 | Timon of Athens |  |
Enters divers Senators, at several doors.
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.
Enter Timon and attendants.
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
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?
[The banquet brought in.
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
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.
| Timon of Athens | |