Here PROSPERO discovers FERDINAND and MIRANDA,

Zainab Irfan

Add To collaction

Here PROSPERO discovers FERDINAND and MIRANDA,

playing at chess

MIRANDA. Sweet lord, you play me false.

FERDINAND. No, my dearest love,

I would not for the world.

MIRANDA. Yes, for a score of kingdoms you should wrangle

And I would call it fair play.

ALONSO. If this prove

A vision of the island, one dear son

Shall I twice lose.

SEBASTIAN. A most high miracle!

FERDINAND. Though the seas threaten, they are merciful;

I have curs'd them without cause. [Kneels]

ALONSO. Now all the blessings

Of a glad father compass thee about!

Arise, and say how thou cam'st here.

MIRANDA. O, wonder!

How many goodly creatures are there here!

How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world

That has such people in't!

PROSPERO. 'Tis new to thee.

ALONSO. What is this maid with whom thou wast at play?

Your eld'st acquaintance cannot be three hours;

Is she the goddess that hath sever'd us,

And brought us thus together?

FERDINAND. Sir, she is mortal;

But by immortal Providence she's mine.

I chose her when I could not ask my father

For his advice, nor thought I had one. She

Is daughter to this famous Duke of Milan,

Of whom so often I have heard renown

But never saw before; of whom I have

Receiv'd a second life; and second father

This lady makes him to me.

ALONSO. I am hers.

But, O, how oddly will it sound that I

Must ask my child forgiveness!

PROSPERO. There, sir, stop;

Let us not burden our remembrances with

A heaviness that's gone.

GONZALO. I have inly wept,

Or should have spoke ere this. Look down, you gods,

And on this couple drop a blessed crown;

For it is you that have chalk'd forth the way

Which brought us hither.

ALONSO. I say, Amen, Gonzalo!

GONZALO. Was Milan thrust from Milan, that his issue

Should become Kings of Naples? O, rejoice

Beyond a common joy, and set it down

With gold on lasting pillars: in one voyage

Did Claribel her husband find at Tunis;

And Ferdinand, her brother, found a wife

Where he himself was lost; Prospero his dukedom

In a poor isle; and all of us ourselves

When no man was his own.

ALONSO. [To FERDINAND and MIRANDA] Give me your

hands.

Let grief and sorrow still embrace his heart

That doth not wish you joy.

GONZALO. Be it so. Amen!

Re-enter ARIEL, with the MASTER and BOATSWAIN

amazedly following

O look, sir; look, sir! Here is more of us!

I prophesied, if a gallows were on land,

This fellow could not drown. Now, blasphemy,

That swear'st grace o'erboard, not an oath on shore?

Hast thou no mouth by land? What is the news?

BOATSWAIN. The best news is that we have safely found

Our King and company; the next, our ship-

Which but three glasses since we gave out split-

Is tight and yare, and bravely rigg'd, as when

We first put out to sea.

ARIEL. [Aside to PROSPERO] Sir, all this service

Have I done since I went.

PROSPERO. [Aside to ARIEL] My tricksy spirit!

ALONSO. These are not natural events; they strengthen

From strange to stranger. Say, how came you hither?

BOATSWAIN. If I did think, sir, I were well awake,

I'd strive to tell you. We were dead of sleep,

And-how, we know not-all clapp'd under hatches;

Where, but even now, with strange and several noises

Of roaring, shrieking, howling, jingling chains,

And moe diversity of sounds, all horrible,

We were awak'd; straightway at liberty;

Where we, in all her trim, freshly beheld

Our royal, good, and gallant ship; our master

Cap'ring to eye her. On a trice, so please you,

Even in a dream, were we divided from them,

And were brought moping hither.

ARIEL. [Aside to PROSPERO] Was't well done?

PROSPERO. [Aside to ARIEL] Bravely, my diligence. Thou

shalt be free.

ALONSO. This is as strange a maze as e'er men trod;

And there is in this business more than nature

Was ever conduct of. Some oracle

Must rectify our knowledge.

PROSPERO. Sir, my liege,

Do not infest your mind with beating on

The strangeness of this business; at pick'd leisure,

Which shall be shortly, single I'll resolve you,

Which to you shall seem probable, of every

These happen'd accidents; till when, be cheerful

And think of each thing well. [Aside to ARIEL] Come

hither, spirit;

Set Caliban and his companions free;

Untie the spell. [Exit ARIEL] How fares my gracious sir?

There are yet missing of your company

Some few odd lads that you remember not.

Re-enter ARIEL, driving in CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and

TRINCULO, in their stolen apparel

STEPHANO. Every man shift for all the rest, and let no man

take care for himself; for all is but fortune. Coragio,

bully-monster, coragio!

