University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

Timon Solus.
Tim.
Let me look back upon thee! Oh thou wall
That girdlest in those Wolves! Sink in the Earth,
And fence not Athens longer; that vile Den
Of savage Beasts; ye Matrons all turn Whores;
Obedience fail in Children; Slaves and Fools
Pluck the grave wrinkled Senate from the Bench,
And minister in their stead. To general filths
Convert o'th' instant green Virginity;
Do't in their Parents Eyes. Bankrupts hold fast,
Rather than render back, out with your Knives,
And cut your Trusters Throats. Bound Servants steal;
Large handed Robbers your grave Masters are,
And pill by law. Maid to thy Masters Bed,
Mistress to the Brothel. Son of twenty one,
Pluck the lin'd Crutch from thy old limping Sire:
And with it beat his brains out. Piety, Fear,
Religion to the Gods; Peace, Justice, Truth,
Domestick awe, night rest, and neighbourhood,
Instruction, Manners, Mysteries and Trades,
Degrees, Observations, Customs and Laws,
Decline to your confounding contraries;
And let confusion live. Plagues incident to men,
Your potent and infectious feavours heap
On Athens ripe for vengeance. Cold Sciatica
Criple the Senators, that their limbs may halt
As lamely as their manners. Lust and Liberty
Creep in the minds and marrows of your youth;
That 'gainst the stream of virtue they may strive
And drown themselves in riot. Itches, blains,
Sow all the Athenians bosoms, and their Crop
Be general Leprosie. Breath infect breath;
That their Society as their friendship, may
Be meerly poison. Nothing, nothing I bear from thee:
Farewel, thou most detested Town, and sudden
Ruine swallow thee.
[Ex. Tim.

Scene the Senate House, all the Senate sitting—Alcibiades.
Nic.
How dare you, Alcibiades,
Knowing your Sentence not recall'd, venture hither?

Alcib.
You see my reverend Lords what confidence
I place in you, that durst expose my person
Before my sentence be recall'd: I am not now
Petitioner for my self; I leave my case
To your good and generous natures, when you shall.
Think I've deserv'd your favour for my service.
I am an humble Suitor to your vertue,
For mercy is the vertue of the Law,
And none but Tyrants use it cruelly:
'Tis for a Gallant Officer of mine;
As brave a man as e're drew Sword for Athens.
'Tis Thrasibulus, who in heat of blood,
Has stept into the Law above his depth.

Nic.
True, he has kill'd a man.

Alcib.
I've been before the Areopagus, and they refuse
All mercy. He is a man (setting his Fate aside) of comely
Vertues, nor did he soil the fact with Cowardise;
But with a noble fury did revenge
His injur'd reputation.

Phæax.
You strive to make an ugly deed look fair.

Nic.
As if you'd bring man-slaughter into form,
And valour did consist in quarrelling.

Ælius.
That is a base and illegitimate valour:
He's truly valiant that can wisely suffer.

Isan.
All single Combates are detestable,
And courage that's not warranted by law,
Is much too dangerous a vice to go unpunished.

Isid.
If injuries be evil, death is most ill,
And then what folly is it for the less ill
To hazard life the chiefest good?

Cleon.
There's no such courage as in bearing wrong.

Alcib.
If there be such valour in bearing, what
Do we abroad? Women are then more valiant
That stay at home. And the Ass a better Captain
Than is the Lyon. The Malefactor that is
Loaden with Irons, wiser than the Judge.

Nic.
You cannot make gross sins look clean
With eloquence.

Alcib.
Why do fond men expose themselves to Battle,
And not endure all threats, and sleep upon e'm,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats?
Come my Lords—be pitiful and good.

Nic.
He that's more merciful than Law, is cruel.

Alcib.
The utmost law is downright Tyranny:
To kill I grant is the extreamest guilt,
But in defence of Honour.

Phæ.
Honour! is any Honour to be fought for
But the Honour of our Country?

Alcib.
Who will not fight for's own, will never fight
For that: Let him that has no anger judge him;
How many in their anger would commit
This Captains fault—had they but courage for it?

Cleon.
You speak in vain.

Alcib.
If you will not excuse his Crime, consider
Who he is, and what he has done;
His service at Lacedæmon and Byzantium,
Are bribes sufficient for his Life.

Nic.
He did his duty, and was rewarded with
His pay, and if he had not done it, he should
Be punisht.

Alcib.
How my Lords! is that all the return
For Souldiers toils, fasting and watching;
The many cruel hardships which they suffer;
The multitude of hazards, blood, and loss
Of Limbs?

Isan.
Come, you urge it too far, he dies.

Alcib.
He has slain in fight hundreds of Enemies.
How full of valour did he bear himself
In the last conflict! what death and wounds he gave!

Isid.
H'has given too many.

Ælius.
He is a known Rioter, he has a sin
That often drowns him; in that beastly fury
He has committed outrages.

Phæ.
Such as we shall not name, since others were
Concern'd in 'em, you know.

Nic.
In short,
His days are foul, and nights are dangerous;
And he must die.

Alcib.
Hard Fate! he might have dy'd nobly in fight,
And done you service: if not for his deserts;
Consider all my actions Lords, and join 'em
With his—your reverend Ages love security,
And therefore shou'd cherish those that give it you.

Phæ.
You are too bold—he dies. No more—

Alcib.
Too bold, Lord! do you know who I am?

Cleon.
What saies he?

Alcib.
Call me to your remembrances.

Isan.
Consider well the place, and who we are?

Alcib.
I cannot think but you have forgotten me.
Must I sue for such common grace,
And be deny'd? my wounds ake at you!

Nic.
Y'are insolent! we have not forgotten yet
Your riot and destructive Vices; whoredoms,
Prophaneness, giddy headed passions.

Phæ.
Your breaking Mercury's Statues, and mocking
The mysteries of sacred Proserpine.

Alcib.
Insolent! now you provoke me. I am vext to see
Your private malice vented in a place
Where honest men would only think
On publick Interest. 'Tis base, and in another place
You would not speak thus.

Nic.
How say you!

Alcib.
I thought the Images of Mercury had only been
The Favourites of the Rabble, and the rites of
Proserpine: These things are mockery to men
Of sence. What folly 'tis to worship Statues when
You'd kick the Rogues that made 'em!

Phæ.
How dare you talk thus? you have been a Rebel?

Alcib.
Could any but the basest of mankind
Urge that to me by whom he keeps that head
That utters this against me? my Rebellion!
It was 'gainst the common people. And you all
Are Rebels against them.

Nic.
Cease your Insolence! we sided not with Spartans.

Alcib.
What means had I to humble th' Athenian
Rabble but that?

Phæ.
It was well done to get your friend King Agis
His Wife with Child in his absence.

Alcib.
He was a Blockhead, and I mended his breed for him.
But what is that to'th' matter now in hand?
You have provok'd me Lords, and I must tell you,
It is by me you sit in safety here.

Phæ.
By you, bold man?

Alcib.
Yes by me! fearful man!
You have incens'd me now beyond all patience,
And I must tell you what ye owe me, Lords.
'Twas I that kept great Tissaphernes from
The Spartans aid, by which Athens by this
Had been one heap of Rubbish, I stopt
A hundred and fifty Gallies from Phœnicia,
Which would have fallen upon you: 'Twas I made
This Tissaphernes, Athens Friend, upon condition
That they would awe the common people, and take
The Government into the best mens hands;
Would you were so; I sent Pisander then
To form this Aristocracy, and promis'd
The Persian Generals Forces to assist you;
And when you had this pow'r, you cast me off
That got it you.

Nic.
My Lords! let him be silenc'd;
Shall he thus beard the Senate?

