Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best I may,
Answer I must, and shall do with my life.
Only thus much I give your grace to know:
By all the duties that I owe to Rome,[4063]
This noble gentleman, Lord Titus here, 415
Is in opinion and in honour wrong'd;
That, in the rescue of Lavinia,
With his own hand did slay his youngest son,
In zeal to you and highly moved to wrath
To be controll'd in that he frankly gave: 420
Receive him then to favour, Saturnine,
That hath express'd himself in all his deeds
A father and a friend to thee and Rome.
Tit. Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds:
'Tis thou and those that have dishonour'd me.[4064] 425
Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge,
How I have loved and honour'd Saturnine![4065]
Tam. My worthy lord, if ever Tamora
Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine,
Then hear me speak indifferently for all; 430
And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.
Sat. What, madam! be dishonour'd openly,[4039]
And basely put it up without revenge?[4066]
Tam. Not so, my lord; the gods of Rome forfend[4067]
I should be author to dishonour you! 435
But on mine honour dare I undertake[4068]
For good Lord Titus' innocence in all;[4069]
Whose fury not dissembled speaks his griefs:
Then, at my suit, look graciously on him;
Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose, 440
Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.
[Aside to Sat.] My lord, be ruled by me, be won at last;[4070]
Dissemble all your griefs and discontents:
You are but newly planted in your throne;
Lest then the people, and patricians too, 445
Upon a just survey, take Titus' part,
And so supplant you for ingratitude,[4071]
Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,[4072]
Yield at entreats, and then let me alone:
I'll find a day to massacre them all, 450
And raze their faction and their family,[4073]
The cruel father and his traitorous sons,
To whom I sued for my dear son's life;
And make them know what 'tis to let a queen
Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain.— 455
Come, come, sweet emperor; come, Andronicus;[4074]
Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart
That dies in tempest of thy angry frown.
Sat. Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath prevail'd.[4075][4076]
Tit. I thank your majesty, and her, my lord:[4076] 460
These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.[4076]
Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,
A Roman now adopted happily,
And must advise the emperor for his good.
This day all quarrels die, Andronicus. 465
And let it be mine honour, good my lord,[4077]
That I have reconciled your friends and you.
For you, Prince Bassianus, I have pass'd
My word and promise to the emperor,
That you will be more mild and tractable. 470
And fear not, lords, and you, Lavinia;[4078]
By my advice, all humbled on your knees,[4079]
You shall ask pardon of his majesty.
Luc. We do; and vow to heaven, and to his highness,[4080]
That what we did was mildly as we might, 475
Tendering our sister's honour and our own.
Marc. That, on mine honour, here I do protest.