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A banqueting-room in Timon's house.
[Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet served in; FLAVIUS and others
attending; then enter TIMON, ALCIBIADES, Lords, Senators, and VENTIGIUS.
Then comes, dropping, after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly, like himself]
VENTIGIUS
, ,
Most^hon|ored Tim|on, (pickup)
2 ,
, 2 ,
2 , ,
It hath pleased | the gods | to remem|ber my
fath|er's age,
, ,
,
And call | him to / long peace; (picked up)
, , ,
, ,
He is / gone hap|py, and | has left | me rich:
,
, , ,
,
Then, as | in grate|ful vir|tue I | am bound
. T T
T , 2 T
T T ->
To your free heart,| I do re|turn those tal||ents
, 2
, ,
, ,
Doub|led with thanks | and serv|ice, from / whose
help
, ,
I de/rived lib|erty.
TIMON
, , ,
O* // by no means,
,
, 2 ,
, ,
Honest | Venti|gius: you | mistake | my love,
,
, , ,
,
I gave | it free|ly ev|er, and | there's^none
, ,
, ,
,
Can tru|ly say | he gives,| if he | receives:
2 ,
, 2 ,
, ,
If our bet|ters play | at that* game,| we must |
not^dare
, , ,
2 , ,
To im|itate | them: faults | that are rich | are
fair.
VENTIGIUS
x
x
A noble spirit.
TIMON
, ,
, , ,
, ,
Nay my lords, ceremony was but devised at first
????
, ,
, , ,
,
To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes,
????
,
, ,
, ,
Recan|ting good|ness, sor|ry ere |'tis shown;
,
, , ,
,
But where | there^is / true friend|ship, there* /
needs none.
T T
T , ,
2 , ->
Pray sit, more | welcome | are ye | to my
for||tunes,
, ,
, __ oo
Than | my for|tunes to | me.|
[They sit]
FIRST LORD
,
, ,
, ,
My lord,| we al|ways have | confes|sed it.
APEMANTUS
,
, , ,
,
Ho* ho,| confessed | it? Hanged | it? Have | you
not?
TIMON
, ,
, ,
O^Ap|eman|tus, you | are wel|come.
APEMANTUS
<- , , T
T T , oo
No:|| you shall | not make me | welcome:|
, ,
, ,
,
I come | to have | thee thrust | me out | of
doors.
TIMON
T T
. T ,
, ,
Fie, thou'rt a churl;| ye've got^|a hum|or there
,
, , , ,
Does^not | become | a man,| 'tis much | to blame:
,
, , ,
, , ->
They say | my lords,| ira | furor | brevis ||
est,
T T T
, ,
But | yond man is | very angry.
,
, ,
, ,
Go, let^|him have | a tab|le by | himself:
,
, , , ,
For he | does neith|er af/fect comp|any,
, ,
, , oo
Nor is | he fit | for it | indeed.|
APEMANTUS
,
, ,
, ,
Let me | stay at | thine ap|peril | Timon,
, 2
, ,
, x
I come | to observe,| I give | thee warn|ing on
it.
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, 'twould choke me: for I should nere flatter thee. Oh 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
with|out^knives,
,
, , ,
,
Good for | their meat,| and saf|er for | their
lives.
There's much example for it, the fellow that sits next him, now parts bread
with him, pledges the breath of him in a divided draft, is the readiest 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 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.
, 2
, , ,
,
Here's that | which is too | weak to | be a |
sinner,
, ,
, , 2
,
Honest | water,| which nere | left^man | in the
mire:
,
, ,
, ,
This and | my food | are equ|als, there's |
no^odds,
,
T T . T ,
,
Feasts are | too proud to give | thanks to | the
gods.
,
, ,
,
Immort|al gods,| I crave | no* pelf;
, . T T T
,
I pray | for no man but | myself:
,
x T T T
Grant I | may never | prove so fond,
. T T T
, ,
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.
, oo T T
Tx
Amen.| | So fall to it:
T T T
. T T T
Rich men sin,| and I eat root.
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
Oh 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. Oh you gods (think I,) what
need we have any friends, if we should nere have need of 'em? They were the
most needless creatures living; should we nere 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? Oh what a precious comfort 'tis, to
have so many like brothers commanding one another's fortunes. Oh joys, eene
made away ere it can be born: mine eyes cannot hold out water methinks to
forget their faults. I drink to you.
APEMANTUS
, ,
, , oo
Thou weepst | to make | them drink,| Timon.|
SECOND LORD
,
, , ,
,
Joy had | the like | concep|tion in | our eyes,
, , , .
T T T
And at | that^inst|ant, like | a babe sprung up.
APEMANTUS
, ,
, ,
, 2->
Ho*, ho.| I laugh | to think | that babe | a
bast||ard.
THIRD LORD
,
, ,
, ,
I prom|ise you | my lord | you moved | me much.
APEMANTUS
Much.
[Tucket.]
TIMON
What means that trump? 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 with the Ladies.]
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.
, ,
, ,
,
There* taste,| touch^all,| pleased from | thy
tab|le rise;
, ,
, ,
,
They on|ly now | come but | to feast |
thine^eyes.
TIMON
They're welcome all, let 'em have kind admittance. Music make their welcome.
[Exit Cupid]
FIRST LORD
, ,
, , ,
You see | my lord,| how amp|le you're | beloved.
[Music. Enter Cupid with a mask of Ladies as Amazons, with lutes in their
hands, dancing and playing]
APEMANTUS
___ ___
Hoy|day,
2 ,
, 2 ,
,
What a sweep | of van|ity comes | this way.
T T
T , ,
They dance? They | are mad|women, (tetra
with prev)
, ,
, ,
,
Like mad/ness is | the glo|ry of | this life,
, ,
2 , ,
,
As this / pomp shows | to a lit|tle oil | and
root.
, ,
, ,
,
We make | ourselves | fools, to | disport |
ourselves,
, ,
, . T T
T
And spend | our flat|teries,| to drink those men,
,
, ,
, ,
Upon | whose^age | we void | it up | again
, 2
, ,
With pois|onous spite | and en|vy. \\
, ,
, ,
,
Who lives,| that's not | deprav|ed, or |
depraves;
, ,
T T T 2
,
Who dies,| that bears | not one spurn | to their
graves
,
,
Of their / friends' gift: \\
, ,
, ,
,
I* should / fear, those | that dance | before |
me now,
, T
T . T x
,
Would one | day stamp upon | me: it has | been
done;
,
, ,
, ,
Men* shut | their doors | against | a set|ting
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
T T T
,
Much grace (fair | ladies) (tri with prev)
, ,
, 2 , ,
Set a | fair fash/ion on our | enter|tainment,
,
T T T , 2
,
Which was | not half so | beautiful,| and kind:
,
, , ,
2 ,
You have | added | worth un/to it, and | luster,
, ,
, ,
,
And ent|ertained | me with | mine^own | device.
,
, ,
, ,
I am to thank you for it.
FIRST LADY
, ,
, ,
,
My lord | you take | us ev|en at | the best.
APEMANTUS
Faith for the worst is filthy, and would not hold taking, I doubt me.
TIMON
,
, 2 , ,
2 ,
Ladies,| there is an | idle | banquet at|tends
you,
, ,
, ____
oo
Please you / to dis|pose your|selves.|
ALL LADIES
Most thankfully, my lord.
[Exeunt Cupid and Ladies]
TIMON
Flavius.
FLAVIUS
My lord?
TIMON
, ,
, , o
The lit|tle cask|et bring | me hith|er.
FLAVIUS
,
T T T
, oo
Yes my | lord. More jew|els yet?|
, ,
, ,
,
There is / no cros|sing him | in his | humor,
,
, ,
, ,
Else I | should tell | him well,| in faith | I
should;
,
, ,
, ,
When all's | spent, he'd | be crossed | then, and
| he could:
, ,
, , ,
'Tis pit|y boun|ty had | not eyes | behind,
,
, ,
, ,
That man | might^nere | be wretch|ed for | his
mind.
[Exit]
FIRST LORD
,
,
Where be | our men?
SERVANT
, ,
, 2
Here my | lord, in | readiness.
SECOND LORD
,
Our hors|es.
[Enter FLAVIUS, with the casket]
TIMON
,
,
O
| my friends: \\
2 ,
, , 2 ,
2 ,
I have one | word to | say to you:| look you,| my
good lord,
, ,
, , ,
I must | entreat | you hon|or me | so much,
, ,
x x x
As to | advance | this jewel,| accept it,| and
wear it,
,
__
Kind my | lord. \\
FIRST LORD
, ,
, , ,
I am | so far | alread|y in your gifts.
