Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed

Titus Andronicus (Quarto 1, 1594)

of Titus Andronicus.
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,
Whose 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,
With 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:
What 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.
B2 Marcus.