SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, and afterwards declar'd Emperor himself. BBSSIANUS, Brother to SATURNINUS, in love with LAVINIA. TITUS ANDRONICUS, a Noble Roman, General against the Goths. MARCUS ANDRONICUS, Tribune of the People, and Brother to TITUS. Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to LUCIUS. PUBLIUS, Son to MARCUS ANDRONICUS the Tribune. TAMORA, Queen of the Goths, and afterwards married to SATURNINUS. LAVINIA, Daughter to TITUS ANDRONICUS. A Nurfe with a blackamoor Child. Senators, Judges, Officers, Soldiers, and other Attendants. SCENE Rome, and the Country near it. ****************** ***** **** TITUS ANDRONICUS. ACT I. SCENE I. Rome. Enter Enter the Tribunes and Senators aloft, as in the Senate. Saturninus and his followers at one door, and Baffianus and his followers at the other, with drum and colours. N SATURNINUS. OBLE patricians, patrons of my right, Wore the imperial diadem of Rome: Then let my father's honours live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. Baf. Romans, friends, foll'wers, favourers of my right, If ever Baffianus, Cæfar's fon, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice. * This is one of the plays which ought not to be look'd upon to be of Shakespear's compofition. By giving it the credit of a few of his lines inferted here and there he got the difcredit of writing the whole. Enter Marcus Andronicus aloft with the crown. Mar. Princes, that strive by factions and by friends, Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand And now at last, laden with honour's spoils, Whom you pretend to honour and adore, That you withdraw you, and abate your strength; Difmifs your followers, and, as fuitors should, Plead your deferts in peace and humbleness. Sat. How fair the tribune fpeaks, to calm my thoughts! Baf. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy In thy uprightnefs and integrity, And fo I love and honour thee and thine, Thy noble brother Titus, and his fons, And her to whom our thoughts are humbled all, Gracious ་ |