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Titus Andronicus: Act I, Scene 1

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Titus Andronicus
Act I, Scene 1

Scene 1

Rome. Before the Capitol.

  1. Enter the Tribunes, among them Marcus Andronicus, and
  2. Senators aloft, and then enter, below, Saturninus and his
  3. followers at one door, and Bassianus and his followers at
  4. the other, with Drums and Trumpets.

Saturninus

1 - 8
  1. Noble patricians, patrons of my right,
  2. Defend the justice of my cause with arms;
  3. And, countrymen, my loving followers,
  4. Plead my successive title with your swords.
  5. I am his first-born son, that was the last
  6. That ware the imperial diadem of Rome,
  7. Then let my father’s honors live in me,
  8. Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.

Bassianus

9 - 17
  1. Romans, friends, followers, favorers of my right,
  2. If ever Bassianus, Caesar’s son,
  3. Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,
  4. Keep then this passage to the Capitol,
  5. And suffer not dishonor to approach
  6. The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,
  7. To justice, continence, and nobility;
  8. But let desert in pure election shine,
  9. And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.

Marcus

18 - 45
  1. Holding the crown.
  2. Princes, that strive by factions and by friends
  3. Ambitiously for rule and empery,
  4. Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand
  5. A special party, have by common voice,
  6. In election for the Roman empery,
  7. Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius
  8. For many good and great deserts to Rome.
  9. A nobler man, a braver warrior,
  10. Lives not this day within the city walls.
  11. He by the Senate is accited home
  12. From weary wars against the barbarous Goths,
  13. That with his sons, a terror to our foes,
  14. Hath yok’d a nation strong, train’d up in arms.
  15. Ten years are spent since first he undertook
  16. This cause of Rome, and chastised with arms
  17. Our enemies’ pride; five times he hath return’d
  18. Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
  19. In coffins from the field,
  20. And now at last, laden with honor’s spoils,
  21. Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
  22. Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
  23. Let us entreat by honor of his name,
  24. Whom worthily you would have now succeed,
  25. And in the Capitol and Senate’s right,
  26. Whom you pretend to honor and adore,
  27. That you withdraw you, and abate your strength,
  28. Dismiss your followers, and, as suitors should,
  29. Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness.

Saturninus

46
  1. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts!

Bassianus

47 - 55
  1. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy
  2. In thy uprightness and integrity,
  3. And so I love and honor thee and thine,
  4. Thy noble brother Titus and his sons,
  5. And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all,
  6. Gracious Lavinia, Rome’s rich ornament,
  7. That I will here dismiss my loving friends;
  8. And to my fortunes and the people’s favor
  9. Commit my cause in balance to be weigh’d.
  1. Exeunt Soldiers of Bassianus.

Saturninus

56 - 62
  1. Friends, that have been thus forward in my right,
  2. I thank you all and here dismiss you all,
  3. And to the love and favor of my country
  4. Commit myself, my person, and the cause.
  5. Exeunt Soldiers of Saturninus.
  6. Rome, be as just and gracious unto me
  7. As I am confident and kind to thee.
  8. Open the gates and let me in.

Bassianus

63
  1. Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor.
  1. Flourish. They go up into the Senate-house.
  1. Enter a Roman Captain.

Roman Captain

64 - 69
  1. Romans, make way! The good Andronicus,
  2. Patron of virtue, Rome’s best champion,
  3. Successful in the battles that he fights,
  4. With honor and with fortune is return’d.
  5. From where he circumscribed with his sword,
  6. And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome.
  1. Sound drums and trumpets, and then enter two of Titus’ sons
  2. Martius and Mutius; and then two Men bearing a coffin
  3. covered with black; then two other sons, Lucius and Quintus.
  4. Then Titus Andronicus; and then Tamora, the Queen of Goths,
  5. and her three sons Alarbus, Chiron, and Demetrius; with
  6. Aaron the Moor, and others as many as can be.
  1. Then set down the coffin, and Titus speaks.

