Act IIScene II
A Forest near Rome; a Lodge seen at a distance. Horns and cry of hounds heard
Enter Titus Andronicus and his three sons, and Marcus, making a noise with hounds and horns.
Titus
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 inspired.
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
And you have rung it lustily, my lords;Somewhat too early for new-married ladies.
Bassianus
Lavinia, how say you?
Lavinia
I say no;I have been broad awake two hours and more.
Saturninus
Come on then; horse and chariots let us have,And to our sport.
To Tamora.
Madam, now shall ye seeOur Roman hunting.
Marcus
I have dogs, my lord,Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase,And climb the highest promontory top.
Titus
And I have horse will follow where the gameMakes way, and run like swallows o’er the plain.
Demetrius
Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound,But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground.
Exeunt.