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The Life of Timon of Athens


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dies that bears not one spurn to their graves

      Of their friend's gift?

      I should fear those that dance before me now

      Would one day stamp upon me: it has been done:

      Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

      [The LORDS rise from table, with much adoring of TIMON; and to show their loves, each singles out an Amazon, and all dance, men with women, a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and cease.]

TIMON

      You have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies,

      Set a fair fashion on our entertainment,

      Which was not half so beautiful and kind;

      You have added worth unto 't and lustre,

      And entertain'd me with mine own device;

      I am to thank you for 't.

FIRST LADY

      My lord, you take us even at the best.

      APEMANTUS. Faith, for the worst is filthy; and would not hold taking, I doubt me.

TIMON

      Ladies, there is an idle banquet

      Attends you; please you to dispose yourselves.

ALL LADIES

      Most thankfully, my lord.

      [Exeunt CUPID and LADIES.]

TIMON

      Flavius!

FLAVIUS

      My lord!

TIMON

      The little casket bring me hither.

FLAVIUS

      Yes, my lord. [Aside.] More jewels yet!

      There is no crossing him in 's humour;

      Else I should tell him well, i' faith, I should,

      When all's spent, he'd be cross'd then, an he could.

      'Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind,

      That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind.

      [Exit.]

FIRST LORD

      Where be our men?

SERVANT

      Here, my lord, in readiness.

SECOND LORD

      Our horses!

      [Re-enter FLAVIUS, with the casket.]

TIMON

      O, my friends! I have one word to say to you;

      Look you, my good lord,

      I must entreat you, honour me so much

      As to advance this jewel; accept it and wear it,

      Kind my lord.

FIRST LORD

      I am so far already in your gifts —

ALL

      So are we all.

      [Enter a SERVANT.]

SERVANT

      My lord, there are certain nobles of the Senate

      Newly alighted and come to visit you.

TIMON

      They are fairly welcome.

FLAVIUS

      I beseech your honour,

      Vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near.

TIMON

      Near! why then, another time I'll hear thee.

      I prithee let's be provided to show them entertainment.

FLAVIUS

      [Aside.]

      I scarce know how.

      [Enter another SERVANT.]

SECOND SERVANT

      May it please vour honour, Lord Lucius,

      Out of his free love, hath presented to you

      Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver.

TIMON

      I shall accept them fairly; let the presents

      Be worthily entertain'd.

      [Enter a third SERVANT.]

      How now! What news?

      THIRD SERVANT. Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman, Lord Lucullus, entreats your company to-morrow to hunt with him, and has sent your honour two brace of greyhounds.

TIMON

      I'll hunt with him; and let them be receiv'd,

      Not without fair reward.

FLAVIUS

      [Aside.] What will this come to?

      He commands us to provide, and give great gifts,

      And all out of an empty coffer;

      Nor will he know his purse, or yield me this,

      To show him what a beggar his heart is,

      Being of no power to make his wishes good.

      His promises fly so beyond his state

      That what he speaks is all in debt; he owes

      For every word: he is so kind that he now

      Pays interest for 't; his land's put to their books.

      Well, would I were gently put out of office

      Before I were forc'd out!

      Happier he that has no friend to feed

      Than such that do e'en enemies exceed.

      I bleed inwardly for my lord.

      [Exit.]

TIMON

      You do yourselves much wrong;

      You bate too much of your own merits;

      Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.

SECOND LORD

      With more than common thanks I will receive it.

THIRD LORD

      O! he's the very soul of bounty!

TIMON

      And now I remember, my lord, you gave

      Good words the other day of a bay courser

      I rode on: it is yours because you lik'd it.

THIRD LORD

      O! I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that.

TIMON

      You may take my word, my lord: I know no man

      Can justly praise but what he does affect:

      I weigh my friend's affection with mine own.

      I'll tell you true; I'll call to you.

ALL LORDS

      O! none so welcome!

TIMON

      I take all and your several visitations

      So kind to heart, 'tis not enough to give;

      Methinks, I could deal kingdoms to my friends,

      And ne'er be weary. Alcibiades,

      Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich;

      It comes in charity to thee; for all thy living

      Is 'mongst the dead, and all the lands thou hast

      Lie in a pitch'd field.

ALCIBIADES

      Ay,