Pardon me, Master Arden, I can no more;
This fighting at my heart makes short my wind.
Arden. Come, we are almost now at Raynham Down;
Your pretty tale beguiles the weary way:
I would you were in ease to tell it out."
Here they are set upon by ruffians, hired by Arden's wife and her paramour. Arden is killed.—
In the two preceding instances an affection of the heart is the herald of misfortune. In Titus Andronicus (Act II., Sc. 4.), Quintus and Martius are afflicted with a sudden dulness of sight, which seems at once to be an omen of impending danger, and to facilitate their succumbing to it.
"SCENE. A desert part of the forest. Enter AARON THE MOOR, with QUINTUS and MARTIUS.
Aaron. Come on, my lords, the better foot before: Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit, Where I espied the panther fast asleep.