ACT II.
Scene I. Rome. Before the palace.
Enter Aaron.[4089]
Aar. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top,
Safe out of fortune's shot, and sits aloft,
Secure of thunder's crack or lightning flash,
Advanced above pale envy's threatening reach.[4090]
As when the golden sun salutes the morn, 5
And, having gilt the ocean with his beams,
Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach,
And overlooks the highest-peering hills;[4091]
So Tamora:[4092]
Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait,[4093] 10
And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown.
Then, Aaron, arm thy heart, and fit thy thoughts,[4094]
To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress,[4095]
And mount her pitch, whom thou in triumph long
Hast prisoner held, fetter'd in amorous chains, 15
And faster bound to Aaron's charming eyes
Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus.[4096]
Away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts![4097]
I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold,
To wait upon this new-made empress.[4098] 20
To wait, said I? to wanton with this queen,[4099]
This goddess, this Semiramis, this nymph,[4100]
This siren, that will charm Rome's Saturnine,
And see his shipwreck and his commonweal's.
Holloa! what storm is this? 25
Enter Demetrius and Chiron, braving.[4101]
Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge,[4102]
And manners, to intrude where I am graced,
And may, for aught thou know'st, affected be.[4103]
Chi. Demetrius, thou dost over-ween in all,
And so in this, to bear me down with braves. 30
'Tis not the difference of a year or two
Makes me less gracious, or thee more fortunate:[4104]
I am as able and as fit as thou
To serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace;
And that my sword upon thee shall approve, 35
And plead my passions for Lavinia's love.[4105]
Aar. [Aside] Clubs, clubs! these lovers will not keep the peace.[4106][4107]
Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadvised,
Gave you a dancing-rapier by your side,[4108]
Are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends?[4109] 40
Go to; have your lath glued within your sheath
Till you know better how to handle it.
Chi. Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill I have,
Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare.