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. 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, 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, For many good and great deferts to Rome; From weary wars against the barbarous Goths: And now at laft, laden with honour's spoils, And in the Capitol and fenate's right, SAT. How fair the tribune fpeaks to calm my thoughts! BAS. Marcus Andronicus, fo I do affy And fo I love and honour thee and thine, And her, to whom my thoughts are humbled all, 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, Open the gates, and let me in. BAS. Tribunes! and me, a poor competitor. |