Good day , sir .

I am glad you're well .

I have not seen you long . How goes the world ?

It wears , sir , as it grows .

Ay , that's well known ;
But what particular rarity ? what strange ,
Which manifold record not matches ? See ,
Magic of bounty ! all these spirits thy power 
Hath conjur'd to attend . I know the merchant .

I know them both ; th' other's a jeweller .

O ! 'tis a worthy lord .

Nay , that's most fix'd .

A most incomparable man , breath'd , as it were ,
To an untirable and continuate goodness :
He passes .

I have a jewel here 

O ! pray , let's see 't : for the Lord Timon , sir ?

If he will touch the estimate : but , for that 

When we for recompense have prais'd the vile ,
It stains the glory in that happy verse 
Which aptly sings the good .

'Tis a good form .

And rich : here is a water , look ye .

You are rapt , sir , in some work , some dedication 
To the great lord .

A thing slipp'd idly from me .
Our poesy is as a gum , which oozes 
From whence 'tis nourish'd : 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 ?

A picture , sir . When comes your book forth ?

Upon the heels of my presentment , sir .
Let's see your piece .

'Tis a good piece .

So 'tis : this comes off well and excellent .

Indifferent .

Admirable ! How this grace 
Speaks his own standing ! what a mental power 
This eye shoots forth ! how big imagination 
Moves in this lip ! to the dumbness of the gesture 
One might interpret .

It is a pretty mocking of the life .
Here is a touch ; is 't good ?

I'll say of it ,
It tutors nature : artificial strife 
Lives in these touches , livelier than life .


How this lord is follow'd !

The senators of Athens : happy man !

Look , more !

You see this confluence , this great flood of visitors .
I have , in this rough work , shap'd out a man ,
Whom this beneath world doth embrace and hug 
With amplest entertainment : my free drift 
Halts not particularly , but moves itself 
In a wide sea of wax : no levell'd malice 
Infects one comma in the course I hold ;
But flies an eagle flight , bold and forth on ,
Leaving no tract behind .

How shall I understand you ?

I will unbolt to you .
You see how all conditions , how all minds 
As well of glib and slippery creatures as 
Of grave and austere quality tender down 
Their services to Lord Timon : his large fortune ,
Upon his good and gracious nature hanging ,
Subdues and properties to his love and tendance 
All sorts of hearts ; yea , from the glass-fac'd flatterer 
To Apemantus , that few things loves better 
Than to abhor himself : even he drops down 
The knee before him and returns in peace 
Most rich in Timon's nod .

I saw them speak together .

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 labour on the bosom of this sphere 
To propagate their states : amongst them all ,
Whose eyes are on this sovereign lady fix'd ,
One do I personate of Lord Timon's frame ,
Whom Fortune with her ivory hand wafts to her ;
Whose present grace to present slaves and servants 
Translates his rivals .

'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 .

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 .

Ay , marry , what of these ?

When Fortune in her shift and change of mood 
Spurns down her late belov'd , all his dependants 
Which labour'd after him to the mountain's top 
Even on their knees and hands , let him slip down ,
Not one accompanying his declining foot .

'Tis common :
A thousand moral paintings I can show 
That shall demonstrate these quick blows of Fortune's 
More pregnantly than words . Yet you do well 
To show Lord Timon that mean eyes have seen 
The foot above the head .


Imprison'd is he , say you ?

Ay , my good lord : five talents is his debt ,
His means most short , his creditors most strait :
Your honourable letter he desires 
To those have shut him up ; which , failing ,
Periods his comfort .

Noble Ventidius ! Well ;
I am not of that feather to shake off 
My friend when he must need me . I do know him 
A gentleman that well deserves a help ,
Which he shall have : I'll pay the debt and free him .

Your lordship ever binds him .

Commend me to him . I will send his ransom ;
And being enfranchis'd , bid him come to me .
'Tis not enough to help the feeble up ,
But to support him after . Fare you well .

All happiness to your honour .

Lord Timon , hear me speak .

Freely , good father .

Thou hast a servant nam'd Lucilius .

I have so : what of him ?

Most noble Timon , call the man before thee .

Attends be here or no ? Lucilius !

Here , at your lordship's service .

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 .

Well ; what further ?

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 prithee , noble lord ,
Join with me to forbid him her resort ;
Myself have spoke in vain .

The man is honest .

Therefore he will be , Timon :
His honesty rewards him in itself ;
It must not bear my daughter .

Does she love him ?

She is young and apt :
Our own precedent passions do instruct us 
What levity's in youth .

Love you the maid ?

Ay , my good lord , and she accepts of it .

If in her marriage my consent be missing ,
I call the gods to witness , I will choose 
Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world ,
And dispossess her all .

How shall she be endow'd ,
If she be mated with an equal husband ?

Three talents on the present ; in future , all .

This gentleman of mine hath serv'd me long :
To build his fortune I will strain a little ,
For 'tis a bond in men . Give him thy daughter ;
What you bestow , in him I'll counterpoise ,
And make him weigh with her .

