Creditors?devils!FLAVIUSMydearlord,——TIMONWhatifitshouldbeso?FLAVIUSMylord,——TIMONI’llhaveitso。Mysteward!FLAVIUSHere,mylord。TIMONSofitly?Go,bidallmyfriendsagain,Lucius,Lucullus,andSempronius:
All,sirrah,all:
I’lloncemorefeasttherascals。FLAVIUSOmylord,Youonlyspeakfromyourdistractedsoul;
Thereisnotsomuchleft,tofurnishoutAmoderatetable。TIMONBe’tnotinthycare;go,Ichargethee,invitethemall:letinthetideOfknavesoncemore;mycookandI’llprovide。
ExeuntSCENEV。Thesame。Thesenate-house。TheSenatesitting。FirstSenatorMylord,youhavemyvoicetoit;thefault’sBloody;’tisnecessaryheshoulddie:
Nothingemboldenssinsomuchasmercy。SecondSenatorMosttrue;thelawshallbruisehim。
EnterALCIBIADES,withAttendantsALCIBIADESHonour,health,andcompassiontothesenate!FirstSenatorNow,captain?ALCIBIADESIamanhumblesuitortoyourvirtues;
Forpityisthevirtueofthelaw,Andnonebuttyrantsuseitcruelly。
ItpleasestimeandfortunetolieheavyUponafriendofmine,who,inhotblood,Hathstepp’dintothelaw,whichispastdepthTothosethat,withoutheed,doplungeinto’t。
Heisaman,settinghisfateaside,Ofcomelyvirtues:
Nordidhesoilthefactwithcowardice——
Anhonourinhimwhichbuysouthisfault——
Butwithanoblefuryandfairspirit,Seeinghisreputationtouch’dtodeath,Hedidopposehisfoe:
AndwithsuchsoberandunnotedpassionHedidbehavehisanger,ere’twasspent,Asifhehadbutprovedanargument。FirstSenatorYouundergotoostrictaparadox,Strivingtomakeanuglydeedlookfair:
Yourwordshavetooksuchpainsasiftheylabour’dTobringmanslaughterintoformandsetquarrellingUpontheheadofvalour;whichindeedIsvalourmisbegotandcameintotheworldWhensectsandfactionswerenewlyborn:
He’strulyvaliantthatcanwiselysufferTheworstthatmancanbreathe,andmakehiswrongsHisoutsides,towearthemlikehisraiment,carelessly,Andne’erpreferhisinjuriestohisheart,Tobringitintodanger。
Ifwrongsbeevilsandenforceuskill,Whatfolly’tistohazardlifeforill!ALCIBIADESMylord,——FirstSenatorYoucannotmakegrosssinslookclear:
Torevengeisnovalour,buttobear。ALCIBIADESMylords,then,underfavour,pardonme,IfIspeaklikeacaptain。
Whydofondmenexposethemselvestobattle,Andnotendureallthreats?sleepupon’t,Andletthefoesquietlycuttheirthroats,Withoutrepugnancy?IftherebeSuchvalourinthebearing,whatmakeweAbroad?whythen,womenaremorevaliantThatstayathome,ifbearingcarryit,Andtheassmorecaptainthanthelion,thefelonLoadenwithironswiserthanthejudge,Ifwisdombeinsuffering。Omylords,Asyouaregreat,bepitifullygood:
Whocannotcondemnrashnessincoldblood?
Tokill,Igrant,issin’sextremestgust;
But,indefence,bymercy,’tismostjust。
Tobeinangerisimpiety;
Butwhoismanthatisnotangry?
Weighbutthecrimewiththis。SecondSenatorYoubreatheinvain。ALCIBIADESInvain!hisservicedoneAtLacedaemonandByzantiumWereasufficientbriberforhislife。FirstSenatorWhat’sthat?ALCIBIADESIsay,mylords,hehasdonefairservice,Andslaininfightmanyofyourenemies:
HowfullofvalourdidhebearhimselfInthelastconflict,andmadeplenteouswounds!SecondSenatorHehasmadetoomuchplentywith’em;
He’saswornrioter:hehasasinthatoftenDrownshim,andtakeshisvalourprisoner:
Iftherewerenofoes,thatwereenoughToovercomehim:inthatbeastlyfuryHehasbeenknowntocommitoutrages,Andcherishfactions:’tisinferr’dtous,Hisdaysarefoulandhisdrinkdangerous。FirstSenatorHedies。ALCIBIADESHardfate!hemighthavediedinwar。
Mylords,ifnotforanypartsinhim——
ThoughhisrightarmmightpurchasehisowntimeAndbeindebttonone——yet,moretomoveyou,Takemydesertstohis,andjoin’emboth:
And,forIknowyourreverendagesloveSecurity,I’llpawnmyvictories,allMyhonourstoyou,uponhisgoodreturns。
Ifbythiscrimeheowesthelawhislife,Why,letthewarreceive’tinvaliantgoreForlawisstrict,andwarisnothingmore。FirstSenatorWeareforlaw:hedies;urgeitnomore,Onheightofourdispleasure:friendorbrother,Heforfeitshisownbloodthatspillsanother。ALCIBIADESMustitbeso?itmustnotbe。Mylords,Idobeseechyou,knowme。SecondSenatorHow!ALCIBIADESCallmetoyourremembrances。ThirdSenatorWhat!ALCIBIADESIcannotthinkbutyouragehasforgotme;
Itcouldnotelsebe,Ishouldprovesobase,Tosue,andbedeniedsuchcommongrace:
Mywoundsacheatyou。FirstSenatorDoyoudareouranger?
’Tisinfewwords,butspaciousineffect;
Webanishtheeforever。ALCIBIADESBanishme!
Banishyourdotage;banishusury,Thatmakesthesenateugly。FirstSenatorIf,aftertwodays’shine,Athenscontainthee,Attendourweightierjudgment。And,nottoswellourspirit,Heshallbeexecutedpresently。
ExeuntSenatorsALCIBIADESNowthegodskeepyouoldenough;thatyoumayliveOnlyinbone,thatnonemaylookonyou!
I’mworsethanmad:Ihavekeptbacktheirfoes,WhiletheyhavetoldtheirmoneyandletoutTheircoinuponlargeinterest,ImyselfRichonlyinlargehurts。Allthoseforthis?
IsthisthebalsamthattheusuringsenatePoursintocaptains’wounds?Banishment!
