What you bestow, in him I'll counterpoise,
And make him weigh with her.

Old Ath. Most noble lord,

Pawn me to this your honour, she is his. Tim. My hand to thee; mine honour on my promise.

Luc. Humbly I thank your lordship: Never may

That state or 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

The painting is almost the natural man;
For since dishonour traffics with man's nature,
He is but outside: These pencil'd figures are
Even such as they give out. I like your
work;

And you shall find, I like it: wait attendance
Till you hear further from me.
Pain. The gods preserve you!
Tim. Well

1;

Tim. An thou should'st, ladies.

thou'dst anget

Apem. Oh! they eat lords; so they come by great bellies.

Tim. That's a lascivious apprehension. Apem. So thou apprehend'st it: Take it for thy labour.

Tim. How dost thou like this jewel, Ape mantus ?

Apem. Not so well as plain-dealing,⚫ which will not cost a man a doit.

Tim. What dost thou think 'tis worth?

Apem. Not worth my thinking.-How now, poet?

Poet. How now, philosopher?
Apem. Thou liest.

Poet. Art not one?
Apem. Yes.

Poet. Then I lie not.
Apem. Art not a poet?
Poet. Yes.

ae together.-Sir, your jewel T praise.

Jew. What, ny lord? dispraise ?

Tim. A mere satiety of commendations.

If I should pay you for't as 'tis extoll'd,
It would unclew + me quite.

Jew. My lord, 'tis rated

[know,

As those, which sell, would give: But you well
Things of like value, differing in the owners,
Are prized by their masters: believe't, dear lord,
You mend the jewel by wearing it.

Tim. Well mock'd.

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

Which all men speak with him.

Tim. Look, who comes here. Will you be chid ?

thy name.

Tim. Thou art proud, Apemantus.

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

Tim. Whither art going?

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

Tim. That's a deed thou'lt die for.

Apem. Right, if doing nothing be death by the law.

Tim. How likest thou this picture, Apemantus? Apem. The best, for the innocence. Tim. Wrought he not well, that painted it? Apem. He wrought better, that made the painter; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work. Pain. You are a dog.

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

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

• What they profess to be.

+ Draw out the whole mass of my fortunes.

Tim. What would'st do then, Apemantus ? Apem. Even as Apemantus does now, hate a lord with my heart.

Tim. What, thyself?

Apem. Ay.

Tim. Wherefore?

Apem. That I had no angry wit to be a lord.Art not thou a merchant ?

Mer. Ay, Apemantus.

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

Mer. If traffic do it, the gods do it.
Apem. Traffic's thy god, and thy god confound

Apem. Thou art a fool, to bid me farewell twice.

2 Lord. Why, Apemantus ?

Apem. Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for 1 mean to give thee none.

1 Lord. Hang thyself.

Apem. No, I will do nothing at thy bidding: make thy requests to thy friend.

2 Lord. Away, unpeaceable dog, or I'll spurn thee hence.

Apem. I will fly, like a dog, the heels

ass.

1 Lord. He's opposite to humanity. shall we in,

of the [Erit. Come,

And taste lord Timon's bounty? he outgoes The very heart of kindness.

2 Lord. He pours it out: Plutus, the god 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. +

1 Lord. The noblest mind he carries, That ever govern'd man.

2 Lord. Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in?

1 Lord. I'll keep you company. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same.-A Room of State in TIMON'S House.

Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet served in; FLAVIUS and others attending; then enter TIMON, ALCIBIADES, LUCIUS, LUCULLUS, SEMPRONIUS, and other Athenian Senators, with VENTIDIUS, and Attendants. Then comes, dropping after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly.

Ven. Most honour'd Timon, 't hath pleas'd the gods 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.

Tim. Oh! 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. Ven. A noble spirit.

[They all stand ceremoniously looking on TIMON.

Tim. Nay, my lords, ceremony

Was but devis'd at first, to set a gloss
On faint deeds, hollow welcomes,
Recanting goodness, sorry ere 'tis shown;
But where there is true friendship, there needs

The breath of him in a divided draught,

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

Tim. My lord, in heart; ‡ and let the health go round.

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

[mon A brave fellow !-he keeps his tides well. TiThose healths will make thee and thy state look

ill.

Here's that which is too weak to be a sinner, Honest water, which ne'er left man i'the mire : This and my food, are equals; there's no odds Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods.

APEMANTUS' 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 dick thy good heart, Apemantus ! Tim. Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the field now.

Alcib. My heart is ever at your service, my lord.

Tim. You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies, than a dinner of friends.

Alcib. So they were bleeding-new, my lord, there's no meat like them: I could wish my best friend at such a feast.

Apem. 'Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then; that then thou might'st kill 'em, and bid me to 'em.

1 Lord. Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think ourselves for ever perfect.

Tim. O no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have provided that I shall have much help from you: How had you been my friends else? why have you that charitable ¶ title from thousands, did you not chiefly belong to my heart? I have told more of you to myself, than you can with modesty speak in your own behalf; and thus far I confirm you. O you gods, think

I, what need we have any riends, if we should never have need of them? they were the most needless creatures living, should we ne'er have use for them; and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up in cases, that keep their sounds to themselves. Why, I have often wished myself poorer, that I might come nearer to you. We are born to do benefits; and what better or properer can we call our own, than the riches of our friends? Oh! what a precious comfort 'tis, to have so many, like brothers, commanding one another's fortunes! O joy, e'en made away ere it can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks: to forget their faults, I drink to you.

