Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius,
For many good and great deserts to Rome:
A nobler man, a braver warrior,
Lives not this day within the city walls.
He by the senate is accited home,
From weary wars against the barbarous Goths;
That, with his sons, a terror to our foes,
Hath yok'd a nation strong, train'd up in arms.
Ten years are spent since first he undertook
This cause of Rome, and chastised with arms
Our enemies' pride: five times he hath return'd
Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
In coffins from the field;

And now at last, laden with honor's spoils,
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
Let us entreat,-by honor of his name,
Whom worthily you would have now succeed,
And in the Capitol and senate's right,
Whom you pretend to honor and adore,—
That you withdraw you, and abate your strength:
Dismiss your followers, and, as suitors should,
Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness.

[The Tomb is opened.

thoughts.

Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so I do baffy

In thy uprightness and integrity,

And so I love and honor thee and thine,
Thy noble brother Titus, and his sons,

And her, to whom my thoughts are humbled all,
Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament,
That I will here dismiss my loving friends;
And to my fortunes, and the people's favor,
Commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.

[Exeunt the Followers of BASSIANUS.
Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my
I thank you all, and here dismiss you all; [right,
And to the love and favor of my country
Commit myself, my person, and 1my cause.

[Exeunt the Followers of SATURNINUS. Rome, be as just and gracious unto me, As I am confident and kind to thee.Open the brazen 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 honor, and with fortune, is return'd, From where he circumscribed with his sword, And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome. Sound Drums and Trumpets, &c. Enter MARTIUS and MUTIUS: after them, two Men bearing a Coffin covered with black; then LUCIUS and QUINTUS. 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.3

Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds! Lo! as the bark that hath discharg'd her fraught Returns with precious lading to the bay,

From whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage,
Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs,
To re-salute his country with his tears;

• Summoned. Confide. Freight,

Before this earthy prison of their bones;
That so their shadows be not unappeas'd,
Nor we disturb'd with prodigies on earth.

Tit. I give him you; the noblest that survives,
The eldest son of this distressed queen.

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 me.
These are their brethren, whom you Goths beheld
Alive, and dead; and for their brethren slain,
Religiously they ask a sacrifice:
To this your son is marked; and die he must,
T' appease their groaning shadows that are dust.
Luc. Away with him! and make a fire straight;
And with our swords, upon a pile of wood,
Let's hew his limbs, till they be clean consum❜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. Then, madam, stand resolv'd; but hope withal, The self-same gods, that arm'd the queen of Troy With opportunity of sharp revenge Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent, May favor Tamora, the queen of Goths, (When Goths were Goths, and Tamora was queen) To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes.

Jupiter, to whom the Capitol was sacred. It was supposed that the ghosts of unburied people appeared to solicit the rites of funeral.- Lament. "In passion," i, e., in grief.

Re-enter LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and Mutius, with their Swords bloody.

Luc. See, lord and father, how we have perform'd
Our Roman rites. Alarbus' limbs are lopp'd,
And entrails feed the sacrificing fire,

Whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky.
Remaineth nought, but to inter our brethren,
And with loud 'larums welcome them to Rome
Tit. Let it be so; and let Andronicus
Make this his latest farewell to their souls.

Tomb.

Lav. In peace and honor live lord Titus long;
My noble lord and father, live in fame.
Lo! at this tomb my tributary tears
I render, for my brethren's obsequies;
And at thy feet I kneel, with tears of joy
Shed on the earth for thy return to Rome:
O! bless me here with thy victorious hand,
Whose fortunes Rome's best citizens applaud.

Tit. Kind Rome, that hast thus lovingly reserv'd

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, And triumph's over chance in honor'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.

C

Tit. A better head her glorious body fits, Than his that shakes for age and feebleness: What! should I don this robe, and trouble you? 4 Be chose with acclamations to-day; To-morrow, yield up rule, resign my life, And set abroach new business for you all?Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years, And led my country's strength successfully, 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 honor 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 the empery.

■ The maxim alluded to is, that no man can be pronounced happy before his death.-Robe-Put on.- Empire; Sovereignty.

Bas. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee,
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, aud people's tribunes, bere
I ask your voices, and your suffrages:
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. Shouts

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
Thy name and honorable family,
Lavinia will I make my empress,
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 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 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 emperor; [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 [Aride. That I would choose, were I to choose anew.[To her.] Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy counte

nance:

[cheer,

Though chance of war hath wrought this change of
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,

"Titan's," ie., the sun's.

Sat. So Bassianus, you have play'd your prize? God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride. Bas. 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. Sat. 'Tis good, sir: you are very short with us; But, if we live, we'll be as sharp with you.

Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best I may,
Answer I must, and shall do with my life:
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 honor, wrong'd;
That in the rescue of Lavinia

With his own hand did slay his youngest son,
In zeal to you, and highly mov'd to wrath,
To be controll'd in that he frankly gave.
Receive him, then, to favor, 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 dishonor'd me.
Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge,
How I have lov'd and honor'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 dishonor'd openly,
And basely put it up without revenge?

Tam. Not so, my lord: the gods of Rome forefend,
I should be author to dishonor you!
But, on mine honor, dare I undertake
For good lord Titus' innocence in all,
Whose fury, not dissembled, speaks his griefs.
Then, at my suit look graciously on him;
Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose,
Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.
My lord, be rul'd by me, be won at last;

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 honor, 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,
And fear not, lords,-and you, Lavinia.—
That you will be more mild and tractable.-
You shall ask pardon of his majesty.
By my advice, all humbled on your knees,

That what we did was mildly, as we might,
Luc. We do; and vow to heaven, and to his highness,

[They kneel. Tendering our sister's honor, and our own. Mar. That on mine honor here I do protest. Sat. Away, and talk not: trouble us no more.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 here,
And at my lovely Tamora's entreats,

I do remit these young men's heinous faults.
4[They stand up.

