Ungrateful fair one; and, since you are such, Cleora. Neglect and scorn Your own dishonour in this harsh reply, Or does my wealth, which all the vain expence Am I deformed, or, for my father's sins, Or man; any other boisterous exercise, Assuring a strong back, to satisfy Your loose desires, insatiate as the grave. Arch. Ill-mannered too. In the way of supposition, and entreat you, Or any imputation black-tongued slander Timag. Are you stupid? 'Slight, leap into his arms, and there ask pardon- Arch. You forget Timol. Speak boldly. Pis. 'Tis your authority gives me a tongue, I should be dumb else; and I am secure, I cannot clothe my thoughts, and just defence, In such an abject phrase, but 'twill appear Equal, if not above, my low condition. I need no bombast language, stolen from such As make nobility from prodigious terms The hearers understand not; I bring with me No wealth to boast of, neither can I number Uncertain fortune's favours with my merits; I dare not force affection, or presume To censure her discretion, that looks on me And with what pleasure undergone the burthen Timag. Bold, presumptuous villain! In the pride of all his honours, birth and fortunes, He's more unworthy than myself. Timag. Confute him with a whip, and, the Punish him with a halter. Pis. O the gods! My ribs, though made of brass, cannot contain My heart, swoln big with rage-The lie! A whip! [Plucks off his disguise. Let fury then disperse these clouds, in which I long have marched, disguised; that, when they know Whom they have injured, they may faint with horror Of my revenge, which, wretched men! expect, As sure as fate, to suffer! Leost. Ha! Pisander? Timag. 'Tis the bold Theban! Asot. There's no hope for me then! I thought I should have put in for a share, And borne Cleora from them both: But now, This stranger looks so terrible, that I dare not So much as look on her. Pis. Now, as myself, Thy equal at thy best, Leosthenes.-For you, Timagoras, praise heaven you were born Cleora's brother, 'tis your safest armour. Thy soul (if thou hast any) can bear witness, Leost. 'Tis the same! my guilt Pis. This is she, To whom thou wert contracted: This the lady, That, when thou wert my prisoner, fairly taken In the Spartan war, that begged thy liberty, And with it gave herself to thee, ungrateful! Statil. No more, sir, I entreat you: I perceive True sorrow in his looks, and a consent To make me reparation in mine honour; And then I am most happy. Pis. The wrong done her Drew me from Thebes with a full intent to kill thee: But this fair object met me in my fury, Timol. Strange meanders! Pis. There how I bare myself needs no relation. But, if so far descending from the height Of my then flourishing fortunes, to the lowest Condition of a man, to have means only To feed my eye with the sight of what I honoured; The dangers too I underwent, the sufferings; The clearness of my interest, may deserve A noble recompence in your lawful favour; Now 'tis apparent that Leosthenes Can claim no interest in you, you may please To think upon my service. Cleora. Sir, my want Of power to satisfy so great a debt, Makes me accuse my fortune; but if that, Arch. With my consent too, All injuries forgotten. Timag. I will study, In my future service, to deserve your favour And good opinion. Leost. Thus I gladly fee This advocate to plead for me. [Kissing STATILIA. An easy judge. When I have yielded reasons Grac. Give me leave; I'll speak for all. Timol. What canst thou say, to hinder The course of justice? Grac. Nothing. You may see We are prepared for hanging, and confess Timol. Twice! How mean'st thou ? Grac. At the gallows first, and after in a ballad, Sung to some villainous tune. There are tengroat rhymers About the town grown fat on these occasions. Which makes their ghosts walk.