TITUS ANDRONICUS. A C T I. SCENE, before the Capitol in ROME. Enter the Tribunes and Senators aloft, as in the Senate. Enter Saturninus and his followers, at one door; and Baffianus and his followers, at the other, with Drum and Colours. N SATURNINUS. COBLE Patricians, Patrons of my Right, Defend the juftice of my Caufe with arms: And Countrymen, my loving followers, Plead my fucceffive title with your fwords. I am the first-born Son of him, that laft Wore the imperial Diadem of Rome: Then let my father's honours live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. Baf. Romans, friends, foll'wers, favourers of my Right, If ever Baffianus, Cafar's fon, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, And, 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 ftand Chofen Andronicus, fur-named Pius, From weary wars against the barb'rous Goths; Hath yoak'd a nation strong, train'd up in arms. And now at laft, laden with Honour's Spoils, Whom you pretend to honour and adore, That you withdraw you, and abate your strength; Plead your deferts in peace and humbleness. Sat. How fair the Tribune fpeaks, to calm my thoughts! Baf. Marcus Andronicus, fo I do affie In thy uprightness and integrity, And fo I love and honour thee and thine; Thy noble brother Titus, and his fons, And her, to whom our thoughts are humbled all, And And to my fortunes, and the people's favour, my Cause in ballance to be weigh'd. Commit [Exeunt Soldiers. Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my Right, I thank you all, and here difmifs you all; And to the love and favour of my country Commit my self, my perfon and the Caufe: Rome, be as juft and gracious unto me, As I am confident and kind to thee. Open the gates, and let me in. Baf. Tribunes, and Me, a poor Competitor. [They go up into the Senate-house. Enter a Captain. Cap. Romans, make way: the good Andronicus, With honour and with fortune is return'd, : Sound Drums and Trumpets, and then enter Mutius and Marcus after them, two men bearing a coffin cover'd with black; then Quintus and Lucius. After them, Titus Andronicus; and then Tamora, the Queen of Goths, Alarbus, Chiron, and Demetrius, with Aaron the Moor, prifoners; foldiers, and other attendants. They fet down the coffin, and Titus fpeaks. Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in my mourning weeds! (1) Lo, as the Bark, that hath discharg'd her freight, Returns, with precious lading to the bay, From whence at firft fhe weigh'd her anchorage; (1) Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning Weeds!] Mr. Warn burton and I concurr'd to suspect that the Poet wrote; in my mourning Weeds. i. e. Titus would fay ; "Thou, Rome, art victorious, tho' I am a Mourner for thofe Sons which I have lost in obtaining that "Victory." VOL. VI. I Cometh Cometh Andronicus with laurel boughs, Here Goths have given me leave to sheath my fword: [They open the Tomb. Sweet cell of virtue and nobility, How many fons of mine haft thou in store, Tit. I give him you, the nobleft that furvives: Tam. Stay, Roman brethren, gracious Conqueror, Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed, A mother's tears in paffion for her fon: (2) Sufficetb not, that we are brought to Rome, To beautify thy Triumphs, and return Το Captive To beautify thy Triumphs and Return, To this your fon is markt, and die he muft, [Exeunt Mutius, Marcus, Quintus and Lucius with Alarbus. Tam. O cruel, irreligious, piety! Chi. Was ever Scythia half fo barbarous ? To tremble under Titus' threatning looks. Captive to thee and to thy Roman Yoak] It is evident, as this Paffage has hitherto been pointed, none of the Editors_underftood the true Meaning. If Tamora and her Family return captive to Rome, they must have been before Prifoners of War to the Romans and that is more than what is hinted, or fuppos'd, any where in the Play. But the Truth is, return is not a Verb but a Substantive; and relates to Titus and not to Tamora : The Regulation I have given the Text, I dare warrant, restores the Author's Intention. : To beautify thy Triumphs and Return. I 2 The |