Act 5, Scene 3 — Timon of Athens

The argument Outside the walls, the Senators question a Messenger about Alcibiades' army. He says the forces are even larger than he reported and close at hand, and that Alcibiades has written to Timon asking him to join the attack. The envoys come back from Timon's cave with nothing. The First Senator forbids any more talk of Timon and sends everyone in to prepare as the enemy's drums draw near.

Enter two other Senators, with a Messenger.

FIRST SENATOR ≋ verse [asking for confirmation—are the reports accurate?]

Thou hast painfully discovered. Are his files

As full as thy report?

You have discovered this with painful effort. Are his forces as strong as your report says?

You've worked hard to find this out. Is his army as big as you're saying?

you discovered this are his forces as strong as you report

MESSENGER ≋ verse [understating the danger—it's worse than reported]

I have spoke the least.

Besides, his expedition promises

Present approach.

I've said the least. Besides, his speed promises he'll arrive very soon.

I'm downplaying it. And he's moving so fast he'll be here any day.

i said the least it's worse he's coming soon very soon

SECOND SENATOR [fearful—they're doomed without Timon]

We stand much hazard if they bring not Timon.

We face great danger if they don't bring Timon.

We're in trouble if we can't get Timon to help.

we're in danger without timon great hazard

MESSENGER ≋ verse [reporting intelligence—Alcibiades seeks Timon's alliance]

I met a courier, one mine ancient friend,

Whom, though in general part we were opposed,

Yet our old love made a particular force

And made us speak like friends. This man was riding

From Alcibiades to Timon’s cave

With letters of entreaty, which imported

His fellowship i’ th’ cause against your city,

In part for his sake moved.

I met a messenger—an old friend of mine—whom though in general terms we opposed, yet our old love made a special bond and we spoke like friends. This man was traveling from Alcibiades to Timon's cave with letters asking for his aid, requesting that Timon join the cause against your city, partly moved by personal regard for Alcibiades.

I ran into a courier—someone I used to be close to—and even though we've been on opposite sides, our old friendship got us talking like friends again. He was on his way from Alcibiades to Timon with letters asking Timon to help fight against Athens. Timon's being asked to join the cause, partly because Alcibiades cares about him.

met a courier old friend from alcibiades to timon with letters asking timon to join the fight against athens

Enter the other Senators from Timon.

THIRD SENATOR [announcing—more senators arriving]

Here come our brothers.

Here come our colleagues.

Here come the other senators.

they're coming the other senators

FIRST SENATOR ≋ verse [giving orders—abandon hope, prepare for battle]

No talk of Timon, nothing of him expect.

The enemy’s drum is heard, and fearful scouring

Doth choke the air with dust. In, and prepare.

Ours is the fall, I fear, our foe’s the snare.

Don't speak of Timon. Expect nothing from him. The enemy's drums are heard, and fearful racing about is filling the air with dust. Go inside and prepare. I fear we're falling into their trap.

Don't mention Timon anymore. Don't expect anything from him. We can hear the enemy's drums, and everyone's panicking and kicking up dust. Get inside and get ready. I think we're done for—they're going to catch us.

don't talk of timon expect nothing enemy drums scurrying dust prepare we're trapped they've won

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

A short scene of panic in which Athens learns that its last hope, Timon, will not save it and that Alcibiades' army is already at the gates. The Senators have bet everything on bringing back the man they once let go bankrupt, and the Messenger's news makes it worse: Alcibiades has been courting Timon too. Notice how quickly Timon goes from saviour to someone no one may mention ('No talk of Timon, nothing of him expect'). The city that treated friendship as a transaction now finds nobody willing to deal with it. The drums and the choking dust bring the war onstage, and the closing rhyme, 'Ours is the fall, I fear, our foe's the snare,' sounds like a verdict the Senators have passed on themselves.

If this happened today…

You're on the board of a company that forced out its founder when money got tight. Now a hostile takeover is coming, and your one plan was to beg the founder to come back and rescue you. While you wait, someone tells you the raider has already written to the founder offering them a place on their side. Then the delegation you sent comes back empty-handed. Someone at the head of the table says, 'Stop talking about them. It's over. Get ready.'

Continue to 5.4 →