第1章
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  ACTISCENEI。Athens。AhallinTimon’shouse。EnterPoet,Painter,Jeweller,Merchant,andothers,atseveraldoorsPoetGoodday,sir。PainterIamgladyou’rewell。PoetIhavenotseenyoulong:howgoestheworld?PainterItwears,sir,asitgrows。PoetAy,that’swellknown:

  Butwhatparticularrarity?whatstrange,Whichmanifoldrecordnotmatches?See,Magicofbounty!allthesespiritsthypowerHathconjuredtoattend。Iknowthemerchant。PainterIknowthemboth;th’other’sajeweller。MerchantO,’tisaworthylord。JewellerNay,that’smostfix’d。MerchantAmostincomparableman,breathed,asitwere,Toanuntirableandcontinuategoodness:

  Hepasses。

  Jeweller:Ihaveajewelhere——MerchantO,pray,let’ssee’t:fortheLordTimon,sir?

  Jeweller:Ifhewilltouchtheestimate:but,forthat——Poet[Recitingtohimself]’Whenweforrecompensehavepraisedthevile,ItstainsthegloryinthathappyverseWhichaptlysingsthegood。’Merchant’Tisagoodform。

  LookingatthejewelJewellerAndrich:hereisawater,lookye。PainterYouarerapt,sir,insomework,somededicationTothegreatlord。PoetAthingslipp’didlyfromme。

  Ourpoesyisasagum,whichoozesFromwhence’tisnourish’d:thefirei’theflintShowsnottillitbestruck;ourgentleflameProvokesitselfandlikethecurrentfliesEachbounditchafes。Whathaveyouthere?PainterApicture,sir。Whencomesyourbookforth?PoetUpontheheelsofmypresentment,sir。

  Let’sseeyourpiece。Painter’Tisagoodpiece。PoetSo’tis:thiscomesoffwellandexcellent。PainterIndifferent。PoetAdmirable:howthisgraceSpeakshisownstanding!whatamentalpowerThiseyeshootsforth!howbigimaginationMovesinthislip!tothedumbnessofthegestureOnemightinterpret。PainterItisaprettymockingofthelife。

  Hereisatouch;is’tgood?PoetIwillsayofit,Ittutorsnature:artificialstrifeLivesinthesetouches,livelierthanlife。

  EntercertainSenators,andpassoverPainterHowthislordisfollow’d!PoetThesenatorsofAthens:happyman!PainterLook,more!PoetYouseethisconfluence,thisgreatfloodofvisitors。

  Ihave,inthisroughwork,shapedoutaman,WhomthisbeneathworlddothembraceandhugWithamplestentertainment:myfreedriftHaltsnotparticularly,butmovesitselfInawideseaofwax:nolevell’dmaliceInfectsonecommainthecourseIhold;

  Butfliesaneagleflight,boldandforthon,Leavingnotractbehind。PainterHowshallIunderstandyou?PoetIwillunbolttoyou。

  Youseehowallconditions,howallminds,AswellofglibandslipperycreaturesasOfgraveandausterequality,tenderdownTheirservicestoLordTimon:hislargefortuneUponhisgoodandgraciousnaturehangingSubduesandpropertiestohisloveandtendanceAllsortsofhearts;yea,fromtheglass-facedflattererToApemantus,thatfewthingslovesbetterThantoabhorhimself:evenhedropsdownThekneebeforehim,andreturnsinpeaceMostrichinTimon’snod。PainterIsawthemspeaktogether。PoetSir,IhaveuponahighandpleasanthillFeign’dFortunetobethroned:thebaseo’themountIsrank’dwithalldeserts,allkindofnatures,ThatlabouronthebosomofthissphereTopropagatetheirstates:amongstthemall,Whoseeyesareonthissovereignladyfix’d,OnedoIpersonateofLordTimon’sframe,WhomFortunewithherivoryhandwaftstoher;

  WhosepresentgracetopresentslavesandservantsTranslateshisrivals。Painter’Tisconceivedtoscope。

  Thisthrone,thisFortune,andthishill,methinks,Withonemanbeckon’dfromtherestbelow,BowinghisheadagainstthesleepymountToclimbhishappiness,wouldbewellexpress’dInourcondition。PoetNay,sir,buthearmeon。

  Allthosewhichwerehisfellowsbutoflate,Somebetterthanhisvalue,onthemomentFollowhisstrides,hislobbiesfillwithtendance,Rainsacrificialwhisperingsinhisear,Makesacredevenhisstirrup,andthroughhimDrinkthefreeair。PainterAy,marry,whatofthese?PoetWhenFortuneinhershiftandchangeofmoodSpurnsdownherlatebeloved,allhisdependantsWhichlabour’dafterhimtothemountain’stopEvenontheirkneesandhands,lethimslipdown,Notoneaccompanyinghisdecliningfoot。Painter’Tiscommon:

  AthousandmoralpaintingsIcanshowThatshalldemonstratethesequickblowsofFortune’sMorepregnantlythanwords。YetyoudowellToshowLordTimonthatmeaneyeshaveseenThefootabovethehead。

  Trumpetssound。EnterTIMON,addressinghimselfcourteouslytoeverysuitor;aMessengerfromVENTIDIUStalkingwithhim;LUCILIUSandotherservantsfollowingTIMONImprison’dishe,sayyou?MessengerAy,mygoodlord:fivetalentsishisdebt,Hismeansmostshort,hiscreditorsmoststrait:

  YourhonourableletterhedesiresTothosehaveshuthimup;whichfailing,Periodshiscomfort。TIMONNobleVentidius!Well;

  IamnotofthatfeathertoshakeoffMyfriendwhenhemustneedme。IdoknowhimAgentlemanthatwelldeservesahelp:

  Whichheshallhave:I’llpaythedebt,andfreehim。MessengerYourlordshipeverbindshim。TIMONCommendmetohim:Iwillsendhisransom;

  Andbeingenfranchised,bidhimcometome。

  ’Tisnotenoughtohelpthefeebleup,Buttosupporthimafter。Fareyouwell。MessengerAllhappinesstoyourhonour!

  ExitEnteranoldAthenianOldAthenianLordTimon,hearmespeak。TIMONFreely,goodfather。OldAthenianThouhastaservantnamedLucilius。TIMONIhaveso:whatofhim?OldAthenianMostnobleTimon,callthemanbeforethee。TIMONAttendshehere,orno?Lucilius!LUCILIUSHere,atyourlordship’sservice。OldAthenianThisfellowhere,LordTimon,thisthycreature,Bynightfrequentsmyhouse。IamamanThatfrommyfirsthavebeeninclinedtothrift;

  AndmyestatedeservesanheirmoreraisedThanonewhichholdsatrencher。TIMONWell;whatfurther?OldAthenianOneonlydaughterhaveI,nokinelse,OnwhomImayconferwhatIhavegot:

  Themaidisfair,o’theyoungestforabride,AndIhavebredheratmydearestcostInqualitiesofthebest。ThismanofthineAttemptsherlove:Iprithee,noblelord,Joinwithmetoforbidhimherresort;

  Myselfhavespokeinvain。TIMONThemanishonest。OldAthenianThereforehewillbe,Timon:

  Hishonestyrewardshiminitself;

  Itmustnotbearmydaughter。TIMONDoesshelovehim?OldAthenianSheisyoungandapt:

  OurownprecedentpassionsdoinstructusWhatlevity’sinyouth。TIMON[ToLUCILIUS]Loveyouthemaid?LUCILIUSAy,mygoodlord,andsheacceptsofit。OldAthenianIfinhermarriagemyconsentbemissing,Icallthegodstowitness,IwillchooseMineheirfromforththebeggarsoftheworld,Anddispossessherall。TIMONHowshallshebeendow’d,ifshebematedwithanequalhusband?OldAthenianThreetalentsonthepresent;infuture,all。TIMONThisgentlemanofminehathservedmelong:

  TobuildhisfortuneIwillstrainalittle,For’tisabondinmen。Givehimthydaughter:

  Whatyoubestow,inhimI’llcounterpoise,Andmakehimweighwithher。OldAthenianMostnoblelord,Pawnmetothisyourhonour,sheishis。TIMONMyhandtothee;minehonouronmypromise。LUCILIUSHumblyIthankyourlordship:nevermayThestateorfortunefallintomykeeping,Whichisnotowedtoyou!

