1, 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 bruefits; and what better or properer can we call our own, than the riches of our friends? Oh! 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.

Tim. The little casket bring me hither.
Flav. Yes, my lord.-More jewels yet!
There is no crossing him in his humour ;

[Aside. Else I should tell him,-Well,-i'faith, I should When all's spent, he'd be cross'd then, au he could.

'Tis pity, bounty had not eyes behind; †
That

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

[Exit, and returns with the casket.

1 Lord. Where be our men?

Serv. Here, my lord, in readiness.

2 Lord. Our horses.

Tim. 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

Serv. Please you, my lord, there are certain Advance this jewel;

ladies most desirous of admittance.

Tim. Ladies? what are their wills?

Serv. There comes with them a forerunner, my lord which bears that oflice, to signify their pleasures.

Tim. I pray, let them be admitted.

Enter CUPID.

Cup. 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.
Tim. They are welcome all; let thein have
kind admittance.

Music, 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 way!

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,
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 shew 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 ladies,

Set a fair fashion on our entertainment,
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.

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

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 shew 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.
Before I were forc'd out!
Well 'would I were gently put out of oflice,

Happier is he that has no friend to feed,

Than such as do even enemies exceed.

[Exit.

bleed inwardly for my lord. Tim. You do yourselves Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits :

Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.

A play on the word cross: from the piece of money called a cross. To see the miseries that wil follow 1 For his generosity of mind.

Caph. If you did know, my lord, my master's wants,

Var. Serv. 'Twas due on forfeiture, my lord, six weeks,

And past,

Apem. So would 1,-as good a trick as ever hangman served thief.

Fool. Are you three usurers' men ?
All Serv. Ay, fool.

Fool. I think, no usurer but has a fool to his

Isid. Serv. Your steward puts me off, my servant: My mistress is one, and I am her fool. lord;

And I am sent expressly to your lordship.

Tim. Give me breath:

I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on;
[Exeunt ALCIBIADES and LORDS.
Ill wait upon you instantly.-Come hither, pray
you.
[TO FLAVIUS.

When men come to borrow of your masters, they approach sadly, and go away merry; but they enter my mistress' house merrily, and go away sadly The reason of this?

Var. Serv. I could render one.

Apem. Do it then, that we may account thee a whoremaster and a knave; which, notwithstandHow goes the world, that I am thus encoun-ing, thou shalt be no less esteemed.

Enter APEMANTUS and a FooL.

Caph. Stay, stay, here comes the fool with
Apemantus; let's have some sport with 'em.
Var. Serv. Hang him, he'll abuse us.
Isid. Serv. A plague upon him, dog!
Var. Serv. How dost, fool?

Apem. Dost dialogue with thy shadow ?
Var. Serv. I speak not to thee.
Apem. No; 'tis to thyself,-Come away

[To the FOOL. Isid. Serv. [TO VAR. SERV.] There's the fool hangs on your back already.

Apem. No, thou stand'st single, thou art not on him yet.

Caph. Where's the fool now?

Apem. He last asked the question.--Poor rogues, and usurers' men! bawds between gold and want!

All Serv. What are we, Apemantus ?
Apem. Asses.

All Serv. Why?

Var. Serv. What is a whoremaster, fool? Fool. A fool in good clothes, and something like thee. 'Tis a spirit: sometime, it appears like a lord: sometime, like a lawyer; sometime, like a philosopher, with two stones more than his artificial one: He is very often like a knight; and, generally in all shapes, that man goes up and down in, from fourscore to thirteen, this spirit walks in.

Var. Serv. Thou art not altogether a fool.

Fool. Nor thou altogether a wise man ; as much foolery as I have, so much wit thou lackest.

Apem. That answer might have become Ape

mantus.

All Serv. Aside, aside; here comes lord Ti

mon.

Re-enter TIMON and FLAVIUS.

Apem. Come with me, fool, come.
Fool. I do not always follow lover, elder bro
ther, and woman; sometime, the philosopher.
[Exeunt APEMANTUS and FooL.
Flav. 'Pray you, walk near; I'll speak with
you anon.
[Exeunt SERV.
Tim. You make me marvel: Wherefore, ere
this time,

Had you not fully laid my state before me;
That I might so have rated my expense,
As I had leave of means?

Flav. You would not hear me,
At many leisures I propos'd.
Tim. Go to:

Perchance, some single vantages you took
When my indisposition put you back;

Thus to excuse yourself.

Apem. That you ask me what you are, and do And that unaptness made your minister, not know yourselves.-Speak to 'em, fool. Fool. How do you, gentlemen?

All Serv. Gramercies, good fool: How does your mistress?

Fool. She's e'en setting on water to scald such chickens as you are. 'Would, we could see you at Corinth.

Apem. Good! gramercy.

Enter PAGE.

Fool. Look you, here comes my mistress' page.

Page. To the FOOL.] Why, how now, captain? what do you in this wise company? How dost thou, Apemantus?

Apem. 'Would I had a rod in my mouth, that I might answer thee profitably.

Flav. O my good lord!

At many times I brought in my accounts,
Laid them before you; you would throw them
off,

And say, you found them in mine honesty.
When, for some trifling present, you have bid

me

Return so much, I have shook my head, and wept :

Yea, 'gainst the authority of manners, pray'd

you

To hold your hand more close; I did endure
Not seldom, nor so slight checks; when I have
Prompted you, in the ebb of your estate,
And your great flow of debts. My dear-lov'd lord,
Though you hear now, (too late!) yet now's a
time,

Puge. Pr'ythee, Apemantus, read me the
superscription of these letters; I know not which The greatest of your having lacks a half
is which.

Apem. Canst not read?
Page. No.

Apem. There will little learning die then, that day thou art hanged. This is to lord Timon; this to Alcibiades. Go; thou wast born a bastard, and thou'lt die a bawd.

Page. Thou wast whelped a dog; and thou shalt famish, a dog's death. Answer not, I am gone. [Exit PAGE. Apem. Even so thou out-run'st grace. Fool, I will go with you to lord Timon's. Fool. Will you leave me there? Apem. If Timon stay at home.-You three serve three usurers?

All Serv. Ay, 'would they served us !

To pay your present debts.

Tim. Let all my land be sold.

Flav. 'Tis all engag'd, some forfeited and

gone;

And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
Of present dues: the future comes apace :
What shall defend the interim ? and at length
How goes our reckoning?

Tim. To Lacedæmon did my land extend.
Flav. O my good lord, the world is but
word;

Were it all your's, to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone?
Tim. You tell me true.

• I. c. a certain sum.

Flav. If you suspect my husbandry, or false- Something hath been amiss-a noble nature
Call me before the exactest auditors,
May catch a wrench-would all were well-tis
pity-

[hood, And set me on the proof. So the gods bless me, When all our offices have been oppress'd With riotous feeders; when our vaults have wept

With drunken spilth of wine; when every room
Hath blaz'd with lights, and bray'd with min-
strelsy;

I have retir'd me to a wasteful cock, t
And set mine eyes at flow.

Tim. Pr'ythee, no more.

Flav. Heavens, have I said, the bounty of
this lord!
[sants,
How many prodigal bits have slaves and pea-
This night englutted! Who is not Timon's?
What heart, head, sword, foree, means, but is
lord Timon's?

Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon?
Ah! when the means are gone, that buy this
praise,

The breath is gone whereof this praise is made:
Feast-won, fast-lost;
cloud of winter
showers,

These flies are couch'd

one

Tim. Come, sermon me no further:
No villanous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart;
Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.

Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience
lack,

To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart:
If I would broach the vessels of my love,
And try the argument of hearts by borrow-
ing,

Men, and men's fortunes, could I frankly use,
As I can bid thee speak.

Flav. Assurance bless your thoughts!

Tim. And, in some sort, these wants of mine
are crown'd 6

That I account them blessings; for by these
Shall I try friends: You shall perceive, how

you

And so intending other serious matters,
After distasteful looks, and these hard frac
tions, +

With certain half-caps, and cold moving nods,
They froze me into silence.

Tim. You gods, reward them!

I pr'ythee man, look cheerly; These old fel-
lows
Have their ingratitude in them hereditary :
Their blood is cak'd, 'tis cold, it seldom flows;
'Tis lack of kindly warmth, they are not kind;
And nature as it grows again toward earth,
Is fashion'd for the journey, dull, and heavy.—
Go to Ventidius,-[7o a SERV.] Pr'ythee, To
FLAVIUS,] be not sad,

Thou art true, and honest; ingeniously I speak,
No blame belongs to thee:-[To SERV.] Venti-
dius lately

Buried his father by whose death, he's stepp'd
Into a great estate: when he was poor,
Imprisou'd, and in scarcity of friends,

I clear'd him with five talents; Greet him from
Bid him suppose, some good necessity [me;
Touches his friend, which crave to be re-
member'd

With those five talents :-that had,-[TO FLAV.]
give it these fellows

To

whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think, [sink. That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can Flav. I would, I could not think it; That thought is bounty's foe;

Being free itself, it thinks all others so.

ACT III.

House.

[Exeunt.

Mistake my fortunes; I am wealthy in my friends. SCENE 1.-Theme.-A Room in LUCULLUS' Within there, ho!-Flaminius! Servilius!

Enter FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and other

SERVANTS.

Serv. My lord, my lord,

Tim. I will despatch you severally.-You to

lord Lucius,

To lord Lucullus you: I hunted with his
Honour to-day ;-You, to Sempronius;
Commend me to their loves; and, I am proud,
say

That my occasions have found time to use them
Toward a supply of money: let the request
Be fifty talents.

Flam. As you have said, my lord.

Flav. Lord Lucius, and Lord Lucullus?

humph!

[Aside.

Tim. Go you, Sir, [To another SERV.] to the

senators,

(Of whom, even to the state's best health, I
have

Deserv'd this hearing,) bid 'em send o'the instant
A thousand talents to me.

Flav. I have been bold,

(For that I knew it the most general way,)
To them to use your signet, and your name:
But they do shake their heads, and I am here
No richer in return.

Tim. Is't true? can it be?

Flav. They answer, in a joint and corporate voice, That now they are at fall,

FLAMINIUS waiting. Enter a SERVANT to him. Serv. I have told my lord of you, he is coming down to you.

Flam. I thank you, Sir.

Enter LUCULLUS.
Serv. Here's my lord.

Lucul. [Aside.] One of Lord Timon's men? a gift, I warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver basin and ewer to-night. Flaminius, honest Flaminius; you are yery respectively ¶ welcome, Sir.-Fill me some wine.-Exit SERVANT.] And how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very bouutiful good lord and master?

Flam. His health is well, Sir.

Lucul. I am right glad that his health is well, Sir: And what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius ?

Flam. 'Faith, nothing but an empty box, Sir; which in my lord's behalf, I come to entreat your honour to supply; who, having great and instant occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish him; nothing doubting your present assistance therein.

Lucul. La, la, la, la,-nothing doubting, says he? alas, good lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, if be would not keep so good a house. Many a time and often I have dined with him, and told want treasure, can-him on't: and come again to supper to him, of purpose to have him spend less; and yet he sorry-you are hon- would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my coming. Every man has his fault, and ho wish'd--they know nesty is his; I have told him on't but I could never get him from it.

Re-enter SERVANT, with wine.
Serv. Please your lordship, here is the wine.
Lucul. Flaminius, I have noted thee always
wise. Here's to thee.

Ser. May it please your honour, my lord hath sent-

Luc. Ha! what has he sent? I am so much endeared to that lord; he's ever sending: How shall I thank him, thiukest thou? and what bas he sent now?

Ser. He has only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to sup. ply his instant use with so many talents. Luc. I know; his lordship is but merry with

me;

Flam. Your lordship speaks your pleasure. Lucul. I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt spirit,-give thee thy due,-and one that knows what belongs to reason: and caust use the time well, if the time use thee well: good parts in thee.-Get you gone, Sirrab.-[To the SERVANT, who goes out.]-Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a boun- He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents. tiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and thou Ser. But in the mean time he wants less, my knowest well enough, although thou comest to If his occasion were not virtuous, [lord. me, that this is no time to lend money; especi-I should not urge it so half faithfully. ally upon bare friendship, without security. Luc. Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius? Here's three solidares * for thee; good boy, Ser. Upou my soul, 'tis true, Sir. wink at me, and say thou saw'st me not. Fare thee well.

differ;

Flam. Is't possible, the world should so much [ness, And we alive, that liv'd? Fly, damned base To him that worships thee. [Throwing the money away. Lucul. Ha! Now I see thou art a fool, and it for thy master. [Exit LUCULLUS. Flam. May these add to the number that may

scald thee!

