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. 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, Keep, then, this passage to the Capitol ; And, Romans, fight for freedom in 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, That you withdraw you, and abate your strength; 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, [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 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. [Flourish. Saturninus and Bassianus go up into the Capitol. Enter a Captain. Cap. Romans, make way: the good Andronicus, Successful in the battles that he fights, Drums and trumpets sounded. Enter MARTIUS and MUTIUS; after them, two Men bearing a coffin covered with black; then LUCIUS and QUINTUS. After them, TITUS ANDRONICUS; and then TAMORA, with ALARBUS, DEMETRIUS, CHIRON, 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! From whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage, These that survive let Rome reward with love; These that I bring unto their latest home, With burial amongst their ancestors: Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword. |