The Tragedy Of Titus Andronicus

1 Enter the Tribunes and Senators aloft. And then enter Saturninus and
2 his followers at one door, and Bassianus and his followers at the
3 other, with drums and trumpets.
4 SATURNINUS.
5 Noble patricians, patrons of my right,
6 Defend the justice of my cause with arms;
7 And, countrymen, my loving followers,
8 Plead my successive title with your swords.
9 I am his firstborn son that was the last
10 That wore the imperial diadem of Rome;
11 Then let my father’s honours live in me,
12 Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.
13 BASSIANUS.
14 Romans, friends, followers, favourers of my right,
15 If ever Bassianus, Caesar’s son,
16 Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,
17 Keep then this passage to the Capitol,
18 And suffer not dishonour to approach
19 The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,
20 To justice, continence, and nobility;
21 But let desert in pure election shine,
22 And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.
23 Enter Marcus Andronicus aloft, holding the crown.
24 MARCUS.
25 Princes, that strive by factions and by friends
26 Ambitiously for rule and empery,
27 Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand
28 A special party, have by common voice,
29 In election for the Roman empery,
30 Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius
31 For many good and great deserts to Rome.
32 A nobler man, a braver warrior,
33 Lives not this day within the city walls.
34 He by the senate is accited home
35 From weary wars against the barbarous Goths,
36 That with his sons, a terror to our foes,
37 Hath yoked a nation strong, trained up in arms.
38 Ten years are spent since first he undertook
39 This cause of Rome, and chastised with arms
40 Our enemies’ pride. Five times he hath returned
41 Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
42 In coffins from the field.
43 And now at last, laden with honour’s spoils,
44 Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
45 Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
46 Let us entreat, by honour of his name
47 Whom worthily you would have now succeed,
48 And in the Capitol and senate’s right,
49 Whom you pretend to honour and adore,
50 That you withdraw you and abate your strength,
51 Dismiss your followers, and, as suitors should,
52 Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness.
53 SATURNINUS.
54 How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts!
55 BASSIANUS.
56 Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy
57 In thy uprightness and integrity,
58 And so I love and honour thee and thine,
59 Thy noble brother Titus and his sons,
60 And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all,
61 Gracious Lavinia, Rome’s rich ornament,
62 That I will here dismiss my loving friends,
63 And to my fortunes and the people’s favour
64 Commit my cause in balance to be weighed.
65 [_Exeunt the followers of Bassianus._]
66 SATURNINUS.
67 Friends, that have been thus forward in my right,
68 I thank you all and here dismiss you all,
69 And to the love and favour of my country
70 Commit myself, my person, and the cause.
71 [_Exeunt the followers of Saturninus._]
72 Rome, be as just and gracious unto me
73 As I am confident and kind to thee.
74 Open the gates and let me in.
75 BASSIANUS.
76 Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor.
77 [_Flourish. They go up into the Senate House._]
78 Enter a Captain.
79 CAPTAIN.
80 Romans, make way! The good Andronicus,
81 Patron of virtue, Rome’s best champion,
82 Successful in the battles that he fights,
83 With honour and with fortune is returned
84 From where he circumscribed with his sword
85 And brought to yoke the enemies of Rome.
86 Sound drums and trumpets, and then enter two of Titus’ sons, and then
87 two men bearing a coffin covered with black; then two other sons; then
88 Titus Andronicus; and then Tamora, the Queen of Goths and her sons
89 Alarbus, Chiron and Demetrius with Aaron the Moor, and others as many
90 as can be, then set down the coffin, and Titus speaks.
91 TITUS.
92 Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds!
93 Lo, as the bark that hath discharged her fraught
94 Returns with precious lading to the bay
95 From whence at first she weighed her anchorage,
96 Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs,
97 To resalute his country with his tears,
98 Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.
99 Thou great defender of this Capitol,
100 Stand gracious to the rites that we intend.
101 Romans, of five-and-twenty valiant sons,
102 Half of the number that King Priam had,
103 Behold the poor remains, alive and dead.
104 These that survive let Rome reward with love;
105 These that I bring unto their latest home,
106 With burial amongst their ancestors.
107 Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword.
