Act 1 — Scene I. Athens. A hall in Timon's house.[1597]
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Scene I. Athens. A hall in Timon's house.[1597]
Enter Poet, Painter, Jeweller, Merchant, and others, at several doors.[1598]
Poet. Good day, sir.[1599][1600] Pain. I am glad you're well.[1599] Poet. I have not seen you long: how goes the world?[1601] Pain. It wears, sir, as it grows. Poet. Ay, that's well known: But what particular rarity? what strange,[1602] Which manifold record not matches? See,[1603][1604] 5 Magic of bounty! all these spirits thy power[1604] Hath conjured to attend. I know the merchant.[1605] Pain. I know them both; th' other's a jeweller. Mer. O, 'tis a worthy lord! Jew. Nay, that's most fix'd. Mer. A most incomparable man, breathed, as it were,[1606] 10 To an untirable and continuate goodness:[1607] He passes.[1607][1608] Jew. I have a jewel here—[1609] Mer. O, pray, let's see't: for the Lord Timon, sir?[1610] Jew. If he will touch the estimate: but, for that— 15 Poet. [Reciting to himself] 'When we for recompense have praised the vile,[1611] It stains the glory in that happy verse Which aptly sings the good.' Mer. [Looking on the jewel] 'Tis a good form.[1612] Jew. And rich: here is a water, look ye.[1613] 20 Pain. You are rapt, sir, in some work, some dedication[1614][1615] To the great lord.[1614][1616] Poet. A thing slipp'd idly from me. Our poesy is as a gum, which oozes[1617] From whence 'tis nourish'd: the fire i' the flint Shows not till it be struck; our gentle flame[1618] 25 Provokes itself, and, like the current, flies[1619] Each bound it chafes. What have you there?[1619][1620][1621] Pain. A picture, sir. When comes your book forth?[1621][1622] Poet. Upon the heels of my presentment, sir.[1621] Let's see your piece.[1621] 30 Pain. 'Tis a good piece.[1621][1623] Poet. So 'tis: this comes off well and excellent.[1624] Pain. Indifferent. Poet. Admirable: how this grace[1625] Speaks his own standing! what a mental power[1625] This eye shoots forth! how big imagination 35 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 will say of it,[1626] It tutors nature: artificial strife 40 Lives in these touches, livelier than life.[1627]
Enter certain Senators, and pass over.
Pain. How this lord is follow'd![1628] Poet. The senators of Athens: happy man![1629] Pain. Look, moe![1630] Poet. You see this confluence, this great flood of visitors. 45 I have, in this rough work, shaped out a man, Whom this beneath world doth embrace and hug[1631] With amplest entertainment: my free drift Halts not particularly, but moves itself[1632] In a wide sea of wax: no levell'd malice[1633] 50 Infects one comma in the course I hold;[1634] But flies an eagle flight, bold and forth on,[1635] Leaving no tract behind.[1636] Pain. How shall I understand you? Poet. I will unbolt to you.[1637] You see how all conditions, how all minds, 55 As well of glib and slippery creatures as[1638] Of grave and austere quality, tender down Their services to Lord Timon: his large fortune,[1639] Upon his good and gracious nature hanging, Subdues and properties to his love and tendance 60 All sorts of hearts; yea, from the glass-faced flatterer To Apemantus, that few things loves better Than to abhor himself: even he drops down[1640] The knee before him, and returns in peace Most rich in Timon's nod. Pain. I saw them speak together.[1641] 65 Poet. Sir, I have upon a high and pleasant hill[1642] Feign'd Fortune to be throned: the base o' the mount[1643] 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, 70 Whose eyes are on this sovereign lady fix'd, One do I personate of Lord Timon's frame,[1644] Whom Fortune with her ivory hand wafts to her; Whose present grace to present slaves and servants[1645] Translates his rivals. Pain. 'Tis conceived to scope.[1646] 75 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.[1647] 80 All those which were his fellows but of late, Some better than his value, on the moment[1648] Follow his strides, his lobbies fill with tendance,[1649] Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear,[1650] Make sacred even his stirrup, and through him 85 Drink the free air. Pain. Ay, marry, what of these? Poet. When Fortune in her shift and change of mood Spurns down her late beloved, all his dependants Which labour'd after him to the mountain's top[1651] Even on their knees and hands, let him slip down,[1652] 90 Not one accompanying his declining foot. Pain. 'Tis common: A thousand moral paintings I can show,[1653] That shall demonstrate these quick blows of Fortune's[1654] More pregnantly than words. Yet you do well 95 To show Lord Timon that mean eyes have seen[1655] The foot above the head.
