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Enter LUCIUS, MARCUS, and the GOTHS, with AARON,
Guards, and an Attendant carrying the baby.
Enter LUCIUS, MARCUS, and the GOTHS, with AARON,
Guards, and an Attendant carrying the baby.
LUCIUS
Uncle Marcus, since ’tis my father’s mind
That I repair to Rome, I am content.
LUCIUS
Uncle Marcus, since ’tis my father’s mind
That I repair to Rome, I am content.
FIRST GOTH
And ours with thine, befall what fortune will.
FIRST GOTH
And ours with thine, befall what fortune will.
LUCIUS
Good uncle, take you in this barbarous Moor,
5
This ravenous tiger, this accursèd devil.
Let him receive no sust’nance. Fetter him
Till he be brought unto the Empress’ face
For testimony of her foul proceedings.
And see the ambush of our friends be strong.
10
I fear the Emperor means no good to us.
LUCIUS
Good uncle, take you in this barbarous Moor,
This ravenous tiger, this accursèd devil.
Let him receive no sust’nance. Fetter him
Till he be brought unto the Empress’ face
For testimony of her foul proceedings.
And see the ambush of our friends be strong.
I fear the Emperor means no good to us.
AARON
Some devil whisper curses in my ear
And prompt me that my tongue may utter forth
The venomous malice of my swelling heart.
AARON
Some devil whisper curses in my ear
And prompt me that my tongue may utter forth
The venomous malice of my swelling heart.
LUCIUS
Away, inhuman dog, unhallowed slave!—
15
Sirs, help our uncle to convey him in.
LUCIUS
Away, inhuman dog, unhallowed slave!—
Sirs, help our uncle to convey him in.
Sound trumpets.
Sound trumpets.
The trumpets show the Emperor is at hand.
The trumpets show the Emperor is at hand.
Guards and AARON exit.
Guards and AARON exit.
Enter EMPEROR SATURNINUS and EMPRESS TAMORA
with AEMILIUS, Tribunes, Attendants, and others.
Enter EMPEROR SATURNINUS and EMPRESS TAMORA
with AEMILIUS, Tribunes, Attendants, and others.
SATURNINUS
What, hath the firmament more suns than one?
SATURNINUS
What, hath the firmament more suns than one?
LUCIUS
What boots it thee to call thyself a sun?
LUCIUS
What boots it thee to call thyself a sun?
MARCUS
Rome’s emperor, and nephew, break the parle.
20
These quarrels must be quietly debated.
The feast is ready which the careful Titus
Hath ordained to an honorable end,
For peace, for love, for league and good to Rome.
Please you therefore draw nigh and take your places.
MARCUS
Rome’s emperor, and nephew, break the parle.
These quarrels must be quietly debated.
The feast is ready which the careful Titus
Hath ordained to an honorable end,
For peace, for love, for league and good to Rome.
Please you therefore draw nigh and take your places.
SATURNINUS  
25
Marcus, we will.
SATURNINUS  
Marcus, we will.
Trumpets sounding, enter TITUS like a cook, placing the
dishes, with YOUNG LUCIUS  and others, and LAVINIA
with a veil over her face.
Trumpets sounding, enter TITUS like a cook, placing the
dishes, with YOUNG LUCIUS  and others, and LAVINIA
with a veil over her face.
TITUS
Welcome, my lord;—welcome, dread queen;—
Welcome, you warlike Goths;—welcome, Lucius;—
And welcome, all. Although the cheer be poor,
’Twill fill your stomachs. Please you eat of it.
TITUS
Welcome, my lord;—welcome, dread queen;—
Welcome, you warlike Goths;—welcome, Lucius;—
And welcome, all. Although the cheer be poor,
’Twill fill your stomachs. Please you eat of it.
They begin to eat.
They begin to eat.
SATURNINUS
30
Why art thou thus attired, Andronicus?
SATURNINUS
Why art thou thus attired, Andronicus?
TITUS
Because I would be sure to have all well
To entertain your Highness and your empress.
TITUS
Because I would be sure to have all well
To entertain your Highness and your empress.
TAMORA
We are beholding to you, good Andronicus.
TAMORA
We are beholding to you, good Andronicus.
TITUS
An if your Highness knew my heart, you were.—
35
My lord the Emperor, resolve me this:
Was it well done of rash Virginius
To slay his daughter with his own right hand
Because she was enforced, stained, and deflowered?
TITUS
An if your Highness knew my heart, you were.—
My lord the Emperor, resolve me this:
Was it well done of rash Virginius
To slay his daughter with his own right hand
Because she was enforced, stained, and deflowered?
SATURNINUS  
It was, Andronicus.
SATURNINUS  
It was, Andronicus.
TITUS  
40
Your reason, mighty lord?
TITUS  
Your reason, mighty lord?
SATURNINUS
Because the girl should not survive her shame,
And by her presence still renew his sorrows.
SATURNINUS
Because the girl should not survive her shame,
And by her presence still renew his sorrows.