108 Titus, unkind, and careless of thine own,
109 Why suffer’st thou thy sons, unburied yet,
110 To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx?
111 Make way to lay them by their brethren.
112 [_They open the tomb._]
113 There greet in silence, as the dead are wont,
114 And sleep in peace, slain in your country’s wars.
115 O sacred receptacle of my joys,
116 Sweet cell of virtue and nobility,
117 How many sons hast thou of mine in store,
118 That thou wilt never render to me more?
119 LUCIUS.
120 Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths,
121 That we may hew his limbs, and on a pile
122 _Ad manes fratrum_ sacrifice his flesh
123 Before this earthy prison of their bones,
124 That so the shadows be not unappeased,
125 Nor we disturbed with prodigies on earth.
126 TITUS.
127 I give him you, the noblest that survives,
128 The eldest son of this distressed queen.
129 TAMORA.
130 Stay, Roman brethren! Gracious conqueror,
131 Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed,
132 A mother’s tears in passion for her son.
133 And if thy sons were ever dear to thee,
134 O, think my son to be as dear to me.
135 Sufficeth not that we are brought to Rome,
136 To beautify thy triumphs and return
137 Captive to thee and to thy Roman yoke;
138 But must my sons be slaughtered in the streets
139 For valiant doings in their country’s cause?
140 O, if to fight for king and commonweal
141 Were piety in thine, it is in these.
142 Andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood.
143 Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods?
144 Draw near them then in being merciful.
145 Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge.
146 Thrice-noble Titus, spare my first-born son.
147 TITUS.
148 Patient yourself, madam, and pardon me.
149 These are their brethren whom your Goths beheld
150 Alive and dead, and for their brethren slain
151 Religiously they ask a sacrifice.
152 To this your son is marked, and die he must,
153 T’ appease their groaning shadows that are gone.
154 LUCIUS.
155 Away with him, and make a fire straight,
156 And with our swords, upon a pile of wood,
157 Let’s hew his limbs till they be clean consumed.
158 [_Exeunt Titus’ sons with Alarbus._]
159 TAMORA.
160 O cruel, irreligious piety!
161 CHIRON.
162 Was never Scythia half so barbarous!
163 DEMETRIUS.
164 Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Rome.
165 Alarbus goes to rest, and we survive
166 To tremble under Titus’ threat’ning look.
167 Then, madam, stand resolved, but hope withal
168 The self-same gods that armed the Queen of Troy
169 With opportunity of sharp revenge
170 Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent
171 May favour Tamora, the queen of Goths,
172 (When Goths were Goths and Tamora was queen)
173 To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes.
174 Enter the sons of Andronicus again with bloody swords.
175 LUCIUS.
176 See, lord and father, how we have performed
177 Our Roman rites. Alarbus’ limbs are lopped,
178 And entrails feed the sacrificing fire,
179 Whose smoke like incense doth perfume the sky.
180 Remaineth naught but to inter our brethren,
181 And with loud ’larums welcome them to Rome.
182 TITUS.
183 Let it be so; and let Andronicus
184 Make this his latest farewell to their souls.
185 [_Sound trumpets, and lay the coffin in the tomb._]
186 In peace and honour rest you here, my sons;
187 Rome’s readiest champions, repose you here in rest,
188 Secure from worldly chances and mishaps.
189 Here lurks no treason, here no envy swells,
190 Here grow no damned drugs; here are no storms,
191 No noise, but silence and eternal sleep.
192 In peace and honour rest you here, my sons.
193 Enter Lavinia.
194 LAVINIA.
195 In peace and honour live Lord Titus long;
196 My noble lord and father, live in fame.
197 Lo, at this tomb my tributary tears
198 I render for my brethren’s obsequies;
199 And at thy feet I kneel, with tears of joy
200 Shed on this earth for thy return to Rome.
201 O, bless me here with thy victorious hand,
202 Whose fortunes Rome’s best citizens applaud.
203 TITUS.
204 Kind Rome, that hast thus lovingly reserved
205 The cordial of mine age to glad my heart!
206 Lavinia, live; outlive thy father’s days,
207 And fame’s eternal date, for virtue’s praise.
208 Enter Marcus Andronicus and Tribunes; re-enter Saturninus, Bassianus
209 and others.
