Page 2113 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

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.
Rome, be as just and gracious unto me [60]
As I am confident and kind to thee.
Open the gates and let me in.

BASSIANUS

Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor.
They go up into the Senate-house.

Enter a Captain.

CAPT AIN

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 returned
From where he circumscribèd with his sword,
And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome.

Sound drums and trumpets, and then enter two of Titus’ sons, and then
two men bearing a coffin covered with black; then two other sons; then
Titus Andronicus; and then Tamora, the queen of Goths and her three sons
Alarbus, Chiron, and Demetrius, with Aaron the Moor, and others as many

as can be; then set down the coffin, and Titus speaks.

T IT US

Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds! [70]
Lo, as the bark that hath discharged his fraught
Returns with precious lading to the bay
From whence at first she weighed her anchorage,
Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs,
To re-salute his country with his tears,
Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.
Thou great defender of this Capitol,
Stand gracious to the rites that we intend,
Romans, of five and twenty valiant sons,
Half of the number that King Priam had, [80]
Behold the poor remains, alive and dead.