TITUS
A reason mighty, strong, and effectual;
A pattern, precedent, and lively warrant
45
For me, most wretched, to perform the like.
Die, die, Lavinia, and thy shame with thee,
And with thy shame thy father’s sorrow die.
TITUS
A reason mighty, strong, and effectual;
A pattern, precedent, and lively warrant
For me, most wretched, to perform the like.
Die, die, Lavinia, and thy shame with thee,
And with thy shame thy father’s sorrow die.
He kills LAVINIA.
He kills LAVINIA.
SATURNINUS
What hast thou done, unnatural and unkind?
SATURNINUS
What hast thou done, unnatural and unkind?
TITUS
Killed her for whom my tears have made me blind.
50
I am as woeful as Virginius was,
And have a thousand times more cause than he
To do this outrage, and it now is done.
TITUS
Killed her for whom my tears have made me blind.
I am as woeful as Virginius was,
And have a thousand times more cause than he
To do this outrage, and it now is done.
SATURNINUS
What, was she ravished? Tell who did the deed.
SATURNINUS
What, was she ravished? Tell who did the deed.
TITUS
Will ’t please you eat?—Will ’t please your Highness
55
feed?
TITUS
Will ’t please you eat?—Will ’t please your Highness
feed?
TAMORA
Why hast thou slain thine only daughter thus?
TAMORA
Why hast thou slain thine only daughter thus?
TITUS
Not I; ’twas Chiron and Demetrius.
They ravished her and cut away her tongue,
And they, ’twas they, that did her all this wrong.
TITUS
Not I; ’twas Chiron and Demetrius.
They ravished her and cut away her tongue,
And they, ’twas they, that did her all this wrong.
SATURNINUS
60
Go fetch them hither to us presently.
SATURNINUS
Go fetch them hither to us presently.
TITUS
Why, there they are, both bakèd in this pie,
Whereof their mother daintily hath fed,
Eating the flesh that she herself hath bred.
’Tis true, ’tis true! Witness my knife’s sharp point.
TITUS
Why, there they are, both bakèd in this pie,
Whereof their mother daintily hath fed,
Eating the flesh that she herself hath bred.
’Tis true, ’tis true! Witness my knife’s sharp point.
He stabs the EMPRESS.
He stabs the EMPRESS.
SATURNINUS
65
Die, frantic wretch, for this accursèd deed.
SATURNINUS
Die, frantic wretch, for this accursèd deed.
He kills TITUS.
He kills TITUS.
LUCIUS
Can the son’s eye behold his father bleed?
LUCIUS
Can the son’s eye behold his father bleed?
He kills SATURNINUS.
He kills SATURNINUS.
There’s meed for meed, death for a deadly deed.
There’s meed for meed, death for a deadly deed.
A great tumult. LUCIUS, MARCUS, and
others go aloft to the upper stage.
A great tumult. LUCIUS, MARCUS, and
others go aloft to the upper stage.
MARCUS
You sad-faced men, people and sons of Rome,
By uproars severed as a flight of fowl
70
Scattered by winds and high tempestuous gusts,
O, let me teach you how to knit again
This scattered corn into one mutual sheaf,
These broken limbs again into one body,
Lest Rome herself be bane unto herself,
75
And she whom mighty kingdoms curtsy to,
Like a forlorn and desperate castaway,
Do shameful execution on herself.
But if my frosty signs and chaps of age,
Grave witnesses of true experience,
80
Cannot induce you to attend my words,
He turns to LUCIUS.
Speak, Rome’s dear friend, as erst our ancestor,
When with his solemn tongue he did discourse
To lovesick Dido’s sad-attending ear
The story of that baleful burning night
85
When subtle Greeks surprised King Priam’s Troy.
Tell us what Sinon hath bewitched our ears,
Or who hath brought the fatal engine in
That gives our Troy, our Rome, the civil wound.—
My heart is not compact of flint nor steel,
90
Nor can I utter all our bitter grief,
But floods of tears will drown my oratory
And break my utterance even in the time
When it should move you to attend me most
And force you to commiseration.
95
Here’s Rome’s young captain. Let him tell the tale,
While I stand by and weep to hear him speak.
MARCUS
You sad-faced men, people and sons of Rome,
By uproars severed as a flight of fowl
Scattered by winds and high tempestuous gusts,
O, let me teach you how to knit again
This scattered corn into one mutual sheaf,
These broken limbs again into one body,
Lest Rome herself be bane unto herself,
And she whom mighty kingdoms curtsy to,
Like a forlorn and desperate castaway,
Do shameful execution on herself.
But if my frosty signs and chaps of age,
Grave witnesses of true experience,
Cannot induce you to attend my words,
He turns to LUCIUS.
Speak, Rome’s dear friend, as erst our ancestor,
When with his solemn tongue he did discourse
To lovesick Dido’s sad-attending ear
The story of that baleful burning night
When subtle Greeks surprised King Priam’s Troy.
Tell us what Sinon hath bewitched our ears,
Or who hath brought the fatal engine in
That gives our Troy, our Rome, the civil wound.—
My heart is not compact of flint nor steel,
Nor can I utter all our bitter grief,
But floods of tears will drown my oratory
And break my utterance even in the time
When it should move you to attend me most
And force you to commiseration.
