'For I must bear thee to a trusty Goth;
Who, when he knows thou art the empress' babe,
Will hold thee dearly for thy mother's sake.' 36
With this, my weapon drawn, I rush'd upon him,
Surpris'd him suddenly, and brought him hither,
To use as you think needful of the man.
Luc. O worthy Goth, this is the incarnate devil 40
That robb'd Andronicus of his good hand:
This is the pearl that pleas'd your empress' eye,
And here's the base fruit of his burning lust.
Say, wall-ey'd slave, whither wouldst thou convey 44
This growing image of thy fiend-like face?
Why dost not speak? What! deaf? not a word?
A halter, soldiers! hang him on this tree,
And by his side his fruit of bastardy. 48
Aar. Touch not the boy; he is of royal blood.
Luc. Too like the sire for ever being good.
First hang the child, that he may see it sprawl;
A sight to vex the father's soul withal. 52
Get me a ladder.
[A ladder is brought, which Aaron
is made to ascend.]
Aar. Lucius, save the child;
And bear it from me to the empress.
If thou do this, I'll show thee wondrous things,
That highly may advantage thee to hear: 56
If thou wilt not, befall what may befall,
I'll speak no more but 'Vengeance rot you all!'
Luc. Say on; and if it please me which thou speak'st,
Thy child shall live, and I will see it nourish'd. 60
Aar. And if it please thee! why, assure thee, Lucius,
42 pearl . . . eye; cf. n.
44 wall-ey'd: white-eyed
50 for ever being: ever to be
