Is noble Timon; of whofe memory make each peace flint war; Prescribe to other, as each other's leech. 3- 2 [Exeunt.4 Timon's faults, or indeed what fault had he committed?" The faults that Timon committed, were, 1. that boundless prodigality which his Steward fo forcibly defcribes and laments; and 2. his becoming a Mifanthrope, and abjuring the fociety of all men for the crimes of a few. Theobald supposes that Alcibiades bids the fenate set forward, affuring them at the same time that he forgives the wrongs they have done him. On:-Faults forgiven. But how unlikely is it, that he should desert the subject immediately before him, and enter upon another quite different fubje&, in these three words; and then return to Timon again? to fay nothing of the frangeness of the phrafc-faults forgiven, for faults are forgiven." MALONE. 66 ftint war; i. e. ftop it. So, in Spenter's Faery Queen : 'gan the cunning thief Perfuade us die, to tint all further ftrife." STEEVENS. leech. ] i. e. physician. So, in Spenfer's Faery Queen: Her words prevail'd, and then the learned leech "His cunning hand 'gan to his wounds to lay ——.” STEEVENS. ་་ 4 The play of Timon is a domeftick tragedy, and therefore frongly faftens on the attention of the reader. In the plan there is not much art, but the incidents are natural, and the charaders various and exa&. The catastrophe affords a very powerful warning againft that oftentatious liberality, which scatters bounty, but confers no benefits, and buys flattery, but not friendship. In this tragedy, are many paffages perplexed, obfcure, and probably corrupt, which I have endeavoured to redify, or explain with due diligence; but having only one copy, cannot promife myfelf that my endeavours fhall be much applauded. JOHNSON. This play was altered by Shadwell, and brought upon the ftage in 1678. In the modeft title-page he calls it Timon of Athens, the Man-hater, as it is acted at the Duke's Theatre, made into a Play. STEEVENS. or It comprehends a period of about four years, commencing with the feceffion to the Mons Sacer in the year of Rome 262, aud ending with the death of Coriolanus, A. U. C. 266. / Malone. The whole biflory is exacly followed, and many of the principal fpeeches exa&ly copied from the Life of Coriolanus in Plutarch. POPE Caius Marcius Coriolanus, a noble Roman. Titus Lartius, Generals against the Volfcians, Cominius, Menenius Agrippa, friend to Coriolanus. Young Marcius, Son to Coriolanus. Tullus Aufidius, General of the Volfcians. Confpirators with Aufidius. Two Volfcian Guards. Volumnia, Mother to Coriolanus. Valeria, Friend to Virgilia. Gentlewoman, attending Virgilia. Roman and Volfcian Senators, Patricians, Ediles, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, Messengers, Servants to Aufidius, and other Attendants. SCENE, partly in Rome; and partly in the Territories of the Volfcians and Antiates. |
