Apem. To knock out an honest Athenian's lord. Art not thou a merchant? brains. Tim. That's a deed thou 'lt die for? Mer. Ay, Apemantus. Apem. Traffic confound thee, if the gods will Apem. Right, if doing nothing be death by the not! law. Tim. How likest thou this picture, Apemantus? Tim. Wrought he not well that painted it? er; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work. Mer. If traffic do it, the gods do it. Apem. Traffic's thy god, and thy god confound thee! Trumpets sound. Enter a Servant. Tim. What trumpet's that? Serv. 'Tis Alcibiades, and some twenty horse, Apem. Thy mother's of my generation: what's All of companionship. she, if I be a dog? Tim. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus? Apem. No; I eat not lords. Tim. An' thou shouldst, thou 'dst anger ladies. Tim. Pray entertain them; give them guide to us. hence, Till I have thanked you; and, when dinner's done, Enter two Lords. 1st Lord. What time a day is 't, Apemantus? Apem. Time to be honest. 1st Lord. That time serves still. My father's age, and call him to long peace. Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound Apem. The most accursed thou, that still Doubled, with thanks, and service, from whose help 2nd Lord. Away, unpeaceable dog, or I'll To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes, spurn thee hence. All use of quittance. 1st Lord. Recanting goodness, sorry ere 't is shewn; [They sit. 1st Lord. My lord, we always have confessed it. Tim. O, Apemantus! you are welcome. I come to have thee thrust me out of doors. Tim. Fie, thou art a churl; you have got a humor there Does not become a man; 't is much to blame.- That ever governed man. 1st Lord. I'll keep you company. For he does neither affect company, [Exeunt. Nor is he fit for it, indeed. SCENE II. The same. A Room of State in TIMON'S House. Apem. Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon; I come to observe; I give thee warning on 't. Tim. I take no heed of thee; thou art an Athenian; therefore welcome. I myself would have no power: pr'y thee, let my meat make thee silent. Apem. I scorn thy meat! 't would choke me, for I should Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet Ne'er flatter thee.-O you gods! what a number I wonder men dare trust themselves with men : The breath of him in a divided draught, 1st Lord. Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think ourselves for ever perfect. Tim. O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have provided that I shall have much help from you: how had you been my friends else? why have you that charitable title from thousands, did you not chiefly belong to my heart? I have told more of you to myself, than you can with Lest they should spy my windpipe's dangerous modesty speak in your own behalf; and thus far I confirm you. Is the readiest man to kill him : it has been proved. If I were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals, notes: you gods! think I, what need we Great men should drink with harness on their have any friends, if we should never have need of throats. them? they were the most needless creatures living, Tim. My lord, in heart; and let the health go should we ne'er have use for them; and would round. 2nd Lord. Let it flow this way, my good lord. A brave fellow! he keep his tides well. Timon, APEMANTUS'S GRACE. Immortal gods, I crave no pelf. Or my friends, if I should need 'em. Rich men sin, and I eat root. 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 't is to have so many, like brothers, commanding one another's fortunes! O joy, e'en made away ere it can be born! mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks: to forget their faults, I drink to you. Apem. Thou weep'st to make them drink, Ti mon. 2nd Lord. Joy had the like conception in our eyes, And, at that instant, like a babe sprung up. Apem. Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard. 3rd Lord. I promise you, my lord, you moved [Eats and drinks. me much. Apem. Much! Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus! field now. Alcib. My heart is ever at your service, my lord. Tim. You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies, than a dinner of friends. Alcib. So they were bleeding-new, my lord, there's no meat like them; I could wish my best friend at such a feast. Apem. 'Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then; that then thou mightst kill 'em, and bid me to 'em. [Tucket sounded. Tim. What means that trump? How now? Enter a Servant. Serv. Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance. Tim. Ladies? What are their wills? Serv. There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office to signify their pleasures. Tim. I pray, let them be admitted. Enter Cupid. Cup. 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: the car, Taste, touch, smell, all pleased from thy table rise; They only now come but to feast thine eyes. Tim. They are welcome all; let them have kind admittance: Music, make their welcome. [Exit Cupid. 1st Lord. You see, my lord, how ample you are beloved. Music. Re-enter Cupid, with a masque of Ladies as Amazons, with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing. Apem. Hey-day, what a sweep of vanity comes this way! They dance! they are mad women. As this pomp shews to a little oil and root. I should fear those that dance before me now, The Lords rise from table, with much adoring of TIMON; and to shew their loves, each singles out an Amazon, and all dance, men with women, a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and cease. Tim. You have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies, Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, 1st Lady. My lord, you take us even at the best. Apem. 'Faith, for the worst is filthy; and would not hold taking, I doubt me. Tim. Ladies, there is an idle banquet attends Be worthily entertained. How now, what news? you: 3rd Serv. Please you, my lord, that honorable Tim. I'll hunt with him; and let them be re- Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich; Not without fair reward. Flav. What will this come to? [Aside. Nor will he know his purse; or yield me this, Happier is he that has no friend to feed, [Exit. Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits: Here, my lord, a trifle of our love. 2nd Lord. With more than common thanks II would be good to thee. will receive it. 3rd Lord. O, he is the very soul of bounty! Tim. And now I remember me, my lord, you gave Good words the other day of a bay courser Tim. You may no man If I should be bribed too, there would be none left Thou giv'st so long, Timon, I fear me, thou What need these feasts, pomps, and vain glories? take my word, my lord; I know, I am sworn not to give regard to you. Can justly praise, but what he docs affect: I weigh my friends' affection with mine own; Tim. I take all and your several visitations [Exit. ; - thou |