_Cleo._ Then, thus to you, My noble father, and these lords, to whom I next owe duty: no respect forgotten To you, my brother, and these bold young men, (Such I would have them,) that are, or should he, The city's sword and target of defence. To all of you I speak; and, if a blush Steal on my cheeks, it is shown to reprove Your paleness, willingly I would not say, Your cowardice or fear: Think you all treasure Hid in the bowels of the earth, or shipwreck'd In Neptune's wat'ry kingdom, can hold weight, When liberty and honour fill one scale, Triumphant Justice sitting on the beam? Or dare you but imagine that your gold is Too dear a salary for such as hazard Their blood and lives in your defence? For me, An ignorant girl, bear witness, heaven! so far I prize a soldier, that, to give him pay, With such devotion as our flamens offer Their sacrifices at the holy altar, I do lay down these jewels, will make sale Of my superfluous wardrobe, to supply The meanest of their wants. [_Lays down her jewels, &c.; the rest follow her example._ _Timol._ Brave masculine spirit! _Diph._ We are shown, to our shame, what we in honour Should have taught others. _Archid._ Such a fair example Must needs be follow'd. _Timag._ Ever my dear sister, But now our family's glory! _Leost._ Were she deform'd, The virtues of her mind would force a stoic To sue to be her servant. _Cleon._ I must yield; And, though my heart-blood part with it, I will Deliver in my wealth. _Asot._ I would say something; But, the truth is, I know not what. _Timol._ We have money; And men must now be thought on. _Archid._ We can press Of labourers in the country, men inured To cold and heat, ten thousand. _Diph._ Or, if need be, Enrol our slaves, lusty and able varlets, And fit for service. _Cleon._ They shall go for me; I will not pay and fight too. _Cleo._ How! your slaves? O stain of honour!----Once more, sir, your pardon; And, to their shames, let me deliver what I know in justice you may speak. _Timol._ Most gladly: I could not wish my thoughts a better organ Than your tongue, to express them. _Cleo._ Are you men! (For age may qualify, though not excuse, The backwardness of these,) able young men! Yet, now your country's liberty's at the stake, Honour and glorious triumph made the garland For such as dare deserve them; a rich feast Prepared by Victory, of immortal viands, Not for base men, but such as with their swords Dare force admittance, and will be her guests: And can you coldly suffer such rewards To be proposed to labourers and slaves? While you, that are born noble, to whom these, Valued at their best rate, are next to horses, Or other beasts of carriage, cry aim[104]! Like idle lookers on, till their proud worth Make them become your masters!