TRINCULO. If these be true spies which I wear in my head,

here's a goodly sight.

CALIBAN. O Setebos, these be brave spirits indeed!

How fine my master is! I am afraid

He will chastise me.

SEBASTIAN. Ha, ha!

What things are these, my lord Antonio?

Will money buy'em?

ANTONIO. Very like; one of them

Is a plain fish, and no doubt marketable.

PROSPERO. Mark but the badges of these men, my lords,

Then say if they be true. This mis-shapen knave-

His mother was a witch, and one so strong

That could control the moon, make flows and ebbs,

And deal in her command without her power.

These three have robb'd me; and this demi-devil-

For he's a bastard one-had plotted with them

To take my life. Two of these fellows you

Must know and own; this thing of darkness I

Acknowledge mine.

CALIBAN. I shall be pinch'd to death.

ALONSO. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler?

SEBASTIAN. He is drunk now; where had he wine?

ALONSO. And Trinculo is reeling ripe; where should they

Find this grand liquor that hath gilded 'em?

How cam'st thou in this pickle?

TRINCULO. I have been in such a pickle since I saw you

last that, I fear me, will never out of my bones. I

shall not fear fly-blowing.

SEBASTIAN. Why, how now, Stephano!

STEPHANO. O, touch me not; I am not Stephano, but a

cramp.

PROSPERO. You'd be king o' the isle, sirrah?

STEPHANO. I should have been a sore one, then.

ALONSO. [Pointing to CALIBAN] This is as strange a thing

as e'er I look'd on.

PROSPERO. He is as disproportioned in his manners

As in his shape. Go, sirrah, to my cell;

Take with you your companions; as you look

To have my pardon, trim it handsomely.

CALIBAN. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter,

And seek for grace. What a thrice-double ass

Was I to take this drunkard for a god,

And worship this dull fool!

PROSPERO. Go to; away!

ALONSO. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it.

SEBASTIAN. Or stole it, rather.

Exeunt CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO

PROSPERO. Sir, I invite your Highness and your train

To my poor cell, where you shall take your rest

For this one night; which, part of it, I'll waste

With such discourse as, I not doubt, shall make it

Go quick away-the story of my life,

And the particular accidents gone by

Since I came to this isle. And in the morn

I'll bring you to your ship, and so to Naples,

Where I have hope to see the nuptial

Of these our dear-belov'd solemnized,

And thence retire me to my Milan, where

Every third thought shall be my grave.

ALONSO. I long

To hear the story of your life, which must

Take the ear strangely.

PROSPERO. I'll deliver all;

And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales,

And sail so expeditious that shall catch

Your royal fleet far off. [Aside to ARIEL] My Ariel,

chick,

That is thy charge. Then to the elements

Be free, and fare thou well!-Please you, draw near.

Exeunt

EPILOGUE

Spoken by PROSPERO

Now my charms are all o'erthrown,

And what strength I have's mine own,

Which is most faint. Now 'tis true,

I must be here confin'd by you,

Or sent to Naples. Let me not,

Since I have my dukedom got,

And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell

In this bare island by your spell;

But release me from my bands

With the help of your good hands.

Gentle breath of yours my sails

Must fill, or else my project fails,

Which was to please. Now I want

Spirits to enforce, art to enchant;

And my ending is despair

Unless I be reliev'd by prayer,

Which pierces so that it assaults

Mercy itself, and frees all faults.

As you from crimes would pardon'd be,

Let your indulgence set me free.

THE END

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1608

THE LIFE OF TIMON OF ATHENS

by William Shakespeare

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

TIMON of Athens

LUCIUS

LUCULLUS

SEMPRONIUS

flattering lords

VENTIDIUS, one of Timon's false friends

ALCIBIADES, an Athenian captain

APEMANTUS, a churlish philosopher

FLAVIUS, steward to Timon

FLAMINIUS

LUCILIUS

SERVILIUS

Timon's servants

CAPHIS

PHILOTUS

TITUS

HORTENSIUS

servants to Timon's creditors

POET PAINTER JEWELLER MERCHANT MERCER AN OLD ATHENIAN THREE STRANGERS A PAGE A FOOL

PHRYNIA

TIMANDRA

mistresses to Alcibiades

CUPID

AMAZONS

in the Masque

Lords, Senators, Officers, Soldiers, Servants, Thieves, and

Attendants

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DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS

PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED

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SCENE: Athens and the neighbouring woods

ACT I. SCENE I. Athens. TIMON'S house

Enter POET, PAINTER, JEWELLER, MERCHANT, and MERCER, at several doors

POET. Good day, sir.

PAINTER. I am glad y'are well.

POET. I have not seen you long; how goes the world?

PAINTER. It wears, sir, as it grows.

