And set abroad new business for you all?
Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years,
And led my country's strength successfully,
And buried one and twenty valiant sons,
Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms,
In right and service of their noble country:
Give me a staff of honor for mine age,
But not a sceptre to control the world:
Upright he held it, lords, that held it last. 200
Marc. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the
empery.
Sat. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst
thou tell?

Bas. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee, But honor thee, and will do till I die : My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends, I will most thankful be; and thanks to men Of noble minds is honorable meed.

Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes here,

I ask your voices and your suffrages:
Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus?
Tribunes. To gratify the good Andronicus,
And gratulate his safe return to Rome,
The people will accept whom he admits.
Tit. Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I
make,

221

That you create your emperor's eldest son,
Lord Saturnine; whose virtues will, I hope,
Reflect on Rome as Titan's rays on earth,
And ripen justice in this commonweal:
Then, if you will elect by my advice,
Crown him, and say 'Long live our emperor !'
Marc. With voices and applause of every
sort,
230
Patricians and plebeians, we create
Lord Saturninus Rome's great emperor,
And say 'Long live our Emperor Saturnine!'
[A long flourish till they come down.
Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favors done
To us in our election this day,

I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts,
And will with deeds requite thy gentleness:
And, for an onset, Titus, to advance
Thy name and honorable family,
Lavinia will I make my empress,
Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart,
And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse:
Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please
thee ?

240

I hold me highly honor'd of your grace:
And here in sight of Rome to Saturnine,
King and commander of our commonweal,
The wide world's emperor, do I consecrate
My sword, my chariot and my prisoners;
Presents well worthy Rome's imperial lord:
Receive them then, the tribute that I owe, 251
Mine honor's ensigns humbled at thy feet.

Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life!
How proud I am of thee and of thy gifts
Rome shall record, and when I do forget
The least of these unspeakable deserts,
Romans, forget your fealty to me.

Tit. [To Tamora] Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor;

To him that, for your honor and your state, Will use you nobly and your followers.

260

Sat. A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue That I would choose, were I to choose anew. Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance : Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer,

Thou comest not to be made a scorn in Rome:
Princely shall be thy usage every way.
Rest on my word, and let not discontent
Daunt all your hopes: madam, he comforts you
Can make you greater than the Queen of Goths.
Lavinia, you are not displeased with this? 270
Lav. Not I, my lord; sith true nobility
Warrants these words in princely courtesy.
Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia. Romans, let
us go;

Tit. It doth, my worthy lord; and in this match

Ransomless here we set our prisoners free: Proclaim our honors, lords, with trump and drum.

[Flourish. Saturninus courts Tamora in dumb show. Bas. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine. [Seizing Lavinia. Tit. How, sir! are you in earnest then, my lord ?

Bas. Ay, noble Titus; and resolved withal To do myself this reason and this right. Marc. 'Suum cuique' is our Roman justice : 280

This prince in justice seizeth but his own.
Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius
live.
Tit. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the em-
peror's guard?
Treason, my lord! Lavinia is surprised!
Sat. Surprised! by whom?
Bas.
By him that justly may
Bear his betroth'd from all the world away.
[Exeunt Bassianus and Marcus with Lavinia.
Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence

away,

Tit.

And with my sword I'll keep this door safe.
[Exeunt Lucius, Quintus, and Martius.
Follow, my lord, and I'll soon bring
her back.
Mut. My lord, you pass not here.
Tit.
What, villain boy!
Barr'st me my way in Rome ? [Stabbing
Mutius.
Help, Lucius, help! [Dies

289

Mut.

[During the fray, Saturninus, Tamora, Demetrius, Chiron and Aaron go out and re-enter, above.

Re-enter LUCIUS.

Luc. My lord, you are unjust, and, more than so,

In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son.
Tit. Nor thou, nor he, are any sons of mine;
My sons would never so dishonor me :
Traitor, restore Lavinia to the emperor.

Luc. Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife, That is another's lawful promised love. [Exit. Sat. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not,

Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock: 300 I'll trust, by leisure, him that mocks me once; Thee never, nor thy traitorous haughty sons, Confederates all thus to dishonor me.

Was there none else in Rome to make a stale, But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus, Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine,

That said'st I begg'd the empire at thy hands. Tit. O monstrous ! what reproachful words are these?

Sat.

