DRAMATIS PERSONÆ1. SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, afterwards emperor. BASSIANUS, brother to Saturninus. TITUS ANDRONICUS, a noble Roman. MARCUS ANDRONICUS, tribune of the people, and brother to Titus. AARON, a Moor, beloved by Tamora. A Captain, Tribune, Messenger, and Clown; Romans and Goths. TAMORA, Queen of the Goths. LAVINIA, daughter to Titus Andronicus. A Nurse, and a black Child. Kinsmen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants. SCENE: Rome, and the country near it. 1 First given imperfectly by Rowe. THE TRAGEDY OF TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT I. SCENE I. Rome. Before the Capitol. The Tomb of the Andronici appearing. Flourish. Enter the Tribunes and Senators aloft. And then enter, below, SATURNINUS and his Followers from one side, and BASSIANUS and his Followers from the other side, with drum and colours. Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right, Defend the justice of my cause with arms; And, countrymen, my loving followers, Plead my successive title with your swords: I am his first-born son, that was the last That ware the imperial diadem of Rome; Then let my father's honours live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. Bas. Romans, friends, followers, favourers of my right, colours] Ff. Trumpets. Qq. 3. my] Ff. and Rowe. 5, 6. I am his... That ware] Qq. I was the... That wore F,F2F3. I was the first-born son of him that last Wore F4. I am the firstborn son of him that last Wore Pope. I am his... That wore Collier. I am the firstborn son of him, the last That wore Collier MS. ACT I. SCENE 1.] Actus Primus. Scana Prima. Ff. om. Qq. Rome.] Rowe. Before the Capitol.] Theobald. The Tomb of the Andronici appearing.] In it the tomb of the Andronici. Capell. Flourish.] F. om. Qq. F2F3F4. Enter...enter, below...from one side...from the other side...] Enter... enter...at one doore...at the other... Ff. Rowe. aloft.] aloft, as in the Senate. 9. Romans, friends] Friends, Romans Anon. conj. Romans...right] One line in Qq. Two in Ff. from the other side] om. Qq. 5 If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice. Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the crown. Marc. Princes, that strive by factions and by friends Ambitiously for rule and empery, Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand A special party, have by common voice, For many good and great deserts to Rome: Lives not this day within the city walls: In coffins from the field. And now at last, laden with honour's spoils, IO 15 20 25 30 35 name, Let us entreat, by honour of his That you withdraw you and abate your strength, 40 45 Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts! Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy In thy uprightness and integrity, And so I love and honour thee and thine, Thy noble brother Titus and his sons, 50 And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all, Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament, That I will here dismiss my loving friends, [Exeunt the Followers of Bassianus. I thank you all, and here dismiss you all, Commit myself, my person and the cause. [Exeunt the Followers of Saturninus. Rome, be as just and gracious unto me Open the gates, and let me in. Bas. Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor. into the Capitol. 55 60 Enter a Captain. Cap. Romans, make way: the good Andronicus, Drums and trumpets sounded. Enter MARTIUS and MUTIUS; after Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds! 65 70 75 80 |