ACT II
2.1.2
“Holloa! what storm is this?”
“Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge” Demetrius spoke up. “And manners, to intrude where I am graced;
and May, for aught thou knows, affected are.”
“Demetrius, thou dost over-wean in all; and so in this, to bear me down with braves. This not the difference of a year
or two that makes me less gracious or thee more fortunate.” Chiron sat himself down with his brother. “I am as able
and as fit as thou, to serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace. That of my machete upon thee shall approve, and
plead my passions for Lavina's love.”
“Clubs, clubs! These lovers will not keep the peace.” Aaron roared out in laughter at the two. They are fighting over
a lady; and yet not any lady but a Roman.
“Why, boy, although our mother, unadvised gave you a dancing-machete by your side. Are you so desperate grown,
to threaten your friends? Go to; have your lath glued within your sheath till you know better how to handle it.”
Demetrius snide at the other brother.
“Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill I have, full well shall thou perceive how much I dare.” Chiron rebuked back of
which Demetrius laughed.
“Ay, boy, grow ye so brave?”
Both the young men drew their machete given back to them on their freedom, but the older Moor stepped in.
“Why, how now, lords! So near the leader's home dare you draw, and maintain such a quarrel openly?” Aaron
cautioned the two men. “Full well I work the ground of all this grudge: I would not for a million of gold the cause
were known to them it most concerns; Nor would your noble mother for much more be so dishonored in the court of
Rome. For shame, it will pull her down.”
“Not I, till I have sheathed my machete in his bosom and withal thrust these reproachful speeches down his throat
that he hath breathed in my dishonor here.” Demetrius challenged his brother. Such rivalry was common the sons of
the King, for only the survived ones may fight for his throne.
“For that I am prepared and full resolved. Foul-spoken coward, that thunder’s with thy tongue, and with thy weapon
nothing dares’ perform!” Chiron replied but it was Aaron who separates them all.
“Away, I say! Now, by the gods that warlike Goths adore, this petty babble will undo us all.” Aaron looked to them.
“Why, lords, and think you not how dangerous it is to jet upon a prince's right? What, is Lavinia then become so
loose? Or Bastion so degenerate that for her love such quarrels may be broached without control, justice, revenge?”
“Young lords, beware! And should the Queen know this discord's ground, the music would not please.” Aaron used
the Queen as his threat.
“I care not, I, knew she and the entire world: I love Lavinia more than the entire world.” Chiron declared openly.
The other challenged back.
“Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner choice: Lavinia is thine elder brother's hope.” Demetrius hit back.
“Why, are ye mad? Or know you not, in Rome. How furious and impatient they be, and cannot brook competitors in
love?” Aaron cautioned the young men. “I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths by this device.”
“Aaron, a thousand deaths would I propose to achieve her whom I love.” Chiron was deeply infatuated with the
lady.
“To achieve her! How?” Aaron grew impatient with the young man. He was then interjected by the other.
“Why makes’ thou it so strange?” Demetrius defended the words of theirs. “She is a woman, therefore may be
wooed; She is a woman, therefore may be won; She is Lavinia, therefore must be loved. What, man! More water
glided by the mill than works the miller of; and easy it is of a cut loaf to steal a shiver, we know. Though Bastion is
the leader's brother, better than he have worn Vulcan's badge.”
Demetrius referring to Bastion defiance of his step brother like the badge of courage.
“Then why should he despair that knows to court it with words, fair looks and liberality? What, hast not thou full
often struck a doe, and borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose?” A mocking done by the young man that there were
ways of acquisition.
“Why, then, it seems, some certain snatch or so would serve your turns.” Aaron smiled at the devious thought.
“Aaron, thou hast hit it.” Demetrius supported the older man thought.
“Would you have hit it too!” Aaron added fuel to the thought. “Then should not we be tired with this ado. Why, hark
ye, hark ye! And are you such fools to square for this? Would it offend you, then that both should speed?”
Aaron challenged their bravery. Would they run when it matter?
“On my faith, not me.” Chiron deny on it with his brother in support.
“For shame, be friends, and join for that you jar: this policy and stratagem must do that you affect; and so must you
resolve”, Aaron looked to the younger men. “That what you cannot as you would achieve, you must perforce
accomplish as you may. Take this of me: Lucrece was not any chaste than this Lavinia, Bastion' love.”
Lucrece Borgia was the famous lady who was linked to cases of adultery and illicit affairs. By drawing Lavinia with
Lucrece, Aaron had chosen her to taint the other character. He had heard the tale from the wayfarers from far away,
though coarse in their version, he tamed it not when told to the young sons of his Queen.
“A speedier course than lingering languishment must we pursue, and I have found the path.” Aaron voiced his plot.
“My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand; There will the lovely Roman ladies troop: The forest walks are wide and
spacious; And many unfrequented plots there are Fitted by kind for rape and villainy.”(Rape; a violation of one’
sacred body for the pleasure of another with no care or love in the act.)
The young men laughed at the thought. They were raised with royalty status where nothing was forbidden to them.
They had their ways; bullying of the servants and eventually having their own ways on anything. The Queen herself
was too pre-occupied with her own battles to stay as the prime of the King to bother with their learning. Much of it
she left to the guardians like Aaron.
“Single you thither then this dainty doe” Aaron termed out the subject. “That you lust over. Strike her home by
force, if not by words.”
To him, there was two ways to woo a lady; by flowers or by force. He used the later more for it made him superior.
“This way, or not at all, stand you in hope.” Aaron boasted of his way. He then gave the suggestion to the young
men. “The leader's court is like the house of Fame, the palace full of tongues, of eyes, and ears. It’s unlike the
woods. There the woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf, and dull.”
“There’s the place to speak, and strike, brave boys, and take your turns; There serve your lusts, shadow'd from
heaven's eye, And revel in Lavinia's treasury”
Aaron encouraged the two young men to commit their acts during the hunt. He used his words to intimidate them.
“His counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice.” Chiron braved himself to his brother.
“Sit fas aut nefas” ( It is right or wrong ) translated “ till I find the stream to cool this heat, a charm to calm these
fits.” Demetrius laughed out loud on his lewd statement.
Both the young men walked off towards the forest while Aaron looked to their departure. He smiled at them;
ignorant and foolish but they will do his bidding.
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