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.
[Trumpets. Exeunt.

ACT II.

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 you 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.-
Come, come, sweet emperor, come, Andronicus,—
[Aloud.

Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart
Cease. Entreaties.

Upon her will doth earthly honor wait,
And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown.
Then, Aaron, arm thy heart, and fit thy thoughts,
To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress;
And mount her pitch, whom thou in triumph long
Hast prisoner held, fetter'd in amorous chains,
And faster bound to Aaron's charming eyes,
Than was Prometheus tied to Caucasus.
Away with slavish weeds, and servile thoughts!
I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold,
To wait upon this new-made empress.
To wait, said I? to wanton with this queen,
This goddess, this Semiramis, this nymph,
This syren, that will charm Rome's Saturnine,

b

Chi. Mean while, sir, with the little skill I have,
Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare.
Dem. Ay, boy; grow ye so brave? [They draw.
Aar.
Why, how now, lords!
So near the emperor's palace dare you draw,
And maintain such a quarrel openly?
Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge:
I would not for a million of gold,

The cause were known to them it most concerns;
Nor would your noble mother for much more
Be so dishonor'd in the court of Rome.
For shame! put up.

Dem.
Not I; till I have sheath'd
My rapier in his bosom, and, withal,
Thrust those reproachful speeches down his throat,
That he hath breath'd in my dishonor here.

Chi. For that I am prepar'd'and full resolv'd,
Foul-spoken coward, that thunder'st with thy tongue,
And with thy weapon nothing dar'st perform.
Aar. Away, I say!

Now by the gods that warlike Goths adore,
This petty brabble will undo us all.-
Why, lords, and think you not how dangerous
It is to ejet upon a prince's right?
What! is Lavinia then become so loose,
Or Bassianus so degenerate,

That for her love such quarrels may be broach'd,
Without controlment, justice, or revenge?
Young lords, beware!-an should the empress know
This discord's ground, the music would not please.
Chi. I care not, I, knew she and all the world:
I love Lavinia more than all the world. [choice:
Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner
Lavinia is thine elder brother's hope.

Aar. Why, are ye mad? or know ye not, in Rome
How furious and impatient they be,
And cannot brook competitors in love?

I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths
By this device.

Chi.

Aaron, a thousand deaths Would I 'propose, to achieve her whom I love. Aar. To achieve her!-How? Dem. Why mak'st thou it so strange? She is a woman, therefore may be woo'd; She is a woman, therefore may be won; She is Lavinia, therefore must be lov'd. What, man! more water glideth by the mill Than wots the miller of; and easy 'tis

Clubs! was the cry for help in street riots."Dancing rapier," i. e., a sword worn in dancing. - Know. Brawl; squabble.- Intrude." Propose," i, e., propose to venture.

Of a cut loaf to steal a "shive, we know:
Though Bassianus be the emperor's brother,
Better than he have worn Vulcan's badge.
Aar. Ay, and as good as Saturninus may. [Aside.
Dem. Then, why should he despair, that knows to
With words, fair looks, and liberality? [court it
What! hast thou not full often struck a doe,
And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose?
Aar. Why then, it seems, some certain snatch or so
Would serve your turns.

Chi.

Ay, so the turn were serv'd.

Dem. Aaron, thou hast hit it. Aar.

Would you had hit it too;

Then should not we be tir'd with this ado.
To square for this? Would it offend you, then,
Why, hark ye, hark ye,—and are you such fools,
That both should speed?

Chi.

[jar.

Faith, not me.
Dem. Nor me, so I were one.
Aar. For shame! be friends, and join for that you
That you affect; and so must you resolve,
'Tis policy and stratagem must do
You must, perforce, accomplish as you may.
That what you cannot as you would achieve,
Take this of me: Lucrece was not more chaste
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus' love.

A speedier course than lingering languishment
Must we pursue, and I have found the path.
My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand;
There will the lovely Roman ladies troop:
The forest walks are wide and spacious,
And many unfrequented plots there are,
Fitted by kind for rape and villainy.
Single you thither, then, this dainty doe,
And strike her home by force, if not by words:
This way, or not at all, stand you in hope.
Come, come; our empress, with her k sacred wit,
Will we acquaint with all that we intend;
To villainy and vengeance consecrate,
And she shall file our engines with advice,
That will not suffer you to square yourselves,
But to your wishes' height advance you both.
The emperor's court is like the house of fame,
The palace full of tongues, of eyes, and ears:
The woods are ruthless, dreadless, deaf, and dull;
There speak, and strike, brave boys, and take your

turns:

SCENE II-A Forest near Rome. Horns, and cry of Hounds heard.

Enter TITUS ANDRONICUS, with Hunters, &c. MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS.

Tit. The hunt is up, the morn is bright and 3 gay, The fields are fragrant, and the woods are 4 wide. Uncouple here, and let us make a bay, And wake the emperor and his lovely bride, And rouse the prince, and 5 sing a hunter's round, That all the court may echo with the sound. Sons, let it be your charge, and so will I, To attend the emperor's person carefully: I have been troubled in my sleep this night,