University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FIFTH.

Timoleon, Echilus.
Timol.
Ah, ill-advised, infatuated brother!
Could I save thee as I feel confident
To save my country!

Ech.
In his mercenaries
He does confide; he knows that other troops
Corinth has not now to oppose to his.

Timol.
With this last massacre he has contrived
To intimidate the people; but their hate
A thousand times he has augmented thence;
And he has not in every heart extinguish'd
Courage, and resolutions of revenge.
Already by a secret embassy
Sent to Mycenœ, have the people sought
Immediate aid: his very satellites
In part are disaffected. Wretched man!
In his own snares he will be surely caught! ...
Ah! were there yet a remedy! ... But he
Has robb'd me of my friend, and, dearer far,
My liberty ... But yet, ... he is my brother;
Yet do I pity him ... Could any one
Somewhat persuade him ...

Ech.
This his mother might,
Were not her heart corrupted: but too much ...

Timol.
She also for the last time now shall hear me.
Ere I do this, I fly to supplicate
My friends, that they alone would grant him,
What of this day remains, for penitence;
Forthwith I shall return; and every means,
That he may change, will I in turn adopt;
Entreaties, tears, fear, menaces, his mother.—
Ah, come thou also; let us means contrive
By which the uplifted sword may be awhile
Suspended o'er his head, and yet no loss
His country thence sustain. Let us to-day
Render to him the latest offices
Of friends and relatives: but citizens,
If this avail not, are we, and shall be
Constrain'd, though weeping, such to prove ourselves.