210 MARCUS.
211 Long live Lord Titus, my beloved brother,
212 Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome.
213 TITUS.
214 Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Marcus.
215 MARCUS.
216 And welcome, nephews, from successful wars,
217 You that survive, and you that sleep in fame.
218 Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all,
219 That in your country’s service drew your swords;
220 But safer triumph is this funeral pomp
221 That hath aspired to Solon’s happiness
222 And triumphs over chance in honour’s bed.
223 Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome,
224 Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been,
225 Send thee by me, their tribune and their trust,
226 This palliament of white and spotless hue,
227 And name thee in election for the empire
228 With these our late-deceased emperor’s sons.
229 Be _candidatus_ then, and put it on,
230 And help to set a head on headless Rome.
231 TITUS.
232 A better head her glorious body fits
233 Than his that shakes for age and feebleness.
234 What, should I don this robe and trouble you?
235 Be chosen with proclamations today,
236 Tomorrow yield up rule, resign my life,
237 And set abroad new business for you all?
238 Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years,
239 And led my country’s strength successfully,
240 And buried one and twenty valiant sons,
241 Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms,
242 In right and service of their noble country.
243 Give me a staff of honour for mine age,
244 But not a sceptre to control the world.
245 Upright he held it, lords, that held it last.
246 MARCUS.
247 Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery.
248 SATURNINUS.
249 Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou tell?
250 TITUS.
251 Patience, Prince Saturninus.
252 SATURNINUS.
253 Romans, do me right.
254 Patricians, draw your swords, and sheathe them not
255 Till Saturninus be Rome’s emperor.
256 Andronicus, would thou were shipped to hell
257 Rather than rob me of the people’s hearts!
258 LUCIUS.
259 Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good
260 That noble-minded Titus means to thee!
261 TITUS.
262 Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee
263 The people’s hearts, and wean them from themselves.
264 BASSIANUS.
265 Andronicus, I do not flatter thee,
266 But honour thee, and will do till I die.
267 My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends,
268 I will most thankful be; and thanks to men
269 Of noble minds is honourable meed.
270 TITUS.
271 People of Rome, and people’s tribunes here,
272 I ask your voices and your suffrages.
273 Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus?
274 TRIBUNES.
275 To gratify the good Andronicus,
276 And gratulate his safe return to Rome,
277 The people will accept whom he admits.
278 TITUS.
279 Tribunes, I thank you; and this suit I make,
280 That you create your emperor’s eldest son,
281 Lord Saturnine; whose virtues will, I hope,
282 Reflect on Rome as Titan’s rays on earth,
283 And ripen justice in this commonweal.
284 Then, if you will elect by my advice,
285 Crown him, and say “Long live our emperor!”
286 MARCUS.
287 With voices and applause of every sort,
288 Patricians and plebeians, we create
289 Lord Saturninus Rome’s great emperor,
290 And say “Long live our Emperor Saturnine!”
291 [_A long flourish._]
292 SATURNINUS.
293 Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done
294 To us in our election this day,
295 I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts,
296 And will with deeds requite thy gentleness.
297 And for an onset, Titus, to advance
298 Thy name and honourable family,
299 Lavinia will I make my empress,
300 Rome’s royal mistress, mistress of my heart,
301 And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse.
302 Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee?
303 TITUS.
304 It doth, my worthy lord, and in this match
305 I hold me highly honoured of your grace;
306 And here in sight of Rome, to Saturnine,
307 King and commander of our commonweal,
308 The wide world’s emperor, do I consecrate
309 My sword, my chariot, and my prisoners;
310 Presents well worthy Rome’s imperious lord.
311 Receive them then, the tribute that I owe,
312 Mine honour’s ensigns humbled at thy feet.
313 SATURNINUS.
314 Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life.
315 How proud I am of thee and of thy gifts
316 Rome shall record, and when I do forget
317 The least of these unspeakable deserts,
318 Romans, forget your fealty to me.
319 TITUS.
320 [_To Tamora_.] Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor;
321 To him that for your honour and your state
322 Will use you nobly and your followers.
323 SATURNINUS.
324 A goodly lady, trust me, of the hue
325 That I would choose, were I to choose anew.
326 Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance.