Let molten coin be thy damnation,
Thou disease of a friend, and not himself!
Has friendship such a faint and milky heart,
It turns in less than two nights? O you gods,
I feel my master's passion! This slave
Unto his honour, has my lord's meat in him:
Why should it thrive, and turn to nutriment,
When he is turn'd to poison?

Oh! may diseases only work upon't!

Luc. What a wicked beast was I, to disfurnish myself against such a good time, when I might have shown myself honourable? how unluckily it happened, that I should purchase the day before for a little part, and undo a great deal of honour ?-Servillius, now before the gods, I am not able to do't; the more beast, I say :-was sending to use lord Timon myself these gentlemen can witness; but I would not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done it now. Commend me bountifully to his good lordship; and I hope his honour will conceive the fairest of me, because I have no power to be kind: And tell him this from me, I count it one of my greatest aflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far as to use mine own words to him?

Scr. Yes, Sir, I shall.

And, when he is sick to death, let not that part True, as you said, Timon is shrunk, indeed:

of nature

Which my lord paid for, be of any power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour! ||

[Exit.
SCENE II.-The same.-A public place.
Enter LUCIUS, with three STRANGERS.
Luc. Who, the lord Timon? he is my very
good friend, and an honourable gentleman.
1 Stran. We know him for no less, though
we are but strangers to him. But I can tell you
one thing, my lord, and which I hear from com-
mon rumours; now lord Timon's happy hours
are done and past, and his estate shrinks from

Luc. I will look you out a good turn, Servilius.[Exit SERVILIUS. And he, that's once denied, will hardly speed. [Exit LUCIUS. 1 Stran. Do you observe this, Hostilius ? 2 Stran. Ay, too well.

1 Stran, Why this

Is the world's soul; and just of the same piece is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him My knowing, Timon bath been this lord's father, His friend, that digs in the same dish? for, in And kept his credit with his purse; Has paid his men their wages: He ne'er drinks, Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money But Timon's silver treads upon his lip; And yet, (oh! see the monstrousness of man When he looks out in an ungrateful shape!) He does deny him, in respect of his, What charitable men afford to beggars. 2 Stran. But believe you this, my lord, that, 3 Stran. Religion groans at it. not long ago, one of his men was with the lord 1 Stran. For mine own part, Lucullus, to borrow so many talents; nay, urg-Nor came any of his bounties over me, I never tasted Timon in my life, ed extremely for't, and showed what necessity To mark me for his friend; yet, I protest, belonged to't, and yet was denied. Luc. How? For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue, And honourable carriage,

him.

Luc. Fie no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money.

2 Stran. I tell you denied, my lord. Luc. What a strange case was that? now, before the gods, I am asham'd on't. Denied that bonourable man? there was very litle honour show'd in't. For my own part, I must needs confess, I have received some small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels, and such like trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet, had he mistook him, and sent to me, I should ne'er have denied his occasion so many talents.

Enter SERVILIUS.

would have put my wealth into donation +
Had his necessity made use of me,
And the best half should have return'd to him,
So much I love his heart: But I perceive,
Men must learn now with pity to dispense:
For policy sits above conscience. [Exeunt.
SCENE III.-The same.-A Room in SEM-
PRONIUS' House.
Enter SEMPRONIUS, and a SERVANT of TI-

MON'S.

Sem. Must he needs trouble me in't? Humph! 'Bove all others ?

Scr. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; 1 have sweat to see his bonour.-My honoured lord,[To LUCIUS. Luc. Servilius! you are kindly met, Sir. He might have tried lord Lucius, or Lucullus; Fare thee well-Commend me to thy honour-And now Ventidius is wealthy too, able-virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.

Whom he redeem'd from prison: All these three
Owe their estates unto him.
Serv. O my lord,