SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, | ÆMILIUS, a noble Roman.
and afterwards declared Emperor himself. ALARBUS,
BASSIANUS, Brother to Saturninus; in love with CHIRON,
Lavinia.
TITUS ANDRONICUS,, a noble Roman, General
against the Goths.
MARCUS ANDRONICUS, Tribune of the People; and Brother to Titus
AARON, a Moor, beloved by Tamora
A Captain, Tribune, Messenger, and Clown; Ro
TAMORA, Queen of the Goths.
LAVINIA, Daughter to Titus Andronicus.
A Nurse, and a black Child.
Kinsmen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, Officers,
Soldiers, and Attendants.
SCENE, Rome; and the Country near it.
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 Follow
ers, on the other; with Drum and Colors.
Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right,.
Defend the justice of my cause with arms;
And, countrymen, my loving followers,
Plead my successive title' with your swords;
I am his first-born son, that was the last
That ware the imperial diadem of Rome;
Then let my father's honors live in me,
Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.
Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favorers
my right,-
Ambitiously for rule and empery,-
Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand
A special party, have by their common voice,
In election for the Roman empery,
For many good and great deserts to Rome;
Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius,
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 arins.
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
of Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
In coffins from the field;
If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son,
Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,
Keep then this passage to the Capitol;
And suffer not dishonor 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.
Marc. Princes that strive by factions, and by
friends,
1. e. My title to the succession.
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
Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness.
Dismiss your followers, and, as suitors should,
Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts!
![[ocr errors]](https://books.google.cz/books/content?id=0TBXAAAAYAAJ&hl=cs&output=html_text&pg=PA783&img=1&zoom=3&q=pray&cds=1&sig=ACfU3U3oVuz3VrZkDzgWsDwl7CKG65bjKg&edge=0&edge=stretch&ci=89,997,9,10)
Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so do I affy
In thy uprightness and integrity,
And so I love and hogor thee and thine,
Thy nobler 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 right,
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
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.
Flourish of Trumpets, &c. Enter MOTIUS 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 discharged 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;
Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.--
Thou great defender of this Capitol,
Stand gracious to the rites 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:
Ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesn,
Before this earthly prison of their bones;
That so the shadows be not unappeas'd,
No 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
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 ine.
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 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, up on a pile of wood,
Let's hew his limbs, till they be clean consum'd.
[Exeunt Luci vS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS,
and MUTIUS, with ALARBUS.
Tam. O cruel, irreligio is 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.
Re-enter LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and Mv-
TIUS, 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
Here Goths have given me leave to sheath my sword. Make this his latest farewell to their souls.
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,
[Trumpets sounded, and the Coffins
laid in the Tomb.
In peace and honor 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 honor rest you here, my sons!
It was supposed that the ghosts of unburied people ap peared to solicit the rites of funeral. • Suffering.
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.
Marc. Long live lord Titus, my beloved brother, Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome!
Tit. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother
Marcus.
Marc. And welcome, nephews, from successful
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 triumphs 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.
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 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.
Marc. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery.
Sat. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou
Tit. Patience, prince Saturnine.
Sat.
Romans, do me right;P. tricians, draw your swords, and sheath them not Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor :Audronicus, '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 thee The people's hearts, and wean them from themselves. 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.
• The maxim alluded to is, that no man can be pronounced happy before his death.
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 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!
Mare. With vojees 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 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 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 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 em[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
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 cheer,
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,
Can make you greater than 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: Ransomless here we set our prisoners free: Proclaim our honors, 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
![[blocks in formation]](https://books.google.cz/books/content?id=0TBXAAAAYAAJ&hl=cs&output=html_text&pg=PA784&img=1&zoom=3&q=pray&cds=1&sig=ACfU3U0X0X0Qq99bpDd_HuIX2D9u1VR0VA&edge=0&edge=stretch&ci=513,1467,367,18)
Marc. 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 surprized.
Sat. Surprized! by whom?
Bus.
By him that justly may
Bear his betroth'd from all the world away.
[Ex. Mancus 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.
What, villain boy! Barr'st me my way in Rome? [TITUS kills MUTIUS. Help, Lucius, help.
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 dishonor 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 dishonor 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, gothy ways; go, give that changing piece
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 ruffie 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.
Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered There shall we consummate our spousal rites. [Exeunt SATURNINUS, and his Followers; Ta
MORA, and her Sons; AARON, and Goths. Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride;Titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone, Dishonor'd thus, and challenged of wrongs?
Re-enter MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and
MARTIUS.
Marc. 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 dishonor'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 fame; none basely slain in brawls:-
Bury him where you can, he comes not here.
Marc. My lord, this is impiety in you:
My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him;
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
Quin. He that would vouch't in any place but here. Tit. What, would you bury him in my despite? Marc. 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 honor thou hast wounded:
My foes I do repute you every one;
So trouble me no more, but get you gone.
Marc. He is not with himself; let us withdraw.
Quin. Not I, till Mutius' bones be buried.
[MARCUS and the Sons of TITUS kneel. Marc. Brother, for in that name doth nature plead.
Quin. Father, and in that name doth nature speak.
Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed. Marc. Renowned Titus, more than half my
Luc. Dear father, soul and substance of us all,—
Marc. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter
Speak, queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my His noble nephew here in virtue's nest,
And here I swear by all the Roman gods,-
Sith priest 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.
That died in honor and Lavinia's cause.
Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous.
The Greeks, upon advice, did bury Ajax
That slew himself; and wise Laërtes' son
Did graciously plead for his funerals.
Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy,
Be barr'd his entrance here.
Tit.
T'am. And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome I The dismal'st day is this that e'er I saw,
Marc. My lord,-to step out of these dreary | My lord, be rul❜d by me, be won at last,
How comes it, that the subtle queen of Goths
Is of a sudden thus advanced 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? Yes, and will nobly him remunerate.
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 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.-
SCENE I-Before the Palace. Enter AARON.
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 us 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
Kneel in the streets, and beg for grace in vain.
Come, come, sweet emperor,-come, Andronicus, Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart 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 reconciled your friends and you.For you, prince Bassianus, I have pass'd My word and promise to the emperor, That you will be more mild and tractable.And fear not, lords,-and you, Lavinia;By my advice, all humbled on your knees, You shall ask pardon of his majesty.
Luc. We do, and vow to heaven and to his high
![[blocks in formation]](https://books.google.cz/books/content?id=0TBXAAAAYAAJ&hl=cs&output=html_text&pg=PA786&img=1&zoom=3&q=pray&cds=1&sig=ACfU3U1pZ9ODl0zkzjdcC7BfXA1o63C3-g&edge=0&edge=stretch&ci=480,809,412,131)
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.
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. [Exeunt.
Aar. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top, Safe out of fortune's shot: and sits aloft, Secure of thunder's crack, or lightning's flash; Advanced above pale envy's threat'ning reach.
As when the golden sun salutes the morn,
And, having gilt the ocean with his beams,
Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach,
And overlooks the highest-peering hills;
So Tamora.——
Upon her wit doth earthly honor wait,
And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown.
Then, Aaron, arm thy heart, and fit thy thoughts
|