Tim. Commend me to my loving countrymen,1 Sen. These words become your lips as they pass through them. 2 Sen. And enter in our ears like great triumphers In their applauding gates. Tim. Commend me to them; And tell them, that to ease them of their griefs, In life's uncertain voyage, I will some kindness do them : I'll teach them to prevent wild Alcibiades' wrath. Tim. Come not to me again: but say to Athens, Timon hath made his everlasting mansion Upon the beached verge of the salt flood; Graves only be men's works; and death, their gain! 1 Sen. His discontents are unremoveably Coupled to nature. * Methodically, from highest to lowest. + Swollen froth. 2 Sen. Our hope in him is dead: let us return, And strain what other means is left unto us Enter two Senators, and a Messenger. 1 Sen. Thou hast painfully discover'd; are his files As full as thy report? Mess. I have spoke the least: Besides, his expedition promises Present approach. 2 Sen. We stand much hazard, if they bring not Timon. Mess. I met a courier, one mine ancient friend Whom, though in general part we were oppos'd, Yet our old love made a particular force, - And made us speak like friends-this man was riding From Alcibiades to Timon's cave, With letters of entreaty, which imported His fellowship i'the cause against your city, In part for his sake mov'd. 1 Sen. Enter Senators from Timon. Here come our brothers. 3 Sen. No talk of Timon, nothing of him expect.The enemies' drum is heard, and fearful scouring Doth choke the air with dust: in and prepare; Ours is the fall, I fear, our foes the snare. [Exeunt. * Dreadful. SCENE IV. The woods. Timon's cave, and a tomb-stone seen. [Enter a Soldier, seeking Timon. Sol. By all description this should be the place. Who's here? speak, ho!-No answer?-What is this? Timon is dead, who hath outstretch'd his span: Some beast rear'd this; there does not live a man. Dead, sure; and this his grave. What's on this tomb I cannot read; the character I'll take with wax. Our captain hath in every figure skill; An ag'd interpreter, though young in days: [Exit. SCENE V. Before the walls of Athens. Trumpets sound. Enter Alcibiades, and forces. Alcib. Sound to this coward and lascivious town Our terrible approach. [A parley sounded. Enter Senators on the walls. Till now you have gone on, and fill'd the time Have wander'd with our travers'd arms, and breath'd Our sufferance vainly: Now the time is flusht, 1 Sen. Noble and young, When thy first griefs were but a mere conceit, 2 Sen. So did we woo Transformed Timon to our city's love, By humble message, and by promis'd means; 1 Sen. These walls of ours Were not erected by their hands, from whom fall For private faults in them. 2 Sen. Nor are they living, Who were the motives that you first went out; Shame, that they wanted cunning, in excess Hath broke their hearts. March, noble lord, Into our city with thy banners spread: By decimation, and a tithed death, (If thy revenges hunger for that food, Which nature loaths), take thou the destin'd tenth; And by the hazard of the spotted die, Let die the spotted. 1 Sen. All have not offended; + Mature. Arms across. i. e. By promising him a competent subsistence. For those that were, it is not square*, to take, 2 Sen. What thou wilt, Thou rather shalt enforce it with thy smile, Than hew to't with thy sword. 1 Sen. Set but thy foot Against our rampir'd gates, and they shall ope; To say, thou'lt euter friendly. 2 Sen. Throw thy glove; Or any token of thine honour else, That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress, Alcib. Then there's my glove; Whom you yourselves shall set out for reproof, Both. 'Tis most nobly spoken. Alcib. Descend, and keep your words. Not regular, not equitable. Unattacked gates. Reconcile. VOL. VI. P |