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  • Title: Titus Andronicus (Quarto 1, 1594)

  • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Titus Andronicus (Quarto 1, 1594)

    The most Lamentable Tragedie
    And plead my passions for Lauinias loue.
    Moore. Clubs, Clubs, these louers will not keepe the(peace.
    Demetrius. Why boy, although our mother (vnaduizd)
    Gaue you a daunsing Rapier by your side,
    595Are you so desperate growne to threat your friends:
    Goe too: haue your lath glued within your sheath,
    Till you know better how to handle it.
    Chiron. Meanewhile sir, with the little skill I haue,
    Full well shalt thou perceiue how much I dare.
    600Demetrius. I boy, grow yee so braue? they drawe.
    Moore. Why how now Lords?
    So neere the Emperours Pallace dare yee drawe,
    And maintaine such a quarrell openlie?
    Full well I wote the ground of all this grudge,
    605I would not for a million of gold,
    The cause were knowne to them it most concernes,
    Nor would your Noble Mother for much more,
    Be so dishonoured in the Court of Rome.
    For shame put vp.
    610Demetrius. Not I till I haue sheathd,
    My Rapier in his bosome, and withall
    Thrust those reprochfull speeches downe his throat,
    That he hath breathd in my dishonour here.
    Chiron. For that I am prepard, and full resolude,
    615Fowle spoken Coward, that thundrest with thy tongue,
    And with thy weapon nothing darst performe.
    Moore. Away I say.
    Now by the Gods that warlike Gothes adore,
    620This pettie brabble will vndoo vs all:
    Why Lords, and thinke you not how dangerous
    It is to iet vpon a Princes right?
    What is Lauinia then become so loose,
    Or Bascianus so degenerate,
    625That for her loue such quarrels may be brocht,
    Without controulement, iustice, or reuenge.
    Young