  ExeuntLUCILIUSandOldAthenianPoetVouchsafemylabour,andlongliveyourlordship!TIMONIthankyou;youshallhearfrommeanon:

  Gonotaway。Whathaveyouthere,myfriend?PainterApieceofpainting,whichIdobeseechYourlordshiptoaccept。TIMONPaintingiswelcome。

  Thepaintingisalmostthenaturalman;

  orsincedishonourtrafficswithman’snature,Heisbutoutside:thesepencill’dfiguresareEvensuchastheygiveout。Ilikeyourwork;

  AndyoushallfindIlikeit:waitattendanceTillyouhearfurtherfromme。PainterThegodspreserveye!TIMONWellfareyou,gentleman:givemeyourhand;

  Wemustneedsdinetogether。Sir,yourjewelHathsuffer’dunderpraise。JewellerWhat,mylord!dispraise?TIMONAmoresatietyofcommendations。

  IfIshouldpayyoufor’tas’tisextoll’d,Itwouldunclewmequite。JewellerMylord,’tisratedAsthosewhichsellwouldgive:butyouwellknow,ThingsoflikevaluedifferingintheownersAreprizedbytheirmasters:believe’t,dearlord,Youmendthejewelbythewearingit。TIMONWellmock’d。MerchantNo,mygoodlord;hespeaksthecommontongue,Whichallmenspeakwithhim。TIMONLook,whocomeshere:willyoubechid?

  EnterAPEMANTUS

  Jeweller:We’llbear,withyourlordship。MerchantHe’llsparenone。TIMONGoodmorrowtothee,gentleApemantus!APEMANTUSTillIbegentle,staythouforthygoodmorrow;

  WhenthouartTimon’sdog,andtheseknaveshonest。TIMONWhydostthoucallthemknaves?thouknow’stthemnot。APEMANTUSAretheynotAthenians?TIMONYes。APEMANTUSThenIrepentnot。

  Jeweller:Youknowme,Apemantus?APEMANTUSThouknow’stIdo:Icall’dtheebythyname。TIMONThouartproud,Apemantus。APEMANTUSOfnothingsomuchasthatIamnotlikeTimon。TIMONWhitherartgoing?APEMANTUSToknockoutanhonestAthenian’sbrains。TIMONThat’sadeedthou’ltdiefor。APEMANTUSRight,ifdoingnothingbedeathbythelaw。TIMONHowlikestthouthispicture,Apemantus?APEMANTUSThebest,fortheinnocence。TIMONWroughthenotwellthatpaintedit?APEMANTUSHewroughtbetterthatmadethepainter;

  andyethe’sbutafilthypieceofwork。PainterYou’readog。APEMANTUSThymother’sofmygeneration:what’sshe,ifIbeadog?TIMONWiltdinewithme,Apemantus?APEMANTUSNo;Ieatnotlords。TIMONAnthoushouldst,thou’ldstangerladies。APEMANTUSO,theyeatlords;sotheycomebygreatbellies。TIMONThat’salasciviousapprehension。APEMANTUSSothouapprehendestit:takeitforthylabour。TIMONHowdostthoulikethisjewel,Apemantus?APEMANTUSNotsowellasplain-dealing,whichwillnotcostamanadoit。TIMONWhatdostthouthink’tisworth?APEMANTUSNotworthmythinking。Hownow,poet!PoetHownow,philosopher!APEMANTUSThouliest。PoetArtnotone?APEMANTUSYes。PoetThenIlienot。APEMANTUSArtnotapoet?PoetYes。APEMANTUSThenthouliest:lookinthylastwork,wherethouhastfeignedhimaworthyfellow。PoetThat’snotfeigned;heisso。APEMANTUSYes,heisworthyofthee,andtopaytheeforthylabour:hethatlovestobeflatteredisworthyo’

  theflatterer。Heavens,thatIwerealord!TIMONWhatwouldstdothen,Apemantus?APEMANTUSE’enasApemantusdoesnow;hatealordwithmyheart。TIMONWhat,thyself?APEMANTUSAy。TIMONWherefore?APEMANTUSThatIhadnoangrywittobealord。

  Artnotthouamerchant?MerchantAy,Apemantus。APEMANTUSTrafficconfoundthee,ifthegodswillnot!MerchantIftrafficdoit,thegodsdoit。APEMANTUSTraffic’sthygod;andthygodconfoundthee!

  Trumpetsounds。EnteraMessengerTIMONWhattrumpet’sthat?Messenger’TisAlcibiades,andsometwentyhorse,Allofcompanionship。TIMONPray,entertainthem;givethemguidetous。

  ExeuntsomeAttendantsYoumustneedsdinewithme:gonotyouhenceTillIhavethank’dyou:whendinner’sdone,Showmethispiece。Iamjoyfulofyoursights。

  EnterALCIBIADES,withtherestMostwelcome,sir!APEMANTUSSo,so,there!

  Achescontractandstarveyoursupplejoints!

  Thatthereshouldbesmalllove’mongstthesesweetknaves,Andallthiscourtesy!Thestrainofman’sbredoutIntobaboonandmonkey。ALCIBIADESSir,youhavesavedmylonging,andI

  feedMosthungerlyonyoursight。TIMONRightwelcome,sir!

  Erewedepart,we’llshareabounteoustimeIndifferentpleasures。Prayyou,letusin。

  ExeuntallexceptAPEMANTUS

  EntertwoLordsFirstLordWhattimeo’dayis’t,Apemantus?APEMANTUSTimetobehonest。FirstLordThattimeservesstill。APEMANTUSThemoreaccursedthou,thatstillomitt’stit。SecondLordThouartgoingtoLordTimon’sfeast?APEMANTUSAy,toseemeatfillknavesandwineheatfools。SecondLordFaretheewell,faretheewell。APEMANTUSThouartafooltobidmefarewelltwice。SecondLordWhy,Apemantus?APEMANTUSShouldsthavekeptonetothyself,forImeantogivetheenone。FirstLordHangthyself!APEMANTUSNo,Iwilldonothingatthybidding:

  makethyrequeststothyfriend。SecondLordAway,unpeaceabledog,orI’llspurntheehence!APEMANTUSIwillfly,likeadog,theheelso’

  theass。

  ExitFirstLordHe’soppositetohumanity。Come,shallwein,AndtasteLordTimon’sbounty?heoutgoesTheveryheartofkindness。SecondLordHepoursitout;Plutus,thegodofgold,Isbuthissteward:nomeed,butherepaysSevenfoldaboveitself;nogifttohim,ButbreedsthegiverareturnexceedingAlluseofquittance。FirstLordThenoblestmindhecarriesThatevergovern’dman。SecondLordLongmayheliveinfortunes!Shallwein?FirstLordI’llkeepyoucompany。

  ExeuntSCENEII。Abanqueting-roominTimon’shouse。Hautboysplayingloudmusic。Agreatbanquetservedin;

