suppose merely fictitious. Andronicus is a surname of pure Greek derivation. Tamora is neither mentioned by Ammianus Marcellinus, nor any body else that I can find. Nor had Rome, in the time of her emperors, any wars with the Goths that I know of: not till after the translation of the empire, I mean to Byzantium. And yet the scene of our play is laid at Rome, and Saturninus is elected to the empire at the capitol. THEOBALD. 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 stile is wholly different from that of the other plays, and there is an attempt at regular versification, and artificial closes, not always inelegant, yet seldom pleasing. The barbarity of the spectacles, 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 praised. That Shakspeare wrote any part, though Theobald declares it incontestible, I see no reason for believing. The testimony produced at the beginning of this play, by which it is ascribed to Shakspeare, is by no means equal to the argument against its authenticity, arising from the total difference of conduct, language, and sentiments, by which it stands apart from all the rest. Meeres had probably no other evidence than that of a title-page, which, though in our time it be sufficient, was then of no great authority; for all the plays which were rejected by the first collectors of Shakspeare's works, and admitted în later editions, and again rejected by the critical editors, had Shakspeare's name on the title, as we must suppose, by the fraudulence of the printers, who, while there were yet no gazettes, nor advertisements, nor any means of circulating literary intelligence, could usurp at pleasure any celebrated name. Nor had Shakspeare any interest in detecting the imposture, as none of his fame or profit was produced by the press. The chronology of this play does not prove it not to be Shakspeare's. If it had been written twenty-five years, in 1614, it might have been written when Shakspeare was twenty-five years old. When he left Warwickshire I know not, but at the age of twenty-five it was rather too late to fly for deer-stealing, Ravenscroft, who in the reign of Charles II. revised this play, Tit. And. 4 and restored it to the stage, tells us, in his preface, from a theatrical tradition, I suppose, which in his time might be of sufficient authority, that this play was touched in different parts by Shakspeare, but written by some other poet. I do not find Shakspeare's touches very discernible. JOHNSON. It may not be amiss to remark, that this tragedy, which (setting aside the feebleness of composition) would be regarded as too bloody on the modern stage, appears to have been highly relished in 1686, when it was revived with alterations by Ravenscroft. Instead of diminishing any of its horrors, he seized every oppor tunity of making large additions of them, insomuch that when Tamora stabs her child, the Moor utters the following lines: She has out-done me, ev'n in mine own art, Out-done me in murder-kill'd her own child! I'll eat it. STEEVENS. TITUS ANDRONICUS. 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, Nor wrong mine age Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favourers of my right,— If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son, Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome, B But let desert in pure election shine; Enter Marcus Andronicus aloft, with the crown. Mar. Princes, that strive by factions, and by friends, Ambitiously for rule and empery,— Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius For many good and great deserts to Rome; Lives not this day within the city walls: From weary wars against the barbarous Goths; And now at last, laden with honour's spoils, Let us entreat,-By honour of his name, 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 uprightness and integrity, And so I love and honour thee and thine, And her, to whom my thoughts are humbled all, [Exeunt the followers of Bassianus. Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my right, I thank you all, and here dismiss you all; Rome, be as just and gracious unto me, Bas. Tribunes! and me, a poor competitor. |