Page 2208 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

While I stand by and weep to hear him speak.

LUCIUS

Then, gracious auditory, be it known to you
That Chiron and the damned Demetrius
Were they that murderèd our emperor’s brother;
And they it were that ravishèd our sister.
For their fell faults our brothers were beheaded, [100]
Our father’s tears despised, and basely cozened
Of that true hand that fought Rome’s quarrel out
And sent her enemies unto the grave.
Lastly, myself unkindly banishèd,
The gates shut on me, and turned weeping out,
To beg relief among Rome’s enemies,
Who drowned their enmity in my true tears,
And oped their arms to embrace me as a friend.
I am the turned-forth, be it known to you,
That have preserved her welfare in my blood, [110]
And from her bosom took the enemy’s point,
Sheathing the steel in my advent’rous body.
Alas, you know I am no vaunter, I;
My scars can witness, dumb although they are,
That my report is just and full of truth.
But soft, methinks I do digress too much,
Citing my worthless praise. O, pardon me,
For when no friends are by, men praise themselves.

MARCUS

Now is my turn to speak. Behold the child;
Of this was Tamora deliverèd, [120]
The issue of an irreligious Moor,
Chief architect and plotter of these woes.
The villain is alive in Titus’ house,
And as he is to witness, this is true.
Now judge what cause had Titus to revenge
These wrongs unspeakable, past patience,
Or more than any living man could bear.
Now have you heard the truth. What say you, Romans?
Have we done aught amiss, show us wherein,
And, from the place where you behold us pleading [130]
The poor remainder of Andronici