A minister of her will; And it is great

Biow me into abhorring ! rather make
To do that thing that ends all other deeds ; My country's high pyramids ny gibbet,
Which shackles accidents, and bolts up change ; And hang me up in chains !
Which sleeps, and never palates more the dung, Pro. You do extend
The beggar's nurse and Cesar's.

These thoughts of horror further than you shall

Find cause in Cesar.
Enter, to the Gates of the Monument, PROCU-
LEIUS, GALLUS, and Soldiers.

Enter DOLABELLA.
Pro. Cesar sends greeting to the queen of Dol. Proculeius,
Egypt;

What thou hast done thy master .Cesar knows, And bids thee study on what fair demands And he hath sent for thee : as for the queen, Thou mean'st to have him grant thee.

I'll take her to my guard. Cleo. [Within.) What's thy name?

Pro. So, Dolabella, Pro. My name is Proculeius.

It shall content ine best : be gentle to her.Cleo. [Within.] Antony

To Cesar I will speak what you shall please. Did tell ine of you, bade me trust you ; but

[To CLEOPATRA. I do not greatly care to be deceiv'd,

If you'll employ me to him. That have no use for trusting. If your master Cleo. Say, I would die. Would have a queen bis beggar, you must tell him,

(Ereunt PROCULEIUS, and Soldiers. That majesty, tu keep decorum, must

Dol. Most noble empress, you bave heard of No less beg tban a kingdom: il he please

me? To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son,

Cleo. I cannot tell. he gives me so much of mine owl, as I

Dol. Assuredly, you know me. Will kneel to him with thanks.

Cleo. No matter, Sir, what I have beard, or Pro, Be of good cheer :

known. You are fallen into a princely hand; fear no- You laugh, when boys, or

men, tell their thing;

dreams ; Make your full reference freely to my lord, Is't not your trick? Who is so full of grace, that it flows over

Dol. I understand not, madam. On all that need : Let me report to him

(leo. I dreain'd, there was an emperor AuYour sweet dependancy; and you shall find

tony; A conqueror, that will pray in aid for kindness, Oh! such another sleep, that I might see Where he for grace is kneel'd to.

But such another man ! Cleo. (Within.) Pray you, tell him

Dul, li it might please you, I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him

Cleo. His face was as the heavens ; and therein The greatness he has got. . I hourly learn

stuck A doctrine of obedience, and would gladly A sun and moon ; which kept their course, and Look bim i'the face.

lighted Pro. This I'll report, dear lady.

The little o, the earth.
Have comfort: for I know your plight is pitied Dot. Most sovereign creature,--
Of him that caus'd it.

Cleo. His legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd Gal. You see how easily she may be sur

arin priz'd ;

Crested the world : his voice was propertied [Here PROCULEIUS, and two of the Guard, As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends;

ascend the Monument by a Ladder placed But when he meant to quail and shake the against a Window, and having descended,

orb, come behind CLEOPATRA. Some of the He was as ratling thunder. For his honnty,

Guard unbar and open the Gates. There was no winter in't ; an autum 'twas, Guard her till Cesar come.

That grew the more by reaping : His delights (To ProcuLEIUS und the Guard. Erit. Were dolphin-like ; they show'd his back above GALLUS.

The element they liv'd in: In his livery Iras. Royal queen!

Walk'd crowns and crownets ; realus and islands Char. 0 Cleopatra I thou art taken, queen !

were Cleo. Quick, quick, good bands.

As plates + dropp'd from his pocket. [Drawing a Dagger. Dol. Cleopatra, -. Pro. Hold, worthy lady, bold :

Cleo. Think you there was, or might be, such [Seizes and disarms her. Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this As this I dream'd of? Reliev'd, but not betray'd.

Dol. Gentle madam, no. Cleo. What, of death too

Cleo You lie, up to the hearing of the gods. That rids our dogs of languish ?

But, if there be, or ever were one such, Pro. Cleopatra,

It's past the size of dreaming : Nature wants Do not abuse my master's bounty, by

stuff

(gine The undoing of yourself : let the world see To vie strange forms with fancy ; yet, to imaHis nobleness well acted, which your death An Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy, Will never let come forth.

Condemning shadows quite. Cleo. Where art thou, death?

Dol. Hear me, good madam : Come hither, come ! come, come, and take a queen Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it Worth many babes and beggars !

As answering to the weight: 'Would I might Pro. O temperance, lady!

never Cleo. Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, O'ertake pursu'd success, but I do feel, If idle talk will once be necessary, (Sir; By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots I'll not sleep neither : This mortal house I'll My very beart at root. ruin,

Cleo. I thank you, Sir Do Cesar what he can. Know, Sir, that I Know you what Cesar means to do with me? Will not wait pinion's + at your master's court; Dol. I am lo: to tell you what I would you Nor once be chastis'd with the sober eye

knew. Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up,

Cleo. Nay, pray you, Sir,-
And show me to the shouting varletry

Dol. Though he be honourable,
Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumpb
Be gentle grave to me! rather on Nilus' mud Dol. Madam, he will :
Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies I know it.

