our endeavor be so loved, and the performance so loathed? what verse for it? what instance for it? Let me see : Full merrily the humble-bee doth sing, Till he hath lost his honey, and his sting: And being once subdued in armed tail, Sweet honey and sweet notes together fail.Good traders in the flesh, set this in your painted cloths." Canvass hangings for rooms, painted with emblems and mottoes. As many as be here of panders' hall, Your eyes, half out, weep out at Pandar's fall: Or, if you cannot weep, yet give some groans, Though not for me, yet for your aching bones. Brethren, and sisters, of the hold-door trade, Some two months hence my will shall here be made: It should be now, but that my fear is this,— Some galled goose of Winchester would hiss: Till then I'll sweat, and seek about for eases; And, at that time, bequeath you my diseases. [Exit. i. e. Exceeds, goes beyond common bounds. Pain. You are rapt, sir, in some work, some dedication To the great lord. Poet. A thing slipp'd idly from me. Our poesy is as a gum, which oozes From whence 'tis nourished: The fire i' the flint Shows not till it be struck; our gentle flame Provokes itself, and, like the current, flies Each bound it chafes. What have you there? Pain. A picture, sir.-And when comes your book forth? Poet. Upon the heels of my presentment,' sir. Let's see your piece. Pain. "Tis a good piece. Poet. So 'tis: this comes off well and excellent. Pain. Indifferent. It tutors nature: artificial strife' Enter certain Senators, and pass over. As soon as my book has been presented to Timon i. e. The contest of art with nature. Pain. Look, more! Tim. Noble Ventidius! Well; Poet. You see this confluence, this great flood I am not of that feather, to shake off of visitors. I have in this rough work, shaped out a man, Pain. How shall I understand you? Pain. I saw them speak together. Poet. Sir, I have upon a high and pleasant hill, Feign'd Fortune to be thron'd: The base o'the mount Is rank'd with all deserts, all kind of natures, That labor on the bosom of this sphere To propagate their states: amongst them all, Whose eyes are on this sovereign lady fixed, One do I personate of lord Timon's frame, Whom Fortune with her ivory hands wafts to her; Whose present grace to present slaves and servants Translates his rivals. Pain. "Tis conceiv'd to scope. This throne, this Fortune, and this hill, methinks, With one man beckon'd from the rest below, Bowing his head against the steepy mount To climb his happiness, would be well express'd In our condition. Poet. Nay, sir, but hear me on: All those which were his fellows but of late, (Some better than his value,) on the moment Follow his strides, his lobbies fill with tendance, Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear, Make sacred even his stirrup, and through him Drink the free air. Pain. Ay, marry, what of these? Poet. When fortune in her shift and change of mood, Spurns down her late belov'd, all his dependants, Which labor'd after him to the mountain's top, Even on their knees and hands, let him slip down, Not one accompanying his declining foot. Pain. "Tis common: A thousand moral paintings I can show Trumpets sound. Enter TIMON, attended; the debt; His means most short, his creditors most strait: Your honorable letter he desires My friend when he must need me. I do know him Tim. Commend me to him: I will send his ransom; And being enfranchis'd, bid him come to me:- Old Ath. Lord Timon, hear me speak. Old Ath. Most noble Timon, call the man before thee. Tim. Attends he here, or no?-Lucilius! Enter LUCILIUS. Luc. Here, at your lordship's service. Old Ath. This fellow here, lord Timon, this thy creature, By night frequents my house. I am a man That from my first have been inclin'd to thrift; And my estate deserves an heir more rais'd, 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 pr'ythee, 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. Does she love him? Old Ath. She is young and apt: Tim. [To LUCILIUS.] Love you the maid? I call the gods to witness, I will choose Tim. How shall she be endow'd, If she be mated with an equal husband? Old Ath. Three talents, on the present; in future, all. Tim. This gentleman of mine hath serv'd me long; To build his fortune, I will strain a little, Old Ath. Most noble lord, Pawn me to this your honor, she is his. Luc. Humbly I thank your lordship; Never may To those have shut him up; which failing to him, Which is not ow'd to you! Periods his comfort. My design does not stop at any particular character. One who shows by reflection the looks of his patron. To advance their conditions of life. [Exeunt LUCILIUS and old Athenian. Poet. Vouchsafe my labor, and long live your lordship! Tim. I thank you; you shall hear from me anon: Go not away. What have you there, my friend? Pain. A piece of painting, which I do beseech Your lordship to accept. Tim. Painting is welcome. Pain. We must needs dine together.