Marcellinus, nor any body else that I can find. Nor had Rome, in the time of her emperors, any wars with the Goths that I know of: not till after the translation of the empire, I mean to Byzantium. And yet the fcene of our play is laid at Rome, and Saturninus is elected to the empire at the capitol. THEOBALD.

All the editors and critics agree with Mr Theobald in fuppofing this play fpurious. I fee no reafon for differing from them; for the colour of the style is wholly different from that of the other plays, and there is an attempt at regular verfification, and artificial clofes, not always inelegant, yet feldom pleafing. The barbarity of the fpectacles, and the general maffacre, which are here exhibited, can scarcely be conceived tolerable to any audience: yet we are told by Jonfon, that they were not only borne, but praised. That Shakespeare wrote any part, though Theobald declares it inconteftible, I fee no reafon for believing. JOHNSON.

TITUS ANDRONICUS.

MEN.

SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, and afterwards declared Emperor himself.

BASSIANUS, Brother to Saturninus, in Love with Lavinia.

TITUS ANDRONICUs, a noble Roman, General against the Goths.

MARCUS ANDRONICUS, Tribune of the People, and Brother to Titus.

MARCUS,

QUINTUS,

Sons to Titus Andronicus.

Lucius,

MUTIUS,

Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius.

PUBLIUS, Son to Marcus the Tribune, and Nephew to Titus Andronicus.

SEMPRONIUS.
ALARBUS,
CHIRON,

DEMETRIUS,

}

Sons to Tamora.

AARON, a Moor belov'd by Tamora.
Captain from Titus's Camp.

EMILIUS, a Meffenger.

Goths, and Romans.

Clown.

WOMEN.

TAMORA, Queen of the Goths, and afterwards married

to Saturninus.

LAVINIA, Daughter to Titus Andronicus.

Nurfe, with a Black-a-moor Child.

Senators, Fudges, Officers, Soldiers, and other Attendants. SCENE, Rome; and the Country near it.

ACT
CT I.

SCENE II. Before the Capitol in Rome.

Enter the Tribunes and Senators aloft, as in the Se nate. Then enter SATURNINUS, and his Followers, at one Door; and BASSIANUS and his Followers, at the other; with Drum and Colours.

N

Saturninus.

OBLE patricians, patrons of my right, Defend the juftice of my caufe with arms And, countrymen, my loving followers, Plead my fucceffive title with your fwords: I am his first-born fon, that was the last That wore the imperial diadem of Rome; Then let my father's honours live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. Baf. Romans,-friends, followers, favourers of If ever Baffianus, Cæfar's fon, [my right, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, Keep then this paffage to the Capitol; And fuffer not difhonour to approach The imperial seat, to virtue confecrate, To juftice, continence, and nobility; But let defert in pure election fhine;

. And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.

Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS aloft, with the Crown,

Mar. Princes, that strive by factions, and by
Ambitiously for rule and empery! [friends,
Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand
A fpecial party, have, by common voice,
In election for the Roman empery,

Chofen Andronicus, furnamed Pius
For many good and great deferts to Rome;
A nobler man, a braver warrior,

Lives not this day within the city walls:
He by the fenate is accited home,

From weary wars against the barbarous Goths;
That, with his fons, a terror to our foes,

Hath yok'd a nation strong, train'd up in arms.
Ten years are spent, fince firft he undertook
This caufe of Rome, and chastised with arms
Our enemies' pride: Five times he hath return'd
Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant fons
In coffins from the field;-

And now at last, laden with honour's spoils,
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
Let us entreat,-By honour of his name,
Whom, worthily, you would have now fucceed,
And in the Capitol and fenate's right,

Whom you pretend to honour and adore,-
That you withdraw you, and abate your ftrength;
Difmifs your followers, and, as fuitors fhould,
Plead your deferts in peace, and humblenefs.
Sat. How fair the tribune fpeaks to calm my
thoughts!

Baf. Marcus Andronicus, fo I do affy
In thy uprightness and integrity,

And