Within. Make way there,–Cesar.
• The crown which he has won. + In bonds.
Rabble.

• Crush.

+ Silver money.

a man

Enter CESAR, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS,MECÆNAS, With one that I have bred? The gods ! It smites SELBUCUS, and Attendants.

me C'es. Which is the queen

Beneath the fall I have. Prytbee, go hence ; of Egypt?

[TO SELEUCUS. Dol. 'Tis the emperor, madam.

Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits

(CLEOPATRA kneels. Through the ashes of my chance :-Wert thou a Ces. Arise :

man, You shall not kneel :

Thou would'st have mercy on me. I pray you, rise : rise, Egypt.

C'es. Forbear, Seleucus. Cleo. Sir, the gods

[Erit SELEUCUS. Will have it thus; my master and my lord

Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are I must obey.

misthought C'es. Take to yon no hard thoughts :

For thines that others do ; and, wlien we fall, The record of what injuries you did us,

We answer others' merits * in our naines, Though written in our flesh, we shall remember

Are therefore to be pitied. As things but done by chance.

Ces. Cleopatra, Cleo. Sole Sir o'the world,

Not what you have resery'd, nor what acknowI cannot project. mine own cause so well

ledgid, To make it clear ; but to confess, I have

Pult we i'the roll of conquest : still be it yours, Been laden with like frailties, which before

Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe, Hlave otten sham'd our sex.

Cesar's no merchant, to make prize with you

Therefore be

of things that merchants sold. Ces. Cleopatra, know,

cheer'd ; We will extenuate rather than enforce : If you apply yourself to our intents,

Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear (Which towards you are inost geutle,) you shall

queen ;

For we intend so to dispose you, as find

Yourself shall give us counsel. A benefit in this change : but if you seek

Feed, and sleep : To lay on me a cruelty, by taking

Our care and pity is so much upon you, Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself

That we remain your friend; And so adieu. of iny good purposes, and put your children

Cleo. My master, and my lord ! To that destruction which I'll guard them from,

Ces. Not so : Adieu. If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

Exeunt Cesar, and his Train. Cleo. And may, through all the world : 'tis

Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that

I should not yours : and we Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, Be noble to myself : but bark thee, Charmian. shall

(lord.

[Whispers CHARMIAN. Hang in what place you please. Here, my good

Iras. Finish, good lady : the bright day is done, C'es. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. And we are for the dark. Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and

Cleo. Hie thee again :

I have spoke already, and it is provided : jewels, I am possess'd of : 'tis exactly valued ;

Go, put it to the haste. Not petty things admitted.--Where's Seleucus?

Chur. Madam, I will.
Sel. Here, madam.

Re-enter DOLABELLA.
Cleo. This is my treasurer : let him speak, my
Jord,

Dol. Where is the queen
Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd

Char. Behold, Sir. To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.

(Eirt CHARMIAN. Sel. Madam,

Cleo. Dolabella? I had rather seelt my lips, than, to my peril,

Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your comSpeak that which is not.

mand, Cleo. What have I kept back?

Which my love makes religion to obey, Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made ! tell you this : Cesar through Syria known.

Intends his journey; and, within three days, Ces. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra ; I approve

You with your children will he send before : Your wisdoin in the deed.

Make your best use of this : 1 have perform'd Cleo. See, Cesar! O behold

Your pleasure, and my promise. How pomp is follow'd ! mine will now be yours ;

Cleo. Dolabella, And, should we shift estates, yours would be I shall remain your debtor. mine.

Dol. I your servant. The ingratitude of this Seleucus does

Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cesar. Even make me wild:0 slave, of no more trust

Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. Than love that's hir'd !-What, goest thou

[Exit Dou. back 1-thou shalt

Now, Tras, what think'st thou? Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine extes: In Rome, as well as 1: mechanic slaves,

Thon, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown Though they had wings: Slave, soulless villain, with greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall

dog! O rarely I base!

Uplift us to the view ; in their thick breaths, Ces. Good queen, let us entreat you.

Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded, Cleo. O Cesar, what a wounding shame is And forc'd to drink their vapour.

Iras. The gods forbid ! That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me,

Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras : Saucy

lictors + Doing the honour of thy lordliness

(mers To one so meek, that mine own servant should

Will catch at us, like strumpets ! and scald i rhy. Parcel $ the sum of my disgraces by

Ballad us out o'tune : the quick comedians Addition of his envy! Say, good Cesar,

Extemporally will stage us, and present

Our Alexandrian revels : Antony
That I some lady trifles have reserv'd,
Immoment toys, things of such dignity

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see As we greet modern || friends withal ; and say,

Some squeaking Cleopatra buy my greatness Some nobler token I have kept apart

l'the posture of a whore. For Livia ? and Octavia, ** to induce.