  FLAVIUSandothersattending;thenenterTIMON,ALCIBIADES,Lords,Senators,andVENTIDIUS。Thencomes,dropping,afterall,APEMANTUS,discontentedly,likehimselfVENTIDIUSMosthonour’dTimon,Ithathpleasedthegodstoremembermyfather’sage,Andcallhimtolongpeace。

  Heisgonehappy,andhasleftmerich:

  Then,asingratefulvirtueIamboundToyourfreeheart,Idoreturnthosetalents,Doubledwiththanksandservice,fromwhosehelpIderivedliberty。TIMONO,bynomeans,HonestVentidius;youmistakemylove:

  Igaveitfreelyever;andthere’snoneCantrulysayhegives,ifhereceives:

  Ifourbettersplayatthatgame,wemustnotdareToimitatethem;faultsthatarericharefair。VENTIDIUSAnoblespirit!TIMONNay,mylords,TheyallstandceremoniouslylookingonTIMON

  CeremonywasbutdevisedatfirstTosetaglossonfaintdeeds,hollowwelcomes,Recantinggoodness,sorryere’tisshown;

  Butwherethereistruefriendship,thereneedsnone。

  Pray,sit;morewelcomeareyetomyfortunesThanmyfortunestome。

  TheysitFirstLordMylord,wealwayshaveconfess’dit。APEMANTUSHo,ho,confess’dit!hang’dit,haveyounot?TIMONO,Apemantus,youarewelcome。APEMANTUSNo;

  Youshallnotmakemewelcome:

  Icometohavetheethrustmeoutofdoors。TIMONFie,thou’rtachurl;ye’vegotahumourthereDoesnotbecomeaman:’tismuchtoblame。

  Theysay,mylords,’irafurorbrevisest;’butyondmaniseverangry。Go,lethimhaveatablebyhimself,forhedoesneitheraffectcompany,norishefitfor’t,indeed。APEMANTUSLetmestayatthineapperil,Timon:I

  cometoobserve;Igivetheewarningon’t。TIMONItakenoheedofthee;thou’rtanAthenian,thereforewelcome:Imyselfwouldhavenopower;

  prithee,letmymeatmaketheesilent。APEMANTUSIscornthymeat;’twouldchokeme,forIshouldne’erflatterthee。Oyougods,whatanumberofmeneatTimon,andhesees’emnot!Itgrievesmetoseesomanydiptheirmeatinoneman’sblood;

  andallthemadnessis,hecheersthemuptoo。

  Iwondermendaretrustthemselveswithmen:

  Methinkstheyshouldinvitethemwithoutknives;

  Goodfortheirmeat,andsaferfortheirlives。

  There’smuchexamplefor’t;thefellowthatsitsnexthimnow,partsbreadwithhim,pledgesthebreathofhiminadivideddraught,isthereadiestmantokillhim:’thasbeenproved。IfIwereahugeman,Ishouldfeartodrinkatmeals;

  Lesttheyshouldspymywindpipe’sdangerousnotes:

  Greatmenshoulddrinkwithharnessontheirthroats。TIMONMylord,inheart;andletthehealthgoround。SecondLordLetitflowthisway,mygoodlord。APEMANTUSFlowthisway!Abravefellow!hekeepshistideswell。Thosehealthswillmaketheeandthystatelookill,Timon。Here’sthatwhichistooweaktobeasinner,honestwater,whichne’erleftmani’themire:

  Thisandmyfoodareequals;there’snoodds:

  Feastsaretooproudtogivethankstothegods。

  Apemantus’grace。

  Immortalgods,Icravenopelf;

  Iprayfornomanbutmyself:

  GrantImayneverprovesofond,Totrustmanonhisoathorbond;

  Oraharlot,forherweeping;

  Oradog,thatseemsa-sleeping:

  Orakeeperwithmyfreedom;

  Ormyfriends,ifIshouldneed’em。

  Amen。Sofallto’t:

  Richmensin,andIeatroot。

  EatsanddrinksMuchgooddichthygoodheart,Apemantus!TIMONCaptainAlcibiades,yourheart’sinthefieldnow。ALCIBIADESMyheartiseveratyourservice,mylord。TIMONYouhadratherbeatabreakfastofenemiesthanadinneroffriends。ALCIBIADESSothewerebleeding-new,mylord,there’snomeatlike’em:Icouldwishmybestfriendatsuchafeast。APEMANTUSWouldallthosefattererswerethineenemiesthen,thatthenthoumightstkill’emandbidmeto’em!FirstLordMightwebuthavethathappiness,mylord,thatyouwouldonceuseourhearts,wherebywemightexpresssomepartofourzeals,weshouldthinkourselvesforeverperfect。TIMONO,nodoubt,mygoodfriends,butthegodsthemselveshaveprovidedthatIshallhavemuchhelpfromyou:howhadyoubeenmyfriendselse?whyhaveyouthatcharitabletitlefromthousands,didnotyouchieflybelongtomyheart?Ihavetoldmoreofyoutomyselfthanyoucanwithmodestyspeakinyourownbehalf;andthusfarIconfirmyou。Oyougods,thinkI,whatneedwehaveanyfriends,ifweshouldne’erhaveneedof’em?

  theywerethemostneedlesscreaturesliving,shouldwene’erhaveusefor’em,andwouldmostresemblesweetinstrumentshungupincasesthatkeeptheirsoundstothemselves。Why,Ihaveoftenwishedmyselfpoorer,thatImightcomenearertoyou。

  Weareborntodobenefits:andwhatbetterorproperercanwecanourownthantherichesofourfriends?O,whatapreciouscomfort’tis,tohavesomany,likebrothers,commandingoneanother’sfortunes!Ojoy,e’enmadeawayere’tcanbeborn!

  Mineeyescannotholdoutwater,methinks:toforgettheirfaults,Idrinktoyou。APEMANTUSThouweepesttomakethemdrink,Timon。SecondLordJoyhadthelikeconceptioninoureyesAndatthatinstantlikeababesprungup。APEMANTUSHo,ho!Ilaughtothinkthatbabeabastard。ThirdLordIpromiseyou,mylord,youmovedmemuch。APEMANTUSMuch!

  Tucket,withinTIMONWhatmeansthattrump?

  EnteraServantHownow?ServantPleaseyou,mylord,therearecertainladiesmostdesirousofadmittance。TIMONLadies!whataretheirwills?ServantTherecomeswiththemaforerunner,mylord,whichbearsthatoffice,tosignifytheirpleasures。TIMONIpray,letthembeadmitted。

  EnterCupidCupidHailtothee,worthyTimon,andtoallThatofhisbountiestaste!ThefivebestsensesAcknowledgetheetheirpatron;andcomefreelyTogratulatethyplenteousbosom:th’ear,Taste,touchandsmell,pleasedfromthytalerise;

  Theyonlynowcomebuttofeastthineeyes。TIMONThey’rewelcomeall;let’emhavekindadmittance:

  Music,maketheirwelcome!

  ExitCupidFirstLordYousee,mylord,howampleyou’rebeloved。

  Music。Re-enterCupidwithamaskofLadiesasAmazons,withlutesintheirhands,dancingandplayingAPEMANTUSHoy-day,whatasweepofvanitycomesthisway!

  Theydance!theyaremadwomen。

  Likemadnessisthegloryofthislife。

  Asthispompshowstoalittleoilandroot。

  Wemakeourselvesfools,todisportourselves;

  Andspendourflatteries,todrinkthosemenUponwhoseagewevoiditupagain,Withpoisonousspiteandenvy。

  Wholivesthat’snotdepravedordepraves?

  Whodies,thatbearsnotonespurntotheirgravesOftheirfriends’gift?

  IshouldfearthosethatdancebeforemenowWouldonedaystampuponme:’thasbeendone;

  Menshuttheirdoorsagainstasettingsun。

  TheLordsrisefromtable,withmuchadoringofTIMON;andtoshowtheirloves,eachsinglesoutanAmazon,andalldance,menwithwomen,aloftystrainortwotothehautboys,andceaseTIMONYouhavedoneourpleasuresmuchgrace,fairladies,Setafairfashiononourentertainment,Whichwasnothalfsobeautifulandkind;

  Youhaveaddedworthunto’tandlustre,Andentertain’dmewithmineowndevice;

  Iamtothankyoufor’t。FirstLadyMylord,youtakeusevenatthebest。APEMANTUS’Faith,fortheworstisfilthy;andwouldnotholdtaking,Idoubtme。TIMONLadies,thereisanidlebanquetattendsyou:

  Pleaseyoutodisposeyourselves。AllLadiesMostthankfully,mylord。

  ExeuntCupidandLadiesTIMONFlavius。FLAVIUSMylord?TIMONThelittlecasketbringmehither。FLAVIUSYes,mylord。Morejewelsyet!

  Thereisnocrossinghimin’shumour;

  AsideElseIshouldtellhim,——well,i’faithIshould,Whenall’sspent,he’ldbecross’dthen,anhecould。

  ’Tispitybountyhadnoteyesbehind,Thatmanmightne’erbewretchedforhismind。

  ExitFirstLordWherebeourmen?ServantHere,mylord,inreadiness。SecondLordOurhorses!

  Re-enterFLAVIUS,withthecasketTIMONOmyfriends,Ihaveonewordtosaytoyou:lookyou,mygoodlord,Imustentreatyou,honourmesomuchAstoadvancethisjewel;acceptitandwearit,Kindmylord。FirstLordIamsofaralreadyinyourgifts,——AllSoareweall。

  EnteraServantServantMylord,therearecertainnoblesofthesenateNewlyalighted,andcometovisityou。TIMONTheyarefairlywelcome。FLAVIUSIbeseechyourhonour,Vouchsafemeaword;itdoesconcernyounear。TIMONNear!whythen,anothertimeI’llhearthee:

  Iprithee,let’sbeprovidedtoshowthementertainment。FLAVIUS[Aside]Iscarceknowhow。

  EnteraSecondServantSecondServantMayitpleaseyourhonour,LordLucius,Outofhisfreelove,hathpresentedtoyouFourmilk-whitehorses,trapp’dinsilver。TIMONIshallacceptthemfairly;letthepresentsBeworthilyentertain’d。

  EnterathirdServantHownow!whatnews?ThirdServantPleaseyou,mylord,thathonourablegentleman,LordLucullus,entreatsyourcompanyto-morrowtohuntwithhim,andhassentyourhonourtwobraceofgreyhounds。TIMONI’llhuntwithhim;andletthembereceived,Notwithoutfairreward。FLAVIUS[Aside]Whatwillthiscometo?

  Hecommandsustoprovide,andgivegreatgifts,Andalloutofanemptycoffer:

  Norwillheknowhispurse,oryieldmethis,Toshowhimwhatabeggarhisheartis,Beingofnopowertomakehiswishesgood:

  HispromisesflysobeyondhisstateThatwhathespeaksisallindebt;heowesForeveryword:heissokindthathenowPaysinterestfor’t;hisland’sputtotheirbooks。

  Well,wouldIweregentlyputoutofofficeBeforeIwereforcedout!

  HappierishethathasnofriendtofeedThansuchthatdoe’enenemiesexceed。

  Ibleedinwardlyformylord。

  ExitTIMONYoudoyourselvesMuchwrong,youbatetoomuchofyourownmerits:

  Here,mylord,atrifleofourlove。SecondLordWithmorethancommonthanksIwillreceiveit。ThirdLordO,he’stheverysoulofbounty!TIMONAndnowIremember,mylord,yougaveGoodwordstheotherdayofabaycourserIrodeon:itisyours,becauseyoulikedit。SecondLordO,Ibeseechyou,pardonme,mylord,inthat。TIMONYoumaytakemyword,mylord;Iknow,nomanCanjustlypraisebutwhathedoesaffect:

  Iweighmyfriend’saffectionwithmineown;

  I’lltellyoutrue。I’llcalltoyou。AllLordsO,nonesowelcome。TIMONItakeallandyourseveralvisitationsSokindtoheart,’tisnotenoughtogive;

  Methinks,Icoulddealkingdomstomyfriends,Andne’erbeweary。Alcibiades,Thouartasoldier,thereforeseldomrich;

  Itcomesincharitytothee:forallthylivingIs’mongstthedead,andallthelandsthouhastLieinapitch’dfield。ALCIBIADESAy,defiledland,mylord。FirstLordWearesovirtuouslybound——TIMONAndsoAmItoyou。SecondLordSoinfinitelyendear’d——TIMONAlltoyou。Lights,morelights!FirstLordThebestofhappiness,Honourandfortunes,keepwithyou,LordTimon!TIMONReadyforhisfriends。

  ExeuntallbutAPEMANTUSandTIMONAPEMANTUSWhatacoil’shere!

  Servingofbecksandjutting-outofbums!

  IdoubtwhethertheirlegsbeworththesumsThataregivenfor’em。Friendship’sfullofdregs:

  Methinks,falseheartsshouldneverhavesoundlegs,Thushonestfoolslayouttheirwealthoncourt’sies。TIMONNow,Apemantus,ifthouwertnotsullen,Iwouldbegoodtothee。APEMANTUSNo,I’llnothing:forifIshouldbebribedtoo,therewouldbenonelefttorailuponthee,andthenthouwouldstsinthefaster。Thougivestsolong,Timon,Ifearmethouwiltgiveawaythyselfinpapershortly:whatneedthesefeasts,pompsandvain-glories?TIMONNay,anyoubegintorailonsocietyonce,Iamswornnottogiveregardtoyou。Farewell;andcomewithbettermusic。

  ExitAPEMANTUSSo:

  Thouwiltnothearmenow;thoushaltnotthen:

  I’lllockthyheavenfromthee。

  O,thatmen’searsshouldbeTocounseldeaf,butnottoflattery!

  ExitACTIISCENEI。ASenator’shouse。EnterSenator,withpapersinhishandSenatorAndlate,fivethousand:toVarroandtoIsidoreHeowesninethousand;besidesmyformersum,Whichmakesitfiveandtwenty。StillinmotionOfragingwaste?Itcannothold;itwillnot。

  IfIwantgold,stealbutabeggar’sdog,AndgiveitTimon,why,thedogcoinsgold。

  IfIwouldsellmyhorse,andbuytwentymoreBetterthanhe,why,givemyhorsetoTimon,Asknothing,giveithim,itfoalsme,straight,Andablehorses。Noporterathisgate,ButratheronethatsmilesandstillinvitesAllthatpassby。Itcannothold:noreasonCanfoundhisstateinsafety。Caphis,ho!

  Caphis,Isay!

