To climb his happiness, would be well express'd Poet. Poet. When Fortune, in her shift and change| of mood, Spurns down her late belov'd, all his dependants, A thousand moral paintings I can show, tune Tim. [To Lucilius.] Love you the maid 7 I call the gods to witness, I will choose Tim. Tim. This gentleman of mine hath serv'd me More pregnantly than words. Yet you do well, Trumpets sound. Enter Timon, attended: the His means most short, his creditors most strait: Your honourable letter he desires To those have shut him up; which failing to him, Noble Ventidius! Well; him I do know A gentleman, that well deserves a help, him. Ven. Serv. Your lordship ever binds him. And, being enfranchis'd, bid him come to me Enter an old Athenian. [Exeunt Lucilius and old Athenian. Poet. Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your lordship! anon; Tim. I thank you; you shall hear from me -Hath suffer'd under praise. [Exit. Jero. Jew. My lord, 'tis rated As those, which sell, would give: But you well know, Things of like value, differing in the owners, Which all men speak with him. Jew. We will bear, with your lordship. row; When thou art Timon's dog, and these knaves honest. Apem. Right, if doing nothing be death by the law. Tim. How likest thou this picture, Apemantus? Tim. Wrought he not well, that painted it? Apem. Thy mother's of my generation; What's she, if I be a dog. Tim. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus ? Tim. An thou shouldst, thou'dst anger ladies. Apem. O, they eat lords; so they come by great bellies. Tim. That's a lascivious apprehension. labour. Tim. How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus? Apem. Not so well as plain dealing, which will not cost a man a doit. Tim. What dost thou think 'tis worth? Apem. Thou liest. Poet. Art not one? Apem. Yes. Poet. Then I lie not. Apem. Art not a poet? Apem. Then thou liest: look in thy last work, where thou hast feign'd him a worthy fellow. Poet. That's not feign'd, he is so. Apem. 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 1 Tim. What would'st do then, Apemantus? Apem. Even as Apemantus does now, hate a lord with my heart. Tim. What, thyself? Apem. Ay. Tim. Wherefore? Apem. That I had no angry wit to be a lord. Art not thou a merchant 7 Mer. Ay, Apemantus. Apem. Time to be honest. 2 Lord. Thou art going to Lord Timon's feast. 2 Lord. Fare thee well, fare thee well. Apem. Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give thee none. 1 Lord. Hang thyself. Apem. No, I will do nothing at thy bidding; make thy requests to thy friend. 2 Lord. Away, unpeaceable dog, or I'll spurn thee hence. Apem. I will fly, like a dog, the heels of the ass ¡Exit. 1 Lord. He's opposite to humanity.-Come, shall we in, And taste Lord Timon's bounty? he outgoes The very heart of kindness. 2 Lord. He pours it out; Plutus, the god of gold, But breeds the giver a return exceeding 1 Lord. The noblest mind he carries, That ever govern'd mai... 2 Lord. Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in? 1 Lord. I'll keep you company. SCENE II. The same. [Exeunt A Room of State in Timon's House. Hautboys playing loud musick. A great ban quet served in; Flavins and others attending; then enter Timon, Alcibiades, Lucius, Lucul lus, Sempronius, and other Athenian Senators, with Ventidius, and Attendants. Then come dropping after all, Apemantus, discontent edly. Ven. Most honour'd Timon, 't hath pleas'd the gods to remember Apem. Traffick confound thee, if the gods will My father's age, and call him to long peace. not t He is s gone happy, and has left me rich: Tim. O, by no means, [They all stand ceremoniously looking none. 1 Lord. My lord, we always have confess it Apem. Ho, ho, confess'd it? hang'd it, have Alcib. Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I you not 7 feed Most hungrily on your sight. 1 Lord. What time a day is't, Apemantus? Tim. O, Apemantus! you are welcome. No, I come to have thee thrust me out of doors. Does not become a man, 'tis much to blame :-→→ Go, let him have a table by himself; For he does neither affect company, Nor is he fit for it, indeed. Apem. Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon; I come to observe; I give thee warning on't. Tim. I take no heed of thee; thou art an Athenian; therefore welcome: I myself would have no power: 'prythee, let my meat make thee silent. Apem. I scorn thy meat; 'twould choke me, for I should Ne'er flatter thee.-O you gods; what a number I wonder, men dare trust themselves with men : The breath of him in a divided draught, If I 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. Apemantus' Grace. Immortal gods, I crave no pelf; Rich men sín, and I eat root. [Eats and drinks. Much good dịch thy good heart, Apemantus! Tim. Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the field now. Alcib. My heart is ever at your service, my lord. Tim. You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies, than a dinner of friends. Alcib. So they were bleeding new, my lord, there's no meat like them; I could wish my best friend at such a feast. Apem. 'Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then; that then thou might'st kill 'em, and bid me to 'em. 1 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. Tim. 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 you not chiefly belong to any 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 1, what need we have any friends, if we should never have need of them? they were the most needless creatures living, should we ne'er have use for them 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, com. manding 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. Apem. Thou weepest to make them drink, Timon. 2 Lord. Joy had the like conception in our eyes, And, at that instant, like a babe sprung up. Apem. Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard. 3 Lord. I promise you, my lord, you mov'd me much. Apem. Much. [Tucket sounded. Tim. What means that trump?-How now? Enter a Servant. Serv. Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance. Tim. Ladies? what are their wills? Serv. There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office, to signify their pleasures. Tim. I pray, let them be admitted. Cup. Hail to thee, worthy Timon;-and to all [Exit Cupid. 1 Lord. You see, my lord, how ample you are belov'd. Musick. Re-enter Cupid, with a masque of Ladies as Amazons, with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing. Apem. Hey-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. that's not Depraved, or depraves? who dies, that bears Not one spurn to their graves of their friends' 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 sin gles out an Amazon, and all dance, men with women, a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and cease. Tim. You have done our pleasures much grace fair ladies, Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, 1 Lady. My lord, you take us even at the pest. Apem. 'Faith, for the worst is filthy; and would not hold taking, I doubt me. Tim. Ladies, there is an idle banquet Attends you: Please you to dispose yourselves. Au Lad. Most thankfully, my lord. [Exeunt Cupid and Ladies Tim. Flavius,- 'Tis pity, bounty had not eyes behind; Here, my lord, in readiness. 2 Lord. Our horses. Tim. O, my friends, I have one word to say to you: Look, my good lord, I must entreat yon honour me so much, As to advance this jewel; accept and wear it, I Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,- Enter a Servant. Can justly praise, but what he does affect; Am I to you. 2 Lord. And so So infinitely endeared, Tim. All to you.-Lights, more lights. 1 Lord. The best of happines Honour, and fortunes, keep with you, Lord Ti mon! Tim. Ready for his friends. Apem. [Exeunt Alcibiades, Lords, &c. What a coil's here! Serv. My lord, there are certain nobles of the 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. senate Newly alighted, and come to visit you. I pr'ythee, let us be provided Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on court'sies. Tim. Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen, I'd be good to thee. Apem No, I'll nothing: for, if I should be brib'd I scarce know how. [Aside. too, there would be none left to rail upon thee; Enter another Servant. 2 Serv. May it please your honour, the Lord Out of his free love, hath presented to you Enter a third Servant. Be worthily entertain'd.-How now, what news? 3 Sern. 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 grey-hounds. Tim. I'll hunt with him; and let them be re- Not without fair reward. What will this come to ? Happier is he that has no friend to feed, Here, my lord, a trifle of our love. 2 Lord. With more than common thanks I will 3 Lord. O, he is the very soul of bounty! Good words the other day of a bay courser in that. Tim. You may take my word, my lord; I know, no man and then thou would'st sin the faster. Thou giv est so long, Timon, I fear me, thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly: What need these feasts, pomps, and vainglories? Tim. Nay, an you begin to rail on society once, I am sworn, not to give regard to you. Fare well; and come with better musick." [Erit. Apem. So-thon't 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! ACT II. SCENE I. Athens. [Exit. A Room in a Senator's House. He owes nine thousand; besides my former sum, And my reliances on his fracted dates Sen. I go, sir?