William Shakespeare
-
Tragedies
- Antony and Cleopatra
- Coriolanus
- Hamlet
- Julius Caesar
- King Lear
- Macbeth
- Othello
- Romeo and Juliet
- Timon of Athens
- Titus Andronicus
-
Histories
- King Henry IV Part 1
- King Henry IV Part 2
- King Henry V
- King Henry VI Part 1
- King Henry VI Part 2
- King Henry VI Part 3
- King Henry VIII
- King John
- Richard II
- Richard III
-
Comedies
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- All's Well That Ends Well
- As You Like It
- Cymbeline
- Love's Labour's Lost
- Measure for Measure
- Much Ado About Nothing
- Pericles, Prince of Tyre
- The Comedy of Errors
- The Merchant of Venice
- The Merry Wives of Windsor
- The Taming of the Shrew
- The Tempest
- The Two Gentlemen of Verona
- The Winter's Tale
- Troilus and Cressida
- Twelfth Night
-
Poetry
- A Lover's Complaint
- Sonnets 1 to 50
- Sonnets 50 to 100
- Sonnets 100 to 154
- The Passionate Pilgrim
- The Phoenix and the Turtle
- The Rape of Lucrece
- Venus and Adonis
Timon of Athens (date unknown)
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Roman Potter, 1884" style="width: 154px; height: 300px; float: right;" class="PopBoxImageSmall" title="Click to magnify/shrink" onclick="Pop(this,50,'/');"/>ACT ONE
SCENE 1. Athens. A Hall in TIMON'S House
[Enter Poet, Painter, Jeweller, Merchant, and Others, at several doors.]
POET.
- Good day, sir.
PAINTER.
- I am glad you're well.
POET.
- I have not seen you long. How goes the world?
PAINTER.
- It wears, sir, as it grows.
POET.
- Ay, that's well known;
- But what particular rarity? what strange,
- Which manifold record not matches? See,
- Magic of bounty! all these spirits thy power
- Hath conjur'd to attend! I know the merchant.
PAINTER.
- I know them both; th' other's a jeweller.
MERCHANT.
- O, 'tis a worthy lord!
JEWELLER.
- Nay, that's most fix'd.
MERCHANT.
- A most incomparable man; breath'd, as it were,
- To an untirable and continuate goodness.
- He passes.
JEWELLER.
- I have a jewel here—
MERCHANT.
- O, pray let's see't: for the Lord Timon, sir?
JEWELLER.
- If he will touch the estimate: but for that—
POET.
- When we for recompense have prais'd the vile,
- It stains the glory in that happy verse
- Which aptly sings the good.
MERCHANT. [Looking at the jewel.]
- 'Tis a good form.
JEWELLER.
- And rich: here is a water, look ye.
PAINTER.
- You are rapt, sir, in some work, some dedication
- To the great lord.
POET.
- A thing slipp'd idly from me.
- Our poesy is as a gum, which oozes
- From whence 'tis nourish'd: the fire i' the flint
- Shows not till it be struck; our gentle flame
- Provokes itself, and like the current flies
- Each bound it chafes. What have you there?
PAINTER.
- A picture, sir. When comes your book forth?
POET.
- Upon the heels of my presentment, sir.
- Let's see your piece.
PAINTER.
- 'Tis a good piece.
POET.
- So 'tis: this comes off well and excellent.
PAINTER.
- Indifferent.
POET.
- Admirable! How this grace
- Speaks his own standing! what a mental power
- This eye shoots forth! how big imagination
- Moves in this lip! to the dumbness of the gesture
- One might interpret.
PAINTER.
- It is a pretty mocking of the life.
- Here is a touch; is't good?
POET.
- I'll say of it,
- It tutors nature: artificial strife
- Lives in these touches, livelier than life.
[Enter certain SENATORS, who pass over the stage.]
PAINTER.
- How this lord is followed!
POET.
- The senators of Athens: happy man!
PAINTER.
- Look, more!
POET.
- You see this confluence, this great flood of visitors.
