Who were the motives that you firft went out:
Shame that they wanted cunning, in excefs
Hath broke their hearts. March on, oh, noble lord,
Into our city with thy banners fpread j
By decimation and a tithed death,
If thy revenges hunger for that food
Which nature loaths, take thou the deftin'd tenth :
And by the hazard of the fpotted die,
Let die the fpotted.
1 Sen. All have not offended :
For thofe that were, it is not fquare to take
On thofe that are, revenge : Crimes, like to lands,
Are not inherited. Then, dear countryman,
Bring in thy ranks, but leave without thy rage i
Spare thy Athenian cradle, and thofe kin,
Which in the blufter of thy wrath muft fall
With thofe that have offended ; like a fhepherd,
Approach the fold, and cull th' infected forth -,
But kill not all together.
2 Sen. What thou wilt,
Thou rather malt enforce it with thy fmile,
Than hew to't with thy fword.
i Sen. Set but thy foot
Againftour rampir'd gates, and they (hall ope:
So thou wilt fend thy gentle heart before,
[(a) ''mends. Mr. Theobald. Vulg. means.]
To
TIMON o/ ATHENS. 141
To fay, thou'Ic enter friendly.
2 Sen. Throw thy glove,
Or any token of thine Honour elfe,
That thou wilt ufe the wars as thy redrefs,
And not as our confufion : all thy Powers
Shall make their harbour in our town, till we
Have fcal'd thy full defire.
Ale. Then there's my glove ;
Defcend, and open your uncharged potts ;
Thole enemies of TimotfSj and mine own,
Whom you yourfelves (hall fet out for reproof,
Fall, and no more; and to atone your fears
With my more noble meaning, not a man
Shall pafs his quarter, or offend the ftream
Of regular juftice in your city's bounds ;
But mail be remedied by publick laws
At heavieft anfwer.
Both. 'Tis mod nobly fpoken.
Ale. Defcend, and keep your words.
Enter a Soldier.
Sol. My noble General, 'fimon is dead ;
Entomb'd upon the very hem o'th* fea ;
And on the grave-ftone this Infculpture, which
With wax I brought away , whofe foft imprefllon
Interpreted for my poor ignorance.
[Alcibiades reads the epitaph.}
Here lies a wretched coarfe, of wretched foul bereft :
Seek not my name: a plague con fume you caitiffs left !
Here lye I Timon, who all living men did bate,
Pafs by, and curfe thy fill, but jlay not here thy gaite.
Thefe well exprefs in thee thy latter fpirits :
Tho* thou abhor'dft in us our human griefs,
VOL. VI. R Scorn'd
24* TIMON of ATHENS.
Scorn'd our (a] brine's flow, and thofe our droplets,
which
From niggard nature fall -, yet rich conceit
Taught thee to make vaft Neptune weep for aye
On thy low grave. On : faults forgiven. -Dead
Js noble Titncn, of whole memory
Hereafter more' Bring me into your City,
And I will ufe the Olive with my fword j
Make War breed Peace ; make Peace Hint War }
make each
Prefcribe to Other, as each other's Leach.
Let our drums ilrike.- [Exeunt.
[(a) brine's flow. Oxford Editor- Vulg. Iraini 1 Jlo'w.~\
TITUS
T I T tJ S
ANDRONICUS.
DRAMATIS PERSONS.
Saturninus, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, and
afterwards declared Emperor himfelf.
Bafiianus, Brother to Saturninus, in Love with Lavinia.
Titus Andronicus, a Noble Roman, General againft
the Goths.
Marcus Andronicus, Tribune of the People, and Brother
to Titus.
Marcus, ~\
Andronicus -
Mutius, j
Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius.
Publius, Son to Marcus the Tribune? and Nephew to
Titus Andronicus.
Sempronius.
Alarbus, 1
Chiron, > Sons to Tamora.
Demetrius, )
Aaron, a Moor, belov'd by Tamora.
Captain, from Titus'* Camp.
jEmilius, a Meffenger.
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, Judges, Officers, Soldiers, and other Attendants.
SCENE, Rome; and the Country near it.
TITUS
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
ACT I. SCENE I.
Before the Capitol in ROME.
