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Titus Andronicus (Quarto 1, 1594)

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed
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,
Defend the iustice of my cause with armes.
And Countrimen my louing followers,
10Plead my successiue Title with your swords:
I am his first borne sonne, that was the last
That ware the Imperiall Diademe of Rome,
Then let my Fathers honours liue in me,
Nor wrong mine age with this indignitie,
15
Bassianus.
Romaines, friends, followers, fauourers of my Right,
If euer Bassianus Ceasars sonne,
VVere gratious in the eyes of Royall Rome,
Keepe then this passage to the Capitoll,
20And suffer not dishonour to approch,
The Imperiall seate to vertue, consecrate
To iustice, continence, and Nobillitie:
But let desert in pure election shine,
And Romaines fight for freedome in your choice.
25
Marcus Andronicus with the Crowne.
Princes that striue by factions and by friends,
Ambitiously for Rule and Emperie,
Know that the people of Rome for whom we stand
A speciall Partie, haue by common voice,
30In election for the Romaine Empery
Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius:
For many good and great deserts to Rome,
A Nobler man, a brauer VVarriour,
Liues not this day within the Cittie walls.
35Hee 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.
Tenne yeares are spent since first he vndertooke
40This 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,
43.1To the Monument of that Andronicy
Done sacrifice of expiation,
And slaine the Noblest prisoner of the Gothes.
And now at last laden with honours spoiles,
45Returnes the good Andronicus to Rome,
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,
50VVhom you pretend to honour and adore,
That you withdraw you, and abate your strength,
Dismisse your followers, and as suters should,
Pleade your deserts in peace and humblenes.
Saturninus.
55How faire the Tribune speakes to calme my thoughts.
Bassianus.
Marcus Andronicus, so I doe affie,
In thy vprightnes and integritie,
And so I loue and honour thee and thine,
Thy Noble brother Titus and his sonnes,
60And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all,
Gratious Lauinia, Romes rich ornament,
That I will here dismisse my louing friends:
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,
And to the loue and fauour of my Countrie,
70Commit 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. Tribunes and me a poore Competitor.
75
They goe vp into the Senate house.
Enter a Captaine.
Romaines make way, the good Andronicus,
Patron of vertue, Romes best Champion:
Succesful in the battailes that he fights,
80VVith 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
sonnes, and then two men bearing a Coffin couered with black,
85then two other sonnes, then Titus Andronicus, and then Ta-
mora the Queene of Gothes and her two sonnes Chiron and
Demetrius, with Aron the More, and others as many as can
be, then set downe the Coffin, and Titus speakes.
Titus. 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;
95Commeth Andronicus, bound with Lawrell bowes,
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.
100Romaines, of fiue and twenty valiant sonnes,
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,
105VVith buriall amongst their auncestors.
Here Gothes haue giuen me leaue to sheath my sword,
Titus vnkinde, and careles of thine owne,
VVhy sufferst thou thy sonnes vnburied yet,
To houer on the dreadfull shore of slix,
110Make way to lay them by their brethren.
They open the Tombe.
There greete in silence as the dead are wont,
And sleepe in peace, slaine in your Countries warres:
O sacred Receptacle of my ioyes,
115Sweete Cell of vertue and Nobilitie,
How many sonnes hast thou of mine in store,
That thou wilt neuer render to me more.
Lucius. Giue vs the prowdest prisoner of the Gothes.
That we may hew his limbs and on a pile,
120Ad manus fratrum, sacrifice his flesh:
Before this earthy prison of their boanes,
That so the shadows be not vnappeazde,
Nor we disturbde with prodegies on earth.
Titus. I giue him you the Noblest that suruiues,
125The eldest sonne of this distressed Queene.
Tamora. Stay Romaine brethren, gratious Conque-
Victorious Titus, rue the teares I shed,
A mothers teares in passion for her sonne:
And if thy sonnes were euer deare to thee,
130Oh thinke my sonne to be as deare to mee.
Sufficeth not that we are brought to Rome
To beautifie thy triumphs, and returne
Captiue to thee, and to thy Romaine yoake:
But must my sonnes be slaughtered in the streets,
135For valiant dooings in their Countries cause?
O if to fight for king and common-weale,
VVere pietie in thine, it is in these:
Andronicus, staine not thy tombe with bloud.
VVilt thou draw neere the nature of the Gods?
140Draw neere them then in being mercifull,
Sweete mercie is Nobilities true badge,
Thrice Noble Titus, spare my first borne sonne.
