1 Sen. We speak in vain. Tim. But yet I love my country; and am not One that rejoices in the common wreck, As common bruit doth put it. 1 Sen. That's well spoke. 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, Their fears of hostile strokes, their aches, losses, Their pangs of love, with other incident throes That nature's fragile vessel doth sustain In life's uncertain voyage, I will some kindness do them : I'll teach them to prevent wild Alcibiades' wrath. 2 Sen. I like this well, he will return again. Tim. I have a tree, which grows here in my close, That mine own use invites me to cut down, And shortly must I fell it; Tell my friends, Tell Athens, in the sequence of degree, From high to low throughout, that whoso please To stop affliction, let him take his haste, Come hither, ere my tree hath felt the axe, And hang himself:-I pray you, do my greeting. Flav. Trouble him no further, thus you still shall find him. Tim. Come not to me again: but say to Athens, Timon hath made his everlasting mansion Upon the beached verge of the salt flood; Which once a day with his embossed froth The turbulent surge shall cover; thither come, And let my grave-stone be your oracle.— Lips, let sour words go by, and language end: What is amiss, plague and infection mend! Graves only be men's works; and death, their gain! Sun, hide thy beams! Timon hath done his reign. [Exit TIMON. 1 Sen. His discontents are unremoveably Coupled to nature. 2 Sen. Our hope in him is dead: let us return, And strain what other means is left unto us In our dear' peril. 1 Sen. It requires swift foot. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The Walls of Athens. 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 : riding From Alcibiades to Timon's cave, this man was With letters of entreaty, which imported His fellowship i'the cause against your city, part for his sake mov'd. In Enter Senators from TIMON. 1 Sen. Here come our brothers. ■ Dreadful. 3 Sen. No talk of Timon, nothing, of him ex pect. 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. 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 The scope of justice; till now, myself, and such breath'd and Our sufferance vainly: Now the time is flush3, 1 Sen. Noble and young, When thy first griefs were but a mere conceit, To wipe out our ingratitude with loves 2 Sen. So did we woo Transformed Timon to our city's love, By humble message, and by promis'd means; The common stroke of war. 1 Sen. These walls of ours Were not erected by their hands, from whom You have receiv'd your griefs: nor are they such, That these great towers, trophies, and schools should fall For private faults in them. 2 Sen. (If thy revenges hunger for that food, Which nature loaths,) take thou the destin'd tenth; 2 Arms across. • Mature. 1 Sen. All have not offended; For those that were, it is not square, to take, What thou wilt, 2 Sen. 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; So thou wilt send thy gentle heart before, To say, thou'lt enter friendly. 2 Sen. Throw thy glove; Or any token of thine honour else; That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress, Alcib. Both. The Senators descend, and open 4 Not regular, not equitable. Reconcile. the Gates. 5 Unattacked gates. |