Gui.

I have spoke it, and I did it. Excited me to treason : Their dear loss,
Cym. He was a prince.

The more of you 'twas felt, the more it shap'd
Gui. A most uncivil one: The wrongs be did me Unto my end of stealing them. But, gracious sir,
Were nothing prince-like; for he did provoke me Here are your sons again; and I must lose
With language that would make me spurn the sea, Two of the sweet’st companions in the world :-
If it could so roar to me: I cut off's head;

The benediction of these covering heavens
And am right glad, he is not standing here

Fall on their heads like dew! for they are worthy
To tell this tale of mine.

To inlay heaven with stars.
Cym.
I am sorry for thee. Cym.

Thou weep'st, and speak’st.
By thine own tongue thou art condemn’d, and must The service, that you three have done, is more
Endure our law: Thou art dead.

Unlike than this thou tell’st: I lost my children,
Imo.

That headless man If these be they, I know not how to wish
I thought had been my lord.

A pair of worthier sons.
Сут.
Bind the offender, Bel.

Be pleas'd awhilc.-
And take him from our presence.

This gentleman, whom I call Polydore,
Bel.

Stay, sir king: Most worthy prince, as yours, is true Guiderius
This man is better than the man he slew, .

This gentleman, my Cadwal, Arvirágus,
As well descended as thyself; and hath

Your younger princely son; he, sir, was lapp'!
More of thee merited, than a band of Clotens In a most curious mantle, wrought by the hands
Had ever scar for.—Let his arms alone;

Of his queen mother, which, for more probation

[ To the guard. I can with ease produce. They were not born for bondage.

Cym.

Guiderius had
'yon.

Why, old soldier, Upon his neck a mole, a sanguine star ;
Wili thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for, It was a mark of wonder.
By lasting of our wrath ? How of descent

Bel.

This is he;
As good as we?

Who hath upon him still that natural stailp
Aru.
In that he spake too far.

It was wise nature's end in the donation,
Cym. And thou shalt die fort.

To be his evidence now.
Bel.
We will die all three : Cym.

O, what am I
But I will prove, that two of us are as good A mother to the birth of three? Ne'er mother
As I have given out him.-My sons, I must, Rejoic'd deliverance more :-Bless'd may you be,
For mine own part, unfold a dangerous speech, That, after this strange starting from your orbs,
Though, haply, well for you.

You may reign in them now!- Imogen,
Arv.

Your danger is Thou hast lost by this a kingdom.
Ours.

Imo.

No, my lord;
Gui. And our good his.

I have got two worlds by't.-O my gentle brothers
Bel.

Have at it then.- Have we thus met? O never say hereafter,
Sy leave ;-Thou had’st, great king, a subject, who But I am truest speaker: you call’d me brother,
Was call'd Belarius.

When I was but your sister; I you brothers,
Cym.
What of him? he is

When you were so indeed.
A banish'd traitor.

Cym.

e'er meet?
Bel.
He it is, that hath

Arv. Ay, my good lord.
Assum'd this age; indeed, a banish'd man;

Gui.

And at first meeting lov'd,
I know not how, a traitor.

Continued so, until we thought he died.
Cym.

Take him hence; Cor. By the queen's dram she swallow'd.
The whole world shall not save him.

Cym.

O rare instinct Bel.

Not too hot: When shall I hear all through ? This fierce abridge. First pay me for the nursing of thy sons;

ment,
And let it be confiscate all, so soon

Hath to it circumstantial branches, which
As I have receiv'd it.

Distinction should be rich in.-Where, how liv'd you,
Сут.

Nursing of my sons ? And when came you to serve our Roman captive? Bel. I am too blunt, and saucy: Here's my knee; How parted with your brothers ? how first met them ? Ere I arise, I will prefer my sons;

Why fled you from the court ? and whither? These,
Then, spare not the old father. Mighty sir, And your three motives to the battle, with
These two young gentlemen, that call me father, I know not how much more, should be demanded,
And think they are my sons, are none of mine ; And all the other by-dependancies,
They are the issue of your loins, my liege, , From chance to chance; but nor the time, nor place,
And blood of your begetting.

Will serve our long inter'gatories. See,
Cym.

