But honor 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 honorable meed.

Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes here, I ask your voices and your suffrages;

Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus?
Tri. 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 commonweal.

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 florish.

Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favors 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

The sun's.

Thy name and honorable 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 honor'd of your grace:
And here, in sight of Rome, to Saturnine,—
King and commander of our commonweal,
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 honor'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.

Tit. Now, madam, are you prisoner to an em

peror;

[to Tamora. To him, that for your honor 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,1

1 Countenance.

Thou comest 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, Can make you greater than the queen of Goths. Lavinia, you are not displeased with this?

Lav. Not I, my lord; sith 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 honors, lords, with trump and drum. Bas. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is [seising Lavinia.

mine.

Tit. How, sir? Are you in earnest then, my

lord?

Bas. Ay, noble Titus; and resolved withal

To do myself this reason and this right.

[the emperor courts Tamora in dumb show.

Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman justice: This prince in justice seiseth but his own.

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

live.

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

guard?

Treason, my lord; Lavinia is surprised.

Sat. Surprised! By whom?

Bas.

By him that justly may

SHAK.

1 Since.

x.

Bear his betrothed from all the world away.

[Exeunt Marcus and Bassianus, with Lavinia. Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence away, And with my sword I'll keep this door safe.

[Exeunt Lucius, Quintus, and Martius. Tit. Follow, my lord, and I'll soon bring her back. Mut. My lord, you pass not here.

Lucius. My lord, you are unjust; and, more than

So,

In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son.
Tit. Nor thou nor he are any sons of mine;

My sons would never so dishonor me.

Traitor, restore Lavinia to the emperor.

Lucius. Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife, That is another's lawful promised love.

[Exit.

Sat. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not, "Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock. "I'll trust, by leisure, him that mocks me once; "Thee never, nor thy traitorous haughty sons, "Confederates all thus to dishonor me.

"Was there none else in Rome to make a stale,1 "But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus,

Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine,

A stalking-horse.

"That said'st, I begg'd the empire at thy hands. "Tit. O monstrous! what reproachful words are

these!

Sat. But go thy ways; go, give that changing

piece

To him that florish'd for her with his sword.

A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy ;

One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons,

To ruffle1 in the commonwealth of Rome.

Tit. These words are razors to my wounded

heart.

Sat. And therefore, lovely Tamora, queen of

Goths,

That, like the stately Phoebe 2 'mongst her nymphs,
Dost overshine the gallant'st dames of Rome,—
If thou be pleased 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 3 priest and holy water are so near,
And tapers burn so bright, and every thing
In readiness for Hymeneus stand,—

I will not resalute the streets of Rome,

Or climb my palace, till from forth this place

I lead espoused my bride along with me.

1 A ruffler was a bully.
3 Since.

2 Diana.