The cradled innocent, as these have done,—

To strike their country in the mother-pangs

Of struggling childbirth, and direct the dagger

To freedom's infant throat,—is a deed so black

That my foiled tongue refuses it a name."

Here he pauses, falters a little, then slowly adds,—

"There is one criminal still left for judgment:

Let him approach."

Titus is led in by the lictors, with the edges of their axes turned towards him. He kneels.

"Oh, Brutus! Brutus! must I call you father,