Luc. O worthy Goth, this is the incarnate devil 40
That robb'd Andronicus of his good hand;
This is the pearl that pleased your empress' eye;
And here's the base fruit of his burning lust.[4687]
Say, wall-eyed slave, whither wouldst thou convey[4688]
This growing image of thy fiend-like face?[4689] 45
Why dost not speak? what, deaf? not a word?[4690]
A halter, soldiers! hang him on this tree,
And by his side his fruit of bastardy.
Aar. Touch not the boy; he is of royal blood.
Luc. Too like the sire for ever being good. 50
First hang the child, that he may see it sprawl;
A sight to vex the father's soul withal.
Get me a ladder.
[A ladder brought, which Aaron is made to ascend.[4691]
Aar. Lucius, save the child,
And bear it from me to the empress.
If thou do this, I'll show thee wondrous things, 55
That highly may advantage thee to hear:
If thou wilt not, befall what may befall,
I'll speak no more but 'Vengeance rot you all!'[4692]
Luc. Say on: an if it please me which thou speak'st,[4693]
Thy child shall live, and I will see it nourish'd. 60
Aar. An if it please thee! why, assure thee, Lucius,[4694]
'Twill vex thy soul to hear what I shall speak;
For I must talk of murders, rapes and massacres,
Acts of black night, abominable deeds,[4695]
Complots of mischief, treason, villanies[4696] 65
Ruthful to hear, yet piteously perform'd:[4697]
And this shall all be buried in my death,[4698]
Unless thou swear to me my child shall live.
Luc. Tell on thy mind; I say thy child shall live.[4699]
Aar. Swear that he shall, and then I will begin. 70
Luc. Who should I swear by? thou believest no god:[4700]
That granted, how canst thou believe an oath?[4701]