Marc. Canst thou not guess wherefore she plies thee thus? 20 Boy. My lord, I know not, I, nor can I guess, Causeless perhaps. But pardon me, sweet aunt: I will most willingly attend your ladyship. Marc. Lucius, I will. [Lavinia turns over with her stumps the books which Lucius has let fall. Tit. How now, Lavinia! Marcus, what means this? 30 Some book there is that she desires to see. Which is it, girl, of these? Open them, boy. But thou art deeper read, and better skill'd: Come, and take choice of all my library, And so beguile thy sorrow, till the heavens Reveal the damn'd contriver of this deed. Why lifts she up her arms in sequence thus? Marc. I think she means that there were more than one Confederate in the fact; aye, more there was; 39 Tit. Lucius, what book is that she tosseth so? Marc. For love of her that's gone, Perhaps she cull'd it from among the rest. What would she find? Lavinia, shall I read? And treats of Tereus' treason and his rape; leaves. 50 Tit. Lavinia, wert thou thus surprised, sweet girl, Forced in the ruthless, vast, and gloomy woods? Aye, such a place there is, where we did hunt,- 60 By nature made for murders and for rapes. What Roman lord it was durst do the deed: That left the camp to sin in Lucrece' bed? 45. "Soft! so busily"; Qq., Ff., reads "Soft, so busily"; Rowe, "Soft! see how busily"; Capell, "Soft, soft; how busily"; Knight, "Soft! how busily"; Keightley, "Soft, soft! so busily"; Collier MS., "Soft! see how busily."-I. G. 48. "treason"; treachery.-C. H. H. Marc. Sit down, sweet niece: brother, sit down by me. Apollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury, Inspire me, that I may this treason find! 70 Without the help of any hand at all. That we may know the traitors and the truth! [She takes the staff in her mouth, and guides it with her stumps, and writes. Tit. O, do ye read, my lord, what she hath writ? 'Stuprum. Chiron. Demetrius.' Marc. What, what! the lustful sons of Tamora Performers of this heinous, bloody deed? Tit. Magni Dominator poli, 80 Tam lentus audis scelera? tam lentus vides? Marc. O, calm thee, gentle lord; although I know There is enough written upon this earth To stir a mutiny in the mildest thoughts, 81-82. "Magni Dominator poli, Tam lentus audis scelera? tam lentus vides?"; i. e. Great ruler of the skies, dost thou so tardily hear and see crimes committed? (Seneca's Hippolytus, ii. 671); Theobald, “Magne Dominator"; Hanmer, “Magne Regnator.”—I. G. And kneel, sweet boy, the Roman Hector's hope; And swear with me, as, with the woeful fere But if you hunt these bear-whelps, then beware: And with a gad of steel will write these words, Will blow these sands, like Sibyl's leaves, And where's your lesson then? Boy, what say you? Boy. I say, my lord, that if I were a man, Their mother's bed-chamber should not be safe For these bad bondmen to the yoke of Rome. Marc. Aye, that's my boy! thy father hath full oft For his ungrateful country done the like. Boy. And, uncle, so will I, an if I live. Tit. Come, go with me into mine armory: 110 109. "bondmen"; as being prisoners of war, and therefore of the status of slaves.-C. H. H. Lucius, I'll fit thee, and withal, my boy Boy. Aye, with my dagger in their bosoms, grand sire. Tit. No, boy, not so; I'll teach thee another course. Lavinia, come. Marcus, look to my house: 120 Lucius and I'll go brave it at the court; Aye, marry, will we, sir; and we 'll be waited on. That hath more scars of sorrow in his heart [Exit. SCENE II The same. A room in the palace. Enter Aaron, Chiron, and Demetrius at one door; and at another door, young Lucius, and an Attendant, with a bundle of weapons, and verses writ upon them. Chi. Demetrius, here's the son of Lucius; 129. "Revenge, ye heavens,” Johnson conj.; “Revenge the heavens,” BO Qq., Ff.-I. G. |