The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works

by William Shakespeare

  LUCIUS

  Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good

  That noble-minded Titus means to thee.

  TITUS

  Content thee, Prince. I will restore to thee

  The people’s hearts, and wean them from themselves.

  BASSIANUS

  Andronicus, I do not flatter thee

  But honour thee, and will do till I die.

  My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends

  I will most thankful be; and thanks to men

  Of noble minds is honourable meed.

  TITUS

  People of Rome, and people’s tribunes here,

  I ask your voices and your suffrages.

  Will ye bestow them friendly on Andronicus?

  TRIBUNES

  To gratify the good Andronicus

  And gratulate his safe return to Rome

  The people will accept whom he admits.

  TITUS

  Tribunes, I thank you, and this suit I make:

  That you create our emperor’s eldest son

  Lord Saturnine, whose virtues will, I hope,

  Reflect on Rome as Titan’s rays on earth,

  And ripen justice in this commonweal.

  Then if you will elect by my advice,

  Crown him and say, ‘Long live our Emperor!’

  MARCUS

  With voices and applause of every sort,

  Patricians and plebeians, we create

  Lord Saturninus Rome’s great emperor,

  And say, ‘Long live our Emperor Saturnine!’

  ⌈A long flourish while Marcus and the other

  Tribunes, with Saturninus and Bassianus,

  come down.

  Marcus invests Saturninus in the white

  palliament and hands him a sceptre⌉

  SATURNINUS

  Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done

  To us in our election this day

  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,

  Rome’s royal mistress, mistress of my heart,

  And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse.

  Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee?

  TITUS

  It doth, my worthy lord, and in this match

  I hold me highly honoured of your grace,

  And here in sight of Rome to Saturnine,

  King and commander of our commonweal,

  The wide world’s emperor, do I consecrate

  My sword, my chariot, and my prisoners—

  Presents well worthy Rome’s imperious lord.

  Receive them, then, the tribute that I owe,

  Mine honour’s ensigns humbled at thy feet.

  SATURNINUS

  Thanks, noble Titus, 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 unspeakable deserts,

  Romans, forget your fealty to me.

  TITUS (to Tamora)

  Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor,

  To him that for your honour and your state

  Will use you nobly, and your followers.

  SATURNINUS

  A goodly lady, trust me, of the hue

  That I would choose were I to choose anew.

  Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance.

  Though chance of war hath wrought this change of

  cheer,

  Thou com’st not to be made a scorn in Rome.

  Princely shall be thy usage every way.

  Rest on my word, and let not discontent

  Daunt all your hopes. Madam, he comforts you

  Can make you greater than the Queen of Goths.

  Lavinia, you are not displeased with this?

  LAVINIA

  Not I, my lord, sith true nobility

  Warrants these words in princely courtesy.

  SATURNINUS

  Thanks, sweet Lavinia. Romans, let us go.

  Ransomless here we set our prisoners free.

  Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum.

  ⌈Flourish. Exeunt Saturninus, Tamora, Demetrius, Chiron, and Aaron the Moor⌉

  BASSIANUS

  Lord Titus,.by your leave, this maid is mine.

  TITUS

  How, sir, are you in earnest then, my lord?

  BASSIANUS

  Ay, noble Titus, and resolved withal

  To do myself this reason and this right.

  MARCUS

  Suum cuique is our Roman justice.

  This prince in justice seizeth but his own.

  LUCIUS

  And that he will and shall, if Lucius live.

  TITUS

  Traitors, avaunt! Where is the Emperor’s guard?

  MUTIUS

  Brothers, help to convey her hence away,

  And with my sword I’ll keep this door safe.

  Exeunt Bassianus, Marcus, Quintus, and Martius, with Lavinia

  (To Titus) My lord, you pass not here.

  TITUS

  What, villain boy,

  Barr’st me my way in Rome?

  He attacks Mutius

  MUTIUS

  Help, Lucius, help!

  Titus kills him

  LUCIUS (to Titus)

  My lord, you are unjust; and more than so,

  In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son.

  TITUS

  Nor thou nor he are any sons of mine.

  My sons would never so dishonour me.

  Traitor, restore Lavinia to the Emperor.

  LUCIUS

  Dead, if you will, but not to be his wife

  That is another’s lawful promised love.

  Exit with Mutius’ body

  Enter aloft Saturninus the Emperor with Tamora

  and Chiron and Demetrius, her two sons, and

  Aaron the Moor

  TITUS

  Follow, my lord, and I’ll soon bring her back.

  SATURNINUS

  No, Titus, no. The Emperor needs her not,

  Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock.

  I’ll trust by leisure him that mocks me once,

  Thee never, nor thy traitorous haughty sons,

  Confederates all thus to dishonour me.

