Present approach. 2 Se. We stand much hazard, if they bring not Timon. Mes. I met a courier, one mine ancient friend ;Whom, though in general part we were opposed, 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 Enter SENATORS from Timon. 1 Se. Here come our brothers. 3 Se. No taik 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. The woods. SCENE IV. Timon's cave, and a tomb-stone seen. Enter 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 aged interpreter, though young in days. [Exit. SCENE V. Before the walls of Athens. Trumpets sound. Enter ALCIBIADES and forces. Alc. 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 6 Our sufferance vainly. Now the time is flush,2 When crouching marrow, in the bearer strong, Cries, of itself, No more:' now breathless wrong Shall sit and pant in your great chairs of ease; And pursy insolence shall break his wind With fear and horrid flight. Noble and young, 1 Se. Transformed Timon to our city's love, By humble message and by promised means.1 We were not all unkind, nor all deserve The common stroke of war. 1 Se. These walls of ours Were not erected by their hands, from whom You have received your griefs; nor are they such, That these great towers, trophies, and schools should fall For private faults in them. 2 Se. Nor are they living, Who were the motives that you first went out: By decimation, and a tithed death, (If thy revenges hunger for that food Which Nature loathes) take thou the destined tenth; And by the hazard of the spotted die I i. e. by promising him a competent subsistence Let die the spotted. 1 Se. All have not offended; For those that were, it is not square,1 to take, On those that are, revenges: crimes, like lands, Are not inherited. Then, dear countryman, Bring in thy ranks, but leave without thy rage: Spare thy Athenian cradle, and those kin, Which, in the bluster of thy wrath, must fall With those that have offended: like a shepherd, Approach the fold, and cull the infected forth, But kill not altogether. What thou wilt, 2 Se. Thou rather shalt enforce it with thy smile, Than hew to 't with thy sword. 1 Se. Set but thy foot Against our rampired gates, and they shall ope; So thou wilt send thy gentle heart before, To say, thou 'lt enter friendly. 2 Se. Throw thy glove, That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress, Have seal'd thy full desire. Alc. Then there's my glove: 1 Not equitable. 2 Unattacked gates. Fall, and no more: and, to atone 1 your fears Both. 'Tis most nobly spoken, Alc. Descend, and keep your words. The Senators descend, and open Enter SOLDIER. the gates. Sol. My noble general, Timon is dead; Entomb'd upon the very hem o' the sea: And, on his grave-stone, this insculpture, which With wax I brought away, whose soft impression Interprets for my poor ignorance. Alc. [reads.] Here lies a wretched corse, of wretched soul bereft. Seek not my name: a plague consume you wicked caitiffs left! Here lie I Timon, who, alive, all living men did hate. Pass by, and curse thy fill; but pass, and stay not here thy gait.' These well express in thee thy latter spirits. 1 Reconcile. |