SERVANTS. My lord! my lord!

TIMON. I will dispatch you severally- you to Lord Lucius; to Lord

Lucullus you; I hunted with his honour to-day. You to Sempronius.

Commend me to their loves; and I am proud, say, that my occasions

have found time to use 'em toward a supply of money. Let the

request be fifty talents.

FLAMINIUS. As you have said, my lord. Exeunt SERVANTS

FLAVIUS. [Aside] Lord Lucius and Lucullus? Humh!

TIMON. Go you, sir, to the senators,

Of whom, even to the state's best health, I have

Deserv'd this hearing. Bid 'em send o' th' instant

A thousand talents to me.

FLAVIUS. I have been bold,

For that I knew it the most general way,

To them to use your signet and your name;

But they do shake their heads, and I am here

No richer in return.

TIMON. Is't true? Can't be?

FLAVIUS. They answer, in a joint and corporate voice,

That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot

Do what they would, are sorry- you are honourable-

But yet they could have wish'd- they know not-

Something hath been amiss- a noble nature

May catch a wrench- would all were well!- 'tis pity-

And so, intending other serious matters,

After distasteful looks, and these hard fractions,

With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods,

They froze me into silence.

TIMON. You gods, reward them!

Prithee, man, look cheerly. These old fellows

Have their ingratitude in them hereditary.

Their blood is cak'd, 'tis cold, it seldom flows;

'Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind;

And nature, as it grows again toward earth,

Is fashion'd for the journey dull and heavy.

Go to Ventidius. Prithee be not sad,

Thou art true and honest; ingeniously I speak,

No blame belongs to thee. Ventidius lately

Buried his father, by whose death he's stepp'd

Into a great estate. When he was poor,

Imprison'd, and in scarcity of friends,

I clear'd him with five talents. Greet him from me,

Bid him suppose some good necessity

Touches his friend, which craves to be rememb'red

With those five talents. That had, give't these fellows

To whom 'tis instant due. Nev'r speak or think

That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink.

FLAVIUS. I would I could not think it.

That thought is bounty's foe;

Being free itself, it thinks all others so. Exeunt

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ACT III. SCENE I. LUCULLUS' house

FLAMINIUS waiting to speak with LUCULLUS. Enter SERVANT to him

SERVANT. I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you.

FLAMINIUS. I thank you, sir.

Enter LUCULLUS

SERVANT. Here's my lord.

LUCULLUS. [Aside] One of Lord Timon's men? A gift, I warrant. Why,

this hits right; I dreamt of a silver basin and ewer to-night-

Flaminius, honest Flaminius, you are very respectively welcome,

sir. Fill me some wine. [Exit SERVANT] And how does that

honourable, complete, freehearted gentleman of Athens, thy very

bountiful good lord and master?

FLAMINIUS. His health is well, sir.

LUCULLUS. I am right glad that his health is well, sir. And what

hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius?

FLAMINIUS. Faith, nothing but an empty box, sir, which in my lord's

behalf I come to entreat your honour to supply; who, having

great and instant occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to

your lordship to furnish him, nothing doubting your present

assistance therein.

LUCULLIUS. La, la, la, la! 'Nothing doubting' says he? Alas, good

lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, if he would not keep so good a

house. Many a time and often I ha' din'd with him and told him

on't; and come again to supper to him of purpose to have him

spend less; and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning

by my coming. Every man has his fault, and honesty is his. I ha'

told him on't, but I could ne'er get him from't.

Re-enter SERVANT, with wine

SERVANT. Please your lordship, here is the wine.

LUCULLUS. Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here's to thee.

FLAMINIUS. Your lordship speaks your pleasure.

LUCULLUS. I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt spirit,

give thee thy due, and one that knows what belongs to reason, and

canst use the time well, if the time use thee well. Good parts in

thee. [To SERVANT] Get you gone, sirrah. [Exit SERVANT] Draw

nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a bountiful gentleman; but

thou art wise, and thou know'st well enough, although thou com'st

to me, that this is no time to lend money, especially upon bare

friendship without security. Here's three solidares for thee.

Good boy, wink at me, and say thou saw'st me not. Fare thee well.

FLAMINIUS. Is't possible the world should so much differ,

And we alive that liv'd? Fly, damned baseness,

To him that worships thee. [Throwing the money back]

LUCULLUS. Ha! Now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy master.

Exit

FLAMINIUS. May these add to the number that may scald thee!

Let molten coin be thy damnation,

Thou disease of a friend and not himself!

Has friendship such a faint and milky heart

It turns in less than two nights? O you gods,

I feel my master's passion! This slave

Unto his honour has my lord's meat in him;

Why should it thrive and turn to nutriment

When he is turn'd to poison?

O, may diseases only work upon't!

And when he's sick to death, let not that part of nature

Which my lord paid for be of any power

To expel sickness, but prolong his hour! Exit

SCENE II. A public place

Enter Lucius, with three STRANGERS

LUCIUS. Who, the Lord Timon? He is my very good friend, and an

honourable gentleman.

FIRST STRANGER. We know him for no less, though we are but

strangers to him. But I can tell you one thing, my lord, and

which I hear from common rumours: now Lord Timon's happy hours

are done and past, and his estate shrinks from him.

LUCIUS. Fie, no: do not believe it; he cannot want for money.

SECOND STRANGER. But believe you this, my lord, that not long ago

one of his men was with the Lord Lucullus to borrow so many

talents; nay, urg'd extremely for't, and showed what necessity

belong'd to't, and yet was denied.

LUCIUS. How?

SECOND STRANGER. I tell you, denied, my lord.

LUCIUS. What a strange case was that! Now, before the gods, I am

asham'd on't. Denied that honourable man! There was very little

honour show'd in't. For my own part, I must needs confess I have

received some small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels,

and such-like trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet, had he

mistook him and sent to me, I should ne'er have denied his

occasion so many talents.

Enter SERVILIUS

SERVILIUS. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; I have sweat to see

his honour.- My honour'd lord!

LUCIUS. Servilius? You are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well; commend

me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.