-Sir, your jewel Jew. It would unclew me quite. My lord, 'tis rated Jew. 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 wearing it. Tim. Well mock'd. 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? Jew. We will bear, with your lordship. row; 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. Mer. Ay, Apemantus. Apem. Traffic confound thee, if the gods will not! Mer. If traffic do it, the gods do it. Apem. Traffic's thy god, and thy god confound thee! Trumpets sound. Enter a Servant. Tim. What trumpet's that? "Tis Alcibiades and Some twenty horse, all of companionship. Tim. Pray, entertain them; give them guide to [Exeunt some Attendants. You must needs dine with me:-Go not you hence, Till I have thank'd you; and when dinner's done, Show me this piece. I am joyful of your sights. us. Enter ALCIBIADES, with his Company. Most welcome, sir! They salute. So, so; there!Aches contract and starve your supple joints!-Apem. Thou knowest, I do; I call'd thee by thy That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet Jew. You know me, Apemantus. name. Tim. Thou art proud, Apemantus. Apem. knaves, And all this court'sy! The strain of man's bred out Apem. Of nothing so much, as that I am not Into baboon and monkey. 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 are a dog. Apen. Thy mother's of my generation; What's she, if I be a dog? Tim. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus? Tim. An thou should'st, thou'dst anger ladies. Apem. O, they eat lords; so they come by great bellies. Tim. That's a lascivious apprehension. Apem. So thou apprehend'st it; Take it for thy labor. Tim. How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus? • Ruin. Alcib. Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I feed Most hungrily on your sight. Tim. Right welcome, sir: In different pleasures. Pray you, let us in. Ere we depart, we'll share a bounteous time [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. 1 Alluding to the proverb: Plain dealing is a jewel, but they who use it beggars. I SCENE II. TIMON OF ATHENS. 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. 1 Lord. He's opposite to humanity. Come, shall And taste lord Timon's bounty? he outgoes 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.3 The noblest mind he carries, 1 Lord. That ever govern'd man. 2 Lord. Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in? [Exeunt. 1 Lord. I'll keep you company. SCENE II.—A Room of State in Timon's House. Hautboys playing loud Music. 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 honor'd Timon, 't hath pleas'd the gods remember My father's age, and call him to long peace. Tim. O, by no means, Honest Ventidius: you mistake 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. But where there is true friendship, there needs none. Pray sit; more welcome are ye to my fortunes, 1 Lord. My lord, we always have confessed it. not? Tim. O, Apemantus!-you are welcome. Apem. You shall not make me welcome: No. I come to have thee thrust me out of doors. Does not become a man, 'tis much to blame: Apem. Let me stay at thine own peril, Timon; Anger is a short madness. power: pr'ythee, let my meat make thee silent. I should Ne'er flatter thee.-O you gods! what a number I wonder men dare trust themselves with men: Is the readiest man to kill him: it has been prov'd. Lest they should spy my windpipe's dangerous notes: 6 Tim. My lord, in heart; and let the health go round. 2 Lord. Let it flow this way, my good lord. A brave fellow!-he keeps his tides well. Timon, 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 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? The allusion is to a pack of hounds trained to pursuit, by being gratified with the blood of an animal which they kill; and the wonder is, that the animal, on which they • Foolish. are feeding, cheers them to the chase. With sincerity. • Armor. |