PERSONS REPRESENTED. Timon, a noble Athenian. Lucius, る Lucullus, lords, and flatterers of Timon.. Sempronius, J Ventidius, one of Timon's false friends. Apemantus, a churlish philosopher. Alcibiades, an Athenian general. Flavius, steward to Timon. Flaminius, Lucilius, Timon's servants. Other Lords, Senators, Officers, Soldiers, Thieves, and Attendants. [SCENE, Athens; and the woods adjoining. SCENE I-Athens. A Hall in Timon's House. En ter Poet, Painter, Jeweller, Merchant, and others, at several doors. Good day, sir. Pain. Poet. I am glad you are well. Poet. I have not seen you long; How goes the world? Pain. 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. Pain. I know them both; t'other's a jeweller. Mer. O, 'tis a worthy lord! Jew. Nay, that's most fix'd. Mer. A most incomparable man; breath'd, as it were, To an untirable and continuate goodness: He passes. Jew. I have a jewel here. Mer. O pray, let's see't: For the lord Timon, sir? Jew. If he will touch the estimate: But, for thatPoet. When we for recompense have prais'd the vile, stains the glory in that happy verse Which aptly sings the good. Mer. "Tis a good form: [Looking at the jewel Jew. And rich: here is a water, look you. Pain. You are rapt, sir, in some work, some dedic tion To the great lord. Poet. A thing slipp'd idly from me. From whence 'tis nourished: The fire i'the Aint Poet. Upon the heels of my presentment, sir. Pain. "Tis a good piece. Poet. So 'tis: this comes off well and excellent. Pain. 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 the dumbness of the gesture One might interpret. Pain. It is a pretty mocking of the life. Here is a touch; Is't good? Poet. I'll say of it, It tutors nature: artificial strife Lives in these touches, livelier than life. Enter certain Senators, and pass over. Pain. How this lord's follow'd! Poet. The senators of Athens ;-Happy men! Poet. You see this confluence, this great flood visitors. I have, in this rough work, shap'd out a man, Whom this beneath world doth embrace and hug Pain. How shall I understand you ? Poet. I'll unbolt to you. You see how all conditions, how all minds, Pain. 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'the 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. Pain. 'Tis conceiv'd to scope. This throne, this Fortune, and this hill, methinks, Poet. Nay, sir, but hear me on: All those which were his fellows but of late, Make sacred even his stirrop, and through him 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, A thousand moral paintings I can show, That shall demonstrate these quick blows of fortune Trumpets sound. Enter Timon attended; the Servant of Ventidius talking with him. Tim. Imprison'd is he, say you? Ven. Serv. 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 to him, Tim. Noble Ventidius! Well; I am not of that feather, to shake off My friend when he must need me. I do know him A gentleman, that well deserves a help, Which he shall have: I'll pay the debt, and free him. Ven. Serv. Your lordship ever binds him. Tim. Commend me to him: I will send his ransome; And, being enfranchis'd, bid him come to me :'Tis not enough to help the feeble up, |