Enter the Tribunes and Senators aloft, as In the Senate.
Enter Saturninus and his follower^ at one door ; and
Baffianus and his followers, at the other , tnitb Drum
and Colours.
SATU RNINUS.
O B L E Patricians, Patrons of my
Right,
Defend the juftice of my Caufe with
arms :
And Countrymen, my loving followers,
Plead my fuccefiive 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, followers, favourers of my
Right,
If ever Bqflianus^ Gofer's fon,
Were gracious in the eyes of royal Romt y
R 3 Keep
246 TITUS ANDRONICUS,
Keep then this paflage to the Capitol ;
And fuffer not difhonour to approach
Th' imperial Seat, to virtue confecrate,
To juftice, continence, and nobility :
But let Dcfcrt in pure election fhine j
And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.
Enter Marcus Andronicus aloft ^ with the Crown.
Mar. Princes, that ftrive by factions, and by friends,
Ambitioufly for Rule and Empery !
Know, that the people of Rome* for whom we ftand
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 nor this day within our city-walls.
He by the Senate is accited home,
From weary wars againft the barb'rous Goths >
That with his fons (a terror to our foes)
Hath yoak'd a nation ftrong, train'd up in arms.
Ten Years are fpent, fince firft he undertook
This Caufc of Rente, and chaftifed 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 laft 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 mould,
Plead your deferts in peace and humblenefs.
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 247
Sat. How fair the Tribune fpeaks, to calm my
thoughts!
Eaf. Alan-us Andronicus, fo I do affie
In thy uprightnds 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 to my fortunes, and the people's favour,
Commit my Caufe in ballance to be weigh'd.
[_Exeunt Soldiers*
Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my
Right,
I thank you all, and here difmifs you all ;
And to the love and favour of my country
Commit myfelf, my perfon and the Caufe:
Rome, beasjuifr and gracious unto me,
As I am confident and kind to thee.
Open the gates, and let me in.
Baf. Tribunes, and Me, a poor Competitor.
\fThey go up into the Scnat&-houfe.
SCENE II.
Enter a Caftain.
Cap. Romans^ make way : the good Andronicus*
Patron of virtue, Rome's bed champion*
Succefsful in the battels that he fights,
With honour and with fortune is return'd,
From whence he circumfcribed with his fword,
And brought to yoke the enemies of Rome*
R 4 Sound
248 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Sound Drums and Trumpets, and then enter Mutius and
Marcus : after them, two men bearing a coffin co-
ver'd wtb black ; then Quintus and Lucius, dftcr
tbem> Titus Andronicusj and then Tamora, the
Queen of Goths, Alarbus, Chiron, and Demetrius,
with Aaron the Moor, prifoners j foldiers, and other
attendants. They fet down the coffin^ and Titus
J peaks.
'fit. ' Hail, Rome, victorious in my mourning weeds !
Lo, as the Bark, that hath difcharg'd her freight,
Returns with precious lading to the bay,
From whence at firft me weigh'd her anchorage j
Cometh Andromcus with laurel boughs,
To re-falute his Country with his tears ;
Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.
Thou great Defender of this Capitol,
Stand gracious to the Rites that we intend !
Romans, of five and twenty valiant fons,
Half of the number that King Priam had,
Behold the poor Remains, alive and dead !
Thefe, that furvive, let Rome reward with love ;
Thcfe, that I bring unto their lateft home,
With burial among their Anceftors.
Here Goths have given me leave to fheath my fword :
y?/aj, unkind, and carelefs of thine own,
"Why fuffer'ft thou thy Sons, unburied yet,
To hover on the dreadful more of Styx?
Make way to lay them by their brethren.
[They open the 'Tomb.
There greet in filence, as the dead are wont,
And fleep in peace, flain in your country's wars :
l Hail, Rome, viflorious in thy mourning Wteds /] I fufpeft
that the poet wrote,
in my mourning Weeds.
i. e. Titus would fay ; Thou, Rome, art victorious, tho' I am z
mourner for thofe Sons which I have loil in obtaining that
v:aory.
o
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 249
O facred receptacle of my joys,
Sweet cell of virtue and nobility,
How many fons of mine haft thou in ftore ;
That thou wilt never render to me more ?