Alcib.
I will be heard, and then your pleasure Lords.
Did not your Army in the Isle of Samos,
Offended at your Government, chuse me General?
And would have march't to your destruction,
Which I diverted? in that time your Foes
Would soon have won the Country of Ionia,
Of th' Hellespont and all the other Isles,
While you had been employ'd at home
With Civil Wars. I kept some back by force,
And by fair words others, in which Thrasibulus,
This man of Stiria, whom you thus condemn,
Having the loudest voice of all the Athenians
Employ'd by me, cry'd out to all the Army;
And thus we kept 'em from you, Lords, and now
Athens a second time was sav'd by me.

Phæ.
'Tis a shame that we shou'd suffer this!

Alcib.
'Tis a shame these things are unrewarded.
Another time I kept five hundred Sail
Of the Phenicians from the aid
Of the Lacedemonians, won from 'em a Sea Battle,
Before the City of Abidus;
In spite of Pharnabazus mighty Power.
Think on my Victory all Cizicum, where I
Slew Mendorus in the Field, and took the City;
I brought then the Bythinians to your yoke,
Won Silibræa on the Hellespont;
And then Byzantium: thus not only I
Diverted the Torrent of the Armies fury
From you, but turn'd it on the Enemies,
And all the while you safely told your money,
And let it out upon extorted Interest;
Must I be after all poorly deny'd
His life who has so often ventur'd it for you?

Phæ.
He dies, and you deserve it, but our sentence
Is for your insolence, we banish you;
If you be two hours more within these walls,
Your head is forfeited. Do you all consent?

All Sen.
All, All!

Alcib.
All, all! I am glad I know you all!
Banish me! Banish your dotage! your extortion!
Banish your foul corruptions and self ends!
Oh the base Spirit of a Common-wealth!
One Tyrant is much better than four hundred;
The worst of Kings would be asham'd of this:
I am only rich in my large hurts from you.
Is this the Balsome the ill natur'd Senate
Pours into Captains wounds? ha! banishment?
A good man would not stay with you, I embrace
My Sentence: 'Tis a cause that's worthy of me.
[Ex. Alcib.

Nic.
Was ever—heard such daring insolence?
Shall we break up the Senate?

All Sen.
Ay, Ay.

Timon in the Woods digging.
Tim.
O blessed breeding Sun, draw from the Fens,
The Bogs and muddy Marishes, and from
Corrupted standing Lakes, rotten humidity
Enough to infect the Air with dire consuming Pestilence,
And let the poisonous exhalations fall
Down on th' Athenians; they're all flatterers,
And so is all mankind.
For every degree of fortune's smooth'd
And sooth'd by that below it; the learn'd pate
Ducks to the golden Fool; There's nothing level
In our conditions, but base Villany;
Therefore be abhor'd each man and all Society;
Earth yields me roots; thou common whore of mankind,
That put'st such odds amongst the rout of Nations;
I'll make thee do thy right office. Ha, what's here?
Gold, yellow, glittering precious gold! enough
To purchase my estate again: Let me see further;
What a vast mass of Treasure's here! There ly,
I will use none, 'twill bring me flatterers.
I'll send a pattern on't to the Athenians,
And let 'em know what a vast Mass I've found,
Which I'll keep from 'em. I think I see a Passenger
Not far off, I'll send it by him to the Senate.
[Ex. Timon.

Enter Evandra.
Evan.
How long shall I seek my unhappy Lord?
But I will find him or will lose my life.
Oh base and shameful Villany of man,
Amongst so many thousands he has oblig'd,
Not one would follow him in his afflictions!
Ha! here is a Spade! sure this belongs to some one
Who's not far off, I will enquire of him.

Enter Timon.
Tim.
Who's there? what beast art thou that com'st
To trouble me?

Evan.
Pray do not hurt me. I am come to seek
The poor distressed Timon, did you see him?

Tim.
If thou be'st born of wicked humane race,
Why com'st thou hither to disturb his mind?
He has forsworn all Company!

Evan.
Is this my Lord! oh dreadful transformation!
My dearest Lord, do you not know me?

Tim.
Thou walk'st upon two legs, and hast a face
Erect towards Heav'n; and all such Animals
I have abjur'd; they are not honest,
Those Creatures that are so, walk on all four,
Prithee be gone.

