218What should I d'on this Robe and trouble you,

219Be chosen with proclamations to day,

220To morrow yeeld vp rule, resigne my life,

221And set abroad new businesse for you all.

222Rome I haue bene thy Souldier forty yeares,

223And led my Countries strength successefully,

224And buried one and twenty Valiant Sonnes,

225Knighted in Field, slaine manfully in Armes,

226In right and Seruice of their Noble Countrie:

227Giue me a staffe of Honour for mine age.

228But not a Scepter to controule the world,

229Vpright he held it Lords, that held it last.

230Mar. Titus, thou shalt obtaine and aske the Emperie.

231Sat. Proud and ambitious Tribune can'st thou tell?

232Titus. Patience Prince Saturninus.

233Sat. Romaines do me right.

234Patricians draw your Swords, and sheath them not

235Till Saturninus be Romes Emperour:

236Andronicus would thou wert shipt to hell,

237Rather then rob me of the peoples harts.

238Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good

239That Noble minded Titus meanes to thee.

240Tit. Content thee Prince, I will restore to thee

241The peoples harts, and weane them from themselues.

242Bass. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee

243But Honour thee, and will doe till I die:

244My Faction if thou strengthen with thy Friend?

245I will most thankefull be, and thankes to men

246Of Noble mindes, is Honourable Meede.

247Tit. People of Rome, and Noble Tribunes heere,

248I aske your voyces and your Suffrages,

249Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus?

250Tribunes. To gratifie the good Andronicus,

251And Gratulate his safe returne to Rome,

252The people will accept whom he admits.

253Tit. Tribunes I thanke you, and this sure I make,

254That you Create your Emperours eldest sonne,

255Lord Saturnine, whose Vertues will I hope,

256Reflect on Rome as Tytans Rayes on earth,

257And ripen Iustice in this Common-weale:

258Then if you will elect by my aduise,

259Crowne him, and say: Long liue our Emperour.

260Mar. An. With Voyces and applause of euery sort,

261Patricians and Plebeans we Create

262Lord Saturninus Romes Great Emperour.

263And say, Long liue our Emperour Saturnine.

265Satu. Titus Andronicus, for thy Fauours done,

266To vs in our Election this day,

267I giue thee thankes in part of thy Deserts,

268And will with Deeds requite thy gentlenesse:

269And for an Onset Titus to aduance

270Thy Name, and Honorable Familie,

271Lauinia will I make my Empresse,

272Romes Royall Mistris, Mistris of my hart

273And in the Sacred Pathan her espouse:

274Tell me Andronicus doth this motion please thee?

275Tit. It doth my worthy Lord, and in this match,

276I hold me Highly Honoured of your Grace,

277And heere in sight of Rome, to Saturnine,

278King and Commander of our Common-weale,

279The Wide-worlds Emperour, do I Consecrate,

280My Sword, my Chariot, and my Prisonerss,

281Presents well Worthy Romes Imperiall Lord:

282Receiue them then, the Tribute that I owe,

283Mine Honours Ensignes humbled at my feete.

284Satu. Thankes Noble Titus, Father of my life,

285How proud I am of thee, and of thy gifts

286Rome shall record, and when I do forget

287The least of these vnspeakable Deserts,

288Romans forget your Fealtie to me.

289Tit. Now Madam are your prisoner to an Emperour,

290To him that for you Honour and your State,

291Will vse you Nobly and your followers.

292Satu. A goodly Lady, trust me of the Hue

293That I would choose, were I to choose a new:

294Cleere vp Faire Queene that cloudy countenance,

295Though chance of warre

296Hath wrought this change of cheere,

297Thou com'st not to be made a scorne in Rome:

298Princely shall be thy vsage euery way.

299Rest on my word, and let not discontent

300Daunt all your hopes: Madam he comforts you,

301Can make your Greater then the Queene of Gothes?

302Lauinia you are not displeas'd with this?

303Lau. Not I my Lord, sith true Nobilitie,

304Warrants these words in Princely curtesie.

305Sat. Thankes sweete Lauinia, Romans let vs goe:

306Ransomlesse heere we set our Prisoners free,

307Proclaime our Honors Lords with Trumpe and Drum.

308Bass. Lord Titus by your leaue, this Maid is mine.

309Tit. How sir? Are you in earnest then my Lord?

310Bass. I Noble Titus, and resolu'd withall,

311To doe my selfe this reason, and this right.

312Marc. Suum cuiquam, is our Romane Iustice,

313This Prince in Iustice ceazeth but his owne.

314Luc. And that he will and shall, if Lucius liue.

315Tit. Traytors auant, where is the Emperours Guarde?

316Treason my Lord, Lauinia is surpris'd.

317Sat. Surpris'd, by whom?

318Bass. By him that iustly may

319Beare his Betroth'd, from all the world away.

320Muti. Brothers helpe to conuey her hence away,

321And with my Sword Ile keepe this doore safe.

322Tit. Follow my Lord, and Ile soone bring her backe.

323Mut. My Lord you passe not heere.

324Tit. What villaine Boy, bar'st me my way in Rome?

325Mut. Helpe Lucius helpe. He kils him.

326Luc. My Lord you are vniust, and more then so,

327In wrongfull quarrell, you haue slaine your son.

328Tit. Nor thou, nor he are any sonnes of mine,

329My sonnes would neuer so dishonour me.

330Traytor restore Lauinia to the Emperour.

331Luc. Dead if you will, but not to be his wife,

332That is anothers lawfull promist Loue.

335Empe. No Titus, no, the Emperour needs her not,

336Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy stocke:

337Ile trust by Leisure him that mocks me once.

338Thee neuer: nor thy Trayterous haughty sonnes,

339Confederates all, thus to dishonour me.

340Was none in Rome to make a stale

341But Saturnine? Full well Andronicus

342Agree these Deeds, with that proud bragge of thine,

343That said'st, I beg'd the Empire at thy hands.

344Tit. O monstrous, what reproachfull words are these?

345Sat. But goe thy wayes, goe giue that changing peece,

346To him that flourisht for her with his Sword:

347A Valliant sonne in-law thou shalt enioy:

348One, fit to bandy with thy lawlesse Sonnes,