Your words have took fuch pains, as if they labour'd
To bring Man-flaughter into form, fet quarrelling
Upon the head of valour; which, indeed,

Is valour mis-begot, and came into the world
When fects and factions were but newly born.
He's truly valliant that can wifely fuffer

The worst that man can breathe, and make his wrongs
His out-fide wear; hang like his rayment, carlefly ::
And ne'er prefer his Injuries to his heart,

To bring it into danger.

If wrongs be evils, and inforce us kill,
What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill?
Alc. My lord,

1 Sen. You cannot make grofs fins look clear; It is not valour to revenge, but bear.

Alc. My lords then, under favour, pardon me,
If I fpeak like a Captain.

Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
And not endure all threatnings, fleep upon't,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats,
Without repugnancy? but if there be
Such valour in the bearing, what make we
Abroad? why then, fure, women are more valiant,
That ftay at home, if bearing carry it;

The afs, more than the lion; and the fellow,
Loaden with irons, wifer than the judge;
If wisdom be in fuff'ring. Oh, my lords,
As you are great, be pitifully good:

Who cannot condemn Rafhnefs in cold blood?
To kill, I grant, is fin's extremest gust,

But, in defence,* by mercy, 'tis made juft.

To be in anger is impiety:

But who is man, that is not angry?

Weigh but the crime with this.

2 Sen. You breathe in vain.

by mercy, 'tis moft juft.] By Mercy is meant Equity. But

we must read.

Alc. In vain? his Service done At Lacedæmon, and Byzantium, Were a fufficient briber for his life.

I Sen. What's that?

Alc. I fay, my lords, h'as done fair fervice, And flain in battle many of your enemies; How full of valour did he bear himself

In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds? 2 Sen. He has made too much plenty with 'em, He's a fwoln rioter; he has a fin

That often drowns him, and takes valour prisoner.
Were there no foes, That were enough alone
To overcome him. In that beaftly 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 Sen. 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 'em both.
And for I know, your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories,

My Honours to you, on 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 ftrict, and war is nothing more.

1 Sen. We are for law, he dies, urge it no more,
On height of our difpleafure: friend, or brother
He forfeits his own blood, that spills another.
Alc. Muft it be fo? it must not be :

My lords, I do befeech you, know me.

2 Sen. How?

Alc. Call me to your remembrances.

3 Sen. What!

Alc. I cannot think, but your age hath forgot me; It could not elfe be, I fhould be fo base,

To fue, and be deny'd fuch common grace.
My wounds ake at you.

1 Sen. Do you dare our anger?

'Tis in few words, but fpacious in effect; We banish thee for ever.

Alc. Banifh me!

Banish your Dotage, banish Ufury,
That make the Senate ugly.

1 Sen. If, after two day's shine, Athens contains thee,
Attend our weightier judgment.
And, (now to fwell your spirit,)
He fhall be executed presently.

[Exeunt.

Alc. Gods keep you old enough, that you may live
Only in bone, that none may look on you!
I'm worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,
While they have told their money, and let out
Their coin upon large intereft; I myself,

Rich only in large hurts. All thofe, for this?
Is this the balfam that the ufuring fenate
Pours into Captains' wounds? ha! Banishment?
It comes not ill: I hate not to be banisht,
It is a caufe worthy my fpleen and fury,
That I may ftrike at Athéns. I'll cheer up
My difcontented troops, and lay for hearts.
'Tis honour with moft hands to be at odds;
Soldiers as little fhould brook wrongs, as Gods. [Exit.

Changes to TIMON'S HOUSE.

Enter divers Senators at feveral doors.

1 Sen. T THE

HE good time of the day to you, Sir. Sen. I alfo wish it to you: I think, this honourable lord did but try us this other day. 1 Sen. Upon that were my thoughts tiring, when we encountred. I hope, it is not fo low with him, as he made it seem in the trial of his feveral friends. 2 Sen. It should not be, by the perfuafion of his new feafting.

1 Sen. I fhould think fo: he hath fent me an earneft inviting, which many my near occafions did urge me to put off: but he hath conjur'd me beyond them, and I must needs appear.

2 Sen. In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business; but he would not hear my excufe. I am forry, when he fent to borrow of me, that my provifion was out.

1 Sen. I am fick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.

2 Sen. Ev'ry man here's fo. What would he have borrow'd of you?

1 Sen. A thousand pieces. 2 Sen. A thousand pieces! 1 Sen. What of you?

3

Sen. He fent to me, Sir

-here he comes.

Enter Timon and attendants.

Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen both--and how fare you?

1 Sen. Ever at the beft, hearing well of your lordfhip.

2 Sen. The fwallow follows not fummer more willingly, than we your lordship.

Tim. Nor more willingly leaves winter: fuch fummer birds are men- -Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompenfe this long ftay: feaft your ears with the mufic a while; if they will fare fo harfhly as on the trumpet's found: we fhall to't prefently.

1 Sen. I hope, it remains not unkindly with your lordship, that I return'd you an empty meffenger. Tim. O Sir, let it not trouble you.

2 Sen. My noble lord.

Tim. Ah, my good friend, what cheer?

[The banquet brought in.

2 Sen. Moft honourable lord, I'm e'en fick of fhame, that when your lordship t'other day fent to me, I was so unfortunate a beggar.

Tim. Think not on't, Sir.

2 Sen. If you had fent but two hours beforeTim. Let it not cumber your better remembrance. Come, bring in all together.

2 Sen. All cover'd difbes!

1 Sen. Royal cheer, I warrant you.

3 Sen. Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.

1 Sen. How do you? what's the news?

3 Sen. Alcibiades is banifh'd: hear you of it!
Both. Alcibiades banifh'd!

3 Sen. 'Tis fo, be sure of it.

1 Sen. How? now?

2 Sen. I pray you, upon what?

Tim. My worthy friends, will you draw near? 3 Sen. I'll tell ye more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.

Sen. This is the old man ftill.

3- Sen. Will't hold? will't hold ?

2 Sen. It does, but time will, and fo3 Sen. I do conceive.

Tim. Each man to his ftool, with that fpur as he would to the lip of his Mistress: your diet fhall be in all places alike. Make not a city-feaft of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place. Sit, fit.

The Gods require our thanks.

For were

You great Benefactors. Sprinkle our fociety with thankfulnefs. For your own gifts make yourselves prais'd; but referve ftill to give, left your Deities be defpifed. Lend to each man enough, that one need not lend to another. your Godheads to borrow of men, men would forfake the Gods. Make the meat beloved, more than the man that gives it. Let no affembly of twenty be without a fcore of villains. If there fit twelve women at the table, let a dozen of them be as they are * The rest of your foes, O Gods, the fenators of Athens, together with the common lag of people, what is *The rest of your Fees.] We should-read Foes.

Warburton.