Luc. Give us the proudeft prifoncr of the Gotbs 9
That we may hew his limbs, and on a pile,
Ad manes Fratrum facrifice his flefh,
Before this earthly prifon of their bones :
That fo the fhadows be not unappeas'd,
Nor we difturb'd with prodigies on earth.
lit. I give him you, the nobleft that furvives :
The eldeft fon of this diftrcffed Queen.
'Tarn. Stay, Roman brethren, gracious Conqueror,
Victorious TJ/J, rue the tears I med,
A mother's tears in paffion for her fon :
And, if thy fons were ever dear to thee,
O, think my fons to be as dear to me.
Sufficeth not that we are brought to Rome,
To beautify thy Triumphs and Return,
Captive to thee and to thy Roman yoak ?
But muft my fons be Qaughter'd in the flreets,
For valiant doings in their country's caufe ?
O ! if to fight for King and Common- weal
Were Piety in thine, it is in thefe :
AndronicuS) (lain not thy tomb with blood.
Wilt thou draw near the nature of the Gods ?
Draw near them then in being merciful \
Sweet Mercy is Nobility's true badge.
Thrice-noble 7V/j, fpare my firft-born fon.
Tit. Patient yourfelf, Madam, and pardon me.
Thefe are their brethren, whom you Gctbs behold
Alive and dead, and for their brethren ilain
Religioufly they ask a Sacrifice j
To this your fon is markt, and die he muft,
T'appeafe their groaning fhadows that are gone.
Luc. A way, with him, and make a fire ftraighr.
And with our fwords, upon a pile of wood.
Let's
TlTUS ANDRONICUS.
Let's hew his limbs, 'till they be clean confum'd.
[Exeunt Mutius, Marcus, Quintus and Lucius
with Alarbus.
yam. O cruel, irreligious, piety !
Chi. Was ever Scythia half fo barbarous?
Dem. Oppofe me, Scythia, to ambitious Rome.
Alarbus, go to reft ! and we furvive
To tremble under Titus' threatning looks.
Then, Madam, ftand refolv'd ; but hope withal,
The felf-fame Gods, that arm'd the Queen of 'Troy
With opportunity of fharp revenge
Upon the Tbracian tyrant in her Tent,
IViay favour Tajnora, the Queen of Goths,
(When Goths were Goths, and Tamora was Queen)
To quit her bloody wrongs upon her foes.
Enter Mutius, Marcus, Quintus and Lucius.
Luc. See, lord and father, how we have perform'd
Our Roman rites : Alarbu? limbs are Jopt 5
And intrails feed the facrificing fire ;
Whofe fmoke, like incenfe, doth perfume the sky.
Remaineth nought but to inter our brethren,
And with loud Marums welcome them to Rome.
Tit. Let it be fo, and let dnrlrcnicus
Make this his lateft farewel to their fouls.
[Then found trumpets, and lay the coffins in the tomb.
In peace and honour reft you here, my fons,
Rome's readieft champions, repofe you here,
Secure from worldly chances and mifhaps :
Here lurks no treafon, here no envy fwells ;
Here grow no damned grudges, here no ftormSj
No noife : but filence and eternal fleep :
In peace and honour reft you here, my fons !
SCENE
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 251
SCENE III.
Enter Lavinia.
Lav. In peace and honour live lord 'Titus long,
My noble lord and father, live in fame !
Lo ! at this tomb my tributary tears
I render, for my brethrens' obfequies :
And at thy feet I kneel, with tears of joy
Shed on the earth, for thy Return to Rome.
O, blefs me here with thy vi&orious hand,
Whofe fortune Rome's bed citizens applaud.
Tit. Kind Rome, that haft thus lovingly referv'd
The Cordial of mine age, to glad mine heart !
Lftvinia, live; out-live thy father's days,
* In Fame's eternal Date for virtue's praife !
Mar. Long live lord Titus, my beloved brother,
Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome !
Tit. Thanks, gentle Tribune, noble brother Marcus^
Mar. And welcome, Nephews, from fuccefsfql
wars,
You that furvive, and you that fleep in fame :
Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all,
That in your country's fervice drew your fwords.
