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Enter CESAR, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS,MECENAS, With one that I have bred? The gods! It smites SELEUCUS, and Attendants,

Ces. Which is the queen

Of Egypt!

Dol. 'Tis the emperor, madam.

Ces. Arise:

You shall not kneel:

me

Beneath the fall I have. Prythee, go hence;"
[To SELEUCUS.
Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits

[CLEOPATRA kneels. Through the ashes of my chance :-Wert thou a

I pray you, rise: rise, Egypt.

Cleo. Sir, the gods

Will have it thus; my master and my lord
I must obey.

Ces. Take to you no hard thoughts:
The record of what injuries you did us,
Though written in our flesh, we shall remember
As things but done by chance.

Cleo. Sole Sir o'the world,

I cannot project mine own cause so well
To make it clear; but to confess, I have
Been laden with like frailties, which before
Have often sham'd our sex.

Ces. Cleopatra, know,

We will extenuate rather than enforce :
If you apply yourself to our intents,

(Which towards you are most gentle,) you shall

find

A benefit in this change: but if you seek
To lay on me a cruelty, by taking
Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis
yours and we

sball

Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conquest,
[lord.
Hang in what place you please. Here, my good
Ces. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.
Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and
jewels,

I am possess'd of 'tis exactly valued ;
Not petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus ?
Sel. Here, madam.

Cleo. This is my treasurer: let him speak, my
lord,

Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd

To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.
Sel. Madam,

I had rather seel my lips, than, to my peril,
Speak that which is not.

Cleo. What have I kept back?

Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made

known.

Ces. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra ; I approve Your wisdom in the deed.

Cleo. See, Cesar! O behold

How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours;
And, should we shift estates, yours would be

mine.

The ingratitude of this Seleucus does

Even make me wild :-O slave, of no more trust
Than love that's hir'd-What, guest thou

back 7-thou shalt

Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes, Though they had wings: Slave, soulless villain, dog!

O rarely base!

Ces. Good queen, let us entreat you.

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For we intend so to dispose you, as

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Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep :
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend; And so adieu.
Cleo. My master, and my lord!
Ces. Not so: Adieu.

Exeunt CESAR, and his Train,
Cleo. He words ine, girls, he words me, that
I should not

Be noble to myself: but hark thee, Charmian.
[Whispers CHARMIAN,
Iras. Finish, good lady: the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.

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Now, Iras, what think'st thou ?
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Rome, as well as I mechanic slaves,
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded,

Cico. O Cesar, what a wounding shame is And forc'd to drink their vapour.

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Iras. I'll never for it; for, I am sure, my | Immortal longings in me: Now no more nails The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this

Are stronger than mine eyes.

Cleo. Why that's the way

lip :

Yare, yare, good Iras; quick.-Methinks, 1
hear

To fool their preparation, and to conquer
Their most absurd intents.-Now, Charmian - Antony call; I see him rouse himself

Enter CHARMIAN.

Show me, my women, like a queen;-Go fetch
My best attires;-I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony :-Sirrah, Iras, go.-
Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch indeed :
And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give
thee leave

To play till doomsday.-Bring our crown and all.
Wherefore's this noise?

[Exit IRAS. A Noise within.

Enter one of the GUARD.
Guard. Here is a rural fellow,
That will not be denied your highness'

sence:

He brings you figs.

To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
The luck of Cesar, which the gods give inen
To excuse their after wrath: Husband, I come
Now to that name my courage prove my title!,
I am fire, and air; my other elements
I give to baser life. -So,-have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my
lips.

Farwell, kind Charmian;-Iras, long farewell.
[Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies.
Have I the aspic in my lips?+ Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts and is desir'd. Dost thou lie stilr?
pre-If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
It is not worth leave-taking.

Cleo. Let him come in. How poor an instrument [Exit GUARD. May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty. My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing Of woman in me: Now from head to foot I am marble-constant: now the fleeting moon Nɔ planet is of mine.

