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Speeches (Lines) for Lavinia
in "Titus Andronicus"

Total: 15

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# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

I,1,179

(stage directions). [Enter LAVINIA]

Lavinia. In peace and honour live Lord Titus long;
My noble lord and father, live in fame!
Lo, at this tomb my tributary tears
I render, for my brethren's obsequies;
And at thy feet I kneel, with tears of joy,
Shed on the earth, for thy return to Rome:
O, bless me here with thy victorious hand,
Whose fortunes Rome's best citizens applaud!


2

I,1,298

Saturninus. A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue
That I would choose, were I to choose anew.
Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance:
Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer,
Thou comest not to be made a scorn in Rome:
Princely shall be thy usage every way.
Rest on my word, and let not discontent
Daunt all your hopes: madam, he comforts you
Can make you greater than the Queen of Goths.
Lavinia, you are not displeased with this?

Lavinia. Not I, my lord; sith true nobility
Warrants these words in princely courtesy.


3

II,2,716

Bassianus. Lavinia, how say you?

Lavinia. I say, no;
I have been broad awake two hours and more.


4

II,3,801

Tamora. Saucy controller of our private steps!
Had I the power that some say Dian had,
Thy temples should be planted presently
With horns, as was Actaeon's; and the hounds
Should drive upon thy new-transformed limbs,
Unmannerly intruder as thou art!

Lavinia. Under your patience, gentle empress,
'Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning;
And to be doubted that your Moor and you
Are singled forth to try experiments:
Jove shield your husband from his hounds to-day!
'Tis pity they should take him for a stag.


5

II,3,815

Bassianus. Believe me, queen, your swarth Cimmerian
Doth make your honour of his body's hue,
Spotted, detested, and abominable.
Why are you sequester'd from all your train,
Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed.
And wander'd hither to an obscure plot,
Accompanied but with a barbarous Moor,
If foul desire had not conducted you?

Lavinia. And, being intercepted in your sport,
Great reason that my noble lord be rated
For sauciness. I pray you, let us hence,
And let her joy her raven-colour'd love;
This valley fits the purpose passing well.


6

II,3,821

Bassianus. The king my brother shall have note of this.

Lavinia. Ay, for these slips have made him noted long:
Good king, to be so mightily abused!


7

II,3,856

(stage directions). [Also stabs BASSIANUS, who dies]

Lavinia. Ay, come, Semiramis, nay, barbarous Tamora,
For no name fits thy nature but thy own!


8

II,3,874

Chiron. I warrant you, madam, we will make that sure.
Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy
That nice-preserved honesty of yours.

Lavinia. O Tamora! thou bear'st a woman's face,—


9

II,3,876

Tamora. I will not hear her speak; away with her!

Lavinia. Sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word.


10

II,3,880

Demetrius. Listen, fair madam: let it be your glory
To see her tears; but be your heart to them
As unrelenting flint to drops of rain.

Lavinia. When did the tiger's young ones teach the dam?
O, do not learn her wrath; she taught it thee;
The milk thou suck'dst from her did turn to marble;
Even at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny.
Yet every mother breeds not sons alike:
[To CHIRON]
Do thou entreat her show a woman pity.


11

II,3,888

Chiron. What, wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard?

Lavinia. 'Tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark:
Yet have I heard,—O, could I find it now!—
The lion moved with pity did endure
To have his princely paws pared all away:
Some say that ravens foster forlorn children,
The whilst their own birds famish in their nests:
O, be to me, though thy hard heart say no,
Nothing so kind, but something pitiful!


12

II,3,897

Tamora. I know not what it means; away with her!

Lavinia. O, let me teach thee! for my father's sake,
That gave thee life, when well he might have
slain thee,
Be not obdurate, open thy deaf ears.


13

II,3,908

Tamora. Hadst thou in person ne'er offended me,
Even for his sake am I pitiless.
Remember, boys, I pour'd forth tears in vain,
To save your brother from the sacrifice;
But fierce Andronicus would not relent;
Therefore, away with her, and use her as you will,
The worse to her, the better loved of me.

Lavinia. O Tamora, be call'd a gentle queen,
And with thine own hands kill me in this place!
For 'tis not life that I have begg'd so long;
Poor I was slain when Bassianus died.


14

II,3,913

Tamora. What begg'st thou, then? fond woman, let me go.

Lavinia. 'Tis present death I beg; and one thing more
That womanhood denies my tongue to tell:
O, keep me from their worse than killing lust,
And tumble me into some loathsome pit,
Where never man's eye may behold my body:
Do this, and be a charitable murderer.


15

II,3,922

Demetrius. Away! for thou hast stay'd us here too long.

Lavinia. No grace? no womanhood? Ah, beastly creature!
The blot and enemy to our general name!
Confusion fall—


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