Here’s Rome’s young captain. Let him tell the tale,
While I stand by and weep to hear him speak.
LUCIUS
Then, gracious auditory, be it known to you
That Chiron and the damned Demetrius
Were they that murderèd our emperor’s brother,
100
And they it were that ravishèd our sister.
For their fell faults our brothers were beheaded,
Our father’s tears despised, and basely cozened
Of that true hand that fought Rome’s quarrel out
And sent her enemies unto the grave;
105
Lastly, myself unkindly banishèd,
The gates shut on me, and turned weeping out
To beg relief among Rome’s enemies,
Who drowned their enmity in my true tears
And oped their arms to embrace me as a friend.
110
I am the turned-forth, be it known to you,
That have preserved her welfare in my blood
And from her bosom took the enemy’s point,
Sheathing the steel in my advent’rous body.
Alas, you know I am no vaunter, I;
115
My scars can witness, dumb although they are,
That my report is just and full of truth.
But soft, methinks I do digress too much,
Citing my worthless praise. O, pardon me,
For when no friends are by, men praise themselves.
LUCIUS
Then, gracious auditory, be it known to you
That Chiron and the damned Demetrius
Were they that murderèd our emperor’s brother,
And they it were that ravishèd our sister.
For their fell faults our brothers were beheaded,
Our father’s tears despised, and basely cozened
Of that true hand that fought Rome’s quarrel out
And sent her enemies unto the grave;
Lastly, myself unkindly banishèd,
The gates shut on me, and turned weeping out
To beg relief among Rome’s enemies,
Who drowned their enmity in my true tears
And oped their arms to embrace me as a friend.
I am the turned-forth, be it known to you,
That have preserved her welfare in my blood
And from her bosom took the enemy’s point,
Sheathing the steel in my advent’rous body.
Alas, you know I am no vaunter, I;
My scars can witness, dumb although they are,
That my report is just and full of truth.
But soft, methinks I do digress too much,
Citing my worthless praise. O, pardon me,
For when no friends are by, men praise themselves.
MARCUS
120
Now is my turn to speak. Behold the child.
Of this was Tamora deliverèd,
The issue of an irreligious Moor,
Chief architect and plotter of these woes.
The villain is alive in Titus’ house,
125
And as he is to witness, this is true.
Now judge what cause had Titus to revenge
These wrongs unspeakable, past patience,
Or more than any living man could bear.
Now have you heard the truth. What say you,
130
Romans?
Have we done aught amiss? Show us wherein,
And from the place where you behold us pleading,
The poor remainder of Andronici
Will, hand in hand, all headlong hurl ourselves,
135
And on the ragged stones beat forth our souls,
And make a mutual closure of our house.
Speak, Romans, speak, and if you say we shall,
Lo, hand in hand, Lucius and I will fall.
MARCUS
Now is my turn to speak. Behold the child.
Of this was Tamora deliverèd,
The issue of an irreligious Moor,
Chief architect and plotter of these woes.
The villain is alive in Titus’ house,
And as he is to witness, this is true.
Now judge what cause had Titus to revenge
These wrongs unspeakable, past patience,
Or more than any living man could bear.
Now have you heard the truth. What say you,
Romans?
Have we done aught amiss? Show us wherein,
And from the place where you behold us pleading,
The poor remainder of Andronici
Will, hand in hand, all headlong hurl ourselves,
And on the ragged stones beat forth our souls,
And make a mutual closure of our house.
Speak, Romans, speak, and if you say we shall,
Lo, hand in hand, Lucius and I will fall.
AEMILIUS
Come, come, thou reverend man of Rome,
140
And bring our emperor gently in thy hand,
Lucius our emperor, for well I know
The common voice do cry it shall be so.
AEMILIUS
Come, come, thou reverend man of Rome,
And bring our emperor gently in thy hand,
Lucius our emperor, for well I know
The common voice do cry it shall be so.
ROMANS
Lucius, all hail, Rome’s royal emperor!
ROMANS
Lucius, all hail, Rome’s royal emperor!
MARCUS, to Attendants
Go, go into old Titus’ sorrowful house,
145
And hither hale that misbelieving Moor
To be adjudged some direful slaught’ring death
As punishment for his most wicked life.
 
MARCUS, to Attendants
Go, go into old Titus’ sorrowful house,
And hither hale that misbelieving Moor
To be adjudged some direful slaught’ring death
As punishment for his most wicked life.
 
Attendants exit. LUCIUS and MARCUS
come down from the upper stage.
Attendants exit. LUCIUS and MARCUS
come down from the upper stage.
ROMANS
Lucius, all hail, Rome’s gracious governor!
ROMANS
Lucius, all hail, Rome’s gracious governor!
LUCIUS
Thanks, gentle Romans. May I govern so
150
To heal Rome’s harms and wipe away her woe!
But, gentle people, give me aim awhile,
For nature puts me to a heavy task.
Stand all aloof, but, uncle, draw you near
To shed obsequious tears upon this trunk.
He kisses TITUS.
155
O, take this warm kiss on thy pale cold lips,
These sorrowful drops upon thy bloodstained face,
The last true duties of thy noble son.
LUCIUS
Thanks, gentle Romans. May I govern so
To heal Rome’s harms and wipe away her woe!
But, gentle people, give me aim awhile,
For nature puts me to a heavy task.
Stand all aloof, but, uncle, draw you near
To shed obsequious tears upon this trunk.
He kisses TITUS.
O, take this warm kiss on thy pale cold lips,
These sorrowful drops upon thy bloodstained face,
The last true duties of thy noble son.
MARCUS
Tear for tear, and loving kiss for kiss,
Thy brother Marcus tenders on thy lips.
He kisses TITUS.
160
O, were the sum of these that I should pay
Countless and infinite, yet would I pay them.
MARCUS
Tear for tear, and loving kiss for kiss,
Thy brother Marcus tenders on thy lips.
He kisses TITUS.
O, were the sum of these that I should pay
Countless and infinite, yet would I pay them.
LUCIUS, to YOUNG LUCIUS
Come hither, boy. Come, come, and learn of us
To melt in showers. Thy grandsire loved thee well.
Many a time he danced thee on his knee,
165
Sung thee asleep, his loving breast thy pillow;
Many a story hath he told to thee,
And bid thee bear his pretty tales in mind
And talk of them when he was dead and gone.
LUCIUS, to YOUNG LUCIUS
Come hither, boy. Come, come, and learn of us
To melt in showers. Thy grandsire loved thee well.
Many a time he danced thee on his knee,
Sung thee asleep, his loving breast thy pillow;
Many a story hath he told to thee,
And bid thee bear his pretty tales in mind
And talk of them when he was dead and gone.
MARCUS
How many thousand times hath these poor lips,
170
When they were living, warmed themselves on thine!
O, now, sweet boy, give them their latest kiss.
Bid him farewell; commit him to the grave.
Do them that kindness, and take leave of them.
MARCUS
How many thousand times hath these poor lips,
When they were living, warmed themselves on thine!
O, now, sweet boy, give them their latest kiss.
Bid him farewell; commit him to the grave.
Do them that kindness, and take leave of them.
YOUNG LUCIUS
O grandsire, grandsire, ev’n with all my heart
175
Would I were dead so you did live again!
He kisses TITUS.
O Lord, I cannot speak to him for weeping.
My tears will choke me if I ope my mouth.
YOUNG LUCIUS
O grandsire, grandsire, ev’n with all my heart
Would I were dead so you did live again!
He kisses TITUS.
O Lord, I cannot speak to him for weeping.
My tears will choke me if I ope my mouth.
Enter AARON with Guards.
Enter AARON with Guards.
ROMAN
You sad Andronici, have done with woes.
Give sentence on this execrable wretch
180
That hath been breeder of these dire events.
ROMAN
You sad Andronici, have done with woes.
Give sentence on this execrable wretch
That hath been breeder of these dire events.
LUCIUS
Set him breast-deep in earth and famish him.
There let him stand and rave and cry for food.
If anyone relieves or pities him,
For the offense he dies. This is our doom.
185
Some stay to see him fastened in the earth.
LUCIUS
Set him breast-deep in earth and famish him.
There let him stand and rave and cry for food.
If anyone relieves or pities him,
For the offense he dies. This is our doom.
Some stay to see him fastened in the earth.
AARON
Ah, why should wrath be mute and fury dumb?
I am no baby, I, that with base prayers
I should repent the evils I have done.
Ten thousand worse than ever yet I did
190
Would I perform, if I might have my will.
If one good deed in all my life I did,
I do repent it from my very soul.
AARON
Ah, why should wrath be mute and fury dumb?
I am no baby, I, that with base prayers
I should repent the evils I have done.
Ten thousand worse than ever yet I did
Would I perform, if I might have my will.
If one good deed in all my life I did,
I do repent it from my very soul.
AARON is led off by Guards.
AARON is led off by Guards.
LUCIUS
Some loving friends convey the Emperor hence,
And give him burial in his fathers’ grave.
195
My father and Lavinia shall forthwith
Be closèd in our household’s monument.
As for that ravenous tiger, Tamora,
No funeral rite, nor man in mourning weed;
No mournful bell shall ring her burial;
200
But throw her forth to beasts and birds to prey.
Her life was beastly and devoid of pity,
And being dead, let birds on her take pity.
LUCIUS
Some loving friends convey the Emperor hence,
And give him burial in his fathers’ grave.
My father and Lavinia shall forthwith
Be closèd in our household’s monument.
As for that ravenous tiger, Tamora,
No funeral rite, nor man in mourning weed;
No mournful bell shall ring her burial;
But throw her forth to beasts and birds to prey.
Her life was beastly and devoid of pity,
And being dead, let birds on her take pity.
They exit, carrying the dead bodies.
They exit, carrying the dead bodies.

