Page 2209 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Will, hand in hand, all headlong hurl ourselves,
And on the ragged stones beat forth our souls,
And make a mutual closure of our house.
Speak, Romans, speak, and if you say we shall,
Lo, hand in hand, Lucius and I will fall.

ÆMILIUS

Come, come, thou reverend man of Rome,
And bring our emperor gently in thy hand,
Lucius, our emperor; for well I know
The common voice do cry it shall be so. [140]

ALL

Lucius, all hail, Rome’s royal emperor!

MARCUS

Go, go into old Titus’ sorrowful house,
And hither hale that misbelieving Moor,
To be adjudged some direful slaught’ring death,
As punishment for his most wicked life.

ALL

Lucius, all hail, Rome’s gracious governor!

LUCIUS

Thanks, gentle Romans. May I govern so,
To heal Rome’s harms and wipe away her woe.
But, gentle people, give me aim awhile,
For nature puts me to a heavy task. [150]
Stand all aloof; but, uncle, draw you near,
To shed obsequious tears upon this trunk.
O, take this warm kiss on thy pale cold lips,
These sorrowful drops upon thy blood-stained face,
The last true duties of thy noble son.

MARCUS

Tear for tear and loving kiss for kiss
Thy brother Marcus tenders on thy lips.
O, were the sum of these that I should pay
Countless and infinite, yet would I pay them.