SERVILIUS. May it please your honour, my lord hath sent-

LUCIUS. Ha! What has he sent? I am so much endeared to that lord:

he's ever sending. How shall I thank him, think'st thou? And what

has he sent now?

SERVILIUS. Has only sent his present occasion now, my lord,

requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many

talents.

LUCIUS. I know his lordship is but merry with me;

He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents.

SERVILIUS. But in the mean time he wants less, my lord.

If his occasion were not virtuous

I should not urge it half so faithfully.

LUCIUS. Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?

SERVILIUS. Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir.

LUCIUS. What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself against such

a good time, when I might ha' shown myself honourable! How

unluckily it happ'ned that I should purchase the day before for a

little part and undo a great deal of honour! Servilius, now

before the gods, I am not able to do- the more beast, I say! I

was sending to use Lord Timon myself, these gentlemen can

witness; but I would not for the wealth of Athens I had done't

now. Commend me bountifully to his good lordship, and I hope his

honour will conceive the fairest of me, because I have no power

to be kind. And tell him this from me: I count it one of my

greatest afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure such an

honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far

as to use mine own words to him?

SERVILIUS. Yes, sir, I shall.

LUCIUS. I'll look you out a good turn, Servilius.

Exit SERVILIUS

True, as you said, Timon is shrunk indeed;

And he that's once denied will hardly speed. Exit

FIRST STRANGER. Do you observe this, Hostilius?

SECOND STRANGER. Ay, too well.

FIRST STRANGER. Why, this is the world's soul; and just of the same

piece

Is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him his friend

That dips in the same dish? For, in my knowing,

Timon has been this lord's father,

And kept his credit with his purse;

Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money

Has paid his men their wages. He ne'er drinks

But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;

And yet- O, see the monstrousness of man

When he looks out in an ungrateful shape!-

He does deny him, in respect of his,

What charitable men afford to beggars.

THIRD STRANGER. Religion groans at it.

FIRST STRANGER. For mine own part,

I never tasted Timon in my life,

Nor came any of his bounties over me

To mark me for his friend; yet I protest,

For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,

And honourable carriage,

Had his necessity made use of me,

I would have put my wealth into donation,

And the best half should have return'd to him,

So much I love his heart. But I perceive

Men must learn now with pity to dispense;

For policy sits above conscience. Exeunt

SCENE III. SEMPRONIUS' house

Enter SEMPRONIUS and a SERVANT of TIMON'S

SEMPRONIUS. Must he needs trouble me in't? Hum! 'Bove all others?

He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus;

And now Ventidius is wealthy too,

Whom he redeem'd from prison. All these

Owe their estates unto him.

SERVANT. My lord,

They have all been touch'd and found base metal, for

They have all denied him.

SEMPRONIUS. How! Have they denied him?

Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?

And does he send to me? Three? Humh!

It shows but little love or judgment in him.

Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,

Thrice give him over. Must I take th' cure upon me?

Has much disgrac'd me in't; I'm angry at him,

That might have known my place. I see no sense for't,

But his occasions might have woo'd me first;

For, in my conscience, I was the first man

That e'er received gift from him.

And does he think so backwardly of me now

That I'll requite it last? No;

So it may prove an argument of laughter

To th' rest, and I 'mongst lords be thought a fool.

I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum

Had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;

I'd such a courage to do him good. But now return,

And with their faint reply this answer join:

Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin. Exit

SERVANT. Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil

knew not what he did when he made man politic- he cross'd himself

by't; and I cannot think but, in the end, the villainies of man

will set him clear. How fairly this lord strives to appear foul!

Takes virtuous copies to be wicked, like those that under hot

ardent zeal would set whole realms on fire.

Of such a nature is his politic love.

This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled,

Save only the gods. Now his friends are dead,

Doors that were ne'er acquainted with their wards

Many a bounteous year must be employ'd

Now to guard sure their master.

And this is all a liberal course allows:

Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house. Exit

SCENE IV. A hall in TIMON'S house

Enter two Of VARRO'S MEN, meeting LUCIUS' SERVANT, and others, all being servants of TIMON's creditors, to wait for his coming out. Then enter TITUS and HORTENSIUS

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT. Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.

TITUS. The like to you, kind Varro.

HORTENSIUS. Lucius! What, do we meet together?

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Ay, and I think one business does command us all;

for mine is money.

TITUS. So is theirs and ours.

Enter PHILOTUS

LUCIUS' SERVANT. And Sir Philotus too!

PHILOTUS. Good day at once.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. welcome, good brother, what do you think the hour?

PHILOTUS. Labouring for nine.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. So much?

PHILOTUS. Is not my lord seen yet?

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Not yet.

PHILOTUS. I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at seven.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Ay, but the days are wax'd shorter with him;

You must consider that a prodigal course

Is like the sun's, but not like his recoverable.

I fear

'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse;

That is, one may reach deep enough and yet

Find little.

PHILOTUS. I am of your fear for that.

TITUS. I'll show you how t' observe a strange event.

Your lord sends now for money.

HORTENSIUS. Most true, he does.

TITUS. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift,

For which I wait for money.

HORTENSIUS. It is against my heart.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Mark how strange it shows

Timon in this should pay more than he owes;

And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels

And send for money for 'em.

HORTENSIUS. I'm weary of this charge, the gods can witness;

I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,

And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns; what's

yours?

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Five thousand mine.

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT. 'Tis much deep; and it should seem by th'

sum

Your master's confidence was above mine,

Else surely his had equall'd.

Enter FLAMINIUS

TITUS. One of Lord Timon's men.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Flaminius! Sir, a word. Pray, is my lord ready to

come forth?

FLAMINIUS. No, indeed, he is not.

TITUS. We attend his lordship; pray signify so much.

FLAMINIUS. I need not tell him that; he knows you are to diligent.

Exit

Enter FLAVIUS, in a cloak, muffled

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Ha! Is not that his steward muffled so?

He goes away in a cloud. Call him, call him.

TITUS. Do you hear, sir?

SECOND VARRO'S SERVANT. By your leave, sir.

FLAVIUS. What do ye ask of me, my friend?

TITUS. We wait for certain money here, sir.

FLAVIUS. Ay,

If money were as certain as your waiting,

'Twere sure enough.

Why then preferr'd you not your sums and bills

When your false masters eat of my lord's meat?

Then they could smile, and fawn upon his debts,

And take down th' int'rest into their glutt'nous maws.

You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up;

Let me pass quietly.

Believe't, my lord and I have made an end:

I have no more to reckon, he to spend.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Ay, but this answer will not serve.

FLAVIUS. If 'twill not serve, 'tis not so base as you,

For you serve knaves. Exit

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT. How! What does his cashier'd worship mutter?

SECOND VARRO'S SERVANT. No matter what; he's poor, and that's

revenge enough. Who can speak broader than he that has no house

to put his head in? Such may rail against great buildings.

Enter SERVILIUS

TITUS. O, here's Servilius; now we shall know some answer.

SERVILIUS. If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some other

hour, I should derive much from't; for take't of my soul, my lord

leans wondrously to discontent. His comfortable temper has

forsook him; he's much out of health and keeps his chamber.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Many do keep their chambers are not sick;

And if it be so far beyond his health,

Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts,

And make a clear way to the gods.

SERVILIUS. Good gods!

TITUS. We cannot take this for answer, sir.

FLAMINIUS. [Within] Servilius, help! My lord! my lord!

Enter TIMON, in a rage, FLAMINIUS following

TIMON. What, are my doors oppos'd against my passage?

Have I been ever free, and must my house

Be my retentive enemy, my gaol?

The place which I have feasted, does it now,

Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Put in now, Titus.

TITUS. My lord, here is my bill.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Here's mine.

HORTENSIUS. And mine, my lord.

BOTH VARRO'S SERVANTS. And ours, my lord.

PHILOTUS. All our bills.

TIMON. Knock me down with 'em; cleave me to the girdle.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Alas, my lord-

TIMON. Cut my heart in sums.

TITUS. Mine, fifty talents.

TIMON. Tell out my blood.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Five thousand crowns, my lord.

TIMON. Five thousand drops pays that. What yours? and yours?

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT. My lord-

SECOND VARRO'S SERVANT. My lord-

TIMON. Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you! Exit

HORTENSIUS. Faith, I perceive our masters may throw their caps at

their money. These debts may well be call'd desperate ones, for a

madman owes 'em. Exeunt

Re-enter TIMON and FLAVIUS

TIMON. They have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves.

Creditors? Devils!

FLAVIUS. My dear lord-

TIMON. What if it should be so?

FLAMINIUS. My lord-

TIMON. I'll have it so. My steward!

FLAVIUS. Here, my lord.

TIMON. So fitly? Go, bid all my friends again:

Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius- all.

I'll once more feast the rascals.

FLAVIUS. O my lord,

You only speak from your distracted soul;

There is not so much left to furnish out

A moderate table.

TIMON. Be it not in thy care.

Go, I charge thee, invite them all; let in the tide

Of knaves once more; my cook and I'll provide. Exeunt

SCENE V. The Senate House

Enter three SENATORS at one door, ALCIBIADES meeting them, with attendants

FIRST SENATOR. My lord, you have my voice to't: the fault's bloody.

'Tis necessary he should die:

Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

SECOND SENATOR. Most true; the law shall bruise him.

ALCIBIADES. Honour, health, and compassion, to the Senate!

FIRST SENATOR. Now, Captain?

ALCIBIADES. I am an humble suitor to your virtues;

For pity is the virtue of the law,

And none but tyrants use it cruelly.

It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy

Upon a friend of mine, who in hot blood

Hath stepp'd into the law, which is past depth

To those that without heed do plunge into't.

He is a man, setting his fate aside,

Of comely virtues;

Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice-

An honour in him which buys out his fault-

But with a noble fury and fair spirit,

Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,

He did oppose his foe;

And with such sober and unnoted passion

He did behove his anger ere 'twas spent,

As if he had but prov'd an argument.

FIRST SENATOR. You undergo too strict a paradox,

Striving to make an ugly deed look fair;

Your words have took such pains as if they labour'd

To bring manslaughter into form and set

Quarrelling upon the head of valour; which, indeed,

Is valour misbegot, and came into the world

When sects and factions were newly born.

He's truly valiant that can wisely suffer

The worst that man can breathe,

And make his wrongs his outsides,

To wear them like his raiment, carelessly,

And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart,

To bring it into danger.

If wrongs be evils, and enforce us kill,

What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill!

ALCIBIADES. My lord-

FIRST SENATOR. You cannot make gross sins look clear:

To revenge is no valour, but to bear.

ALCIBIADES. My lords, then, under favour, pardon me

If I speak like a captain:

Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,

And not endure all threats? Sleep upon't,

And let the foes quietly cut their throats,

Without repugnancy? If there be

Such valour in the bearing, what make we

Abroad? Why, then, women are more valiant,

That stay at home, if bearing carry it;

And the ass more captain than the lion; the fellow

Loaden with irons wiser than the judge,

If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords,

As you are great, be pitifully good.

Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood?

To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust;

But, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just.

To be in anger is impiety;

But who is man that is not angry?

Weigh but the crime with this.

SECOND SENATOR. You breathe in vain.

ALCIBIADES. In vain! His service done

At Lacedaemon and Byzantium

Were a sufficient briber for his life.

FIRST SENATOR. What's that?

ALCIBIADES. Why, I say, my lords, has done fair service,

And slain in fight many of your enemies;

How full of valour did he bear himself

In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds!

SECOND SENATOR. He has made too much plenty with 'em.

He's a sworn rioter; he has a sin that often

Drowns him and takes his valour prisoner.

If there were no foes, that were enough

To overcome him. In that beastly fury

He has been known to commit outrages

And cherish factions. 'Tis inferr'd to us

His days are foul and his drink dangerous.

FIRST SENATOR. He dies.

ALCIBIADES. Hard fate! He might have died in war.

