I'll haunt thee like a wicked conscience still, Full merrily the humble-bee doth sing, That mouldeth goblins swift as frenzy thoughts.- Till he hath lost his honey, and his sting: Strike a free march to Troy!--with comfort go: And being once subdued in armed tail, Hope of revenge shall hide our inward woe. Sweet honey and sweet notes together fail.(Exeunt Æneas and Trojans. Good traders in the flesh, set this in your painted cloths,5 As Troilus is going out, enter, from the other As many as be here of panders' hall, side, PANDARIS. Your eyes, half out, weep out at Pandar's fall: Pan. But hear you, hear you! Or, if you cannot weep, yet give some groans, Tro. Hence, broker lackey! ignomy and shame Though not for me, yet for your aching bones. Pursue thy life, and live aye with thy name! Brethren and sisters, of the hold-door trade, [Exit Troilts. Some two months hence my will shall here be made: Pan. A goodly med'cine for my aching bones !- It should be now, but that my fear is this, O world! world! world! thus is the poor agent Some galled goose of Winchester would hiss : despised! () traitors and bawds, how earnestly are Till then I'll sweat, and seek about for cases; you set a'work, and how ill reyuited! Why sliould And, at that time, bequeath you my diseases, our endeavor be so loved, and the performance so loathed? what verse for it? what instance for it ?-- • Canvass bangings for rooms, painted with emblems Let me see: and mottoes, Ignominy. [Erit. TIMON OF ATHENS. PERSONS REPRESENTED. TIMON, a noble Athenian. Two Servants of Varro. Lucius, The Servant of Isidore. LUCULLUS, Lords, and Flatterers of Timon. Two of Timon's Creditors. SEMPRONIUS, CUPID and Maskers. VENTIDIUS, one of Timon's false Friends. Three Strangers. APEMANTUS, a churlish Philosopher. Poet. ALCIBIADES, an Athenian General. Painter. FLAVIUS, Steward to Timon. Jeweller. FLAMINIUS, Merchant. Lucilius, Timon's Servants. An old Athenian. SERVILIUS, A Page. A Fool. PHRYNIA Other Lords, Senators, Officers, Soldiers, Thieves, HORTENSIUS, and Attendants. SCENE, Athens, and the Woods adjoining. TIMANDRA, } Mistresses to Alcibiades. ACT I. SCENE I.-Athens. A Hall in Timon's House. Provokes itself, and, like the current, flies Each bound it chafes. What have you there? Enter Poet, Painter, Jeweller, Merchant, and others, at several doors. Pain. A picture, sir.-And when comes your book forth ? Poet. Good-day, sir. Poet. Upon the heels of my presentment, sir. Pain. I am glad you are well. Let's see your piece. Poet. I have not seen you long; How goes the Pain. 'Tis a good piece. world? Poet. So 'tis: this comes off' well and excellent. Pain. It wears, sir, as it grows. Pain. Indifferent. Admirable: How this grace But what particular rarity? what strange, Speaks his own standing! what a mental power Which manifold record not matches? See, This eye shoots forth ! how big imagination Magic of bounty! All these spirits thy power Moves in this lip! to the dumbness of the gesture Hath conjur'd to attend. I know the merchant. One might interpret. Pain. I know them both; t'other's a jeweller. Pain. It is a pretty mocking of the life. Here is a touch; Is't good ? I'll say of it, Lives in these touches, livelier than life. Enter certain Senators, and pass over. Pain. How this lord's follow'd! Mer. O, pray, let's see't: For the lord Timon, sir? Poet. The senators of Athens : Happy men ! Jew. If he will touch the estimate; But, for that, Pain. Look, more! Poet. When we for recompense have prais'd the Poet. You see this confluence, this great flood vile, of visitors. It stains the glory in that happy verse I have, in this rough work, shaped out a man, Which aptly sings the good. Whom this beneath world doth embrace and hug Mer. 'Tis a good form. With amplest entertainment: My free drift (Looking at the jewel. Halts not particularly,6 but moves itself Jew. And rich: here is a water, look you. In a wide sea of wax: no levelled malice Pain. You are rapt, sir, in some work, some de- Infects one comma in the course I hold; dication But flies an eagle flight, bold, and forth on, To the great lord. Leaving no track behind. Poet. A thing slipp'd idly from me. Pain. How shall I understand you? Our poesy is as a gum, which oozes Poet. I'll unbolt to you. From whence 'tis nourished: the fire i' the flint You see how all conditions, how all minds, Shows not till it be struck; our gentle flame • As soon as my book has been presented to Timon. 