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 'mongst lords I be thought a fool.
I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
He had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;
I had 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. Serv. 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 villanies of man will set him clear. How fairly this lord strives to appear foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked;

Luc. Serv. Mark, how strange it shews, 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.

Hor. I am 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. 1st Var. Serv. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours?

Luc. Serv. Five thousand mine,

1st Var. Serv. 'Tis much deep: and it should seem by the sum,

Your master's confidence was above mine;
Else, surely, his had equalled.

Enter SERVILIUS.

Tit. O, here's Servilius; now we shall know

some answer.

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

Luc. Serv. 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.
Good gods!

Ser.

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 touched to death,
He did oppose his foe:

And with such sober and unnoted passion
He did behave his anger, ere 't was spent,
As if he had but proved an argument.

1st Sen. You undergo too strict a paradox, Striving to make an ugly deed look fair: Your words have took such pains, as if they laboured

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!

Alcib. My lord,—

1st Sen. You cannot make gross sins look clear; To revenge is no valour, but to bear.

Alcib. 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 it,
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 fellow 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, 't is most just.
To be in anger is impiety;

But who is man that is not angry?

Weigh but the crime with this.

2nd Sen. You breathe in vain.
Alcib.

In vain? his service done
At Lacedæmon and Byzantium
Were a sufficient briber for his life.

1st Sen. What's that?

Alcib. Why, I say, my lords, he 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! 2nd Sen. He has made too much plenty with 'em : He is a sworn rioter: he has a sin

That often drowns him, and takes his valour pri

soner:

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: 't is inferred to us,
His days are foul, and his drink dangerous.
1st Sen. He dies.

Alcib. 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 them 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,

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 banished;
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 magnificent Room in TIMON's House.

Music. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter divers Lords, at several doors.

1st Lord. The good time of day to you, sir. 2nd Lord. I also wish it to you. I think this honourable lord did but try us this other day.

1st 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.

2nd Lord. It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.

1st 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.

2nd 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.

1st Lord. I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.

2nd Lord. Every man here's so. What would

he have borrowed of you?

1st Lord. A thousand pieces.

2nd Lord. A thousand pieces! 1st Lord. What of you?

2nd Lord. He sent to me, sir,-Here he comes.

Enter TIMON, and Attendants. Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen both :And how fare you?

1st Lord. Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

2nd Lord. The swallow follows not summer more willing, than we your lordship.

Tim. [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 on the trumpet's sound: we shall to't presently.

1st Lord. I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship, that I returned you an empty messenger.

Tim. O, sir, let it not trouble you.

2nd Lord. My noble lord,

Tim. Ah, my good friend! what cheer? [The banquet brought in.

2nd 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. Tim. Think not on 't, sir.

2nd Lord. If you had sent but two hours before, Tim. Let it not cumber your better remembrance.-Come, bring in all together.

2nd Lord. All covered dishes!

1st Lord. Royal cheer, I warrant you. 3rd Lord. Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.

1st Lord. How do you? what's the news? 3rd Lord. Alcibiades is banished: hear you of it? 1st Lord.

2nd Lord.

}

Alcibiades banished!

3rd Lord. I do conceive.

Tim. 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 godheads 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 fees, 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.