Fran. Farewell, sister!

Now I have kept my word, torments I scorn :
I leave the world with glory. They are men,
And leave behind them name and memory,
That, wrong'd, do right themselves before they die.
[Exeunt Guard with FRANCISCO.

Steph. A desperate wretch!

Sfor. I come: Death! I obey thee.
Yet I will not die raging; for, alas !
My whole life was a frenzy. Good Eugenia,
In death forgive me.-As you love me, bear her
To some religious house, there let her spend
The remnant of her life: when I am ashes,
Perhaps she'll be appeased, and spare a prayer
For my poor soul. Bury me with Marcelia,
And let our epitaph be-

Tib. His speech is stopp'd.
Steph. Already dead!

Pesc. It is in vain to labour

[Dies.

Timag. Prithee, do not nourish These jealous thoughts; I am thine, (and pardon Though I repeat it,) thy Timagoras,

[me,

That, for thy sake, when the bold Theban sued,
Far-famed Pisander, for my sister's love,
Sent him disgraced and discontented home.

I wrought my father then; and I, that stopp'd not
In the career of my affection to thee,

When that renowned worthy, that, brought with him

High birth, wealth, courage, as fee'd advocates
To mediate for him; never will consent

A fool, that only has the shape of man,
Asotus, though he be rich Cleon's heir,
Shall bear her from thee.

Leost. In that trust I love.

Timag. Which never shall deceive you.

Timag. Fit for his fortune; 'tis a strong-limb'd knave:

My father bought him for my sister's litter.
O pride of women! Coaches are too common-
They surfeit in the happiness of peace,
And ladies think they keep not state enough,
If, for their pomp and ease, they are not born
In triumph on men's shoulders.

Leost. Who commands

The Carthaginian fleet?

Timag. Gisco's their admiral,

And 'tis our happiness; a raw young fellow,
One never train'd in arms, but rather fashion'd
To tilt with ladies' lips, than crack a lance;
Ravish a feather from a mistress' fan,
And wear it as a favour. A steel helmet,
Made horrid with a glorious plume, will crack
His woman's neck.

Leost. No more of him.-The motives,
That Corinth gives us aid?

Timag. The common danger;

For Sicily being afire, she is not safe :

It being apparent that ambitious Carthage,

That, to enlarge her empire, strives to fasten
An unjust gripe on us that live free lords
Of Syracusa, will not end, till Greece
Acknowledge her their sovereign.

Leost. I am satisfied.

What think you of our general? Timag. He's a man

[Trumpets within.

Of strange and reserved parts; but a great soldier.
His trumpets call us, I'll forbear his character:
To-morrow, in the senate-house, at large

He will express himself.

Leost. I'll follow you.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II-SYRACUSE. A Room in CLEON'S

House.

Enter CLEON, CORISCA, and GRACCULO.

Coris. Nay, good chuck.

Cleon. I've said it; stay at home:

I cannot brook your gadding; you're a fair one,
Beauty invites temptations, and short heels
Are soon tripp'd up.

Coris. Deny me! by my honour,
I shall swoon

You take no pity on me.

As soon as you are absent; ask my man else, You know he dares not tell a lie.

Grac. Indeed,

You are no sooner out of sight, but she
Does feel strange qualms; then sends for her
young doctor,

Who ministers physic to her on her back,
Her ladyship lying as she were entranced :
(I've peep'd in at the keyhole, and observed them :)
And sure his potions never fail to work,
For she's so pleasant in the taking them,
She tickles again.

Coris. And all's to make you merry,
When you come home.

Cleon. You flatter me; I am old, And wisdom cries, Beware!

Coris. Old! duck. To me

You are a young Adonis.

Grac. Well said, Venus!

I am sure she Vulcans him.

Coris. I will not change thee

[Aside.

We are unworthy of, and we may blush Necessity compels us to receive it.

Archid. O shame! that we, that are a populous nation,

Engaged to liberal nature, for all blessings
An island can bring forth; we, that have limbs,
And able bodies; shipping, arms, and treasure,
The sinews of the war, now we are call'd
To stand upon our guard, cannot produce
One fit to be our general.

