1 Thief.

Where should he have this gold? It is some poor fragment, some slender ort of his remainder: the meer want of gold, and the falling off of friends, drove him into this melancholy.

2 Thief.

It is nois'd, he hath a mass of treasure.

3 Thief.

Let us make the assay upon him; if he care not for't, he will supply us easily: if he covetously reserve it, how shall's get it?

2 Thief.

True; for he bears it not about him: 'tis hid.

1 Thief.

Is not this he?

All.

Where?

2 Thief.

'Tis his description.

3 Thief.

He; I know him.

All.

Save thee, Timon.

Tim.

Now, thieves.

All.

Soldiers; not thieves.

Tim.

Both too, and womens' sons.

All.
We are not thieves, but men that much do want.

Tim.
Your greatest want is, you want much of (a) ^note meet.
&wlquo;Why should you want? behold, the earth hath roots;
&wlquo;Within this mile break forth an hundred springs;
&wlquo;The oaks bear masts, the briars scarlet hips:
&wlquo;The bounteous huswife nature on each bush
&wlquo;Lays her full mess before you. Want? why want?&wrquo;

1 Thief.
We cannot live on grass, on berries, water,
As beasts, and birds, and fishes.

Tim.
Nor on the beasts themselves, the birds and fishes;

You must eat men. &wlquo;Yet thanks I must you con,
&wlquo;That you are thieves profest: that you work not
&wlquo;In holier shapes; for there is boundless theft
&wlquo;^{5 note}In limited professions. Rascals, thieves,
&wlquo;Here's gold. Go, suck the subtle blood o'th' grape,
&wlquo;Till the high fever seeth your blood to froth,
&wlquo;And so 'scape hanging. Trust not the physician,
&wlquo;His antidotes are poison, and he slays
&wlquo;More than you rob, (a) ^note takes wealth and life together,
&wlquo;Do villany, do, since you profess to do't,
&wlquo;Like workmen; I'll example you with thievery.
&wlquo;The Sun's a thief, and with his great attraction
&wlquo;Robs the vast Sea. The Moon's an arrant thief,
&wlquo;And her pale fire she snatches from the Sun.
&wlquo;^{6 note}
The Sea's a thief, whose liquid surge resolves
&wlquo;The Mounds into salt tears. The earth's a thief,
&wlquo;That feeds and breeds by a composture stoln
&wlquo;From gen'ral excrements: each thing's a thief.
&wlquo;The laws, your curb and whip, in their rough power
&wlquo;Have uncheck'd theft.&wrquo; Love not yourselves, away,
Rob one another, there's more gold; cut throats;
All that you meet are thieves: to Athens go,
Break open shops, for nothing can you steal
But thieves do lose it: steal not less for what

I give, and gold confound you howsoever! Amen. [Exit.

3 Thief.

H'as almost charm'd me from my profession, by persuading me to it.

1 Thief.

^{4 note}'Tis in the malice of mankind, that he thus advises us, not to have us thrive in our mystery.

2 Thief.

I'll believe him as an enemy; and give over my trade.

1 Thief.

^{5 note}Let us first see peace in Athens.

2 Thief.

There is no time so miserable, but a man may be true.