POET. Ay, that's well known.

But what particular rarity? What strange,

Which manifold record not matches? See,

Magic of bounty, all these spirits thy power

Hath conjur'd to attend! I know the merchant.

PAINTER. I know them both; th' other's a jeweller.

MERCHANT. O, 'tis a worthy lord!

JEWELLER. Nay, that's most fix'd.

MERCHANT. A most incomparable man; breath'd, as it were,

To an untirable and continuate goodness.

He passes.

JEWELLER. I have a jewel here-

MERCHANT. O, pray let's see't. For the Lord Timon, sir?

JEWELLER. If he will touch the estimate. But for that-

POET. When we for recompense have prais'd the vile,

It stains the glory in that happy verse

Which aptly sings the good.

MERCHANT. [Looking at the jewel] 'Tis a good form.

JEWELLER. And rich. Here is a water, look ye.

PAINTER. You are rapt, sir, in some work, some dedication

To the great lord.

POET. A thing slipp'd idly from me.

Our poesy is as a gum, which oozes

From whence 'tis nourish'd. The fire i' th' flint

Shows not till it be struck: our gentle flame

Provokes itself, and like the current flies

Each bound it chafes. What have you there?

PAINTER. A picture, sir. When comes your book forth?

POET. Upon the heels of my presentment, sir.

Let's see your piece.

PAINTER. 'Tis a good piece.

POET. So 'tis; this comes off well and excellent.

PAINTER. Indifferent.

POET. Admirable. How this grace

Speaks his own standing! What a mental power

This eye shoots forth! How big imagination

Moves in this lip! To th' dumbness of the gesture

One might interpret.

PAINTER. It is a pretty mocking of the life.

Here is a touch; is't good?

POET. I will say of it

It tutors nature. Artificial strife

Lives in these touches, livelier than life.

Enter certain SENATORS, and pass over

PAINTER. How this lord is followed!

POET. The senators of Athens- happy man!

PAINTER. Look, moe!

POET. You see this confluence, this great flood of visitors.

I have in this rough work shap'd out a man

Whom this beneath world doth embrace and hug

With amplest entertainment. My free drift

Halts not particularly, but moves itself

In a wide sea of tax. No levell'd malice

Infects one comma in the course I hold,

But flies an eagle flight, bold and forth on,

Leaving no tract behind.

PAINTER. How shall I understand you?

POET. I will unbolt to you.

You see how all conditions, how all minds-

As well of glib and slipp'ry creatures as

Of grave and austere quality, tender down

Their services to Lord Timon. His large fortune,

Upon his good and gracious nature hanging,

Subdues and properties to his love and tendance

All sorts of hearts; yea, from the glass-fac'd flatterer

To Apemantus, that few things loves better

Than to abhor himself; even he drops down

The knee before him, and returns in peace

Most rich in Timon's nod.

PAINTER. I saw them speak together.

POET. Sir, I have upon a high and pleasant hill

Feign'd Fortune to be thron'd. The base o' th' mount

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 hand wafts to her;

Whose present grace to present slaves and servants

Translates his rivals.

PAINTER. '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.

PAINTER. Ay, marry, what of these?

POET. When Fortune in her shift and change of mood

Spurns down her late beloved, 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.

PAINTER. 'Tis common.

A thousand moral paintings I can show

That shall demonstrate these quick blows of Fortune's

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, addressing himself

courteously to every suitor, a MESSENGER from

VENTIDIUS talking with him; LUCILIUS and other

servants following

TIMON. Imprison'd is he, say you?

MESSENGER. Ay, my good lord. Five talents is his debt;

His means most short, his creditors most strait.

Your honourable letter he desires

To those have shut him up; which failing,

Periods his comfort.

TIMON. Noble Ventidius! Well.

I am not of that feather to shake of

My friend when he must need me. I do know him

A gentleman that well deserves a help,

Which he shall have. I'll pay the debt, and free him.

MESSENGER. Your lordship ever binds him.

TIMON. 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.

MESSENGER. All happiness to your honour! Exit

Enter an OLD ATHENIAN

OLD ATHENIAN. Lord Timon, hear me speak.

TIMON. Freely, good father.

OLD ATHENIAN. Thou hast a servant nam'd Lucilius.

TIMON. I have so; what of him?

OLD ATHENIAN. Most noble Timon, call the man before thee.

TIMON. Attends he here, or no? Lucilius!

LUCILIUS. Here, at your lordship's service.

OLD ATHENIAN. This fellow here, Lord Timon, this thy creature,

By night frequents my house. I am a man

That from my first have been inclin'd to thrift,

And my estate deserves an heir more rais'd

Than one which holds a trencher.

TIMON. Well; what further?

OLD ATHENIAN. One only daughter have I, no kin else,

On whom I may confer what I have got.

