Buch lesen: «The Life of Timon of Athens»

THE LIFE OF TIMON OF ATHENS

by William Shakespeare

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

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

Act I. 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.
 

[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.]