1
Rome. Before the Capitol.
2
[The Tomb of the ANDRONICI appearing; the Tribunes] [p]and Senators aloft. Enter, below, from one side, [p]SATURNINUS and his Followers; and, from the other [p]side, BASSIANUS and his Followers; with drum and colours]
4
Noble patricians, patrons of my right,
5
Defend the justice of my cause with arms,
6
And, countrymen, my loving followers,
7
Plead my successive title with your swords:
8
I am his first-born son, that was the last
9
That wore the imperial diadem of Rome;
10
Then let my father's honours live in me,
11
Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.
13
Romans, friends, followers, favorers of my right,
14
If ever Bassianus, Caesar's son,
15
Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,
16
Keep then this passage to the Capitol
17
And suffer not dishonour to approach
18
The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,
19
To justice, continence and nobility;
20
But let desert in pure election shine,
21
And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.
22
[Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the crown]
24
Princes, that strive by factions and by friends
25
Ambitiously for rule and empery,
26
Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand
27
A special party, have, by common voice,
28
In election for the Roman empery,
29
Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius
30
For many good and great deserts to Rome:
31
A nobler man, a braver warrior,
32
Lives not this day within the city walls:
33
He by the senate is accit'd home
34
From weary wars against the barbarous Goths;
35
That, with his sons, a terror to our foes,
36
Hath yoked a nation strong, train'd up in arms.
37
Ten years are spent since first he undertook
38
This cause of Rome and chastised with arms
39
Our enemies' pride: five times he hath return'd
40
Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
41
In coffins from the field;
42
And now at last, laden with horror's spoils,
43
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
44
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
45
Let us entreat, by honour of his name,
46
Whom worthily you would have now succeed.
47
And in the Capitol and senate's right,
48
Whom you pretend to honour and adore,
49
That you withdraw you and abate your strength;
50
Dismiss your followers and, as suitors should,
51
Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness.
53
How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts!
55
Marcus Andronicus, so I do ally
56
In thy uprightness and integrity,
57
And so I love and honour thee and thine,
58
Thy noble brother Titus and his sons,
59
And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all,
60
Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament,
61
That I will here dismiss my loving friends,
62
And to my fortunes and the people's favor
63
Commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.
64
[Exeunt the followers of BASSIANUS]
66
Friends, that have been thus forward in my right,
67
I thank you all and here dismiss you all,
68
And to the love and favor of my country
69
Commit myself, my person and the cause.
70
[Exeunt the followers of SATURNINUS]
71
Rome, be as just and gracious unto me
72
As I am confident and kind to thee.
73
Open the gates, and let me in.
75
Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor.
76
[Flourish. SATURNINUS and BASSIANUS go up into the Capitol]
79
Romans, make way: the good Andronicus.
80
Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion,
81
Successful in the battles that he fights,
82
With honour and with fortune is return'd
83
From where he circumscribed with his sword,
84
And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome.
85
[Drums and trumpets sounded. Enter MARTIUS and]
86
MUTIUS; After them, two Men bearing a coffin
87
covered with black; then LUCIUS and QUINTUS. After
88
them, TITUS ANDRONICUS; and then TAMORA, with
89
ALARBUS, DEMETRIUS, CHIRON, AARON, and other Goths,
90
prisoners; Soldiers and people following. The
91
Bearers set down the coffin, and TITUS speaks]
93
Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds!
94
Lo, as the bark, that hath discharged her fraught,
95
Returns with precious jading to the bay
96
From whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage,
97
Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs,
98
To re-salute his country with his tears,
99
Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.
100
Thou great defender of this Capitol,
101
Stand gracious to the rites that we intend!
102
Romans, of five and twenty valiant sons,
103
Half of the number that King Priam had,
104
Behold the poor remains, alive and dead!
105
These that survive let Rome reward with love;
106
These that I bring unto their latest home,
107
With burial amongst their ancestors:
108
Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword.
109
Titus, unkind and careless of thine own,
110
Why suffer'st thou thy sons, unburied yet,
111
To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx?
112
Make way to lay them by their brethren.
114
There greet in silence, as the dead are wont,
115
And sleep in peace, slain in your country's wars!
116
O sacred receptacle of my joys,
117
Sweet cell of virtue and nobility,
118
How many sons of mine hast thou in store,
119
That thou wilt never render to me more!
