Saturninus.
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, who last
Wore the Imperial Diadem of Rome.
Then Let my Fathers Honours Live in me.
Nor Wrong my Birth with this Indignity.

Bassianus.
Romans, friends, followers, favourers of my Right,
If ever Bassianus, Cæsars Son,
Was Gracious in the Eyes of Royall Rome.
Keep then this passage to the Capitoll,
And Suffer not dishonours to approach
The Imperiall Seat, consecrate
To Justice, Continence and Nobility.
But let desert in pure Election, shine
And Romans fight for freedom in your choice. Enter Marcus Andronicus with the Crown.

Marcus.
Princes, that strive by factions and by friends
Ambitiously for Rule and Empire,
Know that the People of Rome for whom we stand
A Party Interess'd, have by common voyce
In Election for the Roman Empire,
Chosen Andronicus surnam'd Pius,
For many good and great deserts to Rome.
A Nobler Man, a braver Warrior
Breaths not this Day within the City-Walls.
He by the Senate is at length call'd home,
From tedious Warrs against the bloody Goths,
That with his Sons (a terror to our foes,)
Hath Yoak'd a Nation strong, Train'd up in Arms.
Ten years are spent since first he undertook
This cause of Rome, and to chastise with Swords,

Our Enemies Pride; five times he hath return'd
Bleeding to Rome, bearing his Vailiant Sons
In Coffins from the field—
Let us intreat by honour of his Name
And in the Capitoll and Senates right,
(Whom you pretend to honour and adore)
That you withdraw you and abate your strength.
Dismiss your followers, and as Sutors should,
Plead your Deserts in Peace and humbleness.

Saturn.
How fair the Tribune speaks to calm my thoughts!

Bassia.
Marcus Andronicus I do rely,
On 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,
The fair Lavinia, Romes bright Ornament,
That I will here Dismiss my Loving Friends;
And to my Fortunes, and the Peoples favour,
Commit my case in Ballance to be wayd. [Roman Soldiers retire.

Saturn.
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 my Self, my Person, and the Cause.
Rome be as Just and gracious now to me,
As I am confident and kind to thee.
Open the Gates and Let me In,
An humble Suppliant to your Senate.

Bassi.
Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor. [Exeunt as into the Senate-house.

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