ALL
So are we all.
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 honor, 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
I scarce know how.
SECOND SERVANT
, ,
, , ,
May it | please your | honor,| Lord Lu/cius
, 2
, , ,
,
(Out of his | free love)/ hath pres|ented | to
you
T T
T ,
, ,
Four milk-white | horses,| trapped in | silver.
TIMON
, 2 ,
, ,
,
I shall ac|cept them | fairly:| let the |
presents
, 2
, ,
Be worth|ily ent|ertained.
, ,
How* now.| What^news?
THIRD SERVANT
Please you my lord, that honorable gentleman Lord Lucullus, entreats your
company tomorrow, to hunt with him, and has sent your honor two brace of
greyhounds.
TIMON
, ,
I'll hunt / with him,
, ,
, ,
, , ->
And let | them be | received,| not with|out fair
|| reward.
FLAVIUS
,
,
What will | this come | to? \\
2 ,
, 2 ,
T T T
He commands | us to pro|vide, and | give great
gifts,
, ,
, , o
And all | out of | an emp|ty cof|fer:
,
, , ,
,
Nor will | he know | his purse,| or yield | me
this,
, ,
, , ,
To show | him what | a beg|gar his / heart is,
x
x , ,
,
Being of | no* power | to make | his wish|es
good.
,
, , ,
,
His prom|ises / fly so | beyond | his state,
, ,
, ,
,
That what | he speaks | is all | in debt,| he
owes for every word: ????
, ,
2 , , x
He is / so kind,| that he now | pays^int|erest
for it,
, ,
, , ,
His land's | put to | their books.| Well, would /
I were
,
T T . T ,
,
Gently | put out of of|fice, before I were forced
out: ????
,
, ,
T T . T
Happier | is he | that has | no friend to feed,
, ,
, , ,
Than such | that do | eene^en|emies | exceed.
, ,
, , oo
I bleed | inward|ly for | my lord.|
[Exit]
TIMON
, , __
___
You do | yourselves | much | wrong,
T T T
, , ,
You bate too | much of | your own | merits.
,
, ,
, __
Here my | lord, a | trifle | of our | love.
SECOND LORD
, ,
,
With more | than com|mon thanks
, x
I will | receive it.
THIRD LORD
,
, ,
, o
O he's | the ve|ry soul | of boun|ty.
TIMON
And now I remember my lord, you gave good words the other day of a bay
courser I rode on. 'Tis yours because you liked it.
SECOND LORD
Oh, 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
, , 2
, ,
,
I take | all, and your | several | visi|tations
T T . T
, ,
,
So kind to heart,| 'tis not | enough | to give:
,
, , ,
,
Methinks,| I could / deal king|doms to | my
friends,
,
, , , ,
And nere | be wear|y. Al|cibi|ades,
,
, , ,
,
Thou art | a sol|dier, there|fore sel|dom rich,
, ,
, ,
,
It comes | in char|ity to | thee: for all thy
living ????
, ,
, , ,
Is 'mongst | the dead:| and all | the lands |
thou hast
,
, ,
Lie in | a pitched | field.
ALCIBIADES
T . T
T ,
Aye, defiled land,| my lord. (tri with
prev)
FIRST LORD
We are so virtuously bound.
TIMON
And so am I to you.
SECOND LORD
So infinitely endeared.
TIMON
All to you. Lights, more lights.
FIRST LORD
,
, 2 , ,
,
The best | of hap|piness, hon|or, and | fortunes,
,
, ,
Keep with | you Lord | Timon.
TIMON
, 2
,
Ready | for his friends.
[Exeunt all but APEMANTUS and TIMON]
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,
. T T
T ,
, ,
Methinks false hearts,| should nev|er have /
sound legs.
Thus honest fools lay out heir wealth on courtesies.
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 givst so long
Timon (I fear me) thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly. What need
these feasts, pomps, and vainglories?
TIMON
Nay, and 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:
T T T
, __ oo
O, that men's | ears should | be |
,
, ,
, ,
To couns|el deaf,| but not | to flat|tery.
[Exit]