Apem. Thou weepest to make them drink,

Enter a SERVANT.

I Lady. My lord, you take us even at the best.

Apem. 'Faith, for the worst is filthy; and would not hold taking, I doubt me.

Tim. Ladies, there is an idle banquet Attends you: Please you to dispose yourselves. All Lad. Most thankfully, my lord. [Exeunt CUPID, and LADIES.

Tim. Flavius,

Flav. My lord.

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

[Aside. Else I should tell him,-Well,-i'faith, I should When all's spent, he'd be cross'd then, an he could.

'Tis pity, bounty had not eyes behind; + That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind. I

[Exit, and returns with the casket. 1 Lord. Where be our men? Serv. Here, my lord, in readiness.

2 Lord. Our horses.

Tim. O my friends, I have one word

To say to you:-Look you, my good lord, I

must

They only now come but to feast thine eyes. Tim. They are welcome all; let them have kind admittance.

Music, make their welcome.

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

Music.-Re-enter CUPID, with a masque of LADIES as Amazons, with lutes in their hands, dancing, and playing.

Apem. Hey day, what a sweep of vanity comes 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. It has been done;

Men shut their doors against a setting sun. The LORDS rise from table, with much adoring of TIMON; and, to shew their loves, each singles out an Amazon, and all dance, men with women, a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and cease.

Tim. You have done our pleasures much grace,

fair ladies,

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

Accept and wear it, kind my lord.

1 Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,All. So are we all.

Enter a SERVANT.

Serv. My lord, there are certain nobles of the

Enter a third SERVANT. Be worthily entertain'd.-How now, what news? 3 Serv. Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman, Lord Lucullus, entreats your company to-morrow to hunt with him; and has sent your honour two brace of greyhounds.

Tim. i'll hunt with him; And let them be receiv'd,

Not without fair reward.

Flav. [Aside.] What will this come to?
He commands us to provide, and give great gifts,
And all out of an empty coffer.—

Nor will he know his purse; or yield me this,
To shew him what a beggar his heart is,
Being of no power to make his wishes good;
His promises fly so beyond his state,
That what he speaks is all in debt, he owes
For every word; he is so kind, that he now
Pays interest for't; his land's put to their books.
Well 'would I were gently put out of office,
Before I were forc'd out!

Happier is he that has no friend to feed,
Than such as do even enemies exceed.
I bleed inwardly for my lord.

[Exit.

Tim. You do yourselves Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits :

Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.

A play on the word cross: from the piece of money called a cross. To see the miseries that will follow 1 For his generosity of mind.

3 Lord. Oh! he is the very soul of bounty! Tim. And now I remember me, my lord, you gave

Good words the other day of a bay courser rode on it is yours, because you lik'd it. 2 Lord. I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that.

Tim. You may take my word, my lord; 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 on you.

All Lords. None so welcome.

Tim. I take all and your several visitations So kind to heart, 'tis not enough to give; Methinks, I could deal kingdoms to my friends, And ne'er be weary.-Alcibiades,

1

Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich,
It comes in charity to thee: for all thy living
Is 'mongst the dead; and all the lands thou hast
Lie in a pitch'd field.

Alcib. Ay, defiled land, my lord.

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

SCENE 1.-The same.-A Room in a
SENATOR'S House.

Enter a SENATOR, with papers in his hand.
Sen And late, five thousand to Varro; and to
Isidore

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 more
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

Enter CAPHIS.

Caph. Here, Sir; What is your pleasure?
Sen. Get on your cloak, and haste you to lord
Timon;

Impórtune him for my monies; 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,
Sirrah,

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.
Caph. I go, Sir.

Sen. I go, Sir ?-take the bonds along with you And have the dates in compt.

Caph. I will, Sir.

Sen. Go.

[Exeunt

SCENE II.-The same.-A Hall in TIMON'S House.

Enter FLAVIUS, with many bills in his hand. Flav. 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
bunting.

Fie, fie, fie, fie!

Enter CAPHIS, and the SERVANTS of ISIDORE and VARRO.

Caph. Good even, Varro: What, You come for money?

Var. Serv. Is't not your business too?

Caph. It is ;-And yours too, Isidore
Isid. Serv. It is so.

Caph. 'Would we were all discharg❜d !
Var. Serv. I fear it.

Caph. Here comes the lord.

Enter TIMON, ALCIBIADES, and LORDS, &c. Tim. So soon as dinner's done, we'll forth again,

My Alcibiades.-With me? What's your will?
Caph. My lord, here is a note of certain dues.
Tim. Dues? Whence are you?
Caph. Of Athens here, my lord.
Tim. Go to my steward.

Caph. 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.

Tim. Mine honest friend,

I pr'ythee, but repair to me next morning.
Caph. Nay, good my lord,-

Tim. Contain thyself, good friend.

Var. Serv. One Varro's servant, my good lord,

Isid. Serv. From Isidore;

He humbly prays your speedy payment,

By no argument can he be proved in a solvent stafe, ↑ Repulsed.