121
Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths,
122
That we may hew his limbs, and on a pile
123
Ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesh,
124
Before this earthy prison of their bones;
125
That so the shadows be not unappeased,
126
Nor we disturb'd with prodigies on earth.
128
I give him you, the noblest that survives,
129
The eldest son of this distressed queen.
131
Stay, Roman brethren! Gracious conqueror,
132
Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed,
133
A mother's tears in passion for her son:
134
And if thy sons were ever dear to thee,
135
O, think my son to be as dear to me!
136
Sufficeth not that we are brought to Rome,
137
To beautify thy triumphs and return,
138
Captive to thee and to thy Roman yoke,
139
But must my sons be slaughter'd in the streets,
140
For valiant doings in their country's cause?
141
O, if to fight for king and commonweal
142
Were piety in thine, it is in these.
143
Andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood:
144
Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods?
145
Draw near them then in being merciful:
146
Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge:
147
Thrice noble Titus, spare my first-born son.
149
Patient yourself, madam, and pardon me.
150
These are their brethren, whom you Goths beheld
151
Alive and dead, and for their brethren slain
152
Religiously they ask a sacrifice:
153
To this your son is mark'd, and die he must,
154
To appease their groaning shadows that are gone.
156
Away with him! and make a fire straight;
157
And with our swords, upon a pile of wood,
158
Let's hew his limbs till they be clean consumed.
159
[Exeunt LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and MUTIUS, with ALARBUS]
161
O cruel, irreligious piety!
163
Was ever Scythia half so barbarous?
165
Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Rome.
166
Alarbus goes to rest; and we survive
167
To tremble under Titus' threatening looks.
168
Then, madam, stand resolved, but hope withal
169
The self-same gods that arm'd the Queen of Troy
170
With opportunity of sharp revenge
171
Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent,
172
May favor Tamora, the Queen of Goths—
173
When Goths were Goths and Tamora was queen—
174
To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes.
175
[Re-enter LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS and MUTIUS, with]
178
See, lord and father, how we have perform'd
179
Our Roman rites: Alarbus' limbs are lopp'd,
180
And entrails feed the sacrificing fire,
181
Whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky.
182
Remaineth nought, but to inter our brethren,
183
And with loud 'larums welcome them to Rome.
185
Let it be so; and let Andronicus
186
Make this his latest farewell to their souls.
187
[Trumpets sounded, and the coffin laid in the tomb]
188
In peace and honour rest you here, my sons;
189
Rome's readiest champions, repose you here in rest,
190
Secure from worldly chances and mishaps!
191
Here lurks no treason, here no envy swells,
192
Here grow no damned grudges; here are no storms,
193
No noise, but silence and eternal sleep:
194
In peace and honour rest you here, my sons!
197
In peace and honour live Lord Titus long;
198
My noble lord and father, live in fame!
199
Lo, at this tomb my tributary tears
200
I render, for my brethren's obsequies;
201
And at thy feet I kneel, with tears of joy,
202
Shed on the earth, for thy return to Rome:
203
O, bless me here with thy victorious hand,
204
Whose fortunes Rome's best citizens applaud!
206
Kind Rome, that hast thus lovingly reserved
207
The cordial of mine age to glad my heart!
208
Lavinia, live; outlive thy father's days,
209
And fame's eternal date, for virtue's praise!
210
[Enter, below, MARCUS ANDRONICUS and Tribunes;]
211
re-enter SATURNINUS and BASSIANUS, attended]
213
Long live Lord Titus, my beloved brother,
214
Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome!
216
Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Marcus.
218
And welcome, nephews, from successful wars,
219
You that survive, and you that sleep in fame!
220
Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all,
221
That in your country's service drew your swords:
222
But safer triumph is this funeral pomp,
223
That hath aspired to Solon's happiness
224
And triumphs over chance in honour's bed.
225
Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome,
226
Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been,
227
Send thee by me, their tribune and their trust,
228
This palliament of white and spotless hue;
229
And name thee in election for the empire,
230
With these our late-deceased emperor's sons:
231
Be candidatus then, and put it on,
232
And help to set a head on headless Rome.
