And my estate deserves an heir more raised
Than one which holds a trencher.

Tim.

Well, what further?

Old Ath. One only daughter have I, no kin else,
On whom I may confer what I have got:
The maid is fair, o' the youngest for a bride,
And I have bred her at my dearest cost
In qualities of the best. This man of thine
Attempts her love: I prithee, noble lord,
Join with me to forbid him her resort;
Myself have spoke in vain.

Tim.

The man is honest.
Old Ath. Therefore he will be, Timon:
His honesty rewards him in itself;

It must not bear my daughter.

Tim.

125

130

Does she love him?

135

Old Ath. She is young and apt:
Our own precedent passions do instruct us

What levity's in youth.

Tim. [To Lucilius]

Love you the maid?

Luc. Ay, my good lord; and she accepts of it.
Old Ath. If in her marriage my consent be missing,

126 o'] Rowe. a' Ff.
129 prithee] pray thee F4.

mer.

131-133 The man...be, Timon: His] The man...be, Timon. His Theobald. The man...be, Timon, His F. The man...be Timon, His F1 FF. The man......be, His Pope. The man...obey Timon. His HanThe man...Therefore well be him, Timon. His Johnson conj. The man...be Timon's; His Hudson (Staunton conj.). The man is honest, Therefore he will be- Old Ath. Timon, His Staunton conj. 132 Therefore...Timon] Therefore he'll

be my son Theobald conj. Therefore he will be Timon's servant here Capell conj. Therefore in this he will be honest, Timon Seymour conj. Therefore he will be always honest, Timon Collier conj. Therefore he will be rewarded, Timon Singer conj. Therefore he will be blest, Lord Timon Keightley. Therefore he will be trusted, Timon Bailey conj.

135 She is] Alack, my noble lord, she's Seymour conj.

137 levity's] F3F4. leuities FF2.

[To Lucilius] Johnson. om. Ff.

I call the gods to witness, I will choose

Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world,
And dispossess her all.

Tim.

How shall she be endow'd,

If she be mated with an equal husband?

140

Old Ath. Three talents on the present; in future, all. Tim. This gentleman of mine hath served me long: To build his fortune I will strain a little,

For 'tis a bond in men. Give him thy daughter:
What you bestow, in him I'll counterpoise,

And make him weigh with her.

Old Ath.

Most noble lord,

Pawn me to this your honour, she is his.

146

150

Tim. My hand to thee; mine honour on my promise. Luc. Humbly I thank your lordship: never may

That state or fortune fall into my keeping,

Which is not owed to you!

[Exeunt Lucilius and Old Athenian. Poet. Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your -lord

ship!

Tim. I thank you; you shall hear from me anon: Go not away. What have What have you there, my friend? Pain. A piece of painting, which I do beseech Your lordship to accept.

Tim.

Painting is welcome.

The painting is almost the natural man;

140 choose] F1. chose F2. chuse F3F4.
142 endow'd] Capell. endowed Ff.
143 If she be mated] if mated Steevens
conj., reading Endow'd...husband
as one line.

145 This...long:] One line in Rowe.
Two in Ff.

151 My......promise.] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

155

160

154 owed] own'd Hanmer (Warburton). [Exeunt...] Theobald. Exit. Ff. Exit Luc. Pope.

155 Vouchsafe...lordship ] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[presenting his Poem. Capell.

159 [presenting it. Capell.

160 The painting] The painted Han

mer.

For since dishonour traffics with man's nature,
He is but outside: these pencill'd figures are
Even such as they give out. I like your work,
And you shall find I like it: wait attendance
Till you hear further from me.

Pain.

The gods preserve ye! 165 Tim. Well fare you, gentleman: give me your hand; We must needs dine together. Sir, your jewel

Hath suffer'd under praise.

Jew.
Tim. A mere satiety of commendations.
If I should pay you for 't as 'tis extoll'd,
It would unclew me quite.

What, my lord! dispraise?

Jew.

My lord, 'tis rated

As those which sell would give: but you well know,
Things of like value, differing in the owners,

Are prized by their masters: believe 't, dear lord,
You mend the jewel by the wearing it.

Tim. Well mock'd.

170

175

Mer. No, my good lord; he speaks the common

tongue,

Which all men speak with him.

Tim. Look, who comes here: will you be chid?

Enter APEMANTUS.

Jew. We'll bear, with your lordship.

Mer.

He'll spare none.

181

Tim. Good morrow to thee, gentle Apemantus !
Apem. Till I be gentle, stay thou for thy good

morrow;

When thou art Timon's dog, and these knaves honest.

Tim. Why dost thou call them knaves? thou know'st them not.

Apem. Are they not Athenians?

Tim. Yes.

Apem. Then I repent not.

Jew. You know me, Apemantus?

185

Apem. Thou know'st I do; I call'd thee by thy name. Tim. Thou art proud, Apemantus.

190

Apem. Of nothing so much as that I am not like Timon.

Tim. Whither art going?

Apem. To knock out an honest Athenian's brains.

Tim. That's a deed thou 'lt die for.

195

Apem. Right, if doing nothing be death by the law. Tim. How likest thou this picture, Apemantus?

Apem. The best, for the innocence.

Tim. Wrought he not well that painted it?

Apem. He wrought better that made the painter; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work.

Pain. You're a dog.

201

Apem. Thy mother's of my generation: what's she,

if I be a dog?

Tim. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus?

Apem. No; I eat not lords.

205

Tim. An thou shouldst, thou 'ldst anger ladies. Apem. O, they eat lords; so they come by great bellies.

Tim. That's a lascivious apprehension.

210

Apem. So thou apprehend'st it: take it for thy labour. Tim. How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus? Apem. Not so well as plain-dealing, which will not cost a man a doit.

Tim. What dost thou think 'tis worth?

Apem. Not worth my thinking. How now, poet!
Poet. How now, philosopher!
Apem. Thou liest.

215