloze with all: But, Titus, I have touched thee to the quick, Thy life-blood out: if Aaron now be wise, Then is all safe, the anchor’s in the port.Enter ClownHow now, good fellow! wouldst thou speak with us?ClownYea, forsooth, an your mistership be emperial.TamoraEmpress I am, but yonder sits the emperor.Clown’Tis he. God and Saint Stephen give you good den: I have brought you a letter and a couple of pigeons here.Saturninus reads the letterSaturninusGo, take him away, and hang him presently.ClownHow much money must I have?TamoraCome, sirrah, you must be hanged.ClownHanged! by’r lady, then I have brought up a neck to a fair end.Exit, guardedSaturninusDespiteful and intolerable wrongs! Shall I endure this monstrous villany? I know from whence this same device proceeds: May this be borne?—as if his traitorous sons, That died by law for murder of our brother, Have by my means been butcher’d wrongfully! Go, drag the villain hither by the hair; Nor age nor honour shall shape privilege: For this proud mock I’ll be thy slaughterman; Sly frantic wretch, that holp’st to make me great, In hope thyself should govern Rome and me.Enter AemiliusWhat news with thee, AEmilius?AemiliusArm, arm, my lord;—Rome never had more cause. The Goths have gather’d head; and with a power Of high-resolved men, bent to the spoil, They hither march amain, under conduct Of Lucius, son to old Andronicus; Who threats, in course of this revenge, to do As much as ever Coriolanus did.SaturninusIs warlike Lucius general of the Goths? These tidings nip me, and I hang the head As flowers with frost or grass beat down with storms: Ay, now begin our sorrows to approach: ‘Tis he the common people love so much; Myself hath often over-heard them say, When I have walked like a private man, That Lucius’ banishment was wrongfully, And they have wish’d that Lucius were their emperor.TamoraWhy should you fear? is not your city strong?SaturninusAy, but the citizens favor Lucius, And will revolt from me to succor him.TamoraKing, be thy thoughts imperious, like thy name. Is the sun dimm’d, that gnats do fly in it? The eagle suffers little birds to sing, And is not careful what they mean thereby, Knowing that with the shadow of his wings He can at pleasure stint their melody: Even so mayst thou the giddy men of Rome. Then cheer thy spirit : for know, thou emperor, I will enchant the old Andronicus With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, Than baits to fish, or honey-stalks to sheep, When as the one is wounded with the bait, The other rotted with delicious feed.SaturninusBut he will not entreat his son for us.TamoraIf Tamora entreat him, then he will: For I can smooth and fill his aged ear With golden promises; that, were his heart Almost impregnable, his old ears deaf, Yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue.To AEmiliusGo thou before, be our ambassador: Say that the emperor requests a parley Of warlike Lucius, and appoint the meeting Even at his father’s house, the old Andronicus.SaturninusAEmilius, do this message honourably: And if he stand on hostage for his safety, Bid him demand what pledge will please him best.AemiliusYour bidding shall I do effectually.ExitTamoraNow will I to that old Andronicus; And temper him with all the art I have, To pluck proud Lucius from the warlike Goths. And now, sweet emperor, be blithe again, And bury all thy fear in my devices.SaturninusThen go successantly, and plead to him.Exeunt

William Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus, Act IV

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William Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus, Act I

  • William Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus, Act I

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  • Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
  • The Twelve Dancing Princesses
  • Current Events This Week: January 2023
  • African Americans by the Numbers
  • Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
  • The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales