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

rought 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,"

Asetus, though he be rich Cleon's heir, As
Shall bear her from thee.

tear. In that trust I love.

Temag. Which never shall deceive you.

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;
Rasish a feather from a mistress' fan,
And wear it as a favour. A steel helmet,
Male horrid with a glorious plume, will crack
His woman's neck.

Lest. No more of him.-The motives,

That Corinth gives us aid?

Tg. The common danger;

For Sicily being afire, she is not safe:

A

ting apparent that ambitious Carthage, The to enlarge her empire, strives to fasten AT injust gripe on us that live free lords Of Syracusa, will not end, till Greece Acidge her their sovereign.

Lost. I am satisfied.

What think you of our general?

Tanag. 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.

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.

Leost. I'll follow you.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II-SYRACUSE. A Room in CLEON'S

House.

Enter CLEON, CORISCA, and Gracculo.

Coria. Nay, good chuck.

Clean. 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.

Enter ARCHIDAMUS, CLEON, DIPHILUS, OLYMPIA, CORISCA, CLEORA, and Zanthia.

Archid. So careless we have been, my noble lords, In the disposing of our own affairs, And ignorant in the art of government, That now we need a stranger to instruct us. Yet we are happy that our neighbour Corinth, Pitying the unjust gripe Carthage would lay On Syracusa, hath vouchsafed to lend us Her man of men, Timoleon, to defend Our country and our liberties. -Diph. "Tis a favour

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,

I have a couch and a banqueting-house in my orchard,

Where many a man of honour has not scorn'd

To spend an afternoon.

Olymp. These men of war,

As I have heard, know not to court a lady.

They cannot praise our dressings, kiss our hands, Usher us to our litters, tell love-stories,

Commend our feet and legs, and so search up

wards;

A sweet becoming boldness! they are rough,

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 Tost,
'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 vet consider, men of Syracusa,
Before that you deliver up the power,

Which ret 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.

Timal. 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
Intom 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
In 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 !

Trol. Do not repent it.

[Takes the state.

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
Öne 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, from As from a careful and a wise physician,

We do expect the cure.

Timol. Old fester'd sores

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

[you,

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

Is worse than the disease; I'll never yield to't: What could the enemy, though victorious,

Inflict more on us? All that my youth hath toil'd for,

Purchased with industry, and preserved with care, Forced from me in a moment!

Diph. This rough course Will never be allow'd of.

Timol. O blind men!

If you refuse the first means that is offer'd
To give you health, no hope's left to recover
Your desperate sickness. Do you prize your muck
Above your liberties; and rather choose
To be made bondmen, than to part with that
To which already you are slaves? Or can it
Be probable in your flattering apprehensions,
You can capitulate with the conquerors,
And keep that yours which they come to possess,
And, while you kneel in vain, will ravish from you?
-But take your own ways; brood upon your gold.
Sacrifice to your idol, and preserve
The prey entire, and merit the report

Of careful stewards: yield a just account
To your proud masters, who, with whips of iron,
Will force you to give up what you conceal,
Or tear it from your throats: adorn your walls
With Persian hangings wrought of gold and pearl;
Cover the floors, on which they are to tread,
With costly Median silks? perfume the rooms
With cassia and amber, where they are
To feast and revel; while, like servile grooms,
You wait upon their trenchers: feed their eyes
With massy plate, until your cupboards crack
With the weight that they sustain; set forth your
And daughters in as many varied shapes [wives
As there are nations, to provoke their lusts,
And let them be embraced before your eyes,
The object may content you! and, to perfect
Their entertainment, offer up your sons,
And able men, for slaves; while you, that are
Unfit for labour, are spurn'd out to starve,
Unpitied, in some desert, no friend by,
Whose sorrow may spare one compassionate tear,
In the remembrance of what once you were.
Leost. The blood turns.

Timag. Observe how old Cleon shakes,
As if in picture he had shewn him what
He was to suffer.

Coris. I am sick; the man Speaks poniards and diseases. Olymp. O my doctor!

I never shall recover.

Cleo. [Coming forward.] If a virgin, Whose speech was ever yet usher'd with fear; One knowing modesty and humble silence To be the choicest ornaments of our sex, In the presence of so many reverend men Struck dumb with terror and astonishment, Presume to clothe her thought in vocal sounds, Let her find pardon. First to you, great sir, A bashful maid's thanks, and her zealous prayers Wing'd with pure innocence, bearing them to heaFor all prosperity that the gods can give To one whose piety must exact their care, Thus low I offer.

Timol. 'Tis a happy omen.

[ven,

Rise, blest one, and speak boldly. On my virtue, I am thy warrant, from so clear a spring

Sweet rivers ever flow.

Cleo. Then, thus to you,

My noble father, and these lords, to whom
I next owe duty: no respect forgotten
To you, my brother, and these bold young men,
(Such I would have them,) that are, or should be,
The city's sword and target of defence.

To all of you I speak; and, if a blush
Steal on my cheeks, it is shown to reprove
Your paleness, willingly I would not say,
Your cowardice or fear: Think you all treasure
Hid in the bowels of the earth, or shipwreck'd
In Neptune's wat'ry kingdom, can hold weight,
When liberty and honour fill one scale,
Triumphant Justice sitting on the beam?
Or dare you but imagine that your gold is
Too dear a salary for such as bazard

Their blood and lives in your defence? For me,
An ignorant girl, bear witness, heaven! so far
I prize a soldier, that, to give him pay,
With such devotion as our flamens offer
Their sacrifices at the holy altar,

I do lay down these jewels, will make sale
Of my superfluous wardrobe, to supply
The meanest of their wants.

[Lays down her jewels, &c.; the rest follow her exampšt. Timol. Brave masculine spirit!

Diph. We are shown, to our shame, what we in Should have taught others.

Archid. Such a fair example Must needs be follow'd.

Timag. Ever my dear sister, But now our family's glory!

Leost. Were she deform'd,

The virtues of her mind would force a stoic
To sue to be her servant.

Cleon. I must yield;

[honour

And though my heart-blood part with it, I will
Deliver in my wealth.

Asot. I would say something;

But, the truth is, I know not what.

Timol. We have money;

And men must now be thought on.
Archid. We can press

Of labourers in the country, men inured.
To cold and heat, ten thousand.

Diph. Or, if need be,

Enrol our slaves, lusty and able varlets,
And fit for service.

Cleon. They shall go for me;

I will not pay and fight too.

Cleo. How! your slaves?

O stain of honour!-Once more, sir, your

Cleo. Are you men !

(For age may qualify, though not excuse,
The backwardness of these,) able young men !
Yet, now your country's liberty's at the stake.
Honour and glorious triumph made the garland
For such as dare deserve them; a rich feast.
Prepared by victory, of immortal viands,
Not for base men, but such as with their swords
Dare force admittance, and will be her guests:
And can you coldly suffer such rewards
To be proposed to labourers and slaves?
While you, that are born noble, to whom these,
Valued at their best rate, are next to horses,