Titus

70 - 95
  1. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds!
  2. Lo, as the bark that hath discharg’d his fraught
  3. Returns with precious lading to the bay
  4. From whence at first she weigh’d her anchorage,
  5. Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs,
  6. To re-salute his country with his tears,
  7. Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.
  8. Thou great defender of this Capitol,
  9. Stand gracious to the rites that we intend!
  10. Romans, of five and twenty valiant sons,
  11. Half of the number that King Priam had,
  12. Behold the poor remains, alive and dead!
  13. These that survive let Rome reward with love;
  14. These that I bring unto their latest home,
  15. With burial amongst their ancestors.
  16. Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword.
  17. Titus, unkind and careless of thine own,
  18. Why suffer’st thou thy sons, unburied yet,
  19. To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx?
  20. Make way to lay them by their bretheren.
  21. They open the tomb.
  22. There greet in silence, as the dead are wont,
  23. And sleep in peace, slain in your country’s wars!
  24. O sacred receptacle of my joys,
  25. Sweet cell of virtue and nobility,
  26. How many sons hast thou of mine in store,
  27. That thou wilt never render to me more!
Cover page for J.M. Dent's edition of Titus Andronicus

Cover page for J.M. Dent's edition of Titus Andronicus

1904

Lucius

96 - 101
  1. Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths,
  2. That we may hew his limbs and on a pile
  3. Ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesh
  4. Before this earthy prison of their bones,
  5. That so the shadows be not unappeas’d,
  6. Nor we disturb’d with prodigies on earth.

Titus

102 - 103
  1. I give him you, the noblest that survives,
  2. The eldest son of this distressed queen.

Tamora

104 - 120
  1. Stay, Roman brethren! Gracious conqueror,
  2. Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed,
  3. A mother’s tears in passion for her son;
  4. And if thy sons were ever dear to thee,
  5. O, think my son to be as dear to me!
  6. Sufficeth not that we are brought to Rome
  7. To beautify thy triumphs, and return
  8. Captive to thee and to thy Roman yoke;
  9. But must my sons be slaughtered in the streets
  10. For valiant doings in their country’s cause?
  11. O, if to fight for king and commonweal
  12. Were piety in thine, it is in these.
  13. Andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood!
  14. Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods?
  15. Draw near them then in being merciful:
  16. Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge.
  17. Thrice-noble Titus, spare my first-born son!

Titus

121 - 126
  1. Patient yourself, madam, and pardon me.
  2. These are their brethren, whom your Goths beheld
  3. Alive and dead, and for their brethren slain
  4. Religiously they ask a sacrifice:
  5. To this your son is mark’d, and die he must,
  6. T’ appease their groaning shadows that are gone.

Lucius

127 - 129
  1. Away with him, and make a fire straight,
  2. And with our swords, upon a pile of wood,
  3. Let’s hew his limbs till they be clean consum’d.
  1. Exeunt Titus’ sons with Alarbus.

Tamora

130
  1. O cruel, irreligious piety!

Chiron

131
  1. Was never Scythia half so barbarous.

Demetrius

132 - 141
  1. Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Rome;
  2. Alarbus goes to rest, and we survive
  3. To tremble under Titus’ threat’ning look.
  4. Then, madam, stand resolv’d, but hope withal
  5. The self-same gods that arm’d the Queen of Troy
  6. With opportunity of sharp revenge
  7. Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent
  8. May favor Tamora, the Queen of Goths
  9. (When Goths were Goths and Tamora was queen),
  10. To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes.
  1. Enter the sons of Andronicus (Lucius, Quintus, Martius, and
  2. Mutius) again with their swords bloody.

Lucius

142 - 147
  1. See, lord and father, how we have perform’d
  2. Our Roman rites. Alarbus’ limbs are lopp’d,
  3. And entrails feed the sacrificing fire,
  4. Whose smoke like incense doth perfume the sky.
  5. Remaineth nought but to inter our brethren,
  6. And with loud ’larums welcome them to Rome.

