DRAMATIS PERSONE. SATURNINUS, son to the late Emperor of Rome, and afterwards declared emperor. BASSIANUS, 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. } sons to Tamora. AARON, a Moor, beloved by Tamora. A Captain, Tribune, Messenger, and Clown; Romans. Goths and Romans. 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. TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT I. SCENE I. Rome. Before the Capitol. The Tomb of the ANDRONICI appearing; the Tribunes and Senators aloft. Enter, below, from one side, SATURNINUS and his Followers; and, from the other side, BASSIANUS and his Followers; with drum and colours. Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right, Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favourers of my right,— If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, your choice. Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the crown. Marc. Princes,-that strive by factions and by friends Ambitiously for rule and empery, Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand A special party, have, by common voice, 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 you pretend to honour and adore,— Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness. Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts! 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, 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 favour of my country |