Evan.
He's much distracted sure? Have you forgotten
Your poor Evandra?

Tim.
No! I remember there was such a one,
Whom I us'd ill! why dost thou follow misery?
And add to it? prithee be gone.

Evan.
These cruel words will break my heart, I come
Not to increase thy misery but mend it.
Ah, my dear Timon, why this Slave like habit?
And why this Spade?

Tim.
'Tis to dig roots, and earn my dinner with.

Evan.
I have converted part of my estate
To money and to Jewels, and have brought 'em
To lay 'em at thy feet, and the remainder
Thou soon shalt have.

Tim.
I will not touch 'em; no, I shall be flatter'd.

Evan.
Comfort thy self and quit this savage life;
We have enough in spite of all the baseness
Of th' Athenians, let not those Slaves
Triumph o're thy afflictions; wee'l live free.

Tim.
If thou disswad'st me from this life, Thou hat'st me;
For all the Principalities on earth,
I would not change this Spade! prithee be gone,
Thou tempt'st me but in vain.

Evan.
Be not so cruel.
Nothing but death shall ever take me from thee.

Tim.
I'll never change my life: what would'st thou
Do with me?

Evan.
I'd live the same: Is there a time or place,
A temper or condition I would leave
My Timon in?

Tim.
You must not stay with me?

Evan.
Oh too unkind!
I offer'd thee all my prosperity—
And thou most niggardly deniest me part
Of thy Afflictions.

Tim.
Ah soft Evandra! is not the bleak Air
Too boist'rous a Chamberlain for thee?
Or dost thou think these reverend trees that have
Outliv'd the Raven, will be Pages to thee?
And skip where thou appoint'st 'em? Will the Brook
Candid with Morning Ice, be Caudle to thee?

Evan.
Thou wilt be all to me.

Tim.
I am savage as a Satyr, and my temper
Is much unsound, my brain will be distracted.

Evan.
Thou wilt be Timon still, that's all I ask.

Tim.
It was a comfort to me when I thought
That thou wer't prosperous; Thou art too good
To suffer with me the rough boist'rous weather,
To mortifie thy self with roots and water,
'Twill kill thee Prithee be gone.

Evan.
To Death if you command.

Tim.
I have forsworn all humane conversation.

Evan.
And so have I but thine.

Tim.
'Twill then be misery indeed to see
Thee bear it.

Evan.
On my knees I beg it.
If thou refusest me, I'll kill my self.
I swear by all the Gods.

Tim.
Rise my Evandra!
I now pronounce to all the world, there is
One woman honest; if they ask me more
I will not grant it: Come, my dear Evandra,
I'll shew thee wealth enough I found with digging,
To purchase all my land again, which I
Will hide from all mankind.

Evan.
Put all my Gold and Jewels to't.

Tim.
Well said Evandra! look, here is enough
To make black white, foul fair, wrong right;
Base noble, old young, Cowards valiant.
Ye Gods here is enough to lug your Priests
And Servants from your Altars. This thing can
Make the Hoar'd Leprosie ador'd, place Thieves
And give 'em title, knee and approbation;
This makes the toothless, warp'd and wither'd Widows
Marry again. This can embalm and sweeten
Such as the Spittle-House and ulcerous Creatures
Would cast the gorge at: this can defile
The purest Bed, and make divorce 'twixt Son
And Father, Friends and Kindred, all Society;
Can bring up new Religions, and kill Kings.

Evan.
Let the Earth that breeds it, hide it, there 'twill
Sleep, and do no hired mischief.

Tim.
Now Earth for a root.

Evan.
'Tis her unfathom'd Womb teems and feeds all,
And of such vile corrupting mettle, as
Man, her proud arrogant—Child is made of, does
Engender black Toads, and Adders blue, the guilded Newt
And eye-less venom'd worm, with all
The loathsome Births the quickning Sun does shine on.

Tim.
Yield him, who all thy humane Sons does hate,
From out thy plenteous bosom some poor roots;
Sear up thy fertile Womb to all things else;
Dry up thy marrow, thy Veins, thy Tilth and pasture,
Whereof ungrateful man with liquorish draughts
And unctuous morsels greases his pure mind,
That from it all consideration slips.
But hold a while—I am faint and weary.
My tender hands not us'd to toil, are gaul'd.

Evan.
Repose your self my dearest love thus—your head
Upon my lap, and when thou hast refresht
Thy self, I'll gather Fruits and Berries for thee.

Enter Apemantus.
Tim.
More Plague! more man! retire into my Cave.

[Ex. Evan.
Apem
I was directed hither, men report
That thou affect'st my manners, and dost use 'em.

Tim.
'Tis then because I would not keep a Dog
Should imitate thee.

Apem.
This is in thee a nature but infected,
A poor unmanly melancholy, sprung
From change of fortune. Why this Spade? this place?
This slave-like Habit, and these looks of care?
Thy sordid flatt'rers yet wear silk, lye soft,
Hug their diseas'd perfumes, and have forgotten
That ever Timon was. Shame not these woods,
By putting on the cunning of a Carper.
Be thou a flatt'rer now and seek to thrive
By that which has undone thee. Hinge thy knee,
And let each Great mans breath blow off thy Cap.
Praise his most monstrous deformities,
And call his soulest Vices excellent.
Thou wert us'd thus.

Tim.
Dost thou love to hear thy self prate?

Apem.
No; but thou should'st hear me speak.

Tim.
I hate thy speech and spit at thee.

Apem.
Do not assume my likeness to disgrace it.

Tim.
Were I like thee, I'd use the Copy
As the Original shou'd be us'd.

Apem.
How should it be us'd?

Tim.
It should be hang'd.

Apem.
Before thou wert a Mad-man, now a Fool;
Art thou proud still? call any of those Creatures
Whose naked natures live in all the spight
Of angry Heav'n, whose bare un-housed trunks
To the conflicting Elements expos'd,
Answer meer Nature, bid 'em flatter thee,
And thou shalt find—

Tim.
An Ass of thee—

Apem.
I love thee better now than e're I did—

Tim.
I hate thee worse—

Apem.
Why so?

Tim.
Thou flatterest misery.

Apem.
I flatter not, but say thou art a Wretch—

Tim.
Why dost thou seek me out?

Apem.
Perhaps to vex thee.

Tim.
Always a Villains office or a Fools.

Apem.
If thou dost put on this sour life and habit
To castigate thy Pride, 'twere well, but thou
Dost it inforc'dly, wert thou not a Beggar,
Thou'd'st be a Courtier again.

Tim.
Slave thou ly'st, 'tis next thee the last thing
Which I would be on earth.

Apem.
How much does willing poverty excel
Uncertain pomp! for this is filling still,
Never compleat, that always at high wish;
But thou hast a contentless wretched being,
Thou shou'd'st desire to die being miserable.

Tim.
Not by his advice that is more miserable.

Apem.
I am contented with my poverty.

Tim.
Thou ly'st. Thou would'st not snarl so if thou wert.
But 'tis a burthen that is light to thee,
For thou hast been alwaies us'd to carry it.
Thou art a thing whom Fortunes tender arms
With favour never claspt, but bred a Dog;
Hadst thou like me from thy first swath proceeded
To all the sweet, degrees, that this brief world
Afforded me; thou wou'd'st have plung'd thy self
In general riot, melted down thy youth
In different Beds of lust, and never learn't
The Icy precepts of Morality,
But had'st pursu'd the alluring game before thee.

Apem.
Thou ly'st—I would have liv'd just as I do.

Tim.
Poor Slave! thou dost not know thy self! thou well
Can'st bear what thou hast been bred to;
But for me, who had the world as my Confectionary,
The Tongues, the Eyes, the Ears, the hearts of all men,
At duty more than I cou'd frame Imployments for,
That numberless upon me stuck as leaves
Upon the Oak, they'ave with one Winters brush
Faln from their boughs and left me open, bare
To every storm that blows: for me to bear this
Who never knew but better, is a great burthen;
Thy nature did commence in suff'rance. Time
Hath made thee hard in't. Why should'st thou hate men?
They never flatter'd thee: If thou wilt Curse,
Curse then thy Father who in spite put stuff
To some She-Beggar, and compounded thee,
A poor Hereditary Rogue.