My lords, if not for any parts in him-

Though his right arm might purchase his own time,

And be in debt to none- yet, more to move you,

Take my deserts to his, and join 'em both;

And, for I know your reverend ages love

Security, I'll pawn my victories, all

My honours to you, upon his good returns.

If by this crime he owes the law his life,

Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore;

For law is strict, and war is nothing more.

FIRST SENATOR. We are for law: he dies. Urge it no more

On height of our displeasure. Friend or brother,

He forfeits his own blood that spills another.

ALCIBIADES. Must it be so? It must not be. My lords,

I do beseech you, know me.

SECOND SENATOR. How!

ALCIBIADES. Call me to your remembrances.

THIRD SENATOR. What!

ALCIBIADES. I cannot think but your age has forgot me;

It could not else be I should prove so base

To sue, and be denied such common grace.

My wounds ache at you.

FIRST SENATOR. Do you dare our anger?

'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect:

We banish thee for ever.

ALCIBIADES. Banish me!

Banish your dotage! Banish usury

That makes the Senate ugly.

FIRST SENATOR. If after two days' shine Athens contain thee,

Attend our weightier judgment. And, not to swell our spirit,

He shall be executed presently. Exeunt SENATORS

ALCIBIADES. Now the gods keep you old enough that you may live

Only in bone, that none may look on you!

I'm worse than mad; I have kept back their foes,

While they have told their money and let out

Their coin upon large interest, I myself

Rich only in large hurts. All those for this?

Is this the balsam that the usuring Senate

Pours into captains' wounds? Banishment!

It comes not ill; I hate not to be banish'd;

It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury,

That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up

My discontented troops, and lay for hearts.

'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds;

Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods. Exit

SCENE VI. A banqueting hall in TIMON'S house

Music. Tables set out; servants attending. Enter divers LORDS, friends of TIMON, at several doors

FIRST LORD. The good time of day to you, sir.

SECOND LORD. I also wish it to you. I think this honourable lord

did but try us this other day.

FIRST LORD. Upon that were my thoughts tiring when we encount'red.

I hope it is not so low with him as he made it seem in the trial

of his several friends.

SECOND LORD. It should not be, by the persuasion of his new

feasting.

FIRST LORD. I should think so. He hath sent me an earnest inviting,

which many my near occasions did urge me to put off; but he hath

conjur'd me beyond them, and I must needs appear.

SECOND LORD. In like manner was I in debt to my importunate

business, but he would not hear my excuse. I am sorry, when he

sent to borrow of me, that my provision was out.

FIRST LORD. I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all

things go.

SECOND LORD. Every man here's so. What would he have borrowed of

you?

FIRST LORD. A thousand pieces.

SECOND LORD. A thousand pieces!

FIRST LORD. What of you?

SECOND LORD. He sent to me, sir- here he comes.

Enter TIMON and attendants

TIMON. With all my heart, gentlemen both! And how fare you?

FIRST LORD. Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

SECOND LORD. The swallow follows not summer more willing than we

your lordship.

TIMON. [Aside] Nor more willingly leaves winter; such summer-birds

are men- Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long

stay; feast your ears with the music awhile, if they will fare so

harshly o' th' trumpet's sound; we shall to't presently.

FIRST LORD. I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship that

I return'd you an empty messenger.

TIMON. O sir, let it not trouble you.

SECOND LORD. My noble lord-

TIMON. Ah, my good friend, what cheer?

SECOND LORD. My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of shame that,

when your lordship this other day sent to me, I was so

unfortunate a beggar.

TIMON. Think not on't, sir.

SECOND LORD. If you had sent but two hours before-

TIMON. Let it not cumber your better remembrance. [The banquet

brought in] Come, bring in all together.

SECOND LORD. All cover'd dishes!

FIRST LORD. Royal cheer, I warrant you.

THIRD LORD. Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.

FIRST LORD. How do you? What's the news?

THIRD LORD. Alcibiades is banish'd. Hear you of it?

FIRST AND SECOND LORDS. Alcibiades banish'd!

THIRD LORD. 'Tis so, be sure of it.

FIRST LORD. How? how?

SECOND LORD. I pray you, upon what?

TIMON. My worthy friends, will you draw near?

THIRD LORD. I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.

SECOND LORD. This is the old man still.

THIRD LORD. Will't hold? Will't hold?

SECOND LORD. It does; but time will- and so-

THIRD LORD. I do conceive.

TIMON. Each man to his stool with that spur as he would to the lip

of his mistress; your diet shall be in all places alike. Make not

a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon

the first place. Sit, sit. The gods require our thanks:

You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness. For your own gifts make yourselves prais'd; but reserve still to give, lest your deities be despised. Lend to each man enough, that one need not lend to another; for were your god-heads to borrow of men, men would forsake the gods. Make the meat be beloved more than the man that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty be without a score of villains. If there sit twelve women at the table, let a dozen of them be- as they are. The rest of your foes, O gods, the senators of Athens, together with the common lag of people, what is amiss in them, you gods, make suitable for destruction. For these my present friends, as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing are they welcome.

Uncover, dogs, and lap. [The dishes are uncovered and

seen to he full of warm water]

SOME SPEAK. What does his lordship mean?

SOME OTHER. I know not.

TIMON. May you a better feast never behold,

You knot of mouth-friends! Smoke and lukewarm water

Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;

Who, stuck and spangled with your flatteries,

Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces

[Throwing the water in their faces]

Your reeking villainy. Live loath'd and long,

Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,

Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,

You fools of fortune, trencher friends, time's flies,

Cap and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-lacks!

Of man and beast the infinite malady

Crust you quite o'er! What, dost thou go?

Soft, take thy physic first; thou too, and thou.

Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none. [Throws the

dishes at them, and drives them out]

What, all in motion? Henceforth be no feast

Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.

Burn house! Sink Athens! Henceforth hated be

Of Timon man and all humanity! Exit

Re-enter the LORDS

FIRST LORD. How now, my lords!

SECOND LORD. Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury?

THIRD LORD. Push! Did you see my cap?

FOURTH LORD. I have lost my gown.

FIRST LORD. He's but a mad lord, and nought but humours sways him.