  EnterCAPHISCAPHISHere,sir;whatisyourpleasure?SenatorGetonyourcloak,andhasteyoutoLordTimon;

  Importunehimformymoneys;benotceasedWithslightdenial,northensilencedwhen——

  ’Commendmetoyourmaster’——andthecapPlaysintherighthand,thus:buttellhim,Myusescrytome,ImustservemyturnOutofmineown;hisdaysandtimesarepastAndmyreliancesonhisfracteddatesHavesmitmycredit:Iloveandhonourhim,Butmustnotbreakmybacktohealhisfinger;

  Immediatearemyneeds,andmyreliefMustnotbetoss’dandturn’dtomeinwords,Butfindsupplyimmediate。Getyougone:

  Putonamostimportunateaspect,Avisageofdemand;for,Idofear,Wheneveryfeathersticksinhisownwing,LordTimonwillbeleftanakedgull,Whichflashesnowaphoenix。Getyougone。CAPHISIgo,sir。Senator’Igo,sir!’——Takethebondsalongwithyou,Andhavethedatesincontempt。CAPHISIwill,sir。SenatorGo。

  ExeuntSCENEII。Thesame。AhallinTimon’shouse。EnterFLAVIUS,withmanybillsinhishandFLAVIUSNocare,nostop!sosenselessofexpense,Thathewillneitherknowhowtomaintainit,Norceasehisflowofriot:takesnoaccountHowthingsgofromhim,norresumesnocareOfwhatistocontinue:nevermindWastobesounwise,tobesokind。

  Whatshallbedone?hewillnothear,tillfeel:

  Imustberoundwithhim,nowhecomesfromhunting。

  Fie,fie,fie,fie!

  EnterCAPHIS,andtheServantsofIsidoreandVarroCAPHISGoodeven,Varro:what,Youcomeformoney?

  Varro’sServantIs’tnotyourbusinesstoo?CAPHISItis:andyourstoo,Isidore?

  Isidore’sServantItisso。CAPHISWouldwewerealldischarged!

  Varro’sServantIfearit。CAPHISHerecomesthelord。

  EnterTIMON,ALCIBIADES,andLords,&cTIMONSosoonasdinner’sdone,we’llforthagain,MyAlcibiades。Withme?whatisyourwill?CAPHISMylord,hereisanoteofcertaindues。TIMONDues!Whenceareyou?CAPHISOfAthenshere,mylord。TIMONGotomysteward。CAPHISPleaseityourlordship,hehathputmeoffTothesuccessionofnewdaysthismonth:

  MymasterisawakedbygreatoccasionTocalluponhisown,andhumblypraysyouThatwithyourothernoblepartsyou’llsuitIngivinghimhisright。TIMONMinehonestfriend,Iprithee,butrepairtomenextmorning。CAPHISNay,goodmylord,——TIMONContainthyself,goodfriend。

  Varro’sServantOneVarro’sservant,mygoodlord,——

  Isidore’sServantFromIsidore;

  Hehumblypraysyourspeedypayment。CAPHISIfyoudidknow,mylord,mymaster’swants——

  Varro’sServant’Twasdueonforfeiture,mylord,sixweeksAndpast。

  Isidore’sServantYourstewardputsmeoff,mylord;

  AndIamsentexpresslytoyourlordship。TIMONGivemebreath。

  Idobeseechyou,goodmylords,keepon;

  I’llwaituponyouinstantly。

  ExeuntALCIBIADESandLordsToFLAVIUS

  Comehither:prayyou,Howgoestheworld,thatIamthusencounter’dWithclamourousdemandsofdate-brokebonds,Andthedetentionoflong-since-duedebts,Againstmyhonour?FLAVIUSPleaseyou,gentlemen,Thetimeisunagreeabletothisbusiness:

  Yourimportunacyceasetillafterdinner,ThatImaymakehislordshipunderstandWhereforeyouarenotpaid。TIMONDoso,myfriends。Seethemwellentertain’d。

  ExitFLAVIUSPray,drawnear。

  ExitEnterAPEMANTUSandFoolCAPHISStay,stay,herecomesthefoolwithApemantus:

  let’sha’somesportwith’em。

  Varro’sServantHanghim,he’llabuseus。

  Isidore’sServantAplagueuponhim,dog!

  Varro’sServantHowdost,fool?APEMANTUSDostdialoguewiththyshadow?

  Varro’sServantIspeaknottothee。APEMANTUSNo,’tistothyself。

  TotheFoolComeaway。

  Isidore’sServantThere’sthefoolhangsonyourbackalready。APEMANTUSNo,thoustand’stsingle,thou’rtnotonhimyet。CAPHISWhere’sthefoolnow?APEMANTUSHelastaskedthequestion。Poorrogues,andusurers’men!bawdsbetweengoldandwant!AllServantsWhatarewe,Apemantus?APEMANTUSAsses。AllServantsWhy?APEMANTUSThatyouaskmewhatyouare,anddonotknowyourselves。Speakto’em,fool。FoolHowdoyou,gentlemen?AllServantsGramercies,goodfool:howdoesyourmistress?FoolShe’se’ensettingonwatertoscaldsuchchickensasyouare。WouldwecouldseeyouatCorinth!APEMANTUSGood!gramercy。

  EnterPageFoolLookyou,herecomesmymistress’page。Page[TotheFool]Why,hownow,captain!whatdoyouinthiswisecompany?Howdostthou,Apemantus?APEMANTUSWouldIhadarodinmymouth,thatI

  mightanswertheeprofitably。PagePrithee,Apemantus,readmethesuperscriptionoftheseletters:Iknownotwhichiswhich。APEMANTUSCanstnotread?PageNo。APEMANTUSTherewilllittlelearningdiethen,thatdaythouarthanged。ThisistoLordTimon;thistoAlcibiades。Go;thouwastbornabastard,andthou’tdieabawd。PageThouwastwhelpedadog,andthoushaltfamishadog’sdeath。Answernot;Iamgone。

  ExitAPEMANTUSE’ensothououtrunnestgrace。Fool,I

  willgowithyoutoLordTimon’s。FoolWillyouleavemethere?APEMANTUSIfTimonstayathome。Youthreeservethreeusurers?AllServantsAy;wouldtheyservedus!APEMANTUSSowouldI,——asgoodatrickaseverhangmanservedthief。FoolAreyouthreeusurers’men?AllServantsAy,fool。FoolIthinknousurerbuthasafooltohisservant:mymistressisone,andIamherfool。Whenmencometoborrowofyourmasters,theyapproachsadly,andgoawaymerry;buttheyentermymistress’housemerrily,andgoawaysadly:thereasonofthis?

  Varro’sServantIcouldrenderone。APEMANTUSDoitthen,thatwemayaccounttheeawhoremasterandaknave;whichnot-withstanding,thoushaltbenolessesteemed。

  Varro’sServantWhatisawhoremaster,fool?FoolAfoolingoodclothes,andsomethinglikethee。

  ’Tisaspirit:sometime’tappearslikealord;

  sometimelikealawyer;sometimelikeaphilosopher,withtwostonesmoethan’sartificialone:heisveryoftenlikeaknight;and,generally,inallshapesthatmangoesupanddowninfromfourscoretothirteen,thisspiritwalksin。

  Varro’sServantThouartnotaltogetherafool。FoolNorthoualtogetherawiseman:asmuchfooleryasIhave,somuchwitthoulackest。APEMANTUSThatanswermighthavebecomeApemantus。AllServantsAside,aside;herecomesLordTimon。

  Re-enterTIMONandFLAVIUSAPEMANTUSComewithme,fool,come。FoolIdonotalwaysfollowlover,elderbrotherandwoman;sometimethephilosopher。

  ExeuntAPEMANTUSandFoolFLAVIUSPrayyou,walknear:I’llspeakwithyouanon。

  ExeuntServantsTIMONYoumakememarvel:whereforeerethistimeHadyounotfullylaidmystatebeforeme,ThatImightsohaveratedmyexpense,AsIhadleaveofmeans?FLAVIUSYouwouldnothearme,AtmanyleisuresIproposed。TIMONGoto:

  Perchancesomesinglevantagesyoutook。

  Whenmyindispositionputyouback:

  Andthatunaptnessmadeyourminister,Thustoexcuseyourself。FLAVIUSOmygoodlord,AtmanytimesIbroughtinmyaccounts,Laidthembeforeyou;youwouldthrowthemoff,Andsay,youfoundtheminminehonesty。

  When,forsometriflingpresent,youhavebidmeReturnsomuch,Ihaveshookmyheadandwept;

  Yea,’gainsttheauthorityofmanners,pray’dyouToholdyourhandmoreclose:IdidendureNotseldom,nornoslightcheques,whenIhavePromptedyouintheebbofyourestateAndyourgreatflowofdebts。Mylovedlord,Thoughyouhearnow,toolate——yetnow’satime——

  ThegreatestofyourhavinglacksahalfTopayyourpresentdebts。TIMONLetallmylandbesold。FLAVIUS’Tisallengaged,someforfeitedandgone;

  AndwhatremainswillhardlystopthemouthOfpresentdues:thefuturecomesapace:

  Whatshalldefendtheinterim?andatlengthHowgoesourreckoning?TIMONToLacedaemondidmylandextend。FLAVIUSOmygoodlord,theworldisbutaword:

  Wereitallyourstogiveitinabreath,Howquicklywereitgone!TIMONYoutellmetrue。FLAVIUSIfyoususpectmyhusbandryorfalsehood,CallmebeforetheexactestauditorsAndsetmeontheproof。Sothegodsblessme,Whenallourofficeshavebeenoppress’dWithriotousfeeders,whenourvaultshaveweptWithdrunkenspilthofwine,wheneveryroomHathblazedwithlightsandbray’dwithminstrelsy,Ihaveretiredmetoawastefulcock,Andsetmineeyesatflow。TIMONPrithee,nomore。FLAVIUSHeavens,haveIsaid,thebountyofthislord!

  HowmanyprodigalbitshaveslavesandpeasantsThisnightenglutted!WhoisnotTimon’s?

  Whatheart,head,sword,force,means,butisLordTimon’s?

  GreatTimon,noble,worthy,royalTimon!

  Ah,whenthemeansaregonethatbuythispraise,Thebreathisgonewhereofthispraiseismade:

  Feast-won,fast-lost;onecloudofwintershowers,Thesefliesarecouch’d。TIMONCome,sermonmenofurther:

  Novillanousbountyyethathpass’dmyheart;

  Unwisely,notignobly,haveIgiven。

  Whydostthouweep?Canstthoutheconsciencelack,TothinkIshalllackfriends?Securethyheart;

  IfIwouldbroachthevesselsofmylove,Andtrytheargumentofheartsbyborrowing,Menandmen’sfortunescouldIfranklyuseAsIcanbidtheespeak。FLAVIUSAssuranceblessyourthoughts!TIMONAnd,insomesort,thesewantsofminearecrown’d,ThatIaccountthemblessings;forbytheseShallItryfriends:youshallperceivehowyouMistakemyfortunes;Iamwealthyinmyfriends。

  Withinthere!Flaminius!Servilius!

  EnterFLAMINIUS,SERVILIUS,andotherServantsServantsMylord?mylord?TIMONIwilldispatchyouseverally;youtoLordLucius;

  toLordLucullusyou:Ihuntedwithhishonourto-day:you,toSempronius:commendmetotheirloves,and,Iamproud,say,thatmyoccasionshavefoundtimetouse’emtowardasupplyofmoney:

  lettherequestbefiftytalents。FLAMINIUSAsyouhavesaid,mylord。FLAVIUS[Aside]LordLuciusandLucullus?hum!TIMONGoyou,sir,tothesenators——

  Ofwhom,eventothestate’sbesthealth,IhaveDeservedthishearing——bid’emsendo’theinstantAthousandtalentstome。FLAVIUSIhavebeenbold——

  ForthatIknewitthemostgeneralway——

  Tothemtouseyoursignetandyourname;

  Buttheydoshaketheirheads,andIamhereNoricherinreturn。TIMONIs’ttrue?can’tbe?FLAVIUSTheyanswer,inajointandcorporatevoice,Thatnowtheyareatfall,wanttreasure,cannotDowhattheywould;aresorry——youarehonourable,——

  Butyettheycouldhavewish’d——theyknownot——

  Somethinghathbeenamiss——anoblenatureMaycatchawrench——wouldallwerewell——’tispity;——

  Andso,intendingotherseriousmatters,Afterdistastefullooksandthesehardfractions,Withcertainhalf-capsandcold-movingnodsTheyfrozemeintosilence。TIMONYougods,rewardthem!

  Prithee,man,lookcheerly。TheseoldfellowsHavetheiringratitudeinthemhereditary:

  Theirbloodiscaked,’tiscold,itseldomflows;

  ’Tislackofkindlywarmththeyarenotkind;

  Andnature,asitgrowsagaintowardearth,Isfashion’dforthejourney,dullandheavy。

  ToaServantGotoVentidius。

  ToFLAVIUS

  Prithee,benotsad,Thouarttrueandhonest;ingeniouslyIspeak。

  Noblamebelongstothee。

  ToServantVentidiuslatelyBuriedhisfather;bywhosedeathhe’sstepp’dIntoagreatestate:whenhewaspoor,Imprison’dandinscarcityoffriends,Iclear’dhimwithfivetalents:greethimfromme;

  BidhimsupposesomegoodnecessityToucheshisfriend,whichcravestoberemember’dWiththosefivetalents。

  ExitServantToFLAVIUS

  Thathad,give’tthesefellowsTowhom’tisinstantdue。Ne’erspeak,orthink,ThatTimon’sfortunes’monghisfriendscansink。FLAVIUSIwouldIcouldnotthinkit:thatthoughtisbounty’sfoe;

  Beingfreeitself,itthinksallothersso。

  ExeuntACTIIISCENEI。AroominLucullus’house。FLAMINIUSwaiting。EnteraServanttohimServantIhavetoldmylordofyou;heiscomingdowntoyou。FLAMINIUSIthankyou,sir。

  EnterLUCULLUSServantHere’smylord。LUCULLUS[Aside]OneofLordTimon’smen?agift,I

  warrant。Why,thishitsright;Idreamtofasilverbasinandewerto-night。Flaminius,honestFlaminius;youareveryrespectivelywelcome,sir。

  Fillmesomewine。

  ExitServantsAndhowdoesthathonourable,complete,free-heartedgentlemanofAthens,thyverybountifulgoodlordandmaster?FLAMINIUSHishealthiswellsir。LUCULLUSIamrightgladthathishealthiswell,sir:andwhathastthouthereunderthycloak,prettyFlaminius?FLAMINIUS’Faith,nothingbutanemptybox,sir;

  which,inmylord’sbehalf,Icometoentreatyourhonourtosupply;who,havinggreatandinstantoccasiontousefiftytalents,hathsenttoyourlordshiptofurnishhim,nothingdoubtingyourpresentassistancetherein。LUCULLUSLa,la,la,la!’nothingdoubting,’sayshe?Alas,goodlord!anoblegentleman’tis,ifhewouldnotkeepsogoodahouse。ManyatimeandoftenI

  ha’

  dinedwithhim,andtoldhimon’t,andcomeagaintosuppertohim,ofpurposetohavehimspendless,andyethewouldembracenocounsel,takenowarningbymycoming。Everymanhashisfault,andhonestyishis:Iha’toldhimon’t,butIcouldne’ergethimfrom’t。

  Re-enterServant,withwineServantPleaseyourlordship,hereisthewine。LUCULLUSFlaminius,Ihavenotedtheealwayswise。

  Here’stothee。FLAMINIUSYourlordshipspeaksyourpleasure。LUCULLUSIhaveobservedtheealwaysforatowardlypromptspirit——givetheethydue——andonethatknowswhatbelongstoreason;andcanstusethetimewell,ifthetimeusetheewell:goodpartsinthee。

  ToServantGetyougone,sirrah。

  ExitServantDrawnearer,honestFlaminius。Thylord’sabountifulgentleman:butthouartwise;andthouknowestwellenough,althoughthoucomesttome,thatthisisnotimetolendmoney,especiallyuponbarefriendship,withoutsecurity。Here’sthreesolidaresforthee:goodboy,winkatme,andsaythousawestmenot。Faretheewell。FLAMINIUSIs’tpossibletheworldshouldsomuchdiffer,Andwealivethatlived?Fly,damnedbaseness,Tohimthatworshipsthee!

