Tit. 'Tis sure enough, an you knew how.[4483]
But if you hunt these bear-whelps, then beware:[4484][4485]
The dam will wake; and if she wind you once,[4485][4486]
She's with the lion deeply still in league,
And lulls him whilst she playeth on her back,[4487] 100
And when he sleeps will she do what she list.
You are a young huntsman, Marcus; let alone;[4488]
And, come, I will go get a leaf of brass,
And with a gad of steel will write these words,
And lay it by: the angry northern wind 105
Will blow these sands, like Sibyl's leaves, abroad,
And where's your lesson then? Boy, what say you?[4489]
Boy. I say, my lord, that if I were a man,
Their mother's bed-chamber should not be safe
For these bad bondmen to the yoke of Rome. 110
Marc. Ay, that's my boy! thy father hath full oft
For his ungrateful country done the like.[4490]
Boy. And, uncle, so will I, an if I live.[4491]
Tit. Come, go with me into mine armoury;[4492]
Lucius, I'll fit thee, and withal, my boy[4493] 115
Shall carry from me to the empress' sons[4493][4494]
Presents that I intend to send them both:
Come, come; thou'lt do thy message, wilt thou not?[4495]
Boy. Ay, with my dagger in their bosoms, grandsire.[4496]
Tit. No, boy, not so; I'll teach thee another course.[4497] 120
Lavinia, come. Marcus, look to my house:
Lucius and I'll go brave it at the court;
Ay, marry, will we, sir; and we'll be waited on.
[Exeunt Titus, Lavinia, and Young Lucius.[4498]
Marc. O heavens, can you hear a good man groan,
And not relent, or not compassion him? 125
Marcus, attend him in his ecstasy,
That hath more scars of sorrow in his heart
Than foemen's marks upon his batter'd shield,
But yet so just that he will not revenge.[4499]
Revenge, ye heavens, for old Andronicus! [Exit.[4500] 130