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,s 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: 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. 2 Sen. It requires swift foot. [Exeunt. 5 Methodically, from highest to lowest. 6 Swollen froth. 7 Dreadful. 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 :-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 ex pect. The enemies' drum is heard, and fearful scouring [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: What's on this tomb I cannot read; the character Our captain hath in every figure skill; An ag'd interpreter, though young in days: SCENE V. Before the Walls of Athens. [Exit › Trumpets sound. Enter ALCIBIADES, and Forces. Alcib. Sound to this coward and lascivious town Our terrible approach. Till now you [A Parley sounded. gone on, and fill'd the time Enter Senators on the Walls. have With all licentious measure, making your wills The scope of justice; till now, myself, and such As slept within the shadow of your power, 8 Have wander'd with our travers'd arms, and breath'd 8 Arms across. Our sufferance vainly: Now the time is flush," With fear and horrid flight. Noble and young, 1 Sen. 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 fall For private faults in them. 2 Sen. Nor are they living, Who were the motives that you first went out; (If thy revenges hunger for that food, Which nature loaths,) take thou the destin'd tenth; 9 Mature. i. e. By promising him a competent subsistence. And by the hazard of the spotted die, 2 1 Sen. 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; So thou wilt send thy gentle heart before, To say, thou'lt enter friendly. Or 2 Sen. Throw thy glove; any token of thine honour else, That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress, And not as our confusion, all thy powers Alcib. Then there's my glove; Descend, and open your uncharged ports;3 * Not regular, not equitable. 3 Unattacked gates. |