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter LUCIUS, MARCUS, and the GOTHS, with AARON,
Guards, and an Attendant carrying the baby.
Enter LUCIUS, MARCUS, and the GOTHS, with AARON,
Guards, and an Attendant carrying the baby.
LUCIUS
Uncle Marcus, since ’tis my father’s mind
That I repair to Rome, I am content.
LUCIUS
Uncle Marcus, since ’tis my father’s mind
That I repair to Rome, I am content.
FIRST GOTH
And ours with thine, befall what fortune will.
FIRST GOTH
And ours with thine, befall what fortune will.
LUCIUS
Good uncle, take you in this barbarous Moor,
5
This ravenous tiger, this accursèd devil.
Let him receive no sust’nance. Fetter him
Till he be brought unto the Empress’ face
For testimony of her foul proceedings.
And see the ambush of our friends be strong.
10
I fear the Emperor means no good to us.
LUCIUS
Good uncle, take you in this barbarous Moor,
This ravenous tiger, this accursèd devil.
Let him receive no sust’nance. Fetter him
Till he be brought unto the Empress’ face
For testimony of her foul proceedings.
And see the ambush of our friends be strong.
I fear the Emperor means no good to us.
AARON
Some devil whisper curses in my ear
And prompt me that my tongue may utter forth
The venomous malice of my swelling heart.
AARON
Some devil whisper curses in my ear
And prompt me that my tongue may utter forth
The venomous malice of my swelling heart.
LUCIUS
Away, inhuman dog, unhallowed slave!—
15
Sirs, help our uncle to convey him in.
LUCIUS
Away, inhuman dog, unhallowed slave!—
Sirs, help our uncle to convey him in.
Sound trumpets.
Sound trumpets.
The trumpets show the Emperor is at hand.
The trumpets show the Emperor is at hand.
Guards and AARON exit.
Guards and AARON exit.
Enter EMPEROR SATURNINUS and EMPRESS TAMORA
with AEMILIUS, Tribunes, Attendants, and others.
Enter EMPEROR SATURNINUS and EMPRESS TAMORA
with AEMILIUS, Tribunes, Attendants, and others.
SATURNINUS
What, hath the firmament more suns than one?
SATURNINUS
What, hath the firmament more suns than one?
LUCIUS
What boots it thee to call thyself a sun?
LUCIUS
What boots it thee to call thyself a sun?
MARCUS
Rome’s emperor, and nephew, break the parle.
20
These quarrels must be quietly debated.
The feast is ready which the careful Titus
Hath ordained to an honorable end,
For peace, for love, for league and good to Rome.
Please you therefore draw nigh and take your places.
MARCUS
Rome’s emperor, and nephew, break the parle.
These quarrels must be quietly debated.
The feast is ready which the careful Titus
Hath ordained to an honorable end,
For peace, for love, for league and good to Rome.
Please you therefore draw nigh and take your places.
SATURNINUS  
25
Marcus, we will.
SATURNINUS  
Marcus, we will.
Trumpets sounding, enter TITUS like a cook, placing the
dishes, with YOUNG LUCIUS  and others, and LAVINIA
with a veil over her face.
Trumpets sounding, enter TITUS like a cook, placing the
dishes, with YOUNG LUCIUS  and others, and LAVINIA
with a veil over her face.
TITUS
Welcome, my lord;—welcome, dread queen;—
Welcome, you warlike Goths;—welcome, Lucius;—
And welcome, all. Although the cheer be poor,
’Twill fill your stomachs. Please you eat of it.
TITUS
Welcome, my lord;—welcome, dread queen;—
Welcome, you warlike Goths;—welcome, Lucius;—
And welcome, all. Although the cheer be poor,
’Twill fill your stomachs. Please you eat of it.
They begin to eat.
They begin to eat.
SATURNINUS
30
Why art thou thus attired, Andronicus?
SATURNINUS
Why art thou thus attired, Andronicus?
TITUS
Because I would be sure to have all well
To entertain your Highness and your empress.
TITUS
Because I would be sure to have all well
To entertain your Highness and your empress.
TAMORA
We are beholding to you, good Andronicus.
TAMORA
We are beholding to you, good Andronicus.
TITUS
An if your Highness knew my heart, you were.—
35
My lord the Emperor, resolve me this:
Was it well done of rash Virginius
To slay his daughter with his own right hand
Because she was enforced, stained, and deflowered?
TITUS
An if your Highness knew my heart, you were.—
My lord the Emperor, resolve me this:
Was it well done of rash Virginius
To slay his daughter with his own right hand
Because she was enforced, stained, and deflowered?
SATURNINUS  
It was, Andronicus.
SATURNINUS  
It was, Andronicus.
TITUS  
40
Your reason, mighty lord?
TITUS  
Your reason, mighty lord?
SATURNINUS
Because the girl should not survive her shame,
And by her presence still renew his sorrows.
SATURNINUS
Because the girl should not survive her shame,
And by her presence still renew his sorrows.
TITUS
A reason mighty, strong, and effectual;
A pattern, precedent, and lively warrant
45
For me, most wretched, to perform the like.
Die, die, Lavinia, and thy shame with thee,
And with thy shame thy father’s sorrow die.
TITUS
A reason mighty, strong, and effectual;
A pattern, precedent, and lively warrant
For me, most wretched, to perform the like.
Die, die, Lavinia, and thy shame with thee,
And with thy shame thy father’s sorrow die.
He kills LAVINIA.
He kills LAVINIA.
SATURNINUS
What hast thou done, unnatural and unkind?
SATURNINUS
What hast thou done, unnatural and unkind?
TITUS
Killed her for whom my tears have made me blind.
50
I am as woeful as Virginius was,
And have a thousand times more cause than he
To do this outrage, and it now is done.
TITUS
Killed her for whom my tears have made me blind.
I am as woeful as Virginius was,
And have a thousand times more cause than he
To do this outrage, and it now is done.
SATURNINUS
What, was she ravished? Tell who did the deed.
SATURNINUS
What, was she ravished? Tell who did the deed.
TITUS
Will ’t please you eat?—Will ’t please your Highness
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feed?
TITUS
Will ’t please you eat?—Will ’t please your Highness
feed?
TAMORA
Why hast thou slain thine only daughter thus?
TAMORA
Why hast thou slain thine only daughter thus?
TITUS
Not I; ’twas Chiron and Demetrius.
They ravished her and cut away her tongue,
And they, ’twas they, that did her all this wrong.
TITUS
Not I; ’twas Chiron and Demetrius.
They ravished her and cut away her tongue,
And they, ’twas they, that did her all this wrong.
SATURNINUS
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Go fetch them hither to us presently.
SATURNINUS
Go fetch them hither to us presently.
TITUS
Why, there they are, both bakèd in this pie,
Whereof their mother daintily hath fed,
Eating the flesh that she herself hath bred.
’Tis true, ’tis true! Witness my knife’s sharp point.
TITUS
Why, there they are, both bakèd in this pie,
Whereof their mother daintily hath fed,
Eating the flesh that she herself hath bred.
’Tis true, ’tis true! Witness my knife’s sharp point.
He stabs the EMPRESS.
He stabs the EMPRESS.
SATURNINUS
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Die, frantic wretch, for this accursèd deed.
SATURNINUS
Die, frantic wretch, for this accursèd deed.
He kills TITUS.
He kills TITUS.
LUCIUS
Can the son’s eye behold his father bleed?
LUCIUS
Can the son’s eye behold his father bleed?
He kills SATURNINUS.
He kills SATURNINUS.
There’s meed for meed, death for a deadly deed.
There’s meed for meed, death for a deadly deed.
A great tumult. LUCIUS, MARCUS, and
others go aloft to the upper stage.
A great tumult. LUCIUS, MARCUS, and
others go aloft to the upper stage.
MARCUS
You sad-faced men, people and sons of Rome,
By uproars severed as a flight of fowl
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Scattered by winds and high tempestuous gusts,
O, let me teach you how to knit again
This scattered corn into one mutual sheaf,
These broken limbs again into one body,
Lest Rome herself be bane unto herself,
75
And she whom mighty kingdoms curtsy to,
Like a forlorn and desperate castaway,
Do shameful execution on herself.
But if my frosty signs and chaps of age,
Grave witnesses of true experience,
80
Cannot induce you to attend my words,
He turns to LUCIUS.
Speak, Rome’s dear friend, as erst our ancestor,
When with his solemn tongue he did discourse
To lovesick Dido’s sad-attending ear
The story of that baleful burning night
85
When subtle Greeks surprised King Priam’s Troy.
Tell us what Sinon hath bewitched our ears,
Or who hath brought the fatal engine in
That gives our Troy, our Rome, the civil wound.—
My heart is not compact of flint nor steel,
90
Nor can I utter all our bitter grief,
But floods of tears will drown my oratory
And break my utterance even in the time
When it should move you to attend me most
And force you to commiseration.
95
Here’s Rome’s young captain. Let him tell the tale,
While I stand by and weep to hear him speak.
MARCUS
You sad-faced men, people and sons of Rome,
By uproars severed as a flight of fowl
Scattered by winds and high tempestuous gusts,
O, let me teach you how to knit again
This scattered corn into one mutual sheaf,
These broken limbs again into one body,
Lest Rome herself be bane unto herself,
And she whom mighty kingdoms curtsy to,
Like a forlorn and desperate castaway,
Do shameful execution on herself.
But if my frosty signs and chaps of age,
Grave witnesses of true experience,
Cannot induce you to attend my words,
He turns to LUCIUS.
Speak, Rome’s dear friend, as erst our ancestor,
When with his solemn tongue he did discourse
To lovesick Dido’s sad-attending ear
The story of that baleful burning night
When subtle Greeks surprised King Priam’s Troy.
