Page 2119 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 2119
T IT US
Tribunes, I thank you, and this suit I make,
That you create our emperor’s eldest son,
Lord Saturnine; whose virtues will, I hope,
Reflect on Rome as Titan’s rays on earth,
And ripen justice in this commonweal:
Then if you will elect by my advice,
Crown him, and say, ‘Long live our emperor!’
MARCUS
With voices and applause of every sort, [230]
Patricians and plebeians, we create
Lord Saturninus Rome’s great emperor,
And say ‘Long live our Emperor Saturnine’
A long flourish till they come down.
SAT URNINUS
Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done
To us in our election this day,
I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts,
And will with deeds requite thy gentleness.
And for an onset, Titus, to advance
Thy name and honourable family,
Lavinia will I make my empress, [240]
Rome’s royal mistress, mistress of my heart,
And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse.
Tell me, Andronicus doth this motion please thee?
T IT US
It doth, my worthy lord, and in this match
I hold me highly honoured of your grace,
And here in sight of Rome to Saturnine,
King and commander of our commonweal,
The wide world’s emperor, do I consecrate
My sword, my chariot, and my prisoners,
Presents well worthy Rome’s imperious lord, [250]
Receive them then, the tribute that I owe,
Mine honour’s ensigns humbled at thy feet.
SAT URNINUS
