Titus Andronicus — Act 2, Scene 2: A forest near Rome. Horns and cry of hounds heard.

Titus leads the morning hunt in the forest with Marcus, Lucius, Quintus, and Martius, calling the others to wake the emperor and join the sport. He says he slept badly but feels comforted by daybreak. Saturninus, Tamora, Bassianus, Lavinia, Demetrius, Chiron, and their attendants arrive to the sound of horns and hounds. Titus greets the emperor and queen, and Saturninus jokes that the hunt is starting early for a new bride. Bassianus asks Lavinia how she fares, and she says she has already been awake for hours. The men prepare for the chase, while Demetrius makes a sly remark about hunting a doe.

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

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 inspired.

Many good morrows to your majesty;

Madam, to you as many and as good:

I promised your grace a hunter's peal.

And you have rung it lustily, my lord;

Somewhat too early for new-married ladies.

Lavinia, how say you?

I say, no;

I have been broad awake two hours and more.

Come on, then; horse and chariots let us have,

And to our sport.

Madam, now shall ye see

Our Roman hunting.

I have dogs, my lord,

Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase,

And climb the highest promontory top.

And I have horse will follow where the game

Makes way, and run like swallows o'er the plain.

Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound,

But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground.