Page 2187 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

In hope thyself should govern Rome and me.

Enter Nuntius Æmilius.

What news with thee, Æmilius?

ÆMILIUS

Arm, my lords! Rome never had more cause.
The Goths have gathered head, and with a power
Of high-resolvèd men, bent to the spoil.
They hither march amain, under conduct
Of Lucius, son to old Andronicus,
Who threats in course of this revenge, to do
As much as ever Coriolanus did.

SAT URNINUS

Is warlike Lucius general of the Goths? [70]
These tidings nip me, and I hang the head
As flowers with frost or grass beat down with storms.
Ay, now begin our sorrows to approach;
’Tis he the common people love so much;
Myself hath often heard them say,
When I have walkèd like a private man,
That Lucius’ banishment was wrongfully,
And they have wished that Lucius were their emperor.

T AMORA

Why should you fear? is not your city strong?

SAT URNINUS

Ay, but the citizens favour Lucius, [80]
And will revolt from me to succour him.

T AMORA

King, be thy thoughts imperious, like thy name!
Is the sun dimmed, that gnats do fly in it?
The eagle suffers little birds to sing,
And is not careful what they mean thereby,
Knowing that with the shadow of his wings
He can at pleasure stint their melody;