may

That state or fortune fall into my keeping,
Which is not ow'd to you!

[Exeunt LUCILIUS and old ATHENIAN. Poet. Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your lordship!

Tim. I thank you; you shall hear from me

anon:

[friend? Go not away.-What have you there, my Pain. A piece of painting, which I do beYour lordship to accept.

[seech

Tim. Painting is welcome. The painting is almost the natural man; For since dishonour traflics with man's nature, He is but outside: These pencil'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.

Pain. The gods preserve you!

Tim. Well fare you, gentlemen: Give me your hand;

We must needs dine together.-Sir, your jewel
Hath suffer'd under praise.

Jew. What, my lord? dispraise?
Tim. A mere satiety of commendations.

If I should pay you for't as 'tis extoll'd,

It would unclewt me quite.

Jew. My lord, 'tis rated

[know,

Apem. He wrongat better. that made the painter; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work. Pain. You are a dog.

What's she, if I be a dog?

Apem. Thy mother's of my generation;

Tim. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus?
Apem. No; I eat not lords."

Tim. An thou should'st, thou'dst anger ladies.

Apem. O, 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, Apemantus?

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?

Apem. Thou liest.

Poet. Art not one?

Apem. Yes.

Poet. Then I lie not.
Apem. Art not a poet?
Poet. Yes.

Apem. Then thou liest: look in thy last work, where thou hast teign'd him a worthy fellow.

Poet. That's not feign'd, he is so.

Apem. Yes, he. 18 worthy of thee, and to pay thee for thy labour: He, that loves to be flatI were a lord!

Are prized by their masters: believe't, dear You mend the jewel by wearing it.

Tim. Well mock'd.

[lord,

Mer. No, my good lord; he speaks the com

mon tongue.

Which all men speak with him.

Tim. Look, who comes here. Will you be chid?

Jew. You know me, Apemantus.

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!

to us.

hence,

[done,

7

Ere we depart, we'll share a bounteous time
In different pleasures. Pray you, let us in.
[Exeunt all but APEMANTUS.
Enter two LORDS.

1 Lord. What time a day is't, Apemantus? Apem. Time to be honest.

1 Lord. That time serves still.

Apem. The most accursed thou, that still omit'st it.

2 Lord. Thou art going to lord Timon's feast. Apem. Ay; to see meat fill knaves, and wine heat fools.

2 Lord. Fare thee well, fare thee well. Apem. Thou art a fool, to bid me farewell twice.

2 Lord. Why, Apemantus?

Apem. Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for 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.

ass.

Apem. I will fly, like a dog, the heels of the
[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,

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.t

1 Lord. The noblest mind he carries, That ever govern'd man.

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.
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

1 deriv'd liberty.

Tim. 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. 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
On faint deeds, hollow welcomes,

Need here means desert. + I. e. All the customary returns made in discharge of obligations.

thee silent.

Apem. 1 scorn thy meat; 'twould choke me,

for I should [ber Ne'er flatter thee.-O you gods! what a numOf men eat Timon, and he sees them 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.t

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, and pledges

The breath of him in a divided draught, Is the readiest man to kill him: it has been If I Were a huge man, I should fear to drink at [prov'd, meals;

Lest they should spy my windpipe's danger

ous 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;
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! 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 charitablet 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 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, 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, 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.

[Tucket sounded.

Apem. Much.t
Tim. What means that trump?-How now?

Acknowledge thee their patron; and come

freely

To gratulate thy plenteous bosom: The ear. Taste, touch, smell, all pleas'd from thy table rise;

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. 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 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 singles out an Amazon, and all dance, men with women, a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and

ceuse.

Tim. You have done our pleasures much Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, fair ladies, grace, Which was not half so beautiful and kind; You have added worth unto't, and lively lustre,

And entertain'd me with mine own device;
I am to thank you for it.

1 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 your

selves.

Accept, and wear it, kind my lord.

friends,

And ne'er be weary-Alcibiades,
Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich,
It comes in charity to thee: for all thy living

Enter a SERVANT.

Lie in a pitch'd field.

Alcib. Ay, defiled land, my lord. 1 Lord. We are so virtuously bound,Tim. And so

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 reNot without fair reward. [ceiv'd,

Flav. [Aside.] What will this come to?
He commands us to provide, and give great
And all out of an empty coffer.- [gifts,

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 is he that has no friend to feed,
Than such as do even enemies exceed.
I bleed inwardly for my lord.
Tim. You do yourselves

[Exit.

