Page:Titus Andronicus (1926) Yale.djvu/24

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And will with deeds requite thy gentleness:

And, for an onset, Titus, to advance

Thy name and honourable family,

Lavinia will I make my empress,

Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart,

And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse.

Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee?

Tit. It doth, my worthy lord; and in this match

I hold me highly honour'd of your Grace:

And here in sight of Rome to Saturnine,

King and commander of our commonweal,

The wide world's emperor, do I consecrate

My sword, my chariot, and my prisoners;

Presents well worthy Rome's imperious lord:

Receive them then, the tribute that I owe,

Mine honour's ensigns humbled at thy feet.

Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life!

How proud I am of thee and of thy gifts

Rome shall record, and, when I do forget

The least of these unspeakable deserts,

Romans, forget your fealty to me.

Tit. [To Tamora.] Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor;

To him that, for your honour and your state,

Will use you nobly and your followers.

Sat. [Aside.] A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue

That I would choose, were I to choose anew.

[To Tamora.] Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance:

Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer,

Thou com'st not to be made a scorn in Rome:

 237 gentleness: noble conduct

238 onset: beginning

264 cheer: countenance

