TITUS ANDRONICUS. Rome. ACT I. SCENE I. 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 followers 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 title1 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 2 with this indignity. Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favorers of my right, My title to the succession. i. e. my seniority in point of age. If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, 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. Mar. Princes,-that strive by factions and by friends Ambitiously for rule and empery, Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius Lives not this day within the city walls: 1 Summoned. In coffins from the field; And now at last, laden with honor's spoils, Let us entreat,-by honor of his name, - Whom you pretend to honor and adore ;- Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts! Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy1 In thy uprightness and integrity, And so I love and honor thee and thine, Thy nobler brother Titus, and his sons, And her, to whom my thoughts are humbled all, [Exeunt the followers of Bassianus. Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my right, I thank you all, and here dismiss you all; 1 Confide. Commit myself, my person, and the cause. [Exeunt the followers of Saturninus. Rome, be as just and gracious unto me, Open the gates, and let me in. Bas. Tribunes! and me, a poor competitor. [Saturninus and Bassianus go into the Capitol, and exeunt with Senators, Marcus, &c. SCENE II. The same. Enter 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. Florish 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 TAMORA, 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, From whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage, With burial amongst their ancestors. Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword. Titus, unkind, and careless of thine own, [the tomb is opened. There greet in silence, as the dead are wont, Sweet cell of virtue and nobility, How many sons of mine hast thou in store, That thou wilt never render to me more! Lucius. Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths, Jupiter, to whom the Capitol was sacred. |