-take the bonds along with you, Sen. SCENE II. I will sir. Go. [Exeunt. The same. A Hall in Timon's House. Enter Flavius, with many Bills in his hand. Flav No care, no stop! so senseless of expense, That he will neither know how to maintain it, Nor cease his flow of riot: Takes no account How things go from him; nor resumes no care Of what is to continue; Never mind Was to be so unwise, to be so kind. What shall be done? He will not hear, till feel: I must be round with him now he comes from hunting. Fie, fie, fie, fie! Enter Timon, Alcibiades, and Lords, &c. Tim. So soon as dinner's done, we'll forth again, My Alcibiades.-With me? What's your will?' Caph. My lord, here is a note of certain dues. Tim. Dues? whence are you? Caph. Of Athens, here, my lord. Tim. Go to my steward. Caph. Please it your lordship, he hath put me off To the succession of new days this month: My master is awak'd by great occasion, To call upon his own; and humbly prays you, That with your other noble parts you'll suit, In giving him his right. Tim. Mine honest friend, 1 pr'y thee, but repair to me next morning. Caph. Nay, good my lord, Tim. Contain thyself, good friend. Var. Ser. One Varro's servant, my good lord, Isid. Serv. From Isidore; He humbly prays your speedy payment,-Caph. If you did know, my lord, my master's wants, Var. Serv. Twas due on forfeiture, my lord, six weeks, And past, Isid. Serv. Your steward puts me off, my lord; And I am sent expressly to your lordship. Tim. Give me breath. 1 do beseech you, good my lords, keep on; [Exeunt Alcibiades and Lords. I'll wait upon you instantly.-Come hither, pray you; [To Flavius. How goes the world, that I am thus encounter'd With clamorous demands of date-broke bonds, And the detention of long since due debts, Against my honour? Flav. Please you, gentlemen, The time is unagreeable to this business; Your importunacy cease, till after dinner: That I may make his lordship understand Enter Apemantus and a Fool. Apem. Dost dialogue with thy shadow 7 Apem. No, thou stand'st single, thou art not on him yet. Caph. Where's the fool now? Apem. He last ask'd the question.-Poor rogues, and usurers' men! bawds between gold and want! All Serv. What are we, Apemantus ? All Serv. Why? not know yourselves.-Speak to 'em, fool. Apem. That you ask me what you are, and do Fool. How do you, gentlemen? All Serv. Gramercies, good fool: How does your mistress? Fool. She's e'en setting on water to scald such chickens as you are. 'Would, we could see you at Corinth. Apem. Good! gramercy. Enter Page. Fool. Look you, here comes my mistress' page. Page. [To the Fool.] Why, how now, captain? what do you in this wise company ?-How dost thou, Apemantus? Apem. Would I had a rod in my mouth, that 1 might answer thee profitably. Page. Pr'ythee, Apemantus, read me the superscription of these letters; I know not which is which. Apem. Canst not read? Page. No. Apem. There will little learning die then, that day thou art hanged. This is to Lord Timon; this to Alcibiades. Go: thou wast born a bastard, and thou'lt die a bawd. Page. Thou wast whelped a dog; and thou shalt famish, a dog's death. Answer not, I am gone. [Exit Page. Apem. Even so thou out-run'st grace. Fool, 1 will go with you to Lord Timon's. Fool. Will you leave me there? Apem. If Timon stay at home.-You three serve three usurers? All Serv. Ay; 'would they served us! Apem. So would I, as good a trick as ever hangmau served thief. Fool. Are you three usurers' men? Fool. I think, no usurer but has a fool to his servant: My mistress is one, and I am her fool. When men come to borrow of your masters, they approach sadly, and go away merry; but they enter my mistress' house merrily, and go away sadly: The reason of this? Var. Serv. I could render one. Apem. Do it then, that we may account thee a whoremaster, and a knave; which notwithstanding, thou shalt be no less esteemed. Var. Serv. What is a whoremaster, fool?: Fool. A fool in good clothes, and something like thee. 'Tis a spirit: sometime, it appears like a lord; sometime, like a lawyer; sometime, like a philosopher, with two stones more than his artificial one': He is very ofter. Like a knight; |