Titus Andronicus
Act II, Scene 2
A forest near Rome.
Lavinia
John William Wright, early to mid-19th century
- Enter Titus Andronicus and his three sons (Lucius, Quintus,
- and Martius), making a noise with hounds and horns, and
- Marcus.
Titus
1 - 13- The hunt is up, the morn is bright and grey,
- The fields are fragrant and the woods are green.
- Uncouple here and let us make a bay,
- And wake the Emperor and his lovely bride,
- And rouse the Prince, and ring a hunter’s peal,
- That all the court may echo with the noise.
- Sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours,
- To attend the Emperor’s person carefully.
- I have been troubled in my sleep this night,
- But dawning day new comfort hath inspir’d.
- Here a cry of hounds, and wind horns in a peal.
- Then enter Saturninus, Tamora, Bassianus, Lavinia, Chiron,
- Demetrius, and their Attendants.
- Many good morrows to your Majesty;
- Madam, to you as many and as good.
- I promised your Grace a hunter’s peal.
Saturninus
14 - 15- And you have rung it lustily, my lords—
- Somewhat too early for new-married ladies.
Bassianus
16- Lavinia, how say you?
Lavinia
17 - 18- I say, no;
- I have been broad awake two hours and more.
Saturninus
19 - 22- Come on then, horse and chariots let us have,
- And to our sport.
- To Tamora.
- Madam, now shall ye see
- Our Roman hunting.
Marcus
23 - 25- I have dogs, my lord,
- Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase,
- And climb the highest promontory top.
Titus
26 - 27- And I have horse will follow where the game
- Makes way, and runs like swallows o’er the plain.
Demetrius
28 - 29- Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound,
- But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground.
- Exeunt.
I say, no; I have been broad awake two hours and more.
Miss P. Hopkins in the character of Lavinia
John Bell, publisher; James Roberts; 1776