Itcomesnotill;Ihatenottobebanish’d;
Itisacauseworthymyspleenandfury,ThatImaystrikeatAthens。I’llcheerupMydiscontentedtroops,andlayforhearts。
’Tishonourwithmostlandstobeatodds;
Soldiersshouldbrookaslittlewrongsasgods。
ExitSCENEVI。Thesame。Abanqueting-roominTimon’shouse。Music。Tablessetout:Servantsattending。EnterdiversLords,Senatorsandothers,atseveraldoorsFirstLordThegoodtimeofdaytoyou,sir。SecondLordIalsowishittoyou。Ithinkthishonourablelorddidbuttryusthisotherday。FirstLordUponthatweremythoughtstiring,whenweencountered:Ihopeitisnotsolowwithhimashemadeitseeminthetrialofhisseveralfriends。SecondLordItshouldnotbe,bythepersuasionofhisnewfeasting。FirstLordIshouldthinkso:hehathsentmeanearnestinviting,whichmanymynearoccasionsdidurgemetoputoff;buthehathconjuredmebeyondthem,andImustneedsappear。SecondLordInlikemannerwasIindebttomyimportunatebusiness,buthewouldnothearmyexcuse。Iamsorry,whenhesenttoborrowofme,thatmyprovisionwasout。FirstLordIamsickofthatgrieftoo,asIunderstandhowallthingsgo。SecondLordEverymanhere’sso。Whatwouldhehaveborrowedofyou?FirstLordAthousandpieces。SecondLordAthousandpieces!FirstLordWhatofyou?SecondLordHesenttome,sir,——Herehecomes。
EnterTIMONandAttendantsTIMONWithallmyheart,gentlemenboth;andhowfareyou?FirstLordEveratthebest,hearingwellofyourlordship。SecondLordTheswallowfollowsnotsummermorewillingthanweyourlordship。TIMON[Aside]Normorewillinglyleaveswinter;
suchsummer-birdsaremen。Gentlemen,ourdinnerwillnotrecompensethislongstay:feastyourearswiththemusicawhile,iftheywillfaresoharshlyo’
thetrumpet’ssound;weshallto’tpresently。FirstLordIhopeitremainsnotunkindlywithyourlordshipthatIreturnedyouanemptymessenger。TIMONO,sir,letitnottroubleyou。SecondLordMynoblelord,——TIMONAh,mygoodfriend,whatcheer?SecondLordMymosthonourablelord,Iame’ensickofshame,that,whenyourlordshipthisotherdaysenttome,Iwassounfortunateabeggar。TIMONThinknoton’t,sir。SecondLordIfyouhadsentbuttwohoursbefore,——TIMONLetitnotcumberyourbetterremembrance。
ThebanquetbroughtinCome,bringinalltogether。SecondLordAllcovereddishes!FirstLordRoyalcheer,Iwarrantyou。ThirdLordDoubtnotthat,ifmoneyandtheseasoncanyieldit。FirstLordHowdoyou?What’sthenews?ThirdLordAlcibiadesisbanished:hearyouofit?FirstLordSecondLordAlcibiadesbanished!ThirdLord’Tisso,besureofit。FirstLordHow!how!SecondLordIprayyou,uponwhat?TIMONMyworthyfriends,willyoudrawnear?ThirdLordI’lltellyoumoreanon。Here’sanoblefeasttoward。SecondLordThisistheoldmanstill。ThirdLordWill’thold?will’thold?SecondLordItdoes:buttimewill——andso——ThirdLordIdoconceive。TIMONEachmantohisstool,withthatspurashewouldtothelipofhismistress:yourdietshallbeinallplacesalike。Makenotacityfeastofit,toletthemeatcoolerewecanagreeuponthefirstplace:
sit,sit。Thegodsrequireourthanks。
Yougreatbenefactors,sprinkleoursocietywiththankfulness。Foryourowngifts,makeyourselvespraised:butreservestilltogive,lestyourdeitiesbedespised。Lendtoeachmanenough,thatoneneednotlendtoanother;for,wereyourgodheadstoborrowofmen,menwouldforsakethegods。Makethemeatbebelovedmorethanthemanthatgivesit。Letnoassemblyoftwentybewithoutascoreofvillains:iftheresittwelvewomenatthetable,letadozenofthembe——astheyare。
Therestofyourfees,Ogods——thesenatorsofAthens,togetherwiththecommonlagofpeople——whatisamissinthem,yougods,makesuitablefordestruction。Forthesemypresentfriends,astheyaretomenothing,soinnothingblessthem,andtonothingaretheywelcome。
Uncover,dogs,andlap。
ThedishesareuncoveredandseentobefullofwarmwaterSomeSpeakWhatdoeshislordshipmean?SomeOthersIknownot。TIMONMayyouabetterfeastneverbehold,Youknotofmouth-friendsIsmokeandlukewarmwaterIsyourperfection。ThisisTimon’slast;
Who,stuckandspangledwithyourflatteries,Washesitoff,andsprinklesinyourfacesYourreekingvillany。
ThrowingthewaterintheirfacesLiveloathedandlong,Mostsmiling,smooth,detestedparasites,Courteousdestroyers,affablewolves,meekbears,Youfoolsoffortune,trencher-friends,time’sflies,Capandkneeslaves,vapours,andminute-jacks!
OfmanandbeasttheinfinitemaladyCrustyouquiteo’er!What,dostthougo?
Soft!takethyphysicfirst——thoutoo——andthou;——
Stay,Iwilllendtheemoney,borrownone。
Throwsthedishesatthem,anddrivesthemoutWhat,allinmotion?Henceforthbenofeast,Whereatavillain’snotawelcomeguest。
Burn,house!sink,Athens!henceforthhatedbeOfTimonmanandallhumanity!
ExitRe-entertheLords,Senators,&;cFirstLordHownow,mylords!SecondLordKnowyouthequalityofLordTimon’sfury?ThirdLordPush!didyouseemycap?FourthLordIhavelostmygown。FirstLordHe’sbutamadlord,andnoughtbuthumourswayshim。
Hegavemeajewelth’otherday,andnowhehasbeatitoutofmyhat:didyouseemyjewel?ThirdLordDidyouseemycap?SecondLordHere’tis。FourthLordHereliesmygown。FirstLordLet’smakenostay。SecondLordLordTimon’smad。ThirdLordIfeel’tuponmybones。FourthLordOnedayhegivesusdiamonds,nextdaystones。
ExeuntACTIVSCENEI。WithoutthewallsofAthens。EnterTIMONTIMONLetmelookbackuponthee。Othouwall,Thatgirdlestinthosewolves,diveintheearth,AndfencenotAthens!Matrons,turnincontinent!
Obediencefailinchildren!slavesandfools,Pluckthegravewrinkledsenatefromthebench,Andministerintheirsteads!togeneralfilthsConverto’theinstant,greenvirginity,Do’tinyourparents’eyes!bankrupts,holdfast;
Ratherthanrenderback,outwithyourknives,Andcutyourtrusters’throats!boundservants,steal!
Large-handedrobbersyourgravemastersare,Andpillbylaw。Maid,tothymaster’sbed;
Thymistressiso’thebrothel!Sonofsixteen,pluckthelinedcrutchfromthyoldlimpingsire,Withitbeatouthisbrains!Piety,andfear,Religiontothegods,peace,justice,truth,Domesticawe,night-rest,andneighbourhood,Instruction,manners,mysteries,andtrades,Degrees,observances,customs,andlaws,Declinetoyourconfoundingcontraries,Andletconfusionlive!Plagues,incidenttomen,YourpotentandinfectiousfeversheapOnAthens,ripeforstroke!Thoucoldsciatica,Crippleoursenators,thattheirlimbsmayhaltAslamelyastheirmanners。LustandlibertyCreepinthemindsandmarrowsofouryouth,That’gainstthestreamofvirtuetheymaystrive,Anddrownthemselvesinriot!Itches,blains,SowalltheAthenianbosoms;andtheircropBegeneralleprosy!Breathinfectbreath,attheirsociety,astheirfriendship,maymerelypoison!NothingI’llbearfromthee,Butnakedness,thoudetestabletown!
Takethouthattoo,withmultiplyingbans!
Timonwilltothewoods;whereheshallfindTheunkindestbeastmorekinderthanmankind。
Thegodsconfound——hearme,yougoodgodsall——
TheAtheniansbothwithinandoutthatwall!
Andgrant,asTimongrows,hishatemaygrowTothewholeraceofmankind,highandlow!Amen。
ExitSCENEII。Athens。AroominTimon’shouse。EnterFLAVIUS,withtwoorthreeServantsFirstServantHearyou,mastersteward,where’sourmaster?
Areweundone?castoff?nothingremaining?FLAVIUSAlack,myfellows,whatshouldIsaytoyou?
Letmeberecordedbytherighteousgods,Iamaspoorasyou。FirstServantSuchahousebroke!
Sonobleamasterfall’n!Allgone!andnotOnefriendtotakehisfortunebythearm,Andgoalongwithhim!SecondServantAswedoturnourbacksFromourcompanionthrownintohisgrave,SohisfamiliarstohisburiedfortunesSlinkallaway,leavetheirfalsevowswithhim,Likeemptypursespick’d;andhispoorself,Adedicatedbeggartotheair,Withhisdiseaseofall-shunn’dpoverty,Walks,likecontempt,alone。Moreofourfellows。
EnterotherServantsFLAVIUSAllbrokenimplementsofaruin’dhouse。ThirdServantYetdoourheartswearTimon’slivery;
ThatseeIbyourfaces;wearefellowsstill,Servingalikeinsorrow:leak’disourbark,Andwe,poormates,standonthedyingdeck,Hearingthesurgesthreat:wemustallpartIntothisseaofair。FLAVIUSGoodfellowsall,ThelatestofmywealthI’llshareamongstyou。
Whereverweshallmeet,forTimon’ssake,Let’syetbefellows;let’sshakeourheads,andsay,As’twereaknelluntoourmaster’sfortunes,’Wehaveseenbetterdays。’Leteachtakesome;
Nay,putoutallyourhands。Notonewordmore:
Thuspartwerichinsorrow,partingpoor。
Servantsembrace,andpartseveralwaysO,thefiercewretchednessthatglorybringsus!
