Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice;

(An honor in him, which buys out his fault)
But, with a noble fury, and fair spirit,
Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,
He did oppose his foe:

And with such sober and unnoted passion
He did behave 1 his anger, ere 'twas spent,
As if he had but proved an argument.

1 Se. You undergo too strict a paradox,2 Striving to make an ugly deed look fair:

Your words have took such pains, as if they labor'd
To bring manslaughter into form, set quarrelling
Upon the head of valor; which, indeed,

Is valor misbegot, and came into the world
When sects and factions were newly born.
He's truly valiant, that can wisely suffer

The worst that man can breathe, and make his

wrongs

His outsides; wear them like his raiment, carelessly, And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart,

To bring it into danger.

If wrongs be evils, and enforce us kill,

What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill!

Alc. My lord,

1 Se. You cannot make gross sins look clear; To revenge is no valor, but to bear.

Alc. My lords, then, under favor, pardon me,

1 Govern, control.

2 You undertake a paradox too hard.

If I speak like a captain.

Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
And not endure all threatenings? sleep upon it,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats,
Without repugnancy? But if there be
Such valor in the bearing, what make we
Abroad? why then women are more valiant,
That stay at home, if bearing carry it;

And the ass, more captain than the lion; the fellow,
Loaden with irons, wiser than the judge,

If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords,

As you are great, be pitifully good.

Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood?

To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust; 2

But, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just.3

To be in anger, is impiety;

But who is man, that is not angry?

Weigh but the crime with this.

2 Se. You breathe in vain. Alc.

In vain his service done

At Lacedæmon and Byzantium

Were a sufficient briber for his life.

1 Se. What's that?

Alc. Why, I say, my lords, h' as done fair service, And slain in fight many of your enemies.

How full of valor did he bear himself

In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds!

1 Why do we take the field?

2 Aggravation.

I call mercy to witness, that defensive violence is just.' -Johnson.

2 Se. He has made too much plenty with 'em : He's a sworn rioter; he has a sin that often Drowns him, and takes his valor prisoner. If there were no foes, that were enough alone To overcome him: in that beastly fury He has been known to commit outrages, And cherish factions. "Tis inferr'd to us, His days are foul, and his drink dangerous. 1 Se. He dies.

Alc. Hard fate! he might have died in war. My lords, if not for any parts in him,

(Though his right arm might purchase his own

time,

And be in debt to none) yet, more to move you,
Take my deserts to his, and join them both :
And, for I know, your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories, all
My honor to you, upon his good returns.
If by this crime he owes the law his life,
Why, let the war receive 't in valiant gore;
For law is strict, and war is nothing more.

1 Se. We are for law; he dies: urge it no more, On height of our displeasure. Friend or brother, He forfeits his own blood, that spills another.

Alc. Must it be so? it must not be. My lords, I do beseech you, know me.

2 Se. How?

Alc. Call me to your remembrances.

3 Se.

What?

Alc. I cannot think, but your age has forgot

me:

It could not else be, I should prove so base,1
To sue, and be denied such common grace.
My wounds ache at you.

1 Se.

Do you dare our anger?

"Tis in few words, but spacious in effect:

We banish thee for ever.

Alc.

Banish me?

Banish your dotage; banish usury,

That makes the senate ugly.

1 Se. If, after two days' shine, Athens contain

thee,

Attend our weightier judgment: and, not to swell our spirit,2

He shall be executed presently. [Exeunt Senators. Alc. Now the gods keep you old enough; that you may live

Only in bone, that none may look on you!

I am worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,
While they have told their money, and let out
Their coin upon large interest; I myself
Rich only in large hurts;-all those for this?
Is this the balsam, that the usuring senate
Pours into captains' wounds? Banishment?
It comes not ill; I hate not to be banish'd:
It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury,
That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up
My discontented troops, and lay for hearts.3

1 For dishonored.

2 Without putting ourselves into a rage.

3 Endeavor to gain the affections of the people.

"Tis honor, with most lands to be at odds: Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods.

SCENE VI.

A magnificent room in Timon's house.

[Exit.

Music. Tables set out; Servants attending. Enter divers LORDS, at several doors.

1 Lord. The good time of day to you, sir.

2 Lord. I also wish it to you. I think this honorable lord did but try us this other day.

1 Lord. Upon that were my thoughts tiring1 when we encountered. I hope, it is not so low with him, as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends.

2 Lord. It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.

1 Lord. I should think so: he hath sent me an earnest inviting, which many my near occasions did urge me to put off; but he hath conjured me beyond them, and I must needs appear.

2 Lord. In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business, but he would not hear my I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision was out.

excuse.

1 Lord. I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.

1 Idly employed.