Who dies, that bears not one spurn to their graves I should fear those that dance before me now Would one day stamp upon me: 't has been done; 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, fair ladies, Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, Which was not half so beautiful and kind; First Lady.(20) My lord, you take us even 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. Tim. Flavius, [Exeunt Cupid and Ladies. Flav. My lord? The little casket bring me hither. [Aside. Tim. Flav. Yes, my lord.-More jewels yet! There is no crossing him in 's humour; Else I should tell him,-well, i' faith, I should, When all's spent, he'd be cross'd then, an he could. 'Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind, That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind. [Exit, and returns with the casket. I have one word to say to you:-look you, my good lord, I must entreat you, honour me so much As to advance this jewel; accept it and wear it,(21) First Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,— Enter a Servant. Serv. My lord, there are certain nobles of the senate Newly alighted, and come to visit you. Tim. They are fairly welcome. I beseech your honour, Flav. Tim. Near! why, then, another time I'll hear thee: Enter a second Servant. [Aside. Sec. Serv. May it please your honour, Lord Lucius, Out of his free love, hath presented to you Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver. Tim. I shall accept them fairly let the presents Be worthily entertain'd. Enter a third Servant. How now! what news? Third Serv. Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman, Lord Lucullus, entreats your company to-morrow to hunt with him; and has sent your honour two brace of greyhounds. Tim. I'll hunt with him; and let them be receiv'd, Not without fair reward. 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 know his purse; or yield me this, To show him what a beggar his heart is, His promises fly so beyond his state, That what he speaks is all in debt, he owes Well, would I were gently put out of office, Happier is he that has no friend to feed I bleed inwardly for my lord. Tim. You do yourselves Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits :- [Exit. Sec. Lord. With more than common thanks I will receive it. 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. Sec. Lord. O, I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that. Tim. 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 (22) 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 Alcib. Ay, defil'd land, my lord. First Lord. We are so virtuously bound,Tim. Am I to you. Sec. Lord. So infinitely endear'd,— Tim. All to you.-Lights, more lights! First Lord. And so The best of happiness, Honour, and fortunes, keep with you, Lord Timon! Tim. Ready for his friends. Apem. [Exeunt Alcibiades, Lords, &c. What a coil's here! Serving of becks, and jutting-out of bums! I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums Apem. 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 givest 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 come with better music, [Exit. Apem. So; (23)-thou wilt not hear me now,-thou shalt not then, I'll lock thy heaven from thee. O, that men's ears should be To counsel deaf, but not to flattery! [Exit. 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 But rather one, that smiles, and still invites pass by. Can found (25) 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: A visage of demand; for, I do fear, Sen. Take the bonds along with you, And have the dates in compt.(27) Caph. Sen. I will, sir. Go. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. A hall in TIMON'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; nor resumes (28) no care Was to be so unwise, to be so kind. |