Timon of Athens/Source

DRAMATIS PERSONAE (Persons Represented):


 * TIMON, a noble Athenian
 * LUCIUS
 * LUCULLUS           flattering Lords.
 * SEMPRONIUS


 * VENTIDIUS, one of Timon's false Friends.
 * APEMANTUS, a churlish Philosopher.
 * ALCIBIADES, an Athenian Captain.
 * FLAVIUS, Steward to Timon.
 * FLAMINIUS
 * LUCILIUS            Servants to Timon.
 * SERVILIUS


 * CAPHIS
 * PHILOTUS            Servants to Timon's Creditors.
 * TITUS
 * HORTENSIUS


 * Servants of Ventidius, and of Varro and Isidore (two of Timon's Creditor's).


 * THREE STRANGERS.
 * AN OLD ATHENIAN.
 * A PAGE.
 * A FOOL.
 * Poet, Painter, Jeweller, and Merchant.


 * PHRYNIA      Mistresses to Alcibiades.
 * TIMANDRA

Lords, Senators, Officers, Soldiers, Servants, Thieves, and
 * Attendants

CUPID and Amazons in the Masque.

Scene.—Athens, and the neighbouring Woods.

SCENE I.—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 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 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.
 * 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.]

SCENE I. Athens. A Room in a SENATOR'S House.
[Enter A SENATOR, with papers in his hand.]

SENATOR.
 * And late, five thousand: to Varro and to Isidore
 * He owes nine thousand; besides my former sum,
 * 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.]

CAPHIS.
 * Here, sir; what is your pleasure?

SENATOR.
 * Get on your cloak, and haste you to Lord Timon;
 * Importune him for my moneys; 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,
 * 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 finger;
 * 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.

CAPHIS.
 * I go, sir.

SENATOR.
 * Take the bonds along with you,
 * And have the dates in compt.

CAPHIS.
 * I will, sir.

SENATOR.
 * Go.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE II. The same. A Hall in TIMON'S House.
[Enter FLAVIUS, with many bills in his hand.]

FLAVIUS.
 * 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 CAPHIS, and the SERVANTS Of ISIDORE and VARRO.]

CAPHIS.
 * Good even, Varro. What! You come for money?

VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * Is't not your business too?

CAPHIS.
 * It is: and yours too, Isidore?

ISIDORE'S SERVANT.
 * It is so.

CAPHIS.
 * Would we were all discharg'd!

VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * I fear it.

CAPHIS.
 * Here comes the lord!

[Enter TIMON, ALCIBIADES, and Lords, etc.]

TIMON.
 * So soon as dinner's done, we'll forth again.
 * My Alcibiades. With me? what is your will?

CAPHIS.
 * My lord, here is a note of certain dues.

TIMON.
 * Dues! Whence are you?

CAPHIS.
 * Of Athens here, my lord.

TIMON.
 * Go to my steward.

CAPHIS.
 * 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.

TIMON.
 * Mine honest friend,
 * I prithee, but repair to me next morning.

CAPHIS.
 * Nay, good my lord,—

TIMON.
 * Contain thyself, good friend.

VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * One Varro's servant, my good lord,—

ISIDORE'S SERVANT.
 * From Isidore; he humbly prays your speedy payment.

CAPHIS.
 * If you did know, my lord, my master's wants,—

VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * 'Twas due on forfeiture, my lord, six weeks and past.

ISIDORE'S SERVANT.
 * Your steward puts me off, my lord; and
 * I am sent expressly to your lordship.

TIMON.
 * Give me breath.
 * I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on;
 * I'll wait upon you instantly.

[Exeunt ALCIBIADES and LORDS.]

[To FLAVIUS.]

Come hither: pray you,
 * 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?

FLAVIUS.
 * 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.

TIMON.
 * Do so, my friends.
 * See them well entertain'd.

[Exit.]

FLAVIUS.
 * Pray, draw near.

[Exit.]

[Enter APEMANTUS and FOOL.]

CAPHIS.
 * Stay, stay; here comes the fool with Apemantus:
 * Let's ha' some sport with 'em.

VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * Hang him, he'll abuse us!

ISIDORE'S SERVANT.
 * A plague upon him, dog!

VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * How dost, fool?

APEMANTUS.
 * Dost dialogue with thy shadow?

VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * I speak not to thee.

APEMANTUS.
 * No; 'tis to thyself. [To the FOOL.]
 * Come away.

ISIDORE'S SERVANT. [To VARRO'S SERVANT.]
 * There's the fool hangs on your back already.

APEMANTUS.
 * No, thou stand'st single; thou'rt not on him yet.

CAPHIS.
 * Where's the fool now?

APEMANTUS.
 * He last asked the question. Poor rogues and usurers'
 * men! bawds between gold and want!

ALL SERVANTS.
 * What are we, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS.
 * Asses.

ALL SERVANTS.
 * Why?

APEMANTUS.
 * That you ask me what you are, and do not know yourselves. Speak
 * to 'em, fool.

FOOL.
 * How do you, gentlemen?

ALL SERVANTS.
 * 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!

APEMANTUS.
 * 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?

APEMANTUS.
 * Would I had a rod in my mouth, that I might answer thee
 * profitably.

PAGE.
 * Prithee, Apemantus, read me the superscription of these
 * letters: I know not which is which.

APEMANTUS.
 * Canst not read?

PAGE.
 * No.

APEMANTUS.
 * 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.]

APEMANTUS.
 * E'en so thou outrunn'st grace.—
 * Fool, I will go with you to Lord Timon's.

FOOL.
 * Will you leave me there?

APEMANTUS.
 * If Timon stay at home. You three serve three usurers?

ALL SERVANTS.
 * Ay; would they served us!

APEMANTUS.
 * So would I, as good a trick as ever hangman served thief.

FOOL.
 * Are you three usurers' men?

ALL SERVANTS.
 * Ay, fool.

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?

VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * I could render one.

APEMANTUS.
 * Do it, then, that we may account thee a whoremaster and a
 * knave; which notwithstanding, thou shalt be no less esteemed.

VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * What is a whoremaster, fool?

FOOL.
 * A fool in good clothes, and something like thee. 'Tis a
 * spirit: sometime 't appears like a lord; sometime like a lawyer;
 * sometime like a philosopher, with two stones more than's
 * artificial one. He is very often like a knight; and generally,
 * in all shapes that man goes up and down in from fourscore to
 * thirteen, this spirit walks in.

VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * Thou art not altogether a fool.

FOOL.
 * Nor thou altogether a wise man:
 * as much foolery as I have, so much wit thou lackest.

APEMANTUS.
 * That answer might have become Apemantus.

VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * Aside, aside; here comes Lord Timon.

[Re-enter TIMON and FLAVIUS.]

APEMANTUS.
 * Come with me, fool, come.

FOOL.
 * I do not always follow lover, elder brother, and woman;
 * sometime the philosopher.

[Exeunt APEMANTUS and FOOL.]

FLAVIUS.
 * Pray you walk near: I'll speak with you anon.

[Exeunt SERVANTS.]

TIMON.
 * You make me marvel: wherefore, ere this time,
 * Had you not fully laid my state before me,
 * That I might so have rated my expense
 * As I had leave of means?

FLAVIUS.
 * You would not hear me,
 * At many leisures I propos'd.

TIMON.
 * Go to:
 * Perchance some single vantages you took,
 * When my indisposition put you back;
 * And that unaptness made your minister
 * Thus to excuse yourself.

FLAVIUS.
 * O my good lord!
 * At many times I brought in my accounts,
 * Laid them before you; you would throw them off,
 * And say you found them in mine honesty.
 * When for some trifling present you have bid me
 * Return so much, I have shook my head, and wept;
 * Yea, 'gainst the authority of manners, pray'd you
 * To hold your hand more close: I did endure
 * Not seldom, nor no slight checks, when I have
 * Prompted you in the ebb of your estate
 * And your great flow of debts. My loved lord,
 * Though you hear now, too late, yet now's a time,
 * The greatest of your having lacks a half
 * To pay your present debts.

TIMON.
 * Let all my land be sold.

FLAVIUS.
 * 'Tis all engag'd, some forfeited and gone;
 * And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
 * Of present dues; the future comes apace:
 * What shall defend the interim? and at length
 * How goes our reckoning?

TIMON.
 * To Lacedaemon did my land extend.

FLAVIUS.
 * O my good lord! the world is but a word;
 * Were it all yours to give it in a breath,
 * How quickly were it gone!

TIMON.
 * You tell me true.

FLAVIUS.
 * If you suspect my husbandry or falsehood,
 * Call me before the exactest auditors
 * And set me on the proof. So the gods bless me,
 * When all our offices have been oppress'd
 * With riotous feeders, when our vaults have wept
 * With drunken spilth of wine, when every room
 * Hath blaz'd with lights and bray'd with minstrelsy,
 * I have retir'd me to a wasteful cock,
 * And set mine eyes at flow.

TIMON.
 * Prithee, no more.

FLAVIUS.
 * Heavens! have I said, the bounty of this lord!
 * How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants
 * This night englutted! Who is not Timon's?
 * What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is Lord Timon's?
 * Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon!'
 * Ah! when the means are gone that buy this praise,
 * The breath is gone whereof this praise is made:
 * Feast—won, fast—lost; one cloud of winter showers,
 * These flies are couch'd.

TIMON.
 * Come, sermon me no further;
 * No villainous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart;
 * Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.
 * Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack,
 * To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart;
 * If I would broach the vessels of my love,
 * And try the argument of hearts by borrowing,
 * Men and men's fortunes could I frankly use
 * As I can bid thee speak.

FLAVIUS.
 * Assurance bless your thoughts!

TIMON.
 * And, in some sort, these wants of mine are crown'd
 * That I account them blessings; for by these
 * Shall I try friends. You shall perceive how you
 * Mistake my fortunes; I am wealthy in my friends.
 * Within there! Flaminius! Servilius!

[Enter FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and other Servants.]

SERVANTS.
 * My lord! my lord!

TIMON.
 * I will dispatch you severally: you to Lord Lucius; to Lord
 * Lucullus you: I hunted with his honour to-day; you, to
 * Sempronius. Commend me to their loves; and I am proud, say, that
 * my occasions have found time to use them toward a supply of
 * money: let the request be fifty talents.

FLAMINIUS.
 * As you have said, my lord.

FLAVIUS.
 * [Aside.] Lord Lucius and Lucullus? hum!

TIMON. [To another Servant.]
 * Go you, sir, to the senators,—
 * Of whom, even to the state's best health, I have
 * Deserv'd this hearing,—Bid 'em send o' the instant
 * A thousand talents to me.

FLAVIUS.
 * I have been bold,—
 * For that I knew it the most general way,—
 * To them to use your signet and your name;
 * But they do shake their heads, and I am here
 * No richer in return.

TIMON.
 * Is't true? can't be?