- I have, in this rough work, shap'd out a man
- Whom this beneath world doth embrace and hug
- With amplest entertainment: my free drift
- Halts not particularly, but moves itself
- In a wide sea of wax: no levell'd malice
- Infects one comma in the course I hold:
- But flies an eagle flight, bold and forth on,
- Leaving no tract behind.
PAINTER.
- How shall I understand you?
POET.
- I will unbolt to you.
- You see how all conditions, how all minds—
- As well of glib and slipp'ry creatures as
- Of grave and austere quality—tender down
- Their services to Lord Timon: his large fortune,
- Upon his good and gracious nature hanging,
- Subdues and properties to his love and tendance
- All sorts of hearts; yea, from the glass-fac'd flatterer
- To Apemantus, that few things loves better
- Than to abhor himself: even he drops down
- The knee before him, and returns in peace
- Most rich in Timon's nod.
PAINTER.
- I saw them speak together.
POET.
- Sir, I have upon a high and pleasant hill
- Feign'd Fortune to be thron'd: the base o' the mount
- Is rank'd with all deserts, all kind of natures
- That labour on the bosom of this sphere
- To propagate their states: amongst them all,
- Whose eyes are on this sovereign lady fix'd
- One do I personate of Lord Timon's frame,
- Whom Fortune with her ivory hand wafts to her;
- Whose present grace to present slaves and servants
- Translates his rivals.
PAINTER.
- 'Tis conceiv'd to scope.
- This throne, this Fortune, and this hill, methinks,
- With one man beckon'd from the rest below,
- Bowing his head against the steepy mount
- To climb his happiness, would be well express'd
- In our condition.
POET.
- Nay, sir, but hear me on.
- All those which were his fellows but of late,
- Some better than his value, on the moment
- Follow his strides, his lobbies fill with tendance,
- Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear,
- Make sacred even his stirrup, and through him
- Drink the free air.
PAINTER.
- Ay, marry, what of these?
POET.
- When Fortune in her shift and change of mood
- Spurns down her late beloved, all his dependants,
- Which labour'd after him to the mountain's top
- Even on their knees and hands, let him slip down,
- Not one accompanying his declining foot.
PAINTER.
- 'Tis common:
- A thousand moral paintings I can show
- That shall demonstrate these quick blows of Fortune's
- More pregnantly than words. Yet you do well
- To show Lord Timon that mean eyes have seen
- The foot above the head.
[Trumpets sound. Enter LORD TIMON, addressing himself courteously to every suitor: a MESSENGER from VENTIDIUS talking with him; LUCILIUS and other servants following.]
TIMON.
- Imprison'd is he, say you?
MESSENGER.
- Ay, my good lord. Five talents is his debt,
- His means most short, his creditors most strait:
- Your honourable letter he desires
- To those have shut him up; which, failing,
- Periods his comfort.
TIMON.
- Noble Ventidius! Well:
- I am not of that feather to shake off
- My friend when he must need me. I do know him
- A gentleman that well deserves a help,
- Which he shall have: I'll pay the debt and free him.
MESSENGER.
- Your lordship ever binds him.
TIMON.
- Commend me to him; I will send his ransom;
- And being enfranchis'd, bid him come to me.
- 'Tis not enough to help the feeble up,
- But to support him after. Fare you well.
MESSENGER.
- All happiness to your honour.
[Exit.]
[Enter an OLD ATHENIAN.]
OLD ATHENIAN.
- Lord Timon, hear me speak.
TIMON.
- Freely, good father.
OLD ATHENIAN.
- Thou hast a servant nam'd Lucilius.
TIMON.
- I have so: what of him?
OLD ATHENIAN.
- Most noble Timon, call the man before thee.
TIMON.
- Attends he here or no? Lucilius!
LUCILIUS.
- Here, at your lordship's service.
OLD ATHENIAN.
- This fellow here, Lord Timon, this thy creature,
- By night frequents my house. I am a man
- That from my first have been inclin'd to thrift,
- And my estate deserves an heir more rais'd
- Than one which holds a trencher.
TIMON.
- Well; what further?
OLD ATHENIAN.
- One only daughter have I, no kin else,
- On whom I may confer what I have got:
- The maid is fair, o' the youngest for a bride,
- And I have bred her at my dearest cost
- In qualities of the best. This man of thine
- Attempts her love: I prithee, noble lord,
- Join with me to forbid him her resort;
- Myself have spoke in vain.
TIMON.
- The man is honest.
OLD ATHENIAN.
- Therefore he will be, Timon:
- His honesty rewards him in itself;
- It must not bear my daughter.
TIMON.
- Does she love him?
OLD ATHENIAN.
- She is young and apt:
- Our own precedent passions do instruct us
- What levity's in youth.
TIMON. [To Lucilius.]
- Love you the maid?
LUCILIUS.
- Ay, my good lord, and she accepts of it.
OLD ATHENIAN.
- If in her marriage my consent be missing,
- I call the gods to witness, I will choose
- Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world,
- And dispossess her all.
TIMON.
- How shall she be endow'd,
- If she be mated with an equal husband?
OLD ATHENIAN.
- Three talents on the present; in future, all.
TIMON.
- This gentleman of mine hath serv'd me long:
- To build his fortune I will strain a little,
- For 'tis a bond in men. Give him thy daughter:
- What you bestow, in him I'll counterpoise,
- And make him weigh with her.
OLD ATHENIAN.
- Most noble lord,
- Pawn me to this your honour, she is his.
TIMON.
- My hand to thee; mine honour on my promise.
LUCILIUS.
- Humbly I thank your lordship. Never may
- That state or fortune fall into my keeping
- Which is not owed to you!
[Exeunt LUCILIUS and OLD ATHENIAN.]
POET.
- [Presenting his poem]
- Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your lordship!
TIMON.
- I thank you; you shall hear from me anon:
- Go not away. What have you there, my friend?
PAINTER.
- A piece of painting, which I do beseech
- Your lordship to accept.
TIMON.
- Painting is welcome.
- The painting is almost the natural man;
- For since dishonour traffics with man's nature,
- He is but outside: these pencill'd figures are
- Even such as they give out. I like your work;
- And you shall find I like it: wait attendance
- Till you hear further from me.
PAINTER.
- The gods preserve you!
TIMON.
- Well fare you, gentleman: give me your hand;
- We must needs dine together. Sir, your jewel
- Hath suffered under praise.
JEWELLER.
- What, my lord! dispraise?
TIMON.
- A mere satiety of commendations;
- If I should pay you for 't as 'tis extoll'd,
- It would unclew me quite.
JEWELLER.
- My lord, 'tis rated
- As those which sell would give: but you well know,
- Things of like value, differing in the owners,
- Are prized by their masters. Believe't, dear lord,
- You mend the jewel by the wearing it.
TIMON.
- Well mock'd.
MERCHANT.
- No, my good lord; he speaks the common tongue,
- Which all men speak with him.
TIMON.
- Look who comes here. Will you be chid?
[Enter APEMANTUS.]
JEWELLER.
- We'll bear, with your lordship.
MERCHANT.
- He'll spare none.
TIMON.
- Good morrow to thee, gentle Apemantus!
APEMANTUS.
- Till I be gentle, stay thou for thy good morrow;
- When thou art Timon's dog, and these knaves honest.
TIMON.
- Why dost thou call them knaves? thou know'st them not.
APEMANTUS.
- Are they not Athenians?
TIMON.
- Yes.
APEMANTUS.
- Then I repent not.
JEWELLER.
- You know me, Apemantus?
APEMANTUS.
- Thou know'st I do; I call'd thee by thy name.
TIMON.
- Thou art proud, Apemantus.
APEMANTUS.
- Of nothing so much as that I am not like Timon.
TIMON.
- Whither art going?
APEMANTUS.
- To knock out an honest Athenian's brains.
TIMON.
- That's a deed thou'lt die for.
APEMANTUS.
- Right, if doing nothing be death by the law.
TIMON.
- How likest thou this picture, Apemantus?
APEMANTUS.
- The best, for the innocence.
TIMON.
- Wrought he not well that painted it?
APEMANTUS.
- He wrought better that made the painter; and yet he's
- but a filthy piece of work.
