TITUS

ANDRONICUS.

Dramatis Perfonæ.

Saturninus, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, and after. wards declar'd Emperor himself.

Baffianus, 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,

Lucius,

Mutius,

Sons to Titus Andronicus.

Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius.

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

Aaron, a Mcor, belov'd by Tamora.

Captain, from Titus's Camp.

Emilius, a Messenger.

Goths, and Romans.

Clown.

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.

TITUS ANDRONICUS.

A C T I.

SCENE, before the Capitol in ROME,

Enter the Tribunes and Senators aloft, as in the Senate. Enter Saturninus and his followers, at one door; and Baffianus 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 the firft-born Son of him, that laft 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, foll'wers, favourers of my Right, If ever Baffianus, Gefar's fon,

Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,
Keep then this paffage to the Capitol;
And fuffer not dishonour to approach
Th'imperial Seat, to virtue confecrate,
To juftice, continence, and nobility:
But let Defert in pure election fhine;

And,

And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.

Enter Marcus Andronicus aloft, with the Crown.
Mar. Princes, that ftrive by factions, and by friends,
Ambitiously for Rule and Empery!

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, fur-named Pius,
For many good and great deferts to Rome.
A nobler man, a braver warrior,
Lives not this day within our city-walls.
He by the Senate is accited home,

From weary wars against the barbrous Goths;
That with his fons (a terror to our foes)

Hath yoak'd a nation ftrong, 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 intreat, by honour of his Name,
Whom (worthily) you would have now fucceed,
And in the Capitol and Senate'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 humbleness.

Sat. How fair the Tribune fpeaks, to calm my thoughts!

Baf. Marcus Andronicus, fo I do affie

In thy uprightness and integrity,

And fo I love and honour thee and thine;

Thy noble brother Titus, and his fons,

And her, to whom our thoughts are humbled all,
Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich Ornament;
That I will here difmifs my loving friends;

And