Enter LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and MUTIUS, with their Swords bloody. Luc. See, lord and father, how we have perform'd Whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky. Make this his latest farewell to their souls. [Trumpets sounded, and the Coffins laid in the Tomb. In peace and honour rest you here, my sons; Rome's readiest champions, repose you here, Secure from worldly chances and mishaps! Here lurks no treason, here no envy swells, Here grow no damned grudges; here are no storms, No noise, but silence and eternal sleep : Enter LAVINIA. In peace and honour rest you here, my sons! Lav. In peace and honour live lord Titus long; My noble lord and father, live in fame! Lo! at this tomb my tributary tears Tit. Kind Rome, that hast thus lovingly reserv'd Lavinia, live; out-live 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. That in your country's service drew your swords: And help to set a head on headless Rome. Tit. A better head her glorious body fits, Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms, Mar. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery. Sat. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou tell?Tit. Patience, prince Saturninus. Sat. Romans, do me right; Patricians, draw your swords, and sheath them not, Luc. Proud Saturninus, interrupter of the good That noble-minded Titus means to thee! Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee The people's hearts, and wean them from themselves. 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 here, I ask your voices, and your suffrages; Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus? And gratulate his safe return to Rome, Tit. Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I make, And ripen justice in this common-weal: Crown him, and say,-Long live our emperor! [A long Flourish. Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts, Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart, Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life! Tit. Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor; [TO TAMORA. To him, that for your honour and your state, Sat. A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue Rest on my word, and let not discontent Lav. Not I, my lord; sith true nobility Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia.-Romans, let us go: Ransomless here we set our prisoners free: Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum. Bas. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine. [Seizing LAVINIA. Tit. How, sir? Are you in earnest then, my lord? Bas. Ay, noble Titus; and resolv'd withal, To do myself this reason and this right. [The Emperor courts TAMORA in dumb shew. Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman justice: This prince in justice seizeth but his own. Lauc. 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? |