Cleon. I am old and fat;

I could say something, else.
Archid. We must obey

The time and our occasions; ruinous buildings,
Whose bases and foundations are infirm,
Must use supporters: we are circled round

With danger; o'er our heads, with sail-stretch'd

wings,

Destruction hovers, and a cloud of mischief
Ready to break upon us; no hope left us

That may divert it, but our sleeping virtue,
Roused up by brave Timoleon.

Cleon. When arrives he?

Diph. He is expected every hour.
Archid. The braveries

Of Syracusa, among whom my son,
Timagoras, Leosthenes, and Asotus,

Your hopeful heir, lord Cleon, two days since
Rode forth to meet him, and attend him to
The city; every minute we expect
To be bless'd with his presence.

[Shouts within; then a flourish of trumpets.

Cleon. What shout's this?

Diph. "Tis seconded with loud music.
Archid. Which confirms

His wish'd-for entrance. Let us entertain him
With all respect, solemnity, and pomp,

A man may merit, that comes to redeem us
From slavery and oppression.

Cleon. I'll lock up

My doors, and guard my gold: these lads of Corinth

Have nimble fingers, and I fear them more, Being within our walls, than those of Carthage ; They are far off.

Archid. And, ladies, be it your care

To welcome him and his followers with all duty: For rest resolved, their hands and swords must keep you

In that full height of happiness you live;
A dreadful change else follows.

[Exeunt ARCHIDAMUS, CLEON, and DIPHILUS. Olymp. We are instructed.

Coris. I'll kiss him for the honour of my country, With any she in Corinth.

Olymp. Were he a courtier,

I've sweatmeat in my closet shall content him,
Be his palate ne'er so curious.

Coris. And, if need be,

Boisterous, and saucy, and at the first sight
Ruffle and touze us, and, as they find their stomachs,
Fall roundly to it.

Coris. 'Troth, I like them the better:

I can't endure to have a perfumed sir
Stand cringing in the hams, licking his lips
Like a spaniel over a furmenty-pot, and yet
Has not the boldness to come on, or offer
What they know we expect.

Olymp. We may commend

A gentleman's modesty, manners, and fine language,

His singing, dancing, riding of great horses,
The wearing of his clothes, his fair complexion;
Take presents from him, and extol his bounty:
Yet, though he observe, and waste his estate upon
If he be staunch, and bid not for the stock
That we were born to traffic with; the truth is,
We care not for his company.

Coris. Musing, Cleora?

[us,

Olymp. She's studying how to entertain these And to engross them to herself. [strangers,

Cleo. No, surely;

I will not cheapen any of their wares,

Till you have made your market; you will buy,
I know, at any rate.

Coris. She has given it you.

Olymp. No more; they come the first kiss for this jewel.

Flourish of trumpets. Enter TIMAGORAS, LEOSTHENES, ASOTUS, TIMOLEON in black, led in by ARCHIDAMUS, DIPHILUS, and CLEON; followed by MARULLO, GRACCULO, CIMBRIO, and other Slaves.

Archid. It is your seat: which, with a general suffrage, [Offering TIMOLEON the state. As to the supreme magistrate, Sicily tenders, And prays Timoleon to accept.

Timol. Such honours

To one ambitious of rule or titles,
Whose heaven on earth is placed in his command,
And absolute power o'er others, would with joy,
And veins swollen high with pride, be entertain'd.
They take not me; for I have ever loved
An equal freedom, and proclaim'd all such
As would usurp on others' liberties,
Rebels to nature, to whose bounteous blessings
All men lay claim as true legitimate sons:
But such as have made forfeit of themselves
By vicious courses, and their birthright lost,
'Tis not injustice they are mark'd for slaves,
To serve the virtuous. For myself, I know
Honours and great employments are great bur-
thens,

And must require an Atlas to support them.
He that would govern others, first should be
The master of himself, richly endued
With depth of understanding, height of courage,
And those remarkable graces which I dare not
Ascribe unto myself.

Archid. Sir, empty men

Are trumpets of their own deserts; but you,
That are not in opinion, but in proof,

Really good, and full of glorious parts,

Leave the report of what you are to fame ;

Which, from the ready tongues of all good men, Aloud proclaims you.

Diph. Besides, you stand bound, Having so large a field to exercise

Your active virtues offer'd you, to impart

Your strength to such as need it.