1 Inured by constant practice. . Continual. i.e. The contest of art with nature. 9 i.e. Exceeds, goes beyond common bounds. • My design does not stop at any particular character. a mise. (As well of glib and slippery creatures, as Tim. Well; what further ? of grave and austere quality,) tender down Ou Ath. One only daughter have I, no kin elso Their services to lord Timon: his large fortune, On whom I may confer what I have got: Upon his good and gracious nature hanging, The maid is fair, o' the youngest for a bride, Subdues and properties to his love and tendance And I have bred her at my dearest cost, All sorts of hearts; yea, from the glass-faced flatterer? In qualities of the best. This man of thine To A pemantus, that few things loves better Attempts her love: I pr’ythee, noble lord, Than to abhor himself; even he drops down Join with me to forbid him her resort; The knee before him, and returns in peace Myself have spoke in vain. Most rich in Timon's nod. Tim. The man is honest. I saw them speak together. Old Ath. Therefore he will be, Timon: Tim. Does she love him ? That labor on the bosom of this sphere Old Ath. She is young and apt: Tim. ( To Lucilius.] Love you the maid? missing, Pain. 'Tis conceiv'd to scope. I call the gods to witness, I will choose Tim. How shall she be endow'd, To climb his happiness, would be well express'd If she be mated with an equal husband ? In our condition. Old Ath. Three talents, on the present; in fuPoet. Nay, sir, but hear me on: ture, all; All those which were his fellows but of late, Tim. This gentleman of mine hath serv'd me (Some better than his value,) on the moment long; Follow his strides, his lobbies till with tendance, To build his fortune, I will strain a little, Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear, For 'tis a bond in men. Give him thy daughter: And make him weigh with her. Old Ath. Most noble lord, Poet. When Fortune, in her shift and change of Pawn me to this your honor, she is his. mood, Tim. My hand to thee; mine honor on my proSpurns down her late belov'd, all his dependants, Which labor'd after him to the mountain's top, Luc. Humbly I thank your lordship; Never may Even on their knees and hands, let him slip down, That state or fortune fall into my keeping, Not one accompanying his declining foot. Which is not ow'd to you ! Pain. Tis common: [ Exeunt Lucilius and old Athenian. A thousand moral paintings I can show, Poet. Vouchsafe my labor, and long live your That shall demonstrate these quick blows of fortune lordship! More pregnantly than words. Yet you do well, Tim. I thank you; you shall hear from me anon: To show lord Timon that mean eyes have seen Go not away:- What have you there, my friend? The foot above the head. Pain. A piece of painting, which I do beseech Your lordship to accept. Trumpets sound. Enter Timox, attended; the Tim. Servant of VENTIDIUS talking with him. Painting is welcome. The painting is almost the natural man; Tim. Imprison'd is he, say you ? For since dishonor traffics with man's nature, Ven. Serv. Ay, my good lord : five talents is his He is but outside: These pencil'd figures are debt; Even such as they give out. I like your work; His means most short, his creditors most strait: And you shall find, I like it: wait attendance Your honorable letter he desires Till you hear further from me. To those have shut him up; which, failing to him, Pain. The gods preserve you! Periods his comfort. Tim. Well fare you, gentlemen :-Give me your Tim. Noble Ventidius! Well; hand: I am not of that feather, to shake off We must needs dine together.-Sir, your jewel My friend when he must need me. I do know him Hath suffer'd under praise. A gentleman, that well deserves a help, Jew. What, my lord? dis praisc ! Which he shall have:I'll pay the debt, and free him. Tim. A mere satiety of commendations. Ven. Serv. Your lordship ever binds him. If I should pay you for't as 'tis extollid, Jew. And, being enfranchis'd, bid him come to me: As those,which sell,would give: But you wel i know, 'Tis not enough to help the feeble up, Things of like value, differing in the owners, Tim. Mer. No, my good lord; he speaks the common old Ath. Lord Timon, hear me speak. tongue, Tim. Freely, good father. Which all men speak with him. OH Ath. Thou hast a servant named Lucilius. Tim. Look, who comes here? Will you be chid? Tim. I have so: What of him ! Old Ath. Most noble Timon, call the man before Enter APEMANTUS. thee. Jew. We will bear with your lordship. Tim. Attends he here, or no ?