SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, and afterwards declar'd Emperor himself. Baffianus, 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. Marcus, Quintus, Mutius, } Young Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius. Publius, Son to Marcus the Tribune, and Nephew to Titus Andronicus. Sempronius. Chiron, Demetrius, } Sons to Tamora. Aaron, a Moor, belov'd by Tamora. Captain, from Titus's Camp. Emilius, a Messenger. Goths, and Romans. Clown. Tamora, Queen of the Goths, and afterwards married to Saturninus. Lavinia, Daughter to Titus Andronicus. Nurse, with a Black-a-moor Child. Senators, Fudges, Officers, Soldiers, and other Attendants. SCENE, Rome; and the Country near it. TITUS ANDRONICUS. (1) ACTI. SCENE, before the Capitol in ROME Enter the Tribunes and Senators aloft, as in the Senate. Enter Saturninus and his followers, at one door; and Baffianus and his followers, at the other, with Drum and Colours, N SATURNINUS. Oble patricians, patrons of my right,. Plead my. fuccessive title with your fwords. I am (1) Titus Andronicus.) This is one of those plays, which I have always thought, with the better judges, ought not to be acknowledg'd in the lift of Shakespeare's genuine pieces. And, perhaps, I may give a proof to strengthen this opinion, that may put the matter out of question. Ben Johnson in the induction to his BartholomeruFair, (which made its first appearance in the year 1614) couples: Jeronymo and Andronicus together in reputation, and speaks of them as plays then of twenty-five or thirty years standing. Consequently, Andronicus must have been on the stage, before Shakespeare left Warwickshire to come and refide in London: and I never heard it fo much as intimated, that he had turned his genius to stage-writing, before he associated with the players, and became one of their body.. However, that he afterwards introduced it a-new on the scene, with the 4 I am the first-born son of him, that last Baf. Romans, friends, foll'wers, favourers of my right, 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 the addition of his own masterly touches, is incontestable: and Our 1 Our enemies pride. Five times he hath return'd And now at last, laden with honour's spoils, Sat. How fair the tribune speaks, to calm my thoughts! In thy uprightness and integrity, [Exeunt Soldiers. 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 cause: Rome, be as just and gracious unto me, As I am confident and kind to thee. Open thy gates, and let me in. Bas. Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor. [They go up into the Senate-houses Enter a Captain. Cap. Romans, make way: the good Andronicus, Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion, With honour and with fortune is return'd, From |