234
A better head her glorious body fits
235
Than his that shakes for age and feebleness:
236
What should I don this robe, and trouble you?
237
Be chosen with proclamations to-day,
238
To-morrow yield up rule, resign my life,
239
And set abroad new business for you all?
240
Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years,
241
And led my country's strength successfully,
242
And buried one and twenty valiant sons,
243
Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms,
244
In right and service of their noble country
245
Give me a staff of honour for mine age,
246
But not a sceptre to control the world:
247
Upright he held it, lords, that held it last.
249
Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery.
251
Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou tell?
253
Patience, Prince Saturninus.
256
Patricians, draw your swords: and sheathe them not
257
Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor.
258
Andronicus, would thou wert shipp'd to hell,
259
Rather than rob me of the people's hearts!
261
Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good
262
That noble-minded Titus means to thee!
264
Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee
265
The people's hearts, and wean them from themselves.
267
Andronicus, I do not flatter thee,
268
But honour thee, and will do till I die:
269
My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends,
270
I will most thankful be; and thanks to men
271
Of noble minds is honourable meed.
273
People of Rome, and people's tribunes here,
274
I ask your voices and your suffrages:
275
Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus?
277
To gratify the good Andronicus,
278
And gratulate his safe return to Rome,
279
The people will accept whom he admits.
281
Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I make,
282
That you create your emperor's eldest son,
283
Lord Saturnine; whose virtues will, I hope,
284
Reflect on Rome as Titan's rays on earth,
285
And ripen justice in this commonweal:
286
Then, if you will elect by my advice,
287
Crown him and say 'Long live our emperor!'
289
With voices and applause of every sort,
290
Patricians and plebeians, we create
291
Lord Saturninus Rome's great emperor,
292
And say 'Long live our Emperor Saturnine!'
293
[A long flourish till they come down]
295
Titus Andronicus, for thy favors done
296
To us in our election this day,
297
I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts,
298
And will with deeds requite thy gentleness:
299
And, for an onset, Titus, to advance
300
Thy name and honourable family,
301
Lavinia will I make my empress,
302
Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart,
303
And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse:
304
Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee?
306
It doth, my worthy lord; and in this match
307
I hold me highly honour'd of your grace:
308
And here in sight of Rome to Saturnine,
309
King and commander of our commonweal,
310
The wide world's emperor, do I consecrate
311
My sword, my chariot and my prisoners;
312
Presents well worthy Rome's imperial lord:
313
Receive them then, the tribute that I owe,
314
Mine honour's ensigns humbled at thy feet.
316
Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life!
317
How proud I am of thee and of thy gifts
318
Rome shall record, and when I do forget
319
The least of these unspeakable deserts,
320
Romans, forget your fealty to me.
322
[To TAMORA]Now, madam, are you prisoner to
324
To him that, for your honour and your state,
325
Will use you nobly and your followers.
327
A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue
328
That I would choose, were I to choose anew.
329
Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance:
330
Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer,
331
Thou comest not to be made a scorn in Rome:
332
Princely shall be thy usage every way.
333
Rest on my word, and let not discontent
334
Daunt all your hopes: madam, he comforts you
335
Can make you greater than the Queen of Goths.
336
Lavinia, you are not displeased with this?
338
Not I, my lord; sith true nobility
339
Warrants these words in princely courtesy.
341
Thanks, sweet Lavinia. Romans, let us go;
342
Ransomless here we set our prisoners free:
343
Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum.
344
[Flourish. SATURNINUS courts TAMORA in dumb show]
346
Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine.
349
How, sir! are you in earnest then, my lord?
351
Ay, noble Titus; and resolved withal
352
To do myself this reason and this right.
354
'Suum cuique' is our Roman justice:
355
This prince in justice seizeth but his own.
357
And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live.
359
Traitors, avaunt! Where is the emperor's guard?
360
Treason, my lord! Lavinia is surprised!
364
By him that justly may
365
Bear his betroth'd from all the world away.
366
[Exeunt BASSIANUS and MARCUS with LAVINIA]
368
Brothers, help to convey her hence away,
369
And with my sword I'll keep this door safe.
370
[Exeunt LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS]
372
Follow, my lord, and I'll soon bring her back.
374
My lord, you pass not here.
377
Barr'st me my way in Rome?