-Lucilius! Mer. He'll spare Apem. Till I be gentle, stay for thy good mor- ; Old Ath. This fellow here, lord Timon, this thy When thou art Timon's dog, and these knaven creature, honest. By night frequents my house. I am a man Tim. Why dost thou call them knaves ? That from my first have been inclin'd to thrift; know'st them not. And my estate deserves an heir more rais'd, Than one which holds a trencher. Apem. Are they not Athenians ? Tim. Yes. One who shows by reflection the looks of his patron. Apem. Then I repent not. • To advance their conditions of life. Ruin. ransom: My lord, 'tis rated Well mock'd. none, thou Jew. You know me, Apemantus. 1 Lord. That time serves still. Apem. Thou know'st i do; I call'd thee by thy Apem. The inost accursed thou, that still omit'st name. it. Tim. Thou art proud, A pemantus. 2 Lord. Thou art going to lord Timon's feast. Apem. Of nothing so much, as that I am not Apem. Ay; to see meat fill knaves, and wine like Timon. heat fools. Tim. Whither art going? 2 Lord. Fare thee well, fare thee well. Apem. To knockout an honest Athenian's brains. Apem. Thou art a fool, to bid me farewell twice. Tim. That's a deed thou'lt die tor. 2 Lord. Why, A pemantus ? Apem. Right, if doing nothing be death by the Apem. Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I law. mean to give thee none. Tim. How lik'st thou this picture, Apemantus ? 1 Lord. Hang thyself. Apem. The best, for the innocence. Apem. No, I will do nothing at thy bidding; Tim. Wrought he not well that painted it ? make thy requests to thy friend. Apem. He wrought better that made the painter; 2 Lord. Away, unpeaceable dog, or I'll spurn and yet he's but a tilthy piece of work. thee hence. Pain. You are a dog. Apem. I will fly, like a dog, the heels of the ass. Apem. Thy mother's of my generation : What's (Exit. she, it I be a dog ? 1 Lord. He's opposite to humanity. Come, shall Tim. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus ? we in, Apem. No; I eat not lords. And taste lord Timon's bounty ? he outgoes Tim. An thou should'st, thou’dst anger ladies. The very heart of kindness. Apem. O, they eat lords; so they come by great 2 Lord. He pours it out; Plutus the god of gold bellies. Is but his steward: no meed,2 but he repays Tim. That's a lascivious apprehension. Seventold above itself; no gift to him, Apem. So thou apprehend'st it; Take it for thy But breeds the giver a return exceeding labor. All use of quittance.3 Tim. How dost thou like this jewel, A pemantus? 1 Lord. The noblest mind he carries, A pem. Not so well as plain dealing, which will That ever govern'd man. not cost a man a doit. 2 Lord. Long may he live in fortunes! Shall Tim. What dost thou think 'tis worth? we in ? Apem. Not worth my thinking: How now, poet? 1 Lord. I'll keep you company. [Exeunt. Poel. How now, philosopher ? Apem. Thou liest. SCENE II.-A Room of State in Timon's House. Poet. Art not one? Hautboys playing loud Music. A great Banquet Apem. Yes. served in ; FLAVIUS and others attending; then Poel. Then I lie not. enter TIMON, ALCIBIADES, LUCICS, LUCULLUS, A pein. Art not poet? SEMPRONICS, and other Athenian Senators, with Poet. Yes, VENTIDICS, amd Attendants. Then comes, dropApem. Then thou liest: look in thy last work, ping after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly. where thou hast teign'd him a worthy fellow. Poet. That's not feigu’d, lie is so. Ven. Most honor'd Timon, 't hath pleas'd the Apem. Yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee my father's age, and call him to long peace. gods reinember for thy labor:lle that loves to be tlaltered, is worthy o'the tlatıcrer. Heavens, that I were a lord! He is gone happy, and has left me rich: Tim. What wouldst do then, Apemantus? Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound To your free heart, I do return those talents, Apem. Even as Apemantus does now, hate a lord with my heart. Doubled with thanks, and service, from whose help I deriv'd liberty. Tim. What, thyself! Tim. 0, by no means, Аззет. Ау. Tim. Wberefore ! Honest Ventidius: you mistake my love; Apem. That I had no angry wit to be a lord. I gave it freely ever; and there's none Can truly say, he gives, if he receives: Art not thou a merchant ? If our betters play at that game, we must not dare Mer. Ay, Apemantus. To imitate them; Faults that are rich, are fair. Apem. Tratlic contound thee, if the gods will Ven. A noble spirit. not! Mer. If'trallic do it, the gods do it. [They all stand ceremoniously looking on Timon. Tini. Apem. Traflic's thy god, and thy god confound Nay, my lords, ceremony Was but devis'd at first, to set a gloss thee! On faint deeds, hollow welcomes, Trumpets sound. Enter a Servant. Recanting goodness, sorry ere 'tis shown; Tim. What trumpet's that? But where there is true friendship, there needs Serv. 