My sword, my chariot and my prisoners; Presents well worthy Rome's imperious lord: Receive them then, the tribute that I owe, Mine honor's ensigns humbled at thy feet. Sat. 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.

249

Tit. [To Tamora] Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor;

To him that, for your honor and your state,
Will use you nobly and your followers.
Sat. A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue

260

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 comest 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? 270
Lav. Not I, my lord; sith true nobility

Warrants these words in princely courtesy. Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia. Romans, let us go: Ransomless here we set our prisoners free:

Proclaim our honors, lords, with trump and drum.

[Flourish. Saturninus courts Tamora in dumb

show.

Bas. [Seizing Lavinia] Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine.

Tit. How, sir! are you in earnest then, my lord? Bas. Aye, noble Titus, and resolved withal

To do myself this reason and this right. Marc. 'Suum cuique' is our Roman justice: 280 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 Bassianus and Marcus 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.

Barr'st me my way in Rome?

Mut.

What, villain boy! 290

[Stabbing Mutius.

Help, Lucius, help! [Dies.

[During the fray, Saturninus, Tamora, Demetrius, Chiron and Aaron go out, and re-enter above.

Re-enter Lucius.

Luc. My lord, you are unjust; and, more than so, In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son. Tit. Nor thou, nor he, are any sons of mine;

XXXVII-2

17

My sons would never so dishonor me:

300

Traitor, restore Lavinia to the emperor.
Luc. Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife,
That is another's lawful promised love. [Exit.
Sat. 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 dishonor 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 begg'd the empire at thy hands. Tit. O monstrous! what reproachful words are these?

Sat. But go thy ways; go give that changing piece

309

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. 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.

320

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 every thing
In readiness for Hymenæus 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.

Tam. And here, in sight of heaven, to Rome I

swear,

If Saturnine advance the Queen of Goths, 350
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 consummate our spousal rites.
[Exeunt all but Titus.

Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride.

Titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone,
Dishonor'd thus and challenged of wrongs? 340

Re-enter Marcus, Lucius, Quintus, and Martius.
Marc. 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,

333. "Pantheon"; the Pantheon; the temple built by Agrippa in the Campus Martius, A. D. 27.—C. H. H.

338. "bid"; i. e. invited.-H. N. H.

Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed That hath dishonor'd all our family; Unworthy brother, and unworthy sons! Luc. But let us give him burial, as becomes; Give Mutius burial with our brethren.

Tit. Traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb: 349 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. Marc. My lord, this is impiety in you:

My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him;
He must be buried with his brethren.

Quin.
Mart.

And shall, or him we will accompany.

Tit. And shall! what villain was it spake that word? Quin. He that would vouch it in any place but

here.

Tit. What, would you bury him in my despite?
Marc. No, noble Titus; but entreat of thee

To pardon Mutius and to bury him.

360

Tit. Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest, And with these boys mine honor thou hast wounded:

My foes I do repute you every one;

So trouble me no more, but get you gone. Marc. He is not with himself; let us withdraw.

368. "not with himself"; this is much the same sort of phrase as he is beside himself, a genuine English idiom. A similar expression occurs in the Yorkshire Tragedy: "She'd run upon the left hand of her wit, and ne'er be her own woman again."-H. N. H.