How! my issue ? Posthúmus anchors upon Imogen;.
Bel

. So sure as you your father's. I, old Morgan, And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye Am that Belarius whom you sometime banish’d: On him, her brothers, me, her master; hitting Your pleasure was my mérc offence, my punishment Each object with a joy; the counterchange Itself, and all my treason; that I suffer'd,

Is severally in all. Let's quit this ground, Was all the harm I did. These gentle princes And smoke the temple with our sacrifices.(For such, and so they are,) these twenty years Thou art my brother; So we'll hold thee ever Have I train'd up: those arts they have, as I

[To BELARIUS. Could put into them; my breeding was, sir, as Imo. You are my father too; and did relieve me, Your highness knows. Their nurse, Euriphile, To see this gracious season. Whom for the theft I wedded, stole these children Сут. .

All o'erjoy'd, Upon my banishment: I mov'd her to't;

Save these in bonds ; let them be joyful too, Having receiv'd the punishment before,

For they shall taste our comfort. For that which I did 'then: Beaten for loyalty,

Ime

My good master,

з B

Did you

I will yet do you service.

Thou, Leonatus, art the lion's whelp;
Luc.
Happy be you!

The fit and apt construction of thy name,
Cym. The forlorn soldier, that so nobly fought, Being Leo-natus, doth import so much:
He would have well becom'd this place, and grac's The piece of tender air, thy virtuous daughter,
The thankings of a king.

(To CYMBELINE Post. I am, sir,

Which we call mollis aër; and mollis aër The soldier that did company these three

We term it mulier : which mulier I divine, In poor beseeming; 'twas a fitment for

Is this most constant wife; who, even now, The purpose I then follow'd; That I was he, Answering the letter of the oracle, Speak, Iachimo: I had you down, and might Unknown to you, unsougbt, were clipp'd about Have made you finish.

With this most tender air. lach. I am down again : [Kneeling. Cym.

This hath some seeming
But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee, Sooth. The lofty cedar, royal Cymbeline,
As then your force did. Take that life, 'beseech you, Personates thee : and thy lopp'd branches point
Which I'so often owe: but, your ring first; Thy two sons forth: who, hy Belarius stolen,
And here the bracelet of the truest princess, For many years thought dead, are now reviv'd,
That ever swore her faith.

To the majestick cedar join'd; whose issue
Post
Kneel not to me;

Promises Britain peace and plenty.
The power that I have on you, is to spare you ; Сут. .

Well, The malice towards you, to forgive you : Live, My peace we will begin :-And, Caius Lucius, And deal with others better.

Although the victor, we submit to Cæsar, Сут.

Nobly doom'd; And to the Roman empire; promising We'll learn our freeness of a son-in-law:

To pay our wonted tribute, from the which Pardon's the word to all.

We were dissuaded by our wicked queen: Aru.

You holp us, sir, Whom heavens, in justice, (both on her, and hers) As you did mean indeed to be our brother ; Have laid most heavy hand. Joy'd are we, that you are.

(Rome, Sooth. The fingers of the powers above do tune Post. Your servant, princes.-Good my lord of The harmony of this peace. The vision Call forth your soothsayer: As I slept, methought, which I made known to Lucius, ere the stroke Great Jupiter, upon his eagle back,

Of this yet scarce-cold battle, at this instant Apreard to me, with other spritely shows

Is full accomplish'd : For the Roman eagle, of mine own kindred : when I wak'd, I found From south to west on wing soaring aloft, This label on my bosom; whose containing Lessen'd herself, and in the beams o' the sun Is so from sense in hardness, that I can

So vanish'd: which foreshow'd our princely eagle, Make no collection of it; let him show

The imperial Cæsar, should again unite His rkill in the construction.

His favour with the radiant Cymbeline, Luc.

Philarmonus, Which shines here in the west. Sooth. Here, my good lord.

Cym.

Land we the gods; Luc.

Read, and declare the meaning. And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils Sooth. [Reads.] When as a lion's whelp shall, to From our bless'd altars ! Publish we this peace himself unknown, without seeking find, and be em. To all our subjects. Set we forward : Let braced by a piece of tender air; and when from a A Roman and a British ensign wave stately cedar shall lopped branches, which, being Friendly together : so through Lud's town march: dead many years, shall after revive, be jointed to the And in the temple of great Jupiter old stock, and freshly grow; then shali Posthumus Our peace we'll ratify; seal it with feasts.end his miseries, Britain be fortunate, and flourish in Set on there :-Never was a war did cease, peace and plentr.