-Let the state take order For the redress of this abuse, recording Timol. Yet I think Though he kicked me for exercise; and the like I promise for all the rest. Timol. Rise then, you have it. All Slaves. Timoleon! Timoleon! And now, the war being ended to our wishes, [Exeunt. Here, and but shew himself, and to some one Enter ROCHFORT and DU CROY. In giving up the place you hold in court, Roch. Pray you, sir, no more. Rom. Now, sir, lose not this offered means: Fixed on you with a pitying earnestness, Du Croy. You know him? Roch. I do; and much lament the sudden fall Of his brave house. It is young Charalois, Son to the marshal, from whom he inherits His fame and virtues only. Rom. Ha! they name you. Du Croy. His father died in prison two days since. Roch, Yes, to the shame of this ungrateful state; That such a master in the art of war, The sums he took up for the general good, Rom. Dare you ever hope for like opportunity? Roch. My wish bring comfort to you! [Exeunt ROCHFORT and DU CROY. Rom. This obstinate spleen, You think becomes your sorrow, and sorts well With your black suits: But, grant me wit or judgment, man, And, by the freedom of honest an And a true friend to boot, I swear, 'tis shame ful; And therefore flatter not yourself with hope, To what you would: For those, that had no eyes Char. If they will not, They are too old to learn, and I too young To give them counsel; since, if they partake The understanding and the hearts of men, They will prevent my words and tears: If not, What can persuasion, though made eloquent With grief, work upon such as have changed na ture With the most savage beast? Blest, blest be ever Rom. Would I were not! But, sir, you have a cause, a cause so just, Char. And to these can I become a suitor? Would you consider, that, to gain their favours, And men religious part with fame and goodness. Char. You shall overcome. Rom. And you receive the glory. Pray you now practise. 'Tis well. Enter NOVALL senior, LILADAM, Advocates, and three Creditors. Char. [Tenders his petition.] Not look on me! Nov. sen. 'Tis well. Lilad. Observe him now. Rom. I know you for The worst of spirits, that strive to rob the tombs Nov. sen. Your cause being good, and your pro- Of what is their inheritance, the dead: ceedings so, Without corruption I am your friend; Speak your desires. 2 Cred. Oh, they are charitable; The marshal stood engaged unto us three, For usurers bred by a riotous peace, That hold the charter of your wealth and free dom, By being knaves and cuckolds; that neʼer prayed, But when you fear the rich heirs will grow wise, Two hundred thousand crowns, which, by his To keep their lands out of your parchment toils; death, We are defeated of. For which great loss We aim at nothing but his rotten flesh; Nor is that cruelty. 1 Cred. I have a son That talks of nothing but of guns and armour, Nov. sen. You shew in it A father's care. I have a son myself, Charal, Sir. Nov. sen. What are you? Nov. sen. So are many that rake dunghills. [Exit Rom. Yes, as the matter may be carried, and To manage the conveyance-Follow him. Lilad. Look upon me better; Are these the ensigns of so coarse a fellow? Rom. Out, rogue! do not I know These glorious weeds spring from the sordid dunghill Of thy officious baseness? Wert thou worthy I would do more than this,-[Beats him.] more, you court-spider! Lilad. But that this man is lawless, he should find. That I am valiant. 1 Cred. If your ears are fast, 'Tis nothing. What's a blow or two? As much. 2 Cred. These chastisements as useful are as frequent To such as would grow rich. Rom. Are they so, rascals? I will befriend you then[Kicks them. 1 Cred. Bear witness, sîrs! Lilad. Truth, I have borne my friends! In the court you shall have more. part already, [Exit. And then, the devil, your father, is called upon, 1 Cred. Thrift forbid! We will bear this rather than hazard that. [Exeunt Creditors. Re-enter CHARALOIS. Rom. I am somewhat eased in this yet. To what vain purpose do I make my sorrow To think it has o'ercome? They are determined Rom. Think not so, sir: The difficulties that you encounter with, Or dare the axe. This is a way will sort SCENE II.The Court of Justice. Enter ROCHFORT, NOVALL, sen. Presidents, CHARMI, DU CROY, BEAUMONT, Advocates, Officers, and three Creditors. Du Croy. Your lordships seated, may this meeting prove Prosperous to us, and to the general good of Burgundy! Nov. sen. Speak to the point. Du Croy-Which is With honour to dispose the place and power |