The King Was in the right! The deed I must accomplish, And that on both, or else endure them both. I must emplant the crown upon my brow If I’d ensure it from the headsman’s axe. For here a world of hate stares in against me. Then good! Their sentence they’ve pronounced themselves. For the last time I’ve put the test on them. Were but his courier here, this very moment I’d bring it to a pitiless consummation. Each several preparation has been made. SCENE 5 THE SAME. TITUS. _Afterwards_, PHILO. [_Enter a_ SERVANT. SERVANT. Titus the Captain craves an audience. JOSEPH (_about to go_). At once! ALEX. And why not here? SERVANT. He’s here already [_Enter_ TITUS. TITUS (_in a whispered aside to Joseph_). What you have feared is come about; the folk Rebels! JOSEPH. Be quick then, do what I’ve commanded! Call out your cohort! Put it into action! TITUS. Already done! And now I come to ask you Whether you wish for prisoners or dead. My eagle grips as thoroughly as he mangles And you must know which better serves your ends. JOSEPH. Blood must not flow. TITUS. Good. Then the hewing starts Before they get their stoning well begun, Else I had done it later. JOSEPH. Saw you Sameas? TITUS. The Pharisee who once had nearly blundered His head against my shield because his eyes He always shuts as soon as e’er he spies me? I saw him sure enough! JOSEPH. And how? Speak loud! TITUS. In the open market-place ringed round by thousands And cursing Herod loudly. JOSEPH (_to_ ALEXANDRA). Sameas Took leave of you but one short hour ago. ALEX. Saw you’t? TITUS (_to_ JOSEPH). You show yourself? JOSEPH. Soon as I can. Meanwhile---- TITUS. ’Tis good. I go. (_About to go._) ALEX. A word yet, Captain! Say why the guard’s recalled from us. MAR. Is’t missing? ALEX. Missing since yester-evening. JOSEPH. Since I bade it. TITUS. And since the King in leaving said to me-- “Before you is the man who knows my will. What he commands, that I command myself!” [_Exit._ ALEX. (_to_ JOSEPH). And you? JOSEPH.