Ere bloody hands were wasn'd, with such a peace.

TITUS ANDRONIC US.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

Then let my father's honours live in me,

Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. SATURNINUS, son to the late Emperor of Rome, and Bas. Romans, friends, followers, favourers of afterwards declared Emperor himself.

my right, BASSIANUS, brother to Saturninus; in love with If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, Lavinia.

Were gracious in the eyes of royal Romo Titus ANDRONICUS, a noble Roman, general against Keep then this passage to the Capitol; the Goths.

And suffer not dishonour to approach MARCUS ANDRONICUS, tribune of the people; and The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate, brother to Titus.

To justice, continence, and nobility:
Lucius

But let desert in pure election shine;
QUINTUS,
MARTIOS,
sons to Titus Andronicus.

And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.

Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the crown. MUTIUS, Young Luctus, a boy, son to Lucius.

Mar. Princes—that strive by factions, and by PUBLIUS, son to Marcus the tribune.

friends, ÆMILIUS, a noble Roman.

Ambitiously for rule and empery, ALARBUS,

Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand CHIRON, sons to Tamora.

A special party, have, by common voice, DEMETRIUS,

In election for the Roman empery,
Aaron, a Moor, beloved by Tamora.

Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius,
A Captain, Tribune, Messenger, and Clown ; Romans. For many good and great deserts to Rome;
Goths and Romans.

A nobler man, a braver warrior,

Lives not this day within the city walls : TAMORA, Queen of the Goths.

He by the senate is accited home, LAVINIA, daughter to Titus Andronicus.

From weary wars against the barbarous Goths; A Nurse, and a black Child.

That, with his sons, a terror to our foes,

Hath yok'd a nation strong, train’d up in arms. Kinsmen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, Officers,

Ten years are spent, since first he undertook
Soldiers, and Attendants.

This cause of Rome, and chastised with arms

Our enemies' pride : Five times he hath retu
SCENE,-ROME; and the Country near it.

Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
In coffins from the field;
And now at last, laden with honour's spoils,
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.

Let us entreat.-By honour of his name,
ACT I.

Whom, worthily, you would have now succeed,
And in the Capitol and senate's right,

Whom you pretend to honour and adore,
SCENE I.--Rome. Before the Capitol.

That you withdraw you, and abate your strength; The tomb of the Andronici appearing; the Tribunes Dismiss your followers, and, as suitors should,

Plead and Senators aloft, as in the Senate, Enter, below,

your deserts in peace and humbleness.

Sat.' How fair the tribune speaks to calm my SATURNINUS and his Followers, on one side; and

thoughts! BASSIANUS and his Followers, on the other; with drum and colours.

Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy

In thy uprightness and integrity,
Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right, And so I love and honour thee and thine,
Defend the justice of my cause with arms; Thy nobler brother Titus, and his sons,
And, countrymen, my loving followers,

And her, to whom my thoughts are humbled all,
Plead my successive title with your swords : Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament,
I am his first-born son, that was the last

That I will here dismiss my loving friends; That ware ene imperial diadem of Rome;

And to my fortunes, and the people's favour,

.

Commit my cause in Lalance to be weigh’d. And, if thy sons were ever dear to thee,

(Ereunt the Followers of BASSIANUS. O, think my son to be as dear to me.
Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my Sufficeth not, that we are brought to Rome,
right,

To beautify thy triumphs, and return,
I thank you all, and here dismiss you all; Captive to thee, and to thy Roman yoke;
And to the love and favour of my country

But must my sons be slaughter'd in the streets,
Commit myself, my person, and the cause. For valiant doings in their country's cause ?

[Eceuni the Followers of SATURNINUS. O! if to fight for king and common weal Rome, be as just and gracious unto me,

Were piety in thine, it is in these. As I am confident and kind to thee.

Andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood : Open the gates and let me in.

Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods?
Bas. Tribunes ! ano me, a poor competitor. Draw near them then in bei ag merciful:
(Sat. and Bas. go into the Capitol, and exeunt Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge;
with Senators, MARCUS, &c.

Thrice-noble Titus, spare my first-born son.
Tit. Patient yourself

, madam, and pardon me. SCENE II.-The same.

These are their

brethren, whom you Goths behe!d

Alive, and dead; and for their brethren slain, Enter a Captain and others.