He gave me a jewel th' other day, and now he has beat it out of

my hat. Did you see my jewel?

THIRD LORD. Did you see my cap?

SECOND LORD. Here 'tis.

FOURTH LORD. Here lies my gown.

FIRST LORD. Let's make no stay.

SECOND LORD. Lord Timon's mad.

THIRD LORD. I feel't upon my bones.

FOURTH LORD. One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.

Exeunt

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ACT IV. SCENE I. Without the walls of Athens

Enter TIMON

TIMON. Let me look back upon thee. O thou wall

That girdles in those wolves, dive in the earth

And fence not Athens! Matrons, turn incontinent.

Obedience, fail in children! Slaves and fools,

Pluck the grave wrinkled Senate from the bench

And minister in their steads. To general filths

Convert, o' th' instant, green virginity.

Do't in your parents' eyes. Bankrupts, hold fast;

Rather than render back, out with your knives

And cut your trusters' throats. Bound servants, steal:

Large-handed robbers your grave masters are,

And pill by law. Maid, to thy master's bed:

Thy mistress is o' th' brothel. Son of sixteen,

Pluck the lin'd crutch from thy old limping sire,

With it beat out his brains. Piety and fear,

Religion to the gods, peace, justice, truth,

Domestic awe, night-rest, and neighbourhood,

Instruction, manners, mysteries, and trades,

Degrees, observances, customs and laws,

Decline to your confounding contraries

And let confusion live. Plagues incident to men,

Your potent and infectious fevers heap

On Athens, ripe for stroke. Thou cold sciatica,

Cripple our senators, that their limbs may halt

As lamely as their manners. Lust and liberty,

Creep in the minds and marrows of our youth,

That 'gainst the stream of virtue they may strive

And drown themselves in riot. Itches, blains,

Sow all th' Athenian bosoms, and their crop

Be general leprosy! Breath infect breath,

That their society, as their friendship, may

Be merely poison! Nothing I'll bear from thee

But nakedness, thou detestable town!

Take thou that too, with multiplying bans.

Timon will to the woods, where he shall find

Th' unkindest beast more kinder than mankind.

The gods confound- hear me, you good gods all-

The Athenians both within and out that wall!

And grant, as Timon grows, his hate may grow

To the whole race of mankind, high and low!

Amen. Exit

SCENE II. Athens. TIMON's house

Enter FLAVIUS, with two or three SERVANTS

FIRST SERVANT. Hear you, Master Steward, where's our master?

Are we undone, cast off, nothing remaining?

FLAVIUS. Alack, my fellows, what should I say to you?

Let me be recorded by the righteous gods,

I am as poor as you.

FIRST SERVANT. Such a house broke!

So noble a master fall'n! All gone, and not

One friend to take his fortune by the arm

And go along with him?

SECOND SERVANT. As we do turn our backs

From our companion, thrown into his grave,

So his familiars to his buried fortunes

Slink all away; leave their false vows with him,

Like empty purses pick'd; and his poor self,

A dedicated beggar to the air,

With his disease of all-shunn'd poverty,

Walks, like contempt, alone. More of our fellows.

Enter other SERVANTS

FLAVIUS. All broken implements of a ruin'd house.

THIRD SERVANT. Yet do our hearts wear Timon's livery;

That see I by our faces. We are fellows still,

Serving alike in sorrow. Leak'd is our bark;

And we, poor mates, stand on the dying deck,

Hearing the surges threat. We must all part

Into this sea of air.

FLAVIUS. Good fellows all,

The latest of my wealth I'll share amongst you.

Wherever we shall meet, for Timon's sake,

Let's yet be fellows; let's shake our heads and say,

As 'twere a knell unto our master's fortune,

'We have seen better days.' Let each take some.

[Giving them money]

Nay, put out all your hands. Not one word more!

Thus part we rich in sorrow, parting poor.

[Embrace, and part several ways]

O the fierce wretchedness that glory brings us!

Who would not wish to be from wealth exempt,

Since riches point to misery and contempt?

Who would be so mock'd with glory, or to live

But in a dream of friendship,

To have his pomp, and all what state compounds,

But only painted, like his varnish'd friends?

Poor honest lord, brought low by his own heart,

Undone by goodness! Strange, unusual blood,

When man's worst sin is he does too much good!

Who then dares to be half so kind again?

For bounty, that makes gods, does still mar men.

My dearest lord- blest to be most accurst,

Rich only to be wretched- thy great fortunes

Are made thy chief afflictions. Alas, kind lord!

He's flung in rage from this ingrateful seat

Of monstrous friends; nor has he with him to

Supply his life, or that which can command it.

I'll follow and enquire him out.

I'll ever serve his mind with my best will;

Whilst I have gold, I'll be his steward still. Exit

SCENE III. The woods near the sea-shore. Before TIMON'S cave

Enter TIMON in the woods

TIMON. O blessed breeding sun, draw from the earth

Rotten humidity; below thy sister's orb

Infect the air! Twinn'd brothers of one womb-

Whose procreation, residence, and birth,

Scarce is dividant- touch them with several fortunes:

The greater scorns the lesser. Not nature,

To whom all sores lay siege, can bear great fortune

But by contempt of nature.

Raise me this beggar and deny't that lord:

The senator shall bear contempt hereditary,

The beggar native honour.

It is the pasture lards the rother's sides,

The want that makes him lean. Who dares, who dares,

In purity of manhood stand upright,

And say 'This man's a flatterer'? If one be,

So are they all; for every grise of fortune

Is smooth'd by that below. The learned pate

Ducks to the golden fool. All's oblique;

There's nothing level in our cursed natures

But direct villainy. Therefore be abhorr'd

All feasts, societies, and throngs of men!

His semblable, yea, himself, Timon disdains.

Destruction fang mankind! Earth, yield me roots.

[Digging]

Who seeks for better of thee, sauce his palate

With thy most operant poison. What is here?

Gold? Yellow, glittering, precious gold? No, gods,

I am no idle votarist. Roots, you clear heavens!

