Act 3 — Scene VI. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.[2275]
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Scene VI. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.[2275]
Music. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter divers Lords, Senators and others, at several doors.[2276]
First Lord. The good time of day to you, sir.[2277] Sec. Lord. I also wish it to you. I think this honourable[2278] lord did but try us this other day. First Lord. Upon that were my thoughts tiring when[2279] we encountered: I hope it is not so low with him as he 5 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 10 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 15 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[2280] borrowed of you? 20 First Lord. A thousand pieces. Sec. Lord. A thousand pieces! First Lord. What of you? Sec. Lord. He sent to me, sir,—Here he comes.[2281]
Enter Timon and Attendants.
Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen both: and how 25 fare you? First Lord. Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship. Sec. Lord. The swallow follows not summer more willing[2282][2283] than we your lordship.[2282] 30 Tim. [Aside] Nor more willingly leaves winter; such[2284] summer-birds are men.—Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense[2284] this long stay: feast your ears with the music awhile, if they will fare so harshly o' the trumpet's sound;[2285] we shall to 't presently. 35 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,—[2286] Tim. Ah, my good friend, what cheer? 40 Sec. Lord. My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of[2287] shame, that, when your lordship this other day sent to me,[2288] I was so unfortunate a beggar. Tim. Think not on 't, sir. Sec. Lord. If you had sent but two hours before—[2289] 45 Tim. Let it not cumber your better remembrance. [The banquet brought in.] Come, bring in all together.[2290] Sec. Lord. All covered dishes! First Lord. Royal cheer, I warrant you. Third Lord. Doubt not that, if money and the season[2291] 50 can yield it. First Lord. How do you? What's the news? Third Lord. Alcibiades is banished: hear you of it?[2292] First and Sec. Lord. Alcibiades banished![2293] Third Lord.'Tis so, be sure of it. 55 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[2294] feast toward. 60 Sec. Lord. This is the old man still. Third Lord. Will 't hold? will 't hold?[2295] Sec. Lord. It does: but time will—and so—[2296] Third Lord. I do conceive. Tim. Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would 65 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[2297] our thanks. You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness.[2298]70 For your own gifts, make yourselves praised: but[2298] reserve still to give, lest your deities be despised. Lend to[2298] each man enough, that one need not lend to another; for,[2298] were your godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake[2298] the gods. Make the meat be beloved more than the man[2298][2299] 75 that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty be without a score[2298] of villains: if there sit twelve women at the table, let a[2298] dozen of them be—as they are. The rest of your fees, O[2298][2300] gods,—the senators of Athens, together with the common[2298] lag of people,—what is amiss in them, you gods, make[2298][2301] 80 suitable for destruction. For these my present friends,[2298][2302] as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to[2298][2303] nothing are they welcome.[2298][2304] Uncover, dogs, and lap.
[The dishes are uncovered and seen to be full of warm water.[2305]
Some speak. What does his lordship mean? 85 Some other. I know not. Tim. May you a better feast never behold, You knot of mouth-friends! smoke and luke-warm water[2306] Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;[2307] Who stuck and spangled you with flatteries,[2308] 90 Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces[2309] Your reeking villany. [Throwing the water in their faces.[2310] Live loathed, and long, Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites, Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears, You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies,[2311] 95 Cap-and-knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks![2312] Of man and beast the infinite malady[2313] 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.[2314] 100
[Throws the dishes at them, and drives them out.
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.[2315]
First Lord. How now, my lords! 105 Sec. Lord. Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury? Third Lord. Push! did you see my cap?[2316] Fourth Lord. I have lost my gown.[2317] First Lord. He's but a mad lord, and nought but humour[2318][2319] sways him. He gave me a jewel th' other day, and[2318] 110 now he has beat it out of my hat. Did you see my jewel?[2318][2320] Third Lord. Did you see my cap?[2321] Sec. Lord. Here 'tis.[2322] Fourth Lord. Here lies my gown. First Lord. Let's make no stay. 115 Sec. Lord. Lord Timon's mad. Third Lord. I feel't upon my bones.[2323] Fourth Lord. One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones. [Exeunt.