Sat. Romans, do me right;
Patricians, draw your swords, and sheathe them not
Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor. 205
Andronicus, would thou wert shipp'd to hell,
Rather than rob me of the people's hearts!
Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good
That noble-minded Titus means to thee!
Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee 210
The people's hearts, and wean them from themselves.
Bas. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee,
But honour thee, and will do till I die:
My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends,[3995]
I will most thankful be; and thanks to men 215
Of noble minds is honourable meed.
Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes here,[3996]
I ask your voices and your suffrages:
Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus?
Tribunes. To gratify the good Andronicus,[3997] 220
And gratulate his safe return to Rome,
The people will accept whom he admits.
Tit. Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I make,[3998]
That you create your emperor's eldest son,
Lord Saturnine; whose virtues will, I hope, 225
Reflect on Rome as Titan's rays on earth,
And ripen justice in this commonweal:
Then, if you will elect by my advice,[3999]
Crown him, and say 'Long live our emperor!'
Marc. With voices and applause of every sort,[4000] 230
Patricians and plebeians, we create[4001]
Lord Saturninus Rome's great emperor,
And say 'Long live our Emperor Saturnine!'
[A long flourish till they come down.[4002]
Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done
To us in our election this day, 235
I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts,
And will with deeds requite thy gentleness:
And, for an onset, Titus, to advance
Thy name and honourable family,
Lavinia will I make my empress,[4003] 240
Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart,
And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse:[4004]
Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee?