BASSIANUS

Romans, friends, followers, favourers of my Right, If ever Bassianus Caesars son, Were gracious in the eyes of Royal Room, Keep then this passage to the Capitol, And suffer not dishonour to approach, The Imperial seat to virtue, consecrate To justice, continence, and Nobility: But let desert in pure election shine, And Romans fight for freedom in your choice. Princes that strive by factions and by friends, Ambitiously for Rule and Empery, Know that the people of Room for whom we stand A special Party, have by common voice, In election for the Roman Empery Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius : For many good and great deserts to Room, 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 sons a terror to our foes, Hath yoked a Nation strong, trained up in Arms. Ten years are spent since first he undertook This cause of Room, and chastised with arms Our enemies pride: Five times he hath returned Bleeding to Room, bearing his valiant sons, In Coffins from the field, and at this day, To the Monument of that Andronicy Done sacrifice of expiation, And slain the Noblest prisoner of the Goths And now at last laden with honours spoils, Returns the good Andronicus to Room, Renowned Titus flourishing in Arms. Let us entreat by honour of his name, Whom worthily you would have now succeed, And in the Capital and Senates Right, Whom you pretend to honour and adore, That you withdraw you, and abate your strength, Dismiss your followers, and as suitors should, Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy, In thy uprightness and integrity, And so I love and honour thee and thine, Thy Noble brother Titus and his sons, 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 Fortune's and the peoples favour, Commit my cause in balance to be waid. Exit Soldiers. Tribunes and me a poor Competitor. Romans make way, the good Andronicus, Patron of virtue, Rome's best Champion: Successful in the battles that he fights, With honour and with fortune is returned, From where he circumscribed with his sword, And brought to yoke the enemies of Room. Andronicus I do not flatter thee, But honour thee and will do till I die: My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends I will most thankful be, and thanks to men Of Noble minds, is honourable meed. Lord Titus by your leave, this maid is mine. Rape call you it my Lord to cease my own, My true betrothed love, and now my wife: But let the laws of Room determine all, Mean while am I possessed of that is mine. I Noble Titus and resolved withal, To do my self this reason and this right. By him that justly may, Bear his betrothde from all the world away. And you of yours my Lord, I say no more, Nor wish no less, and so I take my leave. My Lord what I have done as best I may Answer I must, and shall do with my life, Only thus much I give your Grace to know, By all the duties that I owe to Room, This Noble Gentleman Lord Titus here, Is in opinion and in honour wronged, That in the rescue of Lavinia, With his own hand did slay his youngest son, Inzeale to you, and highly moude to wrath, To be controwld in that he frankly gave. Receive him then to favour Saturnine, That hath expressed himself in all his deeds, A father and a friend to thee and Room. Lavinia, how say you? who have we here? Rome's Royal Empress, Unfurnished of her well beseeming troop? Or is it Dian habited Like her, Who hath abandoned her holy groves, To see the general hunting in this Forest? Believe me Queen your swarty Cymerion, Does make your honour of his bodies hue, Spotted, detested, and abominable. Why are you sequestered from all your train, Dismounted from your snow white goodly steed, And wandered hither to and obscure plot, Accompanied but with a barbarous More, If soul desire had not conducted you? The King my brother shall have notice of this. Lavinia I, for these slips have made him noted long, Good King to be so mightily abused.