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 enemies then; that then thou might'st kill 'em, and bid me to 'em.

1 Lord. Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think ourselves for ever perfect.

Tim. O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have provided that I shall have much help from you: How had you been my friends else? why have you that charitable title from thousands, did you not chiefly belong to my heart? I have told more of you to myself, than you can with modesty speak in your own behalf; and thus far I confirm you. O, you gods, think I, what need we have any friends, if we should never have need of them? they were the most needless creatures living, should we ne'er have use for them and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up in cases, that keep their sounds to themselves. Why, I have often wished myself poorer, that I might come nearer to you. We are born to do benefits: and what better or properor can we call our own, than the riches of our friends? O, what a precious comfort 'tis to have so many, like brothers, commanding one another's fortunes! O joy, e'en made away ere it can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks: to forget their faults, I drink to you.

Apem. Thou weepest to make them drink, Timon. 2 Lord. Joy had the like conception in our eyes, And, at that instant, like a babe sprung up.

Apem. Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard, 3 Lord. I promise you, my lord, you mov'd me much. Apem. Much! [Tucket sounded. Tim. What means that trump?-How now?

Enter a Servant.

Serv. Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance.

Tim. Ladies? what are their wills?

Serv. There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office, to signify their pleasures. Tim. I pray, let them be admitted.

Enter CUPID.

Cupid. Hail to thee, worthy Timon; and to all That of his bounties taste!-The five best senses Acknowledge thee their patron; and come freely To gratulate thy plenteous bosom: The ear, Taste, touch, smell, all pleas'd from thy table rise; They only now come but to feast thine eyes. [tance; Tim. They are welcome all; let them have kind admitMusic, make their welcome. [Exit Cupid.

1 Lord. You see, my lord, how ample you are belov'd. Music. Re-enter CUPID, with a Masque of Ladies, as Amazons, with Lutes in their Hands, dancing and playing.

Apem. Hey day, what a sweep of vanity comes this
They dance! they are mad women.
Like madness is the glory of this life,

As this pomp shows to a little oil, and root,
We make ourselves fools, to disport ourselves;
And spend our flatteries, to drink those men,
Upon whose age we void it up again,

[way!

With poisonous spite, and envy. Who lives, that's not
Depraved, or depraves? who dies, that bears

Not one spurn to their graves of their friends' 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. Tim. You have done our pleasures much grace, fair Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, [ladies, Which was not half so beautiful and kind; You have added worth unto't, and lively lustre, And entertain'd me with mine own device; I am to thank you for it.

1 Lady. My lord, you take us even at the best. Apem. 'Faith, for the worst is filthy; and would not hold taking, I doubt me.

Tim. Ladies, there is an idle banquet

Attends you: Please you to dispose yourselves.
All Lad. Most thankfully, my lord.

[Exeunt Cupid and Ladies.

Tim. Flavius,-
Flav. My lord.
Tim.
Flav. Yes, my lord.-More jewels yet!

The little casket bring me hither.

There is no crossing him in his humour;

[Aside.

Else I should tell him,-Well,-i’faith, Í 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, and returns with the Casket.

1 Lord. Where be our men?

Serv.

2 Lord. Our horses. Tim.

Here, my lord, in readiness.

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, and wear it, kind, my lord.

1 Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,All. So are we all.

Enter a Servant.

Serv. My lord, there are certain nobles of the senate Newly alighted, and come to visit you.

Tim. They are fairly welcome.

Flav.

I beseech your honour, Vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near. Tim. Near? why then another time I'll hear thee: I pr'ythee, let us be provided

To show them entertainment.

Flav.

I scarce know how. [Aside.

Enter another Servant.

2 Serv. May it please your honour, the lord Lucius,

Out of his free love, hath presented to you
Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver.
Tim. I shall accept them fairly: let the presents
Enter a third Servant.

Be worthily entertain'd.-How now, what news? 3 Serv. 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.

Tim. I'll hunt with him; And let them be receiv'd, Not without fair reward.

Flav. [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 is he that has no friend to feed,
Than such as do even enemies exceed.
I bleed inwardly for my lord.

[Exit.

Tim. You do yourselves Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits: Here, my lord; a trifle of our love.

2 Lord. With more than common thanks I will receive 3 Lord. O, he is the very soul of bounty! {it. Tim. And now I remember me, my lord, you gave Good words the other day of a bay courser

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

3 Lord. I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that. Tim. You may take my word, my lord; I know, no

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 on you.

B

[man

None so welcome.

All Lords.
Tim. 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.

Alcib.

Ay, defiled land, my lord. 1 Lord. We are so virtuously bound,

And so

So infinitely endear'd,

The best of happiness,

Tim. All to you.—Lights, more lights.

1 Lord.

Honour, and fortunes, keep with you, lord Timon! Tim. Ready for his friends.

[Exeunt Alcibiades, Lords, &c. Арет. What a coil's here! Serving of becks, and jutting out of bums! I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums That are given for 'em. Friendship's full of dregs: Methinks, false hearts should never have sound legs. Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on court'sies. Tim. Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen, I'd be good to thee.

Apem.

No, I'll nothing: for, If I should be brib'd too, there would be none left To rail upon thee; and then thou wouldst sin the faster. Thou giv'st so long, Timon, I fear me, thou Wilt give away thyself in paper shortly:

What need these feasts, pomps, and vain glories?

Tim.

An you begin to rail on society once,

Nay,

[Exit.

Apem.

So;

I am sworn, not to give regard to you.
Farewell; and come with better music.

Thou'lt not hear me now,-thou shalt not then, I'll lock
Thy heaven from thee. O, that men's ears should be
To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!

[Exit.