BOTH. Name them, my lord, let's know them. TIM. You that way, and youthis, but two in company :Each man apart, all fingle and alone, Yet an arch villain keeps him company. If, where thou art, two villains fhall not be, [To the PAINTER. Come not near him.-If thou would'ft not refide [To the POET. But where one villain is, then him abandon. Out, rafcal dogs! [Exit, beating and driving them out. SCENE II. The fame. Enter FLAVIUS, and two SENATORS. FLAV. It is in vain that you would fpeak with Timon; For he is fet fo only to himself, That nothing, but himself, which looks like man, Is friendly with him. 1 SEN. Bring us to his cave: It is our part, and promise to the Athenians, To speak with Timon. 2 SEN. At all times alike Men are not still the fame. 'Twas time, and griefs, The former man may make him: Bring us to him, FLAV. Here is his cave. Peace and content be here! Lord Timon! Timon! Speak to them, noble Timon. Enter TIMON. TIM. Thou fun, that comfort'ft, burn?_Speak, and be hang'd: For each true word, a blifter! and each falfe 1 SEN. Worthy Timon, TIM. Of none but fuch as you, and you of Timon. 2 SEN. The fenators of Athens greet thee, Timon. TIM. I thank them; and would fend them back the Could I but catch it for them. I SEN. O, forget What we are forry for ourselves in thee. The fenators, with one confent of love, Entreat thee back to Athens; who have thought For thy best use and wearing. 2 SEN. They confefs, [plague, Toward thee, forgetfulness too general, grofs: A lack of Timon's aid, hath sense withal And fend forth us, to make their forrowed render, TIM. You witch me in it; Surprize me to the very brink of tears: Lend me a fool's heart, and a woman's eyes, And I'll beweep these comforts, worthy fenators. Who, like a boar too favage, doth root up His country's peace. 2 SEN. And shakes his threat'ning fword Against the walls of Athens. 1 SEN. Therefore, Timon, TIM. Well, fir, I will; therefore I will, fir; Thus,If Alcibiades kill my countrymen, Let Alcibiades know this of Timon, That-Timon cares not. But if he fack fair Athens, Of contumelious, beaftly, mad-brain'd war; Then, let him know,-and, tell him, Timon speaks it, In pity of our aged, and our youth, I cannot choose but tell him, that I care not, And let him tak't at worft; for their knives care not, The reverend'ft throat in Athens. So I leave you As thieves to keepers. FLAV. Stay not, all's in vain. TIM. Why, I was writing of my epitaph, Of health, and living, now begins to mend, And nothing brings me all things. Go, live ftill; And laft fo long enough! I 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 triúmphers 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 fome kindness do them: 2 SEN. I like this well, he will return again. TIM. I have a tree, which grows here in my close, That mine own ufe invites me to cut down, And shortly muft I fell it; Tell my friends, Tell Athens, in the fequence of degree, From high to low throughout, that whoso please To ftop affliction, let him take his hafte, 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 ftill fhall find him. TIM. Come not to me again: but fay to Athens, Timon hath made his everlasting mansion Upon the beached verge of the salt flood; I SEN. His discontents are unremoveably Coupled to nature. [Exit TIMON. 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 fwift foot. SCENE III. The Walls of Athens. [Exeunt. Enter two SENATORS, and a MESSENGER. I SEN. Thou haft painfully discover'd; are his files As full as thy report? MESS. I have spoke the least : Befides, his expedition promises Prefent 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 fake mov'd. Enter SENATORS from Timon. |