Is rank'd with all deserts, all kind of natures,
That labour on the bosom of this sphere
To propagate their states: amongst them all,
Whose eyes are on this sovereign lady fix'd,
One do I personate of lord Timon's frame,
Whom Fortune with her ivory hands wafts to her;
Whose present grace to present slaves and servants
Translates his rivals.

Pain. 'Tis conceiv'd to scope.

This throne, this Fortune, and this hill methinks,
With one man beckon'd from the rest below,
Bowing his head against the steepy mount
To climb his happiness, would be well express'd
In our condition.

Poet. Nay, sir, but hear me on:

All those which were his fellows but of late,
(Some better than his value), on the moment
Follow his strides, his lobbies fill with tendance,
Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear,

Make sacred even his stirrup, and through him
Drink the free air.

Pain. Ay, marry, what of these?

And my estate deserves an heir more rais'd, Than one which holds a trencher.

Tim. Well; what further?

Old Ath. One only daughter have I, no kin else, On whom I may confer what I have got: The maid is fair, o'the youngest for a bride, And I have bred her at my dearest cost, In qualities of the best. This man of thine Attempts her love: I pr'ythee, noble lord, Join with me to forbid him her resort; Myself have spoke in vain.

Tim. The man is honest.

Old Ath. Therefore he will be, Timon:
His honesty rewards him in itself,
It must not bear my daughter.

Tim. 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

mood,

Spurns down her late-belov'd, all his dependants, Which labour'd after him to the mountain's top, Even on their knees and hands, let him slip down, Not one accompanying his declining foot.

Pain. 'Tis common:

A thousand moral paintings I can show,
That shall demonstrate these quick blows of fortune
More pregnantly than words. Yet you do well,
To show lord Timon, that mean eyes have seen
The foot above the head.
Trumpets sound.

Enter Timon, attended; the
Servant of Ventidius talking with him.
Tim. Imprison'd is he, say you?

[debt; Ven. Serv. Ay, my good lord: five talents is his His means most short, his creditors most strait: Your honourable letter he desires

To those have shut him up; which failing to him, Periods his comfort.

Tim. Noble Ventidius! Well;

I am not of that feather, to shake off

My friend when he must need me. I do know him
A gentleman, that well deserves a help, [him.
Which he shall have: I'll pay the debt, and free
Ven. Serv. Your lordship ever binds him.
Tim. Commend me to him: I will send his
ransom;

And, being enfranchis'd, bid him come to me:-
'Tis not enough to help the feeble up,
But to support him after.-Fare you well.
Ven. Serv. All happiness to your honour! [exit.
Enter an old Athenian.

Old. Ath. Lord Timon, hear me speak.
Tim. Freely, good father.

Old Ath. Thou hast a servant, nam'd Lucilius.
Tim. I have so. What of him?

[thee. Old Ath. Most noble Timon, call the man before Tim. Attends he here, or no?-Lucilius!

Enter Lucilius.

Luc. Here, at your lordship's service. [creature, Old Ath. This fellow here, lord Timon, this thy By night frequents my house. I am a man That from my first have been inclin'd to thrift:

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?

[all.

Old Ath. Three talents, on the present: in future, Tim. This gentleman of mine hath serv'd me To build his fortune, I will strain a little, [long: 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 honour, she is his. Imise. Tim. My hand to thee; mine honour on my proLuc. Humbly I thank your lordship: never may That state or fortune fall into my keeping, Which is not ow'd to you! [exeunt Luc. and old Ath. Poet. Vouchsafe my labour, 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 dishonour traffics with man's nature,
He is but outside: these pencil'd figures are
Even such as they give out. I like your work
And you shall find, I like it; wait attendance
Till you
hear further from me.
Pain. The gods preserve you!
Tim. Well fare you, gentlemen: give me your
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,
It would unclew me quite.

[hand;

[know,

Jew. My lord, 'tis rated As those, which sell, would give: but you will Things of like value, differing in the owners, Are priz'd by their masters: believ't, dear lord, You mend the jewel by wearing it.

Tim. Well mock'd.

Apem. Then I repent not.

[name.

Jew. You know me, Apemantus.
Apem. Thou knowest, I do; I call'd thee by thy
Tim. Thou art proud, Apemantus.
Apem. Of nothing so much as that I am not
Tim. Whither art going? [like Timon.
Apem. To knock out an honest Athenian's brains.
Tim. That's a deed thou'lt die for. [law.
Apem. Right, if doing nothing be death by the
Tim. How likest thou this picture, Apemantus?
Apem. The best, for the innocence.

Tim. Wrought he not well, that painted it? Apem. He wrought better, that made the painter; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work.

Pain. You are a dog.

Apem. Thy mother's of my generation; what's she, if I be a dog?

Tim. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus?
Apem. No; I eat not lords.

