Act 1 — Scene II. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.[1751]
Reading edition
Scene II. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.[1751]
Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet served in; Flavius and others attending; and then enter Lord Timon, Alcibiades, Lords, Senators, and Ventidius. Then comes, dropping after all, Apemantus, discontentedly, like himself.[1752]
Ven. Most honour'd Timon,[1753][1754] It hath pleased the gods to remember my father's age,[1753] And call him to long peace.[1753] He is gone happy, and has left me rich: Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound 5 To your free heart, I do return those talents, Doubled with thanks and service, from whose help[1755] I derived liberty. Tim. O, by no means, Honest Ventidius; you mistake my love:[1756] I gave it freely ever; and there's none 10 Can truly say he gives, if he receives: If our betters play at that game, we must not dare[1757][1758] To imitate them; faults that are rich are fair.[1758][1759] Ven. A noble spirit![1760][1761] Tim. Nay, my lords, ceremony was but devised at first[1760][1762]15 To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes,[1760] Recanting goodness, sorry ere 'tis shown; But where there is true friendship, there needs none. Pray, sit; more welcome are ye to my fortunes[1763] Than my fortunes to me.[1764] [They sit. 20 First Lord. My lord, we always have confess'd it.[1765] Apem. Ho, ho, confess'd it! hang'd it, have you not?[1766] Tim. O, Apemantus, you are welcome.[1767] Apem. No;[1768] You shall not make me welcome:[1768] I come to have thee thrust me out of doors. 25 Tim. Fie, thou'rt a churl; ye've got a humour there[1769] Does not become a man; 'tis much to blame. ey say, my lords, 'ira furor brevis est;' but yond man[1770][1771][1772] is ever angry. Go, let him have a table by himself; for he[1770][1772][1773] does neither affect company, nor is he fit for't indeed.[1770][1774]30 Apem. Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon:[1775][1776] I come to observe; I give thee warning on't.[1775] Tim. I take no heed of thee; thou'rt an Athenian,[1777][1778] therefore welcome: I myself would have no power; prithee,[1777][1779] let my meat make thee silent.[1777] 35 Apem. I scorn thy meat; 'twould choke me, for I[1780][1781] should ne'er flatter thee. O you gods, what a number of[1780][1781] men eat Timon, and he sees 'em not! It grieves me to see[1780][1782] so many dip their meat in one man's blood; and all the[1780][1783] madness is, he cheers them up too.[1780][1784] 40 I wonder men dare trust themselves with men: Methinks they should invite them without knives; Good for their meat, and safer for their lives.[1785] There's much example for't; the fellow that sits next him[1786] now, parts bread with him, pledges the breath of him in a[1786][1787]45 divided draught, is the readiest man to kill him: 't has[1786][1788][1789] been proved. If I were a huge man, I should fear to drink[1786][1789][1790] at meals;[1786] Lest they should spy my windpipe's dangerous notes:[1791] Great men should drink with harness on their throats.[1791] 50 Tim. My lord, in heart; and let the health go round.[1792] Sec. Lord. Let it flow this way, my good lord.[1793] Apem. Flow this way! A brave fellow! he keeps his[1794] tides well. Those healths will make thee and thy state[1794] look ill, Timon. Here's that which is too weak to be a[1794] 55 sinner, honest water, which ne'er left man i' the mire:[1794][1795] This and my food are equals; there's no odds:[1794][1796] Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods.[1794][1797]
Apemantus's Grace.
Immortal gods, I crave no pelf; I pray for no man but myself: 60 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, 65 Or my friends, if I should need 'em. Amen. So fall to't:[1798] Rich men sin, and I eat root. [Eats and drinks.[1799] Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus![1800] Tim. Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the field now.[1801]70 Alcib. My heart is ever at your service, my lord. Tim. You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than[1802] a dinner of friends. Alcib. So they were bleeding-new, my lord, there's no[1803] meat like 'em: I could wish my best friend at such a feast.[1804] 75 Apem. Would all those flatterers were thine enemies,[1805] then, that then thou mightst kill 'em and bid me to 'em![1806] First Lord. Might we but have that happiness, my[1807] lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think 80 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:[1808] how had you been my friends else? why have you that charitable[1809][1810] title from thousands, did not you chiefly belong to[1810][1811][1812]85 my heart? I have told more of you to myself than you can[1812] with modesty speak in your own behalf; and thus far I confirm you. O you gods, think I, what need we have any friends, if we should ne'er have need of 'em? they were the[1813][1814] most needless creatures living, should we ne'er have use for[1814] 90 'em, and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up[1814][1815] in cases, that keep their sounds to themselves. Why, I have[1816] 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? O, what 95 a precious comfort 'tis, to have so many, like brothers, commanding one another's fortunes! O joy, e'en made away[1817] ere't can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks:[1818][1819] to forget their faults, I drink to you.[1819] Apem. Thou weep'st to make them drink, Timon.[1820] 100 Sec. Lord. Joy had the like conception in our eyes, And at that instant like a babe sprung up.[1793][1821] Apem. Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard. Third Lord. I promise you, my lord, you moved me much. Apem. Much![1822] [Tucket, within. 105 Tim. What means that trump?
Enter a Servant.[1823]
How now! Serv. Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most[1824] desirous of admittance.[1824] Tim. Ladies! what are their wills? Serv. There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, 110 which bears that office, to signify their pleasures. Tim. I pray, let them be admitted.[1825]
Enter Cupid.
Cup. Hail to thee, worthy Timon! and to all[1826][1827][1828] That of his bounties taste! The five best senses[1827][1829] Acknowledge thee their patron, and come freely[1827] 115 To gratulate thy plenteous bosom: th' ear,[1827] Taste, touch, and smell, pleased from thy table rise;[1827] They only now come but to feast thine eyes.[1827] Tim. They're welcome all; let 'em have kind admittance:[1830][1831] Music, make their welcome![1831][1832] [Exit Cupid.120 First Lord. You see, my lord, how ample you're beloved.[1833]
Music. Re-enter Cupid, with a mask of Ladies as Amazons, with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing.[1834]
Apem. Hoy-day, what a sweep of vanity comes this way![1835][1836][1837] They dance! they are mad women.[1836][1837][1838] Like madness is the glory of this life,[1837][1839] As this pomp shows to a little oil and root.[1837][1840] 125 We make ourselves fools, to disport ourselves,[1837] And spend our flatteries, to drink those men[1837] Upon whose age we void it up again[1837] With poisonous spite and envy.[1837][1841] Who lives, that's not depraved or depraves?[1841][1842] 130 Who dies, that bears not one spurn to their graves[1841] Of their friends' gift?[1841][1843] I should fear those that dance before me now Would one day stamp upon me: 't has been done;[1844] Men shut their doors against a setting sun.[1845] 135
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.[1846]
Tim. You have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies,[1847] Set a fair fashion on our entertainment,[1848] Which was not half so beautiful and kind; You have added worth unto 't and lustre,[1849] And entertain'd me with mine own device: 140 I am to thank you for 't.[1850] First Lady. My lord, you take us even at the best.[1851] Apem. Faith, for the worst is filthy, and would not hold[1852] taking, I doubt me.[1852] Tim. Ladies, there is an idle banquet attends you:[1853][1854]145 Please you to dispose yourselves.[1853] All Lad. Most thankfully, my lord.[1855]
[Exeunt Cupid and Ladies.
Tim. Flavius! Flav. My lord? Tim. The little casket bring me hither. Flav. Yes, my lord. [Aside] More jewels yet![1856][1857][1858]150 There is no crossing him in 's humour;[1857][1859] Else I should tell him—well, i' faith, I should—[1860] When all's spent, he'ld be cross'd then, an he could.[1861] 'Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind,[1862] That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind.[1863] [Exit.155 First Lord. Where be our men?[1864] Serv. Here, my lord, in readiness. Sec. Lord. Our horses![1865]
Re-enter Flavius, with the casket.[1866]
Tim. O my friends,[1867] I have one word to say to you: look you, my good lord,[1867][1868]160 I must entreat you, honour me so much[1867][1869] As to advance this jewel; accept it and wear it,[1867][1870] Kind my lord.[1867][1871] First Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,—[1872] All. So are we all.[1873] 165
Enter a Servant.