Whowouldnotwishtobefromwealthexempt,Sincerichespointtomiseryandcontempt?
Whowouldbesomock’dwithglory?ortoliveButinadreamoffriendship?
TohavehispompandallwhatstatecompoundsButonlypainted,likehisvarnish’dfriends?
Poorhonestlord,broughtlowbyhisownheart,Undonebygoodness!Strange,unusualblood,Whenman’sworstsinis,hedoestoomuchgood!
Who,then,darestobehalfsokindagain?
Forbounty,thatmakesgods,doesstillmarmen。
Mydearestlord,bless’d,tobemostaccursed,Rich,onlytobewretched,thygreatfortunesAremadethychiefafflictions。Alas,kindlord!
He’sflunginragefromthisingratefulseatOfmonstrousfriends,norhashewithhimtoSupplyhislife,orthatwhichcancommandit。
I’llfollowandinquirehimout:
I’lleverservehismindwithmybestwill;
WhilstIhavegold,I’llbehisstewardstill。
ExitSCENEIII。Woodsandcave,neartheseashore。EnterTIMON,fromthecaveOblessedbreedingsun,drawfromtheearthRottenhumidity;belowthysister’sorbInfecttheair!Twinn’dbrothersofonewomb,Whoseprocreation,residence,andbirth,Scarceisdividant,touchthemwithseveralfortunes;
Thegreaterscornsthelesser:notnature,Towhomallsoreslaysiege,canbeargreatfortune,Butbycontemptofnature。
Raisemethisbeggar,anddeny’tthatlord;
Thesenatorshallbearcontempthereditary,Thebeggarnativehonour。
Itisthepasturelardstherother’ssides,Thewantthatmakeshimlean。Whodares,whodares,Inpurityofmanhoodstandupright,Andsay’Thisman’saflatterer?’ifonebe,Soaretheyall;foreverygriseoffortuneIssmooth’dbythatbelow:thelearnedpateDuckstothegoldenfool:allisoblique;
There’snothinglevelinourcursednatures,Butdirectvillany。Therefore,beabhorr’dAllfeasts,societies,andthrongsofmen!
Hissemblable,yea,himself,Timondisdains:
Destructionfangmankind!Earth,yieldmeroots!
DiggingWhoseeksforbetterofthee,saucehispalateWiththymostoperantpoison!Whatishere?
Gold?yellow,glittering,preciousgold?No,gods,Iamnoidlevotarist:roots,youclearheavens!
Thusmuchofthiswillmakeblackwhite,foulfair,Wrongright,basenoble,oldyoung,cowardvaliant。
Ha,yougods!whythis?whatthis,yougods?Why,thisWilllugyourpriestsandservantsfromyoursides,Pluckstoutmen’spillowsfrombelowtheirheads:
ThisyellowslaveWillknitandbreakreligions,blesstheaccursed,Makethehoarleprosyadored,placethievesAndgivethemtitle,kneeandapprobationWithsenatorsonthebench:thisisitThatmakesthewappen’dwidowwedagain;
She,whomthespital-houseandulceroussoresWouldcastthegorgeat,thisembalmsandspicesTotheAprildayagain。Come,damnedearth,Thoucommonwhoreofmankind,thatput’stoddsAmongtherouteofnations,IwillmaketheeDothyrightnature。
MarchafaroffHa!adrum?Thou’rtquick,ButyetI’llburythee:thou’ltgo,strongthief,Whengoutykeepersoftheecannotstand。
Nay,staythououtforearnest。
KeepingsomegoldEnterALCIBIADES,withdrumandfife,inwarlikemanner;PHRYNIA
andTIMANDRAALCIBIADESWhatartthouthere?speak。TIMONAbeast,asthouart。Thecankergnawthyheart,Forshowingmeagaintheeyesofman!ALCIBIADESWhatisthyname?Ismansohatefultothee,Thatartthyselfaman?TIMONIamMisanthropos,andhatemankind。
Forthypart,Idowishthouwertadog,ThatImightlovetheesomething。ALCIBIADESIknowtheewell;
Butinthyfortunesamunlearn’dandstrange。TIMONIknowtheetoo;andmorethanthatI
knowthee,Inotdesiretoknow。Followthydrum;
Withman’sbloodpainttheground,gules,gules:
Religiouscanons,civillawsarecruel;
Thenwhatshouldwarbe?ThisfellwhoreofthineHathinhermoredestructionthanthysword,Forallhercherubimlook。PHRYNIAThylipsrotoff!TIMONIwillnotkissthee;thentherotreturnsTothineownlipsagain。ALCIBIADESHowcamethenobleTimontothischange?TIMONAsthemoondoes,bywantinglighttogive:
ButthenrenewIcouldnot,likethemoon;
Therewerenosunstoborrowof。ALCIBIADESNobleTimon,WhatfriendshipmayIdothee?TIMONNone,buttoMaintainmyopinion。ALCIBIADESWhatisit,Timon?TIMONPromisemefriendship,butperformnone:
ifthouwiltnotpromise,thegodsplaguethee,forthouartaman!ifthoudostperform,confoundthee,forthouartaman!ALCIBIADESIhaveheardinsomesortofthymiseries。TIMONThousaw’stthem,whenIhadprosperity。ALCIBIADESIseethemnow;thenwasablessedtime。TIMONAsthineisnow,heldwithabraceofharlots。TIMANDRAIsthistheAthenianminion,whomtheworldVoicedsoregardfully?TIMONArtthouTimandra?TIMANDRAYes。TIMONBeawhorestill:theylovetheenotthatusethee;
Givethemdiseases,leavingwiththeetheirlust。
Makeuseofthysalthours:seasontheslavesFortubsandbaths;bringdownrose-cheekedyouthTothetub-fastandthediet。TIMANDRAHangthee,monster!ALCIBIADESPardonhim,sweetTimandra;forhiswitsAredrown’dandlostinhiscalamities。
Ihavebutlittlegoldoflate,braveTimon,ThewantwhereofdothdailymakerevoltInmypenuriousband:Ihaveheard,andgrieved,HowcursedAthens,mindlessofthyworth,Forgettingthygreatdeeds,whenneighbourstates,Butforthyswordandfortune,troduponthem,——TIMONIprithee,beatthydrum,andgettheegone。ALCIBIADESIamthyfriend,andpitythee,dearTimon。TIMONHowdostthoupityhimwhomthoudosttrouble?