Apem.
Poor Ass!
The middle of humanity thou ne're
Didst know, but the extremity of both ends;
When thou wert in thy gilt and thy perfumes,
Men mockt thee for thy too much curiosity;
Thou in thy rags know'st none.

Tim.
Be gone thou tedious prating Fool.
That the whole life of Athens were in this
One root, thus would I eat it.

Apem.
I'll mend thy Feast.

Tim.
Mend my condition, take thy self away.

Apem.
What would'st thou have to Athens?

Tim.
Thee thither in a Whirlwind.

Apem.
When I have nothing else to do, I'll see thee again.

Tim.
If there were nothing living but thy self,
Thou should'st not even then be welcome to me;
I had rather be a Beggars Dog than Apemantus.

Apem.
Thou art a miserable Fool.

Tim.
Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon.

Apem.
Thou art too bad to Curse: no misery
That I could wish thee but thou hast already.

Tim.
Be gone thou Issue of a Mangy Dog.
I swoun to see thee.

Apem.
Would thou would'st burst.

Tim.
Away, thou tedious Rogue, or I will cleave thy scull.

Apem.
Farewel Beast.

Tim.
Be gone Toad.

Apem.
The Athenians report thou hast found a Mass
Of Treasure; they'll find thee out: The plague
Of Company light on thee.

Tim.
Slave! Dog! Viper! out of my sight.
[Ex. Apem.
Choler will kill me if I see mankind!
Come forth Evandra? Thou art kind and good.
Enter Evandra.
Canst thou eat roots and drink at that fresh spring?
Our feasting's come to this.

Evan.
Whate're I eat
Or drink with thee is feast enough to me;
Would'st thou compose thy thoughts and be content,
I shou'd be happy.

Tim.
Let's quench our thirst at yonder murmuring Brook,
And then repose a while.

[Exeunt.
Enter Poet, Painter and Musician.
Poet.
As I took note o' the place it cannot be far off,
Where he abides.

Mus.

Does the rumour hold for certain, that he's so full
of Gold?

Poet.
'Tis true! H' has found an infinite store of Gold,
He has sent a Pattern of it to the Senate;
You will see him a Palm again in Athens,
And flourish with the highest of 'em all.
Therefore 'tis fit in this suppos'd distress,
We tender all our services to him—

Paint.
If the report be true we shall succeed.

Mus.
If we shou'd not—

Re-enter Timon and Evandra.
Poet.
Wee'll venture our joint labours. Yon is he,
I know by the description.

Mus.
Let's hide our selves and see how he will take it.

[A Symphony.
Evan.
Here's Musick in the Woods, whence comes it?

Tim.
From flattering Rogues who have heard that I
Have Gold; but that their disappointment would be greater,
In taking pains for nought, I'd send 'em back—

Poet.
Hail worthy Timon—

Mus.
Our most noble Master—

Paint.
My most excellent Lord.

Tim.
Have I once liv'd to see three honest men?

Poet.
Having so often tasted of your bounty,
And hearing you were retir'd, your friends faln off,
For whose ungrateful natures we are griev'd,
We come to do you service.

Mus.
We are not of so base a mold; we should
Desert our noble Patron!

Tim.
Most honest men! oh, how shall I requite you?
Can you eat roots, and drink cold water?

Poet.
Whate're we can, we will to do you service.

Tim.
Good men! come you are honest, you have heard
That I have gold enough! speak truth, y'are honest.

Poet.
So it is said: but therefore came not we.

Mus.
Not we my Lord.

Paint.
We thought not of it.

Tim.
You are good men, but have one monstrous fault.

Poet.
I beseech your honour, what is it?

