MEN. 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. MARCUS, QUINTUS, LUCIUS, MUTIUS, Sons to Titus Andronicus. Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius. PUBLIUS, Son to Marcus the Tribune, and Nephew to Titus Andronicus. SEMPRONIUS. ALARBUS, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, Sons to Tamora. AARON, a Moor, belov'd by Tamora. Captain from Titus's Camp. Clown. WOMEN. TAMORA, Queen of the Goths, and afterwards married to Saturninus. LAVINIA, Daughter to Titus Andronicus. Nurse, with a Black-a-moor Child. Senators, Judges, Officers, Soldiers, and other Attendants. SCENE, Rome; and the Country near it. TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT I. SCENE 1. Before the Capitol in Rome. Enter the Tribunes, and Senators aloft, as in the Senate. Then enter SATURNINUS and his Followers, at one Door; and BASSIANUS and his Followers, at the other; with Drum and Colours. Saturninus. NOBL O BLE 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 ware the imperial diadem of Rome; Then let my father's honours live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. Bas Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favourers of iny right, If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS aloft, with the Crown. 10 Mar. Princes, that strive by factions, and by friends, Ambitiously for rule and empery! 21 Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand For many good and great deserts to Rome; 30 Bleeding Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons 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; 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 our thoughts are humbled all, 50 [Exeunt Soldiers. Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my right, I thank you all, and here dismiss you all; 69 As As I am confident and kind to thee. Open the gates and let me in. Bas. Tribunes! and me, a poor competitor. [They go up into the Senate-House. SCENE 11. Enter a Captain. Capt. Romans, make way; the good Andronicus, Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion, Successful in the battles that he fights, With honour and with fortune is return'd, Sound Drums and Trumpets, and then enter MUTIUS and MARCUS after them, two Men bearing a Coffin cover'd with black; then QUINTUS and LUCIUS. After them TITUS ANDRONICUS; and then TAMORA, the Queen of Goths, ALARBUS, CHIRON, and DEMETRIUS, with AARON the Moor, Prisoners; Soldiers, and other Attendants. They set down the Coffin, and TITUS speaks. 70 Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds! Lo, as the bark, that hath discharg'd her fraught, Returns with precious lading to the bay, From whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage, Cometh |