SCENE III. The Walls of Athens. Enter two Senators, and a Messenger. 1 Sen. Thou hast painfully discover'd; are his files I have spoke the least: Besides, his expedition promises 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, Enter Senators from Timon. 1 Sen. Here come our brothers. 3 Sen. No talk of Timon, nothing of him ex pect.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. SCENE IV. [Exeunt. The Woods. Timon's Cave, and a Tombstone 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 bath 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 Our captain hath in every figure skill; SCENE V. Before the Walls of Athens. Trumpets sound. Enter ALCIBIADES and Forces. Alcib. Sound to this coward and lascivious town Our terrible approach. [A parley sounded. Our sufferance vainly: Now the time is flush, 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; 1 Sen. These walls of ours Were not erected by their hands, from whom You have receiv'd your griefs: nor are they such, That these great towers, trophies, and schools should fall For private faults in them. 2 Sen. Nor are they living, Who were the motives that you first went out; Shame that they wanted cunning, in excess Hath broke their hearts. March, noble lord, Into our city with thy banners spread: By decimation, and a tithed death (If thy revenges hunger for that food, Which nature loathes), take thou the destin'd tenth; And by the hazard of the spotted die, 2 Sen. 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. 2 Sen. Throw thy glove; Or any token of thine honour else, That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress, And not as our confusion, all thy powers Shall make their harbour in our town, till we Have seal'd thy full desire. Alcib. Then there's my glove; Descend, and open your uncharged ports; Those enemies of Timon's, and mine own, Whom you yourself shall set out for reproof, Fall, and no more: and, to atone your fears With my more noble meaning,—not a man Shall pass his quarter, or offend the stream Of regular justice in your city's bounds, But shall be remedied to your public laws At heaviest answer. Both. 'Tis most nobly spoken. Alcib. Descend, and keep your words. The Senators descend, and open the Gates. Enter a Soldier. Sol. My noble general, Timon is dead: Entomb'd upon the very hem o' the sea: And on his gravestone, this insculpture; which With wax I brought away, whose soft impression Interprets for my poor ignorance. Alcib. [Reads.] Here lies a wretched corse, of wretched soul bereft: Seek not my name: A plague consume you wicked caitiff's 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: From niggard nature fall, yet rich conceit Hereafter more.-Bring me into your city, Prescribe to other, as each other's leech. [Exeunt. VOL. VI. S |