SparkNotes: Complete Text of Titus Andronicus: Act II, Scene ii

Act II, Scene ii:
A Forest near Rome; a Lodge seen at a distance. Horns

and cry of hounds heard.

[Enter TITUS ANDRONICUS, with hunters, &c., MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS.]

TITUS :

The hunt is up, the morn is bright and gay,

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.

[Horns in a peal. Enter SATURNINUS, TAMORA, BASSIANUS, LAVINIA, DEMETRIUS, CHIRON, and 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 lord;

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 see

Our 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 game

Makes 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.]