The maid is fair, o' th' 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 prithee, noble lord,

Join with me to forbid him her resort;

Myself have spoke in vain.

TIMON. The man is honest.

OLD ATHENIAN. Therefore he will be, Timon.

His honesty rewards him in itself;

It must not bear my daughter.

TIMON. Does she love him?

OLD ATHENIAN. She is young and apt:

Our own precedent passions do instruct us

What levity's in youth.

TIMON. Love you the maid?

LUCILIUS. Ay, my good lord, and she accepts of it.

OLD ATHENIAN. If in her marriage my consent be missing,

I call the gods to witness I will choose

Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world,

And dispossess her all.

TIMON. How shall she be endow'd,

If she be mated with an equal husband?

OLD ATHENIAN. Three talents on the present; in future, all.

TIMON. This gentleman of mine hath serv'd me long;.

To build his fortune I will strain a little,

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 ATHENIAN. Most noble lord,

Pawn me to this your honour, she is his.

TIMON. My hand to thee; mine honour on my promise.

LUCILIUS. Humbly I thank your lordship. Never may

That state or fortune fall into my keeping

Which is not owed to you!

Exeunt LUCILIUS and OLD ATHENIAN

POET. [Presenting his poem] Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your

lordship!

TIMON. I thank you; you shall hear from me anon;

Go not away. What have you there, my friend?

PAINTER. A piece of painting, which I do beseech

Your lordship to accept.

TIMON. Painting is welcome.

The painting is almost the natural man;

For since dishonour traffics with man's nature,

He is but outside; these pencill'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.

PAINTER. The gods preserve ye!

TIMON. Well fare you, gentleman. Give me your hand;

We must needs dine together. Sir, your jewel

Hath suffered under praise.

JEWELLER. What, my lord! Dispraise?

TIMON. A mere satiety of commendations;

If I should pay you for't as 'tis extoll'd,

It would unclew me quite.

JEWELLER. My lord, 'tis rated

As those which sell would give; but you well know

Things of like value, differing in the owners,

Are prized by their masters. Believe't, dear lord,

You mend the jewel by the wearing it.

TIMON. Well mock'd.

Enter APEMANTUS

MERCHANT. No, my good lord; he speaks the common tongue,

Which all men speak with him.

TIMON. Look who comes here; will you be chid?

JEWELLER. We'll bear, with your lordship.

MERCHANT. He'll spare none.

TIMON. Good morrow to thee, gentle Apemantus!

APEMANTUS. Till I be gentle, stay thou for thy good morrow;

When thou art Timon's dog, and these knaves honest.

TIMON. Why dost thou call them knaves? Thou know'st them not.

APEMANTUS. Are they not Athenians?

TIMON. Yes.

APEMANTUS. Then I repent not.

JEWELLER. You know me, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS. Thou know'st I do; I call'd thee by thy name.

TIMON. Thou art proud, Apemantus.

APEMANTUS. Of nothing so much as that I am not like Timon.

TIMON. Whither art going?

APEMANTUS. To knock out an honest Athenian's brains.

TIMON. That's a deed thou't die for.

APEMANTUS. Right, if doing nothing be death by th' law.

TIMON. How lik'st thou this picture, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS. The best, for the innocence.

TIMON. Wrought he not well that painted it?

APEMANTUS. He wrought better that made the painter; and yet he's

but a filthy piece of work.

PAINTER. Y'are a dog.

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

TIMON. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS. No; I eat not lords.

TIMON. An thou shouldst, thou'dst anger ladies.

APEMANTUS. O, they eat lords; so they come by great bellies.

TIMON. That's a lascivious apprehension.

APEMANTUS. So thou apprehend'st it take it for thy labour.

TIMON. How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS. Not so well as plain dealing, which will not cost a man

a doit.

TIMON. What dost thou think 'tis worth?

APEMANTUS. Not worth my thinking. How now, poet!

POET. How now, philosopher!

APEMANTUS. Thou liest.

POET. Art not one?

APEMANTUS. Yes.

POET. Then I lie not.

APEMANTUS. Art not a poet?

POET. Yes.

APEMANTUS. Then thou liest. Look in thy last work, where thou hast

feign'd him a worthy fellow.

POET. That's not feign'd- he is so.

APEMANTUS. Yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee for thy

labour. He that loves to be flattered is worthy o' th' flatterer.

Heavens, that I were a lord!

TIMON. What wouldst do then, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS. E'en as Apemantus does now: hate a lord with my heart.

TIMON. What, thyself?

APEMANTUS. Ay.

TIMON. Wherefore?

APEMANTUS. That I had no angry wit to be a lord.- Art not thou a

merchant?

MERCHANT. Ay, Apemantus.

