University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Enter Emillius, with other Tribunes and Senators: Gives Marcus a Robe, which he Offers to Titus. Enter Saturninus and Bassianus, with Followers, at several Doors—Drums & Trumpets Sound.
Marcus.
Titus Andronicus, the People of Rome
Whose friend in Justice, thou hast ever been,
Send thee this white and spotless Robe,
And name thee in Election for the Empire,
With these our late deceased Emperours Sons
Then stand a Candidate, and put it on,
And help to set a head on headless Rome.

Titus.
A better head her glorious body fits,
Then this that shakes with age and feebleness;
Wherefore shou'd I assume this Robe and trouble you,
Be chosen with Acclamations to day,
To morrow yield up Rule, resign my life,
And set abroad new business for you all.
Rome I have been thy Souldier forty years,
And led my Countrys strength successfully,
And Bury'd 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 Honour for my Age,
But not a Scepter to controul the World.
Upright he held it Lords that held it last.

Marcus.
Thou shalt ask the Empire and shalt obtain it.

Saturn.
Proud and Ambitious Tribune canst thou tell—

Titus.
Patience Prince Saturninus.

Saturn.
Romans do me right.
Patricians draw your Swords, and sheath them not
'Till Saturninus be Romes Emperour.
Andronicus, wou'd thy Aged head lay deep in Earth
Rather then rob me of the peoples hearts?

Lucius.
Proud Saturnine, interrupter of that good
The Noble-minded Titus means to thee.

Titus.
Prince I'le restore to thee the Peoples hearts,
And wean them from themselves.

Bassianus.
Andronicus I do not flatter thee,
But honour thee, and will do 'till I dye:
My Faction if thou strengthen with thy friends,
I will most thankfull be; and thanks to men
Of noble minds, is honourable satisfaction.

Titus.
People of Rome, and peoples Tribunes here,
I ask your Voices and your suffrages,
Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus?

Emillius.
To gratify the good Andronicus,
And gratulate his safe return to Rome,
The People will accept whom he admits.

Marcus.
Do All consent?

All Tribunes.
All, all.

Titus.
Tribunes I thank you, and this Sute I make,
I hat you Create your Emperours Eldest Son,
Lord Saturnine, whose Virtues will I hope,
Reflect on Rome, as Tytans Rays on Earth,
And ripen Justice in this Common-wealth:
Then if you will Elect by my advice,
Crown him and say, Long live our Emperour.

Marcus.
With Voices and applause of every sort,
Patricians and Plebeans, we Create
Lord Saturninus Romes great Emperour:
And say Long live our Emperour Saturninus.

Emperour.
Titus Andronicus, for thy Favours done,
To us in our Election this day,
I give thee thanks in part of thy desert,
And will with Deeds requite thy Nobleness;
And Titus, to advance
Thy Name, and Honourable Family,
Lavinia will I make my Empress,
Romes Royal Mistress, Mistress of my heart,
And in the Sacred Pathan her Espouse;
Tell me Andronicus doth this motion please thee?

Titus.
It does and in requital of the honour done me
Here in the sight of Rome, to Saturnine
Our Defender and the Worlds great Emperour
I consecrate my Sword, my Charriot, and my Pris'ners,
Presents his Captives to the Emperor
Presents well worthy Romes Imperial Lord;
Receive them then, the Tribute that I owe,
My Honours Ensignes humbled at thy feet.

Emp.
Thanks Valiant 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.

Bassi.
Say Noble Marcus and you the valiant Brothers of that
Lovely Maid, is't not a Tyranny too great to bear?
Shall he the Empire have?
Why Let him, but let him leave Lavinia then:
To be at once depriv'd of Power and Love
Is more then Mortal sure can bear.

Titus.
Now Madam you are Pris'ner to an Emperour,
To him that for your Honour and your State
[to Tamora
Will use you nobly, and your Followers.

Emp.
Of Mein Majestick, and of Features Excellent!
Were I to choose again, this were my choice.
Madam tho' chance of War has brought you here,
You come not to be made a scorn in Rome,
Princely shall be your usage Every way,
Rest on my word, and let not discontent
O're cloud the glory of your Brow.

Tamora.
Tho' here in Chains, yet I am still a Queen,
And have the noble Courage of a Goth.
If in my face you Signes of sorrow read
The Frontispeice is unworthy my mind,
And ill befits the greatness of my Soul.

Emp.
Brave Queen—whose noble Mind in triumph leads
The glories of our Roman Victories,
Ransomless here we set these Captives free,
And pay thy greatness with their Liberty.

Emperour.
Come Lavinia, thou Trophee of the day,
And utmost height of all our joys, for thee
Altars shall be perfum'd with richest Gums,
And Hymens Tapors there shall Blaze;
Slowly you give your Hand, and Trembling Move,
Art thou not fond of Empire or affraid of Love?

Titus.
So Virgins are allow'd their Modest Fears,
They Even Changes for the Better Dread.

Bassi.
See Friends what Longing Eyes she casts this way,
And with her sad looks upbraids my Servile tameness,
Empire I scarce thought truly worth my care
When purchas'd with the hazard of your Lives,
But if friends you are, now Ayd me in my Love.
Love is the Nobler Cause—
[Bassianus Seizes Lavinia from the Emperour
By your leave Emperor and yours Lord Titus,

Emp.
How Bassianus?

Marcus.
The Prince in Justice ceaseth but his own.

Lucius.
And he will and shall if Lucius Live.

Titus.
Traytors forbear, where is the Emperours guard?
My Lord, see you not Lavinia is surpriz'd?

Bassi.
Yes, she's surpriz'd by him that justly may.

Mutius.
Help to convey her hence, and with my Sword
I'le guard this passage safe.

[Exeunt Marcus, Lucius, Mutius, Bassianus, and followers with Lavinia.
Titus.
Treason, all that do love the Emperour
Now follow me and soon I'le bring her back.

[Titus Exit
Emp.
Forbear—
'Till she deserves that care you undertake.

[Exeunt Emp. &c.