Timol. 'Tis confess'd:

And, since you'll have it so, such as I am,
For you, and for the liberty of Greece,
I am most ready to lay down my life:
But yet consider, men of Syracusa,
Before that you deliver up the power,

Which yet is yours, to me,—to whom 'tis given;
To an impartial man, with whom nor threats,
Nor prayers, shall prevail; for I must steer
An even course.

Archid. Which is desired of all.

Timol. Timophanes, my brother, for whose

death

I am tainted in the world, and foully tainted;
In whose remembrance I have ever worn,
In peace and war, this livery of sorrow,
Can witness for me how much I detest
Tyrannous usurpation. With grief,

I must remember it; for, when no persuasion
Could win him to desist from his bad practice,
To change the aristocracy of Corinth
Into an absolute monarchy, I chose rather
To prove a pious and obedient son

To my country, my best mother, than to lend
Assistance to Timophanes, though my brother,
That, like a tyrant, strove to set his foot
Upon the city's freedom.

Timag. 'Twas a deed

Deserving rather trophies than reproof.

Leost. And will be still remember'd to your

If you forsake not us.

Diph. If you free Sicily

[honour,

From barbarous Carthage' yoke, it will be said, In him you slew a tyrant.

Archid. But, giving way

To her invasion, not vouchsafing us

That fly to your protection, aid and comfort, "Twill be believed, that, for your private ends, You kill'd a brother.

Timol. As I then proceed,

To all posterity may that act be crown'd
With a deserved applause, or branded with
The mark of infamy!-Stay yet; ere I take
This seat of justice, or engage myself
To fight for you abroad, or to reform
Your state at home, swear all upon my sword,
And call the gods of Sicily to witness
The oath you take, that whatsoe'er I shall
Propound for safety of your commonwealth,
Not circumscribed or bound in, shall by you
Be willingly obey'd.

Archid. Diph. Cleon. So may we prosper, As we obey in all things!

Timag. Leost. Asot. And observe

All your commands as oracles!

Timol. Do not repent it.

[Takes the state.

Olymp. He ask'd not our consent.
Coris. He's a clown, I warrant him.
Olymp. I offer'd myself twice, and yet the churl

Would not salute me.

Coris. Let him kiss his drum!

I'll save my lips, I rest on it.

Olymp. He thinks women

No part of the republic.

Coris. He shall find

We are a commonwealth.

Cleo. The less your honour.

Timol. First, then, a word or two, but without

bitterness,

(And yet mistake me not, I am no flatterer,)

Timol. Your senate-house, which used not to A man, however popular, to stand

[admit

At the helm of government, whose youth was not
Made glorious by action; whose experience,
Crown'd with gray hairs, gave warrant to his
counsels,

Heard and received with reverence, is now fill'd
With green heads, that determine of the state
Over their cups, or when their sated lusts
Afford them leisure; or supplied by those
Who, rising from base arts and sordid thrift,
Are eminent for their wealth, not for their wisdom:
Which is the reason that to hold a place

In council, which was once esteem'd an honour,
And a reward for virtue, hath quite lost
Lustre and reputation, and is made
A mercenary purchase.

Timag. He speaks home.

Leost. And to the purpose.
Timol. From whence it proceeds,

That the treasure of the city is engross'd
By a few private men, the public coffers
Hollow with want; and they, that will not spare
One talent for the common good, to feed
The pride and bravery of their wives, consume,
In plate, and jewels, and superfluous slaves,
What would maintain an army.

Coris. Have at us !

Olymp. We thought we were forgot.
Cleo. But it appears,

You will be treated of.

Timol. Yet, in this plenty,

And fat of peace, your young men ne'er were train'd

In martial discipline; and your ships unrigg'd,
Rot in the harbour: no defence prepared,
But thought unuseful; as if that the gods,
Indulgent to your sloth, hath granted you
A perpetuity of pride and pleasure,

No change fear'd or expected. Now you find
That Carthage, looking on your stupid sleeps,
And dull security, was invited to
Invade your territories.

Archid. You have made us see, sir, To our shame, the country's sickness: now, As from a careful and a wise physician,

from

[you,

We do expect the cure.

Must be lanced to the quick, and cauterized; Which born with patience, after I'll apply

Timol. Old fester'd sores

Soft unguents. For the maintenance of the war,

It is decreed all monies in the hand

Of private men, shall instantly be brought

To the public treasury.

Timag. This bites sore.

Cleon. The cure