APEMANTUS. Traffic confound thee, if the gods will not!

MERCHANT. If traffic do it, the gods do it.

APEMANTUS. Traffic's thy god, and thy god confound thee!

Trumpet sounds. Enter a MESSENGER

TIMON. What trumpet's that?

MESSENGER. 'Tis Alcibiades, and some twenty horse,

All of companionship.

TIMON. Pray entertain them; give them guide to us.

Exeunt some attendants

You must needs dine with me. Go not you hence

Till I have thank'd you. When dinner's done

Show me this piece. I am joyful of your sights.

Enter ALCIBIADES, with the rest

Most welcome, sir! [They salute]

APEMANTUS. So, so, there!

Aches contract and starve your supple joints!

That there should be small love amongst these sweet knaves,

And all this courtesy! The strain of man's bred out

Into baboon and monkey.

ALCIBIADES. Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I feed

Most hungerly on your sight.

TIMON. 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

FIRST LORD. What time o' day is't, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS. Time to be honest.

FIRST LORD. That time serves still.

APEMANTUS. The more accursed thou that still omit'st it.

SECOND LORD. Thou art going to Lord Timon's feast.

APEMANTUS. Ay; to see meat fill knaves and wine heat fools.

SECOND LORD. Fare thee well, fare thee well.

APEMANTUS. Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice.

SECOND LORD. Why, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS. Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give

thee none.

FIRST LORD. Hang thyself.

APEMANTUS. No, I will do nothing at thy bidding; make thy requests

to thy friend.

SECOND LORD. Away, unpeaceable dog, or I'll spurn thee hence.

APEMANTUS. I will fly, like a dog, the heels o' th' ass. Exit

FIRST LORD. He's opposite to humanity. Come, shall we in

And taste Lord Timon's bounty? He outgoes

The very heart of kindness.

SECOND LORD. He pours it out: Plutus, the god of gold,

Is but his steward; no meed but he repays

Sevenfold above itself; no gift to him

But breeds the giver a return exceeding

All use of quittance.

FIRST LORD. The noblest mind he carries

That ever govern'd man.

SECOND LORD. Long may he live in fortunes! shall we in?

FIRST LORD. I'll keep you company. Exeunt

SCENE II. A room of state in TIMON'S house

Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet serv'd in;

FLAVIUS and others attending; and then enter LORD TIMON, the states,

the ATHENIAN LORDS, VENTIDIUS, which TIMON redeem'd from prison.

Then comes, dropping after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly, like himself

VENTIDIUS. Most honoured Timon,

It hath pleas'd the gods to remember my father's age,

And call him to long peace.

He is gone happy, and has left me rich.

Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound

To your free heart, I do return those talents,

Doubled with thanks and service, from whose help

I deriv'd liberty.

TIMON. O, by no means,

Honest Ventidius! You mistake my love;

I gave it freely ever; and there's none

Can truly say he gives, if he receives.

If our betters play at that game, we must not dare

To imitate them: faults that are rich are fair.

VENTIDIUS. A noble spirit!

TIMON. 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;

But where there is true friendship there needs none.

Pray, sit; more welcome are ye to my fortunes

Than my fortunes to me. [They sit]

FIRST LORD. My lord, we always have confess'd it.

APEMANTUS. Ho, ho, confess'd it! Hang'd it, have you not?

TIMON. O, Apemantus, you are welcome.

APEMANTUS. No;

You shall not make me welcome.

I come to have thee thrust me out of doors.

TIMON. Fie, th'art a churl; ye have got a humour there

Does not become a man; 'tis much to blame.

They say, my lords, Ira furor brevis est; but yond man is ever

angry. Go, let him have a table by himself; for he does neither

affect company nor is he fit for't indeed.

APEMANTUS. Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon.

I come to observe; I give thee warning on't.

TIMON. I take no heed of thee. Th'art an Athenian, therefore

welcome. I myself would have no power; prithee let my meat make

thee silent.

APEMANTUS. I scorn thy meat; 't'would choke me, for I should ne'er

flatter thee. O 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 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, pledges the breath of him in a divided

draught, is the readiest man to kill him. 'T 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.

Here's that which is too weak to be a sinner, honest water, which

ne'er left man i' th' mire.

This and my food are equals; there's no odds.'

Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods.

APEMANTUS' 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!

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 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. 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 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. O you gods, think I, what

need we have any friends if we should ne'er have need of 'em?

They were the most needless creatures living, should we ne'er

have use for 'em; and would most resemble sweet instruments hung

up in cases, that keep their sounds to themselves. Why, I have

often wish'd 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 like brothers commanding one

another's fortunes! O, joy's e'en made away ere't can be born!

Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks. To forget their

faults, I drink to you.

