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. Farewel, my sons: see, that you make her sure: Ne'er let my heart. know merry cheer indeed, Now will I hence to seek my lovely Moor, SCENE IV. THE SAME. Enter Aaron, with Quintus and Martius. Aar. Come on, my lords; the better foot be fore: Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit, 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 a-while. [Martius falls into the pit. Quin. What, art thou fallen? What subtle hole is this, Whose mouth is cover'd with rude-growing briars; Speak, brother, hast thou hurt thee with the fall? That he thereby may give a likely guess, How these were they, that made away his brother. [Exit Aaron. Mart Why dost not comfort me, and help me out From this unhallow'd and blood-stained hole? And see a fearful sight of blood and death. Quin. Aaron is gone; and my compassionate heart Will not permit mine eyes once to behold Mart. Lord Bassianus lies embrewed here, As hateful as Cocytus' misty mouth. Quin. Reach me thy hand, that I may help thee out; Or, wanting strength to do thee so much good, I may be pluck'd into the swallowing womb Of this deep pit, poor Bassianus' grave. I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink. Mart. Nor I no strength to climb without thy help. Quin. Thy hand once more; I will not loose again, Till thou art here aloft, or I below: Thou canst not come to me, I come to thee. [Falls in. Enter Saturninus and Aaron. Sat. Along with me:-I'll see what hole is here, Mart. The unhappy son of old Andronicus; Sat. My brother dead? I know, thou dost but jest: He and his lady both are at the lodge, Upon the north side of this pleasant chase; 'Tis not an hour since I left him there. Mart. We know not where you left him all alive, But, out alas! here have we found him dead. Enter Tamora, with Attendants; Titus Andronicus, and Lucius. Tam. Where is my lord, the king? Sat. Here, Tamora; though griev'd with killing grief. Tam. Where is thy brother Bassianus? Sat. Now to the bottom dost thou search my wound; Poor Bassianus here lies murdered. Tam. Then all too late I bring this fatal writ, [Giving a letter. The complot of this timeless tragedy; And wonder greatly, that man's face can fold In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny. Sat. [Reads.] An if we miss to meet him handsomely, Sweet huntsman, Bassianus 'tis, we mean,- Which overshades the mouth of that same pit, Have here bereft my brother of his life:- How easily murder is discovered! Tit. High emperor, upon my feeble knee I beg this boon, with tears not lightly shed, That this fell fault of my accursed sons,Accursed, if the fault be prov'd in them, Sat. If it be prov'd! you see, it is apparent. Who found this letter? Tamora, was it you? Tam. Andronicus himself did take it up. Tit. I did, my lord: yet let me be their bail: For by my father's reverend tomb, I vow, They shall be ready at your highness' will, |