327 Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer,
328 Thou com’st not to be made a scorn in Rome.
329 Princely shall be thy usage every way.
330 Rest on my word, and let not discontent
331 Daunt all your hopes. Madam, he comforts you
332 Can make you greater than the Queen of Goths.
333 Lavinia, you are not displeased with this?
334 LAVINIA.
335 Not I, my lord, sith true nobility
336 Warrants these words in princely courtesy.
337 SATURNINUS.
338 Thanks, sweet Lavinia. Romans, let us go.
339 Ransomless here we set our prisoners free.
340 Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum.
341 [_Flourish. Saturninus and his Guards exit, with Drums and Trumpets.
342 Tribunes and Senators exit aloft._]
343 BASSIANUS.
344 Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine.
345 TITUS.
346 How, sir? Are you in earnest then, my lord?
347 BASSIANUS.
348 Ay, noble Titus; and resolved withal
349 To do myself this reason and this right.
350 MARCUS.
351 _Suum cuique_ is our Roman justice.
352 This prince in justice seizeth but his own.
353 LUCIUS.
354 And that he will and shall, if Lucius live.
355 TITUS.
356 Traitors, avaunt! Where is the emperor’s guard?
357 Enter Saturninus and his Guards.
358 Treason, my lord, Lavinia is surprised.
359 SATURNINUS.
360 Surprised? By whom?
361 BASSIANUS.
362 By him that justly may
363 Bear his betrothed from all the world away.
364 [_Exeunt Bassianus and Marcus with Lavinia._]
365 MUTIUS.
366 Brothers, help to convey her hence away,
367 And with my sword I’ll keep this door safe.
368 [_Exeunt Lucius, Quintus and Martius._]
369 TITUS.
370 Follow, my lord, and I’ll soon bring her back.
371 [_Exeunt Saturninus, Tamora, Demetrius, Chiron, Aaron, and Guards._]
372 MUTIUS.
373 My lord, you pass not here.
374 TITUS.
375 What, villain boy,
376 Barr’st me my way in Rome?
377 [_Stabbing Mutius._]
378 MUTIUS.
379 Help, Lucius, help!
380 [_Dies._]
381 Re-enter Lucius.
382 LUCIUS.
383 My lord, you are unjust, and more than so,
384 In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son.
385 TITUS.
386 Nor thou nor he are any sons of mine;
387 My sons would never so dishonour me.
388 Traitor, restore Lavinia to the Emperor.
389 LUCIUS.
390 Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife,
391 That is another’s lawful promised love.
392 [_Exit._]
393 Enter aloft the Emperor Saturninus with Tamora and her two sons and
394 Aaron the Moor.
395 SATURNINUS.
396 No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not,
397 Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock.
398 I’ll trust by leisure him that mocks me once;
399 Thee never, nor thy traitorous haughty sons,
400 Confederates all thus to dishonour me.
401 Was none in Rome to make a stale
402 But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus,
403 Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine
404 That said’st I begged the empire at thy hands.
405 TITUS.
406 O monstrous! What reproachful words are these?
407 SATURNINUS.
408 But go thy ways; go, give that changing piece
409 To him that flourished for her with his sword.
410 A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy;
411 One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons,
412 To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome.
413 TITUS.
414 These words are razors to my wounded heart.
415 SATURNINUS.
416 And therefore, lovely Tamora, Queen of Goths,
417 That like the stately Phœbe ’mongst her nymphs
418 Dost overshine the gallant’st dames of Rome,
419 If thou be pleased with this my sudden choice,
420 Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride,
421 And will create thee Empress of Rome.
422 Speak, Queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice?
423 And here I swear by all the Roman gods,
424 Sith priest and holy water are so near,
425 And tapers burn so bright, and everything
426 In readiness for Hymenæus stand,
427 I will not re-salute the streets of Rome,
428 Or climb my palace, till from forth this place
429 I lead espoused my bride along with me.
430 TAMORA.
431 And here in sight of heaven to Rome I swear,
432 If Saturnine advance the Queen of Goths,
433 She will a handmaid be to his desires,
434 A loving nurse, a mother to his youth.
435 SATURNINUS.
436 Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon. Lords, accompany
437 Your noble emperor and his lovely bride,
438 Sent by the heavens for Prince Saturnine,
439 Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered.
