Clo. Ay, sir.
Tit. Then here is a supplication for you. And when you
come to him, at the first approach you must kneel; then kiss
his foot; then deliver up your pigeons; and then look for
your reward. I'll be at hand, sir; see you do it bravely. 110
Clo. I warrant you, sir, let me alone.
Tit. Sirrah, hast thou a knife? come, let me see it.
Here, Marcus, fold it in the oration;
For thou hast made it like an humble suppliant:
And when thou hast given it to the emperor,[4611] 115
Knock at my door, and tell me what he says.
Clo. God be with you, sir; I will. [Exit.[4612]
Tit. Come, Marcus, let us go. Publius, follow me. [Exeunt.[4613]
Scene IV. The same. Before the palace.
Enter Saturninus, Tamora, Chiron, Demetrius, Lords, and others; Saturninus with the Arrows in his hand that Titus shot.[4614]
Sat. Why, lords, what wrongs are these! was ever seen[4615]
An emperor in Rome thus overborne,[4616]
Troubled, confronted thus, and for the extent
Of egal justice used in such contempt?[4617]
My lords, you know, as know the mightful gods,[4618] 5
However these disturbers of our peace[4619]
Buzz in the people's ears, there nought hath pass'd
But even with law against the wilful sons[4620]
Of old Andronicus. And what an if[4621]
His sorrows have so overwhelm'd his wits, 10
Shall we be thus afflicted in his wreaks,[4622]
His fits, his frenzy and his bitterness?
And now he writes to heaven for his redress:
See, here's to Jove, and this to Mercury;
This to Apollo; this to the god of war: 15
Sweet scrolls to fly about the streets of Rome!
What's this but libelling against the senate,[4623]
And blazoning our unjustice every where?[4623][4624]
A goodly humour, is it not, my lords?
As who would say, in Rome no justice were. 20
But if I live, his feigned ecstasies[4625]
Shall be no shelter to these outrages:
But he and his shall know that justice lives
In Saturninus' health; whom, if he sleep,[4626][4627]
He'll so awake, as he in fury shall[4627] 25
Cut off the proud'st conspirator that lives.[4628]
Tam. My gracious lord, my lovely Saturnine,[4629]
Lord of my life, commander of my thoughts,[4630]
Calm thee, and bear the faults of Titus' age,[4631]
The effects of sorrow for his valiant sons, 30
Whose loss hath pierced him deep and scarr'd his heart;
And rather comfort his distressed plight[4632]
Than prosecute the meanest or the best
For these contempts. [Aside] Why, thus it shall become[4633]
High-witted Tamora to gloze with all:[4634] 35
But, Titus, I have touch'd thee to the quick,[4635]
Thy life-blood out: if Aaron now be wise,[4635][4636]
Then is all safe, the anchor in the port.[4637]