I say no more,Nor wish no less; and so I take my leave.
SATURNINUS.
Traitor, if Rome have law or we have power,
Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape.
BASSIANUS.
Rape, call you it, my lord, to seize my own,
My true betrothed love, and now my wife?
But let the laws of Rome determine all;
Meanwhile am I possess’d of that is mine.
SATURNINUS.
‘Tis good, sir. You are very short with us;
But if we live we’ll be as sharp with you.
BASSIANUS.
My lord, what I have done, as best I may,
Answer I must, and shall do with my life.
Only thus much I give your grace to know,—
By all the duties that I owe to Rome,
This noble gentleman, Lord Titus here,
Is in opinion and in honour wrong’d,
That, in the rescue of Lavinia,
With his own hand did slay his youngest son,
In zeal to you, and highly mov’d to wrath
To be controll’d in that he frankly gave:
Receive him then to favour, Saturnine,
That hath express’d himself in all his deeds
A father and a friend to thee and Rome.
TITUS.
Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds:
‘Tis thou and those that have dishonour’d me.
Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge
How I have lov’d and honour’d Saturnine!
TAMORA.
My worthy lord, if ever Tamora
Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine,
Then hear me speak indifferently for all;
And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.
SATURNINUS.
What, madam! be dishonoured openly,
And basely put it up without revenge?
TAMORA.
Not so, my lord; the gods of Rome forfend
I should be author to dishonour you!
But on mine honour dare I undertake
For good Lord Titus’ innocence in all,
Whose fury not dissembled speaks his griefs:
Then at my suit look graciously on him;
Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose,
Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.—
[Aside.] My lord, be rul’d by me, be won at last;
Dissemble all your griefs and discontents:
You are but newly planted in your throne;
Lest, then, the people, and patricians too,
Upon a just survey take Titus’ part,
And so supplant you for ingratitude,—
Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,—
Yield at entreats; and then let me alone:
I’ll find a day to massacre them all,
And raze their faction and their family,
The cruel father and his traitorous sons,
To whom I sued for my dear son’s life;
And make them know what ‘tis to let a queen
Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain.—
Come, come, sweet emperor,—come, Andronicus,—
Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart
That dies in tempest of thy angry frown.
SATURNINUS.
Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath prevail’d.
TITUS.
I thank your majesty and her, my lord:
These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.
TAMORA.
Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,
A Roman now adopted happily,
And must advise the emperor for his good.
This day all quarrels die, Andronicus;—
And let it be mine honour, good my lord,
That I have reconcil’d your friends and you. —
For you, Prince Bassianus, I have pass’d
My word and promise to the emperor
That you will be more mild and tractable.—
And fear not, lords,—and you, Lavinia,—
By my advice, all humbled on your knees,
You shall ask pardon of his majesty.
LUCIUS.
We do; and vow to heaven and to his highness
That what we did was mildly as we might,
Tendering our sister’s honour and our own.
MARCUS.
That on mine honour here do I protest.
SATURNINUS.
Away, and talk not; trouble us no more.
TAMORA.
Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all be friends:
The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace;
I will not be denied: sweet heart, look back.
