As much as ever Coriolanus did. Sat. Is 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. And they have wish'd that Lucius were their emperor. Tam. Why should you fear? is not your city strong? Sat. Ay, but the citizens favor Lucius; And will revolt from me, to succour him. Tam. King, be thy thoughts imperious,1 like thy name. Is the sun dimm'd, that gnats do fly in it? With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, 1 i. e imperial. 2 Stop. Clover-flowers. When as the one is wounded with the bait, Sat. But he will not entreat his son for us. Tam. If Tamora entreat him, then he will : For I can smoothe, 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. Go thou before; be our ambassador: [to Emilius. Say, that the emperor requests a parley Of warlike Lucius; and appoint the meeting, Bid him demand what pledge will please him best. [Exit Emilius. Tam. Now will I to that old Andronicus; And temper him, with all the art I have, And bury all thy fear in my devices. Sat. Then go successfully, and plead to him. [Exeunt. ACT V. SCENE I. Plains near Rome. Enter LUCIUS and Goths, with drum and colors. Lucius. Approved warriors, and my faithful friends, I have received letters from great Rome, Which signify, what hate they bear their emperor, Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, 1 Goth. Brave slip, sprung from the great Andronicus, Whose name was once our terror, now our comfort; Whose high exploits and honorable deeds Ingrateful Rome requites with foul contempt;- And be avenged on cursed Tamora. Goths. And, as he saith, so say we all with him. 1 Harm. Lucius. I humbly thank him, and I thank you all. But who comes here, led by a lusty Goth? Enter GOTH, leading AARON, with his Child in his arms. 2 Goth. Renowned Lucius, from our troops I stray'd, To gaze upon a ruinous monastery; - Peace, villain, peace!'-even thus he rates the babe, For I must bear thee to a trusty Goth; Who, when he knows thou art the empress' babe, Will hold thee dearly for thy mother's sake.' With this, my weapon drawn, I rush'd upon him, Surprised him suddenly; and brought him hither, To use as you think needful of the man. 1 Discover. Lucius. O worthy Goth! this is the incarnate devil 1 'That robb'd Andronicus of his good hand : Why dost not speak? What! deaf? No; not a word? A halter, soldiers: hang him on this tree, Aaron. Touch not the boy; he is of royal blood. Get me a ladder. Aaron. [a ladder brought, which Aaron is obliged to ascend. Lucius, save the child; And bear it from me to the emperess. If thou do this, I'll show thee wondrous things, If thou wilt not, befall what may befall, I'll speak no more: but vengeance rot you all! Lucius. Say on; and, if it please me which thou speak'st, Thy child shall live, and I will see it norish'd. In allusion to the proverb,-A black man is a pearl in a fair woman's eye. |