PAINTER.
- You're a dog.
APEMANTUS.
- Thy mother's of my generation: what's she, if I be a dog?
TIMON.
- Wilt dine with me, Apemantus?
APEMANTUS.
- No; I eat not lords.
TIMON.
- An thou shouldst, thou'dst anger ladies.
APEMANTUS.
- O! they eat lords; so they come by great bellies.
TIMON.
- That's a lascivious apprehension.
APEMANTUS.
- So thou apprehendest it, take it for thy labour.
TIMON.
- How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus?
APEMANTUS.
- Not so well as plain dealing, which will not cost a man
- a doit.
TIMON.
- What dost thou think 'tis worth?
APEMANTUS.
- Not worth my thinking. How now, poet!
POET.
- How now, philosopher!
APEMANTUS.
- Thou liest.
POET.
- Art not one?
APEMANTUS.
- Yes.
POET.
- Then I lie not.
APEMANTUS.
- Art not a poet?
POET.
- Yes.
APEMANTUS.
- Then thou liest: look in thy last work, where thou hast
- feigned him a worthy fellow.
POET.
- That's not feigned; he is so.
APEMANTUS.
- Yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee for thy
- labour: he that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer.
- Heavens, that I were a lord!
TIMON.
- What wouldst do then, Apemantus?
APEMANTUS.
- Even as Apemantus does now; hate a lord with my heart.
TIMON.
- What, thyself?
APEMANTUS.
- Ay.
TIMON.
- Wherefore?
APEMANTUS.
- That I had no angry wit to be a lord. Art not thou a merchant?
MERCHANT.
- Ay, Apemantus.
APEMANTUS.
- Traffic confound thee, if the gods will not!
MERCHANT.
- If traffic do it, the gods do it.
APEMANTUS.
- Traffic's thy god, and thy god confound thee!
[Trumpet sounds. Enter a MESSENGER.]
TIMON.
- What trumpet's that?
MESSENGER.
- 'Tis Alcibiades, and some twenty horse,
- All of companionship.
TIMON.
- Pray entertain them; give them guide to us.
[Exeunt some attendants.]
You must needs dine with me. Go not you hence
- Till I have thank'd you; when dinner's done,
- Show me this piece. I am joyful of your sights.
[Enter ALCIBIADES, with the his Company.]
Most welcome, sir!
[They salute.]
APEMANTUS.
- So, so, there!
- Aches contract and starve your supple joints!
- That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet knaves,
- And all this courtesy! The strain of man's bred out
- Into baboon and monkey.
ALCIBIADES.
- Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I feed
- Most hungerly on your sight.
TIMON.
- Right welcome, sir!
- Ere we depart we'll share a bounteous time
- In different pleasures. Pray you, let us in.
[Exeunt all but APEMANTUS.]
[Enter two LORDS.]
FIRST LORD.
- What time o' day is't, Apemantus?
APEMANTUS.
- Time to be honest.
FIRST LORD.
- That time serves still.
APEMANTUS.
- The more accursed thou that still omitt'st it.
SECOND LORD.
- Thou art going to Lord Timon's feast.
APEMANTUS.
- Ay; to see meat fill knaves and wine heat fools.
SECOND LORD.
- Fare thee well, fare thee well.
APEMANTUS.
- Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice.
SECOND LORD.
- Why, Apemantus?
APEMANTUS.
- Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give thee none.
FIRST LORD.
- Hang thyself!
APEMANTUS.
- No, I will do nothing at thy bidding: make thy requests to thy
- friend.
SECOND LORD.
- Away, unpeaceable dog! or I'll spurn thee hence.
APEMANTUS.
- I will fly, like a dog, the heels of an ass.
[Exit.]
FIRST LORD.
- He's opposite to humanity. Come, shall we in,
- And taste Lord Timon's bounty? he outgoes
- The very heart of kindness.
SECOND LORD.
- He pours it out; Plutus, the god of gold,
- Is but his steward: no meed but he repays
- Sevenfold above itself; no gift to him
- But breeds the giver a return exceeding
- All use of quittance.
FIRST LORD.
