Titus Andronicus, or, The rape of Lavinia acted at the Theatre Royall : a tragedy, alter'd from Mr. Shakespears works / by Mr. Edw. Ravenscroft.

ACT III. SCENE I.

Enter Aron, alone, with Money.

Aron.

HE that had Wit wou'd think that I had none, To Bury so much Gold beneath a tree, And never after to Inherit it, Let him that thinks of me so abjectly,

Know that this Gold must Coin a Stratagem, Which cunningly Effected will beget, A very Excellent piece of Villany,

Aron Digs a hole in the Earth with his Sword, & burys the bag of Money.

Lye there Sweet Gold, thou poys'ner of Virtue, Thou powerfull destroyer of all good, And glittering Seed of Mischief:— When e're thou dost appear to Eyes again, Sprout up a plentifull harvest of Ills, With Blood thou shalt be water'd, Humane blood Shall fatten the Soil, and men shall reap the crop In Penitence and Sorrow.

Enter Tamora.

Tamora.

The Emperour with Wine and Luxury o'recome Is fallen asleep—in's pendar-couch he's Laid, That hangs in yonder Grotto rock'd by Winds, Which rais'd by Art do give it gentle motion, And Troops of Slaves stand round with Fans perfum'd Made of the feathers pluck'd from Indian Birds, And cool him into golden Slumbers— This time I chose to come to thee my Moor. My Lovely Aron wherefore Look'st thou Sad, When every thing doth show a joyfull boast? The Birds make Harmony on every Bush, The Snakes lye roul'd, Basking in the chearfull Sun, The Green Leaves quiver with the cooling wind, And cast a checker'd Shadow on the ground▪ The Flowers beneath do shed their fragrances, And thro' the Air diffuse their subtle sweets— Under this Shade, my Aron, let's lie down, In full possession of all these delights. The murmur of the Winds, and melody Of Birds that round us sing upon the boughs, Shall charm our thoughts to sweet repose, As Infants by their Nurses Songs are laid to sleep.

Aron.

Madam, tho' Venus Govern your desires▪ Saturne is Dominator over mine: What signifies my deadly standing Eve? My Silence, and my cloudy Melancholly, My fleece of Woolly-Hair that now uncurls, Even as an Adder when she doth unrowle To do some fatal Execution? No, Madam, these are no Venereal Signs▪ Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand,

Blood and Revenge are brooding in my Skull: Heark Tamora, the Empress of my Soul; Which never hopes more Heaven then rests in thee. This is the day of Doom for Bassianus, His Philomell must lose her tongue to day, Thy Sons make pillage of her Chastity, And wash their hands in Bassianus blood▪ Seest thou this Letter? Take it, give 't th' Emperour. This other fatal plotted scrowl Shall draw two more of Titus Sons to ruine. I see thy cheeks gloe with desire of knowledge: But ask no Questions.

Tam.

I'le only ask one Kiss, To leave a rellish till we meet again.

Aron.

We are observ'd—the prey is come into our Nets, Senseless their Lives destruction is so nigh.

Enter Bassianus, Lavinia.

Tamora.

Ah my Lov'd Moor, dearer to me then Life.

Aron.

No more, great Empress, Bassianus starts To see our fondness, I'le leave you here; If he take notice of 't, foment a Quarrell, I'le go and fetch your Sons to end it with him.

Bassi.

Ha! Romes Royall Empress Unfurnisht of Attendants and her Guard!

Tam.

Unmannerly Intruder as thou art.

Bassi.

Lavinia did she not Kiss the Moor?

Lav.

Ay my Lord.

Bassi.

Hell—Kiss a Moor. Believe me Madam, your Swarthy Cymerion Has made your Honour of his bodies hue, Black, Loathsome, and Detested.

Tam.

Sawcy controuler of my private steps.

Bassi.

Why are you singl'd forth from all your Train, And here retir'd to an obscure place— Accompany'd but with a Barbarous Moor, Unless to try Experiments?

Tam.

I have patience to endure all this▪

Bassi.

By Heavens I saw you in Ecclipse. The bright Imperial Sun of Rome's Ecclips'd With a black Cloud, ne're to shine forth again.

Tam.

Envious, unmannerly▪ Bassianus!

Lav.

Come, my Lord, she is angry, let us leave her▪

To enioy her Raven-colour'd Love.

Bassi.

Yes—Like a frighted Crow he takes a flight round, And anon will light upon the same Tree.

Tam.

Oh Insufferable!

Bassi.

Ay intollerable! The Emperour shall know—

Enter Demetrius, Chiron.