Titus

148 - 156
  1. Let it be so, and let Andronicus
  2. Make this his latest farewell to their souls.
  3. Sound trumpets, and lay the coffin in the tomb.
  4. In peace and honor rest you here, my sons,
  5. Rome’s readiest champions, repose you here in rest,
  6. Secure from worldly chances and mishaps!
  7. Here lurks no treason, here no envy swells,
  8. Here grow no damned drugs, here are no storms,
  9. No noise, but silence and eternal sleep.
  10. In peace and honor rest you here, my sons!
  1. Enter Lavinia.

Lavinia

157 - 164
  1. In peace and honor live Lord Titus long!
  2. My noble lord and father, live in fame!
  3. Lo at this tomb my tributary tears
  4. I render for my brethren’s obsequies;
  5. And at thy feet I kneel, with tears of joy
  6. Shed on this earth for thy return to Rome.
  7. O, bless me here with thy victorious hand,
  8. Whose fortunes Rome’s best citizens applaud!

Titus

165 - 168
  1. Kind Rome, that hast thus lovingly reserv’d
  2. The cordial of mine age to glad my heart!
  3. Lavinia, live, outlive thy father’s days,
  4. And fame’s eternal date, for virtue’s praise!
  1. Marcus Andronicus, attended by the other Tribunes, with
  2. Saturninus and Bassianus, speaks from above.

Marcus

169 - 170
  1. Long live Lord Titus, my beloved brother,
  2. Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome!

Titus

171
  1. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Marcus.

Marcus

172 - 186
  1. And welcome, nephews, from successful wars,
  2. You that survive, and you that sleep in fame!
  3. Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all,
  4. That in your country’s service drew your swords,
  5. But safer triumph is this funeral pomp,
  6. That hath aspir’d to Solon’s happiness,
  7. And triumphs over chance in honor’s bed.
  8. Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome,
  9. Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been,
  10. Send thee by me, their tribune and their trust,
  11. This palliament of white and spotless hue,
  12. And name thee in election for the empire,
  13. With these our late-deceased emperor’s sons.
  14. Be candidatus then and put it on,
  15. And help to set a head on headless Rome.

Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor

1901

Titus

187 - 200
  1. A better head her glorious body fits
  2. Than his that shakes for age and feebleness.
  3. What should I don this robe and trouble you?
  4. Be chosen with proclamations today,
  5. Tomorrow yield up rule, resign my life,
  6. And set abroad new business for you all?
  7. Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years,
  8. And led my country’s strength successfully,
  9. And buried one and twenty valiant sons,
  10. Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms,
  11. In right and service of their noble country.
  12. Give me a staff of honor for mine age,
  13. But not a sceptre to control the world.
  14. Upright he held it, lords, that held it last.

Marcus

201
  1. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery.

Saturninus

202
  1. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou tell?

Titus

203
  1. Patience, Prince Saturninus.

Saturninus

204 - 208
  1.                              Romans, do me right.
  2. Patricians, draw your swords, and sheathe them not
  3. Till Saturninus be Rome’s emperor.
  4. Andronicus, would thou were shipp’d to hell,
  5. Rather than rob me of the people’s hearts!

Lucius

209 - 210
  1. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good
  2. That noble-minded Titus means to thee!

Titus

211 - 212
  1. Content thee, Prince, I will restore to thee
  2. The people’s hearts, and wean them from themselves.

Bassianus

213 - 217
  1. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee,
  2. But honor thee, and will do till I die.
  3. My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends,
  4. I will most thankful be, and thanks to men
  5. Of noble minds is honorable meed.

Titus

218 - 220
  1. People of Rome, and people’s tribunes here,
  2. I ask your voices and your suffrages:
  3. Will ye bestow them friendly on Andronicus?

Tribune

221 - 223
  1. To gratify the good Andronicus,
  2. And gratulate his safe return to Rome,
  3. The people will accept whom he admits.

