Shakespeare's First Folio Part 480

Exit Sonnes with Alarbus.

Tamo. O cruell irreligious piety

Chi. Was euer Scythia halfe so barbarous?

Dem. Oppose me Scythia to ambitious Rome, Alarbus goes to rest, and we suruiue, To tremble vnder t.i.tus threatning lookes.

Then Madam stand resolu'd, but hope withall, The selfe same G.o.ds that arm'd the Queene of Troy With opportunitie of sharpe reuenge Vpon the Thracian Tyrant in his Tent, May fauour Tamora the Queene of Gothes, (When Gothes were Gothes, and Tamora was Queene) To quit the b.l.o.o.d.y wrongs vpon her foes.

Enter the Sonnes of Andronicus againe.

Luci. See Lord and Father, how we haue perform'd Our Romaine rightes, Alarbus limbs are lopt, And intrals feede the sacrifising fire, Whole smoke like incense doth perfume the skie.

Remaineth nought but to interre our Brethren, And with low'd Larums welcome them to Rome

t.i.t. Let it be so, and let Andronicus Make this his latest farewell to their Soules.

Flourish.

Then Sound Trumpets, and lay the Coffins in the Tombe.

In peace and Honour rest you heere my Sonnes, Romes readiest Champions, repose you heere in rest, Secure from worldly chaunces and mishaps: Heere lurks no Treason, heere no enuie swels, Heere grow no d.a.m.ned grudges, heere are no stormes, No noyse, but silence and Eternall sleepe, In peace and Honour rest you heere my Sonnes.

Enter Lauinia.

Laui. In peace and Honour, liue Lord t.i.tus long, My n.o.ble Lord and Father, liue in Fame: Loe at this Tombe my tributarie teares, I render for my Bretherens Obsequies: And at thy feete I kneele, with teares of ioy Shed on the earth for thy returne to Rome.

O blesse me heere with thy victorious hand, Whose Fortune Romes best Citizens applau'd

Ti. Kind Rome, That hast thus louingly reseru'd The Cordiall of mine age to glad my hart, Lauinia liue, out-liue thy Fathers dayes: And Fames eternall date for vertues praise

Marc. Long liue Lord t.i.tus, my beloued brother, Gracious Triumpher in the eyes of Rome

t.i.t. Thankes Gentle Tribune, n.o.ble brother Marcus

Mar. And welcome Nephews from succesfull wars, You that suruiue and you that sleepe in Fame: Faire Lords your Fortunes are all alike in all, That in your Countries seruice drew your Swords.

But safer Triumph is this Funerall Pompe, That hath aspir'd to Solons Happines, And Triumphs ouer chaunce in honours bed.

t.i.tus Andronicus, the people of Rome, Whose friend in iustice thou hast euer bene, Send thee by me their Tribune and their trust, This Palliament of white and spotlesse Hue, And name thee in Election for the Empire, With these our late deceased Emperours Sonnes: Be Candidatus then, and put it on, And helpe to set a head on headlesse Rome

t.i.t. A better head her Glorious body fits, Then his that shakes for age and feeblenesse: What should I don this Robe and trouble you, Be chosen with proclamations to day, To morrow yeeld vp rule, resigne my life, And set abroad new businesse for you all.

Rome I haue bene thy Souldier forty yeares, And led my Countries strength successefully, And buried one and twenty Valiant Sonnes, Knighted in Field, slaine manfully in Armes, In right and Seruice of their n.o.ble Countrie: Giue me a staffe of Honour for mine age, But not a Scepter to controule the world, Vpright he held it Lords, that held it last

Mar. t.i.tus, thou shalt obtaine and aske the Emperie

Sat. Proud and ambitious Tribune can'st thou tell?

t.i.tus. Patience Prince Saturninus

Sat. Romaines do me right.