Demet.

What change is this we in the Empress see?

Chiron.

Why Royal Madam, do you look so pale?

Tam.

Have I not reason think you to look pale?

These two by talk have won me to this place This silent secret and retir'd place. And when they'd snew'd me this dark gloomy Vault Which strikes the Eyes with terror to behold And does amaze the wondring Looker In, They told me, here at dead time of night, A thousand Fiends, a thousand hissing Snakes, With cries of restless Spirits and groans of Ghosts Would make such fearful and confused noises, That any Mortal Creature list'ning to't, Would streight fall Mad or else dye suddenly. No sooner had they told this Hellish Tale, But that they said they'd throw me bound into't: Roule me far under ground; and leave me there To dye a miserable Death▪

Lav.

Heavens!

Bassi.

Hear this ye Roman Gods.

Tam.

My Sons, they call'd me foul Adultress, Lascivious Goth, and all the vilest terms That ever Ear did hear to such effect. And had you not by wonderous fortune come, This Vengence on me had they Executed. Revenge it as you love your Mothers Life, Or never be ye henceforth call'd my Sons.

Demet.

This is a Witness that I am thy Son.

Stabs Bassianus.

Chiron.

And this from me, struck home to shew how much I Love the Honour of that Name.

[again.

Bassia.

Lavinia—oh!—

[Bassia. Dies.

Lavin.

I come—

[Lavinia Catches up his Sword & offers to kill her self, is pre∣vented by D.

Demet.

Stay, we have other business with you yet. Drag hence her Husbands body to that Cave, As Aron did direct and Tople it—headlong in.

Chir. throws the Body into the Vault, Tam. the whilst holds Lav.

Now farther off let's bear this trembling Maid,

To some close Grotto, or hollow, underground, More fitted for delight and pleasure,— There we will rifle all her sweets.

Chiron.

Come Lavinia—

Demet.

Lay by this Modesty, and dye thy Cheeks with red, They look too pale—Warm them with hot desires, And let 'em gloe with Lust and appetite.

Lavin.

Empress.—

Chir.

Nay, be not shy to go, you will but put us To the pleasure to grasp your tender Limbs, And bear you in our Arms to Covert.

Lavin.

Oh Tamora thou bear'st a Womans face,

Tam.

I will not hear her speak.

Lavin.

Princes entreat her, hear me but a word.

Dem.

Give her a hearing, let it be your Glory. To see her Tears, but be your heart to them, As unrelenting Flints to drops of Rain.

Lavin.

When did the Tygers young ones teach the damn? O do no learn her wrath, she taught it thee, The Milk thou suck'dst from her did turn to Marble, Even at that Breast thou hadst thy Tyranny, Yet every Mother breeds not Sons alike, Do thou Entreat her then to shew a Woman pity.

Chir.

Would'st thou have me degenerate?

Lavin.

'Tis true, the Raven does not hatch a Lark, And yet some say, they foster forlorn Children, The whilst their own Birds famish in their Nests. O be to me, tho' thy hard heart say no, Nothing so kind, but something Mercifull.

Tam.

Mercy! I know not what it means.

Lavin.

O let me teach thee for my Fathers sake, That did preserve thy life in th' midst of War; Be not obdurate, open thy deaf Ears.

Tam.

Had'st thou in person ne're offended me, Even for his sake, am I Merciless. Remember Sons I pour'd forth tears in vain To save your Brother from their Rage; But fierce Andronicus would not relent; And we were but preserv'd alive in War, To make his mighty boast at Rome. Therefore away, and use her as you will.

Lavin.

O Tamora preserve me from their Lusts, Kill me, throw me into you dreadfull Vault, Where my dead Lord does now lye bath'd in Gore.

Do this and be a Charitable Murderess.—

Tam.

So should I rob my Sons of more then half Their pleasure of Revenge—

Chir.

She that did brand your Name with Infamy, Shan't with her boasted Roman Honour fall.

Tam.

Take her hence.—

Lav.

No Grace! No Shame! No Pitty! O Barbarous creature, The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Enemy to our general Name. Confusion fall.—

Demil.

Nay, if you rail, we'le stop your Mouth, And bear you farther off.

[Exeunt Dem. Chi. Dragging Lav.

Tam.

Ne're rest my Soul nor know one hour of joy 'Till all the Adronicie be made away▪ Now will I hence and seek my Lovely Moor, To know what farther mischiefs are in store.

[Exit.

Enter Quintus and Martius.

Mart.

Now Quintus are we near the place you nam'd? What is that pleasant Secret you would tell, Made you so earnest with me to come hither?

Quin.

'Twill please thee Martius when 'tis known, read that.

Gives a Letter. Martius Reads.

Quintus as soon as this comes to your hands, find out your Bro∣ther Martius, Bring him with you into the Banii Gardens, and at∣tend a while at the Mouth of the Vault which is called the Ser∣pents-Den, where once the mighty Snake was found: Your Ex∣pectations shall be rewarded with the Company of two Ladies, Young, and in our own opinions not 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whose sight shall not displease you; Love gives the Invitation, and we believe you both Gallant Enough to know how to use it, and to conceal our favours.—

Quin.

Now Martius do you blame the haste I made? My Earnest pressing of you hither—

Mart.

No Lucky Quintus— I am all on fire To see these Nymps, those kind and Loving ones.

Quin.

O Love! How I do long to taste thy Banquet! And revel with the fair Inviters:

Martius.

Be Quick-sighted as the Hungry Hawk, That's watching for a Morning-Prey.— Let nothing like a Goddess scape thine Eye.

Quint.

My sight is very dull what e're it Bodes.

Mart.

This is the Entrance to the Vault.

Quintus.

Martius! What drops of new-shed blood are these! As fresh as morning Dew distill'd on flowers.

Mart.

I am surpriz'd with more then common fear, A Chilling-Sweat runs o're my trembling joynts.

Quint.

Here is a tract of Blood.

Mart.

Look down into 't—

Qu. Kneels and Looks down into the Vault.

My Heart suspects more then my Eyes do see.

Quintus.

Thou hast a true Divinity Heart.

Mart.

What dost thou see?—

Quint.

A Sight will make that Heart of thine Lament. — A Dismal sight of Bloud and Death.

Mart.

O tell me who it is, for ne're 'till now Was I a Child, to fear I know not what.

Quint.

Prince Bassianus▪ Pale and Bloody lies, All on a heap in this dark Loathsome Hole.

Mart.

If it be dark, how dost thou know 'tis he?

Quint.

Upon his Bloudy finger he does wear A Sparkling Ring that casts a lustre round, Which like a Tapor in some Monument, Doth shine upon the Deadmans Earthly-Cheeks, And shews the ragged intrails of this Vault. Look down your self and see the Horrors there.

Mart.

My Compassionate heart will scarce permit My Eyes once to behold the thing, for which So much 'tis griev'd.—

[Looks down.

What horrid sight that flaming Ring Betrays? So Pale did, shine the Moon on Piramus, When he by Night lay bath'd in Maiden Bloud, O Quintus help me with thy fainting hand, If fear hath made thee faint as me it hath, And let's depart, to tell the afflicting news Of Bassianus Death.

Enter Emperour, Aron, Attendants.

Emp.

Said you not Aron my Empress walk'd this way?

Aron.

See Sir, with hasty steps she follows you, Love brings her Swift along, as if from far She towards her center mov'd.

Mart.

O Royal Sir—

Quin.

O Emperour—

Emp.

Who are these?

Mart.

Two unhappy Sons of old Andronicus, Brought hither in a most unlucky hour

To find the noble Bassianus dead.

Emp.

The sound is hatefull, false—beware, 'twill blast The Evill Teller.

Mart.

Too just a witness of so sad a truth. Within the hollow of that Vault you'l find.

Emp.

I see, I see Bassianus Murder'd Lyes. Oh wherefore serve the Gods—tamely to sit In their Ethereal Thrones, and see such deeds Acted on Earth, and not throw sudden Vengeance down Upon the wicked Authors heads.

Enter Tamora, Andronicus, Lucius.

Tam.

Where is the Emperour?

Emp.

Here Tamora, but Kil'd with fatall sights.

Tam.

Where is the Noble Prince Bassianus?

Emp.

Now to the bottom dost thou search the wound: Bassianus here lyes Murther'd.

Tam.

Then all too Late we bring this fatall writing, The great Contrivance of his timeless death.

gives the Emp. a Paper.

And wonder Strangely that mans face can fold In pleasing smiles such wondrous Tyranny.

The Emperour

Reads.

Follow the Prince, at distance to the Vault,

We have contriv'd a plot to bring him there,

If our hands miss or falter in the deed,

Let thine finish the work which ours begun.

Thou know'st our meaning, look for thy reward

Beneath the Pine that grows so near the place

Where we decreed to bury Bassianus.

Hid in the Earth thou'st find a Sum of Gold,

Take it and free thy self from Slavery.

Emp.