Titus. Patient your selfe Madam, and pardon me,
These are their brethren, whom your Gothes beheld
145Aliue and dead, and for their brethren slaine,
Religiously they aske a sacrifice:
To this your sonne is markt, and die he must,
T'appease their groning shadowes that are gone.
Lucius. Away with him, and make a fire straight,
150And with our swords vpon a pile of wood,
Lets hew his limbs till they be cleane consumde.
Exit Titus sonnes with Alarbus.
Tamora. O cruell irreligeous pietie.
Chiron. VVas neuer Sythia halfe so barbarous.
155Demetrius. Oppose not Sythia to ambitious Rome,
Alarbus goes to rest and we suruiue,
To tremble vnder Titus threatning looke,
Then Madam stand resolud, but hope withall,
The selfe same Gods that armde the Queene of Troy
160VVith opportunitie of sharpe reuenge
Vpon the Thracian Tyrant in his Tent,
May fauour Tamora the Queene of Go thes,
(VVhen Gothes were Gothes, and Tamora was Queene,)
To quit the bloodie wrongs vpon her foes.
165
Enter the sonnes of Andronicus againe.
Lucius. See Lord and father how we haue performd
Our Romane rights, Alarbus limbs are lopt,
And intrals feede the sacrifising fire,
VVhose smoke like incense doth perfume the skie,
170Remaineth nought but to interre our brethren,
And with lowd larums welcome them to Rome.
Titus. Let it be so, and let Andronicus,
Make this his latest farewell to their soules.
175
Sound Trumpets, and lay the Coffin in the Tombe.
In peace and honour rest you here my sonnes,
Roomes readiest Champions, repose you here in rest,
Secure from worldly chaunces and mishaps:
Here lurks no treason, here no enuie swels,
180Here grow no damned drugges, here are no stormes,
No noyse, but silence and eternall sleepe,
In peace and honour rest you here my sonnes.
Enter Lauinia.
In peace and honour, liue Lord Titus long,
185My Noble Lord and father liue in fame:
Lo at this Tombe my tributarie teares,
I render for my brethrens obsequies:
And at thy feete I kneele, with teares of ioy
Shed on this earth, for thy returne to Rome,
190O blesse me here with thy victorious hand,
VVhose fortunes Roomes best Citizens applaud.
Titus. Kinde Rome that hast thus louingly reserude,
The Cordiall of mine age to glad my hart,
195Lauinia liue, outliue thy fathers daies,
And fames eternall date for vertues praise.
Marcus. Long liue Lord Titus my beloued brother,
Gratious triumpher in the eies of Rome.
Titus. Thanks gentle Tribune, Noble brother Marcus.
Marcus. And welcome Nephews from succesfull wars
You that suruiue, and you that sleepe in fame:
Faire Lords, your fortunes are alike in all,
That in your Countries seruice drew your swords,
205But safer triumph is this funerall pompe,
That hath aspirde to Solons happines,
And triumphs ouer chaunce in honours bed.
Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome,
VVhose friend in iustice thou hast euer beene,
210Send thee by mee their Tribune and their trust,
This Palliament of white and spotles hue,
And name thee in election for the Empire,
VVith these our late deceased Emperours sonnes:
Be Candidatus then and put it on,
215And helpe to set a head on headles Roome.
Titus. A better head her glorious bodie fits,
Than his that shakes for age and feeblenes:
VVhat should I don this Roabe and trouble you?
Be chosen with Proclamations to daie,
220To morrow yeeld vp rule, resigne my life,
And set abroad new busines for you all.
Roome I haue beene thy souldier fortie yeares,
And led my Countries strength succesfullie,
And buried one and twentie valiant sonnes
225Knighted in Field, slaine manfullie in Armes,
In right and seruice of their Noble Countrie:
Giue me a staffe of Honour for mine age,
But not a scepter to controwle the world,
Vpright he held it Lords that held it last.
230Marcus. Titus thou shalt obtaine & aske the Emperie.
Saturni. Proud and ambitious Tribune canst thou tell.
Titus. Patience Prince Saturninus.
Saturninus. Romaines doe me right.
Patricians draw your swords and sheath them not,
235Till Saturninus be Romes Emperour:
Andronicus would thou were shipt to hell,
Rather than robbe me of the peoples harts.
Lucius. Prowd Saturnine, interrupter of the good,
That noble minded Titus meanes to thee.
240Titus. Content thee Prince, I will restore to thee
The peoples harts, and weane them from themselues.
Bassianus. Andronicus I doo not flatter thee,
But honour thee and will doo till I die:
My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends
245I will most thankefull be, and thanks to men
Of Noble minds, is honourable meede.
