Aches contract and starve your supple joints! — That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet knaves, And all this court'sy! The strain of man's bred out Alcib. Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I feed Tim. [Exeunt all but Apemantus. Enter two Lords. 1 Lord. What time a day is't, Apemantus? Apem. Time to be honest. 1 Lord. That time serves still. Apem. The most accursed thou, that still omit'st it. 2 Lord. Thou art going to lord Timon's feast. Apem. Ay; to see meat fill knaves, and wine heat fools. 2 Lord. Fare thee well, fare thee well. Apem. Thou art a fool, to bid me farewell twice. 2 Lord. Why, Apemantus? Apem. Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give thee none. 1 Lord. Hang thyself. Apem. No, I will do nothing at thy bidding: make thy requests to thy friend. 2 Lord. Away, unpeaceable dog, or I'll spurn thee hence. Apem. I will fly, like a dog, the heels of the ass. [Exit. 1 Lord. He's opposite to humanity. Come, shall we in, And taste lord Timon's bounty? he outgoes The very heart of kindness. 2 Lord, He pours it out; Plutus, the god of gold, Is but his steward: no meed, but he repays Sevenfold above itself; no gift to him, But breeds the giver a return exceeding All use of quittance 15. 1 Lord. The noblest mind he carries, That ever govern'd man. 2 Lord. Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in? 1 Lord. I'll keep you company. SCENE II, [Exeunt. The Same. A Room of State in Timon's House. Hautboys playing loud musick. A great banquet served in; FLAVIUS and others attending; then enter TIMON, ALCIBIADES, LUCIUS, LUCULLUS, SEMPRONIUS, and other Athenian Senators, with VENTIDIUS and Attendants. Then comes, dropping after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly. Ven. Most honour'd Timon, 't hath pleas'd the gods remember My father's age, and call him to long peace. He is gone happy, and has left me rich: Tim. O, by no means, Honest Ventidius: you mistake I my love; gave it freely ever; and there's none Can truly say, he gives, if he receives: If our betters play at that game, we must not dare Tim. [They all stand ceremoniously looking on Timon: Nay, my lords, ceremony Was but devis'd at first, to set a gloss On faint deeds, hollow welcomes, Recanting goodness, sorry ere 'tis shown; But where there is true friendship, there needs none. [They sit. 1 Lord. My lord, we always have confess'd it. Apem. Ho, ho, confess'd it? hang'd it, have you not? Tim. O, Apemantus!-you are welcome. You shall not make me welcome: I come to have thee thrust me out of doors No, Tim. Fie, thou art a churl; you have got a humour there Does not become a man, 'tis much to blame: They say, my lords, that ira furor brevis est, But yond' man's ever angry. Go, let him have a table by himself; For he does neither affect company, Apem. Let me stay at thine own peril, Timon; I come to observe; I give thee warning on't. Tim. I take no heed of thee; thou art an Athenian; therefore welcome: I myself would have no power: 'pr'ythee, let my meat make thee silent. Apem. I scorn thy meat; 'twould choke me, for I should Ne'er flatter thee.-O you gods! what a number It grieves me, to see so many dip their meat I wonder, men dare trust themselves with men: Is the readiest man to kill him: it has been prov'd. Were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals; Lest they should spy my windpipe's dangerous notes 17: Great men should drink with harness on their throats. Tim. My lord, in heart; and let the health go round. 2 Lord. Let it flow this way, my good lord. Apem. Flow this way! A brave fellow!- he keeps his tides well. Timon APEMANTUS's GRACE. Immortal gods, I crave no pelf; Rich men sin, and I eat root. [Eats and drinks. Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus? Tim. Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the field now. Alcib. My heart is ever at your service, my lord. Tim. You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies, than a dinner of friends. Alcib. So they were bleeding-new, my lord, there's no meat like them; I could wish my best friend at such a feast. Apem. 'Would all those flatterers were thine ene |