And let him take 't at worst; for their knives care not, The reverend'st 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; And last so long enough! 1 Sen. We speak in vain. Tim. But yet I love my country, and am not One that rejoices in the common wrack, 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. 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, From high to low throughout, that whoso please 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; Whom 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. SCENE III.-The Walls of Athens. Enter Two Senators, and a Messenger. [Exeunt. 1 Sen. Thou hast painfully discover'd; are his files As full as thy report? I have spoke the least; Mess. 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 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. SCENE IV.-The Woods. Timon's Cave, and a Tombstone seen. Enter a Soldier, seeking TIMON. Sold. By all description this should be the place, Who 's here? speak, hoa!-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: Before proud Athens he 's set down by this, Whose fall the mark of his ambition is. [Exit. SCENE V.-Before the walls of Athens. Enter Senators on the walls. As slept within the shadow of your power, Have wander'd with our travers'd arms, and breath'd 1 Sen. 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 grief: nor are they such That these great towers, trophies, and schools should fall 2 Sen. Which nature loathes,) take thou the destin'd tenth; Let die the spotted. a Cunning in this line is not used in an evil sense, but with its ancient meaning of knowledge, wisdom;-Excessive shame that they have wanted wisdom has broken their hearts. All have not offended; 1 Sen. 2 Sen. What thou wilt, Thou rather shalt enforce it with thy smile, 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. any Throw thy glove; token of thine honour else, That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress, Alcib. Both. "T is most nobly spoken. |