Titus Andronicus | Page 6

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 displeas'd 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. SATURNINUS courts TAMORA in dumb show.]
BASSIANUS. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine.
[Seizing LAVINIA.]
TITUS. How, sir! are you in earnest then, my lord?
BASSIANUS. Ay, noble Titus; and resolv'd 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?-- Treason, my
lord,--Lavinia is surpris'd!
SATURNINUS. Surpris'd! by whom?
BASSIANUS. By him that justly may Bear his betroth'd from all the
world away.
[Exeunt BASSIANUS and MARCUS with LAVINIA.]
MUTIUS. Brothers, help to convey her hence away, And with my
sword I'll keep this door safe.
[Exeunt LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTIUS.]
TITUS. Follow, my lord, and I'll soon bring her back.
MUTIUS. My lord, you pass not here.
TITUS. What, villain boy! Barr'st me my way in Rome?
[Stabbing MUTIUS.]
MUTIUS. Help, Lucius, help!
[Dies.]
[Re-enter Lucius.]
LUCIUS. 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 promis'd love.
[Exit.]
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 there none else in Rome to make a stale But
Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus, Agree these deeds with that proud
brag of thine That said'st I begg'd 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 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.
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 pleas'd 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 espous'd 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