Trumpets sound. Enter Lord Timon, addressing himself courteously to every suitor; a Messenger from Ventidius talking with him; Lucilius and other servants following.[1656]
Tim. Imprison'd is he, say you? Mess. Ay, my good lord: five talents is his debt;[1657] His means most short, his creditors most strait: Your honourable letter he desires 100 To those have shut him up; which failing,[1658] Periods his comfort. Tim. Noble Ventidius! Well,[1659] I am not of that feather to shake off My friend when he must need me. I do know him[1660] A gentleman that well deserves a help: 105 Which he shall have: I'll pay the debt and free him. Mess. Your lordship ever binds him.[1657][1661] Tim. Commend me to him: I will send his ransom; And, being enfranchised, bid him come to me: 'Tis not enough to help the feeble up, 110 But to support him after. Fare you well. Mess. All happiness to your honour![1657][1662] [Exit.
Enter an old Athenian.
Old Ath. Lord Timon, hear me speak. Tim. Freely, good father. Old Ath. Thou hast a servant named Lucilius. Tim. I have so: what of him? 115 Old Ath. Most noble Timon, call the man before thee.[1663] Tim. Attends he here, or no? Lucilius![1664] Luc. Here, at your lordship's service.[1665] Old Ath. This fellow here, Lord Timon, this thy creature,[1666] By night frequents my house. I am a man 120 That from my first have been inclined to thrift, And my estate deserves an heir more raised Than one which holds a trencher. Tim. Well, what further? Old Ath. One only daughter have I, no kin else, On whom I may confer what I have got: 125 The maid is fair, o' the youngest for a bride,[1667] And I have bred her at my dearest cost In qualities of the best. This man of thine Attempts her love: I prithee, noble lord,[1668] Join with me to forbid him her resort; 130 Myself have spoke in vain. Tim. The man is honest.[1669] Old Ath. Therefore he will be, Timon:[1669][1670] His honesty rewards him in itself;[1669] It must not bear my daughter. Tim. Does she love him? Old Ath. She is young and apt:[1671] 135 Our own precedent passions do instruct us What levity's in youth.[1672] Tim. [To Lucilius] Love you the maid?[1673] Luc. Ay, my good lord; and she accepts of it. Old Ath. If in her marriage my consent be missing, I call the gods to witness, I will choose[1674] 140 Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world, And dispossess her all.[1675] Tim. How shall she be endow'd, If she be mated with an equal husband?[1676] Old Ath. Three talents on the present; in future, all. Tim. This gentleman of mine hath served me long:[1677] 145 To build his fortune I will strain a little, For 'tis a bond in men. Give him thy daughter: 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. 150 Tim. My hand to thee; mine honour on my promise.[1678] Luc. Humbly I thank your lordship: never may That state or fortune fall into my keeping, Which is not owed to you![1679]
[Exeunt Lucilius and Old Athenian.[1680]
Poet. Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your lordship![1681]155 Tim. I thank you; you shall hear from me anon: Go not away. What have you there, my friend? Pain. A piece of painting, which I do beseech Your lordship to accept.[1682] Tim. Painting is welcome. The painting is almost the natural man;[1683] 160 For since dishonour traffics with man's nature, He is but outside: these pencill'd figures are[1684] 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 ye![1685] 165 Tim. Well fare you, gentleman: give me your hand;[1686] We must needs dine together. Sir, your jewel Hath suffer'd under praise. Jew. What, my lord! dispraise?[1687] Tim. A mere satiety of commendations.[1688] If I should pay you for 't as 'tis extoll'd, 170 It would unclew me quite.[1689] Jew. My lord, 'tis rated As those which sell would give: but you well know, Things of like value, differing in the owners, Are prized by their masters: believe 't, dear lord,[1690] You mend the jewel by the wearing it.[1691] 175 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?[1692]
Enter Apemantus.[1693]
