The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

Thou, Leonatus art the hon's whelp;
The fit and apt construction of thy name,
Being Leo-natus, doth import so much:
The piece of tender air, thy virtuous daughter,
[To CYMBELINE.
Which we call mollis aer; and mollis aer
We term it mulier : which mulier I divine,
Is this most constant wife; who, even now,
Answering the letter of the acle,
Unknown to you, unsought, were clipp'd about
With this most tender air.
Cym

This hath some seeming.
Sooth. The lofty cedar, royal Cymbeline,
Personates thee: and thy lopp'd branches point
Thy two sons forth: who, by Belarius stolen,
For many years thought dead, are now reviv'd,
To the majestic cedar join'd; whose issue
Promises Britain peace and plenty.

Cym.

Well,

My peace we will begin :--And, Caius Lucius,
Although the victor, we submit to Cæsar,
And to the Roman empire; promising,
To pay our wonted tribute, from the which
We were dissuaded by our wicked queen :

THIS play has many just sentiments some natural dialogues and some pleasing scenes, but they are of tained at the expense of much incongruity. To remark the folly of the action, the absurdity of the conduct, the confusion of the names, and man ners of different times, and the impossibility of the events in any system of life, were to waste criticism upon unresisting imbecility, upon faults too evident for detection, and too gross for aggravation.-JOHNSON.

Of the enormous injustice of the above sentence, nearly every, page of Cymbeline will, to a reader of any taste or discrimina tion, bring the most decisive evidence. That it possesses many of the too common inattentions of Shakspeare, that it exhibits frequent violation to costume, and a singular confusion of Domenclature, cannot be denied; but these are trifles light as air, when contrasted with its merits, which are of the very es sence of dramatic worth, rich and full in all that breathes of vigour, animation, and intellect; in all that elevates the fancy, and improves the heart. In possession of excellencies vital as those must be deemed, cold and fastidious is the criticism, that, on account of irregularities in mere technical detail, would shut its eyes upon their splendour. Nor are their wanting critics of equal learning with, and superior taste to, Johnson, who have considered what he has branded with the unqualified charge of 'confusion of manners,” as forming in a certain point of view,

Whom heavens, in justice, (both on her, and hers,) Have laid most heavy hand.

Sooth. The fingers of the powers above do tune The harmony of this peace. The vision Which I made known to Lucius, ere the stroke Of this yet scarce-cold battle, at this instant Is full accomplish'd: For the Roman eagle, From south to west on wing soaring aloft, Lessen'd herself, and in the beams o' the sun So vanish'd: which foreshew'd our princely eagle, The imperial Cæsar, should again unite His favour with the radiant Cymbeline, Which shines here in the west.

Cym.

Laud we the gods;

And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils
From our bless'd altars! Publish we this peace

To all our subjects. Set we forward: Let
A Roman and a British ensign wave
Friendly together: so through Lud's town march :
And in the temple of great Jupiter

Our peace we'll ratify; seal it with feasts.-
Set on there:-Never was a war did cease,
Ere bloody hands were wash'd, with such a peace.
[Exeunt.

one of the most pleasing recommendations of the piece. Thus Schlegel, after characterising Cymbeline, as one of Shakspeare's most wonderful compositions, adds, " He has here connected a novel of Boccacio with traditionary tales of the ancient Britous, reaching back to the times of the first Roman emperors; and he has contrived by the most gentle transitions, to blend together into a harmonions whole, the social manners of the latest times, with the heroic deeds, and even with the appearances, of the gods." (Essay on Dram. Lat. vol. ii. p. 183.) L may also be remarked, that if the unities of time and place be as little observed in this play, as in many others of the same poet, unity of character and feeling, the test of genius, and without which the utmost efforts of art will be unavailing, is uniformly and happily supported.

In this drama, poetical justice has been strictly observed, the vicious characters meet the punishment due to their crimes, while virtue in all its various degrees is proportionably rewarded. The scene of retribution, which is the closing one of the play, is a masterpiece of skill; the developement of the pi for its fulness, completeness, and ingenuity, surpassing any fort of the kind among our author's contemporaries, and atoning for any partia mecsgruity which the structure or conduct of the story may have displayed.-D7. DRAKE.

