1 Sen.

The good time of the day to you, Sir.

2 Sen.

I also wish it to you: I think this honourable Lord did but try us this other day.

1 Sen.

Upon that were my thoughts tiring, when we encountred. I hope, it is not so low with him, as he made it seem in the tryal of his several friends.

2 Sen.

It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.

1 Sen.

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 conjur'd me beyond them, and I must needs appear.

2 Sen.

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 Sen.

I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.

2 Sen.

Every man here's so. What would he have borrow'd of you?

1 Sen.

A thousand pieces.

2 Sen.

A thousand pieces!

1 Sen.

What of you?

3 Sen.

He sent to me, Sir—here he comes.

Tim.

With all my heart, gentlemen both—and how fare you?

1 Sen.

Ever at the best, hearing well of your Lordship.

2 Sen.

The swallow follows not summer more willingly, than we your Lordship.

Tim.

Nor more willingly leaves winter: such summer-birds are men.—Gentlemen, our dinner will not

recompense this long stay: feast your ears with the musick a while; if they will fare so harshly as on the trumpet's sound: we shall to't presently.

1 Sen.

I hope it remains not unkindly with your Lordship, that I return'd you an empty messenger.

Tim.

O Sir, let it not trouble you.

2 Sen.

My noble Lord.

Tim.

Ah, my good friend, what cheer?

2 Sen.

Most honourable Lord, I'm e'en sick of shame, that when your Lordship t'other day sent to me, I was so unfortunate a beggar.

Tim.

Think not on't, Sir.

2 Sen.

If you had but sent two hours before—

Tim.
Let it not cumber your better remembrance.
Come, bring in all together.

2 Sen.

All cover'd dishes!

1 Sen.

Royal cheer, I warrant you.

3 Sen.

Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.

1 Sen.

How do you? what's the news?

3 Sen.

Alcibiades is banish'd: hear you of it?

Both.

Alcibiades banish'd!

3 Sen.

Tis so, be sure of it.

1 Sen.

How? how?

3 Sen.

I pray you, upon what?

Tim.

My worthy friends, will you draw near?

3 Sen.

Here's a noble feast toward.

2 Sen.

This is the old man still.

3 Sen.

Will't hold? will't hold?

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 alike. Make not a city-feast of it, to let the meat cool e're 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 prais'd: 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 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 foes, O Gods, the Senators of Athens, together with the common lag of people, what is amiss in them, you Gods, make suitable for destruction. For these my friends—as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing are they welcome.

Some speak.

What does his Lordship mean?

Some other.

I know not.

Tim.
May you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth'd-friends: smoke and lukewarm water
Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;
Who stuck and spangled with your flatteries,
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces
Your reaking villany. Live loath'd and long,
Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,
Of man and beast the infinite malady
Crust you quite o'er!—What, dost thou go?
Soft, take thy physick first—thou too—and thou [Throwing the dishes at them, and drives 'em 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. End of the Third Act.

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