Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed

Titus Andronicus (Quarto 1, 1594)

The most Lamentable Tragedie
Lauinia you are not displeasde with this.
Lauinia. Not I my Lord, sith true Nobilitie,
Warrants 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 myselfe this reason and this right.
Marcus. Suum cuiqum is our Romane iustce,
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