Page 2141 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 2141
A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes, [100] Stabs him.
Ten thousand swelling toads, as many urchins,
Would make such fearful and confusèd cries,
As any mortal body hearing it
Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly.
No sooner had they told this hellish tale,
But straight they told me they would bind me here
Unto the body of a dismal yew,
And leave me to this miserable death.
And then they called me foul adulteress,
Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms [110]
That ever ear did hear to such effect.
And, had you not by wondrous fortune come,
This vengeance on me had they executed:
Revenge it, as you love your mother’s life,
Or be ye not henceforth my children called.
DEMET RIUS
This is a witness that I am thy son.
CHIRON
And this for me, struck home to show my strength.
LAVINIA
Ay come, Semiramis, nay, barbarous Tamora,
For no name fits thy nature but thy own!
T AMORA
Give me the poniard; you shall know, my boys, [120]
Your mother’s hand shall right your mother’s wrong.
DEMET RIUS
Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her:
First thrash the corn, then after burn the straw.
This minion stood upon her chastity,
Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty,
And with that painted hope she braves your mightiness.
And shall she carry this unto her grave?
