TITUS ANDRONICUS

I act I scene

Enter the Tribunes and Senatours aloft: And then enter

Saturninus and his followers at one dore, and Bassianus and

his followers, with Drums and Trumpets.

Saturninus.

NOble Patricians, Patrons of my Right,

Bassianus.

Romaines, friends, followers, fauourers of my Right,

If euer Bassianus* Ceasars* sonne,

VVere gratious in the eyes of Royall Rome,

And suffer not dishonour to approch,

But let desert in pure election shine,

20	And Romaines fight for freedome in your choice.

[mar.]

Princes that striue by factions and by friends,

Ambitiously for Rule and Emperie,

Know that the people of Rome for whom we stand

25	A speciall Partie, haue by common voice,

In election for the Romaine Empery

Chosen Andronicus*, surnamed Pius*:

For many good and great deserts to Rome,

A Nobler man, a brauer VVarriour,

30

Liues not this day within the Cittie walls.

.

Hee by the Senate is accited home,

From weary warres against the barbarous Gothes*,

That with his sonnes a terrour to our foes,

Hath yoakt a Nation strong, traind vp in Armes.

.

35	Tenne yeares are spent since first he vndertooke

This cause of Rome, and chastised with armes

Our enemies pride: Fiue times he hath returnd

Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sonnes,

In Coffins from the field, and at this day,

Done sacrifice of expiation,

And slaine the Noblest prisoner of the Gothes.

And now at last laden with honours spoiles,

Returnes the good Andronicus* to Rome,

45	Renowned Titus* flourishing in Armes.

Let vs intreat by honour of his name,

VVhom worthily you would haue now succeede,

And in the Capitall and Senates Right,

VVhom you pretend to honour and adore,  

50	That you withdraw you, and abate your strength,

Dismisse your followers, and as suters should,

Pleade your deserts in peace and humblenes.

Saturninus.

How faire the Tribune speakes to calme my thoughts.

Bassianus.

Marcus* Andronicus*, so I do affie

55	And so I Loue and Honor thee, and thine,

Thy Noble brother Titus and his sonnes,

Bassianus.

And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all,

Gratious Lauinia, Romes rich ornament,

That I will here dismisse my louing friends:

60	And to my fortunes and the peoples fauour,

Commit my cause in ballance to be waid.

Exit Soldiers.

Saturninus.

Friends that haue beene thus forward in my right.

I thanke you all, and here dismisse you all,

65	And to the loue and fauour of my Countrie,

Commit my selfe, my person, and the cause:

Rome be as iust and gratious vnto me,

As I am confident and kinde to thee.

Open the gates and let me in.

.

Bassianus.
70	Tribunes and me a poore Competitor.

They goe vp into the Senate house.

.

Enter a Captaine.

[captaine.]

Romaines make way, the good Andronicus,

Patron of vertue, Romes best Champion:

75	Succesfull in the battailes that he fights,

VVith honour and with fortune is returnd,

From where he circumscribed with his sword,

And brought to yoake the enemies of Rome.

Sound Drums and Trumpets, and then enter two of Titus

80	sonnes, and then two men bearing a Coffin couered with black,

then two other sonnes, then Titus Andronicus, and then Ta-

Demetrius, with Aron the More, and others as many as can

be, then set downe the Coffin, and Titus speakes.

.

Titus.
85	Haile Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds,

Lo as the Barke that hath dischargd his fraught,

Returnes with pretious lading to the bay,

From whence at first shee wayd her anchorage;

90	To resalute his Countrie with his teares,

Teares of true ioy for his returne to Rome,

Thou great defender of this Capitoll,

Stand gratious to the rights that we entend.

Romaines, of fiue and twenty valiant sonnes,

95	Halfe of the number that king Priam had,

Behold the poore remaines aliue and dead:

These that suruiue, let Rome reward with loue:

These that I bring vnto their latest home,

VVith buriall amongst their auncestors.

100	Here Gothes haue giuen me leaue to sheath my sword,