Ihadratherbealone。ALCIBIADESWhy,faretheewell:
Hereissomegoldforthee。TIMONKeepit,Icannoteatit。ALCIBIADESWhenIhavelaidproudAthensonaheap,——TIMONWarr’stthou’gainstAthens?ALCIBIADESAy,Timon,andhavecause。TIMONThegodsconfoundthemallinthyconquest;
Andtheeafter,whenthouhastconquer’d!ALCIBIADESWhyme,Timon?TIMONThat,bykillingofvillains,Thouwastborntoconquermycountry。
Putupthygold:goon,——here’sgold,——goon;
Beasaplanetaryplague,whenJoveWillo’ersomehigh-vicedcityhanghispoisonInthesickair:letnotthyswordskipone:
Pitynothonour’dageforhiswhitebeard;
Heisanusurer:strikemethecounterfeitmatron;
Itisherhabitonlythatishonest,Herself’sabawd:letnotthevirgin’scheekMakesoftthytrenchantsword;forthosemilk-paps,Thatthroughthewindow-barsboreatmen’seyes,Arenotwithintheleafofpitywrit,Butsetthemdownhorribletraitors:sparenotthebabe,Whosedimpledsmilesfromfoolsexhausttheirmercy;
Thinkitabastard,whomtheoracleHathdoubtfullypronouncedthythroatshallcut,Andminceitsansremorse:swearagainstobjects;
Putarmouronthineearsandonthineeyes;
Whoseproof,noryellsofmothers,maids,norbabes,Norsightofpriestsinholyvestmentsbleeding,Shallpierceajot。There’sgoldtopaysoldiers:
Makelargeconfusion;and,thyfuryspent,Confoundedbethyself!Speaknot,begone。ALCIBIADESHastthougoldyet?I’lltakethegoldthougivestme,Notallthycounsel。TIMONDostthou,ordostthounot,heaven’scurseuponthee!PHRYNIATIMANDRAGiveussomegold,goodTimon:hastthoumore?TIMONEnoughtomakeawhoreforswearhertrade,Andtomakewhores,abawd。Holdup,yousluts,Yourapronsmountant:youarenotoathable,Although,Iknow,you’llswear,terriblyswearIntostrongshuddersandtoheavenlyaguesTheimmortalgodsthathearyou,——spareyouroaths,I’lltrusttoyourconditions:bewhoresstill;
Andhewhosepiousbreathseekstoconvertyou,Bestronginwhore,allurehim,burnhimup;
Letyourclosefirepredominatehissmoke,Andbenoturncoats:yetmayyourpains,sixmonths,Bequitecontrary:andthatchyourpoorthinroofsWithburthensofthedead;——somethatwerehang’d,Nomatter:——wearthem,betraywiththem:whorestill;
Painttillahorsemaymireuponyourface,Apoxofwrinkles!PHRYNIATIMANDRAWell,moregold:whatthen?
Believe’t,thatwe’lldoanythingforgold。TIMONConsumptionssowInhollowbonesofman;striketheirsharpshins,Andmarmen’sspurring。Crackthelawyer’svoice,Thathemaynevermorefalsetitleplead,Norsoundhisquilletsshrilly:hoartheflamen,Thatscoldsagainstthequalityofflesh,Andnotbelieveshimself:downwiththenose,Downwithitflat;takethebridgequiteawayOfhimthat,hisparticulartoforesee,Smellsfromthegeneralweal:makecurl’d-pateruffiansbald;
Andlettheunscarr’dbraggartsofthewarDerivesomepainfromyou:plagueall;
ThatyouractivitymaydefeatandquellThesourceofallerection。There’smoregold:
Doyoudamnothers,andletthisdamnyou,Andditchesgraveyouall!PHRYNIATIMANDRAMorecounselwithmoremoney,bounteousTimon。TIMONMorewhore,moremischieffirst;Ihavegivenyouearnest。ALCIBIADESStrikeupthedrumtowardsAthens!Farewell,Timon:
IfIthrivewell,I’llvisittheeagain。TIMONIfIhopewell,I’llneverseetheemore。ALCIBIADESIneverdidtheeharm。TIMONYes,thouspokestwellofme。ALCIBIADESCall’stthouthatharm?TIMONMendailyfindit。Gettheeaway,andtakeThybeagleswiththee。ALCIBIADESWebutoffendhim。Strike!
Drumbeats。ExeuntALCIBIADES,PHRYNIA,andTIMANDRATIMONThatnature,beingsickofman’sunkindness,Shouldyetbehungry!Commonmother,thou,DiggingWhosewombunmeasurable,andinfinitebreast,Teems,andfeedsall;whoseself-samemettle,Whereofthyproudchild,arrogantman,ispuff’d,Engenderstheblacktoadandadderblue,Thegildednewtandeyelessvenom’dworm,WithalltheabhorredbirthsbelowcrispheavenWhereonHyperion’squickeningfiredothshine;
Yieldhim,whoallthyhumansonsdothhate,Fromforththyplenteousbosom,onepoorroot!
Ensearthyfertileandconceptiouswomb,Letitnomorebringoutingratefulman!
Gogreatwithtigers,dragons,wolves,andbears;
Teemwithnewmonsters,whomthyupwardfaceHathtothemarbledmansionallaboveNeverpresented!——O,aroot,——dearthanks!——
Dryupthymarrows,vines,andplough-tornleas;
Whereofungratefulman,withliquorishdraughtsAndmorselsunctuous,greaseshispuremind,Thatfromitallconsiderationslips!
EnterAPEMANTUS
Moreman?plague,plague!APEMANTUSIwasdirectedhither:menreportThoudostaffectmymanners,anddostusethem。TIMON’Tis,then,becausethoudostnotkeepadog,WhomIwouldimitate:consumptioncatchthee!APEMANTUSThisisintheeanaturebutinfected;
ApoorunmanlymelancholysprungFromchangeoffortune。Whythisspade?thisplace?
Thisslave-likehabit?andtheselooksofcare?
Thyflatterersyetwearsilk,drinkwine,liesoft;
Hugtheirdiseasedperfumes,andhaveforgotThateverTimonwas。Shamenotthesewoods,Byputtingonthecunningofacarper。
Bethouaflatterernow,andseektothriveBythatwhichhasundonethee:hingethyknee,Andlethisverybreath,whomthou’ltobserve,Blowoffthycap;praisehismostviciousstrain,Andcallitexcellent:thouwasttoldthus;
ThougavestthineearsliketapstersthatbidwelcomeToknavesandallapproachers:’tismostjustThatthouturnrascal;hadstthouwealthagain,Rascalsshouldhave’t。Donotassumemylikeness。TIMONWereIlikethee,I’ldthrowawaymyself。APEMANTUSThouhastcastawaythyself,beinglikethyself;
Amadmansolong,nowafool。What,think’stThatthebleakair,thyboisterouschamberlain,Willputthyshirtonwarm?willthesemoss’dtrees,Thathaveoutlivedtheeagle,pagethyheels,Andskipwherethoupoint’stout?willthecoldbrook,Candiedwithice,caudlethymorningtaste,Tocurethyo’er-night’ssurfeit?CallthecreaturesWhosenakednaturesliveinanthespiteOfwreakfulheaven,whosebareunhousedtrunks,Totheconflictingelementsexposed,Answermerenature;bidthemflatterthee;
O,thoushaltfind——TIMONAfoolofthee:depart。APEMANTUSIlovetheebetternowthane’erIdid。TIMONIhatetheeworse。APEMANTUSWhy?TIMONThouflatter’stmisery。APEMANTUSIflatternot;butsaythouartacaitiff。TIMONWhydostthouseekmeout?APEMANTUSTovexthee。TIMONAlwaysavillain’sofficeorafool’s。
Dostpleasethyselfin’t?APEMANTUSAy。TIMONWhat!aknavetoo?APEMANTUSIfthoudidstputthissour-coldhabitonTocastigatethypride,’twerewell:butthouDostitenforcedly;thou’ldstcourtierbeagain,Wertthounotbeggar。WillingmiseryOutlivesencertainpomp,iscrown’dbefore:
Theoneisfillingstill,nevercomplete;
Theother,athighwish:beststate,contentless,Hathadistractedandmostwretchedbeing,Worsethantheworst,content。
Thoushouldstdesiretodie,beingmiserable。TIMONNotbyhisbreaththatismoremiserable。
Thouartaslave,whomFortune’stenderarmWithfavourneverclasp’d;butbredadog。
Hadstthou,likeusfromourfirstswath,proceededThesweetdegreesthatthisbriefworldaffordsTosuchasmaythepassivedrugsofitFreelycommand,thouwouldsthaveplungedthyselfIngeneralriot;melteddownthyyouthIndifferentbedsoflust;andneverlearn’dTheicypreceptsofrespect,butfollow’dThesugar’dgamebeforethee。Butmyself,Whohadtheworldasmyconfectionary,Themouths,thetongues,theeyesandheartsofmenAtduty,morethanIcouldframeemployment,ThatnumberlessuponmestuckasleavesDoontheoak,hivewithonewinter’sbrushFellfromtheirboughsandleftmeopen,bareForeverystormthatblows:I,tobearthis,Thatneverknewbutbetter,issomeburden:
Thynaturedidcommenceinsufferance,timeHathmadetheehardin’t。Whyshouldstthouhatemen?