Titus. People of Rome, and peoples Tribunes here,
I aske your voyces and your suffrages,
Will yee bestow them friendly on Andronicus.
250Tribunes. To gratifie the good Andronicus,
And gratulate his safe returne to Rome,
The people will accept whom he admits.
Titus. Tribunes I thanke you, and this sute I make,
That you create our Emperours eldest sonne,
255Lord Saturnine: whose vertues will I hope,
Reflect on Rome as Tytus Raies on earth,
And ripen iustice in this Common weale:
Then if you will elect by my aduise,
Crowne him and say, Long liue our Emperour.
260Marcus An. VVith voyces and applause of euery sort,
Patricians and Plebeans, we create
Lord Saturninus Romes great Emperour,
And say Long liue our Emperour Saturnine.
265Saturnine. Titus Andronicus, for thy fauours done,
To vs in our election this day,
I giue thee thankes in part of thy deserts,
And will with deeds requite thy gentlenes:
And for an onset Titus to aduance,
270Thy name and honourable familie,
Lauinia will I make my Empresse,
Romes Royall Mistris, Mistris of my hart,
And in the sacred Pathan her espouse:
Tell me Andronicus doth this motion please thee.
275Titus. It doth my worthie Lord, and in this match,
I hold me highly Honoured of your Grace,
And here in sight of Rome to Saturnine,
King and Commander of our common weale,
The wide worlds Emperour, doe I consecrate
280My sword, my Chariot, and my Prisoners,
Presents well worthy Romes imperious Lord:
Receiue them then, the tribute that I owe,
Mine honours Ensignes humbled at thy feete.
Saturnine. Thankes Noble Titus Father of my life,
285How proude I am of thee and of thy gifts
Rome shall record, and when I doe forget
The least of these vnspeakeable deserts,
Romans forget your Fealtie to me.
Titus. Now Madam are you prisoner to an Emperour.
290To him that for your honour and your state,
VVill vse you Nobly, and your followers.
Saturnine. A goodly Lady trust me of the hue,
That I would choose were I to choose a new:
Cleare vp faire Queene that cloudy countenance,
295Though change of war hath wrought this change of chear
Thou comst not to be made a scorne in Rome.
Princely shall be thy vsage euerie waie
Rest on my word, and let not discontent,
300Daunt all your hopes, Madam he comforts you,
Can make you greater than the Queene of Gothes,
Lauinia you are not displeasde with this.
Lauinia. Not I my Lord, sith true Nobilitie,
VVarrants these words in Princely curtesie.
305Saturnine. Thanks sweete Lauinia, Romans let vs goe,
Raunsomles here we set our prisoners free,
Proclaime our Honours Lords with Trumpe and Drum.
Bassianus. Lord Titus by your leaue, this maid is mine.
Titus. How sir, are you in earnest then my Lord?
310Bascianus. I Noble Titus and resolude withall,
To doo my selfe this reason and this right.
Marcus. Suum cuique is our Romane iustice,
This Prince in iustice ceazeth but his owne.
Lucius. And that he will, and shall if Lucius liue.
315Titus. Traitors auaunt, where is the Emperours gard?
Treason my Lord, Lauinia is surprizde.
Saturnine. Surprizde, by whom?
Bascianus. By him that iustly may,
Beare his betrothde from all the world away.
320Mutius. Brothers, helpe to conuay her hence away,
And with my sword Ile keepe this doore safe.
Titus. Follow my Lord, and Ile soone bring her backe.
Mutius. My Lord you passe not here.
Titus. What villaine boy, barst me my way in Rome?
325Mutius. Helpe Lucius, helpe.
Lucius. My Lord you are vniust, and more than so,
In wrongfull quarrell you haue slaine your sonne.
Titus. Nor thou, nor he, are any sonnes of mine,
My sonnes would neuer so dishonour me,
330Traitor restore Lauinia to the Emperour.
Lucius. Dead if you will, but not to be his wife,
That is anothers lawfull promist loue.
Enter aloft the Emperour with Tamora and her two
sonnes and Aron the moore.
335Emperour. No Titus, no, the Emperour needes her not,
Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy stocke:
Ile trust by leysure, him that mocks me once,
Thee neuer, nor thy traiterous hawtie sonnes,
Confederates all thus to dishonour mee.
340VVas none in Rome to make a stale
But Saturnine? Full well Andronicus
Agree these deeds, with that prowd bragge of thine,
That saidst I begd the Empire at thy hands.
Titus O monstrous, what reprochfull words are these?