Thus much of this will make black white, foul fair,

Wrong right, base noble, old young, coward valiant.

Ha, you gods! why this? What, this, you gods? Why, this

Will lug your priests and servants from your sides,

Pluck stout men's pillows from below their heads-

This yellow slave

Will knit and break religions, bless th' accurs'd,

Make the hoar leprosy ador'd, place thieves

And give them title, knee, and approbation,

With senators on the bench. This is it

That makes the wappen'd widow wed again-

She whom the spital-house and ulcerous sores

Would cast the gorge at this embalms and spices

To th 'April day again. Come, damn'd earth,

Thou common whore of mankind, that puts odds

Among the rout of nations, I will make thee

Do thy right nature. [March afar off]

Ha! a drum? Th'art quick,

But yet I'll bury thee. Thou't go, strong thief,

When gouty keepers of thee cannot stand.

Nay, stay thou out for earnest. [Keeping some gold]

Enter ALCIBIADES, with drum and fife, in warlike

manner; and PHRYNIA and TIMANDRA

ALCIBIADES. What art thou there? Speak.

TIMON. A beast, as thou art. The canker gnaw thy heart

For showing me again the eyes of man!

ALCIBIADES. What is thy name? Is man so hateful to thee

That art thyself a man?

TIMON. I am Misanthropos, and hate mankind.

For thy part, I do wish thou wert a dog,

That I might love thee something.

ALCIBIADES. I know thee well;

But in thy fortunes am unlearn'd and strange.

TIMON. I know thee too; and more than that I know thee

I not desire to know. Follow thy drum;

With man's blood paint the ground, gules, gules.

Religious canons, civil laws, are cruel;

Then what should war be? This fell whore of thine

Hath in her more destruction than thy sword

For all her cherubin look.

PHRYNIA. Thy lips rot off!

TIMON. I will not kiss thee; then the rot returns

To thine own lips again.

ALCIBIADES. How came the noble Timon to this change?

TIMON. As the moon does, by wanting light to give.

But then renew I could not, like the moon;

There were no suns to borrow of.

ALCIBIADES. Noble Timon,

What friendship may I do thee?

TIMON. None, but to

Maintain my opinion.

ALCIBIADES. What is it, Timon?

TIMON. Promise me friendship, but perform none. If thou wilt not

promise, the gods plague thee, for thou art man! If thou dost

perform, confound thee, for thou art a man!

ALCIBIADES. I have heard in some sort of thy miseries.

TIMON. Thou saw'st them when I had prosperity.

ALCIBIADES. I see them now; then was a blessed time.

TIMON. As thine is now, held with a brace of harlots.

TIMANDRA. Is this th' Athenian minion whom the world

Voic'd so regardfully?

TIMON. Art thou Timandra?

TIMANDRA. Yes.

TIMON. Be a whore still; they love thee not that use thee.

Give them diseases, leaving with thee their lust.

Make use of thy salt hours. Season the slaves

For tubs and baths; bring down rose-cheek'd youth

To the tub-fast and the diet.

TIMANDRA. Hang thee, monster!

ALCIBIADES. Pardon him, sweet Timandra, for his wits

Are drown'd and lost in his calamities.

I have but little gold of late, brave Timon,

The want whereof doth daily make revolt

In my penurious band. I have heard, and griev'd,

How cursed Athens, mindless of thy worth,

Forgetting thy great deeds, when neighbour states,

But for thy sword and fortune, trod upon them-

TIMON. I prithee beat thy drum and get thee gone.

ALCIBIADES. I am thy friend, and pity thee, dear Timon.

TIMON. How dost thou pity him whom thou dost trouble?

I had rather be alone.

ALCIBIADES. Why, fare thee well;

Here is some gold for thee.

TIMON. Keep it: I cannot eat it.

ALCIBIADES. When I have laid proud Athens on a heap-

TIMON. War'st thou 'gainst Athens?

ALCIBIADES. Ay, Timon, and have cause.

TIMON. The gods confound them all in thy conquest;

And thee after, when thou hast conquer'd!

ALCIBIADES. Why me, Timon?

TIMON. That by killing of villains

Thou wast born to conquer my country.

Put up thy gold. Go on. Here's gold. Go on.

Be as a planetary plague, when Jove

Will o'er some high-vic'd city hang his poison

In the sick air; let not thy sword skip one.

Pity not honour'd age for his white beard:

He is an usurer. Strike me the counterfeit matron:

It is her habit only that is honest,

Herself's a bawd. Let not the virgin's cheek

Make soft thy trenchant sword; for those milk paps

That through the window bars bore at men's eyes

Are not within the leaf of pity writ,

But set them down horrible traitors. Spare not the babe

Whose dimpled smiles from fools exhaust their mercy;

Think it a bastard whom the oracle

Hath doubtfully pronounc'd thy throat shall cut,

And mince it sans remorse. Swear against abjects;

Put armour on thine ears and on thine eyes,

Whose proof nor yells of mothers, maids, nor babes,

Nor sight of priests in holy vestments bleeding,

Shall pierce a jot. There's gold to pay thy soldiers.

Make large confusion; and, thy fury spent,

Confounded be thyself! Speak not, be gone.

ALCIBIADES. Hast thou gold yet? I'll take the gold thou givest me,

Not all thy counsel.

TIMON. Dost thou, or dost thou not, heaven's curse upon thee!

PHRYNIA AND TIMANDRA. Give us some gold, good Timon.

Hast thou more?

TIMON. Enough to make a whore forswear her trade,

And to make whores a bawd. Hold up, you sluts,

Your aprons mountant; you are not oathable,

Although I know you'll swear, terribly swear,

Into strong shudders and to heavenly agues,

Th' immortal gods that hear you. Spare your oaths;

I'll trust to your conditions. Be whores still;

And he whose pious breath seeks to convert you-

Be strong in whore, allure him, burn him up;

Let your close fire predominate his smoke,

And be no turncoats. Yet may your pains six months

Be quite contrary! And thatch your poor thin roofs

With burdens of the dead- some that were hang'd,

No matter. Wear them, betray with them. Whore still;

Paint till a horse may mire upon your face.

