Act 2 — Scene I. Rome. Before the palace.

Aar. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top, Safe out of fortune's shot, and sits aloft, Secure of thunder's crack or lightning flash, Advanced above pale envy's threatening reach.[4090] As when the golden sun salutes the morn, 5 And, having gilt the ocean with his beams, Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach, And overlooks the highest-peering hills;[4091] So Tamora:[4092] Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait,[4093] 10 And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown. Then, Aaron, arm thy heart, and fit thy thoughts,[4094] To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress,[4095] And mount her pitch, whom thou in triumph long Hast prisoner held, fetter'd in amorous chains, 15 And faster bound to Aaron's charming eyes Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus.[4096] Away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts![4097] I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold, To wait upon this new-made empress.[4098] 20 To wait, said I? to wanton with this queen,[4099] This goddess, this Semiramis, this nymph,[4100] This siren, that will charm Rome's Saturnine, And see his shipwreck and his commonweal's. Holloa! what storm is this? 25

Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge,[4102] And manners, to intrude where I am graced, And may, for aught thou know'st, affected be.[4103] Chi. Demetrius, thou dost over-ween in all, And so in this, to bear me down with braves. 30 'Tis not the difference of a year or two Makes me less gracious, or thee more fortunate:[4104] I am as able and as fit as thou To serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace; And that my sword upon thee shall approve, 35 And plead my passions for Lavinia's love.[4105] Aar. [Aside] Clubs, clubs! these lovers will not keep the peace.[4106][4107] Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadvised, Gave you a dancing-rapier by your side,[4108] Are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends?[4109] 40 Go to; have your lath glued within your sheath Till you know better how to handle it. Chi. Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill I have, Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare. Dem. Ay, boy, grow ye so brave? [They draw. Aar. [Coming forward] Why, how now, lords![4110] 45 So near the emperor's palace dare you draw, And maintain such a quarrel openly? Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge:[4111] I would not for a million of gold The cause were known to them it most concerns; 50 Nor would your noble mother for much more Be so dishonour'd in the court of Rome.[4112] For shame, put up. Dem. Not I, till I have sheathed[4113] My rapier in his bosom, and withal Thrust those reproachful speeches down his throat[4114] 55 That he hath breathed in my dishonour here. Chi. For that I am prepared and full resolved.[4115] Foul-spoken coward! that thunder'st with thy tongue[4116] And with thy weapon nothing darest perform.[4117] Aar. Away, I say![4106] 60 Now, by the gods that warlike Goths adore,[4118] This petty brabble will undo us all.[4119] Why, lords, and think you not how dangerous[4120] It is to jet upon a prince's right?[4121] What, is Lavinia then become so loose, 65 Or Bassianus so degenerate, That for her love such quarrels may be broach'd Without controlment, justice, or revenge?[4122] Young lords, beware! an should the empress know[4123] This discord's ground, the music would not please.[4124] 70 Chi. I care not, I, knew she and all the world: I love Lavinia more than all the world. Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner choice:[4125] Lavinia is thine elder brother's hope. Aar. Why, are ye mad? or know ye not, in Rome[4106][4126] 75 How furious and impatient they be, And cannot brook competitors in love? I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths By this device.[4127] Chi. Aaron, a thousand deaths[4128] Would I propose to achieve her whom I love.[4128][4129] 80 Aar. To achieve her! how? Dem. Why makest thou it so strange?[4130] She is a woman, therefore may be woo'd; She is a woman, therefore may be won; She is Lavinia, therefore must be loved. What, man! more water glideth by the mill 85 Than wots the miller of; and easy it is Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know: Though Bassianus be the emperor's brother, Better than he have worn Vulcan's badge.[4131] Aar. [Aside] Ay, and as good as Saturninus may.[4106][4132] 90 Dem. Then why should he despair that knows to court it With words, fair looks, and liberality? What, hast not thou full often struck a doe,[4133] And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose? Aar. Why, then, it seems, some certain snatch or so[4106] 95 Would serve your turns. Chi. Ay, so the turn were served. Dem. Aaron, thou hast hit it. Aar. Would you had hit it too![4106] Then should not we be tired with this ado. Why, hark ye, hark ye! and are you such fools To square for this? would it offend you, then,[4134] 100 That both should speed?[4135] Chi. Faith, not me. Dem. Nor me, so I were one.[4136] Aar. For shame, be friends, and join for that you jar: 'Tis policy and stratagem must do That you affect; and so must you resolve, 105 That what you cannot as you would achieve, You must perforce accomplish as you may. Take this of me: Lucrece was not more chaste Than this Lavinia, Bassianus' love.[4137] A speedier course than lingering languishment[4138] 110 Must we pursue, and I have found the path.[4139] My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand; There will the lovely Roman ladies troop: The forest walks are wide and spacious; And many unfrequented plots there are 115 Fitted by kind for rape and villany: Single you thither then this dainty doe, And strike her home by force, if not by words: This way, or not at all, stand you in hope. Come, come, our empress, with her sacred wit[4140] 120 To villany and vengeance consecrate, Will we acquaint with all that we intend;[4141] And she shall file our engines with advice,[4142] That will not suffer you to square yourselves, But to your wishes' height advance you both. 125 The emperor's court is like the house of Fame, The palace full of tongues, of eyes and ears:[4143] The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf and dull;[4144] There speak, and strike, brave boys, and take your turns; There serve your lust, shadow'd from heaven's eye,[4145] 130 And revel in Lavinia's treasury. Chi. Thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice. Dem. Sit fas aut nefas, till I find the stream[4146] To cool this heat, a charm to calm these fits,[4147] Per Styga, per manes vehor. [Exeunt.[4148] 135