382
[During the fray, SATURNINUS, TAMORA, DEMETRIUS,]
383
CHIRON and AARON go out and re-enter, above]
386
My lord, you are unjust, and, more than so,
387
In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son.
389
Nor thou, nor he, are any sons of mine;
390
My sons would never so dishonour me:
391
Traitor, restore Lavinia to the emperor.
393
Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife,
394
That is another's lawful promised love.
397
No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not,
398
Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock:
399
I'll trust, by leisure, him that mocks me once;
400
Thee never, nor thy traitorous haughty sons,
401
Confederates all thus to dishonour me.
402
Was there none else in Rome to make a stale,
403
But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus,
404
Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine,
405
That said'st I begg'd the empire at thy hands.
407
O monstrous! what reproachful words are these?
409
But go thy ways; go, give that changing piece
410
To him that flourish'd for her with his sword
411
A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy;
412
One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons,
413
To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome.
415
These words are razors to my wounded heart.
417
And therefore, lovely Tamora, queen of Goths,
418
That like the stately Phoebe 'mongst her nymphs
419
Dost overshine the gallant'st dames of Rome,
420
If thou be pleased with this my sudden choice,
421
Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride,
422
And will create thee empress of Rome,
423
Speak, Queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice?
424
And here I swear by all the Roman gods,
425
Sith priest and holy water are so near
426
And tapers burn so bright and every thing
427
In readiness for Hymenaeus stand,
428
I will not re-salute the streets of Rome,
429
Or climb my palace, till from forth this place
430
I lead espoused my bride along with me.
432
And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome I swear,
433
If Saturnine advance the Queen of Goths,
434
She will a handmaid be to his desires,
435
A loving nurse, a mother to his youth.
437
Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon. Lords, accompany
438
Your noble emperor and his lovely bride,
439
Sent by the heavens for Prince Saturnine,
440
Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered:
441
There shall we consummate our spousal rites.
442
[Exeunt all but TITUS]
444
I am not bid to wait upon this bride.
445
Titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone,
446
Dishonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs?
447
[Re-enter MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS]
449
O Titus, see, O, see what thou hast done!
450
In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son.
452
No, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine,
453
Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed
454
That hath dishonour'd all our family;
455
Unworthy brother, and unworthy sons!
457
But let us give him burial, as becomes;
458
Give Mutius burial with our brethren.
460
Traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb:
461
This monument five hundred years hath stood,
462
Which I have sumptuously re-edified:
463
Here none but soldiers and Rome's servitors
464
Repose in fame; none basely slain in brawls:
465
Bury him where you can; he comes not here.
467
My lord, this is impiety in you:
468
My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him
469
He must be buried with his brethren.
471
And shall, or him we will accompany.
473
'And shall!' what villain was it that spake
476
He that would vouch it in any place but here.
478
What, would you bury him in my despite?
480
No, noble Titus, but entreat of thee
481
To pardon Mutius and to bury him.
483
Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest,
484
And, with these boys, mine honour thou hast wounded:
485
My foes I do repute you every one;
486
So, trouble me no more, but get you gone.
488
He is not with himself; let us withdraw.
490
Not I, till Mutius' bones be buried.
491
[MARCUS and the Sons of TITUS kneel]
493
Brother, for in that name doth nature plead,—
495
Father, and in that name doth nature speak,—
497
Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed.
499
Renowned Titus, more than half my soul,—
501
Dear father, soul and substance of us all,—
503
Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter
504
His noble nephew here in virtue's nest,
505
That died in honour and Lavinia's cause.
506
Thou art a Roman; be not barbarous:
507
The Greeks upon advice did bury Ajax
508
That slew himself; and wise Laertes' son
509
Did graciously plead for his funerals:
510
Let not young Mutius, then, that was thy joy
511
Be barr'd his entrance here.
514
The dismall'st day is this that e'er I saw,
515
To be dishonour'd by my sons in Rome!
516
Well, bury him, and bury me the next.
517
[MUTIUS is put into the tomb]
519
There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends,
520
Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb.
522
[Kneeling]No man shed tears for noble Mutius;
523
He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause.
525
My lord, to step out of these dreary dumps,
526
How comes it that the subtle Queen of Goths
527
Is of a sudden thus advanced in Rome?