- The noblest mind he carries
- That ever govern'd man.
SECOND LORD.
- Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in?
FIRST LORD.
- I'll keep you company.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE 2. The same. A room of state in TIMON's house.
[Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet served in; FLAVIUS and Others attending: then enter LORD TIMON, ALCIBIADES, Lords, and Senators, VENTIDIUS and Attendants. Then comes, dropping after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly, like himself.]
VENTIDIUS.
- Most honour'd Timon,
- It hath pleas'd the gods to remember my father's age,
- And call him to long peace.
- He is gone happy, and has left me rich:
- Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound
- To your free heart, I do return those talents,
- Doubled with thanks and service, from whose help
- I deriv'd liberty.
TIMON.
- O! by no means,
- Honest Ventidius: you mistake my love;
- I gave it freely ever; and there's none
- Can truly say he gives, if he receives:
- If our betters play at that game, we must not dare
- To imitate them; faults that are rich are fair.
VENTIDIUS.
- A noble spirit.
[They all stand ceremoniously looking on TIMON.]
TIMON.
- Nay, my lords, ceremony was but devis'd at first
- To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes,
- Recanting goodness, sorry ere 'tis shown;
- But where there is true friendship there needs none.
- Pray, sit; more welcome are ye to my fortunes
- Than my fortunes to me.
[They sit.]
FIRST LORD.
- My lord, we always have confess'd it.
APEMANTUS.
- Ho, ho! confess'd it; hang'd it, have you not?
TIMON.
- O! Apemantus, you are welcome.
APEMANTUS.
- No,
- You shall not make me welcome:
- I come to have thee thrust me out of doors.
TIMON.
- Fie! thou'rt a churl; ye've got a humour there
- Does not become a man; 'tis much to blame.
- They say, my lords, Ira furor brevis est;
- But yond man is ever angry.
- Go, let him have a table by himself;
- For he does neither affect company,
- Nor is he fit for it, indeed.
APEMANTUS.
- Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon:
- I come to observe; I give thee warning on't.
TIMON.
- I take no heed of thee; thou'rt an Athenian, therefore, welcome.
- I myself would have no power; prithee; let my meat make thee
- silent.
APEMANTUS.
- I scorn thy meat; 't'would choke me, for I should
- Ne'er flatter thee. O you gods! what a number
- Of men eats Timon, and he sees 'em not!
- It grieves me to see so many dip their meat
- In one man's blood; and all the madness is,
- He cheers them up too.
- I wonder men dare trust themselves with men:
- Methinks they should invite them without knives;
- Good for their meat, and safer for their lives.
- There's much example for 't; the fellow that
- Sits next him now, parts bread with him, pledges
- The breath of him in a divided draught,
- Is the readiest man to kill him: 't has been prov'd.
- If I were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals;
- Lest they should spy my wind-pipe's dangerous notes:
- Great men should drink with harness on their throats.
TIMON.
- My lord, in heart; and let the health go round.
SECOND LORD.
- Let it flow this way, my good lord.
APEMANTUS.
- Flow this way! A brave fellow! he keeps his tides well. Those
- healths will make thee and thy state look ill, Timon.
- Here's that which is too weak to be a sinner,
- Honest water, which ne'er left man i' the mire:
- This and my food are equals; there's no odds:
- Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods.
- Immortal gods, I crave no pelf;
- I pray for no man but myself.
- Grant I may never prove so fond
- To trust man on his oath or bond;
- Or a harlot for her weeping;
- Or a dog that seems a-sleeping;
- Or a keeper with my freedom;
- Or my friends, if I should need 'em.
- Amen. So fall to't.
- Rich men sin, and I eat root.
[Eats and drinks.]
Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus!
TIMON.
- Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the field now.
ALCIBIADES.
- My heart is ever at your service, my lord.
TIMON.
- You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of
- friends.
ALCIBIADES.
- So they were bleeding—new, my lord, there's no meat
- like 'em: I could wish my best friend at such a feast.
APEMANTUS.
- 'Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then, that
- then thou mightst kill 'em, and bid me to 'em.
FIRST LORD.
- Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you
- would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of
- our zeals, we should think ourselves for ever perfect.
