And to my fortunes, and the people's favour, Commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.

[Exeunt the Followers of BASSIANUS. Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my right,

I thank you all, and here dismiss you all;
And to the love and favour of my country
Commit myself, my person, and the cause.

[Exeunt the Followers of SATURNINUS.
Rome, be as just and gracious unto me,
As I am confident and kind to thee.-
Open the gates, and let me in.

Bas. Tribunes! and me, a poor competitor. SAT. and Bas. go into the Capitol, and exeunt with SENATORS, MARCUS, &c.

SCENE II.-The same.

Enter a CAPTAIN, and Others.

Cap. Romans, make way; The good Andronicus, Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion, Successful in the battles that he fights, With honour and with fortune is return'd, From where he circumscribed with his sword, And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome.

Flourish of Trumpets, &c. Enter MUTIUS and MARTIUS: after them, two Men bearing a Coffin covered with black; then QUINTUS and Lucius. After them, TITUS ANDRONICUS; and then TAMORA, with ALARBUS, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, AARON, and other Goths, prisoners; Soldiers and People following. The Bearers set down the Coffin, and TITUS speaks.

Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning [fraught,

weeds!

Lo, as the bark that hath discharged her Returns with precious lading to the bay, From whence at first she weigh'd her anchor

age,

Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs,

To re-salute his country with his tears;
Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.-
Thou great defender of this Capitol,t
Stand gracious to the rights that we intend!
Romans, of five and twenty valiant sons,
Half of the number that king Priam had,
Behold the poor remains, alive, and dead!
These, that survive, let Rome reward with
love;

These, that I bring unto their latest home,
With burial amongst their ancestors:
Here Goths have given me leave to sheath
my sword.
Titus, unkind, and careless of thine own,
Why suffer'st thou thy sons, unburied yet,
To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx?-
Make way to lay them by their brethren.

[The Tomb is opened.
There greet in silence, as the dead are wont,
And sleep in peace, slain in your country's
O sacred receptacle of my joys,
Sweet cell of virtue and nobility,
How many sons of mine hast thou in store,
That thou wilt never render to me more?

[wars!

Luc. Give us the proudest prisoner of the
Goths,

That we may hew his limbs, and, on a pile,
Ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesh,
Before this earthly prison of their bones;
That so the shadows be not unappeas'd,
Nor we disturb'd with prodigies on earth.‡

Freight. + Jupiter, to whom the Capitol was sacred. ‡ It was supposed that the ghosts of unburied people appeared to solicit the rites of funeral,

Tit. I give him you; the noblest that surThe eldest son of this distressed queen. [vives, Tam. Stay, Roman brethren; - Gracious conqueror, Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed, A mother's tears in passion for her son: And, if thy sons were ever dear to thee, O, think my son to be as dear to me. Sufficeth not, that we are brought to Rome, To beautify thy triumphs, and return, Captive to thee, and to thy Roman yoke; But must my sons be slaughter'd in the streets, For valiant doings in their country's cause? O! if to fight for king and common weal Were piety in thine, it is in these. Andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood: Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods? Draw near them then in being merciful; Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge; Thrice-noble Titus, spare my first-born son. Tit. Patient yourself, madam, and pardon [beheld These are their brethren, whom you Goths Alive, and dead; and for their brethren slain, Religiously they ask a sacrifice: To this your son is mark'd; and die he must, To appease their groaning shadows that are

me.

sum'd.

[Exeunt LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and MUTIUS, with ALARBUS. Tam. O cruel, irreligious piety! Chi. Was ever Scythia half so barbarous? Dem. Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Rome. Alarbus goes to rest; and we survive To tremble under Titus' threatening look. [al, Then, madam, stand resolv'd; but hope withThe salf-same gods, that arm'd the queen of With opportunity of sharp revenge [Troy

Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent, May favour Tamora, the queen of Goths, (When Goths were Goths, and Tamora was queen,) To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes. Re-enter LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and MUTIUS, with their Swords bloody.

The cordial of mine age to glad my heart!-
Lavinia, live; outlive thy father's days,
And fame's eternal date, for virtue's praise!*

Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, SATURNINUS,
BASSIANUS, and others.

Mar. Long live lord Titus, my beloved brother, Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome!

Tit. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Marcus.

Mar. And welcome, nephews, from successful wars,

You that survive, and you that sleep in fame. Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all,

That in your country's service drew your

swords:

But safer triumph is this funeral pomp,
That hath aspir'd to Solon's happiness,t
And triumphs over chance in honour's bed.-
Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome,
Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been,
Send thee by me, their tribune, and their trust,
This palliament of white and spotless hue;
And name thee in election for the empire,
With these our late-deceased emperor's sons:
Be candidatus then, and put it on,

And help to set a head on headless Rome.

