And give the king this fatal-plotted scroll.
Now question me no more; we are espied; 48
Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty,
Which dreads not yet their lives' destruction.
Enter Bassianus and Lavinia.
Tam. Ah! my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than life!
Aar. No more, great empress; Bassianus comes: 52
Be cross with him; and I'll go fetch thy sons
To back thy quarrels, whatsoe'er they be. [Exit.]
Bas. Whom have we here? Rome's royal empress,
Unfurnish'd of her well-beseeming troop? 56
Or is it Dian, habited like her,
Who hath abandoned her holy groves,
To see the general hunting in this forest?
Tam. Saucy controller of our private steps! 60
Had I the power that some say Dian had,
Thy temples should be planted presently
With horns, as was Actæon's; and the hounds
Should drive upon thy new-transformed limbs, 64
Unmannerly intruder as thou art!
Lav. Under your patience, gentle empress,
'Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning;
And to be doubted that your Moor and you 68
Are singled forth to try experiments.
Jove shield your husband from his hounds to-day!
'Tis pity they should take him for a stag.
Bas. Believe me, queen, your swarth Cimmerian 72
Doth make your honour of his body's hue,
Spotted, detested, and abominable.
Why are you sequester'd from all your train,
Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed, 76
49 parcel: part
56 well-beseeming troop: the guard of honor suitable to an empress
62 presently: immediately
63 horns . . . Actæon's; cf. n.
64 drive upon: rush upon
72 Cimmerian; cf. n.