440 There shall we consummate our spousal rites.
441 [_Exeunt all but Titus._]
442 TITUS.
443 I am not bid to wait upon this bride.
444 Titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone,
445 Dishonoured thus, and challenged of wrongs?
446 Re-enter Marcus, Lucius, Quintus and Martius.
447 MARCUS.
448 O Titus, see, O, see what thou hast done!
449 In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son.
450 TITUS.
451 No, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine,
452 Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed
453 That hath dishonoured all our family.
454 Unworthy brother and unworthy sons!
455 LUCIUS.
456 But let us give him burial, as becomes;
457 Give Mutius burial with our brethren.
458 TITUS.
459 Traitors, away! He rests not in this tomb.
460 This monument five hundred years hath stood,
461 Which I have sumptuously re-edified.
462 Here none but soldiers and Rome’s servitors
463 Repose in fame; none basely slain in brawls.
464 Bury him where you can, he comes not here.
465 MARCUS.
466 My lord, this is impiety in you.
467 My nephew Mutius’ deeds do plead for him;
468 He must be buried with his brethren.
469 MARTIUS.
470 And shall, or him we will accompany.
471 TITUS.
472 “And shall”? What villain was it spake that word?
473 QUINTUS.
474 He that would vouch it in any place but here.
475 TITUS.
476 What, would you bury him in my despite?
477 MARCUS.
478 No, noble Titus, but entreat of thee
479 To pardon Mutius and to bury him.
480 TITUS.
481 Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest,
482 And with these boys mine honour thou hast wounded.
483 My foes I do repute you every one;
484 So trouble me no more, but get you gone.
485 QUINTUS.
486 He is not with himself; let us withdraw.
487 MARTIUS.
488 Not I, till Mutius’ bones be buried.
489 [_Marcus and the sons of Titus kneel._]
490 MARCUS.
491 Brother, for in that name doth nature plead,—
492 QUINTUS.
493 Father, and in that name doth nature speak,—
494 TITUS.
495 Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed.
496 MARCUS.
497 Renowned Titus, more than half my soul,—
498 LUCIUS.
499 Dear father, soul and substance of us all,—
500 MARCUS.
501 Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter
502 His noble nephew here in virtue’s nest,
503 That died in honour and Lavinia’s cause.
504 Thou art a Roman; be not barbarous.
505 The Greeks upon advice did bury Ajax,
506 That slew himself; and wise Laertes’ son
507 Did graciously plead for his funerals.
508 Let not young Mutius, then, that was thy joy,
509 Be barred his entrance here.
510 TITUS.
511 Rise, Marcus, rise.
512 The dismall’st day is this that e’er I saw,
513 To be dishonoured by my sons in Rome!
514 Well, bury him, and bury me the next.
515 [_They put Mutius in the tomb._]
516 LUCIUS.
517 There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends,
518 Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb.
519 ALL.
520 [_Kneeling_.] No man shed tears for noble Mutius;
521 He lives in fame that died in virtue’s cause.
522 MARCUS.
523 My lord, to step out of these dreary dumps,
524 How comes it that the subtle Queen of Goths
525 Is of a sudden thus advanced in Rome?
526 TITUS.
527 I know not, Marcus, but I know it is.
528 Whether by device or no, the heavens can tell.
529 Is she not then beholding to the man
530 That brought her for this high good turn so far?
531 Yes, and will nobly him remunerate.
532 Flourish. Enter the Emperor Saturninus, Tamora and her two sons, with
533 Aaron the Moor. Drums and Trumpets, at one door. Enter at the other
534 door Bassianus and Lavinia with others.
535 SATURNINUS.
536 So, Bassianus, you have played your prize.
537 God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride.
538 BASSIANUS.
539 And you of yours, my lord. I say no more,
540 Nor wish no less; and so I take my leave.
541 SATURNINUS.
542 Traitor, if Rome have law or we have power,
543 Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape.