Oh Tamora! was Ever heard the like? This is the Vault and yonder is the tree; Look round and see if any Slave be near. See what thy sons trayn'd up in blood have done,

[to Titus.

Destroy'd a Prince to me more dear then Empire, These are the Sons of good Andronicus. Drag them to prison, let them there remain, 'Till their punishment invented be; Torments that yet are to the world unknown, Stange and unheard of as the deed that's done.

Titus.

Great Emperour upon my feeble Knee, I beg this grace with tears, not lightly shed, That if this fault of my accursed Sons, Accurs'd indeed, if e're the fault be prov'd—

Emp.

If it be prov'd, you see it is apparent. Who found this Letter Empress, was it you?

Tam.

Andronicus himself did take it up.

Titus.

I did my Lord; yet let me be their pledge, For by my Fathers reverend Tomb I vow, They shall be ready at your great Command To answer this Suspition with their Lives.

Emp.

Thou shalt not free them, Titus.

Aron.

Here is the gold which lightly with my Sword I have dug up.

Emp.

A Summ not worth one hair of Bassianus! Throw't into Tybur let it Rowl to Tagus, From hence 'twas fetch'd and turn that Sea to blood▪ Of which it was the price▪ and all it's sand Henceforth that colour hold as if it Blush'd For all the ills 't has caus'd to men.

Tam.

Accursed Gold.

Emp.

The Princes body hear to funeral Pomp Those wretches into dungeons throw▪

Marti.

Emperour.

Quint.

Emperour.

Emp.

Let 'em not speak a word their guilt is plain, Were there worse End then Death, 't should be their doom.

Tam.

Andronicus I will appease the Emperour, Fear not, I'le bear thy Sons above the rage.

Lucius.

Do't and Eternal blessings Crown the Empress.

Titus.

Come Lucius come, stay not to talk with them, The Distance 'twixt a womans tongue and heart Is more then man can travell in a day. Lead me.— Blinded with tears I cannot see my way.

[Exeunt.

Aron.

Ha, ha, ha, Poor easy loving fools, How is their Amorous Expectation cross'd, Death wated for their coming here, not Love, How Easily men are to confusion hurl'd, 'Tis gold and women that undo the world.

[Aron Exit.

Enter Chiron, Demetrius, Lavina her hands Cut-off, and her tongue cut out, Loose hair and Garments disorder'd, as ravisht.

Demet.

So now go tell and if thy tongue can speak, Who 'twas that Cut thy tongue and ravish'd thee.

Chir.

Write down thy mind, betray the secret so,

And if thy stumps will let thee, play the Scribe.

Demet.

She hath no tongue to tell, nor hands to write, And so let's leave her to her silent walks.

Chir.

I'le tell the sorrowfull Story for her; I'le tell it to the Empress if she will.

Demet.

And I to th' Moor if that will do her good, Farewell, we have now reveng'd our Brothers blood

[Demet. Chi. Exeunt.

Enter Marcus.

Marcus.

With heat o'recome, upon a flow'ry Bank I laid me down to be refresh'd with Air; Sleep seal'd my eyes and bound my senses fast: But oh what troubles labour'd in my mind! I dreamt that Snakes and Adders o're me crawl'd, And twin'd their speckl'd bodies round my limbs, Bit me with venom'd teeth, Stung me; at length Fasten'd their forked Stings just in my heart.

He sees La. She turns away and hangs down her head.

Ha! is not that Lavinia turns away? Why shun you me Lavinia where's your Bridegroom? If I dream still▪ would all my wealth wou'd wake me, If I do wake some Planet strike me down, That I may slumber in Eternall sleep Dearest Lavinia speak, what Barbarous hands Have from so fair a Tree lopt two such Branches? And who hath thus torn down thy precious hair And rifl'd thee? Why do'st not speak to me? Alas! A Crimson River of warm bloud, Like to a bubbling Fountain stir'd with wind, Does rise and fall between thy rosery Lips▪ Coming and going with thy balmy breath: But sure some Tereus hath deflour'd thee, And lest thou should'st detect him cut out thy tongue?

Lav. turns away from him again.

Ah now thou turn'st away thy face for shame— Oh had the Monster heard the Heavenly Harmony Which that sweet charming Instrument has made, He would have dropt his Knife and fell asleep, As Cerberus at the Thracian Poets feet. Come let us go and make thy Father blind, For such a sight will blind a Fathers eyes: If one hours Storm will drown the flow'ry Meads, What will whole Months of Tears thy Fathers cheeks? Do not draw back, for we will grieve with thee; Oh could our Grief but ease thy Misery.

[Exeunt.