The Tomb of the ANDRONICI appearing; the Tribunes and Senators aloft. Enter, below, from one side, SATURNINUS and his Followers; and, from the other side, BASSIANUS and his Followers; with drum and colours 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, that was the lastThat wore the imperial diadem of Rome;Then let my father's honours live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.BASSIANUS Romans, friends, followers, favorers of my right, If ever Bassianus, Caesar's son, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, Keep then this passage to the CapitolAnd suffer not dishonour to approachThe 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.[Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the crown]MARCUS ANDRONICUS Princes, that strive by factions and by friendsAmbitiously for rule and empery, Know that the people of Rome, for whom we standA special party, have, by common voice, In election for the Roman empery, Chosen Andronicus, surnamed PiusFor many good and great deserts to Rome: A nobler man, a braver warrior, Lives not this day within the city walls: He by the senate is accit'd homeFrom weary wars against the barbarous Goths;That, with his sons, a terror to our foes, Hath yoked a nation strong, train'd up in arms.Ten years are spent since first he undertookThis cause of Rome and chastised with armsOur enemies' pride: five times he hath return'dBleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sonsIn coffins from the field;And now at last, laden with horror's spoils, Returns 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 senate'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.SATURNINUS How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts!BASSIANUS Marcus Andronicus, so I do allyIn 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 fortunes and the people's favorCommit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.[Exeunt the followers of BASSIANUS]SATURNINUS Friends, that have been thus forward in my right, I thank you all and here dismiss you all, And to the love and favor of my countryCommit myself, my person and the cause.[Exeunt the followers of SATURNINUS]Rome, be as just and gracious unto meAs I am confident and kind to thee