APEMANTUS. Thou weep'st to make them drink, Timon.

SECOND LORD. Joy had the like conception in our eyes,

And at that instant like a babe sprung up.

APEMANTUS. Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.

THIRD LORD. I promise you, my lord, you mov'd me much.

APEMANTUS. Much! [Sound tucket]

TIMON. What means that trump?

Enter a SERVANT

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

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. Th' Ear,

Taste, Touch, Smell, pleas'd from thy table rise;

They only 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 ample y'are belov'd.

Music. Re-enter CUPID, witb a Masque of LADIES as Amazons,

with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing

APEMANTUS. Hoy-day, what a sweep of vanity comes this way!

They dance? They are mad women.

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

With poisonous spite and envy.

Who lives that's not depraved 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. 'T 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 single out an

Amazon, and all dance, men witb women, a lofty

strain or two to the hautboys, and cease

TIMON. 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 lustre,

And entertain'd me with mine own device;

I am to thank you for't.

FIRST LADY. My lord, you take us even at the best.

APEMANTUS. Faith, for the worst is filthy, and would not hold

taking, I doubt me.

TIMON. Ladies, there is an idle banquet attends you;

Please you to dispose yourselves.

ALL LADIES. Most thankfully, my lord.

Exeunt CUPID and LADIES

TIMON. Flavius!

FLAVIUS. My lord?

TIMON. The little casket bring me hither.

FLAVIUS. Yes, my lord. [Aside] 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

FIRST LORD. Where be our men?

SERVANT. Here, my lord, in readiness.

SECOND LORD. Our horses!

Re-enter FLAVIUS, with the casket

TIMON. O my friends,

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,

Kind my lord.

FIRST LORD. I am so far already in your gifts-

ALL. So are we all.

Enter a SERVANT

SERVANT. My lord, there are certain nobles of the Senate newly

alighted and come to visit you.

TIMON. They are fairly welcome. Exit SERVANT

FLAVIUS. I beseech your honour, 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. [Aside] I scarce know how.

Enter another SERVANT

SECOND SERVANT. May it please vour honour, Lord Lucius, out of his

free love, hath presented to you four milk-white horses, trapp'd

in silver.

TIMON. I shall accept them fairly. Let the presents

Be worthily entertain'd. Exit SERVANT

Enter a third SERVANT

How now! What news?

THIRD SERVANT. 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.

TIMON. I'll hunt with him; and let them be receiv'd,

Not without fair reward. Exit SERVANT

FLAVIUS. [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 ev'ry 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 that do e'en enemies exceed.

I bleed inwardly for my lord. Exit

TIMON. You do yourselves much wrong;

You bate too much of your own merits.

Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.

SECOND LORD. With more than common thanks I will receive it.

THIRD LORD. O, he's the very soul of bounty!

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 lik'd it.

THIRD LORD. O, 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. 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.

ALCIBIADES. Ay, defil'd land, my lord.

FIRST LORD. We are so virtuously bound-

TIMON. And so am I to you.

SECOND LORD. So infinitely endear'd-

TIMON. All to you. Lights, more lights!

FIRST LORD. The best of happiness, honour, and fortunes, keep with

you, Lord Timon!

TIMON. 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:

Methinks false hearts should never have sound legs.

Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on curtsies.

TIMON. Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen

I would be good to thee.

APEMANTUS. No, I'll nothing; for if I should be brib'd too, there

would be none left to rail upon thee, and then thou wouldst sin

the faster. Thou giv'st so long, Timon, I fear me thou wilt give

away thyself in paper shortly. What needs these feasts, pomps,

and vain-glories?

TIMON. 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

APEMANTUS. So. 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

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ACT II. SCENE I. A SENATOR'S house

Enter A SENATOR, with papers in his hand

SENATOR. And late, five thousand. To Varro and to Isidore

He owes nine thousand; besides my former sum,

Which makes it five and twenty. Still in motion

Of raging waste? It cannot hold; it will not.

If I want gold, steal but a beggar's dog

And give it Timon, why, the dog coins gold.

If I would sell my horse and buy twenty moe

Better than he, why, give my horse to Timon,

Ask nothing, give it him, it foals me straight,

And able horses. No porter at his gate,

But rather one that smiles and still invites

All that pass by. It cannot hold; no reason

Can sound his state in safety. Caphis, ho!

Caphis, I say!

Enter CAPHIS

CAPHIS. Here, sir; what is your pleasure?

SENATOR. Get on your cloak and haste you to Lord Timon;

Importune him for my moneys; be not ceas'd

With slight denial, nor then silenc'd when

'Commend me to your master' and the cap

Plays in the right hand, thus; but tell him

My uses cry to me, I must serve my turn

Out of mine own; his days and times are past,

And my reliances on his fracted dates

Have smit my credit. I love and honour him,

But must not break my back to heal his finger.