Iras. O the good gods ! Their mediation ; must í be unfolded

Cleo. Nay, that is certain. • State.

Uncommonly.

Merits or demerits. | Beadles.
Add to
Cominon.
1 A term of contempt.

Female characters
T Cesar's wife and
• Sister

were played by boys.

this ;

+ Sew up.

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.

lip :Cleo. Why that's the way

Yare, yare,

good Iras; quick.-Methinks, I To fool their preparation, and to conquer

hear
Their most absurd intents.--Now, Charmian ?- Antony call; I see him rouse himself

To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
Enter CHARMIAN.

The luch of Cesar, which the gods give men
Show me, my women, like a queen ;-Go fetch To excuse their after wrath : Husband, I come :
My best attires ;-I am again for Cydnus, Now to that name my courage prove my title !
Tó meet Mark Antony :-Sirrab, Iras, go.- I am tire, and air ; my other elements
Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch indeed : I give to baser life. -S0,--have you done?
And, when thou bast done this chare, I'll give Come then, and take the last warunub of my
thee leave

lips. To play till doomsday.--Bring our crown and all. Farwell, kiud Charmian ;- Iras, long farewell. Wherefore's this noise ?

(Kisses them. TRAS julls and dits. (Exit Iras. A Noise within. Have I the aspic in my lips ? + Dost fall ?

If thou and nature can so gently part,
Enter one of the GUARD.

The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Guard. Here is a rural fellow,

Which hurts and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still ? That will not be denied your' highness', pre. If thus tbou vanishest, thou tell’st the worlu sence :

It is not worth leave-taking. He brings you figs.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud and rain; that I Cleo. Let him come in. How poor an instru

may say ment

(Exit Guard. The gods themselves do weep ! May do a noble deed ! he brings me liberty. Cleo. This proves me base : My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing If she first meet the curled Antony, of woman in me: Now froin head to foot He'll make demand of her; and spend that I am marble-constant : now the fleeting moon

kiss, N) planet is of mine.

Which is my heaven to have.

Come, mortal

wretch, Re-enter GUARD, with a Clown bringing a

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

Breast. Guard. This is the man.

With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate Cleo. Avoid, and leave him.

of life at once untie : poor venomous fool,

(Exit GUARD. Be angry, and despatch. Ob! could'st thou Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,

speak! That kills and pains not ?

That I might hear thee call great Cesar, Ass Clown. Truly have him : but I would not be Unpolicied! I the party that should desire you to touch him,

Char. O eastern star ! for his biting is immortal : those that do die of

Cleo. Peace, peace! it, do seldom or never recover.

Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, Cleo. Remembers't thou any that have died That sucks the nurse asleep? on't

Char. O break ! o break! Clown. Very many, men and women too. I Cleo. As sweet as balm, 18 soft as air, as heard of one of them no longer than yesterday

gentle,a very honest woman, but something given to o Antony !-- Nay, I will take thee too :lie as a woman should not do, but in the way

[Applying another Asp to her Arm. of honesty-how she died of the biting of it, What should I staywhat pain she felt,-Truly, she makes a very

[Falls on a Bed and Dies. good report o'the worm : But he that will be Char. In this wild world 1--So fare thee lieve all that they say, shall never be saved by

well. half that they do: But this is most fallible, the Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies worm's an odd worm.

A lass unparallel'd.-Downy windows, close ; Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.

And golden Phæbus never be beheld Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm.

of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; Cleo. Farewell.

l’ll mend it, and then play. I [Clown sets down the Basket. Clown. Yon must think this, look you, that

Enter the GUARD, rushing in. the worm will do his kind. +

1 Guard. Where is the queen 7 Cleo. Ay, ay ; farewell.

Char. Speak softly, wake her not. Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be 1 Guard. Cesar hath sent

for, Char. Too slow a messenger. indeed, there is no goodness in the worm.

[Applies the Asp. Cleo. Take thou no care: it shall be heeded.

O come ; apace, despatch : I partly feel thee. Cloun. Very good : give it nothing, I pray 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well : Ce. you, for it is not worth the feeding.

sar's beguild. Cleo. Will it eat me?

2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from CeCloun. You must not think I am 80 simple,

sar :-call him. but I kuow the devil himself will not eat a 1 Guard. What work is here ?-Charmian, is woman: I know that a woman is a dish for the

this well done? gods, if the devil dress ber not. But, truly, Char. It is well done, and fitting for a prin. these same whoreson devils do the gods great

cess barm in their women ; for in every ten that they Descended of so many royal kings. make, the devils mar five.

