Leaving no track behind. Pain. How shall I understand you? Poet. Tim. Commend me to him: I will send his ran- I'll unbolt' to you. And, being enfranchis'd, bid him come to me: You see how all conditions, how all minds To Apemantus, that few things loves better mount Is rank'd with all deserts, all kind of natures, Pain. 'Tis conceiv'd to scope. This throne, this Fortune, and this hill, methinks, With one man beckon'd from the rest below, Bowing his head against the steepy mount To climb his happiness, would be well express'd In our condition. Poet. Nay, sir, but hear me on: All those which were his fellows but of late (Some better than his value,) on the moment Follow his strides, his lobbies fill with tendance, Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear, Make sacred even his stirrup, and through him Drink the free air. Pain. Ay, marry, what of these? Poet. When Fortune, in her shift and change of mood, Spurns down her late-belov'd, all his dependants, Which labour'd after him to the mountain's top, Even on their knees and hands, let him slip down, Not one accompanying his declining foot. Pain. 'Tis common: A thousand moral paintings I can show Trumpets sound. Enter Timon, attended; the His means most short, his creditors most strait: To those have shut him up; which failing to him, Tim. Noble Ventidius! Well; I am not of that feather, to shake off Ven. Serv. Your lordship ever binds him. Old Ath. Lord Timon, hear me speak. Tim. Old Ath. Most noble Timon, call the man before thee. Tim. Attends he here, or no?-Lucilius! Enter Lucilius. Luc. Here, at your lordship's service. creature, By night frequents my house. I am a man Tim. Tim. The man is honest. Pawn me to this your honour, she is his.. Tim, My hand to thee; mine honour on my promise. Luc. Humbly I thank your lordship: Never may That state of fortune fall into my keeping, Which is not ow'd to you! [Exeunt Lucilius and old Athenian. Poet. Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your lordship! Tim. I thank you; you shall hear from me anon: Go not away.-What have you there, my friend? (3) To advance their conditions of life. Trumpets sound. Enter a Servant. Tim. What trumpet's that? Serv. us. 'Tis Alcibiades, and Some twenty horse, all of companionship. Tim. Pray, entertain them; give them guide to [Exeunt some attendants You must needs dine with me :-Go not you hence Till I have thank'd you; and, when dinner's done, Show me this piece.-I am joyful of your sights. Enter Alcibiades, with his company. [They salute. Apem. So, so; there!Aches contract and starve your supple joints!— That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet knaves, Most welcome, sir! And all this court'sy! The strain of man's bred out Into baboon and monkey.4 Alcib. Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I feed Most hungrily on your sight. Tim. Right welcome, sir: Ere we depart, we'll share a bounteous time In different pleasures. Pray you, let us in. [Exeunt all but Apemantus. Enter two Lords. 1 Lord. What time a day is't, Apemantus? Apem. Time to be honest. 1 Lord. That time serves still. Apem. The more accursed thou, that still omit'st it. 2 Lord. Thou art going to lord Timon's feast. Apem. Ay; to see meat fill knaves, and wine heat fools. 2 Lord. Fare thee well, fare thee well. Apem. Thou art a fool, to bid me farewell twice. (3) Alluding to the proverb: Plain dealing is a jewel, but they who use it beggars. (4) Man is degenerated; his strain or lineage is worn down into a monkey. |