Most noble lord ,
Pawn me to this your honour , she is his .

My hand to thee ; mine honour on my promise .

Humbly I thank your lordship : never may 
That state or fortune fall into my keeping 
Which is not ow'd to you !


Vouchsafe my labour , and long live your lordship !

I thank you ; you shall hear from me anon :
Go not away . What have you there , my friend ?

A piece of painting , which I do beseech 
Your lordship to accept .

Painting is welcome .
The painting is almost the natural man ;
For since dishonour traffics with man's nature ,
He is but outside : these pencil'd figures are 
Even such as they give out . I like your work ;
And you shall find I like it : wait attendance 
Till you hear further from me .

The gods preserve you !

Well fare you , gentleman : give me your hand ;
We must needs dine together . Sir , your jewel 
Hath suffer'd under praise .

What , my lord ! dispraise ?

A mere satiety of commendations .
If I should pay you for 't as 'tis extoll'd ,
It would unclew me quite .

My lord , 'tis rated 
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 the wearing it .

Well mock'd .

No , my good lord ; he speaks the common tongue ,
Which all men speak with him .

Look , who comes here . Will you be chid ?


We'll bear , with your lordship .

He'll spare none .

Good morrow to thee , gentle Apemantus !

Till I be gentle , stay thou for thy good morrow ;
When thou art Timon's dog , and these knaves honest .

Why dost thou call them knaves ? thou know'st them not .

Are they not Athenians ?

Yes .

Then I repent not .

You know me , Apemantus ?

Thou know'st I do ; I call'd thee by thy name .

Thou art proud , Apemantus .

Of nothing so much as that I am not like Timon .

Whither art going ?

To knock out an honest Athenian's brains .

That's a deed thou'lt die for .

Right , if doing nothing be death by the law .

How likest thou this picture , Apemantus ?

The best , for the innocence .

Wrought he not well that painted it ?

He wrought better that made the painter ; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work .

You're a dog .

Thy mother's of my generation : what's she , if I be a dog ?

Wilt dine with me , Apemantus ?

No ; I eat not lords .

An thou shouldst , thou'dst anger ladies .

O ! they eat lords ; so they come by great bellies .

That's a lascivious apprehension .

So thou apprehendest it , take it for thy labour .

How dost thou like this jewel , Apemantus ?

Not so well as plain-dealing , which will not cost a man a doit .

What dost thou think 'tis worth ?

Not worth my thinking . How now , poet !

How now , philosopher !

Thou liest .

Art not one ?

Yes .

Then I lie not .

Art not a poet ?

Yes .

Then thou liest : look in thy last work , where thou hast feigned him a worthy fellow .

That's not feigned ; he is so .

Yes , he is worthy of thee , and to pay thee for thy labour : he that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer . Heavens , that I were a lord !

What wouldst do then , Apemantus ?

Even as Apemantus does now ; hate a lord with my heart .

What , thyself ?

Ay .

Wherefore ?

That I had no angry wit to be a lord .
Art not thou a merchant ?

Ay , Apemantus .

Traffic confound thee , if the gods will not !

If traffic do it , the gods do it .

Traffic's thy god , and thy god confound thee !


What trumpet's that ?

'Tis Alcihiades , and some twenty horse ,
All of companionship .

Pray , entertain them ; give them guide to us .

You must needs dine with me . Go not you hence 
Till I have thanked you ; when dinner's done ,
Show me this piece . I am joyful of your sights .

Most welcome , sir !

So , so , there !
Aches contract and starve your supple joints !
That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet knaves ,
And all this courtesy ! The strain of man's bred out 
Into baboon and monkey .

Sir , you have sav'd my longing , and I feed 
Most hungerly on your sight .

Right welcome , sir !
Ere we depart , we'll share a bounteous time 
In different pleasures . Pray you , let us in .

What time o'day is't , Apemantus ?

Time to be honest .

That time serves still .

The more accursed thou , that still omitt'st it .

Thou art going to Lord Timon's feast ?

Ay ; to see meat fill khaves and wine heat fools .

Fare thee well , fare thee well .

Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice .

Why , Apemantus ?

Shouldst have kept one to thyself , for I mean to give thee none .

Hang thyself !

No , I will do nothing at thy bidding : make thy requests to thy friend .

Away , unpeaceable dog ! or I'll spurn thee hence .

I will fly , like a dog , the heels of an ass .


He's opposite to humanity . Come , shall we in ,
And taste Lord Timon's bounty ? he outgoes 
The very heart of kindness .

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 .

The noblest mind he carries 
That ever govern'd man .

Long may he live in fortunes !
Shall we in ?

I'll keep you company .

Most honour'd Timon ,
It hath pleas'd the gods to remember my father's age ,
And call him to long peace .
He is gone happy , and has left me rich :
Then , as in grateful virtue I am bound 
To your free heart , I do return those talents ,
Doubled with thanks and service , from whose help 
I deriv'd liberty .

O ! by no means ,
Honest Ventidius ; you mistake my love ;
I 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 
To imitate them ; faults that are rich are fair .

A noble spirit .