Ah, soldier ! Cleo. Well, get thee gone : farewell.

(Dies. Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the worm.

(Exit.

Enter DOLABELLA. Re-enter Iras, with a Robe, Crown, fc.

Dol. How goes it here?

2 Guard. All dead.
Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I
have

• Make baste.
+ Are my lips already poisoned by the aspic ?

* An ass without common policy, thus to leave mo ng • Serpent. Act arcording to his nature.

myself.

Play my part in this tragedy.

Dol. Cesar, thy thoughts

As she would catch another Antony
Touch their effects in this : Thyself art coining In her strong toil of grace.
To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou Dol. Here, on her breast,
So sought'st to hinder.

There is a venit of blood, and something blown, . Within. A way there, way for Cesar !

The like is on her arm.

1 Guard. This is an aspic's trail : and these Enter Cesar, and Attendants.

fig leaves Doi. O Sir, you are too sure an augurer; Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves That you did fear, is done.

Upon the caves of Nile. C'es. Bravest at the last :

Ces. Most probable, Sho levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal, That so she died; for her physician tells me, Took her own way.--The manner of their deaths ? She had pursu'd conclusions i intinite I do not see them bleed.

Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed ; Dol. Who was last with them?

And bear her women from the inonument : 1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought she shall be buried by her Autony : her figs :

No grave upon the earth shall clip 1 in it This was his basket.

A pair so famous. High events as ihese Ces. Poisou'd then.

Strike those that make them, and their story is 1 Guard. O Cesar,

No less in pity, than his glory, which Tbis Charinian lived but now; she stood, and Brought thein to be lamented. Our army shall, spake :

In solemn show, attend the funeral; I found her trimming up the diadem

And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see On her dead mistress; iremblingly she stood, High order in this great solemnity. And on the sudden dropp'd.

[Exeunt. Ces. O noble weakness! If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear

• Some part of the flesh puffed. By external swelling ; but she looks like sleep,

+ Tried experiments.

Enfold.

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 origin. The events, however, are not of historical occurrence, but were probably borrowed from an old ballad en. tered on the books of the Stationers' Company in the year 1993, 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 jim ; but, says Dr. Jobnson, “I do not find his touches very discernible.” It is devoid of any striking sentiment --- it has none of the philosophic stateliness which generally distinguishes his plays---the anachronisms are gross.--the language throughout is as 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, langnage, and sentiment, and also in its resemblance to several dramas of much more ancient date) to prove, with irresistible force, that it has been erroneously ascribed to Shakspeare. Dr. Johnson says, “ All the editors and crie ties 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."

DRAMATIS PERSONA.
SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, Æmilius, a noble Roma;r.

and afterwards declared Emperor ALARBUS,
himself.

CHIRON, Sons to Tamora.
BASSIANUS, Brother to Saturninus : in love DEMETRIUS,
with Lavinia.

AARON, a Moor, belored by Tamora. Titus ANDRONICus, a noble Roman, General A CAPTAIN,TRIBUNE,MESSENGER, and CLOWN; against the Goths,

Romans. MARCUS ANDRONICUS, Tribune of the People ; | Goths and Romans.

and Brother to Titus. Lucius,

TAMORA, Queen of the Goths.
QUINTUS,
Sons to Titus Andronicus.

LAVINIA, Daughter to Titus Andronicus. MARTIUS,

A NURSE, and A BLACK CHILD. MUTIUS, YOUNG Lucius, a Boy, Son to Lucius. Kinsmen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, OdiPUBLIUS, Son to Marcus the Tribune.

cers, Soldiers, and Attendants. SCENE : Rome, and the Country near it.

ACT I.

Keep then this passage to the Capitol :

And suffer not dishonour to approach SCENE 1.- Rome.- Before the Capitol. The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate, The tomb of the ANDRONICI appearing; the But let desert in pure election shine ;

To justice, continence, and nobility : TRIBUNES and SENATORS aloft, as in the And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice. Senate. Enter, below, SATURNINUS and his Followers, on one side ; and BASSIANUS Enter Marcus ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the and his Followers on the other; with Drum

Croun. and Colours.

Mar. Princes, that strive by factions and by Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right,

friends, Defend the justice of my cause with arms; Ambitiously for fule and empery, And, countrymen, my loving followers, Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we Plead my successive title • with your swords :

stand I am his first-born son, that was the last

A special party, have, by their common voice, That wore the imperial diadem of Rome,

In election for the Roman empery, Then let my father's honours live in me, Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.

For many good and great deserts to Rome; Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favourers of A nobler man, a braver warrior, of my right,

Lives not this day within the city walls : If ever Bassianus, Cesar's son,

He by the senate is accited • home, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, From weary wars against the barbarous Goths, • My title to the succession.

• Summoned.