Titus

224 - 230
  1. Tribunes, I thank you, and this suit I make,
  2. That you create our emperor’s eldest son,
  3. Lord Saturnine, whose virtues will, I hope,
  4. Reflect on Rome as Titan’s rays on earth,
  5. And ripen justice in this commonweal.
  6. Then if you will elect by my advice,
  7. Crown him and say, “Long live our emperor!”

Marcus

231 - 234
  1. With voices and applause of every sort,
  2. Patricians and plebeians, we create
  3. Lord Saturninus Rome’s great emperor,
  4. And say, “Long live our Emperor Saturnine!”
  1. A long flourish till they come down.

Saturninus

235 - 244
  1. Titus Andronicus, for thy favors done
  2. To us in our election this day,
  3. I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts,
  4. And will with deeds requite thy gentleness;
  5. And for an onset, Titus, to advance
  6. Thy name and honorable family,
  7. Lavinia will I make my emperess,
  8. Rome’s royal mistress, mistress of my heart,
  9. And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse.
  10. Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee?

Titus

245 - 253
  1. It doth, my worthy lord, and in this match
  2. I hold me highly honored of your Grace,
  3. And here in sight of Rome to Saturnine,
  4. King and commander of our commonweal,
  5. The wide world’s emperor, do I consecrate
  6. My sword, my chariot, and my prisoners,
  7. Presents well worthy Rome’s imperious lord:
  8. Receive them then, the tribute that I owe,
  9. Mine honor’s ensigns humbled at thy feet.

Saturninus

254 - 258
  1. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life!
  2. How proud I am of thee and of thy gifts
  3. Rome shall record, and when I do forget
  4. The least of these unspeakable deserts,
  5. Romans, forget your fealty to me.

Titus

259 - 261
  1. To Tamora.
  2. Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor;
  3. To him that, for your honor and your state,
  4. Will use you nobly and your followers.

Saturninus

262 - 271
  1. Aside.
  2. A goodly lady, trust me, of the hue
  3. That I would choose were I to choose anew.—
  4. Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance;
  5. Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer,
  6. Thou com’st not to be made a scorn in Rome;
  7. Princely shall be thy usage every way.
  8. Rest on my word, and let not discontent
  9. Daunt all your hopes. Madam, he comforts you
  10. Can make you greater than the Queen of Goths.
  11. Lavinia, you are not displeas’d with this?

Lavinia

272 - 273
  1. Not I, my lord, sith true nobility
  2. Warrants these words in princely courtesy.

Saturninus

274 - 276
  1. Thanks, sweet Lavinia. Romans, let us go;
  2. Ransomless here we set our prisoners free.
  3. Proclaim our honors, lords, with trump and drum.
  1. Flourish. Saturninus courts Tamora in dumb show.
Detail from the Peacham drawing, aka the Longleat manuscript

Detail from the Peacham drawing, aka the Longleat manuscript

This drawing is believed to be the earliest illustration of a scene from Shakespeare. If the drawing was created in 1595, as is asserted by some scholars, then it is the only known Shakespeare illustration created during the playwright's life.

Henry Peacham, 1595

Bassianus

277
  1. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine.
  1. Seizing Lavinia.

Titus

278
  1. How, sir? Are you in earnest then, my lord?

Bassianus

279 - 280
  1. Ay, noble Titus, and resolv’d withal
  2. To do myself this reason and this right.

Marcus

281 - 282
  1. Suum cuique is our Roman justice:
  2. This prince in justice seizeth but his own.

Lucius

283
  1. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live.

Titus

284 - 285
  1. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the Emperor’s guard?
  2. Treason, my lord! Lavinia is surpris’d!

Saturninus

286
  1. Surpris’d? By whom?

Bassianus

287 - 288
  1.                     By him that justly may
  2. Bear his betroth’d from all the world away.
  1. Exeunt Bassianus and Marcus with Lavinia.

Mutius

289 - 290
  1. Brothers, help to convey her hence away,
  2. And with my sword I’ll keep this door safe.
  1. Exeunt Lucius, Quintus, and Martius.

