Page:Titus Andronicus (1926) Yale.djvu/35

Titus Andronicus, II. i

And so in this, to bear me down with braves.

'Tis not the difference of a year or two

Makes me less gracious or thee more fortunate:

I am as able and as fit as thou

To serve, and to deserve, my mistress' grace;

And that my sword upon thee shall approve,

And plead my passions for Lavinia's love.

Aar. Clubs, clubs! these lovers will net keep the peace.

Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadvis'd,

Gave you a dancing-rapier by your side,

Are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends?

Go to; have your lath glu'd within your sheath

Till you know better how to handle it.

Chi. Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill I have,

Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare.

Dem. Ay, boy, grow ye so brave?

Aar. Why, how now, lords!

So near the emperor's palace dare you draw,

And maintain such a quarrel openly?

Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge:

I would not for a million of gold

The cause were known to them it most concerns;

Nor would your noble mother for much more

Be so dishonour'd in the court of Rome.

For shame, put up.

Dem. Not I, till I have sheath'd

My rapier in his bosom, and withal

Thrust those reproachful speeches down his throat

That he hath breath'd in my dishonour here.

Chi. For that I am prepar'd and full resolv'd,

 30 braves: brags

35 approve: prove

37 Clubs, clubs!; cf. n.

38 unadvis'd: thoughtlessly, rashly

39 dancing-rapier: a sword worn only for ornament

41 lath: contemptuous term for sword; cf. n.

48 wot: know

53 put up: sheathe your swords

Not I; cf. n.

