I have collated it with the tragedy as it ftands in the edition of Shakspeare, 1793: and the following remarks, and various readings, are here affigned to their proper places. TODD.

The ingenious and accurate Mr. Todd has moft obligingly collated this tragedy (4°. 1600) with that in 8vo. 1793. Moft of his collations &c. will be found at the bottom of the following pages. STEEVENS.

:

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

Saturninus, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, and afterwards declared Emperor himself. Baffianus, Brother to Saturninus; in love with La

vinia.

Titus Andronicus, a noble Roman, General against the Goths.

Marcus Andronicus, Tribune of the People; and Brother to Titus.

Lucius,

Quintus,

Sons to Titus Andronicus.

Martius,

Mutius,

Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius.
Publius, Son to Marcus the Tribune.
Æmilius, a noble Roman.

Aaron, a Moor, beloved by Tamora.

A Captain, Tribune, Meffenger, and Clown; Romans: Goths and Romans.

Tamora, Queen of the Goths.

Lavinia, Daughter to Titus Andronicus.

A Nurfe, and a black Child.

Kinfmen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants.

SCENE, Rome; and the Country near it.

TITUS ANDRONICUS.

ACT I. SCENE I.

Rome. Before the Capitol.

The Tomb of the Andronici appearing; the Tribunes and Senators aloft, as in the Senate. Enter, below, SATURNINUS and his Followers, on one fide; and BASSIANUS and his Followers, on the other; with Drum and Colours.

SAT. Noble patricians, patrons of my right, Defend the juftice of my cause with arms; And, countrymen, my loving followers, Plead my fucceffive title' with your fwords: I am his first-born fon, that was the last That ware the imperial diadem of Rome; Then let my father's honours live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. BAS. Romans,-friends, followers, favourers of my right,

If ever Baffianus, Cæfar's fon,

Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,

I

·my fucceffive title-] i. e. my title to the fucceffion. MALONE.

Thus alfo Raleigh: "The empire being elective, and not fucceffive, the emperors, in being, made profit of their own times."

Keep then this paffage to the Capitol ;
And fuffer not dishonour to approach
The imperial feat, to virtue confecrate,
To juftice, continence, and nobility:
But let defert in pure election fhine;

And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.

Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the Crown.

MAR. Princes that ftrive by factions, and by friends,

Ambitiously for rule and

empery,

Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we

ftand

A fpecial party, have, by common voice,
In election for the Roman empery,
Chofen Andronicus, furnamed Pius

For many good and great deferts to Rome;
A nobler man, a braver warrior,
Lives not this day within the city walls:
He by the fenate is accited home,

From weary wars against the barbarous Goths:
That, with his fons, a terror to our foes,
Hath yok'd a nation strong, train'd up in arms.
Ten years are spent, fince firft he undertook
This cause of Rome, and chaftifed with arms
Our enemies' pride: Five times he hath return'd
Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant fons
In coffins from the field;

And now at laft, laden with honour's spoils,
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
Let us entreat,-By honour of his name,
Whom, worthily, you would have now fucceed,

And in the Capitol and fenate's right,
Whom you pretend to honour and adore,-
That you withdraw you, and abate
your strength;
Difmifs your followers, and, as fuitors fhould,
Plead your deferts in peace and humbleness.

SAT. How fair the tribune fpeaks to calm my thoughts!

BAS. Marcus Andronicus, fo I do affy
In thy uprightness and integrity,

And fo I love and honour thee and thine,
Thy nobler brother Titus, and his fons,

And her, to whom my thoughts are humbled all,
Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament,
That I will here difmifs my loving friends;
And to my fortunes, and the people's favour,
Commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.

Exeunt the Followers of BASSIANUS. 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 myself, my perfon, and the cause.

[Exeunt the Followers of SATURNINUS.

Rome, be as juft and gracious unto me,
As I am confident and kind to thee.-

Open the gates, and let me in.

BAS. Tribunes! and me, a poor competitor.
[SAT. and BAs. go into the Capitol, and exeunt
with Senators, MARCUS, &c.