Act III.
Scene VI.
Scene VI.—The Same. A .Room of State in
TIMON'S House.
Music. Tables set out: Servants attending.
Enter divers Lords, Senators, and Others, at
several doors.
First Lord. The good time of day to you, sir.
Sec. Lord. I also wish it you. I think this
honourable lord did but try us this other day.
First Lord. Upon that were my thoughts
tiring when we encountered: I hope it is not so
low with him as he made it seem in the trial of
his several friends.
Sec. 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
conjured me beyond them, and I must needs
appear.
Sec. 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.
Sec. Lord. Every man here's so. What would
he have borrowed you?
First Lord. A thousand pieces.
Sec. Lord. A thousand pieces!
First Lord. What of you?
Third Lord. He sent to me, sir,—Here be
comes.
Enter TIMON and Attendants.
Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen both;
and how fare you?
First Lord. Ever at the best, hearing well of
your lordship.
Sec. Lord. The swallow follows not summer
more willing than we your lordship.
Tim. [Aside.] Nor more willingly leaves
winter; such summer-birds are men. Gentle-
men, our dinner will not recompense this long
stay: feast your ears with the music awhile,
if they will fare so harshly o' the trumpet's
sound; we shall to't presently.
First Lord. I hope it remains not unkindly
with your lordship that I returned you an empty
messenger.
Tim. O! sir, let it not trouble you.
Sec. Lord. My noble lord,—
Tim. Ah! my good friend, what cheer?
Sec. 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.
Tim. Think not on't, sir.
Sec. Lord. If you had sent but two hours
before,—
Tim. Let it not cumber your better remem-
brance. [The banquet brought in.] Come, bring
in all together.
Sec. Lord. All covered 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 banished: hear
you of it?
First Lord. & Sec. Lord.} Alcibiades
banished!.
Third Lord. 'Tis so, be sure of it.
First Lord. How? how?
Sec. Lord. I pray you, upon what?
Tim. My worthy friends, will you draw near?
Third Lord. I'll tell you more anon. Here's
a noble feast toward.
Sec. Lord. This is the old man still.
Third Lord. Will't hold? will't hold?
Sec. Lord. It does; but time will—and so—
Third Lord. I do conceive.
Tim. 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 praised: 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 godheads 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 fees, O gods! the senators of Athens, to-
gether 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 uncovered are full
of warm water.
Some speak. What does his lordship mean?
Some other. I know not.
Tim. May you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth-friends! smoke and luke-
warm 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 villany. 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-jacks!
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.
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, Senators, &c.
First Lord. How now, my lords!
Sec. 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 humour 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?
Sec. Lord. Here 'tis.
Fourth Lord. Here lies my gown.
First Lord. Let's make no stay.
Sec. 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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