We play was catered at Stationers' Hall, Feb. 6, 1593-4; in which year (according to Langbaine, who alone appears to have seen the first edition) it was also printed. There were wo editions in quarto, one in 1600, and another in 1611; but aoither of these have the author's name on the title page. The agedy however was written several years before; as it is mentioned in the induction to Ben Jonson's Bartholomew Fair 1014, as one that had been exhibited five-and-twenty or airty years: which, if we take the lowest number, throws it back to the year 1589, at which time Shakspeare was but Mwenty-five. It was most probably written two or three years earlier, and was the first production of our author.

hat it is his, there is not only the testimony of its having been printed in the players' edition; but the authority of Meres, a gatemporary author, who in a little book called Palladis Tamia, printed in 1596. numerates this tragedy among the works of Shakspeare.

commentators have shewn themselves very desirous of perediting the authenticity of this play; but they have noChing to oppose to the above strong evidence in its favour; t such inconclusive arguments as may be derived from the similarity of its style, and the inferiority of its merit to the ther works of our author, To which may be answered, that was a boyish production; that it is, perhaps, superior to any

PERSONS REPRESENTED. Saromsaros, son to the late Emperor of Rome, and afterwaras declared Emperor himself. Baumanus, brother to Saturninus; in love with Lavinia.

US ANDRONICUs, a noble Roman, general against the Goths.

CAROUS ANDRONICUS, tribune of the people, and brother to Titus.

AUGIUS, QUINTUS, MARTTU, MUTIUS, sens to Titus
Andronicus.

Hong Luarus, a boy, son to Lucius.
PUBLIUS, con to Marcus the tribune.

AMILIUS, a noble Roman.

ALARBUS, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, sons to Tamora
AARON, a Moor, beloved by Tamora.

Captain, Tribune, Messenger, and Clown; Romans. Boths and Romans.

AMORA, Queen of the Goths.

KARTA, daughter to Titus Andronicus.
Murse, and a black Child.

Riemen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, Officers,
Soldiers, and Attendants.

ICENE-ROMs; and the Country near it.

ACT I.

SCENE L-Rome. Before the Capitol. 9tomb of the Andronici appearing: the Tribunes and Senators aloft, as in the Senate. Enter, below, SATURNINUS and his Followers, on one side; and BAANUS and his Followers, on the other; with drum and colours,

St. Neble patricians, patrons of my right, the justice of my cause with arms; Countrymen, my loving followers, my successive title with your swords: first-born son, that was the last are the imperial diadem of Rome; let my father's honours live in me, wrang mine age with this indignity. Bas. Romans, friends, followers, favourers of ever Bassianus, Casar's son, [my right,que gracious in five soyal Rome,

Keep then this passage to the Capitol;
And suffer not dishonour to approach
The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,
To justice, continence, and nobility:
But let desert in pure election shine;
And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.
Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the crown.
Mar. Princes that strive by factions, and by
Ambitiously for rule and empery,- [friends,
Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand
A special party, have, by common voice,
In election for the Roman empery,
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 honour's spoils,
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
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;
Dismiss your followers, and, as suitors should,
Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness.
Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my though
Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so do I affy
In thy uprightness and integrity,
And so I love and honour thee and thins,
Thy nobler brother Titus, and his
And her, to whom my thoughts are
Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament,
That I will here dismiss my loving friends;
And to my fortunes, and the people's favour,
Commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.
[Exeunt the Followers of BASSANOS
Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my right

Call

I thank you all, and here dismiss you all;
And to the love and favor 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 ex-
eunt with Senators, MARCUS, 4c.

SCENE II.-The same.

Enter a Captain and others.

Cap. Romans, make way; The good Andronicus,
Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion,
Buccessful 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.
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 TA
MORA, 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

weeds!