Tit. A better head her glorious body fits, Than his, that shakes for age and feebleness: What! should I dons this robe, and trouble Be chosen with proclamations to-day; [you? To-morrow, yield up rule, resign my life, And set abroad new business for you all? Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years, And buried one and twenty valiant sons, Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms, In right and service of their noble country: Give me a staff of honour for mine age, But not a sceptre to control the world: Upright he held it, lords, that held it last.

Mar. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery.

Sat. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst
thou tell?-

Tit. Patience, prince Saturnine.
Sat. Romans, do me right;-

them not

Patricians, draw your swords, and sheath Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor :Andronicus, 'would thou wert shipp'd to hell, Rather than rob me of the people's hearts. good

Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the

That noble-minded Titus means to thee!

Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee

The people's hearts, and wean them from
Bas. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee,
But honour thee, and will do till I die;
My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends,

I will most thankful be: and thanks, to men
Of noble minds, is honourable meed.

Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes I ask your voices, and your suffrages; (here, Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus?

Trib. To gratify the good Andronicus, And gratulate his safe return to Rome, The people will accept whom he admits.

Tit. Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I make,

That you create your emperor's eldest son,
Lord Saturnine; whose virtues will, I hope,
Reflect on Rome, as Titan's* rays on earth,
And ripen justice in this common-weal:
Then if you will elect by my advice,
Crown him, and say, -Long live our emperor!
Mar. With voices and applause of every sort,
Patricians, and plebeians, we create
Lord Saturninus, Rome's great emperor;
And say, Long live our emperor Saturnine!
[A long Flourish.

Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done
To us in our election this day,
I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts,
And will with deeds requite thy gentleness:
And, for an onset, Titus, to advance
Thy name, and honourable family,
Lavinia will I make my emperess,
Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart,
And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse
Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please

thee?

Tit. It doth, my worthy lord; and, in this match,

I hold me highly honour'd of your grace:
And here, in sight of Rome, to Saturnine,-
King and commander of our common-weal,
The wide world's emperor,-do I consecrate
My sword, my chariot, and my prisoners;
Presents well worthy Rome's imperial lord:
Receive them then, the tribute that I owe,
Mine honour's ensigns humbled at thy feet.
Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life!
How proud I am of thee, and of thy gifts,
Rome shall record; and, when I do forget
The least of these unspeakable deserts,
Romans, forget your fealty to me.

emperor;

Tit. Now, madam, are you prisoner to an [TO TAMORA. To him, that for your honour and your state, Will use you nobly, and your followers.

Sat. 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 com'st 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,
[Goths.-
Can make you greater than the queen of
Lavinia, you are not displeas'd with this?
Lav. Not I, my lord; sitht true nobility
Warrants these words in princely courtesy.
Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia.-Romans, let

us go:

Ransomless here we set our prisoners free : Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and

drum.

mine.

Bas. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is [Seizing LAVINIA. Tit. How, Sir? Are you in earnest then, my lord?

Bas. Ay, noble Titus; and resolv'd withal,

Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live.

Tit. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the emperor's guard?

Treason, my lord; Lavinia is surpris'd.
Sat. Surpris'd! by whom?
Bas. By him that justly may

Bear his betroth'd from all the world away.
[Exeunt MARCUS and BASSIANUS, with
LAVINIA.

Sat. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon:-Lords,

accompany

Your noble emperor, and his lovely bride, Sent by the heavens for prince Saturnine, Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered: There shall we cónsummate our spousal rites. [Exeunt SATURNINUS, and his Followers; TAMORA, and her Sons; AARON, and Goths.

Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride;Titus, when wert thou wont to talk alone, Dishonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs?

Re-enter MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and
MARTIUS.

Mar. O, Titus, see, O, see, what thou hast In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son. [done! Tit. No, foolish tribune, no, no son of

mine,

Sat. But go thy ways; go, give that changing piece To him that flourish'd for her with his sword: A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy; One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons, To rufflet in the commonwealth of Rome.

Tit. These words are razors to my wounded heart.

Sat. And therefore, lovely Tamora, queen of Goths,[nymphs, That like the stately Phœbe 'mongst her Dost overshine the gallant'st dames of Rome, If thou be pleas'd with this my sudden choice, Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride, And will create thee emperess of Rome. Speak, queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice?

And here I swear by all the Roman gods,-
Sith priest and holy water are so near,
And tapers burn so bright, and every thing
In readiness for Hymeneus stand,-
I will not re-salute the streets of Rome,
Or climb my palace, till from forth this place
I lead espous'd my bride along with me.

Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed
Unworthy brother, and unworthy sons!
Luc. But let us give him burial as becomes;
Give Mutius burial with our brethren.

