LUCIUS.
There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends,
Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb.
ALL.
[Kneeling.] No man shed tears for noble Mutius;
He lives in fame that died in virtue’s cause.
MARCUS.
My lord, to step out of these dreary dumps,
How comes it that the subtle Queen of Goths
Is of a sudden thus advanced in Rome?
TITUS.
I know not, Marcus, but I know it is.
Whether by device or no, the heavens can tell.
Is she not then beholding to the man
That brought her for this high good turn so far?
Yes, and will nobly him remunerate.
Flourish. Enter the Emperor Saturninus, Tamora and her two sons, with Aaron the Moor. Drums and Trumpets, at one door. Enter at the other door Bassianus and Lavinia with others.
SATURNINUS.
So, Bassianus, you have played your prize.
God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride.
BASSIANUS.
And you of yours, my lord. I say no more,
Nor wish no less; and so I take my leave.
SATURNINUS.
Traitor, if Rome have law or we have power,
Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape.
BASSIANUS.
Rape call you it, my lord, to seize my own,
My true betrothed love, and now my wife?
But let the laws of Rome determine all;
Meanwhile am I possessed of that is mine.
SATURNINUS.
’Tis good, sir. You are very short with us;
But if we live, we’ll be as sharp with you.