Theyneverflatter’dthee:whathastthougiven?
Ifthouwiltcurse,thyfather,thatpoorrag,Mustbethysubject,whoinspiteputstuffTosomeshebeggarandcompoundedtheePoorroguehereditary。Hence,begone!
Ifthouhadstnotbeenborntheworstofmen,Thouhadstbeenaknaveandflatterer。APEMANTUSArtthouproudyet?TIMONAy,thatIamnotthee。APEMANTUSI,thatIwasNoprodigal。TIMONI,thatIamonenow:
WereallthewealthIhaveshutupinthee,I’ldgivetheeleavetohangit。Gettheegone。
ThatthewholelifeofAthenswereinthis!
ThuswouldIeatit。
EatingarootAPEMANTUSHere;Iwillmendthyfeast。
OfferinghimarootTIMONFirstmendmycompany,takeawaythyself。APEMANTUSSoIshallmendmineown,bythelackofthine。TIMON’Tisnotwellmendedso,itisbutbotch’d;
ifnot,Iwoulditwere。APEMANTUSWhatwouldstthouhavetoAthens?TIMONTheethitherinawhirlwind。Ifthouwilt,TellthemthereIhavegold;look,soIhave。APEMANTUSHereisnouseforgold。TIMONThebestandtruest;
Forhereitsleeps,anddoesnohiredharm。APEMANTUSWhereliesto’nights,Timon?TIMONUnderthat’saboveme。
Wherefeed’stthouo’days,Apemantus?APEMANTUSWheremystomachfindsmeat;or,rather,whereIeatit。TIMONWouldpoisonwereobedientandknewmymind!APEMANTUSWherewouldstthousendit?TIMONTosaucethydishes。APEMANTUSThemiddleofhumanitythouneverknewest,buttheextremityofbothends:whenthouwastinthygiltandthyperfume,theymockedtheefortoomuchcuriosity;inthyragsthouknowestnone,butartdespisedforthecontrary。There’samedlarforthee,eatit。TIMONOnwhatIhateIfeednot。APEMANTUSDosthateamedlar?TIMONAy,thoughitlooklikethee。APEMANTUSAnthouhadsthatedmeddlerssooner,thoushouldsthavelovedthyselfbetternow。Whatmandidstthoueverknowunthriftthatwasbelovedafterhismeans?TIMONWho,withoutthosemeansthoutalkestof,didstthoueverknowbeloved?APEMANTUSMyself。TIMONIunderstandthee;thouhadstsomemeanstokeepadog。APEMANTUSWhatthingsintheworldcanstthounearestcomparetothyflatterers?TIMONWomennearest;butmen,menarethethingsthemselves。Whatwouldstthoudowiththeworld,Apemantus,ifitlayinthypower?APEMANTUSGiveitthebeasts,toberidofthemen。TIMONWouldstthouhavethyselffallintheconfusionofmen,andremainabeastwiththebeasts?APEMANTUSAy,Timon。TIMONAbeastlyambition,whichthegodsgranttheet’
attainto!Ifthouwertthelion,thefoxwouldbeguilethee;ifthouwertthelamb,thefoxwouldeatthree:ifthouwertthefox,thelionwouldsuspectthee,whenperadventurethouwertaccusedbytheass:ifthouwerttheass,thydulnesswouldtormentthee,andstillthoulivedstbutasabreakfasttothewolf:ifthouwertthewolf,thygreedinesswouldafflictthee,andoftthoushouldsthazardthylifeforthydinner:wertthoutheunicorn,prideandwrathwouldconfoundtheeandmakethineownselftheconquestofthyfury:
wertthouabear,thouwouldstbekilledbythehorse:
wertthouahorse,thouwouldstbeseizedbytheleopard:wertthoualeopard,thouwertgermantothelionandthespotsofthykindredwerejurorsonthylife:allthysafetywereremotionandthydefenceabsence。Whatbeastcouldstthoube,thatwerenotsubjecttoabeast?andwhatabeastartthoualready,thatseestnotthylossintransformation!APEMANTUSIfthoucouldstpleasemewithspeakingtome,thoumightsthavehituponithere:thecommonwealthofAthensisbecomeaforestofbeasts。TIMONHowhastheassbrokethewall,thatthouartoutofthecity?APEMANTUSYondercomesapoetandapainter:theplagueofcompanylightuponthee!Iwillfeartocatchitandgiveway:whenIknownotwhatelsetodo,I’llseetheeagain。TIMONWhenthereisnothinglivingbutthee,thoushaltbewelcome。Ihadratherbeabeggar’sdogthanApemantus。APEMANTUSThouartthecapofallthefoolsalive。TIMONWouldthouwertcleanenoughtospitupon!APEMANTUSAplagueonthee!thouarttoobadtocurse。TIMONAllvillainsthatdostandbytheearepure。APEMANTUSThereisnoleprosybutwhatthouspeak’st。TIMONIfInamethee。
I’llbeatthee,butIshouldinfectmyhands。APEMANTUSIwouldmytonguecouldrotthemoff!TIMONAway,thouissueofamangydog!
Cholerdoeskillmethatthouartalive;
Iswoundtoseethee。APEMANTUSWouldthouwouldstburst!TIMONAway,Thoutediousrogue!IamsorryIshallloseAstonebythee。
ThrowsastoneathimAPEMANTUSBeast!TIMONSlave!APEMANTUSToad!TIMONRogue,rogue,rogue!
Iamsickofthisfalseworld,andwilllovenoughtButeventhemerenecessitiesupon’t。
Then,Timon,presentlypreparethygrave;
LiewherethelightfoamtheseamaybeatThygrave-stonedaily:makethineepitaph,Thatdeathinmeatothers’livesmaylaugh。
TothegoldOthousweetking-killer,anddeardivorce’Twixtnaturalsonandsire!thoubrightdefilerOfHymen’spurestbed!thouvaliantMars!
Thoueveryoung,fresh,lovedanddelicatewooer,WhoseblushdoththawtheconsecratedsnowThatliesonDian’slap!thouvisiblegod,Thatsolder’stcloseimpossibilities,Andmakestthemkiss!thatspeak’stwitheverytongue,Toeverypurpose!Othoutouchofhearts!
Think,thyslavemanrebels,andbythyvirtueSetthemintoconfoundingodds,thatbeastsMayhavetheworldinempire!APEMANTUSWould’twereso!
ButnottillIamdead。I’llsaythou’stgold:
Thouwiltbethrong’dtoshortly。TIMONThrong’dto!APEMANTUSAy。TIMONThyback,Iprithee。APEMANTUSLive,andlovethymisery。TIMONLongliveso,andsodie。
ExitAPEMANTUS
Iamquit。
Moethingslikemen!Eat,Timon,andabhorthem。
EnterBandittiFirstBanditWhereshouldhehavethisgold?Itissomepoorfragment,someslendersortofhisremainder:
themerewantofgold,andthefalling-fromofhisfriends,drovehimintothismelancholy。SecondBanditItisnoisedhehathamassoftreasure。ThirdBanditLetusmaketheassayuponhim:ifhecarenotfor’t,hewillsupplyuseasily;ifhecovetouslyreserveit,howshall’sgetit?SecondBanditTrue;forhebearsitnotabouthim,’tishid。FirstBanditIsnotthishe?BandittiWhere?SecondBandit’Tishisdescription。ThirdBanditHe;Iknowhim。BandittiSavethee,Timon。TIMONNow,thieves?BandittiSoldiers,notthieves。TIMONBothtoo;andwomen’ssons。BandittiWearenotthieves,butmenthatmuchdowant。TIMONYourgreatestwantis,youwantmuchofmeat。
Whyshouldyouwant?Behold,theearthhathroots;
Withinthismilebreakforthahundredsprings;
Theoaksbearmast,thebriersscarlethips;
Thebounteoushousewife,nature,oneachbushLaysherfullmessbeforeyou。Want!whywant?FirstBanditWecannotliveongrass,onberries,water,Asbeastsandbirdsandfishes。TIMONNoronthebeaststhemselves,thebirds,andfishes;
Youmusteatmen。YetthanksImustyouconThatyouarethievesprofess’d,thatyouworknotInholiershapes:forthereisboundlesstheftInlimitedprofessions。Rascalthieves,Here’sgold。Go,suckthesubtlebloodo’thegrape,Tillthehighfeverseetheyourbloodtofroth,Andso’scapehanging:trustnotthephysician;
Hisantidotesarepoison,andheslaysMoethanyourob:takewealthandlivestogether;
Dovillany,do,sinceyouprotesttodo’t,Likeworkmen。I’llexampleyouwiththievery。
Thesun’sathief,andwithhisgreatattractionRobsthevastsea:themoon’sanarrantthief,Andherpalefireshesnatchesfromthesun:
Thesea’sathief,whoseliquidsurgeresolvesThemoonintosalttears:theearth’sathief,ThatfeedsandbreedsbyacomposturestolenFromgeneralexcrement:eachthing’sathief:
Thelaws,yourcurbandwhip,intheirroughpowerHaveuncheque’dtheft。Lovenotyourselves:away,Roboneanother。There’smoregold。Cutthroats:
Allthatyoumeetarethieves:toAthensgo,Breakopenshops;nothingcanyousteal,Butthievesdoloseit:stealnolessforthisIgiveyou;andgoldconfoundyouhowsoe’er!
