Page 3145 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

If wrongs be evils and enforce us kill,
What folly ’tis to hazard life for ill!

ALCIBIADES
My lord −

FIRST SENATOR
You cannot make gross sins look clear; To revenge is no valour, but to bear.
[40]

ALCIBIADES
My lords, then, under favour, pardon me,

If I speak like a captain.
Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
And not endure all threats? Sleep upon ’t,

And let the foes quietly cut their throats [45]
Without repugnancy? If there be
Such valour in the bearing, what make we
Abroad? Why then, women are more valiant
That stay at home, if bearing carry it,

And the ass more captain than the lion, [50]
The fellow loaden with irons wiser than the judge,
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, [55]
But in defence, by mercy, ’tis most just.
To be in anger is impiety;

But who is man that is not angry?
Weigh but the crime with this.

SECOND SENATOR
You breathe in vain.

ALCIBIADES
In vain? His service done [60]

At Lacedæmon and Byzantium