Pain. Indifferent. Poet. Admirable: How this grace Pain. It is a pretty mocking of the life. Poet. I'll say of it, It tutors nature: artificial strife" Lives in these touches, livelier than life. Enter certain SENATORS, and pass over. Poet. The senators of Athens :-Happy men! Poet. You see this confluence, this great flood I have, in this rough work, shap'd out a man, With amplest entertainment: My free drift Pain. How shall I understand you? You see how all conditions, how all minds, ance All sorts of hearts; yea, foom the glass-fac'd To Apemantus, that few things loves better Pain. 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, Pain. 'Tis conceiv'd to scope. [thinks, Poet. Nay, Sir, but hear me on: All those which were his fellows but of late, Pain. Ay, marry, what of these? Poet. When Fortune in her shift and change of mood, [ants, Spurns down her late belov'd, all his dependWhich 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. A thousand moral paintings I can show • The contest of art with nature. + My poem does not allude to any particular character. Explain. That shall demonstrate these quick blows of for- More pregnantly than words. Yet you do well, Trumpets sound. Enter TIMON, attended; the Tim. Imprison'd is he, say you? Ven. Serv. Ay, my good lord: five talents is His means most short, his creditors most strait: Tim. Noble Ventidius! Well; thy creature, By night frequents my house. I am a man Tim. Well; what further? Old Ath. One only daughter have I, no kin On whom I may confer what I have got : Tim. The man is honest. Old Ath. Therefore he will be, Timon: Tim. Does she love him? Old Ath. She is young, and apt: Tim. [To LUCILIUS.] Love you the maid Old Ath. If in her marriage my consent be I call the gods to witness, I will choose Tim. How shall she be endow'd, If she be mated with an equal husband ↑ Tim. This gentleman of mine hath serv'd me To build his fortune, I will strain a little, Shewing, as a glass does by reflection, For 'tis a bond in men. Give him thy daughter: the looks of his patron. ditions of life. To advance their con Whisperings of officious servility. Inhale. Inferior spectators. What you bestow, in him I'll counterpoise, Old Ath. Most noble lord, Pawn me to this your honour, she is his. Tim. My hand to thee; mine honour on my promise. Luc. Humbly I thank your lordship: Never may That state or fortune fall into my keeping, [Exeunt LUCILIUS and old ATHENIAN. Poet. Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your lordship! Tim. I thank you; you shall hear from me The painting is almost the natural man; And you shall find, I like it: wait attendance 1; Tim. An thou should'st, ladies. thou'dst anget Apem. Oh! they eat lords; so they come by great bellies. Tim. That's a lascivious apprehension. Apem. So thou apprehend'st it: Take it for thy labour. Tim. How dost thou like this jewel, Ape mantus ? Apem. Not so well as plain-dealing,⚫ which will not cost a man a doit. Tim. What dost thou think 'tis worth? Apem. Not worth my thinking.-How now, poet? Poet. How now, philosopher? Poet. Art not one? Poet. Then I lie not. 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 flat you, gentlemen: Give me tered, is worthy o'the flatterer. Heavens, that I were a lord! ae together.-Sir, your jewel T praise. Jew. What, ny lord? dispraise ? Tim. A mere satiety of commendations. If I should pay you for't as 'tis extoll'd, Jew. My lord, 'tis rated [know, As those, which sell, would give: But you well Tim. Well mock'd. Mer. No, my good lord; he speaks the common tongue, Which all men speak with him. Tim. Look, who comes here. Will you be chid ? thy name. Tim. Thou art proud, Apemantus. Apem. Of nothing so much, as that I am not like Timon. Tim. Whither art going? Apem. To knock out an honest Athenian's brains. Tim. That's a deed thou'lt die for. Apem. Right, if doing nothing be death by the law. Tim. How likest thou this picture, Apemantus? Apem. The best, for the innocence. Tim. Wrought he not well, that painted it? Apem. He wrought better, that made the painter; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work. Pain. You are a dog. Apem. Thy mother's of my generation: What's she, if I be a dog? Tim. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus ? • What they profess to be. + Draw out the whole mass of my fortunes. 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 ? Mer. Ay, Apemantus. Apem. Traffic confound thee, if the gods will not! Mer. If traffic do it, the gods do it. Apem. Thou art a fool, to bid me farewell twice. 2 Lord. Why, Apemantus ? Apem. Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for 1 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 ass. 1 Lord. He's opposite to humanity. shall we in, of the [Erit. Come, And taste lord Timon's bounty? he outgoes The very heart of kindness. 2 Lord. He pours it out: Plutus, the god 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. + 1 Lord. The noblest mind he carries, That ever govern'd man. Apem. Let me stay at thine own peril, Ti- I come to observe; I give thee warning on't. Apem. I scorn thy meat; 'twould choke me Ne'er flatter thee.-O you gods! what a number I wonder men dare trust themselves with men : Methinks they should invite them without knives; of 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, and pledges 2 Lord. Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in? 1 Lord. I'll keep you company. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-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 TIMON, ALCIBIADES, LUCIUS, LUCULLUS, SEMPRONIUS, and other Athenian Senators, with VENTIDIUS, and Attendants. Then comes, dropping after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly. Ven. Most honour'd Timon, 't hath pleas'd the gods remember My father's age, and call him to long peace. To your free heart, I do return those talents, Doubled, with thanks and service, from whose help I deriv'd liberty. Tim. Oh! 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. Ven. A noble spirit. [They all stand ceremoniously looking on TIMON. Tim. Nay, my lords, ceremony Was but devis'd at first, to set a gloss The breath of him in a divided draught, Is the readiest man to kill him: it has been If I [prov'd, Were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals; Lest they should spy my windpipe's dangerous notes; Great men should drink with harness + on their throats. Tim. My lord, in heart; ‡ and let the health go round. 2 Lord. Let it flow this way, my good lord. Apem. Flow this way! [mon A brave fellow !-he keeps his tides well. TiThose healths will make thee and thy state look ill. 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 sin, and I eat root. [Eats and drinks. Much good dick 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 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 riends, 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? Oh! 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. Apem. Thou weepest to make them drink, Enter a SERVANT. I Lady. My lord, you take us even at the best. 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. All Lad. Most thankfully, my lord. [Exeunt CUPID, and LADIES. Tim. Flavius, Flav. My lord. Tim. The little casket bring me hither. Flav. Yes, my lord.-More jewels yet! There is no crossing him in his humour; [Aside. 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. I [Exit, and returns with the casket. 1 Lord. Where be our men? Serv. Here, my lord, in readiness. 2 Lord. Our horses. Tim. 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 Serv. Please you, my lord, there are certain Advance this jewel; 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. They only now come but to feast thine eyes. Tim. They are welcome all; let them have kind admittance. Music, make their welcome. [Exit CUPID. 1 Lord. You see, my lord, how ample you are belov'd. Music.-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. As this pomp shows to a little oil, and root. Depraved, or depraves? who dies, that bears 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 shew their loves, each singles 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, Accept and wear it, kind my lord. 1 Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,All. So are we all. Enter a SERVANT. Serv. My lord, there are certain nobles of the Enter a third SERVANT. Be worthily entertain'd.-How now, what news? 3 Serv. 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. Tim. i'll hunt with him; And let them be receiv'd, Not without fair reward. Flav. [Aside.] What will this come to? Nor will he know his purse; or yield me this, Happier is he that has no friend to feed, [Exit. Tim. You do yourselves Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits : Here, my lord, a trifle of our love. A play on the word cross: from the piece of money called a cross. To see the miseries that will follow 1 For his generosity of mind. 2 Lord. With more than common thanks I All that pass by. It cannot hold; no reason will receive it. Can found his state in safety. Caphis, ho! Caphis, I say! 3 Lord. Oh! he is the very soul of bounty! Tim. And now I remember me, my lord, you gave Good words the other day of a bay courser rode on it is yours, because you lik'd it. 2 Lord. I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that. Tim. You may take my word, my lord; know, no man Can justly praise but what he does affect: All Lords. None so welcome. Tim. 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, 1 Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich, Alcib. Ay, defiled land, my lord. 1 Lord. We are so virtuously bound,Tim. And so SCENE 1.-The same.-A Room in a Enter a SENATOR, with papers in his hand. He owes nine thousand; besides my former sum, Enter CAPHIS. Caph. Here, Sir; What is your pleasure? Impórtune him for my monies; be not ceas'd + My uses cry to me, I must serve my turn A visage of demand; for I do fear, Sen. I go, Sir ?-take the bonds along with you And have the dates in compt. Caph. I will, Sir. Sen. Go. [Exeunt SCENE II.-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, Fie, fie, fie, fie! Enter CAPHIS, and the SERVANTS of ISIDORE and VARRO. Caph. Good even, Varro: What, You come for money? Var. Serv. Is't not your business too? Caph. It is ;-And yours too, Isidore Caph. 'Would we were all discharg❜d ! Caph. Here comes the lord. 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. Please it your lordship, he hath put me off To the succession of new days this month: Tim. Mine honest friend, I pr'ythee, but repair to me next morning. Tim. Contain thyself, good friend. Var. Serv. One Varro's servant, my good lord, Isid. Serv. From Isidore; He humbly prays your speedy payment, By no argument can he be proved in a solvent stafe, ↑ Repulsed. |