SCENE VII.
Mar.
Why dost not comfort me, and help me out
From this unhallow'd and blood-stained hole?
Quin.
I am surprized with an uncouth fear;
A killing sweat o'er-runs my trembling joints;
My heart suspects more than mine eye can see.
Mar.
To prove thou hast a true divining heart,
Aaron and thou, look down into the den,
And see a fearful sight of blood and death.
Quin.
Aaron is gone, and my compassionate heart
Will not permit mine eyes once to behold
The thing whereat it trembles by surmise:
O tell me how it is; for ne'er till now
Was I a child to fear I know not what.
Mar.
Lord Bassianus lies embrewed here,
All on a heap, like to a slaughter'd lamb,
In this detested, dark, blood-drinking pit.
Quin.
If it be dark, how dost thou know 'tis he?
&plquo;Mar.
&plquo;Upon his bloody finger he doth wear
&plquo;A precious ring, that lightens all the hole:
&plquo;Which like a taper in some monument,
&plquo;Doth shine upon the dead man's earthly cheeks,
&plquo;And shews the ragged intrails of this pit.
So pale did shine the moon on Pyramus,
When he by night lay bath'd in maiden blood.
O brother help me with thy fainting hand
(If fear hath made thee faint, as me it hath)
Out of this fell devouring receptacle,
As hateful as Cocytus' misty mouth.
-- 460 --
Quin.
Reach me thy hand, that I may help thee out;
Or wanting strength to do thee so much good,
I may be pluck'd into the swallowing womb
Of this deep pit, poor Bassianus' grave.
I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink.
Mar.
And I no strength to climb without thy help.
Quin.
Thy hand once more I will not lose again,
'Till thou art here aloft, or I below.
Thou canst not come to me, I come to thee.
[Falls in.
George Sewell [1723–5], The works of Shakespear in six [seven] volumes. Collated and Corrected by the former Editions, By Mr. Pope ([Vol. 7] Printed by J. Darby, for A. Bettesworth [and] F. Fayram [etc.], London) [word count] [S11101].