SONG, SUNG BY GUIDERIUS AND ARVIRAGUS OVER FIDELE, SUPPOSED TO BE dead. BY MR. WILLIAM COLLINS. To fair Fidele's grassy tomb, Soft maids and village hinds shall bring Each opening sweet, of earliest bloom, And rifle all the breathing spring. No wailing ghost shall dare appear To vex with shrieks his quiet grove; But shepherd lads assemble here, And melting virgins own their love. No wither'd witch shall here be seen, No goblins lead their nightly crew: The red-breast oft at evening hours, When howling winds, and beating rain, And mourn'd till pity's self be dead. Saturninus, son to the late Emperor of Rome, and afterwards declared Emperor himself. Bassianus, brother to Saturninus; in love with Lavinia. 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. Publius, son to Marcus the tribune. Emilius, a noble Roman. Aaron, a Moor, beloved by Tamora. A Captain, Tribune, Messenger, and Clown; Ro mans. Goths, and Romans. Tamora, Queen of the Goths. Lavinia, daughter to Titus Andronicus. A Nurse, and a black Child. Kinsmen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, Qficers, 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 side; and Bassianus and his Followers, on the other; with drum and colours. Saturninus. NOBLE patricians, patrons of my right, Defend the justice of my cause with arms; Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favourers of my right, If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, i. e. My title to the succession. VOL. VII. Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, And suffer not dishonour to approach Enter Marcus Andronicus aloft, with the crown. Mar. Princes that strive by factions, and by friends, Ambitiously for rule and empery, Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius For many good and great deserts to Rome; Lives not this day within the city walls: From weary wars against the barbarous Goths; And now at last, laden with honour's spoils, 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,- • Summoned. |