Luc. Away with him! and make a fire straight; Chi. Was ever Scythia half so barbarous? 130 To tremble under Titus' threatening look. With opportunity of sharp revenge Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent, queen, To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes. 140 Re-enter the sons of Andronicus, with their swords bloody. Luc. See, lord and father, how we have perform'd Our Roman rites: Alarbus' limbs are lopp'd, And entrails feed the sacrificing fire, Whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the Remaineth nought but to inter our brethren, Tit. Let it be so; and let Andronicus 138. "his tent"; Theobald reads "her tent" (alluding to Hecuba beguiling Polymnestor into the tent where she and the other Trojan captives were).-I. G. Make this his latest farewell to their souls. Secure from worldly chances and mishaps! No noise, but silence and eternal sleep: In peace and honor rest you here, my sons! Enter Lavinia. 160 Lav. In peace and honor live Lord Titus long; 154. "drugs"; Q. 1, "drugges"; Q. 2, "grudgges"; Ff., "grudges." -I. G. 167. To "outlive an eternal date" is, though not philosophical, yet poetical sense. He wishes that her life may be longer than his, and her praise longer than fame.-H. N. H. Enter, below, Marcus Andronicus and Tribunes: re-enter Saturninus and Bassianus, attended. Marc. Long live Lord Titus, my beloved brother, Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome! 170 Tit. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Marcus. Marc. And welcome, nephews, from successful wars, You that survive, and you that sleep in fame! But safer triumph is this funeral pomp, And help to set a head on headless Rome. Than his that shakes for age and feebleness: 189. To "don" is to do on, that is, put on.-H. N. H. 190 And led my country's strength successfully, Upright he held it, lords, that held it last. 200 Marc. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery. Sat. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou tell? Tit. Patience, Prince Saturninus. Sat. Romans, do me right; Patricians, draw your swords, and sheathe them not Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor. Andronicus, would thou wert shipp'd to hell, Rather than rob me of the people's hearts! Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good That noble-minded Titus means to thee! Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee 210 The people's hearts, and wean them from themselves. Bas. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee, But honor thee, and will do till I die: My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends, Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes here, Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus? Tribunes. To gratify the good Andronicus, And gratulate his safe return to Rome, 201. "obtain and ask"; obtain merely by asking.-C. H. H. 220 The people will accept whom he admits. Tit. Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I make, That you create your emperor's eldest son, Lord Saturnine; whose virtues will, I hope, Reflect on Rome as Titan's rays on earth, And ripen justice in this commonweal: Then, if you will elect by my advice, Crown him, and say 'Long live our emperor!' I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts, 240 Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart, Tit. It doth, my worthy lord; and in this match 224. "create"; elect.-C. H. H. 230. "sort"; class (of citizens).-C. H. H. |