Amen。ThirdBanditHasalmostcharmedmefrommyprofession,bypersuadingmetoit。FirstBandit’Tisinthemaliceofmankindthathethusadvisesus;nottohaveusthriveinourmystery。SecondBanditI’llbelievehimasanenemy,andgiveovermytrade。FirstBanditLetusfirstseepeaceinAthens:thereisnotimesomiserablebutamanmaybetrue。
ExeuntBandittiEnterFLAVIUSFLAVIUSOyougods!
Isyonddespisedandruinousmanmylord?
Fullofdecayandfailing?OmonumentAndwonderofgooddeedsevillybestow’d!
WhatanalterationofhonourHasdesperatewantmade!
WhatvilerthingupontheearththanfriendsWhocanbringnoblestmindstobasestends!
Howrarelydoesitmeetwiththistime’sguise,Whenmanwaswish’dtolovehisenemies!
GrantImayeverlove,andratherwooThosethatwouldmischiefmethanthosethatdo!
Hascaughtmeinhiseye:IwillpresentMyhonestgriefuntohim;and,asmylord,Stillservehimwithmylife。Mydearestmaster!TIMONAway!whatartthou?FLAVIUSHaveyouforgotme,sir?TIMONWhydostaskthat?Ihaveforgotallmen;
Then,ifthougrant’stthou’rtaman,Ihaveforgotthee。FLAVIUSAnhonestpoorservantofyours。TIMONThenIknowtheenot:
Ineverhadhonestmanaboutme,I;allIkeptwereknaves,toserveinmeattovillains。FLAVIUSThegodsarewitness,Ne’erdidpoorstewardwearatruergriefForhisundonelordthanmineeyesforyou。TIMONWhat,dostthouweep?Comenearer。ThenI
lovethee,Becausethouartawoman,anddisclaim’stFlintymankind;whoseeyesdonevergiveButthoroughlustandlaughter。Pity’ssleeping:
Strangetimes,thatweepwithlaughing,notwithweeping!FLAVIUSIbegofyoutoknowme,goodmylord,ToacceptmygriefandwhilstthispoorwealthlastsToentertainmeasyourstewardstill。TIMONHadIastewardSotrue,sojust,andnowsocomfortable?
Italmostturnsmydangerousnaturemild。
Letmebeholdthyface。Surely,thismanWasbornofwoman。
Forgivemygeneralandexceptlessrashness,Youperpetual-sobergods!IdoproclaimOnehonestman——mistakemenot——butone;
Nomore,Ipray,——andhe’sasteward。
HowfainwouldIhavehatedallmankind!
Andthouredeem’stthyself:butall,savethee,Ifellwithcurses。
Methinksthouartmorehonestnowthanwise;
For,byoppressingandbetrayingme,Thoumightsthavesoonergotanotherservice:
Formanysoarriveatsecondmasters,Upontheirfirstlord’sneck。Buttellmetrue——
ForImusteverdoubt,thoughne’ersosure——
Isnotthykindnesssubtle,covetous,Ifnotausuringkindness,and,asrichmendealgifts,Expectinginreturntwentyforone?FLAVIUSNo,mymostworthymaster;inwhosebreastDoubtandsuspect,alas,areplacedtoolate:
Youshouldhavefear’dfalsetimeswhenyoudidfeast:
Suspectstillcomeswhereanestateisleast。
ThatwhichIshow,heavenknows,ismerelylove,Dutyandzealtoyourunmatchedmind,Careofyourfoodandliving;and,believeit,Mymosthonour’dlord,Foranybenefitthatpointstome,Eitherinhopeorpresent,I’ldexchangeForthisonewish,thatyouhadpowerandwealthTorequiteme,bymakingrichyourself。TIMONLookthee,’tisso!Thousinglyhonestman,Here,take:thegodsoutofmymiseryHavesenttheetreasure。Go,liverichandhappy;
Butthuscondition’d:thoushaltbuildfrommen;
Hateall,curseall,showcharitytonone,Butletthefamish’dfleshslidefromthebone,Erethourelievethebeggar;givetodogsWhatthoudeny’sttomen;letprisonsswallow’em,Debtswither’emtonothing;bemenlikeblastedwoods,Andmaydiseaseslickuptheirfalsebloods!
Andsofarewellandthrive。FLAVIUSO,letmestay,Andcomfortyou,mymaster。TIMONIfthouhatestcurses,Staynot;fly,whilstthouartblestandfree:
Ne’erseethouman,andletmene’erseethee。
ExitFLAVIUS。TIMONretirestohiscaveACTVSCENEI。Thewoods。BeforeTimon’scave。EnterPoetandPainter;TIMONwatchingthemfromhiscavePainterAsItooknoteoftheplace,itcannotbefarwhereheabides。PoetWhat’stobethoughtofhim?doestherumourholdfortrue,thathe’ssofullofgold?PainterCertain:Alcibiadesreportsit;PhryniaandTimandrahadgoldofhim:helikewiseenrichedpoorstragglingsoldierswithgreatquantity:’tissaidhegaveuntohisstewardamightysum。PoetThenthisbreakingofhishasbeenbutatryforhisfriends。PainterNothingelse:youshallseehimapalminAthensagain,andflourishwiththehighest。Therefore’tisnotamisswetenderourlovestohim,inthissupposeddistressofhis:itwillshowhonestlyinus;andisverylikelytoloadourpurposeswithwhattheytravailfor,ifitbeajusttruereportthatgoesofhishaving。PoetWhathaveyounowtopresentuntohim?PainterNothingatthistimebutmyvisitation:
onlyIwillpromisehimanexcellentpiece。PoetImustservehimsotoo,tellhimofanintentthat’scomingtowardhim。PainterGoodasthebest。Promisingistheveryairo’thetime:itopenstheeyesofexpectation:
performanceiseverthedullerforhisact;and,butintheplainerandsimplerkindofpeople,thedeedofsayingisquiteoutofuse。Topromiseismostcourtlyandfashionable:performanceisakindofwillortestamentwhicharguesagreatsicknessinhisjudgmentthatmakesit。
TIMONcomesfromhiscave,behindTIMON[Aside]Excellentworkman!thoucanstnotpaintamansobadasisthyself。PoetIamthinkingwhatIshallsayIhaveprovidedforhim:itmustbeapersonatingofhimself;asatireagainstthesoftnessofprosperity,withadiscoveryoftheinfiniteflatteriesthatfollowyouthandopulency。TIMON[Aside]Mustthouneedsstandforavillaininthineownwork?wiltthouwhipthineownfaultsinothermen?Doso,Ihavegoldforthee。PoetNay,let’sseekhim:
Thendowesinagainstourownestate,Whenwemayprofitmeet,andcometoolate。PainterTrue;
Whenthedayserves,beforeblack-corner’dnight,Findwhatthouwant’stbyfreeandoffer’dlight。
Come。TIMON[Aside]I’llmeetyouattheturn。Whatagod’sgold,Thatheisworshipp’dinabasertempleThanwhereswinefeed!