544 BASSIANUS.
545 Rape call you it, my lord, to seize my own,
546 My true betrothed love, and now my wife?
547 But let the laws of Rome determine all;
548 Meanwhile am I possessed of that is mine.
549 SATURNINUS.
550 ’Tis good, sir. You are very short with us;
551 But if we live, we’ll be as sharp with you.
552 BASSIANUS.
553 My lord, what I have done, as best I may,
554 Answer I must, and shall do with my life.
555 Only thus much I give your grace to know:
556 By all the duties that I owe to Rome,
557 This noble gentleman, Lord Titus here,
558 Is in opinion and in honour wronged,
559 That, in the rescue of Lavinia,
560 With his own hand did slay his youngest son,
561 In zeal to you, and highly moved to wrath
562 To be controlled in that he frankly gave.
563 Receive him then to favour, Saturnine,
564 That hath expressed himself in all his deeds
565 A father and a friend to thee and Rome.
566 TITUS.
567 Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds.
568 ’Tis thou, and those, that have dishonoured me.
569 Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge
570 How I have loved and honoured Saturnine.
571 TAMORA.
572 My worthy lord, if ever Tamora
573 Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine,
574 Then hear me speak indifferently for all;
575 And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.
576 SATURNINUS.
577 What, madam, be dishonoured openly,
578 And basely put it up without revenge?
579 TAMORA.
580 Not so, my lord; the gods of Rome forfend
581 I should be author to dishonour you!
582 But on mine honour dare I undertake
583 For good Lord Titus’ innocence in all,
584 Whose fury not dissembled speaks his griefs.
585 Then at my suit look graciously on him;
586 Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose,
587 Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.
588 [_Aside_.] My lord, be ruled by me, be won at last;
589 Dissemble all your griefs and discontents.
590 You are but newly planted in your throne;
591 Lest, then, the people, and patricians too,
592 Upon a just survey take Titus’ part,
593 And so supplant you for ingratitude,
594 Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,
595 Yield at entreats, and then let me alone.
596 I’ll find a day to massacre them all,
597 And raze their faction and their family,
598 The cruel father and his traitorous sons,
599 To whom I sued for my dear son’s life;
600 And make them know what ’tis to let a queen
601 Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain.
602 [_Aloud_.] Come, come, sweet emperor; come, Andronicus;
603 Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart
604 That dies in tempest of thy angry frown.
605 SATURNINUS.
606 Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath prevailed.
607 TITUS.
608 I thank your majesty and her, my lord.
609 These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.
610 TAMORA.
611 Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,
612 A Roman now adopted happily,
613 And must advise the emperor for his good.
614 This day all quarrels die, Andronicus;
615 And let it be mine honour, good my lord,
616 That I have reconciled your friends and you.
617 For you, Prince Bassianus, I have passed
618 My word and promise to the emperor
619 That you will be more mild and tractable.
620 And fear not, lords, and you, Lavinia.
621 By my advice, all humbled on your knees,
622 You shall ask pardon of his majesty.
623 LUCIUS.
624 We do, and vow to heaven and to his highness
625 That what we did was mildly as we might,
626 Tend’ring our sister’s honour and our own.
627 MARCUS.
628 That on mine honour here do I protest.
629 SATURNINUS.
630 Away, and talk not; trouble us no more.
631 TAMORA.
632 Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all be friends.
633 The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace;
634 I will not be denied. Sweet heart, look back.
635 SATURNINUS.
636 Marcus, for thy sake, and thy brother’s here,
637 And at my lovely Tamora’s entreats,
638 I do remit these young men’s heinous faults.
639 Stand up.
640 Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,
641 I found a friend, and sure as death I swore
642 I would not part a bachelor from the priest.
643 Come, if the emperor’s court can feast two brides,
644 You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends.
645 This day shall be a love-day, Tamora.
646 TITUS.
647 Tomorrow, an it please your majesty
648 To hunt the panther and the hart with me,
649 With horn and hound we’ll give your grace _bonjour_.
650 SATURNINUS.
651 Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too.
652 [_Sound trumpets. Exeunt all but Aaron._]