FLAVIUS.
 * They answer, in a joint and corporate voice,
 * That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot
 * Do what they would; are sorry; you are honourable;
 * But yet they could have wish'd; they know not;
 * Something hath been amiss; a noble nature
 * May catch a wrench; would all were well; 'tis pity;
 * And so, intending other serious matters,
 * After distasteful looks, and these hard fractions,
 * With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods,
 * They froze me into silence.

TIMON.
 * You gods, reward them!
 * Prithee, man, look cheerly. These old fellows
 * Have their ingratitude in them hereditary;
 * Their blood is cak'd, 'tis cold, it seldom flows;
 * 'Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind;
 * And nature, as it grows again toward earth,
 * Is fashion'd for the journey, dull and heavy.
 * [To a Servant.] Go to Ventidius.—[To Flavius.]
 * Prithee, be not sad,
 * Thou art true and honest; ingenuously I speak,
 * No blame belongs to thee.—[To Servant.] Ventidius lately
 * Buried his father; by whose death he's stepp'd
 * Into a great estate. When he was poor,
 * Imprison'd and in scarcity of friends,
 * I clear'd him with five talents; greet him from me,
 * Bid him suppose some good necessity
 * Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd
 * With those five talents.

[Exit Servant.]

[To Flavius.]
 * That had, give't these fellows
 * To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think
 * That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink.

FLAVIUS.
 * I would I could not think it:
 * That thought is bounty's foe;
 * Being free itself, it thinks all others so.

[Exeunt.]

Scene I. Athens. A Room in LUCULLUS' House.
[FLAMINIUS waiting.]

[Enter a SERVANT to him.]

SERVANT.
 * I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you.

FLAMINIUS.
 * I thank you, sir.

[Enter LUCULLUS.]

SERVANT.
 * Here's my lord.

LUCULLUS.
 * [Aside.] One of Lord Timon's men! a gift, I warrant. Why, this
 * hits right; I dreamt of a silver basin and ewer to-night.
 * Flaminius, honest Flaminius, you are very respectively
 * welcome, sir. Fill me some wine.

[Exit SERVANT.]

And how does that honourable, complete, freehearted
 * gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master?

FLAMINIUS.
 * His health is well, sir.

LUCULLUS.
 * I am right glad that his health is well, sir. And what
 * hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius?

FLAMINIUS.
 * Faith, nothing but an empty box, sir; which in my lord's
 * behalf, I come to entreat your honour to supply; who, having
 * great and instant occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to
 * your lordship to furnish him, nothing doubting your present
 * assistance therein.

LUCULLIUS.
 * La, la, la, la! 'Nothing doubting,' says he? Alas, good
 * lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, if he would not keep so good a
 * house. Many a time and often I ha' dined with him, and told him
 * on't; and come again to supper to him, of purpose to have him
 * spend less; and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning
 * by my coming. Every man has his fault, and honesty is his. I ha'
 * told him on't, but I could ne'er get him from it.

[Re-enter SERVANT with wine.]

SERVANT.
 * Please your lordship, here is the wine.

LUCULLUS.
 * Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here's to thee.

FLAMINIUS.
 * Your lordship speaks your pleasure.

LUCULLUS.
 * I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt spirit,
 * give thee thy due, and one that knows what belongs to reason, and
 * canst use the time well, if the time use thee well: good parts in
 * thee. [To SERVANT.]—Get you gone, sirrah.—

[Exit SERVANT.]

Draw nearer, honest Flaminius.Thy lord's a bountiful gentleman;
 * but thou art wise, and thou know'st well enough, although thou
 * comest to me, that this is no time to lend money, especially upon
 * bare friendship without security. Here's three solidares for
 * thee: good boy, wink at me, and say thou sawest me not. Fare thee
 * well.

FLAMINIUS.
 * Is't possible the world should so much differ,
 * And we alive that liv'd? Fly, damned baseness,
 * To him that worships thee.

[Throwing the money away.]

LUCULLUS.
 * Ha! now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy master.

[Exit.]

FLAMINIUS.
 * May these add to the number that may scald thee!
 * Let molten coin be thy damnation,
 * Thou disease of a friend, and not himself!
 * Has friendship such a faint and milky heart
 * It turns in less than two nights? O you gods!
 * I feel my master's passion! This slave unto his honour
 * Has my lord's meat in him:
 * Why should it thrive and turn to nutriment
 * When he is turn'd to poison?
 * O! may diseases only work upon't!
 * And when he's sick to death, let not that part of nature
 * Which my lord paid for, be of any power
 * To expel sickness, but prolong his hour.

[Exit.]

SCENE II. A Public Place.
[Enter Lucius, with three STRANGERS.]

LUCIUS.
 * Who, the Lord Timon? he is my very good friend, and an
 * honourable gentleman.

FIRST STRANGER.
 * We know him for no less, though we are but strangers to him. But
 * I can tell you one thing, my lord, and which I hear from common
 * rumours: now Lord Timon's happy hours are done and past, and his
 * estate shrinks from him.

LUCIUS.
 * Fie, no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money.

SECOND STRANGER.
 * But believe you this, my lord, that, not long ago, one of his men
 * was with the Lord Lucullus to borrow so many talents, nay, urged
 * extremely for't, and showed what necessity belonged to't, and yet
 * was denied.

LUCIUS.
 * How!

SECOND STRANGER.
 * I tell you, denied, my lord.

LUCIUS.
 * What a strange case was that! now, before the gods, I am
 * ashamed on't. Denied that honourable man! there was very little
 * honour showed in't. For my own part, I must needs confess, I have
 * received some small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels,
 * and such like trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet, had he
 * mistook him, and sent to me, I should ne'er have denied his
 * occasion so many talents.

[Enter SERVILIUS.]

SERVILIUS.
 * See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; I have sweat to see
 * his honour. [To LUCIUS.] My honoured lord!

LUCIUS.
 * Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well: commend
 * me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.

SERVILIUS.
 * May it please your honour, my lord hath sent—

LUCIUS.
 * Ha! What has he sent? I am so much endeared to that lord;
 * he's ever sending: how shall I thank him, thinkest thou? And what
 * has he sent now?

SERVILIUS.
 * Has only sent his present occasion now, my lord;
 * requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many
 * talents.

LUCIUS.
 * I know his lordship is but merry with me;
 * He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents.

SERVILIUS.
 * But in the mean time he wants less, my lord.
 * If his occasion were not virtuous,
 * I should not urge it half so faithfully.

LUCIUS.
 * Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?

SERVILIUS.
 * Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir.

LUCIUS.
 * What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself against such
 * a good time, when I might ha' shown myself honourable! how
 * unluckily it happened, that I should purchase the day before for
 * a little part, and undo a great deal of honour! Servilius, now,
 * before the gods, I am not able to do; the more beast, I say; I
 * was sending to use Lord Timon myself, these gentlemen can
 * witness; but I would not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done it
 * now. Commend me bountifully to his good lordship; and I hope his
 * honour will conceive the fairest of me, because I have no power
 * to be kin: and tell him this from me, I count it one of my
 * greatest afflictions say, that I cannot pleasure such an
 * honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far
 * as to use mine own words to him?

SERVILIUS.
 * Yes, sir, I shall.

LUCIUS.
 * I'll look you out a good turn, Servilius.

[Exit SERVILIUS.]

True, as you said, Timon is shrunk indeed;
 * And he that's once denied will hardly speed.

[Exit.]

FIRST STRANGER.
 * Do you observe this, Hostilius?

SECOND STRANGER.
 * Ay, too well.

FIRST STRANGER.
 * Why, this is the world's soul; and just of the same piece
 * Is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him
 * His friend that dips in the same dish? for, in
 * My knowing, Timon has been this lord's father,
 * And kept his credit with his purse,
 * Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
 * Has paid his men their wages: He ne'er drinks
 * But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;
 * And yet, O! see the monstrousness of man,
 * When he looks out in an ungrateful shape,
 * He does deny him, in respect of his,
 * What charitable men afford to beggars.

THIRD STRANGER.
 * Religion groans at it.

FIRST STRANGER.
 * For mine own part,
 * I never tasted Timon in my life,
 * Nor came any of his bounties over me
 * To mark me for his friend; yet I protest,
 * For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,
 * And honourable carriage,
 * Had his necessity made use of me,
 * I would have put my wealth into donation,
 * And the best half should have return'd to him,
 * So much I love his heart. But, I perceive,
 * Men must learn now with pity to dispense;
 * For policy sits above conscience.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE III. The Same. A Room in SEMPRONIUS' House.
[Enter SEMPRONIUS and a SERVANT of TIMON'S.]

SEMPRONIUS.
 * Must he needs trouble me in't? Hum! 'bove all others?
 * He might have tried Lord Lucius, or Lucullus;
 * And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
 * Whom he redeem'd from prison: all these
 * Owe their estates unto him.

SERVANT.
 * My lord,
 * They have all been touch'd and found base metal, for
 * They have all denied him.

SEMPRONIUS.
 * How! have they denied him?
 * Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?
 * And does he send to me? Three? Hum!
 * It shows but little love or judgment in him:
 * Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,
 * Thrice give him over; must I take the cure upon me?
 * Has much disgrac'd me in't; I'm angry at him,
 * That might have known my place. I see no sense for't,
 * But his occasions might have woo'd me first;
 * For, in my conscience, I was the first man
 * That e'er received gift from him:
 * And does he think so backwardly of me now,
 * That I'll requite it last? No:
 * So it may prove an argument of laughter
 * To the rest, and I 'mongst lords be thought a fool.
 * I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
 * Had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;
 * I'd such a courage to do him good. But now return,
 * And with their faint reply this answer join;
 * Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin.

[Exit.]

SERVANT.
 * Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil
 * knew not what he did when he made man politic; he crossed
 * himself by't: and I cannot think but, in the end the villainies
 * of man will set him clear. How fairly this lord strives to appear
 * foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked, like those that under
 * hot ardent zeal would set whole realms on fire:
 * Of such a nature is his politic love.
 * This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled
 * Save only the gods. Now his friends are dead,
 * Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards
 * Many a bounteous year, must be employ'd
 * Now to guard sure their master:
 * And this is all a liberal course allows:
 * Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house.

[Exit.]

SCENE IV. A hall in TIMON'S House.
[Enter two Servants of VARRO, and the Servant of LUCIUS, meeting TITUS, HORTENSIUS, and other Servants to TIMON's Creditors, waiting his coming out.]

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.

TITUS.
 * The like to you, kind Varro.

HORTENSIUS.
 * Lucius! What! do we meet together!

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Ay, and I think one business does command us all; for mine is
 * money.

TITUS.
 * So is theirs and ours.

[Enter PHILOTUS.]

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * And Sir Philotus too!

PHILOTUS.
 * Good day at once.

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Wlcome, good brother.
 * What do you think the hour?

PHILOTUS.
 * Labouring for nine.

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * So much?

PHILOTUS.
 * Is not my lord seen yet?

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Not yet.

PHILOTUS.
 * I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at seven.

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Ay, but the days are waxed shorter with him:
 * You must consider that a prodigal course
 * Is like the sun's, but not, like his, recoverable.
 * I fear,
 * 'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse;
 * That is, one may reach deep enough, and yet
 * Find little.

PHILOTUS.
 * I am of your fear for that.

TITUS.
 * I'll show you how to observe a strange event.
 * Your lord sends now for money.

HORTENSIUS.
 * Most true, he does.

TITUS.
 * And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift,
 * For which I wait for money.

HORTENSIUS.
 * It is against my heart.

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Mark, how strange it shows,
 * Timon in this should pay more than he owes:
 * And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels,
 * And send for money for 'em.

HORTENSIUS.
 * I'm weary of this charge, the gods can witness:
 * I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,
 * And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * Yes, mine's three thousand crowns; what's yours?

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Five thousand mine.

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * 'Tis much deep: and it should seem by the sum,
 * Your master's confidence was above mine;
 * Else, surely, his had equall'd.

[Enter FLAMINIUS.]

TITUS.
 * One of Lord Timon's men.

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Flaminius! Sir, a word. Pray, is my lord ready to
 * come forth?

FLAMINIUS.
 * No, indeed, he is not.

TITUS.
 * We attend his lordship; pray, signify so much.

FLAMINIUS.
 * I need not tell him that; he knows you are too diligent.

[Exit FLAMINUS.]

[Enter FLAVIUS, in a cloak, muffled.]

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Ha! is not that his steward muffled so?
 * He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.

TITUS.
 * Do you hear, sir?

SECOND VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * By your leave, sir.

FLAVIUS.
 * What do you ask of me, my friend?

TITUS.
 * We wait for certain money here, sir.

FLAVIUS.
 * Ay,
 * If money were as certain as your waiting,
 * 'Twere sure enough.
 * Why then preferr'd you not your sums and bills,
 * When your false masters eat of my lord's meat?
 * Then they could smile and fawn upon his debts,
 * And take down the interest into their gluttonous maws.
 * You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up;
 * Let me pass quietly:
 * Believe't, my lord and I have made an end;
 * I have no more to reckon, he to spend.

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Ay, but this answer will not serve.

FLAVIUS.
 * If 'twill not serve, 'tis not so base as you;
 * For you serve knaves.

[Exit.]

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * How! what does his cashiered worship mutter?

SECOND VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * No matter what; he's poor, and that's revenge enough. Who can
 * speak broader than he that has no house to put his head in? such
 * may rail against great buildings.

[Enter SERVILIUS.]

TITUS.
 * O, here's Servilius; now we shall know some answer.

SERVILIUS.
 * If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some other
 * hour, I should derive much from't; for, take't of my soul, my
 * lord leans wondrously to discontent. His comfortable temper has
 * forsook him; he's much out of health, and keeps his chamber.

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Many do keep their chambers are not sick:
 * And, if it be so far beyond his health,
 * Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts,
 * And make a clear way to the gods.

SERVILIUS.
 * Good gods!

TITUS.
 * We cannot take this for answer, sir.

FLAMINIUS.
 * [Within.] Servilius, help! my lord! my lord!

[Enter TIMON, in a rage; FLAMINIUS following.]

TIMON.
 * What! are my doors oppos'd against my passage?
 * Have I been ever free, and must my house
 * Be my retentive enemy, my gaol?
 * The place which I have feasted, does it now,
 * Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Put in now, Titus.

TITUS.
 * My lord, here is my bill.

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Here's mine.

HORTENSIUS.
 * And mine, my lord.

BOTH VARRO'S SERVANTS.
 * And ours, my lord.

PHILOTUS.
 * All our bills.

TIMON.
 * Knock me down with 'em: cleave me to the girdle.

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Alas, my lord—

TIMON.
 * Cut my heart in sums.

TITUS.
 * Mine, fifty talents.

TIMON.
 * Tell out my blood.

LUCIUS' SERVANT.
 * Five thousand crowns, my lord.

TIMON.
 * Five thousand drops pays that. What yours? and yours?

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * My lord—

SECOND VARRO'S SERVANT.
 * My lord—

TIMON.
 * Tear me, take me; and the gods fall upon you!

[Exit.]

HORTENSIUS.
 * Faith, I perceive our masters may throw their caps at their
 * money: these debts may well be called desperate ones, for a
 * madman owes 'em.

[Exeunt.]

[Re-enter TIMON and FLAVIUS.]

TIMON.
 * They have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves.
 * Creditors? devils!

FLAVIUS.
 * My dear lord—

TIMON.
 * What if it should be so?

FLAMINIUS.
 * My lord—

TIMON.
 * I'll have it so. My steward!

FLAVIUS.
 * Here, my lord.

TIMON.
 * So fitly! Go, bid all my friends again:
 * Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius; all:
 * I'll once more feast the rascals.

FLAVIUS.
 * O my lord!
 * You only speak from your distracted soul;
 * There is not so much left to furnish out
 * A moderate table.

TIMON.
 * Be it not in thy care: go.
 * I charge thee, invite them all: let in the tide
 * Of knaves once more; my cook and I'll provide.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE V. The Same. The Senate House. The Senate Sitting.
FIRST SENATOR.
 * My lord, you have my voice to it: the fault's
 * Bloody. 'tis necessary he should die;
 * Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * Most true; the law shall bruise him.

[Enter ALCIBIADES, attended.]

ALCIBIADES.
 * Honour, health, and compassion to the senate!

FIRST SENATOR.
 * Now, captain.

ALCIBIADES.
 * I am a humble suitor to your virtues;
 * For pity is the virtue of the law,
 * And none but tyrants use it cruelly.
 * It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy
 * Upon a friend of mine, who, in hot blood
 * Hath stepp'd into the law, which is past depth
 * To those that without heed do plunge into't.
 * He is a man, setting his fate aside,
 * Of comely virtues;
 * Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice,—
 * An honour in him which buys out his fault,—
 * But, with a noble fury and fair spirit,
 * Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,
 * He did oppose his foe;
 * And with such sober and unnoted passion
 * He did behave his anger, ere 'twas spent,
 * As if he had but prov'd an argument.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * You undergo too strict a paradox,
 * Striving to make an ugly deed look fair:
 * Your words have took such pains as if they labour'd
 * To bring manslaughter into form, and set
 * Quarrelling upon the head of valour; which indeed
 * Is valour misbegot, and came into the world
 * When sects and factions were newly born.
 * He's truly valiant that can wisely suffer
 * The worst that man can breathe, and make his wrongs
 * his outsides, to wear them like his raiment, carelessly,
 * And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart,
 * To bring it into danger.
 * If wrongs be evils, and enforce us kill,
 * What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill!

ALCIBIADES.
 * My lord,—

FIRST SENATOR.
 * You cannot make gross sins look clear;
 * To revenge is no valour, but to bear.

ALCIBIADES.
 * My lords, then, under favour, pardon me,
 * If I speak like a captain.
 * Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
 * And not endure all threats? sleep upon't,
 * And let the foes quietly cut their throats
 * Without repugnancy? If there be
 * Such valour in the bearing, what make we
 * Abroad? why, then, women are more valiant
 * That stay at home, if bearing carry it,
 * And the ass more captain than the lion, the felon
 * Loaden with irons wiser than the judge,
 * If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords!
 * As you are great, be pitifully good:
 * Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood?
 * To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust;
 * But, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just.
 * To be in anger is impiety;
 * But who is man that is not angry?
 * Weigh but the crime with this.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * You breathe in vain.

ALCIBIADES.
 * In vain! his service done
 * At Lacedaemon and Byzantium
 * Were a sufficient briber for his life.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * What's that?

ALCIBIADES.
 * I say, my lords, has done fair service,
 * And slain in fight many of your enemies.
 * How full of valour did he bear himself
 * In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds!

SECOND SENATOR.
 * He has made too much plenty with 'em;
 * He's a sworn rioter; he has a sin that often
 * Drowns him and takes his valour prisoner;
 * If there were no foes, that were enough
 * To overcome him; in that beastly fury
 * He has been known to commit outrages
 * And cherish factions; 'tis inferr'd to us,
 * His days are foul and his drink dangerous.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * He dies.

ALCIBIADES.
 * Hard fate! he might have died in war.
 * My lords, if not for any parts in him,—
 * Though his right arm might purchase his own time,
 * And be in debt to none,—yet, more to move you,
 * Take my deserts to his, and join 'em both;
 * And, for I know your reverend ages love
 * Security, I'll pawn my victories, all
 * My honour to you, upon his good returns.
 * If by this crime he owes the law his life,
 * Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore;
 * For law is strict, and war is nothing more.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * We are for law; he dies: urge it no more,
 * On height of our displeasure. Friend or brother,
 * He forfeits his own blood that spills another.

ALCIBIADES.
 * Must it be so? it must not be. My lords,
 * I do beseech you, know me.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * How!

ALCIBIADES.
 * Call me to your remembrances.

THIRD SENATOR.
 * What!

ALCIBIADES.
 * I cannot think but your age has forgot me;
 * It could not else be I should prove so base,
 * To sue, and be denied such common grace.
 * My wounds ache at you.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * Do you dare our anger?
 * 'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect;
 * We banish thee for ever.

ALCIBIADES.
 * Banish me!
 * Banish your dotage; banish usury,
 * That makes the Senate ugly.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * If, after two days' shine, Athens contain thee,
 * Attend our weightier judgment. And, not to swell our spirit,
 * He shall be executed presently.

[Exeunt SENATORS.]

ALCIBIADES.
 * Now the gods keep you old enough; that you may live
 * Only in bone, that none may look on you!
 * I'm worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,
 * While they have told their money and let out
 * Their coin upon large interest; I myself
 * Rich only in large hurts: all those for this?
 * Is this the balsam that the usuring senate
 * Pours into captains' wounds? Banishment!
 * It comes not ill; I hate not to be banish'd;
 * It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury,
 * That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up
 * My discontented troops, and lay for hearts.
 * 'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds;
 * Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods.

[Exit.]

SCENE VI. A room of State in TIMON'S House.
[Music. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter divers LORDS, SENATORS, and Others, at several doors.]

FIRST LORD.
 * The good time of day to you, sir.

SECOND LORD.
 * I also wish it to you. I think this honourable lord
 * did but try us this other day.

FIRST LORD.
 * Upon that were my thoughts tiring when we encountered:
 * I hope it is not so low with him as he made it seem in the trial
 * of his several friends.

SECOND LORD.
 * It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.

FIRST LORD.
 * I should think so: he hath sent me an earnest inviting,
 * which many my near occasions did urge me to put off; but he hath
 * conjured me beyond them, and I must needs appear.

SECOND LORD.
 * In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business, but he
 * would not hear my excuse. I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of
 * me, that my provision was out.

FIRST LORD.
 * I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.

SECOND LORD.
 * Every man here's so. What would he have borrowed you?

FIRST LORD.
 * A thousand pieces.

SECOND LORD.
 * A thousand pieces!

FIRST LORD.
 * What of you?

SECOND LORD.
 * He sent to me, sir—here he comes.

[Enter TIMON and Attendants.]

TIMON.
 * With all my heart, gentlemen both; And how fare you?