But fafer triumph is this funeral pomp,
That hath afpir'd to Solon's happinefs;
And triumphs over chance, in Honour's bed.
Titus Andronicus, the people of Romc^
"Whofe friend injufticethou haft ever been,
Send thee by me their Tribune, and their truft,
This Palliamcnt of white and fpotlefs hue;
And name thee in eledtion for the Empire,
With thefe our late-deceafed Emperor's fons :
Be Candidatus then, and put it on j
And help to fet a head on headlefs Rome,
2 AND famfs eternal date for virtue's praife ] This abfur'd witfi
is made lenfe of by changing and into i H.
Tit.
2-2 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Tit. A better head her glorious body fits,
Than his, thac makes for age and feeblenefs :
What! fnouid I don this robe, and trouble you?
Be chofe with Proclamations to day,
To morrow yield up Rule, refign my life,
And fet abroach new bufinefs for you all ?
Rome, I have been thy foldier forty years,
And led my country's flrength fuccefsfully ;
And buried one and twenty valiant fons,
Knighted in field, flain manfully in arms,
In Right and Service of their noble Country.
Give me a ftaff of honour for mine age,
But not a fceptre to controul the world.
Upright he held it, lords, that held it lad.
Mar. Titus, thou malt obtain and ask the Empery.
Sat. Proud and ambitious Tribune, canft thou
tell
Tit. Patience, Prince Saturninus. -
Sat. Romans, do me Right.
Patricians, draw your fwords, and fheath them not
'Till Siiturmnus be Rome's Emperor.
Ar.drcmcus, would thou wert fhipt to hell,
Rather than rob me of the people's hearts.
Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the Good
That noble-minded 'fitus means to thee.-
2?/; Content thee, Prince ; I will reftore to thee
The people's hearts, and wean them from themfelves.
Baf. AndrQnicus, I do not flatter thee,
But honour thee, and will do 'till I die i
My faclion if thou ttrengthen with thy friends,
I will moft thankful be ; and Thanks to men
Of noble minds is honourable meed.
Tit. People of Rome, and noble Tribunes here,
I ask your voices, and your fuffrages ;
Will you beftow them friendly on AndronicM, ?
Mar. To gratify the good Androriuus
And grarulate his fafe Return to Rome,
The
TITUS A N B R o N i c u s. 253
The people will accept whom he admits.
Tit. Tribunes, I thank you, and this fuit I make,
That you create your Emperor's elcleft fon,
Lord Saturnine; whofe virtues will, I hope,
Reflect on Rome, as Titan's rays on earth,
And ripen juftice in this Common- weal.
Then if you will elect by my advice,
Crown him, and fay,- Long live our Emperor?
Mar. With voices and applaufe of every fort,
Patricians and Plebeians, we create
Lord Saturninus, Rome's great Emperor ;
And fay, Long live our Emperor Saturnine !
[A long flourifo, till they come down,
Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done
To us in our Election this day,
I give thee thanks in part of thy deferts,
And will with deeds requite thy gentlenefs :
And for an onfet, Titus, to advance
Thy name, and honourable family,
Lavima will I make my Emperefs,
Rome's royal Miftrefs, Miftrefs of my heart,
And in the facred Pantheon her efpoufe :
Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion pleafe thee ?
Tit. It doth, my worthy lord ; and, ir this match,
I hold me highly honour'd of your Grace :
And here in fight of Rome, to Saturninus,
King and Commander of our Common-weal,
The wide world's Emperor, do I confecrate
My fword, my chariot, and my prifoners ;
Prefents well worthy Rome's imperial lord.
Receive them then, the Tribute that I owe,
Mine Honour's Enfigns humbled at thy feet.
Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life!
How proud I am of thee, and of thy gifts,
Rome mail record ; and when I do forget
The Jeaft of thefe unfpeakable deferts,
Romans, forget your fealty to me.
Tit.
TITUS ANDRONICUS*
Tit. Now, Madam, are you prifoner to an Em-
peror j
To him, that for your honour and your ftatc
"Will ufe you nobly, and your followers.
