All Consp. Let him die for't. 120 "Do it present All the people. "Tear him to pieces." ly." 'He killed my son." "My daughter." "He killed my cousin Marcus." "He killed my father." Sec. Lord. Peace, ho! no outrage: peace! This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us Cor. Auf Insolent villain! All Consp. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him! 130 [The Conspirators draw, and kill Coriolanus: Aufidius stands on his body. Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold! Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak. O Tullus, Sec. Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. Third Lord. Tread not upon him. Masters all, be quiet; Put up your swords. Auf My lords, when you shall know-as in this rage, Provoked by him, you cannot-the great danger Which this inan's life did owe you, you'll rejoice That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours To call me to your senate, I'll deliver Myself your loyal servant, or endure Your heaviest censure. First Lord. Bear from hence his body; And mourn you for him: let him be regarded Did follow to his urn. Sec. Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Auf. 140 150 A [Exeunt, bearing the body of Coriolanus. dead march sounded. TITUS ANDRONICUS. DRAMATIS PERSONE. SATURNINUS, son to the late Em- LUCIUS, A Captain, Tribune, Messenger, and Clown; Romans. QUINTUS, sons to Titus Andro- Goths and Romans. PUBLIUS, Son to Marcus the Tri- Senators, Tribunes, Officers, Sol bune. diers, and Attendants. SCENE: Rome and the country near it. ACT I. SCENE I. Rome. Before the Capitol. The Tomb of the ANDRONICI appearing; the Tribunes and Senators aloft. Enter, below, from one side, SATURNINUS and his Followers; and, from the other side, BASSIANUS and his Followers; with drum and colours. Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right, Bas. Romans, friends, followers, favourers of my right, If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice. Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the crown. Marc. Princes, that strive by factions and by friends Ambitiously for rule and empery, 10 Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand 20 A special party, have, by common voice, Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius For many good and great deserts to Rome: Lives not this day within the city walls: From weary wars against the barbarous Goths; Hath yoked a nation strong, train'd up in arms. And now at last, laden with honour's spoils, 30 Whom worthily you would have now succeed, 40 And in the Capitol and senate's right, Whom you pretend to honour and adore, That you withdraw you and abate your strength; Dismiss your followers and, as suitors should, Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness. Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts! Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy In thy uprightness and integrity, And so I love and honour thee and thine, Thy noble brother Titus and his sons, And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all, That I will here dismiss my loving friends, 50 And to my fortunes and the people's favour [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 Open the gates, and let me in. Bas. Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor. 60 [Flourish. Saturninus and Bassianus go up into the Enter a Captain. Cap. Romans, make way: the good Andronicus, Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion, Successful in the battles that he fights, With honour and with fortune is return'd Capitol. Drums and trumpets sounded. Enter MARTIUS and MUTIUS; after them, two Men bearing a coffin covered with black; then Lucius and QUINTUS. After them, TITUS ANDRONICUS; and then TAMORA, with ALARBUS, DEMETRIUS, CHIRON, AARON, and other Goths, prisoners; Soldiers and People following. The Bearers set down the coffin, and TITUS speaks. Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds! 70 From whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage, With burial amongst their ancestors: Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword. 80 Why suffer'st thou thy sons, unburied yet, [The tomb is opened. There greet in silence, as the dead are wont, Sweet cell of virtue and nobility, 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, Tam. Stay, Roman brethren! Gracious conqueror, A mother's tears in passion for her son: But must my sons be slaughter'd in the streets, Tit. Patient yourself, madam, and pardon me. To this your son is mark'd, and die he must, 90 100 110 120 [Exeunt Lucius, Quintus, Martius, and Mutius, with Tam. O cruel, irreligious piety! Alarbus. 180 |