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Enter CESAR, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, MECENAS,
SELEUCUS, and Attendants.

Ces. Which is the queen

Of Egypt !

With one that I have bred? The gods! It smiteş

me

Beneath the fall I have. Pr'ythee, go hence; [TO SELEUCUS. Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits [CLEOPATRA kneels. Through the ashes of my chance :-Wert thou a

Del. Tis the emperor, madam.

Ces. Arise:

You shall not kneel :

I pray you, rise: rise, Egypt.
Cleo. Sir, the gods

Will have it thus; my master and my lord
I must obey.

Ces. Take to you no hard thoughts:
The record of what injuries you did us,
Though written in our flesh, we shall remember
As things but done by chance.

Cleo. Sole Sir o'the world,

I cannot project⚫ mine own cause so well
To make it clear; but to confess, I have
Been laden with like frailties, which before
Have often sham'd our sex.

Ces. Cleopatra, know,

We will extenuate rather than enforce :

If you apply yourself to our intents,

man,

Thon would'st have mercy on me.
Ces. Forbear, Seleucus.

[Exit SELEUCUS. Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are

misthought

For things that others do; and, when we fall,
We answer others' merits in our names,
Are therefore to be pitied.

Ces. Cleopatra,

Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknow-
ledg'd,

Put we i'the roll of conquest: still be it yours,
Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe,
Cesar's no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be
cheer'd ;

Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear
queen;

(Which towards you are most gentle,) you shall For we intend so to dispose you, as

find

A benefit in this change: but if you seek
To lay on me a cruelty, by taking
Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis
yours and we

shall

Your 'scutcheous, and your signs of conquest, [lord. Hang in what place you please. Here, my good Ces. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels,

I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued ;

Not petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus ?
Sel. Here, madam.

Cice. This is my treasurer: let him speak, my
lord,

Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd

To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.
Sel. Madam,

I had rather seel my lips, than, to my peril,
Speak that which is not."

Cles. What have I kept back?

Sch. Enough to purchase what you have made

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The ingratitude of this Seleucus does

Eves make me wild :-O slave, of no more trust
Than love that's bir'd !-What, goest thou
back 1-thou shalt

Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes,
Though they had wings: Slave, soulless villain,

dog!

© rarely; base!

Crs. Good queen, let us entreat you.

Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend; And so adieu.
Cleo. My master, and my lord!
Ces. Not so: Adieu.

Exeunt CESAR, and his Train.
Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that
I should not

Be noble to myself: but hark thee, Charmian.
[Whispers CHARMIAN.
Iras. Finish, good lady: the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.

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Which my love makes religion to obey,

tell you this: Cesar through Syria
Intends his journey; and, within three days,
You with your children will he send before:
Make your best use of this: I have perform'd
Your pleasure, and my promise.

Cleo. Dolabella,

I shall remain your debtor.

Dol. I your servant.

Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cesar.
Cleo. Farewell, and thanks.

[Exit DOL.

Now, Iras, what think'st thou ?
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Rome, as well as I mechanic slaves,
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded,

Cien. O Cesar, what a wounding shame is And forc'd to drink their vapour.

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That then, vouchsafing here to visit me,
Bong the bonour of thy lordliness

To se so meek, that mine own servant should
Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
Adation of his envy! Say, good Cesar,
That I some lady trifles have reserv'd,
Immoment toys, things of such dignity

As we greet modern friends withal; and say,
fame mobler token I have kept apart
For Livia and Octavia, ** to induce
Thor mediation; must I be unfolded
+ Sew up.
+ Add to.
Cesar's wife and

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Iras. I'll never for it; for, I am sure, my fImmortal longings in me: Now no more The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip :

nails

Are stronger than mine eyes.

Cleo. Why that's the way

Yare, yare, good Iras; quick.—Methinks, I
hear

To fool their preparation, and to conquer
Their most absurd intents.-Now, Charmian ?- Antony call; I see him rouse himself

Enter CHARMIAN.

Show me, my women, like a queen ;-Go fetch
My best attires;-I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony :-Sirrah, Iras, go.-
Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch indeed :
And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give
thee leave

To play till doomsday.-Bring our crown and all.
Wherefore's this noise?