Sat. A goodly lady, truft me, of the hue
[To Tamora,
That I would chufe, were I to chufe anew :
Clear up, fair Queen, that cloudy countenance ;
Tho* chance of war hath wrought this change of
cheer,
Thou com'ft not to be made a fcdrn in Rome :
Princely mail be thy ufage every way.
Reft on my word, and let not difcontent
Daunt all your hopes : Madam, who comforts you,
Can make you greater than the Queen of Goths.
Lavinia^ you are not difpleas'd with this?
Lav. Not I, my lord ; fith true nobility
Warrants thefe words in princely courtefie.
Sat. Thanks, fweet Lavinia -, Romans, let us go.
Ranfomlefs here we fet our prifoners free ;
Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum.
af. Lord Titus t by your Leave, this Maid is mine.
[Seizing Lavinia.
Tit. How, Sir ? are you in earned then, my lord ?
Baf. Ay, noble Titus ; and refolv'd withal,
To do my lei f this Reafon and this Right.
[The Emperor courts Tamora in dumb Jhew.
Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman juftice :
This Prince in juftice feizcth but his own.
Luc. And that he will, and mail, if Lucius live.
Tit. Traitors, avant ! where is the Emperor's Guard ?
Treafon, my lord ; Lavinia is furpriz'd.
Sat. Surpriz'd ! by whom ?
Baf. By him that juftly may
Bear his betroth'd from all the world away.
[Exit Bafiianus with Lavinia.
SCENE
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 255
SCENE IV.
Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence away,
And with my fword I'll keep this door fecure.
Tit. Follow, my lord, and Til foon bring her back.
Mut. My lord, you pafs not here.
Tit. What! villain-boy,
Barr'ft me my way in Rome ? [He kills him*
Mut. Help, Lucius, help!
Luc. My lord, you are unjuft, and more than fo ;
In wrongful quarrel you have flain your Ion.
Tit. Nor thou, nor he, are any fons of mine :
My fons would never fo dimonour me.
Traitor, reftore Lavinia to the Emperor.
LKC. Dead, if you will, but not to be his wife,
That is another's lawful promis'd love.
Sat. No, Titus, no, the Emperor needs her not i
Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy ftock j
I'll truft by leifure him, that mocks me once :
Thee never, nor thy traiterous haughty fons,
Confederates all, thus to dimonour me.
Was there none elfe in Rothe to make a Stale of,
But Saturnine ? full well, Andronicus,
Agree thefe deeds with that proud Brag of thine,
That faid'ft, 1 begg'd the Empire at thy hands.
Tit. O monilrous ! what reproachful words are
thefe !
Sat. But go thy ways : go give that changing
piece,
To him that flourim'd for her with his fword;
A valiant fon-in-law thou malt enjoy :
One fit to bandy with thy lawlefs fons
To ruffle in the Commonwealth of Rome.
Tit. Thefe words are razors to my wounded heart.
Sat. And therefore, Jovely Tamora, Queen of Goths,
That, like the (lately Pbcebe 'mong her Nymphs,
Doft over-fhine the gallant'ft Dames of Rom*-,
56 TITUS ANDRONICUS.
If thou be pleas'd with this my fudden choice,
Behold I chufe thee, Tamom, for my bride,
And will create thee Emperefs of Rome.
Speak, Queen of Goths, doft thou applaud my choice?
And here I fwear by all the Roman Gods,
(Sith pried and holy water are fo near,
And tapers burn fo bright, and every thing
In readinefs for Hymeneus (lands,)
I will not re-falute the ftreets of Rome,
Or climb my Palace, 'till from forth this place
I lead efpous'd my bride along with me.
Tarn. And here in fight of heav'n to Rome I fwear,
If Saturnine advance the Queen of Gotbs,
She will a handmaid be to his defires,
A loving nurfe, a mother to his youth.
Sat. Afcend, fair Queen, Pantheon ; lords, accompany
Your noble Emperor, and his lovely bride,
Sent by the heavens for Prince Saturnine ;
Whofe wifdom hath her fortune conquered :
There (hall we confummate our fpoufal rites. [Exeunt.
SCENE V.
Manet Titus Andronicus.
fit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride.
tttus, when wert thou wont to walk alone,
Difhonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs ?
Enter Marcus Andronicus, Lucius, Quintus, and
Marcus.