’Tisthouthatrigg’stthebarkandplough’stthefoam,Settlestadmiredreverenceinaslave:
Totheebeworship!andthysaintsforayeBecrown’dwithplaguesthattheealoneobey!
FitImeetthem。
ComingforwardPoetHail,worthyTimon!PainterOurlatenoblemaster!TIMONHaveIoncelivedtoseetwohonestmen?PoetSir,Havingoftenofyouropenbountytasted,Hearingyouwereretired,yourfriendsfall’noff,Whosethanklessnatures——Oabhorredspirits!——
Notallthewhipsofheavenarelargeenough:
What!toyou,Whosestar-likenoblenessgavelifeandinfluenceTotheirwholebeing!IamraptandcannotcoverThemonstrousbulkofthisingratitudeWithanysizeofwords。TIMONLetitgonaked,menmaysee’tthebetter:
Youthatarehonest,bybeingwhatyouare,Makethembestseenandknown。PainterHeandmyselfHavetravail’dinthegreatshowerofyourgifts,Andsweetlyfeltit。TIMONAy,youarehonestmen。PainterWearehithercometoofferyouourservice。TIMONMosthonestmen!Why,howshallIrequiteyou?
Canyoueatroots,anddrinkcoldwater?no。BothWhatwecando,we’lldo,todoyouservice。TIMONYe’rehonestmen:ye’veheardthatIhavegold;
Iamsureyouhave:speaktruth;ye’rehonestmen。PainterSoitissaid,mynoblelord;butthereforeCamenotmyfriendnorI。TIMONGoodhonestmen!Thoudraw’stacounterfeitBestinallAthens:thou’rt,indeed,thebest;
Thoucounterfeit’stmostlively。PainterSo,so,mylord。TIMONE’enso,sir,asIsay。And,forthyfiction,Why,thyverseswellswithstuffsofineandsmoothThatthouartevennaturalinthineart。
But,forallthis,myhonest-naturedfriends,Imustneedssayyouhavealittlefault:
Marry,’tisnotmonstrousinyou,neitherwishI
Youtakemuchpainstomend。BothBeseechyourhonourTomakeitknowntous。TIMONYou’lltakeitill。BothMostthankfully,mylord。TIMONWillyou,indeed?BothDoubtitnot,worthylord。TIMONThere’sneveraoneofyoubuttrustsaknave,Thatmightilydeceivesyou。BothDowe,mylord?TIMONAy,andyouhearhimcog,seehimdissemble,Knowhisgrosspatchery,lovehim,feedhim,Keepinyourbosom:yetremainassuredThathe’samade-upvillain。PainterIknownonesuch,mylord。PoetNorI。TIMONLookyou,Iloveyouwell;I’llgiveyougold,Ridmethesevillainsfromyourcompanies:
Hangthemorstabthem,drowntheminadraught,Confoundthembysomecourse,andcometome,I’llgiveyougoldenough。BothNamethem,mylord,let’sknowthem。TIMONYouthatwayandyouthis,buttwoincompany;
Eachmanapart,allsingleandalone,Yetanarch-villainkeepshimcompany。
Ifwherethouarttwovillainsshallnotbe,Comenotnearhim。IfthouwouldstnotresideButwhereonevillainis,thenhimabandon。
Hence,pack!there’sgold;youcameforgold,yeslaves:
ToPainterYouhavework’dforme;there’spaymentforyou:
hence!
ToPoetYouareanalchemist;makegoldofthat。
Out,rascaldogs!
Beatsthemout,andthenretirestohiscaveEnterFLAVIUSandtwoSenatorsFLAVIUSItisinvainthatyouwouldspeakwithTimon;
ForheissetsoonlytohimselfThatnothingbuthimselfwhichlookslikemanIsfriendlywithhim。FirstSenatorBringustohiscave:
ItisourpartandpromisetotheAtheniansTospeakwithTimon。SecondSenatorAtalltimesalikeMenarenotstillthesame:’twastimeandgriefsThatframedhimthus:time,withhisfairerhand,Offeringthefortunesofhisformerdays,Theformermanmaymakehim。Bringustohim,Andchanceitasitmay。FLAVIUSHereishiscave。
Peaceandcontentbehere!LordTimon!Timon!
Lookout,andspeaktofriends:theAthenians,Bytwooftheirmostreverendsenate,greetthee:
Speaktothem,nobleTimon。
TIMONcomesfromhiscaveTIMONThousun,thatcomfort’st,burn!Speak,andbehang’d:
Foreachtrueword,ablister!andeachfalseBeascauterizingtotherooto’thetongue,Consumingitwithspeaking!FirstSenatorWorthyTimon,——TIMONOfnonebutsuchasyou,andyouofTimon。FirstSenatorThesenatorsofAthensgreetthee,Timon。TIMONIthankthem;andwouldsendthembacktheplague,CouldIbutcatchitforthem。FirstSenatorO,forgetWhatwearesorryforourselvesinthee。
ThesenatorswithoneconsentofloveEntreattheebacktoAthens;whohavethoughtOnspecialdignities,whichvacantlieForthybestuseandwearing。SecondSenatorTheyconfessTowardtheeforgetfulnesstoogeneral,gross:
Whichnowthepublicbody,whichdothseldomPlaytherecanter,feelinginitselfAlackofTimon’said,hathsensewithalOfitsownfail,restrainingaidtoTimon;
Andsendforthus,tomaketheirsorrow’drender,TogetherwitharecompensemorefruitfulThantheiroffencecanweighdownbythedram;
Ay,evensuchheapsandsumsofloveandwealthAsshalltotheeblotoutwhatwrongsweretheirsAndwriteintheethefiguresoftheirlove,Evertoreadthemthine。TIMONYouwitchmeinit;
Surprisemetotheverybrinkoftears:
Lendmeafool’sheartandawoman’seyes,AndI’llbeweepthesecomforts,worthysenators。FirstSenatorTherefore,sopleasetheetoreturnwithusAndofourAthens,thineandours,totakeThecaptainship,thoushaltbemetwiththanks,Allow’dwithabsolutepowerandthygoodnameLivewithauthority:sosoonweshalldrivebackOfAlcibiadestheapproacheswild,Who,likeaboartoosavage,dothrootupHiscountry’speace。SecondSenatorAndshakeshisthreateningswordAgainstthewallsofAthens。FirstSenatorTherefore,Timon,——TIMONWell,sir,Iwill;therefore,Iwill,sir;thus:
IfAlcibiadeskillmycountrymen,LetAlcibiadesknowthisofTimon,ThatTimoncaresnot。ButifbesackfairAthens,Andtakeourgoodlyagedmenbythebeards,GivingourholyvirginstothestainOfcontumelious,beastly,mad-brain’dwar,Thenlethimknow,andtellhimTimonspeaksit,Inpityofouragedandouryouth,Icannotchoosebuttellhim,thatIcarenot,Andlethimtake’tatworst;fortheirknivescarenot,Whileyouhavethroatstoanswer:formyself,There’snotawhittleintheunrulycampButIdoprizeitatmylovebeforeThereverend’stthroatinAthens。SoIleaveyouTotheprotectionoftheprosperousgods,Asthievestokeepers。FLAVIUSStaynot,all’sinvain。TIMONWhy,Iwaswritingofmyepitaph;
itwillbeseento-morrow:mylongsicknessOfhealthandlivingnowbeginstomend,Andnothingbringsmeallthings。Go,livestill;
BeAlcibiadesyourplague,youhis,Andlastsolongenough!FirstSenatorWespeakinvain。TIMONButyetIlovemycountry,andamnotOnethatrejoicesinthecommonwreck,Ascommonbruitdothputit。FirstSenatorThat’swellspoke。TIMONCommendmetomylovingcountrymen,——FirstSenatorThesewordsbecomeyourlipsastheypassthoroughthem。SecondSenatorAndenterinourearslikegreattriumphersIntheirapplaudinggates。TIMONCommendmetothem,Andtellthemthat,toeasethemoftheirgriefs,Theirfearsofhostilestrokes,theiraches,losses,Theirpangsoflove,withotherincidentthroesThatnature’sfragilevesseldothsustainInlife’suncertainvoyage,Iwillsomekindnessdothem:
I’llteachthemtopreventwildAlcibiades’wrath。FirstSenatorIlikethiswell;hewillreturnagain。TIMONIhaveatree,whichgrowshereinmyclose,Thatmineownuseinvitesmetocutdown,AndshortlymustIfellit:tellmyfriends,TellAthens,inthesequenceofdegreeFromhightolowthroughout,thatwhosopleaseTostopaffliction,lethimtakehishaste,Comehither,eremytreehathfelttheaxe,Andhanghimself。Iprayyou,domygreeting。FLAVIUSTroublehimnofurther;thusyoustillshallfindhim。TIMONComenottomeagain:butsaytoAthens,TimonhathmadehiseverlastingmansionUponthebeachedvergeofthesaltflood;
WhoonceadaywithhisembossedfrothTheturbulentsurgeshallcover:thithercome,Andletmygrave-stonebeyouroracle。
Lips,letsourwordsgobyandlanguageend:
Whatisamissplagueandinfectionmend!