Re-enter GUARD, with a CLOWN bringing a
Basket.

Guard. This is the man.
Cleo. Avoid, and leave him.

[Exit GUARD. Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there, That kills and pains not?

Clown. Truly I have him: but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal: those that do die of it, do seldom or never recover.

Cleo. Remembers't thou any that have died on't ?

Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterdaya very honest woman, but something given to lie as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty-how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt,-Truly, she makes a very good report o'the worm: But he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do: But this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm.

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.
Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm.
Cleo. Farewell.

[CLOWN sets down the Basket. Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind. t

Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell.

Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted, but in the keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no goodness in the worm.

Cleo. Take thou no care: it shall be heeded. Clown. Very good: give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.

Cleo. Will it eat me?

Clown. You must not think I am so simple, but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women; for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five.

Cleo. Well, get thee gone: farewell.
Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the

worm.

[Exit.

Re-enter IRAs, with a Robe, Crown, &c. Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have

Serpent.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud and rain; that I may say

The gods themselves do weep!
Cleo. This proves me base:

If she first meet the curled Antony,

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He'll make demand of her; and spend that

kiss,

Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal wretch,

[To the Asp, which she applies to her
Breast.

With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool,
Be angry, and despatch. Oh! could'st thou
speak!

That I might hear thee call great Cesar, Ass
Unpolicied! ‡

Char. O eastern star!

Cleo. Peace, peace!

Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep?

Char. O break! O break!

Cleo. As sweet as balm, 1s soft as air, as gentle,

O Antony ! Nay, I will take thee too :[Applying another Asp to her Arm. What should I stay

[Falls on a Bed and Dies. Char. In this wild world?-So fare thee well.

Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies
A lass unparallel'd.-Downy windows, close;
And golden Phoebus never be beheld

Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry;
I'll mend it, and then play.

Enter the GUARD, rushing in.

1 Guard. Where is the queen ?
Char. Speak softly, wake her not.
1 Guard. Cesar hath sent-
Char. Too slow a messenger.

[Applies the Asp. O come; apace, despatch: I partly feel thee. 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well: Cesar's beguil'd.

2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cesar-call him.

1 Guard. What work is here ?-Charmian, is

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1 Act according to his nature.

myself.

Dol. Cesar, thy thoughts
Touch their effects in this; Thyself art coming
To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou
So sought'st to hinder.

Within. A way there, way for Cesar!

Enter CESAR, and Attendants.

Dol. O Sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear, is done.

Ces. Bravest at the last :

She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal,
Took her own way.-The manner of their deaths?

I do not see them bleed.

Dol. Who was last with them?

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Ces. Most probable,

That so she died; for her physician tells me,
She had pursu'd conclusions infinite

Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed;
And bear her women from the monument :-

1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought She shall be buried by her Antony:

her figs :

This was bis basket.

Ces. Poison'd then.

1 Guard. O Cesar,

No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
A pair so famous. High events as these
Strike those that make them, and their story is
No less in pity, than his glory, which

This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall,

spake:

I found her trimming up the diadem

On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood,
And on the sudden dropp'd.

Ces. O noble weakness!

If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear

By external swelling; but she looks like sleep,

In solemu show, attend the funeral;
And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see
High order in this great solemnity.

[Exeunt

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TITUS ANDRONICUS.

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE.

