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The same. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.
[Music. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter divers Lords, Senators and
others, at several doors]
FIRST LORD
The good time of day to you, sir.
SECOND LORD
I also wish it to you: I think this honorable lord did but try us this other
day.
FIRST LORD
Upon that were my thoughts tiring when we encountered. I hope it is not so
low with him as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends.
SECOND LORD
It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.
FIRST LORD
I should think so. He hath sent me an earnest inviting, which many my near
occasions did urge me to put off: but he hath conjured me beyond them, and I
must needs appear.
SECOND LORD
In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business, but he would not
hear my excuse. I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision
was out.
FIRST LORD
I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.
SECOND LORD
Every man here's so: what would he have borrowed of you?
FIRST LORD
A thousand pieces.
SECOND LORD
A thousand pieces?
FIRST LORD
What of you?
SECOND LORD
He sent to me sir--Here he comes.
[Enter TIMON and Attendants]
TIMON
With all my heart gentlemen both; and how fare you?
FIRST LORD
Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.
SECOND LORD
The swallow follows not summer more willing, than we your lordship.
TIMON
Nor more willingly leaves winter, such summer-birds are men. Gentlemen, our
dinner will not recompense this long stay: feast your ears with the music
awhile: if they will fare so harshly of the trumpet's sound: we shall to it
presently.
FIRST LORD
I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship, that I returned you an
empty messenger.
TIMON
O sir, let it not trouble you.
SECOND LORD
My noble lord.
TIMON
Ah my good friend, what cheer?
[The banquet brought in]
SECOND LORD
My most honorable lord, I am eene sick of shame, that when your lordship
this other day sent to me, I was so unfortunate a beggar.
TIMON
Think not on it, sir.
SECOND LORD
If you had sent but two hours before.
TIMON
Let it not cumber your better remembrance. Coe, bring in all together.
SECOND LORD
All covered dishes.
FIRST LORD
Royal cheer, I warrant you.
THIRD LORD
Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.
FIRST LORD
How do you? What's the news?
THIRD LORD
Alcibiades is banished: hear you of it?
FIRST AND SECOND LORD
Alcibiades banished.
THIRD LORD
'Tis so, be sure of it.
FIRST LORD
How? How?
SECOND LORD
I pray you upon what?
TIMON
My worthy friends, will you draw near?
THIRD LORD
I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.
SECOND LORD
This is the old man still.
THIRD LORD
Will it hold? Will it hold?
SECOND LORD
It does: but time will, and so.
THIRD LORD
I do conceive.
TIMON
Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would to the lip of his
mistress: your diet shall be in all places alike. Make not a city feast of
it, to let the meat cool, ere we can agree upon the first place. Sit, sit.
The gods require our thanks. You great benefactors, sprinkle our society
with thankfulness. For your own gifts, make yourselves praised: but reserve
still to give, lest your deities be despised. Lend to each man enough, that
one need not lend to another. For were your godheads to borrow of men, men
would forsake the gods. Make the meat be beloved, more than the man that
gives it. Let no assembly of twenty, be without a score of villains. If
there sit twelve women at the table, let a dozen of them be as they are. The
rest of your fees, O gods, the senators of Athens, together with the common
leg of people, what is amiss in them, you gods, make suitable for
destruction. For these my present friends, as they are to me nothing, so in
nothing bless them, and to nothing are they welcome. Uncover dogs, and lap.
[The dishes are uncovered and seen to be full of warm water]
LORD
,
, ,
What does | his lord|ship mean?
OTHER LORD
T T T
I know not.
TIMON
, ,
, ,
,
May^you | a bet|ter feast | never | behold
, .
T T T
. T T T 2->
You knot | of mouth-friends: smoke,| and lukewarm
wat||er
, ,
, ,
,
Is your | perfec|tion. This | is Tim|on's last,
, ,
, , ,
Who stuck | and spang|led with | your
flat|teries,
, 2 ,
, ,
,
Washes it | off, and | sprinkles | in your |
faces
,
, , ,
,
Your reek|ing vil|lany*./ Live loathed,| and long
, ,
, , ,
Most^smil|ing, smooth,| detes|ted par|asites,
, 3 3
, , 2
T T T
Courteous de|stroyers,| affable | wolves, meek
bears:
, ,
x T
T T
You fools | of for|tune, trencher-|friends,
time's flies,
T . T
T , ,
,
Cap and knee slaves,| vapors,| and min|ute-jacks.
, , ,
2 , ,
Of man | and beast,| the in|finite mal|ady
,
T T T
T T T
Crust you | quite ore. What | dost thou go?
,
, ,
, ,
Soft, take thy physic first; thou too, and thou:
????
,
, , ,
,
Stay I | will lend | thee mon|ey, bor|row none.
T T .
T ,
, ,
What? All in mot|ion? Hence|forth^be | no feast,
, ,
, , ,
Whereat | a vil|lain's not | a wel|come guest.
T T
T ,
, ,
2->
Burn house, sink | Athens,| henceforth^|hated ||
be
, ,
, , ,
Of Tim|on man,| and all | human|ity.
[Exit. Enter the Lords, Senators, etc.]
FIRST LORD
How now, my lords?
SECOND LORD
Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury?
THIRD LORD
Push, did you see my cap?
FOURTH LORD
I have lost my gown.
FIRST LORD
He's but a mad lord, and nought but humors sways him. He gave me a jewel the
other day, and now he has beat it out of my hat. Did you see my jewel?
THIRD LORD
Did you see my cap?
SECOND LORD
Here 'tis.
FOURTH LORD
Here lies my gown.
FIRST LORD
Let's make no stay.
SECOND LORD
Lord Timon's mad.
THIRD LORD
I feel it upon my bones.
FOURTH LORD
One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.
[Exeunt]