Page 2159 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 2159

Then I’ll go fetch an axe.

MARCUS

 But I will use the axe.

                                                     Exeunt.

T IT US

 Come hither, Aaron. I’ll deceive them both;
 Lend me thy hand, and I will give thee mine.

AARON

 If that be called deceit, I will be honest,
 And never whilst I live deceive men so;
 But I’ll deceive you in another sort, [190]
 And that, you’ll say, ere half an hour pass.

                                                    He cuts off Titus’ hand.

Enter Lucius and Marcus again.

T IT US

 Now stay your strife, what shall be is dispatched.
 Good Aaron, give his majesty my hand:
 Tell him it was a hand that warded him
 From thousand dangers, bid him bury it;
 More hath it merited, that let it have.
 As for my sons, say I account of them
 As jewels purchased at an easy price;
 And yet dear too because I bought mine own.

AARON

 I go, Andronicus, and for thy hand [200]
 Look by and by to have thy sons with thee.
 [Aside] Their heads, I mean. O, how this villainy
 Doth fat me with the very thoughts of it!
 Let fools do good, and fair men call for grace,
 Aaron will have his soul black like his face.

                                                     Exit.

T IT US

 O, here I lift this one hand up to heaven
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