And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart, If wrongs be evils, and enforce us kill, 1 Sen. To revenge You cannot make gross sins look clear; is no valour, but to bear. Alcib. My lords, then, under favour, pardon me, If I speak like a captain. Why do fond men expose themselves to battle, And th' ass, more captain than the lion; the felon, If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords, As you are great, be pitifully good: Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood? To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust;' But, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just.2 To be in anger, is impiety; But who is man, that is not angry ? 2 Sen. You breathe in vain. In vain his service done At Lacedæmon, and Byzantium, Abroad?] What do we, or what have we to do in the field? 1 —— sin's extremest gust;] Gust means rashness. The allusion may be to a sudden gust of wind. So we say, it was done in a sudden gust of passion. 2 by mercy, 'tis most just.] i. e. I call mercy herself to witness, that defensive violence is just. JOHNSON. Alcib. Why, I say, my lords, h'as done fair service, And slain in fight many of your enemies: How full of valour did he bear himself In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds? Drowns him, and takes his valour prisoner: Alcib. Hard fate! he might have died in war. (Though his right arm might purchase his own time, My honour to you, upon his good returns. 1 Sen. We are for law, he dies; urge it no more, On height of our displeasure: Friend, or brother, He forfeits his own blood, that spills another. Alcib. Must it be so? it must not be. My lords, I do beseech you, know me. 2 Sen. How? Alcib. Call me to your remembrances. 3 Sen. What? Alcib. I cannot think, but your age has forgot me; It could not else be, I should prove so base, To sue, and be denied such common grace: 3 I should prove so base,] Base for dishonoured. And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart, If wrongs be evils, and enforce us kill, 1 Sen. You cannot make gross sins look clear; To revenge is no valour, but to bear. Alcib. My lords, then, under favour, pardon me, If I speak like a captain. Why do fond men expose themselves to battle, And th' ass, more captain than the lion; the felon, If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords, As you are great, be pitifully good: Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood? To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust;1 But, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just.2 To be in anger, is impiety; But who is man, that is not angry ? 2 Sen. You breathe in vain. In vain his service done At Lacedæmon, and Byzantium, 9 1 1 Sen. What's that? what make we Abroad?] What do we, or what have we to do in the field? sin's extremest gust;] Gust means rashness. The allusion may be to a sudden gust of wind. So we say, it was done in a sudden gust of passion. 2 by mercy, 'tis most just.] i. e. I call mercy herself to witness, that defensive violence is just. JOHNSON. My wounds ache at you. 1 Sen. Do you dare our anger? "Tis in few words, but spacious in effect; We banish thee for ever. Alcib. Banish me? Banish your dotage; banish usury, That makes the senate ugly. 1 Sen. If, after two days' shine, Athens contain thee, Attend our weightier judgment. And, not to swell our spirit,* He shall be executed presently. [Exeunt Senators. Alcib. Now the gods keep you old enough; that you may live Only in bone, that none may look on you! [Exit. * And, not to swell our spirit,] i. e. not to put ourselves into any tumour of rage, take our definitive resolution. |