Tit. Traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb.

This monument five hundred years hath stood,
Which I have sumptuously re-edified:
Here none but soldiers, and Rome's servitors,
Repose in fame; none basely slain in brawls:-
Bury him where you can, he comes not here.
Mar. My lord, this is impiety in you:
My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him;
He must be buried with his brethren.

Quin. Mart. And shall, or him we will accompany.

Tit. And shall? What villain was it spoke that word?

Quin. He that would vouch't in any place but here. Tit. What, would you bury him in my despite? Mar. No, noble Titus; but entreat of thee To pardon Mutius, and to bury him.

Tit. Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my

Tit. Rise, Marcus, rise:The dismall'st day is this, that e'er I saw, To be dishonour'd by my sons in Rome!Well, bury him, and bury me the next.

[MUTIUS is put into the Tomb.

Luc. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends,

Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb!All. No man shed tears for noble Mutius; He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause. Mar. My lord, -to step out of these dreary dumps,

How comes it, that the subtle queen of Goths Is of a sudden thus advanc'd in Rome?

Tit. I know not, Marcus; but, I know, it is; Whether by device, or no, the heavens can tell: Is she not then beholden to the man That brought her for this high good turn so far? Yes, and will nobly him remunerate.

Flourish. Re-enter, at one side, SATURNINUS, attended; TAMORA, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, and AARON: At the other, BASSIANUS, LAVINIA, and others.

Sut. So Bassianus, you have play'd your prize; God give you joy, Sir, of your gallant bride. Bus. And you of yours, my lord: I say no more,

Nor wish no less; and so I take my leave.

Sat. Traitor, if Rome have law, or we have power,

Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape.
Bas. Rape, call you it, my lord, to seize my

own,
My true-betrothed love, and now my wife?
But let the laws of Rome determine all;
Mean while I am possess'd of that is mine.

Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.-
My lord, be rul'd by me, be won at last, [Aside.
Dissemble all your griefs and discontents:
You are but newly planted in your throne;
Lest then the people, and patricians too,
Upon a just survey, take Titus' part,
And so supplant us for ingratitude,
(Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,)
Yield at entreats, and then let me alone:
I'll find a day to massacre them all,
And raze their faction, and their family,
The cruel father, and his traitorous sons,
To whom I sued for my dear son's life;
And make them know, what 'tis to let a queen
Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace in
vain.-

cus,

Come, come, sweet emperor,-come, AndroniTake up this good old man, and cheer the heart That dies in tempest of thy angry frown.

Sat. Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath

prevail'd.

Tit. I thank your majesty, and her, my lord: These words, these looks, infuse new life in

me.

Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome, A Roman now adopted happily, And must advise the emperor for his good. This day all quarrels die, Andronicus ;And let it be mine honour, good my lord, That I have reconcil'd your friends and you.For you, prince Bassianus, I have pass'd My word and promise to the emperor, That you will be more mild and tractable.And fear not, lords, and you, Lavinia ;By my advice, all humbled on your knees, You shall ask pardon of his majesty.

Luc. We do; and vow to heaven, and to his highness,

Tend'ring our sister's honour, and our own. Mar. That on mine honour here I do pro

Only thus much I give your grace to know,

By all the duties that I owe to Rome,
This noble gentleman, lord Titus here,
Is in opinion, and in honour, wrong'd;

That, in the rescue of Lavinia,

Tam. Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all be friends:

The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace;
I will not be denied. Sweet heart, look back.
Sat. Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brother's
And at my lovely Tamora's entreats,
(here,

Stand up.

In zeal to you, and highly mov'd to wrath

To be control'd in that he frankly gave:
Receive him then to favour, Saturnine;
That hath express'd himself, in all his deeds,
A father, and a friend, to thee, and Rome.

Tit. Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds;

'Tis thou, and those, that have dishonour'd me: Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge,

How I have lov'd and honour'd Saturnine!

Tam. My worthy lord, if ever Tamora Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine, Then hear me speak indifferently for all; And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.

Sat. What! madam! be dishonour'd openly,

And basely put it up without revenge?

Tam. Not so, my lord; The gods of Rome

forefend,

I should be author to dishonour you! But, on mine honour, dare I undertake For good lord Titus' innocence in all,

Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,
I found a friend; and sure as death I swore,
I would not part a bachelor from the priest.
Come, if the emperor's court can feast two

brides,

You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends: This day shall be a love-day, Tamora.

Tit. To-morrow, an it please your majesty, To hunt the panther and the hart with me, With horn and hound, we'll give your grace bonjour.

Sat. Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too.

ACT II.

[Exeunt.

SCENE 1.-The same. Before the Palace.

Enter AARON.