THE LAMENTABLE TRAGEDY OF TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT I. SCENE I.-Rome. Before the Capitol. The Tomb of the Andronici appearing; the Tribunes. and Senators aloft, as in the Senate. Enter, below, SATURNINUS and his Followers, on one side; and BASSIANUS and his Followers, on the other; with drum and colours. SATURNINUS. OBLE patricians, patrons of my right, No Defend the justice of my cause with arms; Plead my successive title with your swords. If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, And suffer not dishonour to approach Th' imperial seat, to virtue consecrate, e; Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the crown. Marcus. Princes, that strive by factions, and by friends, Ambitiously for rule and empery, Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius, For many good and great deserts to Rome: Lives not this day within the city walls. From weary wars against the barbarous Goths; And now at last, laden with honour's spoils, Let us entreat, by honour of his name, Whom worthily you would have now succeed, And in the Capitol and Senate's right, Whom you pretend to honour and adore, That you withdraw you, and abate your strength : Sat. How fair the Tribune speaks to calm my thoughts! Baş. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy In thy uprightness and integrity, And so I love and honour thee and thine, Thy noble brother Titus, and his sons, And her, -to whom my thoughts are humbled all, [Exeunt the Followers of BASSIANUS. Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my right, I thank you all, and here dismiss you all; [Exeunt the Followers of SATURNINUS. Rome, be as just and gracious unto me, Open the gates, and let me in. Baş. Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor. [SAT. and BAs. go into the Capitol, and the Tribunes exeunt from above. SCENE II. The Same. Enter a Captain and Others. Captain. Romans, make way! The good An dronicus, Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion, Successful in the battles that he fights, With honour, and with fortune, is return'd, Drums and trumpets sounded. 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, and TITUS speaks. Titus. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds! Lo, as the bark that hath discharg'd her fraught 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 sheathe my sword. [The tomb is opened. There greet in silence, as the dead are wont, And sleep in peace, slain in your country's wars! 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? Lucius. Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths, That we may hew his limbs, and on a pile Tit. I give him you; the noblest that survives, The eldest son of this distressed queen. Tamora. Stay, Roman brethren! Gracious conqueror, Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed, A mother's tears in passion for her son: Andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood. 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, |