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Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
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SCENE VI. Flourish. Re-enter the Emperor, Tamora, Chiron, and Demetrius, with Aaron the Moor, at one door. At the other door, Bassianus and Lavinia with others.

Sat.
So, Bassianus, you have plaid your prize;
God give you joy, Sir, of your gallant bride.

Bas.
And you of yours, my Lord; I say no more,
Nor wish no less, and so I take my leave.

Sat.
Traitor, if Rome have law, or we have power,
Thou and thy faction shall repent this Rape.

Bas.
Rape call you it, my Lord, to seize my own,
My true-betrothed love, and now my wife?
But let the laws of Rome determine all;
Mean while I am possest of that is mine.

Sat.
'Tis good, Sir; you are very short with us,
But, if we live, we'll be as sharp with you.

Bas.
My Lord, what I have done, as best I may,
Answer I must, and shall do with my life;
Only thus much I give your Grace to know,
By all the duties which I owe to Rome,
This noble gentleman, Lord Titus here,
Is in opinion and in honour wrong'd;
That in the rescue of Lavinia,
With his own hand did slay his youngest son,
In zeal to you, and highly mov'd to wrath
To be controul'd in that he frankly gave;
Receive him then to favour, Saturnine;
That hath exprest himself in all his deeds,
A father and a friend to thee, and Rome.

Tit.
Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds,
'Tis thou, and those, that have dishonour'd me;
Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge,
How I have lov'd and honour'd Saturnine.

Tam.
My worthy Lord, if ever Tamora
Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine,

-- 294 --


Then hear me speak, indifferently, for all;
And at my suit, Sweet, pardon what is past.

Sat.
What, Madam! be dishonour'd openly,
And basely put it up without revenge?

Tam.
Not so, my Lord; the Gods of Rome forefend,
I should be author to dishonour you!
But, on mine honour dare I undertake
For good Lord Titus' innocence in all;
Whose fury, not dissembled, speaks his griefs:
Then, at my suit, look graciously on him,
Lose not so noble a friend on vain Suppose,
Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.—
My Lord, be rul'd by me, be won at last, [Aside.
Dissemble all your griefs and discontents: [Aside.
You are but newly planted in your Throne; [Aside.
Lest then the People and Patricians too, [Aside.
Upon a just survey, take Titus' part; [Aside.
And so supplant us for ingratitude, [Aside.
Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin, [Aside.
Yield at intreats, and then let me alone; [Aside.
I'll find a day to massacre them all, [Aside.
And raze their faction, and their family, [Aside.
The cruel father, and his traiterous sons, [Aside.
To whom I sued for my dear son's life, [Aside.
And make them know, what 'tis to let a Queen [Aside.
Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace in vain.— [Aside.
Come, come, sweet Emperor,—come, Andronicus
Take up this good old man, and chear 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,
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.

-- 295 --


This day all quarrels die, Andronicus,
And let it be my honour, good my Lord,
That I have reconcil'd your friends and you.
For you, Prince Bassianus, I have past
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,
You shall ask pardon of his Majesty.

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.

Mar.
That on mine honour here I do protest.

Sat.
Away, and talk not; trouble us no more.—

Tam.
Nay, nay, sweet Emperor, we must all be friends.
The Tribune and his Nephews kneel for grace,
I will not be denied. Sweet heart, look back.

Sat.
Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brother's here,
And at my lovely Tamora's intreats,
I do remit these young men's heinous faults.
Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,
I found a friend; and sure, as death, I swore,
I would not part a batchelor from the priest.
Come, if the Emperor's Court can feast two brides;
You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends;
This day shall be a love-day, Tamora.

Tit.
To morrow an it please your Majesty,
To hunt the Panther and the Hart with me,
With horn and hound, we'll give your Grace Bon-jour.

Sat.
Be it so, Titus, and grammercy too.
[Exeunt.

-- 296 --

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Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
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