Tam. Farewell, my sons; see that you make her sure. Ne'er let my heart know merry cheer indeed, 190 [Exit. Re-enter Aaron with Quintus and Martius. Aar. Come on, my lords, the better foot before: Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit Where I espied the panther fast asleep. Quin. My sight is very dull, whate'er it bodes. Mart. And mine, I promise you; were it not for shame, Well could I leave our sport to sleep awhile. [Falls into the pit. Quin. What, art thou fall'n? What subtle hole is this, Whose mouth is cover'd with rude-growing briars, Upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood 200 As fresh as morning dew distill'd on flowers? Speak, brother, hast thou hurt thee with the Mart. O brother, with the dismal'st object hurt That ever eye with sight made heart lament! Aar. [Aside] Now will I fetch the king to find them here, That he thereby may have a likely guess How these were they that made away his brother. [Exit. Mart. Why dost not comfort me, and help me out From this unhallow'd and blood-stained hole? Quin. I am surprised with an uncouth fear; 211 A chilling sweat o'er-runs my trembling joints; My heart suspects more than mine eye can see. Mart. To prove thou hast a true-divining heart, Aaron and thou look down into this den, And see a fearful sight of blood and death. Quin. Aaron is gone; and my compassionate heart Will not permit mine eyes once to behold The thing whereat it trembles by surmise: O, tell me how it is; for ne'er till now Was I a child to fear I know not what. Mart. Lord Bassianus lies embrewed here, All on a heap, like to a slaughter'd lamb, A precious ring, that lightens all the hole, 220 Doth shine upon the dead man's earthy cheeks, 227. "a precious ring, that lightens all the hole"; old naturalists assert that there is a gem called a carbuncle, which emits not reflected but native light. Boyle believed in the reality of its existence. It is often alluded to in ancient fable. Thus in The Gesta Romanorum: "He farther beheld and saw a carbuncle that lighted all the house." And Drayton in The Muse's Elysium: "Is that admired mighty stone, The carbuncle that's named; And radiancy ejecteth, That in the very darkest night And shows the ragged entrails of the pit: 230 When he by night lay bathed in maiden blood. As hateful as Cocytus' misty mouth. Quin. Reach me thy hand, that I may help thee out; Or, wanting strength to do thee so much good, 240 I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink. Mart. Nor I no strength to climb without thy help. Quin. Thy hand once more; I will not loose again, Till thou art here aloft, or I below: Thou canst not come to me: I come to thee. 1 Enter Saturninus with Aaron. [Falls in. 250 Sat. Along with me: I 'll see what hole is here, Upon the north side of this pleasant chase; Mart. We know not where you left them all alive; Re-enter Tamora, with Attendants; Titus Andronicus, and Lucius. Tam. Where is my lord the king? Sat. Here, Tamora; though grieved with killing grief. Tam. Where is thy brother Bassianus? 260 Sat. Now to the bottom dost thou search my wound: Poor Bassianus here lies murdered. Tam. [Giving a letter] Then all too late I bring this fatal writ, The complot of this timeless tragedy; And wonder greatly that man's face can fold In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny. Sat. [Reads] 'An if we miss to meet him handsomely Sweet huntsman, Bassianus 'tis we mean Do thou so much as dig the grave for him: 270 Thou know'st our meaning. Look for thy reward Among the nettles at the elder-tree, Which overshades the mouth of that same pit This is the pit, and this the elder-tree. Look, sirs, if you can find the huntsman out Aar. My gracious lord, here is the bag of gold. 280 Sat. [To Titus] Two of thy whelps, fell curs of bloody kind, 275. "purchase us"; win us as.-C. H. H. Have here bereft my brother of his life. Some never-heard-of torturing pain for them. Tam. What, are they in this pit? O wondrous thing! How easily murder is discovered! 290 Tit. High emperor, upon my feeble knee 300 Let them not speak a word; the guilt is plain; For, by my soul, were there worse end than death, That end upon them should be executed. Tam. Andronicus, I will entreat the king: Fear not thy sons; they shall do well enough. Tit. Come, Lucius, come; stay not to talk with [Exeunt. them. |