  ThrowingthemoneybackLUCULLUSHa!nowIseethouartafool,andfitforthymaster。

  ExitFLAMINIUSMaytheseaddtothenumberthatmayscaldthee!

  Letmoultencoinbethydamnation,Thoudiseaseofafriend,andnothimself!

  Hasfriendshipsuchafaintandmilkyheart,Itturnsinlessthantwonights?Oyougods,Ifeelmaster’spassion!thisslave,Untohishonour,hasmylord’smeatinhim:

  Whyshoulditthriveandturntonutriment,Whenheisturn’dtopoison?

  O,maydiseasesonlyworkupon’t!

  And,whenhe’ssicktodeath,letnotthatpartofnatureWhichmylordpaidfor,beofanypowerToexpelsickness,butprolonghishour!

  ExitSCENEII。Apublicplace。EnterLUCILIUS,withthreeStrangersLUCILIUSWho,theLordTimon?heismyverygoodfriend,andanhonourablegentleman。FirstStrangerWeknowhimfornoless,thoughwearebutstrangerstohim。ButIcantellyouonething,mylord,andwhichIhearfromcommonrumours:nowLordTimon’shappyhoursaredoneandpast,andhisestateshrinksfromhim。LUCILIUSFie,no,donotbelieveit;hecannotwantformoney。SecondStrangerButbelieveyouthis,mylord,that,notlongago,oneofhismenwaswiththeLordLucullustoborrowsomanytalents,nay,urgedextremelyfor’tandshowedwhatnecessitybelongedto’t,andyetwasdenied。LUCILIUSHow!SecondStrangerItellyou,denied,mylord。LUCILIUSWhatastrangecasewasthat!now,beforethegods,Iamashamedon’t。Deniedthathonourableman!

  therewasverylittlehonourshowedin’t。Formyownpart,Imustneedsconfess,Ihavereceivedsomesmallkindnessesfromhim,asmoney,plate,jewelsandsuch-liketrifles,nothingcomparingtohis;

  yet,hadhemistookhimandsenttome,Ishouldne’erhavedeniedhisoccasionsomanytalents。

  EnterSERVILIUSSERVILIUSSee,bygoodhap,yonder’smylord;

  Ihavesweattoseehishonour。Myhonouredlord,——

  ToLUCIUSLUCILIUSServilius!youarekindlymet,sir。Faretheewell:

  commendmetothyhonourablevirtuouslord,myveryexquisitefriend。SERVILIUSMayitpleaseyourhonour,mylordhathsent——LUCILIUSHa!whathashesent?Iamsomuchendearedtothatlord;he’seversending:howshallIthankhim,thinkestthou?Andwhathashesentnow?SERVILIUSHasonlysenthispresentoccasionnow,mylord;

  requestingyourlordshiptosupplyhisinstantusewithsomanytalents。LUCILIUSIknowhislordshipisbutmerrywithme;

  Hecannotwantfiftyfivehundredtalents。SERVILIUSButinthemeantimehewantsless,mylord。

  Ifhisoccasionwerenotvirtuous,Ishouldnoturgeithalfsofaithfully。LUCILIUSDostthouspeakseriously,Servilius?SERVILIUSUponmysoul,’tistrue,sir。LUCILIUSWhatawickedbeastwasItodisfurnishmyselfagainstsuchagoodtime,whenImightha’shownmyselfhonourable!howunluckilyithappened,thatI

  shouldpurchasethedaybeforeforalittlepart,andundoagreatdealofhonoured!Servilius,now,beforethegods,Iamnotabletodo,——themorebeast,Isay:——IwassendingtouseLordTimonmyself,thesegentlemencanwitness!butIwouldnot,forthewealthofAthens,Ihaddone’tnow。

  Commendmebountifullytohisgoodlordship;andI

  hopehishonourwillconceivethefairestofme,becauseIhavenopowertobekind:andtellhimthisfromme,Icountitoneofmygreatestafflictions,say,thatIcannotpleasuresuchanhonourablegentleman。GoodServilius,willyoubefriendmesofar,astousemineownwordstohim?SERVILIUSYes,sir,Ishall。LUCILIUSI’lllookyououtagoodturn,Servilius。

  ExitSERVILIUS

  Trueasyousaid,Timonisshrunkindeed;

  Andhethat’soncedeniedwillhardlyspeed。

  ExitFirstStrangerDoyouobservethis,Hostilius?SecondStrangerAy,toowell。FirstStrangerWhy,thisistheworld’ssoul;andjustofthesamepieceIseveryflatterer’sspirit。WhocancallhimHisfriendthatdipsinthesamedish?for,inMyknowing,Timonhasbeenthislord’sfather,Andkepthiscreditwithhispurse,Supportedhisestate;nay,Timon’smoneyHaspaidhismentheirwages:hene’erdrinks,ButTimon’ssilvertreadsuponhislip;

  Andyet——O,seethemonstrousnessofmanWhenhelooksoutinanungratefulshape!——

  Hedoesdenyhim,inrespectofhis,Whatcharitablemenaffordtobeggars。ThirdStrangerReligiongroansatit。FirstStrangerFormineownpart,InevertastedTimoninmylife,Norcameanyofhisbountiesoverme,Tomarkmeforhisfriend;yet,Iprotest,Forhisrightnoblemind,illustriousvirtueAndhonourablecarriage,Hadhisnecessitymadeuseofme,Iwouldhaveputmywealthintodonation,Andthebesthalfshouldhavereturn’dtohim,SomuchIlovehisheart:but,Iperceive,Menmustlearnnowwithpitytodispense;

  Forpolicysitsaboveconscience。

  ExeuntSCENEIII。AroominSempronius’house。EnterSEMPRONIUS,andaServantofTIMON’sSEMPRONIUSMustheneedstroublemein’t,——hum!——’boveallothers?

  HemighthavetriedLordLuciusorLucullus;

  AndnowVentidiusiswealthytoo,Whomheredeem’dfromprison:alltheseOwetheirestatesuntohim。ServantMylord,Theyhaveallbeentouch’dandfoundbasemetal,forTheyhaveaudeniedhim。SEMPRONIUSHow!havetheydeniedhim?

  HasVentidiusandLucullusdeniedhim?

  Anddoeshesendtome?Three?hum!

  Itshowsbutlittleloveorjudgmentinhim:

  MustIbehislastrefuge!Hisfriends,likephysicians,Thrive,givehimover:mustItakethecureuponme?

