Saturninus, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, and afterwards declar'd Emperor himself. Baffianus, Brother to Saturninus, in love with Lavinia. Titus Andronicus, a Noble Roman, General against the Goths. Marcus Andronicus, Tribune of the People, and Brother to Titus. Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius. Publius, Son to Marcus Andronicus the Tribune. Tamora, Queen of the Goths, and afterwards married to Saturninus. Lavinia, Daughter to Titus Andronicus. A Nurfe with a black-a-moor Child. Senators, Judges, Officers, Soldiers and other Attendants. SCENE Rome, and the Country near it. TITUS aTITUS ANDRONICUS. ACTI SCENE I. ROME. Enter the Tribunes and Senators aloft, as in the Senate. Enter Saturninus and his followers at one door, and Baffianus and his followers at the other, with drum and colours. SATURNINUS. OBLE Partricians, patrons of my right, Wore the imperial diadem of Rome: Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. Baf. Romans, friends, foll❜wers, favourers of my right; If ever Baffianus, Cæfar's fon, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, Bb 3 Το (a) This is one of the Plays which ought not to be look'd upon to be of Shakespear's compofition. By giving it the credit of a few of his lines inferted here and there he got the difcredit of writing the whole. To juftice, continence, and nobility: And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice. Enter Marcus Andronicus aloft with the crown. Mar. Princes, that ftrive by factions and by friends, Ambitiously for rule and empery! Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand In free election` for the Roman empery, Lives not this day within our city walls. From weary wars against the barbarous Goths, Hath yoak'd a nation ftrong, train'd up in arms. And now at laft, laden with honour's spoils, Whom you pretend to honour and adore, That you withdraw you, and abate your ftrength; Difmils your followers, and as fuitors fhould, Plead your deferts in peace and humbleness. Sat. How fair the Tribune fpeaks, to calm my thoughts! In thy uprightness and integrity, • In election Thy Thy noble brother Titus, and his fons, And her to whom our thoughts are humbled all, [Exeunt Soldiers. And to the love and favour of my country Open the gates, and let me in. Baf. Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor. [They go up into the Senate-boufe. SCENE Enter a Captain. II. Cap. Romans, make way: the good Andronicus, Patron of virtue, Rome's beft champion, Successful in the battels that he fights, With honour and with fortune is return'd From whence he circumfcribed with his fword, Sound drums and trumpets, and then enter Mutius and Marcus: after them, two men bearing a coffin cover'd with black; then Quintus and Lucius. After them Titus Andronicus; and then Tamora, the Queen of Goths, Alarbus, Chiron and Demetrius, with Aaron the Moor, prifoners; Soldiers, and other Attendants. They fet down the coffin, and Titus fpeaks. Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds! Lo, as the bark that hath discharg'd her freight, Returns with precious lading to the bay, Bb 4 From From whence at firft fhe weigh'd her anchorage, Here Goths have given me leave to fheath my fword: [They open the tomb. Sweet cell of virtue and nobility, How many fons of mine haft thou in ftore, Luc. Give us the proudeft prifoner of the Goths, Tam. Stay, Roman brethren, gracious conqueror, A mother's tears in paffion for her fon: Το |