Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts

About this text

  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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
    Like stinging Bees in hottest summers day,
    2125Led by their Master to the flowred fields,
    And be aduengde on cursed Tamora:
    And as he saith, so say we all with him.
    Lucius. I humblie thanke him and I thanke you all,
    But who comes here led by a lustie Gothe?

    2130Enter a Goth leading of Aron with his child
    in his Armes.

    Goth. Renowmed Lucius from our troupes I straid,
    To gaze vpon a ruinous Monasterie,
    And as I earnestly did fixe mine eye,
    2135Vpon the wasted building suddainely,
    I heard a child crie vnderneath a wall,
    I made vnto the noise, when soone I heard,
    The crying babe controld with this discourse:
    Peace tawnie flaue, halfe me, and halfe thy Dame,
    2140Did not thy hue bewray whose brat thou art,
    Had nature lent thee but thy mothers looke,
    Villaine thou mightst haue bin an Emperour.
    But where the bull and Cow are both milkewhite,
    They neuer doe beget a coleblacke Calfe:
    2145Peace Villaine peace, euen thus he rates the babe,
    For I must beare thee to a trustie Goth,
    Who when he knowes thou art the Empresse babe,
    Will hold thee dearely for thy mothers sake.
    With this my weapon drawen I rusht vpon him
    2150Surprisde him suddainely, and brought him hither
    To vse as you thinke needefull of the man.
    Lucius. Oh worthie Goth this is the incarnate diuell,
    That robd Andronicus of his good hand,
    This is the Pearle that pleasd your Empresse eye,
    2155And her's the base fruit of her burning lust,
    Say wall-eyd slaue whither wouldst thou conuay,
    This