That Quote Is From.... #4
That Shakespearen insult "Long-tongu'd babbling gossip"is from Titus Andronicus, Act IV, Scene 2. Here's the larger context:
AARON
Why, so, brave lords! when we join in league
I am a lamb: but if you brave the Moor,
The chafed boar, the mountain lioness,
The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms.—
But say, again, how many saw the child?
NURSECornelia the midwife and myself;
And no one else but the deliver'd empress.
AARONThe empress, the midwife, and yourself:
Two may keep counsel when the third's away:
Go to the empress, tell her this I said:—
[Stabs her, and she dies.]
Weke, weke!—so cries a pig prepar'd to the spit.
DEMETRIUSWhat mean'st thou, Aaron? Wherefore didst thou this?
AARONO Lord, sir, 'tis a deed of policy:
Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours,—
A long-tongu'd babbling gossip? no, lords, no:
And now be it known to you my full intent.
Not far, one Muliteus lives, my countryman;
His wife but yesternight was brought to bed;
His child is like to her, fair as you are:
Go pack with him, and give the mother gold,
And tell them both the circumstance of all;
And how by this their child shall be advanc'd,
And be received for the emperor's heir,
And substituted in the place of mine,
To calm this tempest whirling in the court;
And let the emperor dandle him for his own.
Hark ye, lords; ye see I have given her physic.
[Pointing to the NURSE.]
And you must needs bestow her funeral;
The fields are near, and you are gallant grooms:
This done, see that you take no longer days,
But send the midwife presently to me.
The midwife and the nurse well made away,
Then let the ladies tattle what they please.
CHIRONAaron, I see thou wilt not trust the air
With secrets.
DEMETRIUSFor this care of Tamora,
Herself and hers are highly bound to thee.
AARON
Why, so, brave lords! when we join in league
I am a lamb: but if you brave the Moor,
The chafed boar, the mountain lioness,
The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms.—
But say, again, how many saw the child?
NURSECornelia the midwife and myself;
And no one else but the deliver'd empress.
AARONThe empress, the midwife, and yourself:
Two may keep counsel when the third's away:
Go to the empress, tell her this I said:—
[Stabs her, and she dies.]
Weke, weke!—so cries a pig prepar'd to the spit.
DEMETRIUSWhat mean'st thou, Aaron? Wherefore didst thou this?
AARONO Lord, sir, 'tis a deed of policy:
Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours,—
A long-tongu'd babbling gossip? no, lords, no:
And now be it known to you my full intent.
Not far, one Muliteus lives, my countryman;
His wife but yesternight was brought to bed;
His child is like to her, fair as you are:
Go pack with him, and give the mother gold,
And tell them both the circumstance of all;
And how by this their child shall be advanc'd,
And be received for the emperor's heir,
And substituted in the place of mine,
To calm this tempest whirling in the court;
And let the emperor dandle him for his own.
Hark ye, lords; ye see I have given her physic.
[Pointing to the NURSE.]
And you must needs bestow her funeral;
The fields are near, and you are gallant grooms:
This done, see that you take no longer days,
But send the midwife presently to me.
The midwife and the nurse well made away,
Then let the ladies tattle what they please.
CHIRONAaron, I see thou wilt not trust the air
With secrets.
DEMETRIUSFor this care of Tamora,
Herself and hers are highly bound to thee.
Published on April 05, 2011 06:00
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