TIMON.
- O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have
- provided that I shall have much help from you: how had you been
- my friends else? why have you that charitable title from
- thousands, did not you chiefly belong to my heart? I have told
- more of you to myself than you can with modesty speak in your own
- behalf; and thus far I confirm you. O you gods! think I, what
- need we have any friends if we should ne'er have need of 'em?
- they were the most needless creatures living, should we ne'er
- have use for 'em; and would most resemble sweet instruments hung
- up in cases, that keep their sounds to themselves. Why, I have
- often wished myself poorer that I might come nearer to you. We
- are born to do benefits; and what better or properer can we call
- our own than the riches of our friends? O! what a precious
- comfort 'tis to have so many, like brothers, commanding one
- another's fortunes! O joy! e'en made away ere it can be born.
- Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks: to forget their
- faults, I drink to you.
APEMANTUS.
- Thou weepest to make them drink, Timon.
SECOND LORD.
- Joy had the like conception in our eyes,
- And, at that instant like a babe, sprung up.
APEMANTUS.
- Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.
THIRD LORD.
- I promise you, my lord, you mov'd me much.
APEMANTUS.
- Much!
[Tucket sounded.]
TIMON.
- What means that trump?
[Enter a SERVANT.]
How now!
SERVANT.
- Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of
- admittance.
TIMON.
- Ladies? What are their wills?
SERVANT.
- There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears
- that office, to signify their pleasures.
TIMON.
- I pray, let them be admitted.
[Enter CUPID.]
CUPID.
- Hail to thee, worthy Timon; and to all
- That of his bounties taste! The five best Senses
- Acknowledge thee their patron; and come freely
- To gratulate thy plenteous bosom. Th' Ear,
- Taste, Touch, Smell, pleas'd from thy table rise;
- They only now come but to feast thine eyes.
TIMON.
- They are welcome all; let 'em have kind admittance:
- Music, make their welcome!
[Exit CUPID.]
FIRST LORD.
- You see, my lord, how ample you're belov'd.
[Music. Re-enter CUPID, with a masque of LADIES as Amazons,
- with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing.]
APEMANTUS.
- Hoy-day! what a sweep of vanity comes this way:
- They dance! they are mad women.
- Like madness is the glory of this life,
- As this pomp shows to a little oil and root.
- We make ourselves fools to disport ourselves;
- And spend our flatteries to drink those men
- Upon whose age we void it up again,
- With poisonous spite and envy.
- Who lives that's not depraved or depraves?
- Who dies that bears not one spurn to their graves
- Of their friend's gift?
- I should fear those that dance before me now
- Would one day stamp upon me: it has been done:
- Men shut their doors against a setting sun.
[The LORDS rise from table, with much adoring of TIMON; and to
- show their loves, each singles out an Amazon, and all dance, men
- with women, a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and cease.]
TIMON.
- You have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies,
- Set a fair fashion on our entertainment,
- Which was not half so beautiful and kind;
- You have added worth unto 't and lustre,
- And entertain'd me with mine own device;
- I am to thank you for 't.
FIRST LADY.
- My lord, you take us even at the best.
APEMANTUS.
- Faith, for the worst is filthy; and would not hold taking, I
- doubt me.
TIMON.
- Ladies, there is an idle banquet
- Attends you; please you to dispose yourselves.
ALL LADIES.
- Most thankfully, my lord.
[Exeunt CUPID and LADIES.]
TIMON.
- Flavius!
FLAVIUS.
- My lord!
TIMON.
- The little casket bring me hither.
FLAVIUS.
- Yes, my lord. [Aside.] More jewels yet!
- There is no crossing him in 's humour;
- Else I should tell him well, i' faith, I should,
- When all's spent, he'd be cross'd then, an he could.
- 'Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind,
- That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind.
[Exit.]
FIRST LORD.
- Where be our men?
SERVANT.
- Here, my lord, in readiness.
SECOND LORD.
- Our horses!
[Re-enter FLAVIUS, with the casket.]
TIMON.