Titus

291
  1. Follow, my lord, and I’ll soon bring her back.

Mutius

292
  1. My lord, you pass not here.

Titus

293 - 294
  1.                             What, villain boy,
  2. Barr’st me my way in Rome?

Mutius

295
  1.                            Help, Lucius, help!
  1. Titus kills him.
  1. During the fray, exeunt Saturninus, Tamora, Demetrius,
  2. Chiron, and Aaron.
  1. Enter Lucius.

Lucius

296 - 297
  1. My lord, you are unjust, and more than so,
  2. In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son.

Titus

298 - 300
  1. Nor thou, nor he, are any sons of mine,
  2. My sons would never so dishonor me.
  3. Enter aloft the Emperor with Tamora and her two sons,
  4. Demetrius and Chiron, and Aaron the Moor.
  5. Traitor, restore Lavinia to the Emperor.

Lucius

301 - 302
  1. Dead, if you will, but not to be his wife,
  2. That is another’s lawful promis’d love.
  1. Exit.

Saturninus

303 - 311
  1. No, Titus, no, the Emperor needs her not,
  2. Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock.
  3. I’ll trust by leisure him that mocks me once,
  4. Thee never, nor thy traitorous haughty sons,
  5. Confederates all thus to dishonor me.
  6. Was none in Rome to make a stale
  7. But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus,
  8. Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine,
  9. That saidst I begg’d the empire at thy hands.

Titus

312
  1. O monstrous! What reproachful words are these?

Saturninus

313 - 317
  1. But go thy ways, go give that changing piece
  2. To him that flourish’d for her with his sword.
  3. A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy,
  4. One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons,
  5. To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome.

Titus

318
  1. These words are razors to my wounded heart.

Saturninus

319 - 332
  1. And therefore, lovely Tamora, Queen of Goths,
  2. That like the stately Phoebe ’mongst her nymphs
  3. Dost overshine the gallant’st dames of Rome,
  4. If thou be pleas’d with this my sudden choice,
  5. Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride,
  6. And will create thee Emperess of Rome.
  7. Speak, Queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice?
  8. And here I swear by all the Roman gods,
  9. Sith priest and holy water are so near,
  10. And tapers burn so bright, and every thing
  11. In readiness for Hymenaeus stand,
  12. I will not re-salute the streets of Rome,
  13. Or climb my palace, till from forth this place
  14. I lead espous’d my bride along with me.

Tamora

333 - 336
  1. And here in sight of heaven to Rome I swear,
  2. If Saturnine advance the Queen of Goths,
  3. She will a handmaid be to his desires,
  4. A loving nurse, a mother to his youth.

Saturninus

337 - 341
  1. Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon. Lords, accompany
  2. Your noble emperor and his lovely bride,
  3. Sent by the heavens for Prince Saturnine,
  4. Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered.
  5. There shall we consummate our spousal rites.
  1. Exeunt omnes except Titus.

Titus

342 - 344
  1. I am not bid to wait upon this bride.
  2. Titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone,
  3. Dishonored thus and challenged of wrongs?
  1. Enter Marcus and Titus’ sons Lucius, Quintus, and Martius.

Marcus

345 - 346
  1. O Titus, see! O, see what thou hast done!
  2. In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son.

Titus

347 - 350
  1. No, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine,
  2. Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed
  3. That hath dishonored all our family:
  4. Unworthy brother, and unworthy sons!

Lucius

351 - 352
  1. But let us give him burial as becomes,
  2. Give Mutius burial with our bretheren.

Titus

353 - 358
  1. Traitors, away, he rests not in this tomb.
  2. This monument five hundred years hath stood,
  3. Which I have sumptuously re-edified.
  4. Here none but soldiers and Rome’s servitors
  5. Repose in fame; none basely slain in brawls.
  6. Bury him where you can, he comes not here.

