Titus Andronicus | Page 9

in all; 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.
AARON. [Aside.] Clubs, clubs! These lovers will not keep the peace.
DEMETRIUS. 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.
CHIRON. Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill I have, Full well shalt
thou perceive how much I dare.
DEMETRIUS. Ay, boy, grow ye so brave?

[They draw.]
AARON. [Coming forward.] Why, how now, lords! So near the
emperor's palace dare ye 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.
DEMETRIUS. 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.
CHIRON. For that I am prepar'd and full resolv'd,-- Foul-spoken
coward, that thunder'st with thy tongue, And with thy weapon nothing
dar'st perform.
AARON. Away, I say!-- Now, by the gods that warlike Goths adore,
This pretty brabble will undo us all.-- Why, lords, and think you not
how dangerous It is to jet upon a prince's right? What, is Lavinia then
become so loose, Or Bassianus so degenerate, That for her love such
quarrels may be broach'd Without controlment, justice, or revenge?
Young lords, beware! and should the empress know This discord's
ground, the music would not please.
CHIRON. I care not, I, knew she and all the world: I love Lavinia more
than all the world.
DEMETRIUS. Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner choice:
Lavina is thine elder brother's hope.
AARON. Why, are ye mad? or know ye not in Rome How furious and
impatient they be, And cannot brook competitors in love? I tell you,
lords, you do but plot your deaths By this device.
CHIRON. Aaron, a thousand deaths Would I propose to achieve her
whom I love.
AARON. To achieve her!--How?
DEMETRIUS. Why mak'st thou it so strange? She is a woman,
therefore may be woo'd; She is a woman, therefore may be won; She is
Lavinia, therefore must be lov'd. What, man! more water glideth by the
mill Than wots the miller of; and easy it is Of a cut loaf to steal a shive,
we know: Though Bassianus be the emperor's brother, Better than he
have worn Vulcan's badge.
AARON. [Aside.] Ay, and as good as Saturninus may.

DEMETRIUS. Then why should he despair that knows to court it With
words, fair looks, and liberality? What, hast not thou full often struck a
doe, And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose?
AARON. Why, then, it seems some certain snatch or so Would serve
your turns.
CHIRON. Ay, so the turn were serv'd.
DEMETRIUS. Aaron, thou hast hit it.
AARON. Would you had hit it too! Then should not we be tir'd with
this ado. Why, hark ye, hark ye,--and are you such fools To square for
this? Would it offend you, then, That both should speed?
CHIRON. Faith, not me.
DEMETRIUS. Nor me, so I were one.
AARON. For shame, be friends, and join for that you jar: 'Tis policy
and stratagem must do That you affect; and so must you resolve That
what you cannot as you would achieve, You must perforce accomplish
as you may. Take this of me,--Lucrece was not more chaste Than this
Lavinia, Bassianus' love. A speedier course than lingering
languishment Must we pursue, and I have found the path. My lords, a
solemn hunting is in hand; There will the lovely Roman ladies troop:
The forest walks are wide and spacious; And many unfrequented plots
there are Fitted by kind for rape and villainy: Single you thither, then,
this dainty doe, And strike her home by force if not by words: This way,
or not at all, stand you in hope. Come, come, our empress, with her
sacred wit To villainy and vengeance consecrate, Will we acquaint with
all what we intend; And she shall file our engines with advice That will
not suffer you to square yourselves, But to your wishes' height advance
you both. The emperor's court is like the house of fame, The palace full
of tongues, of