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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    The most Lamentable Tragedie
    Well shalt thou know her by thine owne proportion,
    For vp and downe she doth resemble thee,
    I pray thee doe on them some violent death,
    2395They haue bin violent to me and mine.
    Tamora. Well hast thou lessond vs, this shall we doe,
    But would it please thee good Andronicus,
    To send for Lucius thy thrice valiant sonne,
    Who leades towards Rome a band of warlike Gothes,
    2400And bid him come and banquet at thy house,
    When he is here euen at thy solemne feast,
    I will bring in the Empresse and hir sonnes,
    The Emperour himselfe and all thy foes,
    And at thy mercie shall they stoope and kneele,
    2405And on them shalt thou ease thy angry hart:
    What sayes Andronicus to this deuise.

    Enter Marcus.

    Titus. Marcus my brother, tis sad Titus calles,
    Goe gentle Marcus to thy nephew Lucius,
    2410Thou shalt enquire him out among the Gothes,
    Bid him repaire to me and bring with him,
    Some of the chiefest Princes of the Gothes,
    Bid him encampe his Souldiers where they are.
    Tell him the Emperour and the Empresse too
    2415Feast at my house, and he shall feast with them,
    This doe thou for my loue, and so let him,
    As he regards his aged Fathers life.
    Marcus. This will I doe, and soone returne againe.
    Tamora. Now will I hence about thy busines,
    2420And take my ministers along with me.
    Titus. Nay, nay, let rape and murder stay with me,
    Or els Ile call my brother backe againe,
    And cleaue to no reuenge but Lucius.
    Tamora. What say you boyes will you abide with(him,
    whiles