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

The scene opens on the tomb of the Andronici family, surrounded by Tribunes and Senators. SATURNINUS and a crowd of supporters enter from one side; from another side, BASSIANUS and his supporters enter with ceremonial flags and drums.

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 last That wore the imperial diadem of Rome; Then let my father's honours live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.

SATURNINUS 

Noble patricians, since you support my right to rule, defend my just cause with weapons. And countrymen, my loyal followers, fight for my inheritance with your swords: I am the first-born son of the last emperor, so let me take the crown and don't make me lower myself to ask for it. 

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 Capitol And suffer not dishonour to approach The 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.

BASSIANUS

Romans, friends, followers, supporters of my right to rule—if Bassianus, Caesar's son, ever had a good reputation in the eyes of royal Rome, then block this man's path. Don't let dishonor approach the imperial throne, where there should be only virtue, justice, restraint, and nobility. Instead, elect someone who deserves it, and Romans, fight for your right to freely choose your own emperor.

Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the crown

MARCUS ANDRONICUS enters, holding the crown.

MARCUS ANDRONICUS

Princes, that strive by factions and by friends Ambitiously for rule and empery, Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand A special party, have, by common voice, In election for the Roman empery, Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius For 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 home From 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 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 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.

MARCUS ANDRONICUS

Ambitious princes, fighting each other to become emperor! The people of Rome, whom I have been elected to represent, have voted and chosen Andronicus—called "Andronicus Pius" for all his great deeds, since there's no nobler man or braver warrior in all of Rome—as their new emperor. The Senate has summoned him home from the war against the barbaric Goths. With his sons, he defeated a strong nation that trains its warriors from their birth. It’s been ten years since he first went to war and punished our enemies' pride with his weapons; he’s come back five times, bearing the dead bodies of his brave sons. And now at last, bringing prizes won during war, the famous Titus Andronicus returns to Rome in triumph. Let us ask you—out of respect for the late emperor, the Capitol, and the Senate, which you claim to honor—that you back down, dismiss your followers, and make your case peacefully and humbly.

SATURNINUS

How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts!

SATURNINUS

The tribune speaks well, and calms me down.

BASSIANUS

Marcus Andronicus, so I do ally In 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 favor Commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.

BASSIANUS

Marcus Andronicus, I have much respect for your honesty and integrity. And I have so much love and honor for you and your family—your noble brother Titus and his sons, and lovely Lavinia, the object of my affections—that I will dismiss my followers, and let the people decide my fate.

Exeunt the followers of BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS's followers exit.

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 country Commit myself, my person and the cause.

SATURNINUS

Friends and supporters: I thank you and dismiss you all, relying only on the love and respect of my country to judge my cause.

Exeunt the followers of SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS's followers exit.

SATURNINUS

Rome, be as just and gracious unto meAs I am confident and kind to thee.Open the gates, and let me in.

SATURNINUS

Rome, be as fair and gracious to me as I’ve been straightforward and kind to you. Open the gates, and let me in.