529
I know not, Marcus; but I know it is,
530
Whether by device or no, the heavens can tell:
531
Is she not then beholding to the man
532
That brought her for this high good turn so far?
533
Yes, and will nobly him remunerate.
534
[Flourish. Re-enter, from one side, SATURNINUS]
535
attended, TAMORA, DEMETRIUS, CHIRON and AARON; from
536
the other, BASSIANUS, LAVINIA, and others]
538
So, Bassianus, you have play'd your prize:
539
God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride!
541
And you of yours, my lord! I say no more,
542
Nor wish no less; and so, I take my leave.
544
Traitor, if Rome have law or we have power,
545
Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape.
547
Rape, call you it, my lord, to seize my own,
548
My truth-betrothed love and now my wife?
549
But let the laws of Rome determine all;
550
Meanwhile I am possess'd of that is mine.
552
'Tis good, sir: you are very short with us;
553
But, if we live, we'll be as sharp with you.
555
My lord, what I have done, as best I may,
556
Answer I must and shall do with my life.
557
Only thus much I give your grace to know:
558
By all the duties that I owe to Rome,
559
This noble gentleman, Lord Titus here,
560
Is in opinion and in honour wrong'd;
561
That in the rescue of Lavinia
562
With his own hand did slay his youngest son,
563
In zeal to you and highly moved to wrath
564
To be controll'd in that he frankly gave:
565
Receive him, then, to favor, Saturnine,
566
That hath express'd himself in all his deeds
567
A father and a friend to thee and Rome.
569
Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds:
570
'Tis thou and those that have dishonour'd me.
571
Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge,
572
How I have loved and honour'd Saturnine!
574
My worthy lord, if ever Tamora
575
Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine,
576
Then hear me speak in indifferently for all;
577
And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.
579
What, madam! be dishonour'd openly,
580
And basely put it up without revenge?
582
Not so, my lord; the gods of Rome forfend
583
I should be author to dishonour you!
584
But on mine honour dare I undertake
585
For good Lord Titus' innocence in all;
586
Whose fury not dissembled speaks his griefs:
587
Then, at my suit, look graciously on him;
588
Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose,
589
Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.
590
[Aside to SATURNINUS]My lord, be ruled by me,
592
Dissemble all your griefs and discontents:
593
You are but newly planted in your throne;
594
Lest, then, the people, and patricians too,
595
Upon a just survey, take Titus' part,
596
And so supplant you for ingratitude,
597
Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,
598
Yield at entreats; and then let me alone:
599
I'll find a day to massacre them all
600
And raze their faction and their family,
601
The cruel father and his traitorous sons,
602
To whom I sued for my dear son's life,
603
And make them know what 'tis to let a queen
604
Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain.
606
Come, come, sweet emperor; come, Andronicus;
607
Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart
608
That dies in tempest of thy angry frown.
610
Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath prevail'd.
612
I thank your majesty, and her, my lord:
613
These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.
615
Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,
616
A Roman now adopted happily,
617
And must advise the emperor for his good.
618
This day all quarrels die, Andronicus;
619
And let it be mine honour, good my lord,
620
That I have reconciled your friends and you.
621
For you, Prince Bassianus, I have pass'd
622
My word and promise to the emperor,
623
That you will be more mild and tractable.
624
And fear not lords, and you, Lavinia;
625
By my advice, all humbled on your knees,
626
You shall ask pardon of his majesty.
628
We do, and vow to heaven and to his highness,
629
That what we did was mildly as we might,
630
Tendering our sister's honour and our own.
632
That, on mine honour, here I do protest.
634
Away, and talk not; trouble us no more.
636
Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all be friends:
637
The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace;
638
I will not be denied: sweet heart, look back.
640
Marcus, for thy sake and thy brother's here,
641
And at my lovely Tamora's entreats,
642
I do remit these young men's heinous faults: Stand up.
643
Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,
644
I found a friend, and sure as death I swore
645
I would not part a bachelor from the priest.
646
Come, if the emperor's court can feast two brides,
647
You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends.
648
This day shall be a love-day, Tamora.
650
To-morrow, an it please your majesty
651
To hunt the panther and the hart with me,
652
With horn and hound we'll give your grace bonjour.
654
Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too.
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