FIRST LORD.
 * Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

SECOND LORD.
 * The swallow follows not summer more willing than we
 * your lordship.

TIMON. [Aside.]
 * Nor more willingly leaves winter; such summer-birds
 * are men. Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long
 * stay: feast your ears with the music awhile, if they will fare so
 * harshly o' the trumpet's sound; we shall to't presently.

FIRST LORD.
 * I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship that
 * I return'd you an empty messenger.

TIMON.
 * O! sir, let it not trouble you.

SECOND LORD.
 * My noble lord,—

TIMON.
 * Ah! my good friend, what cheer?

SECOND LORD.
 * My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of shame, that
 * when your lordship this other day sent to me I was so
 * unfortunate a beggar.

TIMON.
 * Think not on't, sir.

SECOND LORD.
 * If you had sent but two hours before,—

TIMON.
 * Let it not cumber your better remembrance.

[The banquet brought in.]

Come, bring in all together.

SECOND LORD.
 * All covered dishes!

FIRST LORD.
 * Royal cheer, I warrant you.

THIRD LORD.
 * Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.

FIRST LORD.
 * How do you? What's the news?

THIRD LORD.
 * Alcibiades is banished: hear you of it?

FIRST AND SECOND LORDS.
 * Alcibiades banished!

THIRD LORD.
 * 'Tis so, be sure of it.

FIRST LORD.
 * How? how?

SECOND LORD.
 * I pray you, upon what?

TIMON.
 * My worthy friends, will you draw near?

THIRD LORD.
 * I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.

SECOND LORD.
 * This is the old man still.

THIRD LORD.
 * Will't hold? will't hold?

SECOND LORD.
 * It does; but time will—and so—

THIRD LORD.
 * I do conceive.

TIMON.
 * Each man to his stool with that spur as he would to the lip
 * of his mistress; your diet shall be in all places alike. Make not
 * a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon
 * the first place: sit, sit. The gods require our thanks.—
 * You great benefactors sprinkle our society with thankfulness.
 * For your own gifts make yourselves praised: but reserve still to
 * give, lest your deities be despised. Lend to each man enough,
 * that one need not lend to another; for, were your god—heads to
 * borrow of men, men would forsake the gods. Make the meat be
 * beloved more than the man that gives it. Let no assembly of
 * twenty be without a score of villains: if there sit twelve women
 * at the table, let a dozen of them be as they are. The rest of
 * your foes, O gods! the senators of Athens, together with the
 * common lag of people, what is amiss in them, you gods, make
 * suitable for destruction. For these my present friends, as they
 * are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing are
 * they welcome.
 * Uncover, dogs, and lap.

[The dishes uncovered are full of warm water.]

SOME SPEAK.
 * What does his lordship mean?

SOME OTHER.
 * I know not.

TIMON.
 * May you a better feast never behold,
 * You knot of mouth-friends! smoke and lukewarm water
 * Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;
 * Who, stuck and spangled with your flatteries,
 * Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces

[Throwing the water in their faces.]

Your reeking villainy. Live loath'd, and long,
 * Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,
 * Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,
 * You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies,
 * Cap and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks!
 * Of man and beast the infinite malady
 * Crust you quite o'er! What, dost thou go?
 * Soft! take thy physic first,—thou too,—and thou;—
 * Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.

[Throws the dishes at them.]

What, all in motion? Henceforth be no feast,
 * Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.
 * Burn, house! sink Athens! henceforth hated be
 * Of Timon man and all humanity!

[Exit.]

[Re-enter the LORDS, SENATORS, and &c.]

FIRST LORD.
 * How now, my lords!

SECOND LORD.
 * Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury?

THIRD LORD.
 * Push! did you see my cap?

FOURTH LORD.
 * I have lost my gown.

FIRST LORD.
 * He's but a mad lord, and nought but humour sways him.
 * He gave me a jewel th' other day, and now he has beat it out of
 * my hat: did you see my jewel?

THIRD LORD.
 * Did you see my cap?

SECOND LORD.
 * Here 'tis.

FOURTH LORD.
 * Here lies my gown.

FIRST LORD.
 * Let's make no stay.

SECOND LORD.
 * Lord Timon's mad.

THIRD LORD.
 * I feel't upon my bones.

FOURTH LORD.
 * One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE I. Without the walls of Athens
[Enter TIMON.]

TIMON.
 * Let me look back upon thee. O thou wall,
 * That girdles in those wolves, dive in the earth,
 * And fence not Athens! Matrons, turn incontinent!
 * Obedience fail in children! slaves and fools,
 * Pluck the grave wrinkled senate from the bench,
 * And minister in their steads! To general filths
 * Convert, o' the instant, green virginity.
 * Do't in your parents' eyes! Bankrupts, hold fast;
 * Rather than render back, out with your knives,
 * And cut your trusters' throats. Bound servants, steal,—
 * Large-handed robbers your grave masters are,
 * And pill by law. Maid, to thy master's bed;
 * Thy mistress is o' the brothel! Son of sixteen,
 * Pluck the lin'd crutch from thy old limping sire,
 * With it beat out his brains! Piety, and fear,
 * Religion to the gods, peace, justice, truth,
 * Domestic awe, night-rest and neighbourhood,
 * Instruction, manners, mysteries and trades,
 * Degrees, observances, customs and laws,
 * Decline to your confounding contraries,
 * And let confusion live! Plagues incident to men,
 * Your potent and infectious fevers heap
 * On Athens, ripe for stroke! Thou cold sciatica,
 * Cripple our senators, that their limbs may halt
 * As lamely as their manners! Lust and liberty
 * Creep in the minds and marrows of our youth,
 * That 'gainst the stream of virtue they may strive,
 * And drown themselves in riot! Itches, blains,
 * Sow all the Athenian bosoms, and their crop
 * Be general leprosy! Breath infect breath,
 * That their society, as their friendship, may
 * Be merely poison! Nothing I'll bear from thee
 * But nakedness, thou detestable town!
 * Take thou that too, with multiplying bans!
 * Timon will to the woods; where he shall find
 * Th' unkindest beast more kinder than mankind.
 * The gods confound—hear me, you good gods all—
 * The Athenians both within and out that wall!
 * And grant, as Timon grows, his hate may grow
 * To the whole race of mankind, high and low!
 * Amen.

[Exit.]

SCENE II. Athens. A Room in TIMON's House.
[Enter FLAVIUS, with two or three SERVANTS.]

FIRST SERVANT.
 * Hear you, Master Steward! where's our master?
 * Are we undone? cast off? nothing remaining?

FLAVIUS.
 * Alack! my fellows, what should I say to you?
 * Let me be recorded by the righteous gods,
 * I am as poor as you.

FIRST SERVANT.
 * Such a house broke!
 * So noble a master fall'n! All gone! and not
 * One friend to take his fortune by the arm
 * And go along with him!

SECOND SERVANT.
 * As we do turn our backs
 * From our companion, thrown into his grave,
 * So his familiars to his buried fortunes
 * Slink all away, leave their false vows with him,
 * Like empty purses pick'd; and his poor self,
 * A dedicated beggar to the air,
 * With his disease of all—shunn'd poverty,
 * Walks, like contempt, alone. More of our fellows.

[Enter other SERVANTS.]

FLAVIUS.
 * All broken implements of a ruin'd house.

THIRD SERVANT.
 * Yet do our hearts wear Timon's livery,
 * That see I by our faces; we are fellows still,
 * Serving alike in sorrow. Leak'd is our bark,
 * And we, poor mates, stand on the dying deck,
 * Hearing the surges threat: we must all part
 * Into this sea of air.

FLAVIUS.
 * Good fellows all,
 * The latest of my wealth I'll share amongst you.
 * Wherever we shall meet, for Timon's sake
 * Let's yet be fellows; let's shake our heads, and say,
 * As 'twere a knell unto our master's fortune,
 * 'We have seen better days.' Let each take some;

[Giving them money.]

Nay, put out all your hands. Not one word more:
 * Thus part we rich in sorrow, parting poor.

[They embrace, and part several ways.]

O! the fierce wretchedness that glory brings us.
 * Who would not wish to be from wealth exempt,
 * Since riches point to misery and contempt?
 * Who would be so mock'd with glory? or so live,
 * But in a dream of friendship?
 * To have his pomp, and all what state compounds
 * But only painted, like his varnish'd friends?
 * Poor honest lord! brought low by his own heart,
 * Undone by goodness. Strange, unusual blood,
 * When man's worst sin is he does too much good!
 * Who then dares to be half so kind agen?
 * For bounty, that makes gods, does still mar men.
 * My dearest lord, bless'd, to be most accurs'd,
 * Rich, only to be wretched, thy great fortunes
 * Are made thy chief afflictions. Alas! kind lord,
 * He's flung in rage from this ingrateful seat
 * Of monstrous friends;
 * Nor has he with him to supply his life,
 * Or that which can command it.
 * I'll follow and enquire him out:
 * I'll ever serve his mind with my best will;
 * Whilst I have gold, I'll be his steward still.

[Exit.]

SCENE III. Woods and Caves near the Sea-shore.
[Enter TIMON from the Cave.]

TIMON.
 * O blessed breeding sun! draw from the earth
 * Rotten humidity; below thy sister's orb
 * Infect the air! Twinn'd brothers of one womb,
 * Whose procreation, residence and birth,
 * Scarce is dividant, touch them with several fortunes;
 * The greater scorns the lesser: not nature,
 * To whom all sores lay siege, can bear great fortune,
 * But by contempt of nature.
 * Raise me this beggar, and deny't that lord;
 * The senator shall bear contempt hereditary,
 * The beggar native honour.
 * It is the pasture lards the rother's sides,
 * The want that makes him lean. Who dares, who dares,
 * In purity of manhood stand upright,
 * And say, 'This man's a flatterer'? if one be,
 * So are they all; for every grize of fortune
 * Is smooth'd by that below: the learned pate
 * Ducks to the golden fool: all is oblique;
 * There's nothing level in our cursed natures
 * But direct villainy. Therefore, be abhorr'd
 * All feasts, societies, and throngs of men!
 * His semblable, yea, himself, Timon disdains:
 * Destruction fang mankind! Earth, yield me roots!

[Digging.]

Who seeks for better of thee, sauce his palate
 * With thy most operant poison! What is here?
 * Gold! yellow, glittering, precious gold! No, gods,
 * I am no idle votarist. Roots, you clear heavens!
 * Thus much of this will make black white, foul fair,
 * Wrong right, base noble, old young, coward valiant.
 * Ha! you gods, why this? What this, you gods? Why, this
 * Will lug your priests and servants from your sides,
 * Pluck stout men's pillows from below their head:
 * This yellow slave
 * Will knit and break religions; bless the accurs'd,
 * Make the hoar leprosy ador'd; place thieves,
 * And give them title, knee, and approbation,
 * With senators on the bench; this is it
 * That makes the wappen'd widow wed again;
 * She, whom the spital-house and ulcerous sores
 * Would cast the gorge at, this embalms and spices
 * To the April day again. Come, damned earth,
 * Thou common whore of mankind, that putt'st odds
 * Among the rout of nations, I will make thee
 * Do thy right nature.—[March afar off.]
 * Ha! a drum? thou'rt quick,
 * But yet I'll bury thee: thou'lt go, strong thief,
 * When gouty keepers of thee cannot stand:
 * Nay, stay thou out for earnest.