345Saturn. But goe thy waies, goe giue that changing piece,
To him that florisht for her with his sword:
A valiant sonne in law thou shalt inioy,
One fit to bandie with thy lawlesse sonnes,
To ruffle in the Common-wealth of Rome.
350Titus. These words are rasors to my wounded hart.
Satur. And therfore louely Tamora Queene of Gothes,
That like the statelie Thebe mongst her Nymphs,
Dost ouershine the gallanst Dames of Rome,
If thou be pleasde with this my sodaine choise,
355Behold I choose thee Tamora for my Bride,
And will create thee Emperesse of Rome.
Speake Queene of Gothes dost thou applaud my choise?
And here I sweare by all the Romane Gods,
Sith Priest and holy water are so neere,
360And tapers burne so bright, and euery thing
In readines for Hymeneus stand,
I will not resalute the streets of Rome,
Or clime my Pallace, till from forth this place,
I lead espowsde my Bride along with mee.
365Tamora. And here in sight of heauen to Rome I sweare,
If Saturnine aduaunce the Queene of Gothes,
Shee will a handmaide be to his desires,
A louing Nurse, a Mother to his youth.
Sat. Ascend faire Queene: Panthean Lords accompany
Your Noble Emperour and his louelie Bride,
Sent by the Heauens for Prince Saturnine,
VVhose wisdome hath her Fortune conquered,
There shall wee consummate our spousall rites.
375
Exeunt Omnes.
Titus. I am not bid to wait vpon this bride,
Titus when wert thou wont to walke alone,
Dishonoured thus and challenged of wrongs.
Enter Marcus and Titus sonnes.
380Marcus. O Titus see: O see what thou hast done
In a bad quarrell slaine a vertuous sonne.
Titus. No foolish Tribune, no: No sonne of mine,
Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deede,
That hath dishonoured all our Familie,
385Vnworthy brother, and vnworthy sonnes.
Lucius. But let vs giue him buriall as becomes,
Giue Mucius buriall with our bretheren.
Titus. Traitors away, he rests not in this toombe:
This monument fiue hundreth yeares hath stood,
390VVhich I haue sumptuouslie reedified:
Here none but souldiers and Romes seruitors
Repose in fame: None basely slaine in braules.
Burie him where you can he comes not here.
Marcus. My Lord this is impietie in you,
395My Nephew Mutius deedes doo plead for him,
He must be buried with his brethren.
Titus two sonnes speakes.
And shall or him wee will accompanie.
Titus. And shall. what villaine was it spake that word?
400
Titus sonne speakes.
He that would vouch it in any place but here.
Titus. VVhat would you burie him in my despight?
Marcus. No Noble Titus, but intreat of thee.
To pardon Mutius and to bury him.
405Titus. Marcus: Euen thou hast stroke vpon my Crest.
And with these boyes mine honour thou hast wounded,
My foes I doe repute you euerie one,
So trouble me no more, but get you gone.
3. Sonne. He is not with himselfe, let vs withdraw.
4102. Sonne. Not I till Mutius bones be buried.
The brother and the sonnes kneele.
Marcus. Brother, for in that name doth nature pleade.
2. sonne. Father, and in that name doth nature speake.
Titus. Speake thou no more, if all the rest will speede.
415Marcus. Renowmed Titus, more than halfe my soule.
Lucius. Deare father, soule and substance of vs all.
Marcus Suffer thy brother Marcus to interre,
His Noble Nephew here in vertues nest,
That died in honour and Lauinias cause.
420Thou art a Romane, be not barbarous:
The Greeks vpon aduise did burie Ayax
That slew himselfe: and wise Laertes sonne,
Did gratiouslie plead for his Funeralls:
Let not young Mutius then that was thy ioy,
425Be bard his entrance here.
Titus. Rise Marcus, rise,
The dismalst day is this that ere I saw,
To be dishonoured by my sonnes in Rome:
Well burie him, and burie me the next.
430
they put him in the tombe.
Lucius. There lie thy bones sweete Mutius with thy
Till wee with Trophees doo adorne thy tombe:
they all kneele and say,
No man shed teares for Noble Mutius,
435He liues in fame, that dide in vertues cause.
Exit all but Marcus and Titus.
Marcus. My Lord to step out of these dririe dumps,
How comes it that the subtile Queene of Gothes,
Is of a sodaine thus aduaunc'd in Rome.
Titus. I know not Marcus, but I know it is.
440(VVhether by deuise or no, the heauens can tell.)
Is shee not then beholding to the man,
That brought her for this high good turne so farre.
