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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    why foolish Lucius, dost thou not perceiue
    1190That Rome is but a wildernes of tygers?
    Tygers must pray, and Rome affords no pray
    But me and mine, how happie art thou then,
    From these deuourers to be banished.
    But who comes with our brother Marcus here?

    1195Enter Marcus with Lauinia.

    Marcus. Titus, prepare thy aged eies to weepe,
    Or if not so, thy Noble hart to breake:
    I bring consuming sorrow to thine age.
    Titus. will it consume mee? Let me see it then.
    1200Marcus. This was thy Daughter.
    Titus. why Marcus so shee is.
    Lucius. Ay mee, this Obiect kils mee.
    Titus. Faint-harted-boy, arise and looke vpon her.
    Speake Lauinea, what accursed hand,
    1205Hath made thee handles in thy fathers sight?
    what foole hath added water to the sea?
    Or brought a faggot to bright burning Troy?
    My griefe was at the height before thou camst,
    And now like Nylus it disdaineth bounds.
    1210Giue me a sword Ile choppe off my hands too,
    For they haue fought for Rome, and all in vaine:
    And they haue nurst this woe, in feeding life:
    In bootlesse praier haue they beene held vp,
    1215And they haue serude me to effectles vse.
    Now all the seruice I require of them,
    Is that the one will helpe to cut the other,
    Tis well Lauinia that thou hast no hands,
    For hands to doe Rome seruice is but vaine.
    1220Lucius. Speake gentle sister, who hath martred thee.
    Marcus. Oh that delightfull engine of her thoughts,
    That blabd them with such pleasing eloquence,
    Is