But go thy ways; go, give that changing piece

311

To him that flourish'd for her with his sword:
A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy ;
One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons,
To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome.
Tit. These words are razors to my wounded
heart.
Sat. And therefore, lovely Tamora, queen
of Goths,

That like the stately Phoebe 'mongst her nymphs

Dost overshine the gallant'st dames of Rome, If thou be pleased with this my sudden choice,

Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride, And will create thee empress of Rome, 320 Speak, Queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice?

And here I swear by all the Roman gods,
Sith priest and holy water are so near
And tapers burn so bright and every thing
In readiness for Hymenæus stand,

I will not re-salute the streets of Rome,
Or climb my palace, till from forth this place
I lead espoused my bride along with me.

Tam. And here, in sight of heaven, to
Rome I swear,

If Saturnine advance the Queen of Goths, 330
She will a handmaid be to his desires,
A loving nurse, a mother to his youth.

Sat. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon. Lords, accompany

Your noble emperor and his lovely bride, Sent by the heavens for Prince Saturnine, Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered: There shall we consummate our spousal rites. [Exeunt all but Titus. Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride.

Titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone, 339 Dishonor'd thus, and challenged of wrongs ?

- Re-enter MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS.

Marc. O Titus, see, O, see what thou hast done!

In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son.

Tit. No, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine, Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed That hath dishonor'd all our family; Unworthy brother, and unworthy sons! Luc. But let us give him burial, as be

comes;

Give Mutius burial with our brethren. Tit. Traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb:

This monument five hundred years hath stood, Which I have sumptuously re-edified: 351 Here none but soldiers and Rome's servitors Repose in fame; none basely slain in brawls: Bury him where you can; he comes not here.

Marc. My lord, this is impiety in you: My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him; He must be buried with his brethren.

Quin. And shall, or him we will accomMart. pany. Tit. And shall!' what villain was it spake that word?

Quin. He that would vouch it in any place but here. 360 Tit. What, would you bury him in my despite ?

Marc. No, noble Titus, but entreat of thee To pardon Mutius and to bury him.

Tit. Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest,

And, with these boys, mine honor thou hast wounded:

My foes I do repute you every one;

So, trouble me no more, but get you gone. Mart. He is not with himself; let us withdraw. Quin. Not I, till Mutius' bones be buried. [Marcus and the Sons of Titus kneel. Marc. Brother, for in that name doth nature plead.370 Quin. Father, and in that name doth nature speak,

Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed. Marc. Renowned Titus, more than half my soul,

Luc. Dear father, soul and substance of us all,

Marc. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter His noble nephew here in virtue's nest, That died in honor and Lavinia's cause. Thou art a Roman; be not barbarous : The Greeks upon advice did bury Ajax That slew himself; and wise Laertes' son 380 Did graciously plead for his funerals : Let not young Mutius, then, that was thy joy, Be barr'd his entrance here.

Tit. Rise, Marcus, rise. The dismall'st day is this that e'er I saw,

To be dishonor'd by my sons in Rome! Well, bury him, and bury me the next. [Mutius is put into the tomb. Luc. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends,

Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb. All. [Kneeling] No man shed tears for noble Mutius;

He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause. Marc. My lord, to step out of these dreary dumps, 391 How comes it that the subtle Queen of Goths Is of a sudden thus advanced in Rome ?

Tit. I know not, Marcus; but I know it is : Whether by device or no, the heavens can tell :

And basely put it up without revenge? Tam. Not so, my lord; the gods of Rome forfend

I should be author to dishonor you!
But on mine honor dare I undertake
For good Lord Titus' innocence in all;
Whose fury not dissembled speaks his griefs :
Then, at my suit, look graciously on him;
Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose,440
Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.
[Aside to Sat.] My lord, be ruled by me, be
won at last;

Dissemble all your griefs and discontents:
You are but newly planted in your throne:
Lest, then, the people, and patricians too,
Upon a just survey, take Titus' part,
And so supplant you for ingratitude,
Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,
Yield at entreats; and then let me alone :
I'll find a day to massacre them all
450
And raze their faction and their family,
The cruel father and his traitorous sons,
To whom I sued for my dear son's life,
And make them know what 'tis to let a queen
Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain.
[Aloud.] Come, come, sweet emperor; come,
Andronicus;

Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart

Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome, A Roman now adopted happily, And must advise the emperor for his good. This day all quarrels die, Andronicus; And let it be mine honor, good my lord, That I have reconciled your friends and you. For you, Prince Bassianus, I have pass'd My word and promise to the emperor, That you will be more mild and tractable. 470 And fear not, lords, and you, Lavinia ; By my advice, all humbled on your knees, You shall ask pardon of his majesty.