[Exit IRAS. A Noise within.

Enter one of the GUARD.

Guard. Here is a rural fellow,

To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
The luck of Cesar, which the gods give men
To excuse their after wrath: Husband, I come:
Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire, and air; my other elements
I give to baser life. -So,-have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my
lips.
Farwell, kind Charmian;-Iras, long farewell.
[Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies.
Have I the aspic in my lips? + Ďost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still?

That will not be denied your highness' pre- If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world

sence :

He brings you figs.

Cleo. Let him come in. How poor an instru-
ment

(Exit GUARD.
May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing
Of woman in me: Now from head to foot
I am marble-constant: now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.

Re-enter GUARD, with a CLOWN bringing a
Basket.

Guard. This is the man.
Cleo. Avoid, and leave him.

[Exit GUARD. Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there, That kills and pains not?

Clown. Truly I have him: but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal: those that do die of it, do seldom or never recover.

Cleo. Remembers't thou any that have died

on't f

Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday— a very honest woman, but something given to lie as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty-how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt,-Truly, she makes a very good report o'the worm: But he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do: But this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm.

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.

Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm.
Cleo. Farewell.

[CLOWN sets down the Basket. Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind. t

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It is not worth leave-taking.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud and rain; that I may say

The gods themselves do weep!

Cleo. This proves me base:

If she first meet the curled Antony,

He'll make demand of her; and spend that

kiss,

Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal wretch,

[To the Asp, which she applies to her
Breast.

With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie : poor venomous fool,
Be angry, and despatch. Oh! could'st thou

speak!
That I might hear thee call great Cesar, Ass
Unpolicied!

Char. O eastern star!

Cleo. Peace, peace!

Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep?

Char. O break! O break!

Cleo. As sweet as balm, is soft as air, as
gentle,-

O Antony !-Nay, I will take thee too :-
[Applying another Asp to her Arm.
What should I stay-

[Falls on a Bed and Dies.
Char. In this wild world ?-So fare thee
well.-
Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies
A lass unparallel'd.-Downy windows, close ;
And golden Phoebus never be beheld
Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry;
I'll mend it, and then play. []

Enter the GUARD, rushing in.
1 Guard. Where is the queen ?
Char. Speak softly, wake her not.
1 Guard. Cesar hath sent-
Char. Too slow a messenger.

[Applies the Asp.
O come; apace, despatch: I partly feel thee.
1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well: Ce-
sar's beguil'd.

2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cesar-call him.

1 Guard. What work is here?-Charmian, is

this well done?

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Dol. Cesar, thy thoughts

Touch their effects in this: Thyself art coming
To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou
So sought'st to hinder.

Within. A way there, way for Cesar!

Enter CESAR, and Attendants.

Del. O Sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear, is done.

Ces. Bravest at the last :

She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal,
Took ber own way.-The manner of their deaths?

I do not see them bleed.

Del. Who was last with them?

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Ces. Most probable,

That so she died; for her physician tells me,
She had pursu'd conclusions infinite

Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed;
And bear her women from the monument :-

1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought She shall be buried by her Antony:

her figs :

This was his basket.

Ces. Poison'd then.

1 Guard. O Cesar,

No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
A pair so famous. High events as these
Strike those that make them, and their story is
No less in pity, than his glory, which

This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall,

spake :

I found her trimming up the diadem

On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood,
And on the sadden dropp'd.

Ces. O noble weakness !—

If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear
By external swelling; but she looks like sleep,

In solemn show, attend the funeral ;
And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see
High order in this great solemnity.

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TITUS ANDRONICUS.

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE.