Tim. An thou should'st, thoud'st anger ladies.
Apem. O, they eat lords: so they come by great
Tim. That's a lascivious apprehension. [bellies.
Apem. So thou apprehend'st it: take it for thy
labour.

Tim. How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus? Apem. Not so well as plain-dealing, which will

not cost a man a doit.

Apem. Traffic confound thee, if the gods will not! Mer. If traffic do it, the gods do it. [thee! Apem. Traffic's thy god, and thy god confound Trumpets sound. Enter a Servant.

Tim. What trumpet's that?

Serv. 'Tis Alcibiades, and

Some twenty horse, all of companionship. [us.—
Tim. Pray, entertain them; give them guide to
[exeunt some Attendants.
You must needs dine with me:-go not you hence,
Till I have thank'd you; and, when dinner's done,
Show me this piece. I am joyful of your sights.-
Enter Alcibiades, with his company.
Most welcome, sir.

Apem. So, so; there!

[they salute. Aches contract and starve your supple joints!— That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet knaves,

And all this court'sy! The strain of man's bred out Into baboon and monkey.

Alcib. Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I feed Most hungrily on your sight.

Tim. 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 a-day is't, Apemantus?
Apem. Time to be honest.

[it.

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

Apem. Should'st have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give thee none.

1 Lord. Hang thyself.

If our betters play at that game, we must not dare To imitate them; faults, that are rich, are fair. Ven. A noble spirit.

[they all stand ceremoniously, looking on Timon. Tim. Nay, my lords, ceremony Was but devis'd at first, to set a gloss On faint deeds, hollow welcomes, Recanting goodness, sorry ere 'tis shown; [none. But where there is true friendship, there needs Pray, sit; more welcome are ye to my fortunes, Than my fortunes to me. [they sit.

1 Lord. My lord, we always have confess'd 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.
Tim. Fie, thou art a churl; you have got a
humour there

Does not become a man, 'tis much to blame :-
They say, my lords, that ira furor brevis est,
But 'yond man's ever angry.
Go, let him have a table by himself;
For he does neither affect company,
Nor is he fit for it, indeed.

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

Tim. I take no heed of thee; thou art an Athenian, therefore welcome: I myself would have no 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 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 next him now, parts bread with him, and pledges
The breath of him in undivided draught,

Is the readiest man to kill him: it has been prov'd.
If I

Were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals Lest they should spy my windpipe's dangerous

notes.

[throats.

Great men should drink with harness on their Tim. My lord, in heart: and let the health go round.

2 Lord. Let it flow this way, my good Lord. Apem. Flow this way!

A brave fellow!-he keeps his tides well. Timon,

Here's that, which is too weak to be a sinner, [ill.
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's 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 drinks.

Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus! Tim. Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the field 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 no meat like them; I could wish my best friend at such a feast.

Apem. 'Would all those flatterers were thine enemies 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 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 never have need of them? they were the most needless creatures living, should we ne'er have use for them: 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, liko brothers, commanding one another's fortunes! O, joy! c'en made away ere it can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks; to forget their faults, I drink to you.

Apem. Thou weep'st to make 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.

3 Lord. I promise you, my lord, you mov'd me Apem. Much! [tucket sounded. Tim. What means that trump?-How now? Enter a Servant.

Serv. Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance.

Tim. Ladies? what are their wills Serv. There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office, to signify their pleasures.

[erit Cupid.

1 Lord. You see, my lord, how ample you are belov'd.

Music. 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 They dance! they are mad women. [this way!

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, [not
With poisonous spite and envy. Who lives, that's
Deprav'd, 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: it has been done;
Men shut their doors against a 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,
fair ladies,

Set a fair fashion on our entertainment,
Which was not half so beautiful and kind,
You have added worth unto't, and lively lustre,
And entertain'd me with mine own device;
I am to thank you for it.

1 Lady. 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 Ladus. Most thankfully, my lord. [exeunt Cupid and Ladics.

Tim. Flavius,—

Flav. My lord.

Tim. The little casket bring me hither.
Flav. Yes, my lord.-More jewels yet!
There is no crossing him in his humour; [aside.
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.

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

2 Lord. Our horses.

Tim. O my friends, I have one word

To say to you.-Look you, my good lord, I must
Eutreat you, honour me so much, as to
Advance this jewel;

Accept, and wear it, kind my lord.

1 Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,—

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

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

Be worthily entertained. How now, what news? 3 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 reNot without fair reward. [ceiv'd,

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,
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.

[exit. [merits :

[receive it.

Tim. You do yourselves Much wrong, you bate too much of your own Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.

2 Lord. With more than common thanks I will 3 Lord. O, he is the very soul of bounty! Tim. And now I remember me, my lord, you Good words the other day of a bay courser [gave I rode on it is yours, because you lik'd it. [that. 3 Lord. 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 on you.

All Lords. 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, defiled land, my lord.

1 Lord. We are so virtuously bound,Tim. And so

Am I to you.

2 Lord. So infinitely endear'd,