Much wrong, you bate too much of your own

merits :

Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.
Lord. With more than common thanks I
will receive it.

Lord. O, he is the very soul of bounty!
im. 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; 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 on you.

All Lords. None so welcome.

Tim. I take all and your several visitations So kind to heart, 'tis not enough to give;

[hast

2 Lord. So infinitely endear'd,Tim. All to you.t-Lights, more lights. 1 Lord. The best of happiness, [mon! Honour, and fortunes, keep with you, lord Ti. Tim. Ready for his friends.

[Exeunt ALCIBIADES, LORDS, &c. Apem, 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: [legs. Methinks, false hearts should never have sound Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on

If I should be brib'd too, there would be none To rail upon thee; and then thou would'st sin the faster,

Thou giv'st so long, Timon, I fear me, thou Wilt give away thyself in papers shortly: What need these feasts, pomps, and vain glories?

Tim. 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.
Apem. So;-

Thou'lt not hear me now,-thou shalt not then, I'll lock

Thy heaven from thee. O, that men's ears

should be

SCENE I.-The same.-A Room in a
SENATOR'S House.

Enter a SENATOR, with papers in his hand. Sen. And late, five thousand to Varro; and to Isidore [sum, He owes nine thousand; besides my former Which makes it five and twenty.—Still in motion

Of raging waste? It cannot hold; it will not.
If I want gold, steal but a beggar's dog,
And give it Timon, why, the dog coins gold:
If I would sell my horse, and buy twenty more
Better than he, why, give my horse to Timon,
Ask nothing, give it him, it foals me, straight,
And able horses: No porter at his gate;
But rather one that smiles, and still invites
All that pass by. It cannot hold; no reason
Can found his state in safety. Caphis, ho!
Caphis, I say!

Enter CAPHIS.

Caph. Here, Sir; What is your pleasure?

* I. e. Could dispense them on every side with an ungrudging distribution, ike that with which I could deal out cards.

+ I. c. All happiness to you. 1 Offering salutations. 61. e. Be ruined by his securities entered into.

By his heaven he means good advice; the only thing by which he could be saved,

Sen. Get on your cloak, and haste you to lord
Timon;

Importune him for my monies; be not ceas'd"
With slight denial; nor then silenc'd, when
Commend me to your master-and the cap
Plays in the right hand, thus:-but tell him,
Sirrah,

My uses cry to me, I must serve my turn
Out of mine own; his days and times are past,
And my reliances on his fracted dates
Have smit my credit: I love, and honour him;
But must not break my back, to heal his fin-

ger:

Immediate are my needs; and my relief
Must not be toss'd and turn'd to me in words,
But find supply immediate. Get you gone:
Put on a most importunate aspect,
A visage of demand; for, I do fear,
When every feather sticks in his own wing,
Lord Timon will be left a naked gull,
Which flashes now a phoenix. Get you gone.
Caph. I go, Sir.

Sen. I go, Sir?-take the bonds along with
And have the dates in compt.
Caph. I will, Sir.

Sen. Go.

[you, [Exeunt.

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?
Isid. Serv. It is so.

Caph. 'Would we were all discharg'd!
Var. Serv. I fear it.

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. 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,

I pr'ythee, but repair to me next morning.
Caph. Nay, good my lord,-
Tim. Contain thyself, good friend.

And past,

Isid. Serv. Your steward puts me off, my lord;

And I am sent expressly to your lordship.
Tim. Give me breath :-

I 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 encoun-
ter'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
Wherefore you are not paid.

Tim. Do so, my friends:
See them well entertain'd.
Flar. I pray, draw near.

[Exit TIMON. [Exit FLAVIUS.

Enter APEMANTUS and a FOOL. Caph. Stay, stay, here comes the fool with Apemantus; let's have some sport with 'em. Var. Serv. Hang him, he'll abuse us. Isid. Serv. A plague upon him, dog! Var. Serv. How dost, fool? Apem. Dost dialogue with thy shadow? Var. Serv. I speak not to thee. Apem. No; 'tis to thyself,-Come away. [To the FOOL Isid. Serv. [To VAR. SERV.] There's the fool hangs on your back already.

Apem. No, thou stand'st single, thou art not on him yet.

Caph. Where's the fool now?

Apem. He last asked the question.-Poor rogues, and usurers' men! bawds between gold and want!

All Serv. What are we, Apemantus?
Apem. Asses.

All Serv. Why?

Apem. That you ask me what you are, and do not know yourselves.-Speak to 'em, fool 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 I 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 wie then, that day thou art hanged. This is to lord