Patricians draw your Swords, and sheath them not Till Saturninus be Romes Emperour: Andronicus would thou wert s.h.i.+pt to h.e.l.l, Rather then rob me of the peoples harts

Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good That n.o.ble minded t.i.tus meanes to thee

t.i.t. Content thee Prince, I will restore to thee The peoples harts, and weane them from themselues

Ba.s.s. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee But Honour thee, and will doe till I die: My Faction if thou strengthen with thy Friend?

I will most thankefull be, and thankes to men Of n.o.ble mindes, is Honourable Meede

t.i.t. People of Rome, and n.o.ble Tribunes heere, I aske your voyces and your Suffrages, Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus?

Tribunes. To gratifie the good Andronicus, And Gratulate his safe returne to Rome, The people will accept whom he admits

t.i.t. Tribunes I thanke you, and this sure I make, That you Create your Emperours eldest sonne, Lord Saturnine, whose Vertues will I hope, Reflect on Rome as Tytans Rayes on earth, And ripen Iustice in this Common-weale: Then if you will elect by my aduise, Crowne him, and say: Long liue our Emperour

Mar. An. With Voyces and applause of euery sort, Patricians and Plebeans we Create Lord Saturninus Romes Great Emperour.

And say, Long liue our Emperour Saturnine.

A long Flourish till they come downe.

Satu. t.i.tus Andronicus, for thy Fauours done, To vs in our Election this day, I giue thee thankes in part of thy Deserts, And will with Deeds requite thy gentlenesse: And for an Onset t.i.tus to aduance Thy Name, and Honorable Familie, Lauinia will I make my Empresse, Romes Royall Mistris, Mistris of my hart And in the Sacred Pathan her espouse: Tell me Andronicus doth this motion please thee?

t.i.t. It doth my worthy Lord, and in this match, I hold me Highly Honoured of your Grace, And heere in sight of Rome, to Saturnine, King and Commander of our Common-weale, The Wide-worlds Emperour, do I Consecrate, My Sword, my Chariot, and my Prisoners, Presents well Worthy Romes Imperiall Lord: Receiue them then, the Tribute that I owe, Mine Honours Ensignes humbled at my feete

Satu. Thankes n.o.ble t.i.tus, Father of my life, How proud I am of thee, and of thy gifts Rome shall record, and when I do forget The least of these vnspeakable Deserts, Romans forget your Fealtie to me

t.i.t. Now Madam are you prisoner to an Emperour, To him that for your Honour and your State, Will vse you n.o.bly and your followers

Satu. A goodly Lady, trust me of the Hue That I would choose, were I to choose a new: Cleere vp Faire Queene that cloudy countenance, Though chance of warre Hath wrought this change of cheere, Thou com'st not to be made a scorne in Rome: Princely shall be thy vsage euery way.

Rest on my word, and let not discontent Daunt all your hopes: Madam he comforts you, Can make you Greater then the Queene of Gothes?

Lauinia you are not displeas'd with this?

Lau. Not I my Lord, sith true n.o.bilitie, Warrants these words in Princely curtesie

Sat. Thankes sweete Lauinia, Romans let vs goe: Ransomlesse heere we set our Prisoners free, Proclaime our Honors Lords with Trumpe and Drum

Ba.s.s. Lord t.i.tus by your leaue, this Maid is mine

t.i.t. How sir? Are you in earnest then my Lord?

Ba.s.s. I n.o.ble t.i.tus, and resolu'd withall, To doe my selfe this reason, and this right

Marc. Suum cuiquam, is our Romane Iustice, This Prince in Iustice ceazeth but his owne

Luc. And that he will and shall, if Lucius liue

t.i.t. Traytors auant, where is the Emperours Guarde?

Treason my Lord, Lauinia is surpris'd

Sat. Surpris'd, by whom?

Ba.s.s. By him that iustly may Beare his Betroth'd, from all the world away

Muti. Brothers helpe to conuey her hence away, And with my Sword Ile keepe this doore safe

t.i.t. Follow my Lord, and Ile soone bring her backe

Mut. My Lord you pa.s.se not heere

t.i.t. What villaine Boy, bar'st me my way in Rome?

Mut. Helpe Lucius helpe. He kils him