'Tis Alcibiades, and none. Some twenty horse, all of companionship. Pray sit; more welcome are ye to my fortunes, Tim. Pray, entertain them; give them guide to Than my fortunes to me. [They sit. [Exeunt some Attendants. 1 Lord. My lord, we always have confessed'it. You must needs dine with me:-Go not you hence, Apem. Ho, ho, confessed ii? hang'd it, have you Till I have thank'd you; and when dinner's done, not? Show me this piece.--I am joyful of your sights.- Tim. O, A pemantus !-you are welcome. Apem. No, Enter ALCIBIADES, with his Company. You shall not make me welcome; Most welcome, sir ! [They salute. I come to have thee thrust me out of doors. A pem. So, so; there! Tim. Fye, thou art a churl; you have got a Aches contract and starve your supple joints ! humor there Thaithere should besmall love ʼmongst these sweet Does not become a man, 'tis much to blame : knaves, They say, my lords, that ira furor brevis est, And all this court'sy! The strain of man's bred out But yond' man's ever angry. Into baboon and monkey.. Go, let him have a table by himself; Alcib. Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I feed For he does neither affect company, Most hungrily on your sight. Nor is he tit for it, indeed. Tim. Right welcome, sir: Apem. Let me stay at thine own peril, Timon; Ere we depart, we'll share a bounteous time I come to observe; I give thee warning on't. In different pleasures. Pray you, let us in. Tim. I take no heed of thee; thou art an Athe(Exeunt all but APEMANTUR. nian; therefore welcome: I myseli wouid have no power: pr'ythee, let my mcat make thee silent. Enter two Lords. Apem. I scorn thy meat; 'twould choke me, for i Lord. What time a day is't, A pemantus ? I should spem. Time to be honest. - Meed here means desert. Alluding to the proverb: Plain dealing is a jewel, but • i.e. All the customary returns made in discharge of they who use it beggars. obligations. • Anger is a short madness. US, 1 Ne'er flatter thee.- you gods! what a number 3 Lord. I promise you, my lord, you mov'd me Of men eat Timon, and he sees them not! much. It grieves me to see so many dip their meat Apem. Much! [Tucket sounded. In one man's blood; and all the madness is, Tim. What means that trump!-How now? Enter a Servant. Serv. Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies Good for their meat, and safer for their lives. most desirous of admittance. There's much example for't; the fellow, that Tim. Ladies? what are their wills? Sits next him now,parts bread with him.and pledges lord, which bears thatoffice,tosignify their pleasures. Serv. There comes with them a forerunner, my The breath of him in a divided draught, Is the readiest man to kill him: it has been prov'd. Tim. I pray, let them be admitted. If I Enter Cupid. Were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals; Cup. Hail to thee, worthy Timon;-and to all Lest theyshouldspy mywindpipe's dangerous notes: That of his bounties taste!-The five best senses Great men should drink with harness on their Acknowledge thee their patron; and come freely throats, To gratulate thy plenteous bosom : The ear, Tim. My lord, in heart;; and let the health go Taste, touch, snell, all pleas'd from thy table rise; round. They only now come but to feast thine eyes. 2 Lord. Let it flow this way, my good lord. Tim. They are welcome all; let them have kind Apem. Flow this way! admittance: A brave fellow!