Immediate are my needs, and my relief

Must not be toss'd and turn'd to me in words,

But find supply immediate. Get you gone;

Put on a most importunate aspect,

A visage of demand; for I do fear,

When every feather sticks in his own wing,

Lord Timon will be left a naked gull,

Which flashes now a phoenix. Get you gone.

CAPHIS. I go, sir.

SENATOR. Take the bonds along with you,

And have the dates in compt.

CAPHIS. I will, sir.

SENATOR. Go. Exeunt

SCENE II. Before TIMON'S house

Enter FLAVIUS, TIMON'S Steward, 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 no care

Of what is to continue. Never mind

Was to be so unwise to be so kind.

What shall be done? He will not hear till feel.

I must be round with him. Now he comes from hunting.

Fie, fie, fie, fie!

Enter CAPHIS, and the SERVANTS Of ISIDORE and VARRO

CAPHIS. Good even, Varro. What, you come for money?

VARRO'S SERVANT. Is't not your business too?

CAPHIS. It is. And yours too, Isidore?

ISIDORE'S SERVANT. It is so.

CAPHIS. Would we were all discharg'd!

VARRO'S SERVANT. I fear it.

CAPHIS. Here comes the lord.

Enter TIMON and his train, with ALCIBIADES

TIMON. So soon as dinner's done we'll forth again,

My Alcibiades.- With me? What is your will?

CAPHIS. My lord, here is a note of certain dues.

TIMON. Dues! Whence are you?

CAPHIS. Of Athens here, my lord.

TIMON. Go to my steward.

CAPHIS. Please it your lordship, he hath put me off

To the succession of new days this month.

My master is awak'd by great occasion

To call upon his own, and humbly prays you

That with your other noble parts you'll suit

In giving him his right.

TIMON. Mine honest friend,

I prithee but repair to me next morning.

CAPHIS. Nay, good my lord-

TIMON. Contain thyself, good friend.

VARRO'S SERVANT. One Varro's servant, my good lord-

ISIDORE'S SERVANT. From Isidore: he humbly prays your speedy

payment-

CAPHIS. If you did know, my lord, my master's wants-

VARRO'S SERVANT. 'Twas due on forfeiture, my lord, six weeks and

past.

ISIDORE'S SERVANT. Your steward puts me off, my lord; and

I am sent expressly to your lordship.

TIMON. Give me breath.

I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on;

I'll wait upon you instantly.

Exeunt ALCIBIADES and LORDS

[To FLAVIUS] Come hither. Pray you,

How goes the world that I am thus encount'red

With clamorous demands of date-broke bonds

And the detention of long-since-due debts,

Against my honour?

FLAVIUS. Please you, gentlemen,

The time is unagreeable to this business.

Your importunacy cease till after dinner,

That I may make his lordship understand

Wherefore you are not paid.

TIMON. Do so, my friends.

See them well entertain'd. Exit

FLAVIUS. Pray draw near. Exit

Enter APEMANTUS and FOOL

CAPHIS. Stay, stay, here comes the fool with Apemantus.

Let's ha' some sport with 'em.

VARRO'S SERVANT. Hang him, he'll abuse us!

ISIDORE'S SERVANT. A plague upon him, dog!

VARRO'S SERVANT. How dost, fool?

APEMANTUS. Dost dialogue with thy shadow?

VARRO'S SERVANT. I speak not to thee.

APEMANTUS. No, 'tis to thyself. [To the FOOL] Come away.

ISIDORE'S SERVANT. [To VARRO'S SERVANT] There's the fool hangs on

your back already.

APEMANTUS. No, thou stand'st single; th'art not on him yet.

CAPHIS. Where's the fool now?

APEMANTUS. He last ask'd the question. Poor rogues and usurers'

men! Bawds between gold and want!

ALL SERVANTS. What are we, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS. Asses.

ALL SERVANTS. Why?

APEMANTUS. That you ask me what you are, and do not know

yourselves. Speak to 'em, fool.

FOOL. How do you, gentlemen?

ALL SERVANTS. Gramercies, good fool. How does your mistress?

FOOL. She's e'en setting on water to scald such chickens as you

are. Would we could see you at Corinth!

APEMANTUS. Good! gramercy.

Enter PAGE

FOOL. Look you, here comes my mistress' page.

PAGE. [To the FOOL] Why, how now, Captain? What do you in this wise

company? How dost thou, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS. Would I had a rod in my mouth, that I might answer thee

profitably!

PAGE. Prithee, Apemantus, read me the superscription of these

letters; I know not which is which.

APEMANTUS. Canst not read?

PAGE. No.