[Keeping some gold.]

[Enter ALCIBIADES, with drum and fife, in warlike
 * manner; PHRYNIA and TIMANDRA.]

ALCIBIADES.
 * What art thou there? speak.

TIMON.
 * A beast, as thou art. The canker gnaw thy heart,
 * For showing me again the eyes of man!

ALCIBIADES.
 * What is thy name? Is man so hateful to thee,
 * That art thyself a man?

TIMON.
 * I am Misanthropos, and hate mankind.
 * For thy part, I do wish thou wert a dog,
 * That I might love thee something.

ALCIBIADES.
 * I know thee well,
 * But in thy fortunes am unlearn'd and strange.

TIMON.
 * I know thee too; and more than that I know thee
 * I not desire to know. Follow thy drum;
 * With man's blood paint the ground, gules, gules;
 * Religious canons, civil laws are cruel;
 * Then what should war be? This fell whore of thine
 * Hath in her more destruction than thy sword
 * For all her cherubin look.

PHRYNIA.
 * Thy lips rot off!

TIMON.
 * I will not kiss thee; then the rot returns
 * To thine own lips again.

ALCIBIADES.
 * How came the noble Timon to this change?

TIMON.
 * As the moon does, by wanting light to give:
 * But then renew I could not like the moon;
 * There were no suns to borrow of.

ALCIBIADES.
 * Noble Timon,
 * What friendship may I do thee?

TIMON.
 * None, but to maintain my opinion.

ALCIBIADES.
 * What is it, Timon?

TIMON.
 * Promise me friendship, but perform none: if thou wilt not
 * promise, the gods plague thee, for thou art man! If thou dost
 * perform, confound thee, for thou art a man!

ALCIBIADES.
 * I have heard in some sort of thy miseries.

TIMON.
 * Thou saw'st them when I had prosperity.

ALCIBIADES.
 * I see them now; then was a blessed time.

TIMON.
 * As thine is now, held with a brace of harlots.

TIMANDRA.
 * Is this the Athenian minion whom the world
 * Voic'd so regardfully?

TIMON.
 * Art thou Timandra?

TIMANDRA.
 * Yes.

TIMON.
 * Be a whore still; they love thee not that use thee;
 * Give them diseases, leaving with thee their lust.
 * Make use of thy salt hours; season the slaves
 * For tubs and baths; bring down rose-cheeked youth
 * To the tub—fast and the diet.

TIMANDRA.
 * Hang thee, monster!

ALCIBIADES.
 * Pardon him, sweet Timandra, for his wits
 * Are drown'd and lost in his calamities.
 * I have but little gold of late, brave Timon,
 * The want whereof doth daily make revolt
 * In my penurious band: I have heard, and griev'd
 * How cursed Athens, mindless of thy worth,
 * Forgetting thy great deeds, when neighbour states,
 * But for thy sword and fortune, trod upon them,—

TIMON.
 * I prithee, beat thy drum, and get thee gone.

ALCIBIADES.
 * I am thy friend, and pity thee, dear Timon.

TIMON.
 * How dost thou pity him whom thou dost trouble?
 * I had rather be alone.

ALCIBIADES.
 * Why, fare thee well:
 * Here is some gold for thee.

TIMON.
 * Keep it, I cannot eat it.

ALCIBIADES.
 * When I have laid proud Athens on a heap,—

TIMON.
 * Warr'st thou 'gainst Athens?

ALCIBIADES.
 * Ay, Timon, and have cause.

TIMON.
 * The gods confound them all in thy conquest;
 * And thee after, when thou hast conquer'd!

ALCIBIADES.
 * Why me, Timon?

TIMON.
 * That, by killing of villains,
 * Thou wast born to conquer my country.
 * Put up thy gold: go on,—here's gold,—go on;
 * Be as a planetary plague, when Jove
 * Will o'er some high-vic'd city hang his poison
 * In the sick air: let not thy sword skip one.
 * Pity not honour'd age for his white beard;
 * He is an usurer. Strike me the counterfeit matron;
 * It is her habit only that is honest,
 * Herself's a bawd. Let not the virgin's cheek
 * Make soft thy trenchant sword; for those milk paps
 * That through the window-bars bore at men's eyes,
 * Are not within the leaf of pity writ,
 * But set them down horrible traitors. Spare not the babe,
 * Whose dimpled smiles from fools exhaust their mercy;
 * Think it a bastard, whom the oracle
 * Hath doubtfully pronounc'd thy throat shall cut,
 * And mince it sans remorse. Swear against objects;
 * Put armour on thine ears and on thine eyes,
 * Whose proof nor yells of mothers, maids, nor babes,
 * Nor sight of priests in holy vestments bleeding,
 * Shall pierce a jot. There's gold to pay thy soldiers:
 * Make large confusion; and, thy fury spent,
 * Confounded be thyself! Speak not, be gone.

ALCIBIADES.
 * Hast thou gold yet? I'll take the gold thou giv'st me,
 * Not all thy counsel.

TIMON.
 * Dost thou, or dost thou not, heaven's curse upon thee!

PHRYNIA AND TIMANDRA.
 * Give us some gold, good Timon:
 * Hast thou more?

TIMON.
 * Enough to make a whore forswear her trade,
 * And to make whores a bawd. Hold up, you sluts,
 * Your aprons mountant: you are not oathable,
 * Although, I know, you'll swear, terribly swear
 * Into strong shudders and to heavenly agues,
 * The immortal gods that hear you, spare your oaths,
 * I'll trust to your conditions: be whores still;
 * And he whose pious breath seeks to convert you,
 * Be strong in whore, allure him, burn him up;
 * Let your close fire predominate his smoke,
 * And be no turncoats: yet may your pains, six months,
 * Be quite contrary: and thatch your poor thin roofs
 * With burdens of the dead; some that were hang'd,
 * No matter; wear them, betray with them: whore still;
 * Paint till a horse may mire upon your face:
 * A pox of wrinkles!

PHRYNIA AND TIMANDRA.
 * Well, more gold. What then?
 * Believe't that we'll do anything for gold.

TIMON.
 * Consumptions sow
 * In hollow bones of man; strike their sharp shins,
 * And mar men's spurring. Crack the lawyer's voice,
 * That he may never more false title plead,
 * Nor sound his quillets shrilly; hoar the flamen,
 * That scolds against the quality of flesh,
 * And not believes himself: down with the nose,
 * Down with it flat; take the bridge quite away
 * Of him that, his particular to foresee,
 * Smells from the general weal: make curl'd-pate ruffians bald,
 * And let the unscarr'd braggarts of the war
 * Derive some pain from you: plague all,
 * That your activity may defeat and quell
 * The source of all erection. There's more gold;
 * Do you damn others, and let this damn you,
 * And ditches grave you all!

PHRYNIA AND TIMANDRA.
 * More counsel with more money, bounteous Timon.

TIMON.
 * More whore, more mischief first; I have given you earnest.

ALCIBIADES.
 * Strike up the drum towards Athens! Farewell, Timon:
 * If I thrive well, I'll visit thee again.

TIMON.
 * If I hope well, I'll never see thee more.

ALCIBIADES.
 * I never did thee harm.

TIMON.
 * Yes, thou spok'st well of me.

ALCIBIADES.
 * Call'st thou that harm?

TIMON.
 * Men daily find it. Get thee away, and take
 * Thy beagles with thee.

ALCIBIADES.
 * We but offend him. Strike!

[Drum beats. Exeunt all but TIMON.]

TIMON.
 * That nature, being sick of man's unkindness,
 * Should yet be hungry! Common mother, thou,

[Digging.]

Whose womb unmeasurable, and infinite breast,
 * Teems, and feeds all; whose self-same mettle,
 * Whereof thy proud child, arrogant man, is puff'd,
 * Engenders the black toad and adder blue,
 * The gilded newt and eyeless venom'd worm,
 * With all the abhorred births below crisp heaven
 * Whereon Hyperion's quickening fire doth shine;
 * Yield him, who all thy human sons doth hate,
 * From forth thy plenteous bosom, one poor root!
 * Ensear thy fertile and conceptious womb,
 * Let it no more bring out ingrateful man!
 * Go great with tigers, dragons, wolves, and bears;
 * Teem with new monsters, whom thy upward face
 * Hath to the marbled mansion all above
 * Never presented! O! a root; dear thanks:
 * Dry up thy marrows, vines and plough-torn leas;
 * Whereof ingrateful man, with liquorish draughts
 * And morsels unctuous, greases his pure mind,
 * That from it all consideration slips!

[Enter APEMANTUS.]

More man! Plague! plague!

APEMANTUS.
 * I was directed hither: men report
 * Thou dost affect my manners, and dost use them.

TIMON.
 * 'Tis, then, because thou dost not keep a dog
 * Whom I would imitate: consumption catch thee!

APEMANTUS.
 * This is in thee a nature but infected;
 * A poor unmanly melancholy sprung
 * From change of fortune. Why this spade, this place?
 * This slave-like habit? and these looks of care?
 * Thy flatterers yet wear silk, drink wine, lie soft,
 * Hug their diseas'd perfumes, and have forgot
 * That ever Timon was. Shame not these woods
 * By putting on the cunning of a carper.
 * Be thou a flatterer now, and seek to thrive
 * By that which has undone thee: hinge thy knee
 * And let his very breath, whom thou'lt observe
 * Blow off thy cap; praise his most vicious strain,
 * And call it excellent. Thou wast told thus;
 * Thou gav'st thine ears, like tapsters that bade welcome,
 * To knaves and all approachers: 'tis most just
 * That thou turn rascal; hadst thou wealth again,
 * Rascals should have't. Do not assume my likeness.

TIMON.
 * Were I like thee I'd throw away myself.

APEMANTUS.
 * Thou hast cast away thyself, being like thyself;
 * A madman so long, now a fool. What! think'st
 * That the bleak air, thy boisterous chamberlain,
 * Will put thy shirt on warm? will these moss'd trees,
 * That have outliv'd the eagle, page thy heels
 * And skip when thou point'st out? will the cold brook,
 * Candied with ice, caudle thy morning taste
 * To cure thy o'ernight's surfeit? Call the creatures
 * Whose naked natures live in all the spite
 * Of wreakful heaven, whose bare unhoused trunks,
 * To the conflicting elements expos'd,
 * Answer mere nature; bid them flatter thee;
 * O! thou shalt find—

TIMON.
 * A fool of thee. Depart.

APEMANTUS.
 * I love thee better now than e'er I did.

TIMON.
 * I hate thee worse.

APEMANTUS.
 * Why?

TIMON.
 * Thou flatter'st misery.

APEMANTUS.
 * I flatter not, but say thou art a caitiff.