  Hasmuchdisgracedmein’t;I’mangryathim,Thatmighthaveknownmyplace:Iseenosensefor’t,Buthisoccasionmighthavewoo’dmefirst;

  For,inmyconscience,IwasthefirstmanThate’erreceivedgiftfromhim:

  Anddoeshethinksobackwardlyofmenow,ThatI’llrequiteitslast?No:

  SoitmayproveanargumentoflaughterTotherest,and’mongstlordsIbethoughtafool。

  I’ldratherthantheworthofthricethesum,Hadsenttomefirst,butformymind’ssake;

  I’dsuchacouragetodohimgood。Butnowreturn,Andwiththeirfaintreplythisanswerjoin;

  Whobatesminehonourshallnotknowmycoin。

  ExitServantExcellent!Yourlordship’sagoodlyvillain。

  Thedevilknewnotwhathedidwhenhemademanpolitic;hecrossedhimselfby’t:andIcannotthinkbut,intheend,thevillainiesofmanwillsethimclear。Howfairlythislordstrivestoappearfoul!takesvirtuouscopiestobewicked,likethosethatunderhotardentzealwouldsetwholerealmsonfire:Ofsuchanatureishispoliticlove。

  Thiswasmylord’sbesthope;nowallarefled,Saveonlythegods:nowhisfriendsaredead,Doors,thatwerene’eracquaintedwiththeirwardsManyabounteousyearmustbeemploy’dNowtoguardsuretheirmaster。

  Andthisisallaliberalcourseallows;

  Whocannotkeephiswealthmustkeephishouse。

  ExitSCENEIV。Thesame。AhallinTimon’shouse。EntertwoServantsofVarro,andtheServantofLUCIUS,meetingTITUS,HORTENSIUS,andotherServantsofTIMON’screditors,waitinghiscomingoutVarro’sFirstServantWellmet;goodmorrow,TitusandHortensius。TITUSTheliketoyoukindVarro。HORTENSIUSLucius!

  What,dowemeettogether?

  Lucilius’ServantAy,andIthinkOnebusinessdoescommandusall;formineIsmoney。TITUSSoistheirsandours。

  EnterPHILOTUS

  Lucilius’ServantAndSirPhilotustoo!PHILOTUSGooddayatonce。

  Lucilius’ServantWelcome,goodbrother。

  Whatdoyouthinkthehour?PHILOTUSLabouringfornine。

  Lucilius’ServantSomuch?PHILOTUSIsnotmylordseenyet?

  Lucilius’ServantNotyet。PHILOTUSIwonderon’t;hewaswonttoshineatseven。

  Lucilius’ServantAy,butthedaysarewax’dshorterwithhim:

  YoumustconsiderthataprodigalcourseIslikethesun’s;butnot,likehis,recoverable。

  Ifear’tisdeepestwinterinLordTimon’spurse;

  Thatisonemayreachdeepenough,andyetFindlittle。PHILOTUSIamofyourfearforthat。TITUSI’llshowyouhowtoobserveastrangeevent。

  Yourlordsendsnowformoney。HORTENSIUSMosttrue,hedoes。TITUSAndhewearsjewelsnowofTimon’sgift,ForwhichIwaitformoney。HORTENSIUSItisagainstmyheart。

  Lucilius’ServantMark,howstrangeitshows,Timoninthisshouldpaymorethanheowes:

  Ande’enasifyourlordshouldwearrichjewels,Andsendformoneyfor’em。HORTENSIUSI’mwearyofthischarge,thegodscanwitness:

  IknowmylordhathspentofTimon’swealth,Andnowingratitudemakesitworsethanstealth。

  Varro’sFirstServantYes,mine’sthreethousandcrowns:what’syours?

  Lucilius’ServantFivethousandmine。

  Varro’sFirstServant’Tismuchdeep:anditshouldseembythesun,Yourmaster’sconfidencewasabovemine;

  Else,surely,hishadequall’d。

  EnterFLAMINIUS。TITUSOneofLordTimon’smen。

  Lucilius’ServantFlaminius!Sir,aword:pray,ismylordreadytocomeforth?FLAMINIUSNo,indeed,heisnot。TITUSWeattendhislordship;pray,signifysomuch。FLAMINIUSIneednottellhimthat;heknowsyouaretoodiligent。

  ExitEnterFLAVIUSinacloak,muffledLucilius’ServantHa!isnotthathisstewardmuffledso?

  Hegoesawayinacloud:callhim,callhim。TITUSDoyouhear,sir?

  Varro’sSecondServantByyourleave,sir,——FLAVIUSWhatdoyeaskofme,myfriend?TITUSWewaitforcertainmoneyhere,sir。FLAVIUSAy,Ifmoneywereascertainasyourwaiting,’Tweresureenough。

  Whythenpreferr’dyounotyoursumsandbills,Whenyourfalsemasterseatofmylord’smeat?

  ThentheycouldsmileandfawnuponhisdebtsAndtakedowntheinterestintotheirgluttonousmaws。

  Youdoyourselvesbutwrongtostirmeup;

  Letmepassquietly:

  Believe’t,mylordandIhavemadeanend;

  Ihavenomoretoreckon,hetospend。

  Lucilius’ServantAy,butthisanswerwillnotserve。FLAVIUSIf’twillnotserve,’tisnotsobaseasyou;

  Foryouserveknaves。

  ExitVarro’sFirstServantHow!whatdoeshiscashieredworshipmutter?

  Varro’sSecondServantNomatterwhat;he’spoor,andthat’srevengeenough。Whocanspeakbroaderthanhethathasnohousetoputhisheadin?suchmayrailagainstgreatbuildings。

  EnterSERVILIUSTITUSO,here’sServilius;nowweshallknowsomeanswer。SERVILIUSIfImightbeseechyou,gentlemen,torepairsomeotherhour,Ishouldderivemuchfrom’t;for,take’tofmysoul,mylordleanswondrouslytodiscontent:hiscomfortabletemperhasforsookhim;

  he’smuchoutofhealth,andkeepshischamber。

  Lucilius’Servant:Manydokeeptheirchambersarenotsick:

  And,ifitbesofarbeyondhishealth,Methinksheshouldthesoonerpayhisdebts,Andmakeaclearwaytothegods。SERVILIUSGoodgods!TITUSWecannottakethisforanswer,sir。FLAMINIUS[Within]Servilius,help!Mylord!mylord!

  EnterTIMON,inarage,FLAMINIUSfollowingTIMONWhat,aremydoorsopposedagainstmypassage?

  HaveIbeeneverfree,andmustmyhouseBemyretentiveenemy,mygaol?

  TheplacewhichIhavefeasted,doesitnow,Likeallmankind,showmeanironheart?

  Lucilius’ServantPutinnow,Titus。TITUSMylord,hereismybill。

  Lucilius’ServantHere’smine。HORTENSIUSAndmine,mylord。

  BothVarro’sServantsAndours,mylord。PHILOTUSAllourbills。TIMONKnockmedownwith’em:cleavemetothegirdle。

  Lucilius’ServantAlas,mylord,-TIMONCutmyheartinsums。TITUSMine,fiftytalents。TIMONTelloutmyblood。

  Lucilius’ServantFivethousandcrowns,mylord。TIMONFivethousanddropspaysthat。

  Whatyours?——andyours?

  Varro’sFirstServantMylord,——

  Varro’sSecondServantMylord,——TIMONTearme,takeme,andthegodsfalluponyou!

  ExitHORTENSIUS’Faith,Iperceiveourmastersmaythrowtheircapsattheirmoney:thesedebtsmaywellbecalleddesperateones,foramadmanowes’em。

  ExeuntRe-enterTIMONandFLAVIUSTIMONTheyhavee’enputmybreathfromme,theslaves。

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