It must not bear my daughter.

Tim.

Jew. You know me, Apemantus.

Does she love him?

Old Ath. She is young, and apt:
Our own precedent passions do instruct us
What levity's in youth.

Tim. [To LUCILIUS.] Love you the maid?
Luc. Ay, my good lord; and she accepts of it.
Old Ath. 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.

Tim.

How shall she be endow'd, If she be mated with an equal husband?

Old Ath. Three talents on the present; in future all. Tim. 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 Ath.

Most noble lord, Pawn me to this your honor, she is his.

Tim. My hand to thee; mine honor on my promise. Luc. Humbly I thank your lordship. Never may That state or fortune fall into my keeping, Which is not a ow'd to you!

[Exeunt LUCILIUS and old Athenian. Poet. Vouchsafe my labor, and long live your lordship.

Tim. I thank you; you shall hear from me anon: Go not away.-What have you there, my friend? Pain. A piece of painting, which I do beseech Your lordship to accept.

Tim.

Painting is welcome. The painting is almost the natural man ; For since dishonor traffics with man's nature, He is but outside: these pencil'd figures are Even such as they give out. b I like your work, And you shall find, I like it: wait attendance Till you hear farther from me.

Pain.

The gods preserve you! Tim. Well fare you, gentleman: give me your hand;

We must needs dine together.-Sir, your jewel
Hath suffer'd under praise.

Jew.

What, my lord, dispraise? Tim. A mere satiety of commendations.

If I should pay you for't as 'tis extoll'd,

C

It would unclew me quite.

My lord, 'tis rated

Jew. 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.

Which all men speak with him.

Well mock'd.

Tim.
Mer. No, my good lord; he speaks the common
[tongue,
Tim. Look, who comes here. Will you be chid?
Enter APEMANTUS.

Jew. We'll bear, with your lordship.

Mer. He'll spare none. Tim. Good morrow to thee, gentle Apemantus. Apem. Till I be gentle, stay thou for thy good morrow; when thou art Timon's dog, and these knaves honest. [know'st them not. Tim. Why dost thou call them knaves? thou Apem. Are they not Athenians? Tim. Yes.

Apem. Then I repent not.

"Ow'd to you," i. e., due to you; held for your service. "Such as they give out," i. e., what they profess to be. "Unclew me quite," i, e., draw out the whole mass of my fortunes. “When,” i. e., which will happen when.

Apem. Thou know'st, I do; I call'd thee by thy

Aches contract and starve your supple joints!-
That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet
knaves,
[out
And all this courtesy ! The strain of man's bred
Into baboon and monkey.
Alcib. Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I feed
Most hungerly on your sight.

Tim.

с

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.

1 Lord. What time o' day is't, Apemantus? Apem. Time to be honest.

1 Lord. That time serves still.

Apem. The more accursed thou, that still omit'st it. 2 Lord. Thou art going to lord Timon's feast. Apem. Ay; to see meat fill knaves, and wine heat Lord. Fare thee well; fare thee well. [fools. Apem. Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice. 2 Lord. Why, Apemantus?

Apem. Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give thee none.

1 Lord. Hang thyself.

1

Apem. No, I will do nothing at thy bidding: make thy requests to thy friend. [thee hence. 2 Lord. Away, unappeasable dog, or I'll spurn Apem. I will fly, like a dog, the heels of the ass. [Exit. 1 Lord. He's opposite to humanity. Come, shall And taste lord Timon's bounty? he outgoes [we in, The very heart of kindness.

2 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.

1 Lord.

The noblest mind he carries, That ever govern'd man.

2 Lord. Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in? 1 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 TIMON, ALCIBIADES, LUCIUS, LUCULLUS, SEMPRONIUS, and other Athenian Senators, with VENTIDIUS, whom TIMON redeemed from prison, and Attendants: then comes, dropping after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly, like himself.

Ven. Most honor'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.

Tim.

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.
Ven. A noble spirit !2

Tim.
Nay, my lords,
Ceremony was but devis'd at first,

"Strain," i. e., race; generation.-b" Bred out," i. e., degenerated. Part; separate.-d Meed here means desert. "All use of quittance," i. e., all the customary returns made in discharge of obligations.

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 st.

1 Lord. My lord, we always have confessed it.
Apem. Ho, ho! confess'd it? hang'd it, have you
Tim. O, Apemantus !-you are welcome. [not?
Apem. No, you shall not make me welcome:

I come to have thee thrust me out of doors. [there
Tim. Fie! thou'rt a churl: you have got a humor
Does not become a man; 'tis much to blame.—
They say, my lords, ira furor brevis fest,
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't, indeed.

I

come to observe; I give thee warning on't. Apem. Let me stay at thine sapperil, Timon:

Tim. I take no heed of thee; thou art an Atheni an, therefore, welcome. I myself would have ne power; pr'ythee, let my meat make thee silent.

Apem. I scorn thy meat; 'twould choke me, for I should ne'er flatter thee.-O you gods! what a number of men eat Timon, and he sees them 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 i 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 breath of him in a divided draught, is the readiest next him now, parts bread with him, and pledges the man to kill him: it has been proved. If I were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals, Lest they should spy my windpipe's dangerous notes: Great men should drink with harness on their [round. Tim. My lord, in 'heart; and let the health go 2 Lord. Let it flow this way, my good lord. Apem. Flow this way? A brave fellow!-he keeps his tides well. Those health will make thee and thy state look ill, Timon.

throats.

Here's that, which is too weak to be a 3fire,
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.
APEMANTUS' GRACE.
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 drinis Much good do't thy good heart, Apemantus ! Tim. Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the feld

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

That is, 'Anger is a short madness.'— Peril →→ Før is used for because. The allusion is to a pack of hornde trained to pursuit, by being gratified with the blood of an animal which they kill; and the wonder is, that the animal, on which they are feeding, cheers them to the chaseArmor.-"My lord, in heart," i e, my lord's health in sincerity. Foolish.

no meat like 'em: I could wish my best friend at such a feast.

Apem. 'Would all those flatterers were thine enemics then, that then thou might'st kill 'em, and bid me to 'em.

1 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 a 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 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 had 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 't can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks: to forget their faults, I drink to you.

Apem. Thou weep'st to made them drink, Timon. 2 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. [much.

| Who lives, that's not depraved, or depraves?
Who dies, that bears not one spurn to their graves
Of their friends' gift?

I should fear, those, that dance before me now,
Would one day stamp upon me: 't has been done.
Men shut their doors against the 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.
Tim. You have done our pleasures much grace,
Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, [fair ladies,
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 it.

1 Lady. My lord, you take us ever 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 you: please you to dispose yourselves. All Lad. Most thankfully, my lord.

[Exeunt CUPID, and Ladies.

Tim. Flavius! Flav. My lord. Tim. The little casket bring me hither. There is no crossing him in his humor; Flav. Yes, my lord. [Aside.] More jewels yet! Else I should tell him,-well,-i' faith, I should, 'Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind, When all's spent, he'd be cross'd then: and he could,

That man might ne'er be wretched for his & mind.
[Exit, and returns with the Casket.

1 Lord. Where be our men?
Serv. Here, my lord, in readiness.

2 Lord. Our horses!
Tim.

0, my friends!

[lord,

I have one word to say to you. Look you, my good I must entreat you, honor me so much,

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 ear, Taste, touch, smell, pleas'd from thy table rise; They only now come but to feast thine eyes. Tim. They're welcome all. Let them have kind admittance:

Music, make their welcome.

Music.

[Exit CUPID. 1 Lord. You see, my lord, how amply y'are belov'd. 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.
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.

"For ever perfect," i. e., arrived at the perfection of happiness. That is, 'Why are you distinguished from thousands by that title of endearment, the title of friend, did you not,' &c.- Much! was an ironical expression of doubt, suspicion, or contempt.

Kind my lord.

1 Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,All. So are we all.

Out of his free love, hath presented to you 2 Serv. May it please your honor, lord Lucius, Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver.

Tim. I shall except them fairly: let the presents Enter a third Servant.

Be worthily entertain'd.-How now! what news? 3 Serv. Please you, my lord, that honorable gen. tleman, lord Lucullus, entreats your company tomorrow to hunt with him; and has sent your honor two brace of greyhounds.

Tim. I'll hunt with him; and let them be receiv'd, Not without fair reward.

A quibble on the word cross'd is intended; to be cross'd is to have one's hand crossed with money, or with coins being a cross; also, to be crossed, thwarted." Bounty," i. e, profusion.-f" Eyes behind," to see the miseries that follow it-"For his mind," i. e., for his nobleness of soul.-

"Advance this jewel," i. e., raise it to honor by wearing it.

Flav. [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 kcow 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 is he that has no friend to feed
Than such as do even enemies exceed.
I bleed inwardly for my lord.
Tim.

[Exit.

You do yourselves Much wrong: you bate too much of your own merits. Here, my lord, a trifle of our love. [receive it. 2 Lord. With more than common thanks I will

[that.

3 Lord. O! he's the very soul of bounty. Tim. 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. 2 Lord. O! I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in Tim. You may take my word, my lord: I know Can justly praise, but what he does affect: [no man 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.
Tim. 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.

Alcib.

Ay, defil'd land, my lord. 1 Lord. We are so virtuously bound,Tim.

Am I to you.

2 Lord. So infinitely endear'd,Tim. All to you.-Lights! more lights!

1 Lord.

And so

[Exeunt ALCIBIADES, Lords, &c. What a coil's here!

b

The best of happiness, Honor, and fortunes, keep with you, lord Timon. Tim. Ready for his friends. Арет. Serving of becks, and justing 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 court'sies.

Tim. Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen, I'd be good to thee.

Apem. No, I'll nothing; for if I should be brib'd too, there would be none left to rail upon thee, and then thou would'st sin the faster. Thou giv'st so long, Timon, I fear me, thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly: what need these feasts, pomps, and vain glories?

Tim. Nay, an you begin to rail on society once, I am sworn not to give regard to you. Farewell; and [Exit.

come with better music.

ACT II.

SCENE I.-The Same. A Room in a Senator's

House.

Enter a Senator, with Papers in his Hand.

Sen. 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
1 A stable o' horses. No porter at his gate;
All that pass by. It cannot hold; no reason
But rather one that smiles, and still invites
Can sound his state in safety. Caphis, ho!
Caphis, I say!

Caph.

Enter CAPHIS.

Here, sir: what is your pleasure! Sen. 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, sirrah,
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 honor 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.
Caph. I go, sir.

Sen. Ay, go, sir.-Take the bonds along with you, And have the dates in compt.

SCENE II.-The Same. A Hall in TrмON'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; no reserve; no care
Of what is to continue. Never mind
3 Was surely 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.
Goodeven, Varro. What!

Caph. You come for money?

Var. Serv.
Is't not your business too!
Caph. It is. And yours too, Isidore ?
Isid. Serv.
It is so.

Caph. Would we were all discharg'd!

"Sound," i. e., give out; proclaim.-"Ceased," i e, stopped; stayed. Broken; violated.-"Good even" was the salutation from noon.