TIMON.
 * Why dost thou seek me out?

APEMANTUS.
 * To vex thee.

TIMON.
 * Always a villain's office or a fool's.
 * Dost please thyself in't?

APEMANTUS.
 * Ay.

TIMON.
 * What! a knave too?

APEMANTUS.
 * If thou didst put this sour-cold habit on
 * To castigate thy pride, 'twere well; but thou
 * Dost it enforcedly; thou'dst courtier be again
 * Wert thou not beggar. Willing misery
 * Outlives incertain pomp, is crown'd before;
 * The one is filling still, never complete;
 * The other, at high wish: best state, contentless,
 * Hath a distracted and most wretched being,
 * Worse than the worst, content.
 * Thou shouldst desire to die, being miserable.

TIMON.
 * Not by his breath that is more miserable.
 * Thou art a slave, whom Fortune's tender arm
 * With favour never clasp'd, but bred a dog.
 * Hadst thou, like us from our first swath, proceeded
 * The sweet degrees that this brief world affords
 * To such as may the passive drugs of it
 * Freely command, thou wouldst have plung'd thyself
 * In general riot; melted down thy youth
 * In different beds of lust; and never learn'd
 * The icy precepts of respect, but follow'd
 * The sugar'd game before thee. But myself,
 * Who had the world as my confectionary,
 * The mouths, the tongues, the eyes, and hearts of men
 * At duty, more than I could frame employment,
 * That numberless upon me stuck as leaves
 * Do on the oak, have with one winter's brush
 * Fell from their boughs, and left me open, bare
 * For every storm that blows; I, to bear this,
 * That never knew but better, is some burden:
 * Thy nature did commence in sufferance, time
 * Hath made thee hard in't. Why shouldst thou hate men?
 * They never flatter'd thee: what hast thou given?
 * If thou wilt curse, thy father, that poor rag,
 * Must be thy subject; who in spite put stuff
 * To some she-beggar and compounded thee
 * Poor rogue hereditary. Hence! be gone!
 * If thou hadst not been born the worst of men,
 * Thou hadst been a knave and flatterer.

APEMANTUS.
 * Art thou proud yet?

TIMON.
 * Ay, that I am not thee.

APEMANTUS.
 * I, that I was
 * No prodigal.

TIMON.
 * I, that I am one now;
 * Were all the wealth I have shut up in thee,
 * I'd give thee leave to hang it. Get thee gone.
 * That the whole life of Athens were in this!
 * Thus would I eat it.

[Eating a root.]

APEMANTUS.
 * Here; I will mend thy feast.

TIMON.
 * First mend my company, take away thyself.

APEMANTUS.
 * So I shall mend mine own, by the lack of thine.

TIMON.
 * 'Tis not well mended so, it is but botch'd.
 * If not, I would it were.

APEMANTUS.
 * What wouldst thou have to Athens?

TIMON.
 * Thee thither in a whirlwind. If thou wilt,
 * Tell them there I have gold; look, so I have.

APEMANTUS.
 * Here is no use for gold.

TIMON.
 * The best and truest;
 * For here it sleeps and does no hired harm.

APEMANTUS.
 * Where liest o' nights, Timon?

TIMON.
 * Under that's above me.
 * Where feed'st thou o' days, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS.
 * Where my stomach finds meat; or rather, where I eat it.

TIMON.
 * Would poison were obedient and knew my mind!

APEMANTUS.
 * Where wouldst thou send it?

TIMON.
 * To sauce thy dishes.

APEMANTUS.
 * The middle of humanity thou never knewest, but the
 * extremity of both ends. When thou wast in thy gilt and thy
 * perfume, they mock'd thee for too much curiosity; in thy rags
 * thou know'st none, but art despised for the contrary. There's a
 * medlar for thee; eat it.

TIMON.
 * On what I hate I feed not.

APEMANTUS.
 * Dost hate a medlar?

TIMON.
 * Ay, though it look like thee.

APEMANTUS.
 * An thou hadst hated medlars sooner, thou shouldst have loved
 * thyself better now. What man didst thou ever know unthrift
 * that was beloved after his means?

TIMON.
 * Who, without those means thou talkest of, didst thou ever
 * know beloved?

APEMANTUS.
 * Myself.

TIMON.
 * I understand thee; thou hadst some means to keep a dog.

APEMANTUS.
 * What things in the world canst thou nearest compare to
 * thy flatterers?

TIMON.
 * Women nearest; but men, men are the things themselves. What
 * wouldst thou do with the world, Apemantus, if it lay in thy
 * power?

APEMANTUS.
 * Give it the beasts, to be rid of the men.

TIMON.
 * Wouldst thou have thyself fall in the confusion of men, and
 * remain a beast with the beasts?

APEMANTUS.
 * Ay, Timon.

TIMON.
 * A beastly ambition, which the gods grant thee to attain to.
 * If thou wert the lion, the fox would beguile thee; if thou wert
 * the lamb, the fox would eat thee; if thou wert the fox, the lion
 * would suspect thee, when peradventure, thou wert accused by the
 * ass; if thou wert the ass, thy dulness would torment thee, and
 * still thou livedst but as a breakfast to the wolf; if thou wert
 * the wolf, thy greediness would afflict thee, and oft thou
 * shouldst hazard thy life for thy dinner; wert thou the unicorn,
 * pride and wrath would confound thee and make thine own self the
 * conquest of thy fury; wert thou a bear, thou wouldst be killed by
 * the horse; wert thou a horse, thou wouldst be seized by the
 * leopard; wert thou a leopard, thou wert german to the lion, and
 * the spots of thy kindred were jurors on thy life; all thy safety
 * were remotion, and thy defence absence. What beast couldst thou
 * be that were not subject to a beast? and what beast art thou
 * already, that seest not thy loss in transformation!

APEMANTUS.
 * If thou couldst please me with speaking to me, thou
 * mightst have hit upon it here; the commonwealth of Athens is
 * become a forest of beasts.

TIMON.
 * How has the ass broke the wall, that thou art out of the
 * city?

APEMANTUS.
 * Yonder comes a poet and a painter: the plague of company
 * light upon thee! I will fear to catch it, and give way. When I
 * know not what else to do, I'll see thee again.

TIMON.
 * When there is nothing living but thee, thou shalt be
 * welcome. I had rather be a beggar's dog than Apemantus.

APEMANTUS.
 * Thou art the cap of all the fools alive.

TIMON.
 * Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon!

APEMANTUS.
 * A plague on thee! thou art too bad to curse!

TIMON.
 * All villains that do stand by thee are pure.

APEMANTUS.
 * There is no leprosy but what thou speak'st.

TIMON.
 * If I name thee,
 * I'll beat thee, but I should infect my hands.

APEMANTUS.
 * I would my tongue could rot them off!

TIMON.
 * Away, thou issue of a mangy dog!
 * Choler does kill me that thou art alive;
 * I swound to see thee.

APEMANTUS.
 * Would thou wouldst burst!

TIMON.
 * Away,
 * Thou tedious rogue! I am sorry I shall lose
 * A stone by thee.

[Throws a stone at him.]

APEMANTUS.
 * Beast!

TIMON.
 * Slave!

APEMANTUS.
 * Toad!

TIMON.
 * Rogue, rogue, rogue!
 * I am sick of this false world, and will love nought
 * But even the mere necessities upon't.
 * Then, Timon, presently prepare thy grave;
 * Lie where the light foam of the sea may beat
 * Thy gravestone daily: make thine epitaph,
 * That death in me at others' lives may laugh.

[Looking on the gold.]

O thou sweet king-killer, and dear divorce
 * 'Twixt natural son and sire! thou bright defiler
 * Of Hymen's purest bed! thou valiant Mars!
 * Thou ever young, fresh, lov'd, and delicate wooer,
 * Whose blush doth thaw the consecrated snow
 * That lies on Dian's lap! thou visible god,
 * That solder'st close impossibilities,
 * And mak'st them kiss! that speak'st with every tongue
 * To every purpose! O thou touch of hearts!
 * Think, thy slave man rebels, and by thy virtue
 * Set them into confounding odds, that beasts
 * May have the world in empire!

APEMANTUS.
 * Would 'twere so:
 * But not till I am dead; I'll say thou'st gold:
 * Thou wilt be throng'd to shortly.

TIMON.
 * Throng'd to?

APEMANTUS.
 * Ay.

TIMON.
 * Thy back, I prithee.

APEMANTUS.
 * Live, and love thy misery!

TIMON.
 * Long live so, and so die!

[Exit APEMANTUS.]

I am quit.
 * More things like men! Eat, Timon, and abhor them.

[Enter BANDITTI.]

FIRST BANDIT.
 * Where should he have this gold? It is some poor
 * fragment, some slender ort of his remainder. The mere want of
 * gold, and the falling-from of his friends, drove him into this
 * melancholy.

SECOND BANDIT.
 * It is noised he hath a mass of treasure.

THIRD BANDIT.
 * Let us make the assay upon him: if he care not for't,
 * he will supply us easily; if he covetously reserve it, how
 * shall's get it?

SECOND BANDIT.
 * True; for he bears it not about him, 'tis hid.

FIRST BANDIT.
 * Is not this he?

BANDITTI.
 * Where?

SECOND BANDIT.
 * 'Tis his description.

THIRD BANDIT.
 * He; I know him.

BANDITTI.
 * Save thee, Timon!

TIMON.
 * Now, thieves?

BANDITTI.
 * Soldiers, not thieves.

TIMON.
 * Both too, and women's sons.

BANDITTI.
 * We are not thieves, but men that much do want.

TIMON.
 * Your greatest want is, you want much of meat.
 * Why should you want? Behold, the earth hath roots;
 * Within this mile break forth a hundred springs;
 * The oaks bear mast, the briars scarlet hips;
 * The bounteous housewife, Nature, on each bush
 * Lays her full mess before you. Want! Why want?

FIRST BANDIT.
 * We cannot live on grass, on berries, water,
 * As beasts and birds and fishes.

TIMON.
 * Nor on the beasts themselves, the birds, and fishes;
 * You must eat men. Yet thanks I must you con
 * That you are thieves profess'd, that you work not
 * In holier shapes; for there is boundless theft
 * In limited professions. Rascal thieves,
 * Here's gold. Go, suck the subtle blood o' the grape
 * Till the high fever seethe your blood to froth,
 * And so scape hanging: trust not the physician;
 * His antidotes are poison, and he slays
 * More than you rob: take wealth and lives together;
 * Do villainy, do, since you protest to do't,
 * Like workmen. I'll example you with thievery:
 * The sun's a thief, and with his great attraction
 * Robs the vast sea; the moon's an arrant thief,
 * And her pale fire she snatches from the sun;
 * The sea's a thief, whose liquid surge resolves
 * The moon into salt tears; the earth's a thief,
 * That feeds and breeds by a composture stolen
 * From general excrement, each thing's a thief;
 * The laws, your curb and whip, in their rough power
 * Has uncheck'd theft. Love not yourselves; away!
 * Rob one another. There's more gold; cut throats;
 * All that you meet are thieves. To Athens go,
 * Break open shops; nothing can you steal
 * But thieves do lose it: steal no less for this
 * I give you; and gold confound you howsoe'er!
 * Amen.

