Act 4 — Scene IV. The same. Before the palace.
Reading edition
Enter Saturninus, Tamora, Chiron, Demetrius, Lords, and others; Saturninus with the Arrows in his hand that Titus shot.[4614]
Sat. Why, lords, what wrongs are these! was ever seen[4615] An emperor in Rome thus overborne,[4616] Troubled, confronted thus, and for the extent Of egal justice used in such contempt?[4617] My lords, you know, as know the mightful gods,[4618] 5 However these disturbers of our peace[4619] Buzz in the people's ears, there nought hath pass'd But even with law against the wilful sons[4620] Of old Andronicus. And what an if[4621] His sorrows have so overwhelm'd his wits, 10 Shall we be thus afflicted in his wreaks,[4622] 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: 15 Sweet scrolls to fly about the streets of Rome! What's this but libelling against the senate,[4623] And blazoning our unjustice every where?[4623][4624] A goodly humour, is it not, my lords? As who would say, in Rome no justice were. 20 But if I live, his feigned ecstasies[4625] Shall be no shelter to these outrages: But he and his shall know that justice lives In Saturninus' health; whom, if he sleep,[4626][4627] He'll so awake, as he in fury shall[4627] 25 Cut off the proud'st conspirator that lives.[4628] Tam. My gracious lord, my lovely Saturnine,[4629] Lord of my life, commander of my thoughts,[4630] Calm thee, and bear the faults of Titus' age,[4631] The effects of sorrow for his valiant sons, 30 Whose loss hath pierced him deep and scarr'd his heart; And rather comfort his distressed plight[4632] Than prosecute the meanest or the best For these contempts. [Aside] Why, thus it shall become[4633] High-witted Tamora to gloze with all:[4634] 35 But, Titus, I have touch'd thee to the quick,[4635] Thy life-blood out: if Aaron now be wise,[4635][4636] Then is all safe, the anchor in the port.[4637]
Enter Clown.
How now, good fellow! wouldst thou speak with us? Clo. Yea, forsooth, an your mistership be emperial.[4638] 40 Tam. Empress I am, but yonder sits the emperor. Clo. 'Tis he. God and Saint Stephen give you god-den:[4639][4640] I have brought you a letter and a couple of pigeons[4639] here. [Saturninus reads the letter.[4639][4641] Sat. Go, take him away, and hang him presently.[4642] 45 Clo. How much money must I have?[4643] Tam. Come, sirrah, you must be hanged.[4644] Clo. Hanged! by'r lady, then I have brought up a neck[4645] to a fair end. [Exit, guarded.[4646] Sat. Despiteful and intolerable wrongs! 50 Shall I endure this monstrous villany? I know from whence this same device proceeds:[4647] May this be borne? As if his traitorous sons,[4648] That died by law for murder of our brother, Have by my means been butcher'd wrongfully![4649] 55 Go, drag the villain hither by the hair; Nor age nor honour shall shape privilege:[4650] For this proud mock I'll be thy slaughter-man; Sly frantic wretch, that holp'st to make me great, In hope thyself should govern Rome and me. 60
Enter Æmilius.[4651]
What news with thee, Æmilius?[4652] Æmil. Arm, my lords; Rome never had more cause.[4653] The Goths have gather'd head, and with a power[4654] Of high-resolved men, bent to the spoil, They hither march amain, under conduct[4655] 65 Of Lucius, son to old Andronicus; Who threats, in course of this revenge, to do[4656] As much as ever Coriolanus did. Sat. Is warlike Lucius general of the Goths?[4657][4658] These tidings nip me, and I hang the head 70 As flowers with frost or grass beat down with storms: Ay, now begin our sorrows to approach:[4659] 'Tis he the common people love so much; Myself hath often heard them say,[4660] When I have walked like a private man, 75 That Lucius' banishment was wrongfully, And they have wish'd that Lucius were their emperor.[4661] Tam. Why should you fear? is not your city strong?[4662] Sat. Ay, but the citizens favour Lucius,[4657] And will revolt from me to succour him. 80 Tam. King, be thy thoughts imperious, like thy name. Is the sun dimm'd, that gnats do fly in it?[4663] The eagle suffers little birds to sing, And is not careful what they mean thereby, Knowing that with the shadow of his wings[4664] 85 He can at pleasure stint their melody: Even so mayst thou the giddy men of Rome.[4665] Then cheer thy spirit: for know, thou emperor, I will enchant the old Andronicus With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, 90 Than baits to fish, or honey-stalks to sheep; Whenas the one is wounded with the bait, The other rotted with delicious feed.[4666] Sat. But he will not entreat his son for us.[4657][4667] Tam. If Tamora entreat him, then he will:[4668] 95 For I can smooth, and fill his aged ears[4669] With golden promises; that, were his heart Almost impregnable, his old ears deaf,[4670] Yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue. [To Æmilius] Go thou before, be our ambassador:[4671] 100 Say that the emperor requests a parley Of warlike Lucius, and appoint the meeting Even at his father's house, the old Andronicus.[4672] Sat. Æmilius, do this message honourably:[4657][4667] And if he stand on hostage for his safety,[4673] 105 Bid him demand what pledge will please him best. Æmil. Your bidding shall I do effectually. [Exit. Tam. Now will I to that old Andronicus, And temper him with all the art I have,[4674] To pluck proud Lucius from the warlike Goths. 110 And now, sweet emperor, be blithe again, And bury all thy fear in my devices.[4675] Sat. Then go successantly, and plead to him. [Exeunt.[4676]