SCENE VI.
A magnificent Room in Timon's House.
Musick. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter divers Lords3 note, at several Doors.
1 Lord.
The good time of day to you, sir.
2 Lord.
I also wish it to you. I think, this honourable
lord did but try us this other day.
1 Lord.
Upon that were my thoughts tiring4 note
,
-- 348 --
when we encountered: I hope, it is not so low with
him, as he made it seem in the trial of his several
friends.
2 Lord.
It should not be, by the persuasion of
his new feasting.
1 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.
2 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.
1 Lord.
I am sick of that grief too, as I understand
how all things go.
2 Lord.
Every man here's so. What would he
have borrowed of you?
1 Lord.
A thousand pieces.
2 Lord.
A thousand pieces!
1 Lord.
What of you?
3 Lord.
He sent to me, sir,—Here he comes.
Enter Timon, and Attendants.
Tim.
With all my heart, gentlemen both:—And
how fare you?
1 Lord.
Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.
2 Lord.
The swallow follows not summer more
willing, than we your lordship.
Tim. [Aside.]
Nor more willingly leaves winter;
such summer-birds are men.—Gentlemen, our dinner
will not recompense this long stay: feast your
-- 349 --
ears with the musick awhile; if they will fare so
harshly on the trumpet's sound: we shall to't presently.
1 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.
2 Lord.
My noble lord,—
Tim.
Ah, my good friend! what cheer?
[The Banquet brought in.
2 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.
2 Lord.
If you had sent but two hours before,—
Tim.
Let it not cumber your better remembrance5 note.
—Come, bring in all together.
2 Lord.
All covered dishes!
1 Lord.
Royal cheer, I warrant you.
3 Lord.
Doubt not that, if money, and the season
can yield it.
1 Lord.
How do you? What's the news?
3 Lord.
Alcibiades is banished: Hear you of it?
1 & 2 Lord.
Alcibiades banished!
3 Lord.
'Tis so, be sure of it.
1 Lord.
How? how?
2 Lord.
I pray you, upon what?
Tim.
My worthy friends, will you draw near?
3 Lord.
I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble
feast toward6 note
.
2 Lord.
This is the old man still.
-- 350 --
3 Lord.
Will't hold? will't hold?
2 Lord.
It does: but time will—and so—
3 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 alike7 note. 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 fees8 note
, O gods,—the senators of Athens, together
with the common lag9 note
of people,—what is
amiss in them, you gods make suitable for destruction.
For these my present friends,—as they are
to be nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to
nothing they are 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.
-- 351 --
Tim.
May you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth-friends! smoke, and luke-warm water
Is your perfection1 note. This is Timon's last;
Who stuck and spangled you with flatteries,
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces
[Throwing Water in their Faces.
Your reeking villainy. Live loath'd, and long2 note
,
Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,
Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,
You fools of fortune3 note
, trencher-friends, time's flies4 note
,
Cap and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks5 note
!
Of man, and beast, the infinite malady6 note
Crust you quite o'er!—What, dost thou go?
-- 352 --
Soft, take thy physick first—thou too,—and thou;—
[Throws the Dishes at them, and drives them out.
Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.—
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, with other Lords and Senators.
1 Lord.
How now, my lords7 note?
2 Lord.
Know you the quality of lord Timon's
fury?
3 Lord.
Pish! did you see my cap?
4 Lord.
I have lost my gown.
3 Lord.
He's but a mad lord, and nought but
humour sways him. He gave me a jewel the other
day, and now he has beat it out of my hat:—Did
you see my jewel?
4 Lord.
Did you see my cap?
2 Lord.
Here 'tis.
4 Lord.
Here lies my gown.
1 Lord.
Let's make no stay.
2 Lord.
Lord Timon's mad.
3 Lord.
I feel't upon my bones.
4 Lord.
One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones8 note.
[Exeunt.
-- 353 --
James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