APEMANTUS. There will little learning die, then, that day thou art

hang'd. This is to Lord Timon; this to Alcibiades. Go; thou wast

born a bastard, and thou't die a bawd.

PAGE. Thou wast whelp'd a dog, and thou shalt famish dog's death.

Answer not: I am gone. Exit PAGE

APEMANTUS. E'en so thou outrun'st grace.

Fool, I will go with you to Lord Timon's.

FOOL. Will you leave me there?

APEMANTUS. If Timon stay at home. You three serve three usurers?

ALL SERVANTS. Ay; would they serv'd us!

APEMANTUS. So would I- as good a trick as ever hangman serv'd

thief.

FOOL. Are you three usurers' men?

ALL SERVANTS. Ay, fool.

FOOL. I think no usurer but has a fool to his servant. My mistress

is one, and I am her fool. When men come to borrow of your

masters, they approach sadly and go away merry; but they enter my

mistress' house merrily and go away sadly. The reason of this?

VARRO'S SERVANT. I could render one.

APEMANTUS. Do it then, that we may account thee a whoremaster and a

knave; which notwithstanding, thou shalt be no less esteemed.

VARRO'S SERVANT. What is a whoremaster, fool?

FOOL. A fool in good clothes, and something like thee. 'Tis a

spirit. Sometime 't appears like a lord; sometime like a lawyer;

sometime like a philosopher, with two stones moe than's

artificial one. He is very often like a knight; and, generally,

in all shapes that man goes up and down in from fourscore to

thirteen, this spirit walks in.

VARRO'S SERVANT. Thou art not altogether a fool.

FOOL. Nor thou altogether a wise man.

As much foolery as I have, so much wit thou lack'st.

APEMANTUS. That answer might have become Apemantus.

VARRO'S SERVANT. Aside, aside; here comes Lord Timon.

Re-enter TIMON and FLAVIUS

APEMANTUS. Come with me, fool, come.

FOOL. I do not always follow lover, elder brother, and woman;

sometime the philosopher.

Exeunt APEMANTUS and FOOL

FLAVIUS. Pray you walk near; I'll speak with you anon.

Exeunt SERVANTS

TIMON. You make me marvel wherefore ere this time

Had you not fully laid my state before me,

That I might so have rated my expense

As I had leave of means.

FLAVIUS. You would not hear me

At many leisures I propos'd.

TIMON. Go to;

Perchance some single vantages you took

When my indisposition put you back,

And that unaptness made your minister

Thus to excuse yourself.

FLAVIUS. O my good lord,

At many times I brought in my accounts,

Laid them before you; you would throw them off

And say you found them in mine honesty.

When, for some trifling present, you have bid me

Return so much, I have shook my head and wept;

Yea, 'gainst th' authority of manners, pray'd you

To hold your hand more close. I did endure

Not seldom, nor no slight checks, when I have

Prompted you in the ebb of your estate

And your great flow of debts. My lov'd lord,

Though you hear now- too late!- yet now's a time:

The greatest of your having lacks a half

To pay your present debts.

TIMON. Let all my land be sold.

FLAVIUS. 'Tis all engag'd, some forfeited and gone;

And what remains will hardly stop the mouth

Of present dues. The future comes apace;

What shall defend the interim? And at length

How goes our reck'ning?

TIMON. To Lacedaemon did my land extend.

FLAVIUS. O my good lord, the world is but a word;

Were it all yours to give it in a breath,

How quickly were it gone!

TIMON. You tell me true.

FLAVIUS. If you suspect my husbandry or falsehood,

Call me before th' exactest auditors

And set me on the proof. So the gods bless me,

When all our offices have been oppress'd

With riotous feeders, when our vaults have wept

With drunken spilth of wine, when every room

Hath blaz'd with lights and bray'd with minstrelsy,

I have retir'd me to a wasteful cock

And set mine eyes at flow.

TIMON. Prithee no more.

FLAVIUS. 'Heavens,' have I said 'the bounty of this lord!

How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants

This night englutted! Who is not Lord Timon's?

What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is Lord Timon's?

Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon!'

Ah! when the means are gone that buy this praise,

The breath is gone whereof this praise is made.

Feast-won, fast-lost; one cloud of winter show'rs,

These flies are couch'd.

TIMON. Come, sermon me no further.

No villainous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart;

Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.

Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack

To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart:

If I would broach the vessels of my love,

And try the argument of hearts by borrowing,

Men and men's fortunes could I frankly use

As I can bid thee speak.

FLAVIUS. Assurance bless your thoughts!

TIMON. And, in some sort, these wants of mine are crown'd

That I account them blessings; for by these

Shall I try friends. You shall perceive how you

Mistake my fortunes; I am wealthy in my friends.

Within there! Flaminius! Servilius!