Enter the Emperour, Tamora
Enter at the other doore
and her two sonnes, with the
Bascianus and Lauinia,
Moore at one doore.
with others.
Saturnine. So Bascianus, you haue plaid your prize,
God giue you ioy sir of your gallant Bride.
450Bascianus. And you of yours my Lord, I say no more,
Nor wish no lesse, and so I take my leaue.
Saturnine. Traitor, if Rome haue law, or we haue power,
Thou and thy faction shall repent this Rape.
Bassianus. Rape call you it my Lord to ceaze my owne,
455My true betrothed loue, and now my wife:
But let the lawes of Rome determine all,
Meane while am I possest of that is mine.
Saturnine. Tis good sir, you are verie short with vs.
But if we liue, weele be as sharpe with you.
460Bascianus. My Lord what I haue done as best I may,
Answere I must, and shall doo with my life,
Onely thus much I giue your Grace to know,
By all the dueties that I owe to Rome,
This Noble Gentleman Lord Titus here,
465Is in opinion and in honour wrongd,
That in the rescue of Lauinia,
VVith his owne hand did slay his youngest sonne,
In zeale to you, and highly moude to wrath,
To be controwld in that he frankelie gaue.
470Receaue him then to fauour Saturnine,
That hath exprest himselfe in all his deeds,
A father and a friend to thee and Rome.
Titus. Prince Bascianus leaue to pleade my deeds,
Tis thou, and those, that haue dishonoured me,
475Rome and the righteous heauens be my iudge,
How I haue loude and honoured Saturnine.
Tamora. My worthy Lord, if euer Tamora,
VVere gratious in those Princelie eies of thine,
Then heare me speake indifferently for all:
480And at my sute (sweete) pardon what is past.
Saturnine. VVhat Madam be dishonoured openly,
And baselie put it vp without reuenge.
Tamora. Not so my Lord, the Gods of Rome forfend.
485I should be Authour to dishonour you.
But on mine honour dare I vndertake,
For good Lord Titus innocence in all,
VVhose furie not dissembled speakes his griefes:
Then at my sute looke gratiouslie on him,
490Loose not so noble a friend on vaine suppose,
Nor with sowre looks afflict his gentle hart.
My Lord: Be rulde by me, be wonne at last,
Dissemble all your griefes and discontents,
You are but newlie planted in your Throne,
495Least then the people, and Patricians too,
Vpon a iust suruay take Titus part,
And so supplant you for ingratitude,
VVhich Rome reputes to be a hainous sinne.
Yeeld at intreats: and then let me alone,
500Ile find a day to massacre them all,
And race their faction and their familie,
The cruell father, and his traiterous sonnes,
To whom I sued for my deare sonnes life.
And make them know what tis to let a Queene,
505Kneele in the streets and begge for grace in vaine.
Come, come sweete Emperour, (come Andronicus:)
Take vp this good old man, and cheare the hart,
That dies in tempest of thy angrie frowne.
Saturnine. Rise Titus rise, my Empresse hath preuaild.
Titus. I thanke your Maiestie, and her my Lord,
These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.
515Tamora. Titus I am incorporate in Rome,
A Roman now adopted happilie,
And must aduise the Emperour for his good,
This day all quarrels die Andronicus.
And let it be mine honour good my Lord,
520That I haue reconciled your friends and you.
For you Prince Bassianus I haue past
My word and promise to the Emperour,
That you will be more milde and tractable.
And feare not Lords, and you Lauinia,
By my aduise all humbled on your knees,
You shall aske pardon of his Maiestie.
VVee doo, and vowe to Heauen and to his Highnes,
530That what wee did, was mild ie as we might,
Tendring our sisters honour and our owne.
Marcus. That on mine honour here doo I protest.
Saturnine. Away, and talke not, trouble vs no more.
Tamora. Nay, nay sweet Emperor, we must all be friends,
535The Tribune and his Nephews kneele for grace,
I will not be denied, sweete hart looke backe.
Saturnine. Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brothers here,
540And at my louelie Tamoras intreats,
I doo remit these young mens hainous faults,
Stand vp: Lauinia though you left me like a Churle,
I found a friend, and sure as death I swore,
I would not part a Batchiler from the Priest.
545Come if the Emperours Court can feast two Brides,
You are my guest Lauinia and your friends:
This daie shall be a loue-daie Tamora.
Titus. To morrow and it please your Maiestie,
To hunt the Panther and the Hart with me,
550VVith horne and hound, weele giue your grace boniour.
Saturnine. Be it so Titus and gramercie too.
Exeunt.