--he keeps his tides well. Timon, Music, make their welcome. (Exit Curid. Those healths will make ihee, and thy state, look ill, I Lord. You see, my lord, how ample you are Here's that which is too weak to be a sinner, belov'd. Honest water, which ne'er leit man i' the mire: This, and my food, are equals; there's no odds, Music. Re-enter Cirip, with a Masque of Ladies Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods. as Amazons, with Lites in their llands, dancing, and playing. APEMASTUS'S GRACE. Apem. Hey day, what a sweep of vanity comes this way! They dance! they are mad women. Like madness is the glory of this life, As ibis pomp show's to a little oil, and root. We make ourselves fools, to disport ourselves; And spend our flatteries, to drink those men, Upon whose aye we void it up again, With poisonous spite, and envy. who lives, that's not Depraved, or depraves? who dies, that bears Not one spurn to their graves of their friends' gift? (Eats and drinks. I should lear, those, that dance before me now, Would one day stamp upon me: It has been done; Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus! Men shut their doors against a setting sun. Tim. Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the field The Lords rise from Table with much adoring of, Alcib. My heart ever at your service, my lord. Timon; and to show their Loves, each singles out Tim. You had rather be at a breakfast of ene an Amazon, and all dance, Men with IV omen, le mies, than a dinner of friends. lofily Strain or two to the Huutboys, and ciase. Alcib. So they were bleeding-new, my lord, Tim. You have done our pleasures much grace, there's no meat like them; I could wish my besi fair ladies, friend at such a feast. Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, Apem. 'Would all those flatterers were thine Which was not half so beautiful and kind ; enemics then; and then thou might'st kill 'em, and you have added worth unto't, and lively lustre, bid me to 'em. And entertaind me with mine own device ; 1 Lord. Might we but have that happiness, my I am to thank you for it. lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby 1 Luly. My lord, you take us even at the best. we might express some pari of our zeals, we should A pem: 'Faith, for the worst is tilthy; and would think ourselves for ever perfect. not hold takin's, I doubt me. Tim. O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods Tim. Ladies, there is an idle banquet themselves have provided that I shall have much Attends you: Please you to dispose yourselves. help from you: How had you been my friends else? All Lud. Most thankfully, my lord. why have you that charitable title from thousands, (Exeuni CUPID, and Ladies. did you not chietly belong to my heart? I have told Tim. Flavius, more of you to myself, than you can with modesty Flav. My lord. speak in your own behali; and thus far I contiri Tim. The little casket bring me hither. you. O, you gods, think I, whal need we have any Fluv. Yes, my lord.-More jewels yet! friends, if we should never have need of thein ? There is no crossing him in his humor; they were the most needless creatures living, should Else I should tell him.--Well.-i'faith, í s hould, we ne'er have use for them; and would most re When all's spent, he'd be crossd then, an hie could. semble sweet instruments hung up in cases, that 'Tis pity, bounty had not eyes behind; keep their sounds to themselves. Why, I have That man mighi ne'er be wretched for his inind.? often wished myself poorer, that I might come [Exit, and returns with the Casket. nearer to you. We are born to do benetits : and 1 Lord. Where be our men ? what better or properer ran we call our own than Serv. Here, my lord, in rea the riches of our friends? 0, what a precious 2 Lord. Our horses. comfort 'tis, to have so many, like brothers, com Tim. O my friends, I have one worl manding one another's fortunes! O joy, e'en made To say to you :-Look you, my good lord, I away ere it can be born! Mine eyes cannot bold Entreat you, honor me so much, as to out water, methinks: to forget their fauits, I drink Advance this jewel; Accept, and wear it, kind my lord. A pem. Thou weepest to make them drink, Timon. 1 Lord. I am so far already in your gifts, 2 Lord. Joy hid the like conception in our eyes, All. So are we all. And, at that instant, like a babe sprung up: Enter a Servant. Apem. Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a Serv.My lord.there are certain nobles of the Senate bastard. Newly alighted, and come to visit you. • The allusion is to a pack of hounds trained to pursuit, . Much, was formerly an expression of contemptuous by being gratified with the blood of an animal which they admiration. kill: and the wonder is, that the animal, on which they are feeding, cheers them to the chase. the piece of silver money called a cross. iShakspeare plays on the word crossed; allia ding te • Armor. : With sincerity. • Foolish. 9 For his wobleness of soul. now. [Aside. readiness. must to you. |