A pox of wrinkles!

PHRYNIA AND TIMANDRA. Well, more gold. What then?

Believe't that we'll do anything for gold.

TIMON. Consumptions sow

In hollow bones of man; strike their sharp shins,

And mar men's spurring. Crack the lawyer's voice,

That he may never more false title plead,

Nor sound his quillets shrilly. Hoar the flamen,

That scolds against the quality of flesh

And not believes himself. Down with the nose,

Down with it flat, take the bridge quite away

Of him that, his particular to foresee,

Smells from the general weal. Make curl'd-pate ruffians bald,

And let the unscarr'd braggarts of the war

Derive some pain from you. Plague all,

That your activity may defeat and quell

The source of all erection. There's more gold.

Do you damn others, and let this damn you,

And ditches grave you all!

PHRYNIA AND TIMANDRA. More counsel with more money, bounteous

Timon.

TIMON. More whore, more mischief first; I have given you earnest.

ALCIBIADES. Strike up the drum towards Athens. Farewell, Timon;

If I thrive well, I'll visit thee again.

TIMON. If I hope well, I'll never see thee more.

ALCIBIADES. I never did thee harm.

TIMON. Yes, thou spok'st well of me.

ALCIBIADES. Call'st thou that harm?

TIMON. Men daily find it. Get thee away, and take

Thy beagles with thee.

ALCIBIADES. We but offend him. Strike.

Drum beats. Exeunt all but TIMON

TIMON. That nature, being sick of man's unkindness,

Should yet be hungry! Common mother, thou, [Digging]

Whose womb unmeasurable and infinite breast

Teems and feeds all; whose self-same mettle,

Whereof thy proud child, arrogant man, is puff'd,

Engenders the black toad and adder blue,

The gilded newt and eyeless venom'd worm,

With all th' abhorred births below crisp heaven

Whereon Hyperion's quick'ning fire doth shine-

Yield him, who all thy human sons doth hate,

From forth thy plenteous bosom, one poor root!

Ensear thy fertile and conceptious womb,

Let it no more bring out ingrateful man!

Go great with tigers, dragons, wolves, and bears;

Teem with new monsters whom thy upward face

Hath to the marbled mansion all above

Never presented!- O, a root! Dear thanks!-

Dry up thy marrows, vines, and plough-torn leas,

Whereof ingrateful man, with liquorish draughts

And morsels unctuous, greases his pure mind,

That from it all consideration slips-

Enter APEMANTUS

More man? Plague, plague!

APEMANTUS. I was directed hither. Men report

Thou dost affect my manners and dost use them.

TIMON. 'Tis, then, because thou dost not keep a dog,

Whom I would imitate. Consumption catch thee!

APEMANTUS. This is in thee a nature but infected,

A poor unmanly melancholy sprung

From change of fortune. Why this spade, this place?

This slave-like habit and these looks of care?

Thy flatterers yet wear silk, drink wine, lie soft,

Hug their diseas'd perfumes, and have forgot

That ever Timon was. Shame not these woods

By putting on the cunning of a carper.

Be thou a flatterer now, and seek to thrive

By that which has undone thee: hinge thy knee,

And let his very breath whom thou'lt observe

Blow off thy cap; praise his most vicious strain,

And call it excellent. Thou wast told thus;

Thou gav'st thine ears, like tapsters that bade welcome,

To knaves and all approachers. 'Tis most just

That thou turn rascal; hadst thou wealth again

Rascals should have't. Do not assume my likeness.

TIMON. Were I like thee, I'd throw away myself.

APEMANTUS. Thou hast cast away thyself, being like thyself;

A madman so long, now a fool. What, think'st

That the bleak air, thy boisterous chamberlain,

Will put thy shirt on warm? Will these moist trees,

That have outliv'd the eagle, page thy heels

And skip when thou point'st out? Will the cold brook,

Candied with ice, caudle thy morning taste

To cure thy o'ernight's surfeit? Call the creatures

Whose naked natures live in all the spite

Of wreakful heaven, whose bare unhoused trunks,

To the conflicting elements expos'd,

Answer mere nature- bid them flatter thee.

O, thou shalt find-

TIMON. A fool of thee. Depart.

APEMANTUS. I love thee better now than e'er I did.

TIMON. I hate thee worse.

APEMANTUS. Why?

TIMON. Thou flatter'st misery.

APEMANTUS. I flatter not, but say thou art a caitiff.

TIMON. Why dost thou seek me out?

APEMANTUS. To vex thee.

TIMON. Always a villain's office or a fool's.

Dost please thyself in't?

APEMANTUS. Ay.

TIMON. What, a knave too?

APEMANTUS. If thou didst put this sour-cold habit on

To castigate thy pride, 'twere well; but thou

Dost it enforcedly. Thou'dst courtier be again

Wert thou not beggar. Willing misery

Outlives incertain pomp, is crown'd before.

The one is filling still, never complete;

The other, at high wish. Best state, contentless,

Hath a distracted and most wretched being,

Worse than the worst, content.

Thou should'st desire to die, being miserable.

TIMON. Not by his breath that is more miserable.

Thou art a slave whom Fortune's tender arm

With favour never clasp'd, but bred a dog.

Hadst thou, like us from our first swath, proceeded

The sweet degrees that this brief world affords

To such as may the passive drugs of it

Freely command, thou wouldst have plung'd thyself

In general riot, melted down thy youth

In different beds of lust, and never learn'd

The icy precepts of respect, but followed

The sug'red game before thee. But myself,

Who had the world as my confectionary;

The mouths, the tongues, the eyes, and hearts of men

At duty, more than I could frame employment;

That numberless upon me stuck, as leaves

Do on the oak, have with one winter's brush

Fell from their boughs, and left me open, bare

For every storm that blows- I to bear this,

That never knew but better, is some burden.

Thy nature did commence in sufferance; time

Hath made thee hard in't. Why shouldst thou hate men?

They never flatter'd thee. What hast thou given?

