I have collated it with the tragedy as it stands in the edition of Shakspeare, 1793 : and the following remarks, and various readings, are here affigned to their proper places. TODD.

The ingenious and accurate Mr. Todd has moft obligingly collated this tragedy (49. 1600) with that in 8vo. 1793. Moft of his collations &c. will be found at the bottom of the following pages. STBEYENS.

,

PERSONS REPRESENTED:

Saturninus, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, and

afterwards declared Emperor himself. Bassianus, Brother to Saturninus ; in love with Lai

vinia. Titus Andronicus, a noble Roman, General against

the Goths. Marcus Andronicus, Tribune of the People ; and

Brother to Titus.
Lucius,
Quintus,

Sons to Titus Andronicus.
Martius,
Mutius,
Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius.
Publius, Son to Marcus the Tribune.
Æmilius, a noble Roman.
Alarbus,
Chiron, Sons to Tamora.
Demetrius,
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 Tri

bunes and Senators aloft, as in the Senate. Enter, below, SATURNINUS and his Followers, on one fde; and BASSIANUS and his Followers, on

; the other; with Drum and Colours.

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:

ту
I am his first-born fon, that was the last
That ware the imperial diadem of Rome;
Then let my father's honours live in me,
Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.
Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favourers of

my right, If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,

my

successive title] i.e. my title to the succession.

Malone, Thus also Raleigh : « The empire being elective, and not fuc

“

๕ sljive, the emperors, in being, made profit of their own times."

Steevens.

Keep then this paffage to the Capitol ;
And fuffer 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

friends,
Ambitiously for rule and empery,
Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we

stand
A special party, have, by common voice,
In election for the Roman empery,
Chofen 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, fince 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 fons
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

thoughts ! Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy. In thy uprightness and integrity, And so I love and honour 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 favour, 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 And to the love and favour 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.

all;