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 chilling 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 my 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 earthy cheeks;
&plquo;And shews the ragged entrails of this pit.&prquo;
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.

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 loose again,
'Till thou art here aloft, or I below.
Thou canst not come to me, I come to thee. [Falls in.

Previous section

Next section