what better or properer can we call our own than the riches of our friends? O, what a precious comfort 't is 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, Timon. 2 Lord. Joy had the like conception in our eyes, And, at that instant, like a babe sprung up. Apem. Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard. 3 Lord. I promise you, my lord, you mov'd me much. Apem. Much! a [Tucket sounded. Tim. What means that trump?-How now? Enter a Servant. Serv. Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance. Tim. Ladies? What are their wills? Serv. There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office to signify their pleasures. Tim. I pray, let them be admitted. Enter Cupid. Cup. Hail to thee, worthy Timon ;-and to all That of his bounties taste!-the five best senses Acknowledge thee their patron; and come freely To gratulate thy plenteous bosom : The ear, taste, touch, smell, pleas'd from thy table rise: 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 y' are belov'd. a Much-an ironical and contemptuous expression. 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. Who lives that 's not depraved, or depraves? I should fear those that dance before me now, The Lords rise from table, with much adoring of TIMON; and, to show 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; 1 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. Tim. Flavius! Flav. My lord. [Exeunt Cupid and Ladies. Tim. The little casket bring me hither. [Aside. Else I should tell him,-Well,-i' faith, I should, When all 's spent, he'd be cross'd then, an he could. "T is pity bounty had not eyes behind; That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind. [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 entreat you, honour me so much, As to advance this jewel; accept it, and wear it, 1 Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,- Enter a Servant. Serv. My lord, there are certain nobles of the senate Newly alighted, and come to visit you. Tim. They are fairly welcome. Flav. I beseech your honour, Vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near. Tim. Near? why then another time I'll hear thee: I prithee, let's be provided to show them entertainment. Flav. I scarce know how. Enter another Servant. [Aside. 2 Serv. May it please your honour, the lord Lucius, Out of his free love, hath presented to you Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver. Tim. I shall accept them fairly let the presents Enter a third Servant. Be worthily entertain'd.-How now, what news? 3 Serv. Please you, my lord, that honourable gen tleman, 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, Nor will he know his purse; or yield me this, Being of no power to make his wishes good; That what he speaks is all in debt, he owes for every word; He is so kind, that he now pays interest for 't; Than such that do even enemies exceed. [Exit. You do yourselves Tim. Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits : Here, my lord, a trifle of our love. 2 Lord. With more than common thanks I will receive it. 3 Lord. O, he is the very soul of bounty! Tim. And now I remember, my lord, you gave Good words the other day of a bay courser I rode on it is yours, because you lik'd it! 2 Lord. O, I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that. Tim. You may take my word, my lord; I 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. All Lords. I'll call to you. None so welcome. Tim. I take all and your several visitations So kind to heart, 't is not enough to give; Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich; It comes in charity to thee: for all thy living Lie in a Ay, defil'd land, my lord. 1 Lord. We are so virtuously bound,— Tim. Am I to you. 2 Lord. So infinitely endear'd And so The best of happiness, Tim. All to you.-Lights, more lights. [Exeunt ALCIBIADES, Lords, &c. What a coil's here! Арет. Serving of becks, and jutting out of bums! I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums That are given for 'em. Friendship's full of dregs: Methinks, false hearts should never have sound legs. Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on court'sies. Tim. Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen, I would be good to thee. and Apem. No, I'll nothing for if I should be brib'd too, there would be none left to rail upon thee; then thou wouldst sin the faster. Thou giv'st so long, Timon, I fear me, thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly: What need these feasts, pomps, and vain glories? Tim. Nay, an you begin to rail on society once, I am sworn not to give regard to you. Farewell; and come with better music. [Exit. Apem. So;-Thou 'lt not hear me now,-thou shalt not then. I'll lock thy heaven from thee. O, that men's ears should be To counsel deaf, but not to flattery! a Be ruined by the securities you give. [Exit. |