Religiously they ask a sacrifice : Cap. Romans, make way; the good Andronicus, To this your son is mark’d; and die he must, Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion,

To appease their groaning shadows that are gone, Successful in the battles that he fights,

Luc. Away with him ; and make a fire straight With honour and with fortune is return'd,

And with our swords, upon a pile of wood, From where he circumscribed with his sword, Let's hew his limbs, till they be clean consum'd. And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome.

(Exeunt Lucius, Quintus, MARTIUS, and

Mutius, with ALARBUS. Flourish of trumpets, &c. Enter Mutius and Mar

Tam. O cruel, irreligious piety! Tius: after them, two men bearing a coffin covered

Chi. Was ever Scythia half so barbarous ? with black; then Quintus and Lucius. After them, Titus Andronicus; and then Tamora, Alarbus goes to rest; and we survive

Dem. Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Rome. with 'ALARBUS, Chiron, Demetrius, Aaron, and To tremble under Titus' threatening look. other Goths, prisoners ; Soldiers and people fol. Then, madam, stand resolv’d; but hope withal, lowing. The bearers set down the coffin, and Titus The self-same gods, that arm'd the queen of Troy speaks.

With opportunity of sharp revenge Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent, weeds!

May favour Tamora, the queen of Goths, Lo, as the bark, that hath discharg'd her fraught,

(When Goths were Goths, and Tamora was queen,, Returns with precious lading to the bay,

To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes. From whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage, Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs, Re-enter Lucius, Quintus, Martius, and Morics, To re-salute his country with his tears;

with their swords bloody Tears of true joy for his return to Rome Thou great defender of this Capitol,

Luc. See, lord and father, how we have performid Stand gracious to the rites that we intend !-

Our Roman rites : Alarbus' limbs are lopp'd, Romans, of five and twenty valiant sons,

And entrails feed the sacrificing fire, Half of the number that king Priam had,

Whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky. Behold the poor remains, alive, and dead!

Remaineth nought, but to inter our brethren,

And with loud ’larums welcome them to Rome. These, that survive, let Rome reward with love; These, that I bring unto their latest home,

Tit. Let it be so, and let Andronicus

Make this his latest farewell to their souls.
With burial amongst their ancestors :
Here Goths have given me leave

to sheath my sword. In peace and honour rest you here, my sons ;

[Trumpets sounded, and the coffin laid in the tomb. Titus, unkind, and careless of thine own,

Rome's readiest champions, repose you here,
Why suffer’st thou thy sons, unburied yet,
To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx ! -

Secure from worldly chances and mishaps !
Make way to lay them by their brethren.

Here lurks no treason, here no envy swells,

Here
[The tomb is opened. No noise, but silence and eternal sleep:

grow no damned grudges; here are no storms,
There greet in silence, as the dead are wont,
And sleep in peace, slain in your country's wars !
O sacred receptacle of my joys,

Enter LAVINIA Sweet cell of virtue and nobility,

In peace and honour rest you here, my sons ! How many sons of mine hast thou in store,

Lav. In peace and honour live lord Titus long; That thou wilt never render to me more ?

My noble lord and father, live in fame! Luc. Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths, Lo! at this tomb my tributary tears That we may hew his limbs, and, on a pile, I render, for my brethren's obsequies; Ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesh,

And at thy feet I kneel, with tears of joy Before this earthly prison of their bones;

Shed on the earth, for thy return to Rome. That so the shadows be not unappeas'd,

0, bless me here with thy victorious hand, Nor we disturb'd with prodigies on earth.

Whose fortunes Rome's best citizens applaud. Tit. I give him you; the noblest that survives, Tit. Kind Rome, that hast thus lovingly reserv'd The eldest son of this distressed queen. [queror, The cordial of mine age to glad my heart

Tam. Stay, Roman brethren ;-Gracious con- Lavinia, live; outlive thy father's days, Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed,

Apd fame's eternal date, for virtve's praise ! A mother's tars in passion for her son :

Io us in our election this day,
Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, SATURNINUS, I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts,
BASSIANUS, and others.

And will with deeds requite thy gentleness :
Mar. Long live lord Titus, my beloved brother,

And, for an onset, Titus, to advance
Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome!

Thy name, and honourable family,
Tit. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Marcus Lavinia will I make my einperess,
Mar. And welcome, nephews, from successful Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart,

And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse :
wars,
You that survive, and you that sleep in fame.

Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee? Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all,

Tit. It doth, my worthy lord; and, in this match, That in your country's service drew your swords :

I hold me highly honour'd of your grace: But safer triumph is this funeral pomp,

And here, in sight of Rome, to Saturnine,That hath aspird to Solon's happiness,

King and commander of our common-weal, And triumphs over chance, in honour's bed. - The wide world's emperor, - do I consecrate Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome,

My sword, my chariot, and my prisoners ; Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been,

Presents well worthy Kome's imperial lord : Send thee by me, their tribune, and their trust,

Receive them then, the tribute that I owe, This palliament of white and spotless hue ;

Mine honour's ensigns humbled at thy feet. And name thee in election for the empire,

Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life! With these our late deceased emperor's sons.

How proud I am of thee, and of thy gifts, Be candidatus then, and put it on,

Rome shall record; and, when I do forget And help to set a head on headless Rome.

The least of these unspeakable deserts, Tit. Å better head her glorious body fits,

Romans forget your fealty to me Than his, that shakes for age and feebleness : Tit. Now, madam, are you prisoner to an em. What! should I don this robe, and trouble you?

peror;

[To Tamora. Be chosen with proclamations to-day;

To him, that for your honour and your state, To-morrow, yield up rule, resign my life,

Will use you nobly, and your followers. And set abroad new business for you all ?

Sat. A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years,

That I would choose, were I to choose anew.And buried one and twenty valiant sons,

Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance ; Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms,

Though chance of war hath wrought this change of In right and service of their noble country:

cheer, Give me a staff of honour for mine age,

Thou com’st not to be made a scorn in Rome : But not a sceptre to control the world :

Princely shall be thy usage every way. Upright he held it, lords, that held it last.

Rest on my word, and let not discontent Mar. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery. Daunt all your hopes; Madam, he comforts you, Sai. Proud and ambitious tribune, can’st thou can make you greater then the queen of Goths. tell ?

Lavinia, you are not displeas'd with this ? Tit. Patience, prince Saturnine.

Lav. Not I, my lord ; sith true nobility Sat.

Romans, do me right;- Warrants these words in princely courtesy. Patricians, draw your swords, and sheath them not Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia. - Romans, let us go: Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor :

Ransomeless here we set our prisoners free: Andronicus, 'would thou wert shipp'd to hell, Proclaim our honours, lords, with truinp and drum. Rather than rob me of the people's hearts.

Bas. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine, Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good

(Seizing LAVINIA. That noble-minded Titus means to thee !

Tit. How, sir ? Are you in earnest then, my lord ? Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee Bas. Ay, noble Titus; and resolv'd withal, The people's hearts, and wean them from themselves. To do myself this reason and this right. Bas. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee

[The Emperor courts Tamora in dumb show. But honour thee, and will do till I die ;

Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman justice :
My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends, This prince in justice seizeth but bis own.
I will most thankful be: and thanks, to men

Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live. Of noble minds, is honourable meed.

Tit. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the emperor's Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes here,

guard ? I ask your voices, and your suffrages;

Treason, my lord; Lavinia is surpriz’d.
Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus ? Sat. Surpriz'd! By whom ?
Trib. To gratify the good Andronicus,

Bas.

By him that justly may And gratulate his safe return to Rome,

Bear his betroth'd from all the world away. The people will accept whom he admits.

(Ereunt MARCUS and BASS: ANUS, with LAVINIA, Tit. Tribunes, I thank you : and this suit I make, Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence away, That you create your emperor's eldest son,

And with my sword I'll keep this door safe. Lord Saturnine; whose virtues will, I hope,

[Exeunt LuciuS, QUINTUS, and Martius. Reflect on Rome, as Titan's rays on earth,

Tit. Follow, my lord, and I'll soon bring her back. And ripen justice in this commou-weal :

Mut. My lord, you pass not here. Then if you will elect by my advice,

Tit.

What, villain boy! Crown him, and say,-Long live our emperor ! Barr'st me my way in Rome? (Titus kills MUTIUS. Mar. With voices and applause of every sort,

Mut.

Help, Lucius, help! Patricians, and Plebeians, we create

Re-enter Lucius. Lord Saturninus, Rome's great emperor ; dad say,--Long live our emperor Saturnine !

Luc. My lord, you are unjust; and, more than so,

(A long flourish. In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son. Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done Tit. Nor thou, nor he, are any sous of mine :