Marcus

359 - 361
  1. My lord, this is impiety in you.
  2. My nephew Mutius’ deeds do plead for him,
  3. He must be buried with his bretheren.

Martius

362
  1. And shall, or him we will accompany.

Titus

363
  1. “And shall”? What villain was it spake that word?

Martius

364
  1. He that would vouch it in any place but here.

Titus

365
  1. What, would you bury him in my despite?

Marcus

366 - 367
  1. No, noble Titus, but entreat of thee
  2. To pardon Mutius and to bury him.
Edinburgh Folio

From: Edinburgh Folio

Unknown artist, circa 1903

Titus

368 - 371
  1. Marcus! Even thou hast struck upon my crest,
  2. And with these boys mine honor thou hast wounded.
  3. My foes I do repute you every one,
  4. So trouble me no more, but get you gone.

Quintus

372
  1. He is not with himself, let us withdraw.

Martius

373
  1. Not I, till Mutius’ bones be buried.
  1. The brother and the sons kneel.

Marcus

374
  1. Brother, for in that name doth nature plead—

Martius

375
  1. Father, and in that name doth nature speak—

Titus

376
  1. Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed.

Marcus

377
  1. Renowmed Titus, more than half my soul—

Lucius

378
  1. Dear father, soul and substance of us all—

Marcus

379 - 387
  1. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter
  2. His noble nephew here in virtue’s nest,
  3. That died in honor and Lavinia’s cause.
  4. Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous:
  5. The Greeks upon advice did bury Ajax
  6. That slew himself; and wise Laertes’ son
  7. Did graciously plead for his funerals;
  8. Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy,
  9. Be barr’d his entrance here.

Titus

388 - 391
  1.                              Rise, Marcus, rise.
  2. The dismall’st day is this that e’er I saw,
  3. To be dishonored by my sons in Rome!
  4. Well, bury him, and bury me the next.
  1. They put him in the tomb.

Lucius

392 - 395
  1. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends,
  2. Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb.
  3. They all kneel and say:
  4. No man shed tears for noble Mutius,
  5. He lives in fame, that died in virtue’s cause.
  1. All but Marcus and Titus stand aside.

Marcus

396 - 398
  1. My lord, to step out of these dreary dumps,
  2. How comes it that the subtile Queen of Goths
  3. Is of a sudden thus advanc’d in Rome?

Titus

399 - 403
  1. I know not, Marcus, but I know it is
  2. (Whether by device or no, the heavens can tell).
  3. Is she not then beholding to the man
  4. That brought her for this high good turn so far?
  5. Yes, and will nobly him remunerate.
  1. Flourish. Enter the Emperor, Tamora and her two sons,
  2. Demetrius and Chiron, with the Moor Aaron, at one door;
  3. enter, at the other door, Bassianus and Lavinia with others.

Saturninus

404 - 405
  1. So, Bassianus, you have play’d your prize.
  2. God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride!

Bassianus

406 - 407
  1. And you of yours, my lord! I say no more,
  2. Nor wish no less, and so I take my leave.

Saturninus

408 - 409
  1. Traitor, if Rome have law, or we have power,
  2. Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape.

Bassianus

410 - 413
  1. Rape call you it, my lord, to seize my own,
  2. My true betrothed love, and now my wife?
  3. But let the laws of Rome determine all,
  4. Mean while am I possess’d of that is mine.

Saturninus

414 - 415
  1. ’Tis good, sir, you are very short with us;
  2. But if we live we’ll be as sharp with you.

Bassianus

416 - 428
  1. My lord, what I have done, as best I may,
  2. Answer I must, and shall do with my life;
  3. Only thus much I give your Grace to know:
  4. By all the duties that I owe to Rome,
  5. This noble gentleman, Lord Titus here,
  6. Is in opinion and in honor wrong’d,
  7. That in the rescue of Lavinia
  8. With his own hand did slay his youngest son,
  9. In zeal to you, and highly mov’d to wrath
  10. To be controll’d in that he frankly gave.
  11. Receive him then to favor, Saturnine,
  12. That hath express’d himself in all his deeds
  13. A father and a friend to thee and Rome.