Jew. We'll bear, with your lordship. Mer. He'll spare none.[1694]180 Tim. Good morrow to thee, gentle Apemantus![1695] Apem. Till I be gentle, stay thou for thy good morrow;[1696] When thou art Timon's dog, and these knaves honest.[1697] Tim. Why dost thou call them knaves? thou know'st them not. Apem. Are they not Athenians?[1698] 185 Tim. Yes. Apem. Then I repent not. Jew. You know me, Apemantus?[1699] Apem. Thou know'st I do; I call'd thee by thy name. Tim. Thou art proud, Apemantus.[1700] 190 Apem. Of nothing so much as that I am not like Timon.[1701] Tim. Whither art going?[1702] Apem. To knock out an honest Athenian's brains. Tim. That's a deed thou'lt die for.[1703] Apem. Right, if doing nothing be death by the law. 195 Tim. How likest thou this picture, Apemantus?[1704] Apem. The best, for the innocence.[1705] Tim. Wrought he not well that painted it?[1706] Apem. He wrought better that made the painter; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work. 200 Pain. You're a dog.[1707] Apem. Thy mother's of my generation: what's she, if[1708] I be a dog? Tim. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus? Apem. No; I eat not lords. 205 Tim. An thou shouldst, thou'ldst anger ladies.[1709] Apem. O, they eat lords; so they come by great[1710] bellies.[1710] Tim. That's a lascivious apprehension. Apem. So thou apprehend'st it: take it for thy labour.[1711]210 Tim. How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus? Apem. Not so well as plain-dealing, which will not cost[1712] a man a doit. Tim. What dost thou think 'tis worth? Apem. Not worth my thinking. How now, poet![1713] 215 Poet. How now, philosopher! Apem. Thou liest. Poet. Art not one?[1714] Apem. Yes. Poet. Then I lie not. 220 Apem. Art not a poet? Poet. Yes. Apem. Then thou liest: look in thy last work, where thou hast feigned him a worthy fellow.[1715] Poet. That's not feigned; he is so. 225 Apem. Yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee for[1716] thy labour: he that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer. Heavens, that I were a lord! Tim. What wouldst do then, Apemantus? Apem. E'en as Apemantus does now; hate a lord with 230 my heart. Tim. What, thyself? Apem. Ay. Tim. Wherefore? Apem. That I had no angry wit to be a lord. Art not[1717][1718]235 thou a merchant?[1718] 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 thee![1719] 240
Trumpet sounds. Enter a Messenger.
Tim. What trumpet's that?[1720] Mess.'Tis Alcibiades, and some twenty horse, All of companionship. Tim. Pray, entertain them; give them guide to us.[1721]
[Exeunt some Attendants.
You must needs dine with me: go not you hence 245 Till I have thank'd you: when dinner's done,[1722] Show me this piece. I am joyful of your sights.[1723]
Enter Alcibiades, with the rest.[1724]
Most welcome, sir! Apem. So, so, there![1725][1726] Aches contract and starve your supple joints![1725][1726][1727] That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet knaves,[1725][1728]250 And all this courtesy! The strain of man's bred out[1725][1729] Into baboon and monkey.[1725][1729] Alcib. Sir, you have saved my longing, and I feed[1730] Most hungerly on your sight.[1731] Tim. Right welcome, sir! Ere we depart, we'll share a bounteous time[1732] 255 In different pleasures. Pray you, let us in.[1733]
[Exeunt all but Apemantus.[1734]
Enter two Lords.[1735]
First Lord. What time o' day is't, Apemantus?[1736] Apem. Time to be honest. First Lord. That time serves still.[1737] Apem. The most accursed thou, that still omitt'st it.[1738] 260 Sec. Lord. Thou art going to Lord Timon's feast?[1739] Apem. Ay, to see meat fill knaves and wine heat fools. Sec. Lord. Fare thee well, fare thee well.[1740] Apem. Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice. Sec. Lord. Why, Apemantus? 265 Apem. Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to[1741] give thee none. First Lord. Hang thyself! Apem. No, I will do nothing at thy bidding: make thy[1742] requests to thy friend.[1742] 270 Sec. Lord. Away, unpeaceable dog, or I'll spurn thee[1742][1743] hence![1742] Apem. I will fly, like a dog, the heels o' the ass. [Exit.[1744] First Lord. He's opposite to humanity. Come, shall we in,[1745][1746] And taste Lord Timon's bounty? he outgoes[1745][1747] 275 The very heart of kindness.[1745] Sec. Lord. He pours it out; Plutus, the god of gold, Is but his steward: no meed, but he repays Sevenfold above itself; no gift to him, But breeds the giver a return exceeding 280 All use of quittance.[1748] First Lord. The noblest mind he carries That ever govern'd man.[1749] Sec. Lord. Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in?[1749] First Lord. I'll keep you company.[1749][1750] [Exeunt.