As it is intended, in the present collection of Shakspeare's Dramatic Works, to present in regular succession all such as have the scenery, characters, or manners, drawn from the same country, the sanguinary and disgusting Tragedy of Titus Andronicus is placed in immediate sequence to those that are essentially of Roman rigip. The events, however, are not of historical occurrence, but were probably borrowed from an old ballad entered on the books of the Stationers' Company in the year 1593, about which period it may also have been written. Its identity, however, as one of Shakspeare's productions, rests on a very doubtful foundation. Dr. Percy supposes it only to have been corrected and re-touched by aim; but, says Dr. Johnson, “I do not find his touches very discernible." It is devoid of any striking sentiment--- it has uone of the philosophic stateliness which generally distinguishes his plays---the anachronisms are gross---the language throughout is ns tumid and laboured as the plot is horrid and unnatural ;---and the only approach to energy discernible in the play, occurs in the scene between Aaron, the nurse, and Demetrius. Indeed, there is internal evidence enough (in the versification, the character of the composition, the total difference of conduct, language, and sentiment, and also in its resemblance to several dramas of much more ancient date) to prove, with irresistable force, that it has been erroneously ascribed to Shakspeare. Dr. Johnson says, “All the editors and critics agree with Mr. Theobald in supposing this play spurious. I see no reason for differing from them; for the colour of the style is wholly different from that of the other play, and there is an attempt at regular versification and artificial closes, not always inelegant, yet seldom pleasing. The barbarity of the spectacle, and the general massacre which are here exhibited, can scarcely be conceived tolerable to any audience : yet we are told by Jonson, that they were not only borne but applauded. That Shakspeare wrote any part, though Theobald declares it incontestible, I see no reason for believing."

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SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, | ÆMILIUs, a noble Roman. and afterwards declared Emperor ALARBUS,

Basi accrued himself.

with Lavinia.

CHIRON,

Sons to Tamorà.`

AARON, a Moor, beloved by Tamora.

TITUS ANDRONICUS, a noble Roman, General | A CAPTAIN, TRIBUNE, MESSENGER, and CLOWN; against the Goths.

MARCUS ANDRONICUS, Tribune of the People;

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Romans.

Goths and Romans.

TAMORA, Queen of the Goths.

LAVINIA, Daughter to Titus Andronicus.
A NURSE, and A BLACK CHILD.

Kinsmen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, Ofi-
cers, Soldiers, and Attendants.

SCENE: Rome, and the Country near it.

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.

Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right,
Defend the justice of my cause with arms;
And, countrymen, my loving followers,
Plead my successive title with your swords :
I am his first-born son, that was the last
That wore the imperial diadem of Rome,
Then let my father's honours live in me,
Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.

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stand

A special party, have, by their common voice,
In election for the Roman empery,

Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius

For many good and great deserts to Rome;

Bas. Romans,-fri nds, followers, favourers of A nobler man, a braver warrior,

of my right,

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Lives not this day within the city walls:
He by the senate is accited home,

From weary wars against the barbarous Goths,

Summoned.

Scene II.

TITUS ANDRONICUS.

That, with his sons, a terror to our foes,
Hath yok'd a nation strong, train'd up in arms.
Ten years are spent, since first he undertook
This cause of Rome, and chastised with arms
Our enemies' pride: Five times he hath return'd
Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
In coffins from the

And now, at last, laden with honour's spoils,
Returus the good Andronicus to Rome,
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 seitate's 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.
Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my
thoughts!

Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy
In thy aprightness and integrity,
And so I love and honour thee and thine,
"Thy nobler brother Titus, and his sons,

And her, to whoin my thoughts are humbled all,
Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament,
That I will here dismiss my loving friends,
And to my fortunes, and the people's favour,
Connnit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.

[Exeunt the Followers of BASSIANUS. Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my right,

thank you all, and here dismiss you all ; And to the love and favour of my country Commit myself, my person, and my cause.

[Exeunt the Followers of SATURNINUS.
Rome, be as just and gracious unto me,
As I am confident and kind to thee.-
Open the gates, and let me in.

