Part 1 — SCENE V.—Sextus’s Chamber in Collatine’s House.
Reading edition
Sextus and Lucrece discovered.
Sextus.
Nay, weep not, sweet, what’s done is past recall.
Call not thy name in question, by this sorrow,
Which is yet without blemish; what hath passed
Is hid from the world’s eye, and only private
’Twixt us. Fair Lucrece, pull not on my head
The wrath of Rome; if I have done thee wrong,
Love was the cause; thy fame is without blot,
And thou in Sextus hast a true friend got.
Nay, sweet, look up; thou only hast my heart;
I must be gone, Lucrece; a kiss and part.
Lucrece.
Oh! [She flings from him and exit.
Sextus.
No? Peevish dame, farewell! then be the bruiter
Of thy own shame, which Tarquin would conceal;
I am armed ’gainst all can come; let mischief frown,
With all his terror, armed with ominous fate;
To all their spleens a welcome I’ll afford,
With this bold heart, strong hand and my good sword. [Exit.