- O, my friends! I have one word to say to you;
- Look you, my good lord,
- I must entreat you, honour me so much
- As to advance this jewel; accept it and wear it,
- Kind my lord.
FIRST LORD.
- I am so far already in your gifts—
ALL.
- So are we all.
[Enter a SERVANT.]
SERVANT.
- My lord, there are certain nobles of the Senate
- Newly alighted and come to visit you.
TIMON.
- They are fairly welcome.
FLAVIUS.
- I beseech your honour,
- Vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near.
TIMON.
- Near! why then, another time I'll hear thee.
- I prithee let's be provided to show them entertainment.
FLAVIUS. [Aside.]
- I scarce know how.
[Enter another SERVANT.]
SECOND SERVANT.
- May it please vour honour, Lord Lucius,
- Out of his free love, hath presented to you
- Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver.
TIMON.
- I shall accept them fairly; let the presents
- Be worthily entertain'd.
[Enter a third SERVANT.]
How now! What news?
THIRD SERVANT.
- Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman, Lord Lucullus,
- entreats your company to-morrow to hunt with him, and has sent
- your honour two brace of greyhounds.
TIMON.
- I'll hunt with him; and let them be receiv'd,
- Not without fair reward.
FLAVIUS.
- [Aside.] What will this come to?
- He commands us to provide, and give great gifts,
- And all out of an empty coffer;
- Nor will he know his purse, or yield me this,
- To show him what a beggar his heart is,
- Being of no power to make his wishes good.
- His promises fly so beyond his state
- That what he speaks is all in debt; he owes
- For every word: he is so kind that he now
- Pays interest for 't; his land's put to their books.
- Well, would I were gently put out of office
- Before I were forc'd out!
- Happier he that has no friend to feed
- Than such that do e'en enemies exceed.
- I bleed inwardly for my lord.
[Exit.]
TIMON.
- You do yourselves much wrong;
- You bate too much of your own merits;
- Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.
SECOND LORD.
- With more than common thanks I will receive it.
THIRD LORD.
- O! he's the very soul of bounty!
TIMON.
- And now I remember, my lord, you gave
- Good words the other day of a bay courser
- I rode on: it is yours because you lik'd it.
THIRD LORD.
- O! I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that.
TIMON.
- You may take my word, my lord: I know no man
- Can justly praise but what he does affect:
- I weigh my friend's affection with mine own.
- I'll tell you true; I'll call to you.
ALL LORDS.
- O! none so welcome!
TIMON.
- I take all and your several visitations
- So kind to heart, 'tis not enough to give;
- Methinks, I could deal kingdoms to my friends,
- And ne'er be weary. Alcibiades,
- Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich;
- It comes in charity to thee; for all thy living
- Is 'mongst the dead, and all the lands thou hast
- Lie in a pitch'd field.
ALCIBIADES.
- Ay, defil'd land, my lord.
FIRST LORD.
- We are so virtuously bound,—
TIMON.
- And so am I to you.
SECOND LORD.
- So infinitely endear'd,—
TIMON.
- All to you. Lights, more lights!
FIRST LORD.
- The best of happiness,
- Honour, and fortunes, keep with you, Lord Timon!
TIMON.
- Ready for his friends.
[Exeunt ALCIBIADES, Lords, and etc.].]
APEMANTUS.
- What a coil's here!
- Serving of becks and jutting out of bums!
- I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums
- That are given for 'em. Friendship's full of dregs:
- Methinks, false hearts should never have sound legs.
- Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on curtsies.
TIMON.
- Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen,
- I would be good to thee.
APEMANTUS.
- No, I'll nothing; for if I should be bribed too, there
- would be none left to rail upon thee, and then thou wouldst sin
- the faster. Thou givest so long, Timon, I fear me thou wilt give
- away thyself in paper shortly: What needs these feasts, pomps,
- and vain-glories?
TIMON.
- Nay, an you begin to rail on society once, I am sworn not to
- give regard to you. Farewell; and come with better music.
[Exit.]
APEMANTUS.
- So: Thou wilt not hear me now; thou shalt not then;
- I'll lock thy heaven from thee.
- O! that men's ears should be
- To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!
[Exit.]