Bas. Tribunes! and me, a poor competitor..
[SAT. and Bas. go into the Capitol, and ex-
eunt with SENATORS, MARCUS, &c.

t

81

To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx ?-
Make way to lay them by their brethren.
[The Tomb is opened.
There greet in silence, as the dead are wont,
And sleep in peace, slain in your country's wars!
O sacred receptacle of my joys,
Sweet c cell

How many stue and nobility,

sons

hast thou in store, That thou wilt never render to me more! Luc. Give us the proudest prisoner of the

Goths,

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That we may hew his limbs, and. on a pile
Ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesh,
Before this earthly prison of their boues:
That so the shadows be not unappeas'd,
Nor we disturb'd with prodigies on earth.*
Tit. I give him you; the noblest that survives,
The eldest son of this distressed queen.
Tam, Stay, Roman brethren--Gracious con-

queror,

Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed,
A mother's tears in passion for her son:
And, if thy sons were ever dear to thee,
Oh! think my son to be as dear to me.
Sufficeth not, that we are brought to Rome
To beautify thy triumphs, and return,
Captive to thee, and to thy Roman yoke;
But must my sons be slaughter'd in the streets,
For valiaut doings in their country's cause?
Oh! if to fight for king and common weal
Were piety in thine, it is in these.
Andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood
Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods,
Draw near them then in being merciful; "T
Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge-
Thrice-noble Titus, spare my first-born son.

Tit. Patient yourself, madam, and pardon me. These are their brethren, whom you Goths beheld

Alive and dead; and, for their brethren slain,
Religiously they ask a sacrifice:

To this your son is mark'd; and die he must,
To appease their groaning shadows that are gone.
Luc. Away with him! and make a fire
straight:

Andro-And with your swords, upon a pile of wood, f
Let's hew his limbs, till they be clean consum'd
Exeunt LUCIUS, QUINTUS, Martius, und
MUTIUS, with ALARBUS.

SCENE JI-The same. Enter a CAPTAIN, and others. Cap. Romans, make way-The good nicus, Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion, Successful in the battles that he fights, With honour and with fortune is return'd, From where he circumscribed with his sword, And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome. Flourish of Trumpets, &c. Enter MUTIUS and MARTIUS: after them, two Men bearing a Copin covered with black; then QUINTUS and LUCIUS. After them, TITUS ANDRONIccs; and then TAMORA, with ALARBUS, CHIRON, DEMETRIUS, AARON, and other Goths, prisoners; Soldiers and People following. The Bearers set down the Coffin, and TITUS speaks.

Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning
weeds!

Lo, as the bark that hath discharged her fraught, t
Returns with precious lading to the hay,
From whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage,
Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs,
To re-salute bis country with his tears;
Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.-.
Thon great defender of this Capitol,
Stand gracious to the rights that we intend !-
Romans, of five and twenty valiant, sons,
Half of the number that king Priam had,
Behold the poor remains, alive, and dead!
These, that survive, let Rome reward with love:
These, that I bring unto their latest home,
With burial amongst their ancestors:

Tam. O cruel, irreligious piety!
Chi, Was ever Scythia half so barbarous ?
Dem. Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Ronie.
Alarbus goes to rest; and we survive
To tremble under Titus threatening look.
Theu, madam, staud resolv'd: but hope withal,
The self-same 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 Goth,
(When Goths were Goths, and Tamora was
queen,)
To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes.
Re-enter LUCIUS, QUINTUS, MARTIUS, and
MUTIUS, with their Swords bloody.
Luc. See, lord and father, how we have per-
form'd

L

Our Roman rites: Alarbus' limbs are 'lopp'd
And entrails feed the sacrificing fire,
Whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky.
Remaineth nought, but to inter our brethren,
And with loud "larums welcome them to Rome.

Tit. Let it be so, and let Audronicus

Make this his latest farewell to their souls.

[Trumpets sounded, and the Coffins laid
in the Tomb.

In peace and honour rest you here, my sons,
Rome's readiest champious, repose you here,

Here Goths have given me leave to sheath my Secure from worldly chances and mishaps !

sword.

Titus, unkind, and careless of thine own,

wby suffer'st thou thy sons, unburied yet,

+Freight.

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• Confide..
Jupiter, to whom the Capitol was sacred.

Here lurks no treason, here no envy swells,
Here grow no damned grudges, here are no

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storms.

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