Makes the survivor heir of all. Auf. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn'd He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery, When he did stand for consul, which he lost Auf. That I would have spoke of: Being banish'd for 't, he came unto my hearth; I seem'd his follower, not partner; and 1 Con. So he did, my lord, The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, Auf. There was it; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. [Drums and trumpets sound, with great 1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2 Con. And patient fools, Lords. We have. 1 Lord. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the last, I think, Cor. Traitor!-How now? Auf. Ay, traitor, Marcius. Cor. Marcius! Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius; dost thou think I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name Coriolanus in Corioli? You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously He has betray'd your business, and given up, Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf Name not the god, thou boy of tears! Auf. No more. Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart I was forced to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Auf. Why, noble lords, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, [bear Con. [Several speak at once.] Let him die for 't. Citizens. [Speaking promiscuously.] Tear him to pieces, do it presently. He killed my son;-my daughter; he killed my cousin Marcus;- he killed my father, 2 Lord. Peace, ho!-no outrage-peace! The man is noble, and his fame folds in This orb o' the earth. His last offence to us [weep. 2 Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will 3 Lord. Tread not upon him.-Masters all, be quiet. Put up your swords. Auf. My lords, when you shall know (as in this rage, Enter CORIOLANUS, with drums and colours; a crowd of Myself your loyal servant, or endure Citizens with him. Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; No more infected with my country's love Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting That prosperously I have attempted, and, The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home, Than shame to the Romans; and we here deliver, We have compounded on. Auf. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree Your heaviest censure. SCENE, ROME; and the Country near it. 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, Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favourers of my 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 In election for the Roman empery, Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius For many good and great deserts to Rome; A nobler man, a braver warrior, Lives not this day within the city walls: And now at last, laden with honour's spoils, Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to caim my thoughts! In thy uprightness and integrity, And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all, [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 the cause. [Exeunt 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. Bas. Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor. [SATURNINUS and BASSIANUS go into the Capitol, and exeunt with Senators, MARCUS, dc. SCENE II.-The same. Enter a Captain, and others. Cap. Romans, make way; the good Andronicus, Flourish of trumpets, de. Enter MUTIUS and Martius: Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword. [The tomb is opened. There greet in silence, as the dead are wont, How many sons of mine hast thou in store, Luc. Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths, Tit. I give him you; the noblest that survives, The eldest son of this distressed queen. Tam. Stay, Roman brethren!-Gracious conqueror, 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, Tit. Patient yourself, Madam, and pardon me. To this your son is mark'd, and die he must, [Exeunt LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and MUTIUS, Tam. O cruel, irreligious piety! Chi. Was ever Scythia half so barbarous? Dem. Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Rome. To tremble under Titus' threatening look. Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent, Re-enter LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and MUTIUS, with their swords bloody. Luc. See, lord and father, how we have perform'd Our Roman rites: Alarbus' limbs are lopp'd, And entrails feed the sacrificing fire, Whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky. Remaineth naught but to inter our brethren, And with loud 'larums welcome them to Rome. Tit. Let it be so; and let Andronicus Make this his latest farewell to their souls. [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, Secure from worldly chances and mishaps! Here lurks no treason, here no envy swells, Here grow no damned grudges; here are no storms, No noise, but silence and eternal sleep: Enter LAVINIA. In peace and honour rest you here, my sons. Lar. In peace and honour live lord Titus long; I render, for my brethren's obsequies; Mar. Long live lord Titus, my beloved brother, Tit. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Marcus. That in your country's service drew your swords: Tit. A better head her glorious body fits, Than his that shakes for age and feebleness. What should I don this robe, and trouble you? Be chosen with proclamations to-day; To-morrow yield up rule, resign my life, And set abroad new business for you all? Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years, And buried one-and-twenty valiant sons, Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms, In right and service of their noble country: Give me a staff of honour for mine age, But not a sceptre to control the world: Upright he held it, lords, that held it last. Mar. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery Sat. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou tell?Tit. Patience, prince Saturnine. Sat. Romans, do me right; Patricians, draw your swords, and sheathe them not Andronicus, would thou wert shipp'd to hell, Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good That noble-minded Titus means to thee! Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee The people's hearts, and wean them from themselves. Bas. 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. Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes here, I ask your voices and your suffrages; Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus? Tit. Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I make, Crown him, and say,-"Long live our emperor !" Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts, Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart, Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee? I hold me highly honour'd of your grace; Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life! Tit. [To TAMORA.] Now, Madam, are you prisoner to an emperor: To him that, for your honour and your state, Sat. A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue Rest on my word, and let not discontent Lav. Not I, my lord; sith true nobility Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia.-Romans, let us go: Ransomless here we set our prisoners free: Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum. Bas. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine. [Seizing LAVINIA. Tit. How, Sir? Are you in earnest, then, my lord? Bas. Ay, noble Titus; and resolved withal, To do myself this reason and this right. [The Emperor courts TAMORA in dumb show. Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman justice: This prince in justice seizeth but his own. Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live. Tit. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the emperor's guard? Treason, my lord; Lavinia is surprised. Sat. Surprised! By whom? Bas. By him that justly may Bear his betroth'd from all the world away. [Exeunt MARCUS and BASSIANUS, with LAVINIA. Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence away, And with my sword I'll keep this door safe. [Exeunt LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and Martius. Tit. Follow, my lord, and I'll soon bring her back. Mut. My lord, you pass not here. Tit. What, villain boy! Barr'st me my way in Rome? Mut. Help, Lucius, help! Re-enter LUCIUS. [Stabs MUTIUS. [Dies. Quin. He that would vouch 't in any place but here. To pardon Mutius, and to bury him. Tit. 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. Mart. He is not with himself; let us withdraw. [MARCUS and the sons of TITUS kneel. Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy, Be barr'd his entrance here. Sat. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not, Was there none else in Rome to make a stale of, [Exit. Tit. O monstrous! what reproachful words are these! Sat. But go thy ways; go, give that changing piece To him that flourish'd for her with his sword: A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy; One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons, To rule in the commonwealth of Rome. Tit. These words are razors to my wounded heart. Sat. 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 Hymeneus stands, I will not re-salute the streets of Rome, Or climb my palace, till from forth this place lead espoused my bride along with me. Tam. 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. Sat. 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 cónsummate our spousal rites. [Exeunt SATURNINUS and his followers; TAMORA and her sons; AARON and Goths. Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride :Titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone, Dishonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs? Re-enter MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS. Mar. O Titus, see, O, see what thou hast done! In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son. Tit. No, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine,- Luc. But let us give him burial, as becomes; Tit. Traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb Tit. Rise, Marcus, rise: The dismall'st day is this that e'er I saw,— [MUTIUS is put into the tomb. Luc. There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb- [friends, All. No man shed tears for noble Mutius; He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause. Mar. 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? Tit. 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? Mar. Yes, and will nobly him remunerate. [Flourish. Re-enter, at one side, SATURNINUS, attended; TAMORA, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, and AARON at the other, BASSIANUS, LAVIXIA, and others. Sat. So, Bassianus, you have play'd your prize; God give you joy, Sir, of your gallant bride. Bas. And you of yours, my lord: I say no more, Nor wish no less; and so I take my leave. Sat. Traitor, if Rome have law, or we have power, But let the laws of Rome determine all; Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best I may, With his own hand did slay his youngest son, Tam. My worthy lord, if ever Tamora Tam. Not so, my lord; the gods of Rome forefend I should be author to dishonour you! But, on mine honour, dare I undertake Enter CHIRON and DEMETRIUS, braving. Dem. Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge And manners, to intrude where I am graced; And may, for aught thou know'st, affected be. Whose fury, not dissembled, speaks his griefs: Sat. Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath prevail'd. Tit. I thank your majesty, and her, my lord; These words, these looks, infuse new life in me. Tam. Titus, I am incorporate in Rome, A Roman now adopted happily, Luc. We do; and vow to heaven, and to his highness, Mar. That, on mine honour, here I do protest. I do remit these young men's heinous faults. Lavinia, though you left me like a churl, I found a friend; and sure as death I swore, Tit. To-morrow, an it please your majesty With horn and hound we'll give your grace bonjour. Sat Be it so, Titus, and gramercy too. ACT II. SCENE I.-ROME. Before the Palace. Aar. Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top, [Exeunt. Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait, To wait, said I? to wanton with this queen, Chi. Demetrius, thou dost overween in all; And so in this, to bear me down with braves. 'Tis not the difference of a year or two Makes me less gracious, thee more fortunate: I am as able and as fit as thou To serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace; And that my sword upon thee shall approve, And plead my passions for Lavinia's love. [peace Aar. Clubs, clubs! these lovers will not keep the Dem. Why, boy, although our mother, unadvised, Gave you a dancing-rapier by your side, Are you so desperate grown to threat your friends? Chi. Meanwhile, Sir, with the little skill I have, (They draw So near the emperor's palace dare you draw, Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge; I would not for a million of gold, The cause were known to them it most concerns: Nor would your noble mother for much more Be so dishonour'd in the court of Rome. Dem. Not I; till I have sheath'd My rapier in his bosom, and withal Thrust those reproachful speeches down his throat, That he hath breathed in my dishonour here. Chi. For that I am prepared and full resolved, -Foul-spoken coward! that thunder'st with thy tongue And with thy weapon nothing dar'st perform. Aar. Away, I say. Now, by the gods that warlike Goths adore, This petty brabble will undo us all. Why, lords, and think you not how dangerous What, is Lavinia then become so loose, Or Bassianus so degenerate, That for her love such quarrels may be broach'd, I love Lavinia more than all the world. Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner Lavinia is thine elder brother's hope. [choice: Aar. Why, are ye mad? or know ye not, in Rome How furious and impatient they be, And cannot brook competitors in love? I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths Chi. Aaron, a thousand deaths Would I propose, to achieve her whom I love. Dem. Why makest thou it so strange? Aar. [Aside.] Ay, and as good as Saturninus may. Dem. Then why should he despair, that knows to With words, fair looks, and liberality? What, hast thou not full often struck a doe, [court it |