Gravesonlybemen’sworksanddeaththeirgain!
Sun,hidethybeams!Timonhathdonehisreign。
RetirestohiscaveFirstSenatorHisdiscontentsareunremoveablyCoupledtonature。SecondSenatorOurhopeinhimisdead:letusreturn,AndstrainwhatothermeansisleftuntousInourdearperil。FirstSenatorItrequiresswiftfoot。
ExeuntSCENEII。BeforethewallsofAthens。EntertwoSenatorsandaMessengerFirstSenatorThouhastpainfullydiscover’d:arehisfilesAsfullasthyreport?Messengerhavespoketheleast:
Besides,hisexpeditionpromisesPresentapproach。SecondSenatorWestandmuchhazard,iftheybringnotTimon。MessengerImetacourier,onemineancientfriend;
Whom,thoughingeneralpartwewereopposed,Yetouroldlovemadeaparticularforce,Andmadeusspeaklikefriends:thismanwasridingFromAlcibiadestoTimon’scave,Withlettersofentreaty,whichimportedHisfellowshipi’thecauseagainstyourcity,Inpartforhissakemoved。FirstSenatorHerecomeourbrothers。
EntertheSenatorsfromTIMONThirdSenatorNotalkofTimon,nothingofhimexpect。
Theenemies’drumisheard,andfearfulscouringDothchoketheairwithdust:in,andprepare:
Oursisthefall,Ifear;ourfoesthesnare。
ExeuntSCENEIII。Thewoods。Timon’scave,andarudetombseen。EnteraSoldier,seekingTIMONSoldierByalldescriptionthisshouldbetheplace。
Who’shere?speak,ho!Noanswer!Whatisthis?
Timonisdead,whohathoutstretch’dhisspan:
Somebeastrear’dthis;theredoesnotliveaman。
Dead,sure;andthishisgrave。What’sonthistombIcannotread;thecharacterI’lltakewithwax:
Ourcaptainhathineveryfigureskill,Anagedinterpreter,thoughyoungindays:
BeforeproudAthenshe’ssetdownbythis,Whosefallthemarkofhisambitionis。
ExitSCENEIV。BeforethewallsofAthens。Trumpetssound。EnterALCIBIADESwithhispowersALCIBIADESSoundtothiscowardandlascivioustownOurterribleapproach。
AparleysoundedEnterSenatorsonthewallsTillnowyouhavegoneonandfill’dthetimeWithalllicentiousmeasure,makingyourwillsThescopeofjustice;tillnowmyselfandsuchAssleptwithintheshadowofyourpowerHavewander’dwithourtraversedarmsandbreathedOursufferancevainly:nowthetimeisflush,WhencrouchingmarrowinthebearerstrongCriesofitself’Nomore:’nowbreathlesswrongShallsitandpantinyourgreatchairsofease,AndpursyinsolenceshallbreakhiswindWithfearandhorridflight。FirstSenatorNobleandyoung,Whenthyfirstgriefswerebutamereconceit,Erethouhadstpowerorwehadcauseoffear,Wesenttothee,togivethyragesbalm,TowipeoutouringratitudewithlovesAbovetheirquantity。SecondSenatorSodidwewooTransformedTimontoourcity’sloveByhumblemessageandbypromisedmeans:
Wewerenotallunkind,noralldeserveThecommonstrokeofwar。FirstSenatorThesewallsofoursWerenoterectedbytheirhandsfromwhomYouhavereceivedyourgriefs;noraretheysuchThatthesegreattowers,trophiesandschoolsshouldfallForprivatefaultsinthem。SecondSenatorNoraretheylivingWhowerethemotivesthatyoufirstwentout;
Shamethattheywantedcunning,inexcessHathbroketheirhearts。March,noblelord,Intoourcitywiththybannersspread:
Bydecimation,andatitheddeath——
IfthyrevengeshungerforthatfoodWhichnatureloathes——takethouthedestinedtenth,AndbythehazardofthespotteddieLetdiethespotted。FirstSenatorAllhavenotoffended;
Forthosethatwere,itisnotsquaretotakeOnthosethatare,revenges:crimes,likelands,Arenotinherited。Then,dearcountryman,Bringinthyranks,butleavewithoutthyrage:
SparethyAtheniancradleandthosekinWhichintheblusterofthywrathmustfallWiththosethathaveoffended:likeashepherd,Approachthefoldandculltheinfectedforth,Butkillnotalltogether。SecondSenatorWhatthouwilt,ThourathershaltenforceitwiththysmileThanhewto’twiththysword。FirstSenatorSetbutthyfootAgainstourrampiredgates,andtheyshallope;
Sothouwiltsendthygentleheartbefore,Tosaythou’ltenterfriendly。SecondSenatorThrowthyglove,Oranytokenofthinehonourelse,ThatthouwiltusethewarsasthyredressAndnotasourconfusion,allthypowersShallmaketheirharbourinourtown,tillweHaveseal’dthyfulldesire。ALCIBIADESThenthere’smyglove;
Descend,andopenyourunchargedports:
ThoseenemiesofTimon’sandmineownWhomyouyourselvesshallsetoutforreproofFallandnomore:and,toatoneyourfearsWithmymorenoblemeaning,notamanShallpasshisquarter,oroffendthestreamOfregularjusticeinyourcity’sbounds,Butshallberender’dtoyourpubliclawsAtheaviestanswer。Both’Tismostnoblyspoken。ALCIBIADESDescend,andkeepyourwords。
TheSenatorsdescend,andopenthegatesEnterSoldierSoldierMynoblegeneral,Timonisdead;
Entomb’dupontheveryhemo’thesea;
Andonhisgrave-stonethisinsculpture,whichWithwaxIbroughtaway,whosesoftimpressionInterpretsformypoorignorance。ALCIBIADES[Readstheepitaph]’Hereliesawretchedcorse,ofwretchedsoulbereft:
Seeknotmyname:aplagueconsumeyouwickedcaitiffsleft!
HerelieI,Timon;who,alive,alllivingmendidhate:
Passbyandcursethyfill,butpassandstaynotherethygait。’
Thesewellexpressintheethylatterspirits:
Thoughthouabhorr’dstinusourhumangriefs,Scorn’dstourbrain’sflowandthoseourdropletswhichFromniggardnaturefall,yetrichconceitTaughttheetomakevastNeptuneweepforayeOnthylowgrave,onfaultsforgiven。DeadIsnobleTimon:ofwhosememoryHereaftermore。Bringmeintoyourcity,AndIwillusetheolivewithmysword,Makewarbreedpeace,makepeacestintwar,makeeachPrescribetootheraseachother’sleech。
Letourdrumsstrike。