AS it is intended, in the present collection of Shakspeare's Dramatic Works, to present in regular succession all such as have the scenery, characters, or manners, drawn from the same country, the sanguinary and disgusting Tragedy of Titus Andronicus is placed in immediate sequence to those that are essentially of Roman origin. The events, however, are not of historical occurrence, but were probably borrowed from an old ballad entered on the books of the Stationers' Company in the year 1593, about which period it may also have been written. Its identity, however, as one of Shakspeare's productions, rests on a very doubtful foundation. Dr. Percy supposes it only to have been corrected and re-touched by aim; but, says Dr. Johnson, “I do not find his touches very discernible." It is devoid of any striking sentiment--- it has none of the philosophic stateliness which generally distinguishes his plays---the anachronisms are gross---the language throughout is as tumid and laboured as the plot is horrid and unnatural ¡---and the only approach to energy discernible in the play, occurs in the scene between Aaron, the nurse, and Demetrius. Indeed, there is internal evidence enough (in the versification, the character of the composition, the total difference of conduct, language, and sentiment, and also in its resemblance to several dramas of much more ancient date) to prove, with irresistible force, that it has been erroneously ascribed to Shakspeare. Dr. Johnson says, “All the editors and critics agree with Mr. Theobald in supposing this play spurious. I see no reason for differing from them; for the colour of the style is wholly different from that of the other play, and there is an attempt at regular versification and artificial closes, not always inelegant, yet seldom pleasing. The barbarity of the spectacle, and the general massacre which are here exhibited, can scarcely be conceived tolerable to any audience; yet we are told by Jonson, that they were not only borne but applauded. That Shakspeare wrote any part, though Theobald declares it incontestible, I see no reason for believing."

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, | EMILIUS, a noble Roman.

and afterwards declared Emperor ALARBUS,

BASSI, decruits-up himself.

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CHIRON,

Sons to Tamora.

AARON, a Moor, beloved by Tamora.

A CAPTAIN,TRIBUNE, MESSENGER, and CLOWN;
Romans.

Goths and Romans.

TAMORA, Queen of the Goths.

LAVINIA, Daughter to Titus Andronicus.
A NURSE, and A BLACK CHILD.

Kinsmen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, Qfi-
cers, Soldiers, and Attendants.

SCENE: Rome, and the Country near it.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-Rome.-Before the Capitol. The tomb of the ANDRONICI appearing; the TRIBUNES and SENATORS aloft, as in the Senate. Enter, below, SATURNINUS and his Followers, on one side; and BASSIANUS and his Followers on the other; with Drum and Colours.

Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right,
Defend the justice of my cause with arms;
And, countrymen, my loving followers,
Plead my successive title with your swords :
I am his first-born son, that was the last
That wore the imperial diadem of Rome,
Then let my father's honours live in me,
Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.

Keep then this passage to the Capitol :
And suffer not dishonour to approach
The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,
To justice, continence, and nobility:
But let desert in pure election shine;
And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.
Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the
Crown.

Mar. Princes, that strive by factions and by
friends,

Ambitiously for rule and empery,

Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we

stand

A special party, have, by their common voice,
In election for the Roman empery,

Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius

For many good and great deserts to Rome;

Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favourers of A nobler man, a braver warrior,

of my right,

If ever Bassianus, Cesar's son,

Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,

• My title to the succession.

Lives not this day within the city walls:
He by the senate is accited hoine,

From weary wars against the barbarous Goths,

• Summoned.

That, with his sons, a terror to our foes,
Hath yok'd a nation strong, train'd up in arms.
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
Beeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
la coffins from the field;

And now, at last, laden with honour's spoils,
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
Let as entreat,-By honour of his name,
Whom, worthily, you would have now succeed,
And in the Capitol and senate's right.
Whom you pretend to honour and adore,-
That you withdraw you, and abate your strength:
Damiss your followers, and, as suitors should,
Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness.
Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my
thoughts!

Bas. Marcus Audronicus, so I do affy •
In thy uprightness and integrity,

And so I love and honour thee and thine,
Thy nobler brother Titus, and his sons,

To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx ?—
Make way to lay them by their brethren.
[The Tomb is opened.

There greet in silence, as the dead are wont,
And sleep in peace, slain in your country's wars!
O sacred receptacle of my joys,
Sweet cell of virtue and nobility,

How many sons of mine hast thou in store,
That thou wilt never render to me more!