THIRD BANDIT.
 * Has almost charm'd me from my profession by
 * persuading me to it.

FIRST BANDIT.
 * 'Tis in the malice of mankind that he thus advises
 * us; not to have us thrive in our mystery.

SECOND BANDIT.
 * I'll believe him as an enemy, and give over my trade.

FIRST BANDIT.
 * Let us first see peace in Athens. There is no time so
 * miserable but a man may be true.

[Exeunt BANDITTI.]

[Enter FLAVIUS.]

FLAVIUS.
 * O you gods!
 * Is yond despised and ruinous man my lord?
 * Full of decay and failing? O monument
 * And wonder of good deeds evilly bestow'd!
 * What an alteration of honour
 * Has desperate want made!
 * What viler thing upon the earth than friends
 * Who can bring noblest minds to basest ends!
 * How rarely does it meet with this time's guise,
 * When man was wish'd to love his enemies!
 * Grant I may ever love, and rather woo
 * Those that would mischief me than those that do!
 * He has caught me in his eye: I will present
 * My honest grief unto him; and, as my lord,
 * Still serve him with my life. My dearest master!

[TIMON comes forward.]

TIMON.
 * Away! What art thou?

FLAVIUS.
 * Have you forgot me, sir?

TIMON.
 * Why dost ask that? I have forgot all men;
 * Then, if thou grant'st thou'rt a man, I have forgot thee.

FLAVIUS.
 * An honest poor servant of yours.

TIMON.
 * Then I know thee not:
 * I never had honest man about me; ay all
 * I kept were knaves, to serve in meat to villains.

FLAVIUS.
 * The gods are witness,
 * Ne'er did poor steward wear a truer grief
 * For his undone lord than mine eyes for you.

TIMON.
 * What! dost thou weep? Come nearer. Then I love thee,
 * Because thou art a woman, and disclaim'st
 * Flinty mankind, whose eyes do never give
 * But thorough lust and laughter. Pity's sleeping:
 * Strange times, that weep with laughing, not with weeping!

FLAVIUS.
 * I beg of you to know me, good my lord,
 * To accept my grief, and whilst this poor wealth lasts
 * To entertain me as your steward still.

TIMON.
 * Had I a steward
 * So true, so just, and now so comfortable?
 * It almost turns my dangerous nature mild.
 * Let me behold thy face. Surely, this man
 * Was born of woman.
 * Forgive my general and exceptless rashness,
 * You perpetual sober gods! I do proclaim
 * One honest man, mistake me not, but one;
 * No more, I pray, and he's a steward.
 * How fain would I have hated all mankind!
 * And thou redeem'st thyself: but all, save thee,
 * I fell with curses.
 * Methinks thou art more honest now than wise;
 * For, by oppressing and betraying me,
 * Thou mightst have sooner got another service:
 * For many so arrive at second masters
 * Upon their first lord's neck. But tell me true,—
 * For I must ever doubt, though ne'er so sure,—
 * Is not thy kindness subtle, covetous,
 * If not a usuring kindness and as rich men deal gifts,
 * Expecting in return, twenty for one?

FLAVIUS.
 * No, my most worthy master, in whose breast
 * Doubt and suspect, alas! are plac'd too late!
 * You should have fear'd false times when you did feast;
 * Suspect still comes where an estate is least.
 * That which I show, heaven knows, is merely love,
 * Duty and zeal to your unmatched mind,
 * Care of your food and living; and, believe it,
 * My most honour'd lord,
 * For any benefit that points to me,
 * Either in hope or present, I'd exchange
 * For this one wish, that you had power and wealth
 * To requite me by making rich yourself.

TIMON.
 * Look thee, 'tis so! Thou singly honest man,
 * Here, take: the gods, out of my misery,
 * Have sent thee treasure. Go, live rich and happy,
 * But thus condition'd: thou shalt build from men;
 * Hate all, curse all, show charity to none,
 * But let the famish'd flesh slide from the bone,
 * Ere thou relieve the beggar; give to dogs
 * What thou deny'st to men; let prisons swallow 'em,
 * Debts wither 'em to nothing; be men like blasted woods,
 * And may diseases lick up their false bloods!
 * And so, farewell and thrive.

FLAVIUS.
 * O! let me stay
 * And comfort you, my master.

TIMON.
 * If thou hatest curses,
 * Stay not; fly, whilst thou'rt bless'd and free:
 * Ne'er see thou man, and let me ne'er see thee.

[Exeunt severally.]

SCENE I. The woods. Before TIMON's Cave.
[Enter POET and PAINTER.]

PAINTER.
 * As I took note of the place, it cannot be far where he
 * abides.

POET.
 * What's to be thought of him? Does the rumour hold for true that
 * he is so full of gold?

PAINTER.
 * Certain. Alcibiades reports it; Phrynia and Timandra had
 * gold of him: he likewise enriched poor straggling soldiers with
 * great quantity. 'Tis said he gave unto his steward a mighty sum.

POET.
 * Then this breaking of his has been but a try for his friends?

PAINTER.
 * Nothing else. You shall see him a palm in Athens again,
 * and flourish with the highest. Therefore 'tis not amiss we tender
 * our loves to him in this supposed distress of his; it will show
 * honestly in us, and is very likely to load our purposes with what
 * they travail for, if it be just and true report that goes of his
 * having.

POET.
 * What have you now to present unto him?

PAINTER.
 * Nothing at this time but my visitation; only, I will
 * promise him an excellent piece.

POET.
 * I must serve him so too, tell him of an intent that's coming
 * toward him.

PAINTER.
 * Good as the best. Promising is the very air o' the time;
 * it opens the eyes of expectation. Performance is ever the duller
 * for his act, and, but in the plainer and simpler kind of people,
 * the deed of saying is quite out of use. To promise is most
 * courtly and fashionable; performance is a kind of will or
 * testament which argues a great sickness in his judgment that
 * makes it.

[Enter TIMON from his cave.]

TIMON.
 * [Aside.] Excellent workman! Thou canst not paint a man so bad
 * as is thyself.

POET.
 * I am thinking what I shall say I have provided for him. It
 * must be a personating of himself; a satire against the softness
 * of prosperity, with a discovery of the infinite flatteries that
 * follow youth and opulency.

TIMON.
 * [Aside.] Must thou needs stand for a villain in thine own
 * work? Wilt thou whip thine own faults in other men? Do so, I have
 * gold for thee.

POET.
 * Nay, let's seek him;
 * Then do we sin against our own estate
 * When we may profit meet, and come too late.

PAINTER.
 * True;
 * When the day serves, before black—corner'd night,
 * Find what thou want'st by free and offer'd light.
 * Come.

TIMON.
 * [Aside.] I'll meet you at the turn. What a god's gold,
 * That he is worshipp'd in a baser temple
 * Than where swine feed!
 * 'Tis thou that rigg'st the bark and plough'st the foam,
 * Settlest admired reverence in a slave.
 * To thee be worship! and thy saints for aye
 * Be crown'd with plagues, that thee alone obey!
 * Fit I meet them.

[Advancing from his cave.]

POET.
 * Hail, worthy Timon!

PAINTER.
 * Our late noble master!

TIMON.
 * Have I once liv'd to see two honest men?

POET.
 * Sir,
 * Having often of your open bounty tasted,
 * Hearing you were retir'd, your friends fall'n off,
 * Whose thankless natures—O abhorred spirits!
 * Not all the whips of heaven are large enough—
 * What! to you,
 * Whose star-like nobleness gave life and influence
 * To their whole being! I am rapt, and cannot cover
 * The monstrous bulk of this ingratitude
 * With any size of words.

TIMON.
 * Let it go naked: men may see't the better.
 * You, that are honest, by being what you are,
 * Make them best seen and known.

PAINTER.
 * He and myself
 * Have travail'd in the great shower of your gifts,
 * And sweetly felt it.

TIMON.
 * Ay, you are honest men.

PAINTER.
 * We are hither come to offer you our service.

TIMON.
 * Most honest men! Why, how shall I requite you?
 * Can you eat roots, and drink cold water? No?

BOTH.
 * What we can do, we'll do, to do you service.

TIMON.
 * Ye're honest men! Ye've heard that I have gold;
 * I am sure you have. Speak truth; ye're honest men.

PAINTER.
 * So it is said, my noble lord; but therefore
 * Came not my friend nor I.

TIMON.
 * Good honest men! Thou draw'st a counterfeit
 * Best in all Athens. Thou'rt, indeed, the best;
 * Thou counterfeit'st most lively.

PAINTER.
 * So, so, my lord.

TIMON.
 * E'en so, sir, as I say.

[To the POET.]

And for thy fiction,
 * Why, thy verse swells with stuff so fine and smooth
 * That thou art even natural in thine art.
 * But for all this, my honest-natur'd friends,
 * I must needs say you have a little fault.
 * Marry, 'tis not monstrous in you; neither wish I
 * You take much pains to mend.

BOTH.
 * Beseech your honour
 * To make it known to us.

TIMON.
 * You'll take it ill.

BOTH.
 * Most thankfully, my lord.

TIMON.
 * Will you indeed?

BOTH.
 * Doubt it not, worthy lord.

TIMON.
 * There's never a one of you but trusts a knave
 * That mightily deceives you.

BOTH.
 * Do we, my lord?

TIMON.
 * Ay, and you hear him cog, see him dissemble,
 * Know his gross patchery, love him, feed him,
 * Keep in your bosom; yet remain assur'd
 * That he's a made-up villain.

PAINTER.
 * I know not such, my lord.

POET.
 * Nor I.

TIMON.
 * Look you, I love you well; I'll give you gold,
 * Rid me these villains from your companies.
 * Hang them or stab them, drown them in a draught,
 * Confound them by some course, and come to me,
 * I'll give you gold enough.

BOTH.
 * Name them, my lord; let's know them.

TIMON.
 * You that way, and you this, but two in company;
 * Each man apart, all single and alone,
 * Yet an arch-villain keeps him company.

[To the PAINTER.]

If, where thou art, two villians shall not be,
 * Come not near him.

[To the POET.]

If thou wouldst not reside
 * But where one villain is, then him abandon.
 * Hence! pack! there's gold; you came for gold, ye slaves.

[To the PAINTER.]

You have work for me; there's payment; hence!

[To the POET.]

You are an alchemist; make gold of that.
 * Out, rascal dogs!

[Beats them out and then returns to his cave.]

[Enter FLAVIUS and two SENATORS.]

FLAVIUS.
 * It is vain that you would speak with Timon;
 * For he is set so only to himself
 * That nothing but himself, which looks like man,
 * Is friendly with him.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * Bring us to his cave.
 * It is our part and promise to the Athenians
 * To speak with Timon.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * At all times alike
 * Men are not still the same; 'twas time and griefs
 * That fram'd him thus. Time, with his fairer hand,
 * Offering the fortunes of his former days,
 * The former man may make him. Bring us to him,
 * And chance it as it may.