Tell us what Sinon hath bewitched our ears,
Or who hath brought the fatal engine in
That gives our Troy, our Rome, the civil wound.—
My heart is not compact of flint nor steel,
Nor can I utter all our bitter grief,
But floods of tears will drown my oratory
And break my utterance even in the time
When it should move you to attend me most
And force you to commiseration.
Here’s Rome’s young captain. Let him tell the tale,
While I stand by and weep to hear him speak.
LUCIUS
Then, gracious auditory, be it known to you
That Chiron and the damned Demetrius
Were they that murderèd our emperor’s brother,
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And they it were that ravishèd our sister.
For their fell faults our brothers were beheaded,
Our father’s tears despised, and basely cozened
Of that true hand that fought Rome’s quarrel out
And sent her enemies unto the grave;
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Lastly, myself unkindly banishèd,
The gates shut on me, and turned weeping out
To beg relief among Rome’s enemies,
Who drowned their enmity in my true tears
And oped their arms to embrace me as a friend.
110
I am the turned-forth, be it known to you,
That have preserved her welfare in my blood
And from her bosom took the enemy’s point,
Sheathing the steel in my advent’rous body.
Alas, you know I am no vaunter, I;
115
My scars can witness, dumb although they are,
That my report is just and full of truth.
But soft, methinks I do digress too much,
Citing my worthless praise. O, pardon me,
For when no friends are by, men praise themselves.
LUCIUS
Then, gracious auditory, be it known to you
That Chiron and the damned Demetrius
Were they that murderèd our emperor’s brother,
And they it were that ravishèd our sister.
For their fell faults our brothers were beheaded,
Our father’s tears despised, and basely cozened
Of that true hand that fought Rome’s quarrel out
And sent her enemies unto the grave;
Lastly, myself unkindly banishèd,
The gates shut on me, and turned weeping out
To beg relief among Rome’s enemies,
Who drowned their enmity in my true tears
And oped their arms to embrace me as a friend.
I am the turned-forth, be it known to you,
That have preserved her welfare in my blood
And from her bosom took the enemy’s point,
Sheathing the steel in my advent’rous body.
Alas, you know I am no vaunter, I;
My scars can witness, dumb although they are,
That my report is just and full of truth.
But soft, methinks I do digress too much,
Citing my worthless praise. O, pardon me,
For when no friends are by, men praise themselves.
MARCUS
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Now is my turn to speak. Behold the child.
Of this was Tamora deliverèd,
The issue of an irreligious Moor,
Chief architect and plotter of these woes.
The villain is alive in Titus’ house,
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And as he is to witness, this is true.
Now judge what cause had Titus to revenge
These wrongs unspeakable, past patience,
Or more than any living man could bear.
Now have you heard the truth. What say you,
130
Romans?
Have we done aught amiss? Show us wherein,
And from the place where you behold us pleading,
The poor remainder of Andronici
Will, hand in hand, all headlong hurl ourselves,
135
And on the ragged stones beat forth our souls,
And make a mutual closure of our house.
Speak, Romans, speak, and if you say we shall,
Lo, hand in hand, Lucius and I will fall.
MARCUS
Now is my turn to speak. Behold the child.
Of this was Tamora deliverèd,
The issue of an irreligious Moor,
Chief architect and plotter of these woes.
The villain is alive in Titus’ house,
And as he is to witness, this is true.
Now judge what cause had Titus to revenge
These wrongs unspeakable, past patience,
Or more than any living man could bear.
Now have you heard the truth. What say you,
Romans?
Have we done aught amiss? Show us wherein,
And from the place where you behold us pleading,
The poor remainder of Andronici
Will, hand in hand, all headlong hurl ourselves,
And on the ragged stones beat forth our souls,
And make a mutual closure of our house.
Speak, Romans, speak, and if you say we shall,
Lo, hand in hand, Lucius and I will fall.
AEMILIUS
Come, come, thou reverend man of Rome,
140
And bring our emperor gently in thy hand,
Lucius our emperor, for well I know
The common voice do cry it shall be so.
AEMILIUS
Come, come, thou reverend man of Rome,
And bring our emperor gently in thy hand,
Lucius our emperor, for well I know
The common voice do cry it shall be so.
ROMANS
Lucius, all hail, Rome’s royal emperor!
ROMANS
Lucius, all hail, Rome’s royal emperor!
MARCUS, to Attendants
Go, go into old Titus’ sorrowful house,
145
And hither hale that misbelieving Moor
To be adjudged some direful slaught’ring death
As punishment for his most wicked life.
 
MARCUS, to Attendants
Go, go into old Titus’ sorrowful house,
And hither hale that misbelieving Moor
To be adjudged some direful slaught’ring death
As punishment for his most wicked life.
 
Attendants exit. LUCIUS and MARCUS
come down from the upper stage.
Attendants exit. LUCIUS and MARCUS
come down from the upper stage.
ROMANS
Lucius, all hail, Rome’s gracious governor!
ROMANS
Lucius, all hail, Rome’s gracious governor!
LUCIUS
Thanks, gentle Romans. May I govern so
150
To heal Rome’s harms and wipe away her woe!
But, gentle people, give me aim awhile,
For nature puts me to a heavy task.
