PERSONS REPRESENTED. SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome and afterwards declared Emperor himself. 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. LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, MUTIUS, Sons to Titus Andronicus. Young LUCIUS, a Boy, Son to Lucius. ALARBUS, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, 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 L-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 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: I am his first-born son, that was the last That wore 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, And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice. Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with 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, For many good and great deserts to Rome; Lives not this day within the city walls: From weary wars against the barbarous Goths; Hath yoked a nation strong, train'd up in arms. And now, at last, laden with honour's spoils, When 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 noble brother Titus, and his sons, And her, to whom my thoughts are humbled all, That I will here dismiss my loving friends; And to my fortunes, and the people's favour, [Exeunt the Followers of Bassianus. [right, [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. [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, Flourish of trumpets, &c. Enter MUTIUS and 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, Stand gracious to the rites that we intend!- These, that survive, let Rome reward with love; B Here Goths have given me leave to sheath my sword. (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, Luc. Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths, Gracious conqueror, Ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesh, Tit. Patient yourself, madam, and pardon me. To this your son is mark'd; and die he must, [Exeunt Lucius, Quintus, Martius, and |