The Life of Timon of Athens: Act 5, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 5, Scene 2 of The Life of Timon of Athens from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter two other Senators, with a Messenger. THIRD SENATOR Thou hast painfully discovered. Are his files As full as thy report? MESSENGER I have spoke the least. Besides, his expedition promises Present approach. 5 FOURTH SENATOR We stand much hazard if they bring not Timon. MESSENGER 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 10 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. Enter the other Senators. THIRD SENATOR Here come our brothers. 15 FIRST SENATOR 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. They exit.	Two more Senators stand around chitchatting about what will become of Athens. They want to know if Alcibiades's army is as strong as they think it is. And what's the deal with Timon? Did he accept the other Senators' offer to return to the city? A messenger enters with some news. Apparently Alcibiades is requesting Timon's assistance. Uh-oh. Then the other Senators (the ones that talked to Timon) arrive and confirm that Timon doesn't plan to help them. He just plans to stay in his cave.

Original Text

Translated Text

Enter two other Senators, with a Messenger.

THIRD SENATOR
Thou hast painfully discovered. Are his files
As full as thy report?

MESSENGER
I have spoke the least.
Besides, his expedition promises
Present approach. 5

FOURTH SENATOR
We stand much hazard if they bring not Timon.

MESSENGER
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 10
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.

Enter the other Senators.

THIRD SENATOR
Here come our brothers. 15

FIRST SENATOR
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.

They exit.

Two more Senators stand around chitchatting about what will become of Athens. They want to know if Alcibiades's army is as strong as they think it is.

And what's the deal with Timon? Did he accept the other Senators' offer to return to the city?

A messenger enters with some news. Apparently Alcibiades is requesting Timon's assistance. Uh-oh.

Then the other Senators (the ones that talked to Timon) arrive and confirm that Timon doesn't plan to help them. He just plans to stay in his cave.

The Life of Timon of Athens: Act 5, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 5, Scene 2 of The Life of Timon of Athens from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text

Translated Text

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