Mr. Theobald fays, This is one of those plays which he always thought, with the better judges, ought not to be acknowledged in the lift of Shakspear's genuine pieces. Dr. Johnfon obferves, That all the editors and critics agree with Mr. Theobald in fuppofing this play fpurious, and that he fecs "no reason for differing from them; for the colour of the ftile is wholly different from that of the other plays, and there is an attempt at regular verfification, and artificial clofes, not always inelegant, yet feldom pleasing. The barbarity of the fpectacles, and the general maffacre, which are here exhibited, can scarcely be conceived tolerable to any audience; yet we are told by Jonfon, that they were not only borne, but praised," Mr. Farmer and Mr, Steevens are alfo of the fame opinion with Dr, Johnson. A nobler A nobler man, a braver warrior, Liyes not this day within the city walls: And now at last, laden with honour's spoils, Baf. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy -- [nicus, |Lo, as the bark, that hath discharg'd her fraught, From whence at firft the weigh'd her anchorage, [sword. 15 Here Goths have given me leave to fheath my 20 25 30 35 40 [They open the tomb, Luc. Give us the proudeft prifoner of the Goths, Tit. I give him you; the nobleft that survives, A mother's tears in paffion for her fon : 45 Capt. Romans, make way; The good AndroPatron of virtue, Rome's best champion, Successful in the battles that he fights, With honour and with fortune is return'd, From where he circumfcribed with his fword, And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome. Sound drums and trumpets, and then enter Mutius and Marcus; after them, two men bearing a 55 coffin covered with black; then Quintus and Lucius. After them, Titus Andronicus; and then Tamera, the queen of the Goths, Alarbus, Chiron, and Demetrius, with Aaron the Moor, prisoners; Soldiers, and other attendants. They fet down the coffin, 60 and Titus fi caks. Tit.Hail! Rome,victorious in thy mourning weeds. | 1 Jupiter, to whom the Capitol was facred. Tit. Patient yourself, madam, and pardon me. To this your fon is mark'd: and die he must, 2 It was fuppofed by the ancients, that the ghofts of unburied people appeared to their friends and relations, to folicit the rites of funeral. is ufed by other dramatic writers. Tam. Tam. O cruel, irreligious piety! Chi. Was ever Scythia half fo barbarous ? Dem. Oppofe not Scythia to ambitious Rome. Alarbus goes to reft; and we furvive To tremble under Titus' threatening look. Then, madam, stand resolv'd; but hope withal, The felf-fame gods, that arm'd the queen of Troy With opportunity of sharp revenge Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent, May favour Tamora, the queen of Goths, (When Goths were Goths, and Tamora was queen) To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes. Enter Mutius, Marcus, Quintus, and Lucius. Luc. See, lord and father, how we have perform'd Our Roman rites: Alarbus' limbs are lopp'd, [Then found trumpets, and lay the coffins in the tomb. Enter Lavinia. In peace and honour rest you here, my fons! Tit. Kind Rome, that haft thus lovingly referv'd Tit. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Marcus. [wars, Mar. And welcome, nephews, from fuccessful You that furvive, and you that fleep in fame. Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all, That in your country's fervice drew your swords : But fafer triumph is this funeral pomp, That hath afpir'd to Solon's happiness, And triumphs over chance, in honour's bed.Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome, Whofe friend in justice thou haft ever been, Send thee by me, their tribune, and their truft, This palliament of white and spotlefs hue; And name thee in election for the empire, With thefe our late-deceafed emperor's fons: Be candidatus then, and put it on, And help to fet a head on headlefs Rome. Tit. A better head her glorious body fits, Than his, that shakes for age and feebleness: What! fhould I don this robe, and trouble you? Be chofe with proclamations to-day; 5 To-morrow yield up rule, refign my life, And fet abroad new bufinefs for you all? Rome, I have been thy foldier forty years, And led my country's ftrength successfully; And buried one and twenty valiant fons, Knighted in field, flain manfully in arms, In right and service of their noble country: Give me a staff of honour for mine age, But not a fceptre to controll the world: Upright he held it, lords, that held it last. Sat, Proud and ambitious tribune, canft thou 20 Patricians, draw your fwords, and sheath them not 'Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor :Andronicus, 'would thou were ship'd to hell, Rather than rob me of the people's hearts. 125 Luc. Proud Saturninus! interrupter of the good That noble-minded Titus means to thee !Tit. Content thee, prince; I will restore to thee The people's hearts, and wean them from themBaf. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee, [felves. But honour thee, and will do 'till I die; 30 My faction if thou ftrengthen with thy friends, I will moft thankful be: and thanks, to men |Of noble minds, is honourable meed. Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes here, I ask your voices, and your fuffrages; 35 Will you beftow them friendly on Andronicus? [make, i, e. do on this robe, put it on. 3 H And And here, in fight of Rome, to Saturnine,- Sat. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life! Tit. Now, madam, are you prisoner to an em- To him, that for your honour and your state, Sat. A goodly lady, truft me; of the hue Though chance of war hath wrought this change 20 A valiant fon-in-law thou fhalt enjoy; of cheer, Thou com'ft not to be made a fcorn in Rome: Lav. Not I, my lord; fith true nobility 25 One fit to bandy with thy lawless fons, Sat. Thanks, fweet Lavinia.-Romans, let 30 And will create thee emprefs of Rome. us go: Ranfomlefs here we fet our prifoners free: Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum. Baf. Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine. [Seizing Lavinia. 35 Tit. How, fir? Are you in earneft then, my lord? Baf. Ay, noble Titus ; and refolv'd withal, To do myself this reafon and this right. [The Emperor courts Tamora in dumb fhew.40 Mar. Suum cuique is our Roman justice: This prince in justice seizeth but his own. Luc. And that he will, and fhall, if Lucius live. Tit. Traitors, avaunt! Where is the emperor's guard! Treafon, my lord; Lavinia is furpriz'd. Sat. Surpriz'd! By whom? Baf. By him that juftly may Bear his betroth'd from all the world away. 45 Speak, queen of Goths, doft thou applaud my choice? And here I fwear by all the Roman Gods,- I will not re-falute the streets of Rome, If Saturnine advance the queen of Goths, Sat. Afcend, fair queen, Pantheon: Lord, Your noble emperor, and his lovely bride, [Exit Baffianus with Lavinia. 50 There fhall we confummate our fpoufal rites. Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence away, Mut. My lord you pafs not here. Barr'ft me my way in Rome? Mut. Help, Lucius, help! [Titus kills Mutius. Luc. My lord, you are unjust, and more than fo; I Spoken of Lavinia. Manet Titus Ardronicus. [Exente Tit. I am not bid to wait upon this bride;- Mar. O, Titus, fee, O fee, what thou hast 60 In a bad quarrel flain a virtuous fon. Tit. No, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine,➡ Piece was then, as it is now, ufed perfonally as a word of contempt. 2A ruffer was a kind of cheating bully; and is fo called in a ftatute made for the punishment of vagabonds in the 27th year of K. Henry VIII. Hence, probably, this fenfe of the verb, to ruffle. Nor |