Dem. Why makest thou it so strange?[4130]
She is a woman, therefore may be woo'd;
She is a woman, therefore may be won;
She is Lavinia, therefore must be loved.
What, man! more water glideth by the mill 85
Than wots the miller of; and easy it is
Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know:
Though Bassianus be the emperor's brother,
Better than he have worn Vulcan's badge.[4131]
Aar. [Aside] Ay, and as good as Saturninus may.[4106][4132] 90
Dem. Then why should he despair that knows to court it
With words, fair looks, and liberality?
What, hast not thou full often struck a doe,[4133]
And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose?
Aar. Why, then, it seems, some certain snatch or so[4106] 95
Would serve your turns.
Chi. Ay, so the turn were served.
Dem. Aaron, thou hast hit it.
Aar. Would you had hit it too![4106]
Then should not we be tired with this ado.
Why, hark ye, hark ye! and are you such fools
To square for this? would it offend you, then,[4134] 100
That both should speed?[4135]
Chi. Faith, not me.
Dem. Nor me, so I were one.[4136]
Aar. For shame, be friends, and join for that you jar:
'Tis policy and stratagem must do
That you affect; and so must you resolve, 105
That what you cannot as you would achieve,
You must perforce accomplish as you may.
Take this of me: Lucrece was not more chaste
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus' love.[4137]
A speedier course than lingering languishment[4138] 110
Must we pursue, and I have found the path.[4139]
My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand;
There will the lovely Roman ladies troop:
The forest walks are wide and spacious;
And many unfrequented plots there are 115
Fitted by kind for rape and villany:
Single you thither then this dainty doe,
And strike her home by force, if not by words:
This way, or not at all, stand you in hope.
Come, come, our empress, with her sacred wit[4140] 120
To villany and vengeance consecrate,
Will we acquaint with all that we intend;[4141]
And she shall file our engines with advice,[4142]
That will not suffer you to square yourselves,
But to your wishes' height advance you both. 125
The emperor's court is like the house of Fame,
The palace full of tongues, of eyes and ears:[4143]
The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf and dull;[4144]
There speak, and strike, brave boys, and take your turns;
There serve your lust, shadow'd from heaven's eye,[4145] 130
And revel in Lavinia's treasury.