Serv. My lord, there are certain nobles of the senate[1874][1875] newly alighted and come to visit you.[1875] Tim. They are fairly welcome.[1876] Flav. I beseech your honour, vouchsafe me a word; it[1877] does concern you near.[1877] 170 Tim. Near! why, then, another time I'll hear thee: I[1878][1879] prithee, let's be provided to show them entertainment.[1879] Flav. [Aside] I scarce know how.[1880]
Enter another Servant.
Sec. Serv. May it please your honour, Lord Lucius[1881][1882][1883] Out of his free love hath presented to you[1882][1884] 175 Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver.[1882][1885] Tim. I shall accept them fairly: let the presents Be worthily entertain'd.
Enter a third Servant.
How now! what news? Third Serv. Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman,[1886] Lord Lucullus, entreats your company to-morrow to[1886][1887] 180 hunt with him, and has sent your honour two brace of[1886][1888] greyhounds.[1886] Tim. I'll hunt with him; and let them be received,[1889] Not without fair reward.[1889] Flav. [Aside] What will this come to?[1890][1891] He commands us to provide and give great gifts, and all[1891][1892]185 out of an empty coffer:[1891] Nor will he know his purse, or yield me this, To show him what a beggar his heart is, Being of no power to make his wishes good: His promises fly so beyond his state 190 That what he speaks is all in debt, he owes[1893][1894] For every word: he is so kind that he now[1893][1895] Pays interest for't; his land's put to their books.[1893][1896] Well, would I were gently put out of office,[1893] Before I were forced out![1893][1897] 195 Happier is he that has no friend to feed Than such that do e'en enemies exceed. I bleed inwardly for my lord.[1898][1899] [Exit. Tim. You do yourselves[1899] Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits.[1899] Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.[1899] 200 Sec. Lord. With more than common thanks I will receive[1900][1901] it.[1901] Third Lord. O, he's the very soul of bounty![1902] Tim. And now I remember, my lord, you gave good[1903][1904] words the other day of a bay courser I rode on. 'Tis yours,[1903][1905]205 because you liked it.[1903] Third Lord. O, I beseech you, pardon me, my lord,[1906][1907] in that.[1908] Tim. You may take my word, my lord; I know, no[1909] man can justly praise, but what he does affect: I weigh[1909] 210 my friend's affection with mine own: I'll tell you true. I'll[1909][1910] call to you.[1909][1911] All Lords. O, none so welcome.[1907] Tim. I take all and your several visitations So kind to heart, 'tis not enough to give:[1912] 215 Methinks, I could deal kingdoms to my friends,[1912] And ne'er be weary. Alcibiades, Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich; It comes in charity to thee: for all thy living[1913] Is 'mongst the dead, and all the lands thou hast 220 Lie in a pitch'd field. Alcib. Ay, defiled land, my lord.[1914][1915] First Lord. We are so virtuously bound—[1915][1916] Tim. And so am I to you.[1915] Sec. Lord. So infinitely endear'd—[1915][1917][1918] 225 Tim. All to you. Lights, more lights![1918][1919] First Lord. The best of happiness, honour and fortunes, keep with you, Lord Timon![1920][1921] Tim. Ready for his friends.[1920][1922]
[Exeunt all but Apemantus and Timon.
Apem. What a coil's here![1923][1924] Serving of becks and jutting-out of bums![1924][1925] 230 I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums[1924] That are given for 'em. Friendship's full of dregs:[1924] 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, 235 I would be good to thee. Apem. No, I'll nothing: for if I should be bribed too,[1926] there would be none left to rail upon thee; and then thou[1926] wouldst sin the faster. Thou givest so long, Timon, I fear[1926] me thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly: what[1926][1927] 240 needs these feasts, pomps and vain-glories?[1926][1928] Tim. Nay, an you begin to rail on society once, I am[1926][1929] sworn not to give regard to you. Farewell; and come with[1926] better music.[1926] [Exit. Apem. So: thou wilt not hear me now; thou shalt not[1930][1931]245 then: I'll lock thy heaven from thee.[1930][1932] O, that men's ears should be[1930] To counsel deaf, but not to flattery![1930] [Exit.