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  • Title: Titus Andronicus (Quarto 1, 1594)

  • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Titus Andronicus (Quarto 1, 1594)

    of Titus Andronicus.
    Ile trust by leysure, him that mocks me once,
    Thee neuer, nor thy traiterous hawtie sonnes,
    Confederates all thus to dishonour mee.
    340Was 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 euerything
    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,
    Whose