Sec. Sen. And shakes his threatening sword
Against the walls of Athens.
First Sen. Therefore, Timon,—[2723] 165
Tim. Well, sir, I will; therefore, I will, sir; thus:[2724]
If Alcibiades kill my countrymen,
Let Alcibiades know this of Timon,
That Timon cares not. But if he sack fair Athens,[2725]
And take our goodly aged men by the beards, 170
Giving our holy virgins to the stain
Of contumelious, beastly, mad-brain'd war;
Then let him know, and tell him Timon speaks it,
In pity of our aged and our youth,
I cannot choose but tell him, that I care not,[2726] 175
And let him take 't at worst; for their knives care not,
While you have throats to answer: for myself,
There's not a whittle in the unruly camp,[2727]
But I do prize it at my love before[2728]
The reverend'st throat in Athens. So I leave you[2729] 180
To the protection of the prosperous gods,[2730]
As thieves to keepers.
Flav. Stay not; all's in vain.
Tim. Why, I was writing of my epitaph;[2731]
It will be seen to-morrow: my long sickness
Of health and living now begins to mend, 185
And nothing brings me all things. Go, live still;
Be Alcibiades your plague, you his,
And last so long enough!
First Sen. We speak in vain.
Tim. But yet I love my country, and am not
One that rejoices in the common wreck,[2732] 190
As common bruit doth put it.[2733]
First Sen. That's well spoke.
Tim. Commend me to my loving countrymen,—[2734]
First Sen. These words become your lips as they pass thorough them.[2735]