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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    of Titus Andronicus.
    Who found this letter, Tamora was it you?
    Tamora. Andronicus himselfe did take it vp.
    Titus. I did my Lord, yet let me be their baile,
    For by my Fathers reuerent toombe I vowe,
    They shall be ready at your highnes will,
    To answere their suspition with their liues.
    King. Thou shalt not baile them, see thou follow me.
    1060Some bring the murthered body, some the murtherers,
    Let them not speake a word the guilt is plaine,
    For by my soule, were there worse end than death,
    That end vpon them should be executed.
    Tamora. Andronicus I will intreat the King,
    1065Feare not thy sonnes, they shall doe well enough.
    Titus. Come Lucius come, stay not to talke with them.

    Enter the Empresse sonnes with Lauinia, her handes
    cut off, and her tongue cut out, & rauisht.

    1070Deme. So now go tell and if thy tongue can speake,
    Who twas that cut thy tongue and rauisht thee.
    Chi. Write downe thy minde bewray thy meaning so,
    And if thy stumpes will let thee play the scribe.
    Deme. See how with signes and tokens she can scrowle.
    1075Chi. Goe home, call for sweet water wash thy hands.
    Demet. She hath no tongue to call, nor hands to wash'
    And so lets leaue her to her silent walkes.
    Chi. And twere my cause, I should goe hang myselfe.
    1080Dmet. If thou hadst hands to helpe thee knit the corde.
    Exeunt.

    Enter Marcus from hunting.

    Who is this, my Neece that flies away so fast,
    1085Cosen a word, where is your husband:
    If I doe dreame would all my wealth would wake me.
    E2 I