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.[3924]
Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right,
Defend the justice of my cause with arms;
And, countrymen, my loving followers,[3925]
Plead my successive title with your swords:
I am his first-born son, that was the last[3926] 5
That ware the imperial diadem of Rome;[3926]
Then let my father's honours live in me,
Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.
Bas. Romans, friends, followers, favourers of my right,[3927]
If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, 10
Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,
Keep then this passage to the Capitol;
And suffer not dishonour to approach
The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,[3928]
To justice, continence and nobility:[3929] 15
But let desert in pure election shine;
And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.
Enter Marcus Andronicus, aloft, with the crown.[3930]
Marc. Princes, that strive by factions and by friends[3931]
Ambitiously for rule and empery,
Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand 20
A special party, have by common voice,
In election for the Roman empery,[3932]
Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius[3933]
For many good and great deserts to Rome:
A nobler man, a braver warrior, 25
Lives not this day within the city walls:[3934]
He by the senate is accited home
From weary wars against the barbarous Goths;
That, with his sons, a terror to our foes,
Hath yoked a nation strong, train'd up in arms. 30
Ten years are spent since first he undertook
This cause of Rome, and chastised with arms
Our enemies' pride: five times he hath return'd
Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
In coffins from the field.[3935] 35
And now at last, laden with honour's spoils,
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
Let us entreat, by honour of his name,
Whom worthily you would have now succeed,[3936] 40
And in the Capitol and senate's right,
Whom you pretend to honour and adore,
That you withdraw you and abate your strength,
Dismiss your followers and, as suitors should,
Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness. 45
Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts![3937]