_Timag._ The common danger; For Sicily being afire, she is not safe: It being apparent that ambitious Carthage, That, to enlarge her empire, strives to fasten An unjust gripe on us that live free lords Of Syracusa, will not end, till Greece Acknowledge her their sovereign. _Leost._ I am satisfied. What think you of our general? _Timag._ He's a man [_Trumpets within._ Of strange and reserved parts; but a great soldier. His trumpets call us, I'll forbear his character: To-morrow, in the senate-house, at large He will express himself. _Leost._ I'll follow you. [_Exeunt._ FOOTNOTES: [96] _If, for their pomp and ease_, &c.] Mr. Gilchrist thinks (and I believe rightly) that Massinger, who evidently regarded the Duke of Buckingham with no favourable eye, here reflects on the use of sedan-chairs, which his grace first introduced, from Spain, about this period. They were carried, as Massinger says, "on men's shoulders," and the novelty provoked no small displeasure against the favourite, who, in thus employing his servants, was charged, by the writers of those times, with "degrading Englishmen into slaves and beasts of burden, to gratify his inordinate vanity."--GIFFORD. [97] _Fan._] The fan of our ancestors was not at all in the shape of the implement now used under the same name, but more like a hand-skreen. It had a roundish handle, and was frequently composed of feathers. SCENE II. _Syracuse. The Senate-house._ _Enter_ ARCHIDAMUS, CLEON, DIPHILUS, OLYMPIA, CORISCA, CLEORA, _and_ ZANTHIA. _Archid._ So careless we have been, my noble lords, In the disposing of our own affairs, And ignorant in the art of government, That now we need a stranger to instruct us. Yet we are happy that our neighbour Corinth, Pitying the unjust gripe Carthage would lay On Syracusa, hath vouchsafed to lend us Her man of men, Timoleon, to defend Our country and our liberties. _Diph._ 'Tis a favour We are unworthy of, and we may blush Necessity compels us to receive it. _Archid._ O shame! that we, that are a populous nation, Engaged to liberal nature for all blessings An island can bring forth; we, that have limbs, And able bodies; shipping, arms, and treasure, The sinews of the war, now we are call'd To stand upon our guard, cannot produce One fit to be our general. _Cleon._ I am old and fat; I could say something, else. _Archid._ We must obey The time and our occasions; ruinous buildings, Whose bases and foundations are infirm, Must use supporters: we are circled round With danger; o'er our heads, with sail-stretch'd wings, Destruction hovers, and a cloud of mischief Ready to break upon us; no hope left us That may divert it, but our sleeping virtue, Roused up by brave Timoleon. _Cleon._ When arrives he? _Diph._ He is expected every hour.