Lo, as the bark, that hath discharg'd her fraught,
Returns with precious lading to the bay,
From whence at first she weighed her anchorage,
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,
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:

held

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 gone.
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 consumed.
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 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.

Luc. See, lord and father, how we have per-
form'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 bis latest farewell to their souls.
[Trumpets sounded, and the coffin
laid in the tomb.
In peace and honour rest you here, my sons;

Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my Rome's readiest champions, repose you here,

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 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?
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.

Tit. I give him you; the noblest that survives,
The eldest son of this distressed queen.
Tam. Stay, Roman brethren;-Gracious con-

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.
Lao. In peace and honour 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. [Marcus
Tit. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother
Mar. And welcome, nephews, from successful

But safer triumph is this funeral pomp,
That hath aspir'd to Solon's happiness,
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 don this robe, and trouble you?
Be chosen with proclamations to-day;
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;-
Patricians, draw your swords, and sheath them not
Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor :-
Andronicus, 'would thou wert shipp'd to hell,
Rather than rob me of the people's hearts.

Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good That noble-minded Titus means to thee!

Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to taee The people's hearts, and wean them from caemselves. 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
Trib. To gratify the good Androni: is,

And gratulate his safe return to Rome
The people will accept whom he adm.ts

1ope,

Tit. Tribunes, I thank you: and tais sui.[ na 40, That you create your emperor's eldes. son, Lord Saturnine; whose virtues w.. 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.

Tit. Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor ; [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
Thou com'st not to be made a scorn in Rome: [cheer,
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 then the queen of Goths.—
Lavinia, you are not displeas'd with this?

Lav. Not I, my lord; sith true nobility
Warrants these words in princely courtesy.

Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia.-Romans, let us go; Ransomeless 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 show. Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman justice: This prince in justice seizeth but his own. Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live. Tit. Traitors,avaunt! Where is the emperor's guard? Treason, my lord; Lavinia is surpriz❜d.

Sat. Surpriz'd! By whom?

Bas.

By him that justly may Bear his betroth'd 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.

Tit.

What, villain boy! Barr'st me my way in Rome? [TITUS kills MUTIUS. Mut. Help, Lucius, help!

Re-enter LUCIUS.

Luc. 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 dishonour me: Traitor, restore Lavinia to the emperor.

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

[Exit.

Sat. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not, Not 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 dishonour me. Was there none else in Rome to make a stale of, But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus, Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine, 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 | His noble nephew here in virtue's nest, 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 ruffle 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 'mongst her nymphs,
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 priests 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."

Tam. And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome I swear,
If Saturnine advance the queen of Goths,
She will a handmaid be to his desires,
A loving nurse, a mother to his youth.

That died in honour and Lavinia's cause.
Thou art a Roman be not barbarous.
The Greeks, upon advice, did bury Ajax
That slew himself; and wise Laertes' son
Did graciously plead for his funerals.
Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy,
Be barr'd his entrance here.

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 Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb! [friends,

All. No man shed tears for noble Mutius;
He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause.
Mar. Mylord,-to step out of those 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? accom-Yes, and will nobly him remunerate. [any

Sat. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon:-Lords, Your noble emperor, and his lovely bride, Sent by the heavens for prince Saturnine, Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquer'd: 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 walk alone, Dishonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs? Re-enter MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS. Mar. O, Titus, see, O, see, what thou hast done! In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son.

Tit. No, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine,Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed That hath dishonour'd all our family; 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 fames; 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 you:
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 crest, And, with these boys, mine honour thou hast wounded: My foes I do repute you every one;

Bo trouble me no more, but get you gone.
Mart. He is not with himself; let us withdraw.
Quin. Not I, till Mutius' bones be buried.

[MARCUS and the sons of TITUS kneel.
Mar. Brother, for in that name doth nature plead.
Quin. Father, for in that name doth nature speak.
Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed.
Mar. Renowned Titus, more than half my soul,
Luc. Dear father, soul and substance of us all,-
Mar. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter

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

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 honour, 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 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,
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-

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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Volume 2