Luc. Give us the proudest prisoner of the
Goths,

That we may hew his limbs, and, on a pile
Ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesh,
Before this earthly prison of their bones:
That so the shadows be not unappeas'd,
Nor we disturb'd with prodigies on earth.*
Tit. 1 give him you; the noblest that survives,
The eldest son of this distressed queen.
Tam. Stay, Roman brethren--Gracious con-
queror,

Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed,
A mother's tears in passion for her son;
And, if thy sons were ever dear to thee,

And her, to whom my thoughts are humbled all, Oh! think my son to be as dear to me.
Gracions Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament,
That I will here dismiss my loving friends,
And to my fortunes, and the people's favour,
Commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd."
[Exeunt the Followers of BASSIANUS.
Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in
my right,

I thank you all, and here dismiss you all;
And to the love and favour of my country
Commit myself, my person, and my cause.
Eicunt the Followers of SATURNINUS.
Rome, be as just and gracious unto me,
As I am confident and kind to thee.-
Open the gates, and let me in.

Kas. Tribunes! and me, a poor competitor.
SAT. and Bas. go into the Capitol, and ex-
runt with SENATORS, MARCUS, &c.

SCENE II.-The same.
Enter a CAPTAIN, and others.
Cup. Romans, make way-The good Andro-

Pære of virtue, Rome's best champion,
Successful in the battles that he fights,
With besar and with fortune is return'd,
From where he circumscribed with his sword,
And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome.
Flourish of Trumpets, &c. Enter MUTIUS and
MARTIC: after them, two Men bearing a
Colin covered with black; then QUINTUS
and Lucies. After them, TITUS ANDRONI-
cus; and then TAMORA, with ALARBUS, CHI-
2GS, DEMETRIUS, AARON, and other Goths,
$, Soldiers and People following.
Tat Bearers set down the Coffin, and TITUS

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Le to the bark that hath discharged her fraught, †
bus with precious lading to the bay,

Five whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage,
Ganety. A vdronicus, bound with laurel boughs,
T ❤late his country with his tears;
Trans of true joy for his return to Rome.-
Ts great defender of this Capitol,

ded gracious to the rights that we intend !, of five and twenty valiant sons, Hafod the number that king Priam had, lemind the poor remains, alive, and dead!

that survive, let Romne reward with love: Tarw, that I bring unto their latest home, *. burial amongst their ancestors:

Sufficeth not, that we are brought to Rome
To beautify thy triumphs, and return,
Captive to thee, and to thy Roman yoke;
But must my sons be slaughter'd in the streets,
For valiant doings in their country's canse?
Oh! if to fight for king and common weat
Were piety in thine, it is in these.
Andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood:
Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods,
Draw near them then in being merciful:
Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge-
Thrice-noble Titus, spare my first-born son.
Tit. Patient yourself, madam, and pardon me.
These are their brethren, who you Goths be-

held

Alive and dead; and, for their brethren slain,
Religiously they ask a sacrifice:

To this your son is mark'd; and die he must,
To appease their groaning shadows that are gone.
Luc. Away with him! and make a fire

straight:

And with your swords, upon a pile of wood,
Let's hew his limbs, till they be clean consum'd
Exeunt LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and
MUTIUS, with ALARBUS.

Tam. O cruel, irreligious piety!

Chi. Was ever Scythia half so barbarous ?
Dem. Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Romer
Alarbus goes to rest; and we survive
To tremble under Titus' threatening look.
Then, madam, stand resolv'd: but hope withal,
The self-same gods, that arm'd the queen of Troy
With opportunity of sharp revenge
Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent,
May favour Tamora, the queen of Goth,
(When Goths were Goths, and Tamora was

queen,)

To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes.
Re-enter LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and
MUTIUS, with their Swords bloody,
Luc. See, lord and father, how we have per-
form'd

Our Roman rites: Alarbus' limbs are lopp'd
And entrails feed the sacrificing fire,
Whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky.
Remaineth nought, but to inter our brethren,
And with lond 'larums welcome them to Roine.
Tit. Let it be so, and let Audronicus
Make this his latest farewell to their sonls.

[Trumpets sounded, and the Coffins laid
in the Tomb.

In peace and honour rest you here, my sons.
Rome's readiest champions, repose you here,

Bar Golüs bave given me leave to sheath my Secure from worldly chances and mishaps!

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Here lurks no treason, here no envy swells,
Here grow no damned grudges, here are no

storms.

It was supposed that the ghosts of unburied people appeared to solicit the rights of funeral.

M

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