Titus

429 - 432
  1. Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds,
  2. ’Tis thou, and those, that have dishonored me.
  3. Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge,
  4. How I have lov’d and honored Saturnine!

Tamora

433 - 436
  1. My worthy lord, if ever Tamora
  2. Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine,
  3. Then hear me speak indifferently for all;
  4. And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.

Saturninus

437 - 438
  1. What, madam, be dishonored openly,
  2. And basely put it up without revenge?

Tamora

439 - 463
  1. Not so, my lord, the gods of Rome forfend
  2. I should be author to dishonor you!
  3. But on mine honor dare I undertake
  4. For good Lord Titus’ innocence in all,
  5. Whose fury not dissembled speaks his griefs.
  6. Then at my suit look graciously on him;
  7. Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose,
  8. Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.
  9. Aside to Saturnine.
  10. My lord, be rul’d by me, be won at last,
  11. Dissemble all your griefs and discontents.
  12. You are but newly planted in your throne;
  13. Lest then the people, and patricians too,
  14. Upon a just survey take Titus’ part,
  15. And so supplant you for ingratitude,
  16. Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,
  17. Yield at entreats; and then let me alone,
  18. I’ll find a day to massacre them all,
  19. And rase their faction and their family,
  20. The cruel father and his traitorous sons,
  21. To whom I sued for my dear son’s life;
  22. And make them know what ’tis to let a queen
  23. Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain.—
  24. Come, come, sweet emperor—come, Andronicus—
  25. Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart
  26. That dies in tempest of thy angry frown.
The Henry Irving Shakespeare

O, bless me here with thy victorious hand

From: The Henry Irving Shakespeare

Henry, Sir Irving; Gordon Browne; 1888

Saturninus

464
  1. Rise, Titus, rise, my empress hath prevail’d.

Titus

465 - 466
  1. I thank your Majesty, and her, my lord.
  2. These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.

Tamora

467 - 478
  1. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,
  2. A Roman now adopted happily,
  3. And must advise the Emperor for his good.
  4. This day all quarrels die, Andronicus.
  5. And let it be mine honor, good my lord,
  6. That I have reconcil’d your friends and you.
  7. For you, Prince Bassianus, I have pass’d
  8. My word and promise to the Emperor
  9. That you will be more mild and tractable.
  10. And fear not, lords, and you, Lavinia;
  11. By my advice, all humbled on your knees,
  12. You shall ask pardon of his Majesty.
  1. Marcus, Lavinia, and Titus’ sons kneel.

Lucius

479 - 481
  1. We do, and vow to heaven and to his Highness
  2. That what we did was mildly as we might,
  3. Tend’ring our sister’s honor and our own.

Marcus

482
  1. That, on mine honor, here do I protest.

Saturninus

483
  1. Away, and talk not, trouble us no more.

Tamora

484 - 486
  1. Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all be friends.
  2. The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace,
  3. I will not be denied. Sweet heart, look back.

Saturninus

487 - 496
  1. Marcus, for thy sake and thy brother’s here,
  2. And at my lovely Tamora’s entreats,
  3. I do remit these young men’s heinous faults.
  4. Stand up.
  5. Marcus and the others rise.
  6. Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,
  7. I found a friend, and sure as death I swore
  8. I would not part a bachelor from the priest.
  9. Come, if the Emperor’s court can feast two brides,
  10. You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends.
  11. This day shall be a love-day, Tamora.

Titus

497 - 499
  1. Tomorrow, and it please your Majesty
  2. To hunt the panther and the hart with me,
  3. With horn and hound we’ll give your Grace bonjour.

Saturninus

500
  1. Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too.
  1. Exeunt. Sound trumpets. Manet Moor Aaron.
Lucius and Titus

Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good that noble-minded Titus means to thee!

Lucius and Titus

J. Coghlan, early 19th century

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