  Was none in Rome to make a stale

  But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus,

  Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine

  That saidst I begged the empire at thy hands.

  TITUS

  O monstrous, what reproachful words are these?

  SATURNINUS

  But go thy ways, go give that changing piece

  To him that flourished for her with his sword.

  A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy,

  One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons,

  To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome.

  TITUS

  These words are razors to my wounded heart.

  SATURNINUS

  And therefore, lovely Tamora, Queen of Goths,

  That like the stately Phoebe ‘mongst her nymphs

  Dost overshine the gallant’st dames of Rome,

  If thou be pleased with this my sudden choice,

  Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride,

  And will create thee Empress of Rome.

  Speak, Queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice?

  And here I swear by all the Roman gods,

  Sith priest and holy water are so near,

  And tapers burn so bright, and everything

  In readiness for Hymenaeus stand,

  I will not re-salute the streets of Rome,

  Or climb my palace, till from forth this place

  I lead espoused my bride along with me.

  TAMORA

  And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome I swear
>
  If Saturnine advance the Queen of Goths

  She will a handmaid be to his desires,

  A loving nurse, a mother to his youth.

  SATURNINUS

  Ascend, fair Queen, Pantheon. Lords, accompany

  Your noble emperor and his lovely bride,

  Sent by the heavens for Prince Saturnine,

  Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered.

  There shall we consummate our spousal rites.

  Exeunt all but Titus

  TITUS

  I am not bid to wait upon this bride.

  Titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone,

  Dishonoured thus and challenged of wrongs?

  Enter Marcus and Titus’ sons Lucius, Quintus, and

  Martius, ⌈carrying Mutius’ body⌉

  MARCUS

  O Titus, see, O see what thou hast done—

  In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son.

  TITUS

  No, foolish Tribune, no; no son of mine,

  Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed

  That hath dishonoured all our family;

  Unworthy brother and unworthy sons!

  LUCIUS

  But let us give him burial as becomes,

  Give Mutius burial with our brethren.

  TITUS

  Traitors, away, he rests not in this tomb.

  This monument five hundred years hath stood,

  Which I have sumptuously re-edified.

  Here none but soldiers and Rome’s servitors

  Repose in fame, none basely slain in brawls.

  Bury him where you can; he comes not here.

  MARCUS

  My lord, this is impiety in you.

  My nephew Mutius’ deeds do plead for him.

  He must be buried with his brethren.

  ⌈QUINTUS and MARTIUS⌉

  And shall, or him we will accompany.

  TITUS

  ‘And shall’? What villain was it spake that word?

  ⌈QUINTUS⌉

  He that would vouch it in any place but here.

  TITUS

  What, would you bury him in my despite?

  MARCUS

  No, noble Titus, but entreat of thee

  To pardon Mutius and to bury him.

  TITUS

  Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest,

  And with these boys mine honour thou hast

  wounded.

  My foes I do repute you every one,

  So trouble me no more, but get you gone.

  ⌈MARTIUS⌉

  He is not with himself, let us withdraw.

  ⌈QUINTUS⌉

  Not I, till Mutius’ bones be buried.

  Marcus, Lucius, Quintus, and Martius kneel

  MARCUS

  Brother, for in that name doth nature plead—

  ⌈QUINTUS⌉

  Father, and in that name doth nature speak—

  TITUS

  Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed.

  MARCUS

  Renowned Titus, more than half my soul—

  LUCIUS

  Dear father, soul and substance of us all—

  MARCUS

  Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter

  His noble nephew here in virtue’s nest,

  That died in honour and Lavinia’s cause.

  Thou art a Roman; be not barbarous.

  The Greeks upon advice did bury Ajax,

  That slew himself; and wise Laertes’ son

  Did graciously plead for his funerals.

  Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy,

  Be barred his entrance here.

  TITUS

  Rise, Marcus, rise.

  The dismall‘st day is this that e’er I saw,

  To be dishonoured by my sons in Rome.

  Well, bury him, and bury me the next.

  They put Mutius in the tomb

  LUCIUS

  There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends’,

  Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb. 385

  ALL ⌈BUT TITUS⌉ (kneeling)

  No man shed tears for noble Mutius;

  He lives in fame, that died in virtue’s cause.

  Exeunt ⌈all but Marcus and Titus⌉

  MARCUS

  My lord—to step out of these dreary dumps—

  How comes it that the subtle Queen of Goths

  Is of a sudden thus advanced in Rome?

  TITUS

  I know not, Marcus, but I know it is—

  Whether by device or no, the heavens can tell.

  Is she not then beholden to the man

  That brought her for this high good turn so far?