Stand all aloof, but, uncle, draw you near
To shed obsequious tears upon this trunk.
He kisses TITUS.
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O, take this warm kiss on thy pale cold lips,
These sorrowful drops upon thy bloodstained face,
The last true duties of thy noble son.
LUCIUS
Thanks, gentle Romans. May I govern so
To heal Rome’s harms and wipe away her woe!
But, gentle people, give me aim awhile,
For nature puts me to a heavy task.
Stand all aloof, but, uncle, draw you near
To shed obsequious tears upon this trunk.
He kisses TITUS.
O, take this warm kiss on thy pale cold lips,
These sorrowful drops upon thy bloodstained face,
The last true duties of thy noble son.
MARCUS
Tear for tear, and loving kiss for kiss,
Thy brother Marcus tenders on thy lips.
He kisses TITUS.
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O, were the sum of these that I should pay
Countless and infinite, yet would I pay them.
MARCUS
Tear for tear, and loving kiss for kiss,
Thy brother Marcus tenders on thy lips.
He kisses TITUS.
O, were the sum of these that I should pay
Countless and infinite, yet would I pay them.
LUCIUS, to YOUNG LUCIUS
Come hither, boy. Come, come, and learn of us
To melt in showers. Thy grandsire loved thee well.
Many a time he danced thee on his knee,
165
Sung thee asleep, his loving breast thy pillow;
Many a story hath he told to thee,
And bid thee bear his pretty tales in mind
And talk of them when he was dead and gone.
LUCIUS, to YOUNG LUCIUS
Come hither, boy. Come, come, and learn of us
To melt in showers. Thy grandsire loved thee well.
Many a time he danced thee on his knee,
Sung thee asleep, his loving breast thy pillow;
Many a story hath he told to thee,
And bid thee bear his pretty tales in mind
And talk of them when he was dead and gone.
MARCUS
How many thousand times hath these poor lips,
170
When they were living, warmed themselves on thine!
O, now, sweet boy, give them their latest kiss.
Bid him farewell; commit him to the grave.
Do them that kindness, and take leave of them.
MARCUS
How many thousand times hath these poor lips,
When they were living, warmed themselves on thine!
O, now, sweet boy, give them their latest kiss.
Bid him farewell; commit him to the grave.
Do them that kindness, and take leave of them.
YOUNG LUCIUS
O grandsire, grandsire, ev’n with all my heart
175
Would I were dead so you did live again!
He kisses TITUS.
O Lord, I cannot speak to him for weeping.
My tears will choke me if I ope my mouth.
YOUNG LUCIUS
O grandsire, grandsire, ev’n with all my heart
Would I were dead so you did live again!
He kisses TITUS.
O Lord, I cannot speak to him for weeping.
My tears will choke me if I ope my mouth.
Enter AARON with Guards.
Enter AARON with Guards.
ROMAN
You sad Andronici, have done with woes.
Give sentence on this execrable wretch
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That hath been breeder of these dire events.
ROMAN
You sad Andronici, have done with woes.
Give sentence on this execrable wretch
That hath been breeder of these dire events.
LUCIUS
Set him breast-deep in earth and famish him.
There let him stand and rave and cry for food.
If anyone relieves or pities him,
For the offense he dies. This is our doom.
185
Some stay to see him fastened in the earth.
LUCIUS
Set him breast-deep in earth and famish him.
There let him stand and rave and cry for food.
If anyone relieves or pities him,
For the offense he dies. This is our doom.
Some stay to see him fastened in the earth.
AARON
Ah, why should wrath be mute and fury dumb?
I am no baby, I, that with base prayers
I should repent the evils I have done.
Ten thousand worse than ever yet I did
190
Would I perform, if I might have my will.
If one good deed in all my life I did,
I do repent it from my very soul.
AARON
Ah, why should wrath be mute and fury dumb?
I am no baby, I, that with base prayers
I should repent the evils I have done.
Ten thousand worse than ever yet I did
Would I perform, if I might have my will.
If one good deed in all my life I did,
I do repent it from my very soul.
AARON is led off by Guards.
AARON is led off by Guards.
LUCIUS
Some loving friends convey the Emperor hence,
And give him burial in his fathers’ grave.
195
My father and Lavinia shall forthwith
Be closèd in our household’s monument.
As for that ravenous tiger, Tamora,
No funeral rite, nor man in mourning weed;
No mournful bell shall ring her burial;
200
But throw her forth to beasts and birds to prey.
Her life was beastly and devoid of pity,
And being dead, let birds on her take pity.
LUCIUS
Some loving friends convey the Emperor hence,
And give him burial in his fathers’ grave.
My father and Lavinia shall forthwith
Be closèd in our household’s monument.
As for that ravenous tiger, Tamora,
No funeral rite, nor man in mourning weed;
No mournful bell shall ring her burial;
But throw her forth to beasts and birds to prey.
Her life was beastly and devoid of pity,
And being dead, let birds on her take pity.
They exit, carrying the dead bodies.
They exit, carrying the dead bodies.
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