FLAVIUS.
 * Here is his cave.
 * Peace and content be here! Lord Timon! Timon!
 * Look out, and speak to friends. The Athenians
 * By two of their most reverend Senate greet thee.
 * Speak to them, noble Timon.

[Enter TIMON from his cave.]

TIMON.
 * Thou sun that comfort'st, burn! Speak and be hang'd!
 * For each true word, a blister! and each false
 * Be as a cauterizing to the root o' the tongue,
 * Consuming it with speaking!

FIRST SENATOR.
 * Worthy Timon,—

TIMON.
 * Of none but such as you, and you of Timon.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * The senators of Athens greet thee, Timon.

TIMON.
 * I thank them; and would send them back the plague,
 * Could I but catch it for them.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * O! forget
 * What we are sorry for ourselves in thee.
 * The senators with one consent of love
 * Entreat thee back to Athens, who have thought
 * On special dignities, which vacant lie
 * For thy best use and wearing.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * They confess
 * Toward thee forgetfulness too general, gross;
 * Which now the public body, which doth seldom
 * Play the recanter, feeling in itself
 * A lack of Timon's aid, hath sense withal
 * Of it own fail, restraining aid to Timon,
 * And send forth us to make their sorrow'd render,
 * Together with a recompense more fruitful
 * Than their offence can weigh down by the dram;
 * Ay, even such heaps and sums of love and wealth
 * As shall to thee blot out what wrongs were theirs,
 * And write in thee the figures of their love,
 * Ever to read them thine.

TIMON.
 * You witch me in it;
 * Surprise me to the very brink of tears.
 * Lend me a fool's heart and a woman's eyes,
 * And I'll beweep these comforts, worthy senators.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * Therefore so please thee to return with us,
 * And of our Athens—thine and ours—to take
 * The captainship, thou shalt be met with thanks,
 * Allow'd with absolute power, and thy good name
 * Live with authority. So soon we shall drive back
 * Of Alcibiades the approaches wild,
 * Who, like a boar too savage, doth root up
 * His country's peace.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * And shakes his threat'ning sword
 * Against the walls of Athens.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * Therefore, Timon,—

TIMON.
 * Well, sir, I will. Therefore I will, sir, thus:
 * If Alcibiades kill my countrymen,
 * Let Alcibiades know this of Timon,
 * That Timon cares not. But if he sack fair Athens,
 * And take our goodly aged men by the beards,
 * Giving our holy virgins to the stain
 * Of contumelious, beastly, mad-brain'd war,
 * Then let him know, and tell him Timon speaks it,
 * In pity of our aged and our youth
 * I cannot choose but tell him that I care not,
 * And let him take't at worst; for their knives care not
 * While you have throats to answer. For myself,
 * There's not a whittle in the unruly camp
 * But I do prize it at my love before
 * The reverend'st throat in Athens. So I leave you
 * To the protection of the prosperous gods,
 * As thieves to keepers.

FLAVIUS.
 * Stay not, all's in vain.

TIMON.
 * Why, I was writing of my epitaph;
 * It will be seen to-morrow. My long sickness
 * Of health and living now begins to mend,
 * And nothing brings me all things. Go, live still;
 * Be Alcibiades your plague, you his,
 * And last so long enough!

FIRST SENATOR.
 * We speak in vain.

TIMON.
 * But yet I love my country, and am not
 * One that rejoices in the common wrack,
 * As common bruit doth put it.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * That's well spoke.

TIMON.
 * Commend me to my loving countrymen,—

FIRST SENATOR.
 * These words become your lips as they pass through
 * them.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * And enter in our ears like great triumphers
 * In their applauding gates.

TIMON.
 * Commend me to them,
 * And tell them that, to ease them of their griefs,
 * Their fears of hostile strokes, their aches, losses,
 * Their pangs of love, with other incident throes
 * That nature's fragile vessel doth sustain
 * In life's uncertain voyage, I will some kindness do them:
 * I'll teach them to prevent wild Alcibiades' wrath.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * I like this well; he will return again.

TIMON.
 * I have a tree, which grows here in my close,
 * That mine own use invites me to cut down,
 * And shortly must I fell it. Tell my friends,
 * Tell Athens, in the sequence of degree
 * From high to low throughout, that whoso please
 * To stop affliction, let him take his haste,
 * Come hither, ere my tree hath felt the axe,
 * And hang himself. I pray you do my greeting.

FLAVIUS.
 * Trouble him no further; thus you still shall find him.

TIMON.
 * Come not to me again; but say to Athens
 * Timon hath made his everlasting mansion
 * Upon the beached verge of the salt flood,
 * Who once a day with his embossed froth
 * The turbulent surge shall cover. Thither come,
 * And let my gravestone be your oracle.
 * Lips, let sour words go by and language end:
 * What is amiss, plague and infection mend!
 * Graves only be men's works and death their gain!
 * Sun, hide thy beams! Timon hath done his reign.

[Exit TIMON into his cave.]

FIRST SENATOR.
 * His discontents are unremovably
 * Coupled to nature.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * Our hope in him is dead. Let us return
 * And strain what other means is left unto us
 * In our dear peril.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * It requires swift foot.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE II. Before the walls of Athens.
[Enter two other SENATORS with a MESSENGER.]

FIRST SENATOR.
 * Thou hast painfully discover'd; are his files
 * As full as thy report?

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

SECOND 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 oppos'd,
 * Yet our old love had a particular force,
 * And made us speak like friends. This man was riding
 * From Alcibiades to Timon's cave
 * With letters of entreaty, which imported
 * His fellowship i' the cause against your city,
 * In part for his sake mov'd.

[Enter the other SENATORS, from TIMON.]

FIRST SENATOR.
 * Here come our brothers.

THIRD SENATOR.
 * No talk of Timon, nothing of him expect.
 * The enemies' drum is heard, and fearful scouring
 * Doth choke the air with dust. In, and prepare.
 * Ours is the fall, I fear; our foes the snare.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE III. The Woods. TIMON's cave, and a rude tomb seen.
[Enter a SOLDIER in the woods, seeking TIMON.]

SOLDIER.
 * By all description this should be the place.
 * Who's here? Speak, ho! No answer! What is this?
 * Timon is dead, who hath outstretch'd his span.
 * Some beast rear'd this; here does not live a man.
 * Dead, sure; and this his grave. What's on this tomb
 * I cannot read; the character I'll take with wax.
 * Our captain hath in every figure skill,
 * An ag'd interpreter, though young in days;
 * Before proud Athens he's set down by this,
 * Whose fall the mark of his ambition is.

[Exit.]

SCENE IV. Before the walls of Athens
[Trumpets sound. Enter ALCIBIADES with his powers.]

ALCIBIADES.
 * Sound to this coward and lascivious town
 * Our terrible approach.

[A parley sounded. The SENATORS appear upon the walls.]

Till now you have gone on and fill'd the time
 * With all licentious measure, making your wills
 * The scope of justice; till now, myself, and such
 * As slept within the shadow of your power,
 * Have wander'd with our travers'd arms, and breath'd
 * Our sufferance vainly. Now the time is flush,
 * When crouching marrow, in the bearer strong,
 * Cries of itself, 'No more!' Now breathless wrong
 * Shall sit and pant in your great chairs of ease,
 * And pursy insolence shall break his wind
 * With fear and horrid flight.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * Noble and young,
 * When thy first griefs were but a mere conceit,
 * Ere thou hadst power or we had cause of fear,
 * We sent to thee, to give thy rages balm,
 * To wipe out our ingratitude with loves
 * Above their quantity.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * So did we woo
 * Transformed Timon to our city's love
 * By humble message and by promis'd means.
 * We were not all unkind, nor all deserve
 * The common stroke of war.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * These walls of ours
 * Were not erected by their hands from whom
 * You have receiv'd your griefs; nor are they such
 * That these great towers, trophies, and schools, should fall
 * For private faults in them.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * Nor are they living
 * Who were the motives that you first went out;
 * Shame, that they wanted cunning, in excess
 * Hath broke their hearts. March, noble lord,
 * Into our city with thy banners spread.
 * By decimation and a tithed death,—
 * If thy revenges hunger for that food
 * Which nature loathes,-take thou the destin'd tenth,
 * And by the hazard of the spotted die
 * Let die the spotted.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * All have not offended;
 * For those that were, it is not square to take,
 * On those that are, revenge: crimes, like lands,
 * Are not inherited. Then, dear countryman,
 * Bring in thy ranks, but leave without thy rage;
 * Spare thy Athenian cradle, and those kin
 * Which, in the bluster of thy wrath, must fall
 * With those that have offended. Like a shepherd
 * Approach the fold and cull th' infected forth,
 * But kill not all together.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * What thou wilt,
 * Thou rather shalt enforce it with thy smile
 * Than hew to 't with thy sword.

FIRST SENATOR.
 * Set but thy foot
 * Against our rampir'd gates and they shall ope,
 * So thou wilt send thy gentle heart before
 * To say thou'lt enter friendly.

SECOND SENATOR.
 * Throw thy glove,
 * Or any token of thine honour else,
 * That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress
 * And not as our confusion, all thy powers
 * Shall make their harbour in our town till we
 * Have seal'd thy full desire.

ALCIBIADES.
 * Then there's my glove;
 * Descend, and open your uncharged ports.
 * Those enemies of Timon's and mine own,
 * Whom you yourselves shall set out for reproof,
 * Fall, and no more. And, to atone your fears
 * With my more noble meaning, not a man
 * Shall pass his quarter or offend the stream
 * Of regular justice in your city's bounds,
 * But shall be render'd to your public laws
 * At heaviest answer.

BOTH.
 * 'Tis most nobly spoken.

ALCIBIADES.
 * Descend, and keep your words.

[The SENATORS descend and open the gates.]

[Enter a SOLDIER.]

SOLDIER.
 * My noble General, Timon is dead;
 * Entomb'd upon the very hem o' the sea;
 * And on his gravestone this insculpture, which
 * With wax I brought away, whose soft impression
 * Interprets for my poor ignorance.

[ALCIBIADES reads the Epitaph.]

'Here lies a wretched corse, of wretched soul bereft;
 * Seek not my name. A plague consume you wicked caitiffs left!
 * Here lie I, Timon, who alive all living men did hate.
 * Pass by, and curse thy fill; but pass, and stay not here thy
 * gait.'
 * These well express in thee thy latter spirits.
 * Though thou abhorr'dst in us our human griefs,
 * Scorn'dst our brain's flow, and those our droplets which
 * From niggard nature fall, yet rich conceit
 * Taught thee to make vast Neptune weep for aye
 * On thy low grave, on faults forgiven. Dead
 * Is noble Timon, of whose memory
 * Hereafter more. Bring me into your city,
 * And I will use the olive with my sword;
 * Make war breed peace, make peace stint war, make each
 * Prescribe to other,as each other's leech.
 * Let our drums strike.

[Exeunt.]