Page:Titus Andronicus (1926) Yale.djvu/32

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18
The Tragedy of

Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin, 448
Yield at entreats, and then let me alone.
I'll find a day to massacre them all,
And raze their faction and their family,
The cruel father, and his traitorous sons, 452
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.
[Aloud.] Come, come, sweet emperor—come, Andronicus— 456
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.

Tit. I thank your majesty, and her, my lord. 460
These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.

Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,
A Roman now adopted happily,
And must advise the emperor for his good. 464
This day all quarrels die, Andronicus;
And let it be mine honour, good my lord,
That I have reconcil'd your friends and you.
For you, Prince Bassianus, I have pass'd 468
My word and promise to the emperor,
That you will be more mild and tractable.
And fear not, lords, and you, Lavinia:
By my advice, all humbled on your knees, 472
You shall ask pardon of his majesty.

[Marcus, Lavinia, and the Sons of Titus kneel.]

Luc. We do; and vow to heaven and to his highness,
That what we did was mildly as we might,
Tend'ring our sister's honour and our own. 476


449 at entreats: to entreaties
let me alone: leave everything to me
462 incorporate: incorporated, established
475 mildly as we might: as gently as possible
476 Tend'ring: having a tender regard for