Marc. Oh, Tttus, fee, oh, fee, what thou haft done!
In a bad quarrel (lain a virtuous fon.
Tit. No, fooiifh Tribune, no : no fon of mine,
Nor thou, nor thefe confederates in the deed,
That hath difhonoured all our family ;
Unworthy brother, and unworthy fons.
Luc.
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Luc. But let us give him burial, as becomes ;
Give Mutius burial with our bretheren.
Tit. Traitors, away ! he refts not in this tomb ;
This monument five hundred years hath ftood,
Which I have fumpcuoufly re-edified :
Here none but foldiers, and Rome's Servitors,
Repofe in fame : none bafely (lain in brawls.
Bury him where you can, he comes not here.
Alar. My lord, this is impiety in you ;
My nephew Mutiu? deeds do -plead for him :
He mull be buried with his bretheren.
[Titus*; fans fpeak.
Sons. And mall, or him we will accompany.
Tit. And (hall ? what villain was it fpake that word ?
[Titus*jy<?# f peaks.
Quin. He, that wojuld vouch't in any place but
here.
9"z>. What, would you bury him in my defpight?
Mar. No, noble Titus ; but intreat of thee
To pardon Mutius ', and to bury him.
Tit. Marcus^ ev'n thou haft ftruck upon my Creft,
And with thefe boys mine Honour thou haft wounded.
My foes I do repute you every one,
So trouble me no more, but get you gone.
Luc. He is not himfelf, let us withdraw.
Quin. Not I, 'till Mutius 9 bones be buried.
[The brother and the fons kneel.
Mar. Brother, for in that name doth nature plead.
Quin. Father, and in that name doth nature fpeak.
Tit. Speak thou no more, if all the reft will fpeed.
Mar. Renowned Titus* more than half my foul,
Luc. Dear father, foul and fubftanceof us all, -
Mar. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter
His noble Nephew here in virtue's neft,
That died in honour, and Lavinia's caufe.
Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous.
The Greeks, upon advice, did bury Ajax*
VOL. VI. S That
TITUS ANDRONICUS.
That flew himfelf ; and wife Laertes, 9 fon
Did gracioufly plead for his funerals.
Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy,
Be barr'd his entrance here.
Tit. Rife, Marcus, rife
The difmall'ft day is this, that e'er I faw,
To be diflionour'd by my fons in Rome :
Well ; bury him, and bury me the next.
[They put him in the tomb.
Luc. There lie thy bones, fweet Mutius> with thy
friends,
'Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb !
[They all kneel and fay ;
No man med tears for noble Mutius ;
He lives in fame, that died in virtue's caufe.
Mar. My lord, to ftep out of thefe dreary dumps,
How comes it that the fubtle Queen of Goths
Is of a fudden thus advanc'd in Rome?
Tit. I know not Marcus ; but, I know, it is :
If by device or no, the heav'ns can tell :
Is flic not then beholden to the man,
That brought her for this high good Turn fo far ?
Yes ; and will nobly him remunerate.
SCENE VI.
Flounjh. Re-enter the Emperor^ Tamora, Chiron,
and Demetrius, with Aaron the Moor, at one door.
At the other door , Baffianus and Lavinia ijoith others.
Sat. So, Bqflianus, you have plaid your prize ;
God give you joy, Sir, of your gallant bride.
Baf. And you of yours, my lord ; I fay no more,
Nor vvim no lefs, and fo I take my leave.
Sat. Tray tor, if Rome have law, or we have power,
Thou and thy faction mall repent this Rape.
af. Rape call you it, my tord, to feize my own,
My
TITUS ANDRONICUS. 259
My true-betrothed love, and now my wife?
But let the laws of Rome determine all ;
Mean while I am pofieft of that is mine.
Sat. *Tis good, Sir -, you are very fhort with us,
But, if we live, we'll be as (harp with you.
Baf. My lord, what I have done, as bed I may,
Anfwer I muft, and mall do with my life ;
Only thus much I give your Grace to know,,
By all the duties which 1 owe to Rome*
This noble gentleman, lord Titus here,
Is in opinion and in honour wrong'd ;
That in the refcue of Lavima,