  ⌈MARCUS⌉

  Yes, and will nobly him remunerate.

  ⌈Flourish.⌉ Enter the Emperor Saturninus, Tamora,

  and her two sons (Chiron and Demetrius), with

  Aaron the Moor at one door.

  Enter at the other door Bassianus and Lavinia with

  ⌈Lucius, Quintus, and Martius⌉

  SATURNINUS

  So, Bassianus, you have played your prize.

  God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride.

  BASSIANUS

  And you of yours, my lord. I say no more,

  Nor wish no less; and so I take my leave.

  SATURNINUS

  Traitor, if Rome have law or we have power,

  Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape.

  BASSIANUS

  ‘Rape’ call you it, my lord, to seize my own—

  My true betrothed love, and now my wife?

  But let the laws of Rome determine all;

  Meanwhile am I possessed of that is mine.

  SATURNINUS

  ‘Tis good, sir; you are very short with us.

  But if we live we’ll be as sharp with you.

  BASSIANUS

  My lord, what I have done, as best I may

  Answer I must, and shall do with my life.

  Only thus much I give your grace to know:

  By all the duties that I owe to Rome,

  This noble gentleman, Lord Titus here,

  Is in opinion and in honour wronged,

  That, in the rescue of Lavinia,

  With his own hand did slay his youngest son

  In zeal to you, and highly moved to wrath

  To be controlled in that he frankly gave.

  Receive him then to favour, Saturnine,

  That hath expressed himself in all his deeds

  A father and a friend to thee and Rome.

  TITUS

  Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds.

  ‘Tis thou and those that have dishonoured me.

  ⌈He kneels⌉

  Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge

  How I have loved and honoured Saturnine!

  TAMORA (to Saturninus)

  My worthy lord, if ever Tamora

  Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine,

  Then hear me speak indifferently for all;

  And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.

  SATURNINUS

  What, madam—be dishonoured openly

  And basely put it up without revenge?

  TAMORA

  Not so, my lord. The gods of Rome forfend

  I should be author to dishonour you.

  But on mine honour dare I undertake

  For good lord Titus’ innocence in all,

  Whose fury not dissembled speaks his griefs.

  Then at my suit look graciously on him.

  Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose,

  Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.

  (Aside to Saturninus)

  My lord, be ruled by me, be won at last,

  Dissemble all your griefs and discontents.

  You are but newly planted in your throne;

  Lest then the people, and patricians too,

  Upon a just survey take Titus’ part,

  And so supplant you for ingratitu
de,

  Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,

  Yield at entreats; and then let me alone:

  I’ll find a day to massacre them all,

  And raze their faction and their family,

  The cruel father and his traitorous sons

  To whom I sued for my dear son’s life,

  And make them know what ’tis to let a queen

  Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain.

  (Aloud) Come, come, sweet Emperor; come,

  Andronicus,

  Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart

  That dies in tempest of thy angry frown.

  SATURNINUS

  Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath prevailed.

  TITUS (rising)

  I thank your majesty and her, my lord,

  These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.

  TAMORA

  Titus, I am incorporate in Rome,

  A Roman now adopted happily,

  And must advise the Emperor for his good.

  This day all quarrels die, Andronicus;

  And let it be mine honour, good my lord,

  That I have reconciled your friends and you.

  For you, Prince Bassianus, I have passed

  My word and promise to the Emperor

  That you will be more mild and tractable.

  And fear not, lords, and you, Lavinia;

  By my advice, all humbled on your knees,

  You shall ask pardon of his majesty.

  ⌈Bassianus⌉, Lavinia, Lucius, Quintus, and

  Martius kneel

  ⌈LOCIUS⌉

  We do, and vow to heaven and to his highness

  That what we did was mildly as we might,

  Tend’ring our sister’s honour and our own.

  MARCUS ⌈kneeling⌉

  That on mine honour here do I protest.

  SATURNINUS

  Away, and talk not, trouble us no more.

  TAMORA

  Nay, nay, sweet Emperor, we must all be friends.

  The Tribune and his nephews kneel for grace.

  I will not be denied; sweetheart, look back.

  SATURNINUS

  Marcus, for thy sake and thy brother’s here,

  And at my lovely Tamora’s entreats,

  I do remit these young men’s heinous faults.

  Stand up!

  Marcus, Bassianus, Lavinia, and Titus’ sons stand

  Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,

  I found a friend, and sure as death I swore

  I would not part a bachelor from the priest.

  Come, if the Emperor’s court can feast two brides

  You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends.

  This day shall be a love-day, Tamora.

  TITUS

  Tomorrow an it please your majesty

  To hunt the panther and the hart with me,

  With horn and hound we’ll give your grace bonjour.