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

The ingenious and accurate Mr. Todd has most 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

Marcus Andronicus, Tribune of the People; and

the Goths.

Brother to Titus.

Lucius,

Quintus,

Martius,

Sons to Titus Andronicus.

Mutius,

Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius.

Publius, Son to Marcus the Tribune.

Æmilius, a noble Roman.

Alarbus,

Chiron,

Demetrius,

}

Sons to Tamora.

Aaron, a Moor, beloved by Tamora.

A Captain, Tribune, Mefssenger, and Clown; Romans.

Goths and Romans.

Tamora, Queen of the Goths.

Lavinia, Daughter to Titus Andronicus.

A Nurse, and a black Child.

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

SCENE, Rome, and the Country near it.

TITUS ANDRONICUS.

1

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 justice of my cause with arms;
And, countrymen, my loving followers,
Plead my successive title with your swords:
I am his first-born son, 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 son,
Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,

-my successive title-] i. e. my title to the fucceffion.

MALONE.

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

Keep then this paffage to the Capitol;
And fuffer not dishonour to approach
The imperial feat, to virtue confecrate,
To justice, continence, and nobility :
But let defert in pure election shine;
And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.

Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the Crown.

MAR. Princes that strive by factions, and by

friends,

Ambitioufly for rule and empery,

Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we

stand

A special party, have, by common voice,

In election for the Roman empery,
Chofen Andronicus, surnamed Pius
For many good and great deserts to Rome;
A nobler man, a braver warrior,
Lives not this day within the city walls:
He by the senate 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, since first he undertook
This cause of Rome, and chastised 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 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,
Whom, worthily, you would have now succeed,

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

SAT. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my

thoughts!

Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy In thy uprightness and integrity, And so 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 dismiss 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 dismiss you all;
And to the love and favour of my country
Commit myself, my person, and the caufe.

[Exeunt the Followers of SATURNINUS.

Rome, be as just 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.