If thou wilt curse, thy father, that poor rag,

Must be thy subject; who, in spite, put stuff

To some she-beggar and compounded thee

Poor rogue hereditary. Hence, be gone.

If thou hadst not been born the worst of men,

Thou hadst been a knave and flatterer.

APEMANTUS. Art thou proud yet?

TIMON. Ay, that I am not thee.

APEMANTUS. I, that I was

No prodigal.

TIMON. I, that I am one now.

Were all the wealth I have shut up in thee,

I'd give thee leave to hang it. Get thee gone.

That the whole life of Athens were in this!

Thus would I eat it. [Eating a root]

APEMANTUS. Here! I will mend thy feast.

[Offering him food]

TIMON. First mend my company: take away thyself.

APEMANTUS. So I shall mend mine own by th' lack of thine.

TIMON. 'Tis not well mended so; it is but botch'd.

If not, I would it were.

APEMANTUS. What wouldst thou have to Athens?

TIMON. Thee thither in a whirlwind. If thou wilt,

Tell them there I have gold; look, so I have.

APEMANTUS. Here is no use for gold.

TIMON. The best and truest;

For here it sleeps and does no hired harm.

APEMANTUS. Where liest a nights, Timon?

TIMON. Under that's above me.

Where feed'st thou a days, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS. Where my stomach. finds meat; or rather, where I eat it.

TIMON. Would poison were obedient, and knew my mind!

APEMANTUS. Where wouldst thou send it?

TIMON. To sauce thy dishes.

APEMANTUS. The middle of humanity thou never knewest, but the

extremity of both ends. When thou wast in thy gilt and thy

perfume, they mock'd thee for too much curiosity; in thy rags

thou know'st none, but art despis'd for the contrary. There's a

medlar for thee; eat it.

TIMON. On what I hate I feed not.

APEMANTUS. Dost hate a medlar?

TIMON. Ay, though it look like thee.

APEMANTUS. An th' hadst hated medlars sooner, thou shouldst have

loved thyself better now. What man didst thou ever know unthrift

that was beloved after his means?

TIMON. Who, without those means thou talk'st of, didst thou ever

know belov'd?

APEMANTUS. Myself.

TIMON. I understand thee: thou hadst some means to keep a dog.

APEMANTUS. What things in the world canst thou nearest compare to

thy flatterers?

TIMON. Women nearest; but men, men are the things themselves. What

wouldst thou do with the world, Apemantus, if it lay in thy

power?

APEMANTUS. Give it the beasts, to be rid of the men.

TIMON. Wouldst thou have thyself fall in the confusion of men, and

remain a beast with the beasts?

APEMANTUS. Ay, Timon.

TIMON. A beastly ambition, which the gods grant thee t' attain to!

If thou wert the lion, the fox would beguile thee; if thou wert

the lamb, the fox would eat thee; if thou wert the fox, the lion

would suspect thee, when, peradventure, thou wert accus'd by the

ass. If thou wert the ass, thy dulness would torment thee; and

still thou liv'dst but as a breakfast to the wolf. If thou wert

the wolf, thy greediness would afflict thee, and oft thou

shouldst hazard thy life for thy dinner. Wert thou the unicorn,

pride and wrath would confound thee, and make thine own self the

conquest of thy fury. Wert thou bear, thou wouldst be kill'd by

the horse; wert thou a horse, thou wouldst be seiz'd by the

leopard; wert thou a leopard, thou wert german to the lion, and

the spots of thy kindred were jurors on thy life. All thy safety

were remotion, and thy defence absence. What beast couldst thou

be that were not subject to a beast? And what beast art thou

already, that seest not thy loss in transformation!

APEMANTUS. If thou couldst please me with speaking to me, thou

mightst have hit upon it here. The commonwealth of Athens is

become a forest of beasts.

TIMON. How has the ass broke the wall, that thou art out of the

city?

APEMANTUS. Yonder comes a poet and a painter. The plague of company

light upon thee! I will fear to catch it, and give way. When I

know not what else to do, I'll see thee again.

TIMON. When there is nothing living but thee, thou shalt be

welcome. I had rather be a beggar's dog than Apemantus.

APEMANTUS. Thou art the cap of all the fools alive.

TIMON. Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon!

APEMANTUS. A plague on thee! thou art too bad to curse.

TIMON. All villains that do stand by thee are pure.

APEMANTUS. There is no leprosy but what thou speak'st.

TIMON. If I name thee.

I'll beat thee- but I should infect my hands.

APEMANTUS. I would my tongue could rot them off!

TIMON. Away, thou issue of a mangy dog!

Choler does kill me that thou art alive;

I swoon to see thee.

APEMANTUS. Would thou wouldst burst!

TIMON. Away,

Thou tedious rogue! I am sorry I shall lose

A stone by thee. [Throws a stone at him]

APEMANTUS. Beast!

TIMON. Slave!

APEMANTUS. Toad!

TIMON. Rogue, rogue, rogue!

I am sick of this false world, and will love nought

But even the mere necessities upon't.

Then, Timon, presently prepare thy grave;

Lie where the light foam of the sea may beat

Thy gravestone daily; make thine epitaph,

That death in me at others' lives may laugh.

[Looks at the gold] O thou sweet king-killer, and dear divorce

'Twixt natural son and sire! thou bright defiler

Of Hymen's purest bed! thou valiant Mars!

Thou ever young, fresh, lov'd, and delicate wooer,

Whose blush doth thaw the consecrated snow

That lies on Dian's lap! thou visible god,

That sold'rest close impossibilities,

And mak'st them kiss! that speak'st with every tongue

To every purpose! O thou touch of hearts!

Think thy slave man rebels, and by thy virtue

Set them into confounding odds, that beasts

May have the world in empire!

APEMANTUS. Would 'twere so!

But not till I am dead. I'll say th' hast gold.

Thou wilt be throng'd to shortly.

TIMON. Throng'd to?

APEMANTUS. Ay.

TIMON. Thy back, I prithee.

APEMANTUS. Live, and love thy misery!

TIMON. Long live so, and so die! [Exit APEMANTUS] I am quit. More

things like men? Eat, Timon, and abhor them.