Luc. We do, and vow to heaven and to his highness, That what we did was mildly as we might, Tendering our sister's honor and our own. Marc. That, on mine honor, here I do protest. Sat. Away, and talk not; trouble us no

more.

Tam. Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all be friends: 479 The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace ; I will not be denied sweet heart, look back. Sat. Marcus, for thy sake and thy brother's here, And at my lovely Tamora's entreats,

I do remit these young men's heinous faults: Stand up.

Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,

[ found a friend, and sure as death I swore I would not part a bachelor from the priest. Come, if the emperor's court can feast two brides,

You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends. This day shall be a love-day, Tamora.

491

Tit. To-morrow, an it please your majesty To hunt the panther and the hart with me, With horn and hound we'll give your grace bonjour.

Sat. Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too. [Flourish. Exeunt.

How furious and impatient they be,
And cannot brook competitors in love?

I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths
By this device.
Chi.
Aaron, a thousand deaths
Would I propose to achieve her whom I love.80
Aar. To achieve her! how?
Dem. Why makest thou it so strange ?
She is a woman, therefore may be woo'd;
She is a woman, therefore may be won;
She is Lavinia, therefore must be loved.
What, man! more water glideth by the mill
Than wots the miller of; and easy it is
Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know :
Though Bassianus be the emperor's brother,

Better than he have worn Vulcan's badge. Aar. [Aside] Ay, and as good as Saturninus

90

may. Dem. Then why should he despair that knows to court it

With words, fair looks and liberality?
What, hast not thou full often struck a doe,
And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose?
Aar. Why, then, it seems, some certain
snatch or so
Would serve your turns.
Chi.
Ay, so the turn were served.
Dem. Aaron, thou hast hit it.
Aar.
Would you had hit it too!
Then should not we be tired with this ado.
Why, hark ye, hark ye! and are you such

fools

To square for this? would it offend you, then, 100

That both should speed?

Chi. Faith, not me.
Dem.
Nor me, so I were one.
Aar. For shame, be friends, and join for
that you jar:

'Tis policy and stratagem must do
That you affect; and so must you resolve,
That what you cannot as you would achieve,
You must perforce accomplish as you may.
Take this of me: Lucrece was not more chaste
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus' love.
A speedier course than lingering languishment
Must we pursue, and I have found the path.
My lords, a solemn hunting is in hand;
There will the lovely Roman ladies troop :
The forest walks are wide and spacious;
And many unfrequented plots there are
Fitted by kind for rape and villany:
Single you thither then this dainty doe,
And strike her home by force, if not by words:
This way, or not at all, stand you in hope.
Come, come, our empress, with her sacred wit
To villany and vengeance consecrate,
Will we acquaint with all that we intend;
And she shall file our engines with advice,
That will not suffer you to square yourselves,
But to your wishes' height advance you both.
The emperor's court is like the house of
Fame,

121

Tit. The hunt is up, the morn is bright and grey,

The fields are fragrant and the woods are green:

Uncouple here and let us make a bay
And wake the emperor and his lovely bride
And rouse the prince and ring a hunter's peal,
That all the court may echo with the noise.
Sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours,
To attend the emperor's person carefully:
I have been troubled in my sleep this night,
But dawning day new comfort hath inspired.10
A cry of hounds and horns, winded in a peal.
Enter SATURNINUS, TAMORA, BASSIANUS,
LAVINIA, DEMETRIUS, CHIRON, and A-
tendants.

Enter TITUS ANDRONICUS, with Hunters, &c., MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS.

Marc. I have dogs, my lord, 20 Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase, And climb the highest promontory top.

Tit. And I have horse will follow where

the game Makes way, and run like swallows o'er the plain. Dem.

Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound, But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground. [Exeunt. SCENE III. A lonely part of the forest. Enter AARON, with a bag of gold.

Aar. He that had wit would think that I had none,

To bury so much gold under a tree,
And never after to inherit it.
Let him that thinks of me so abjectly
Know that this gold must coin a stratagem,
Which, cunningly effected, will beget
A very excellent piece of villany:
And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest,
[Hides the gold.
That have their alms out of the empress' chest.
Enter TAMORA.

10

Tam. My lovely Aaron, wherefore look'st thou sad, When every thing doth make a gleeful boast? The birds chant melody on every bush, The snake lies rolled in the cheerful sun, The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind And make a chequer'd shadow on the ground: Under their sweet shade, Aaron, let us sit, And, whilst the babbling echo mock the

hounds,