Tim.
Each of you trusts a damn'd notorious Knave.

Paint.
Who is that, my Lord?

Tim.
Why one another, and each trusts himself.
Ye base Knaves, Tripartite! begone! make haste!
Or I will use you so like Knaves.

[He stones 'em.
Poet.
Fly, fly,—

[All run out.
Tim.
How sick am I of this false World? I'll now
Prepare my Grave, to lie where the light foam
Of the outragious Sea may wash my Corps.

Evan.
My dearest Timon, do not talk of Death;
My Life and thine together must determine.

Tim.
There is no rest without it; prithee leave
My wretched Fortune, and live long and happy,
Without thy Timon. There is wealth enough.

Evan.
I have no wealth but thee, let us lie down to rest;
I am very faint and heavy—

[They lie down.
Enter Melissa and Chloe.
Mel.
Let the Chariot stay there.
It is most certain he has found a Mass of money,
And he has sent word to the Senate he's richer than ever.

Chlo.
Sure were he rich, he would appear again.

Mel.
If he be, I doubt not but with my love I'll charm
Him back to Athens, 'twas my deserting him has
Made him thus Melancholy.

Chlo.
If he be not, you'l promise love in vain.

Mel.
If he be not, my promise shall be vain;
For I'll be sure to break it: Thus you saw
When Alcibiades was banish'd last,
I would not see him; I am always true
To interest and to my self. There Lord Timon lies!

Tim.
What wretch art thou come to disturb me?

Mel.
I am one that loves thee so, I cannot lose thee.
I am gotten from my Father and my Friends,
To call thee back to Athens, and her arms
Who cannot live without thee.

Evan.
It is Melissa! prithee listen not
To her destructive Syrens voice.

Tim.
Fear not.

Mel.
Dost thou not know thy dear Melissa?
To whom thou mad'st such vows!

Tim.
O yes, I know that piece of vanity,
That frail, proud, inconstant foolish thing.
I do remember once upon a time,
She swore eternal love to me, soon after
She would not see me, shun'd me, slighted me.

Mel.
Ah now I see thou never lov'dst me Timon,
That was a tryal which I made of thee,
To find if thou didst love me, if thou hadst
Thou wouldst have born it: I lov'd thee then much more
Than all the World—but thou art false I see,
And any little change can drive thee from me,
And thou wilt leave me miserable.

Evan.
Mind not that Crocodiles tears,
She would betray thee.

Mel.
Is there no truth among Mankind? had I
So much ingratitude, I had left
Thy fallen fortune, and ne're seen thee more:
Ah Timon! could'st thou have been kind, I could
Rather have beg'd with thee, than have enjoy'd
With any other all the Pomp of Greece;
But thou art lost and hast forgotten all thy Oaths.

Evan.
Why shou'd you strive to invade anothers right?
He's mine, for ever mine: These arms
Shall keep him from thee.

Mel.
Thine! poor mean Fool! has marriage made him so?
No,—Thou art his Concubine, dishonest thing;
I would enjoy him honestly.

Tim.
Peace, screech Owl: There is much more honesty
In this one woman than in all thy Sex
Blended together; our hearts are one;
And she is mine for ever: wert thou the Queen
Of all the Universe, I would not change her for thee.

Evan.
Oh my dear Lord! this is a better Cordial
Than all the World can give.

Tim.
False! proud! affected! vain fantastick thing;
Be gone, I would not see thee, unless I were
A Basilisk: thou boast'st that thou art honest of thy Body,
As if the Body made one honest: Thou hast a vile
Corrupted filthy mind—

Mel.
I am no Whore as she is.

Tim.
Thou ly'st, she's none: But thou art one in thy Soul:
Be gone, or thou'lt provoke me to do a thing unmanly,
And beat thee hence.

Mel.
Farewel Beast.—

[Ex. Mel. and Chlo.
Evan.
Let me kiss thy hand my dearest Lord,
If it were possible more dear than ever.

Tim.
Let's now go seek some rest within my Cave
If any we can have without the Grave.

[Exeunt.