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 220 And gratulate his safe return to Rome, Tit. Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I make, 230 [Along Flourish, till they come down. Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done To us in our election this day, I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts, Thy Thy name, and honourable family, Lavinia will I make my emperess, Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart, 240 Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee? Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life! 250 Tit. Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor; 260 [To TAMORA. To him, that for your honour and your state, Will use you nobly, and your followers. Sat. 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 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 displeas'd with this? Lav. Not I, my lord; sith true nobility Warrants these words in princely courtesy. 271 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 resolv'd withal, To do myself this reason and this right. 280 [The Emperor courts TAMORA in dumb shew. 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 surpris'd. Sat. Surpris'd! By whom? Bas. By him that justly may Bear his betroth'd from all the world away. [Exit BASSIANUS with LAVINIA. Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence away, And with my sword I'll keep this door safe. 290 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! [TITUS kills MUT, Luc. My lord, you are unjust, and more than so; In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son. Tit. Not thou, nor he, are any sons of mine; My sons would never so dishonour me : Traitor, restore Lavinia to the emperor. Luc. Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife, That is another's lawful promis'd love. 300 Sat. No, Titus, no; the emperor needs her not, Was there none else in Rome to make a stale of, Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine, 310 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 ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome. Tit. These words are razors to my wounded heart. Sat, Sat. And therefore, lovely Tamora, queen of Goths, That, like the stately Phoebe 'mong her nymphs, 319 Speak, queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice? And here I swear by all the Romans Gods,→ Sith priest and holy water are so near, And tapers burn so bright, and every thing I will not re-salute the streets of Rome, 330 Or climb my palace, 'till from forth this place 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, ac company Your noble emperor, and his lovely bride, Sent by the heavens for prince Saturnine, 340 [Exeunt. Manet |