Nay , my lords , ceremony was but devis'd at first 
To set a gloss on faint deeds , hollow welcomes ,
Recanting goodness , sorry ere 'tis shown ;
But where there is true friendship , there needs none .
Pray , sit ; more welcome are ye to my fortunes 
Than my fortunes to me .


My lord , we always have confess'd it .

Ho , ho ! confess'd it ; hang'd it , have you not ?

O ! Apemantus , you are welcome .

No ,
You shall not make me welcome :
I come to have thee thrust me out of doors .

Fie ! thou'rt a churl ; ye've got a humour there 
Does not become a man ; 'tis much to blame .
They say , my lords , Ira furor brevis est ;
But yond man is ever angry .
Go , let him have a table by himself ,
For he does neither affect company ,
Nor is he fit for it , indeed .

Let me stay at thine apperil , Timon :
I come to observe ; I give thee warning on't .

I take no heed of thee ; thou'rt an Athenian , therefore , welcome . I myself would have no power ; prithee , let my meat make thee silent .

I scorn thy meat ; 'twould choke me , for I should 
Ne'er flatter thee . O you gods ! what a number 
Of men eat Timon , and he sees them not .
It grieves me to see so many dip their meat 
In one man's blood ; and all the madness is ,
He cheers them up too .
I wonder men dare trust themselves with men :
Methinks they should invite them without knives ;
Good for their meat , and safer for their lives .
There's much example for't ; the fellow that 
Sits next him now , parts bread with him , and pledges 
The breath of him in a divided draught ,
Is the readiest man to kill him : 't has been prov'd .
If I were a huge man , I should fear to drink at meals ;
Lest they should spy my wind-pipe's dangerous notes :
Great men should drink with harness on their throats .

My lord , in heart ; and let the health go round .

Let it flow this way , my good lord .

Flow this way ! A brave fellow ! he keeps his tides well . Those healths will make thee and thy state look ill , Timon .
Here's that which is too weak to be a sinner ,
Honest water , which ne'er left man i' the mire :
This and my food are equals , there's no odds :
Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods .

Immortal gods , I crave no pelf ;
I pray for no man but myself :
Grant I may never prove so fond ,
To trust man on his oath or bond ;
Or a harlot for her weeping ;
Or a dog that seems a-sleeping ;
Or a keeper with my freedom ;
Or my friends , if I should need 'em .
Amen . So fall to't :
Rich men sin , and I eat root .


Much good dich thy good heart , Apemantus !

Captain Alcibiades , your heart's in the field now .

My heart is ever at your service , my lord .

You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of friends .

So they were bleeding-new , my lord , there's no meat like 'em : I could wish my best friend at such a feast .

'Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then , that then thou mightst kill 'em and bid me to 'em .

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 .

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 not you 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 ne'er have need of 'em ? they were the most needless creatures living should we ne'er have use for 'em , 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 properer 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 .

Thou weepest to make them drink , Timon .

Joy had the like conception in our eyes ,
And , at that instant , like a babe , sprung up .

Ho , ho ! I laugh to think that babe a bastard .

I promise you , my lord , you mov'd me much .

Much !


What means that trump ?

How now !

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

Ladies ? What are their wills ?

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

I pray , let them be admitted .


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 . Th' ear ,
Taste , touch , smell , pleas'd from thy table rise ;
They only now come but to feast thine eyes .

They are welcome all ; let 'em have kind admittance :
Music , make their welcome !


You see , my lord , how ample you're belov'd .

Hoy-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 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 .


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 .

My lord , you take us even at the best .

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

Ladies , there is an idle banquet 
Attends you : please you to dispose yourselves .

Most thankfully , my lord .


Flavius !

My lord !

The little casket bring me hither .

Yes , my lord .

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 .


Where be our men ?

Here , my lord , in readiness .

Our horses !


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 .

I am so far already in your gifts 

So are we all .


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

They are fairly welcome .

I beseech your honour ,
Vouchsafe me a word ; it does concern you near .

Near ! why then another time I'll hear thee .
I prithee , let's be provided to show them entertainment .

I scarce know how .


May it please your honour , Lord Lucius ,
Out of his free love , hath presented to you 
Four milk-white horses , trapp'd in silver .

I shall accept them fairly ; let the presents 
Be worthily entertain'd .

How now ! what news ?

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 .

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

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 as do e'en enemies exceed .
I bleed inwardly for my lord .


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

With more than common thanks I will receive it .

O ! he's the very soul of bounty .

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 .

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

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 .

O ! none so welcome .

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 .

Ay , defil'd land , my lord .

We are so virtuously bound ,

And so 
Am I to you .

So infinitely endear'd ,

All to you . Lights , more lights !

The best of happiness ,
Honour , and fortunes , keep with you , Lord Timon !

Ready for his friends .


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 curtsies .

Now , Apemantus , if thou wert not sullen ,
I would be good to thee .

No , I'll nothing ; for if I should be bribed too , there would be none left to rail upon thee , and then thou wouldst sin the faster . Thou givest so long , Timon , I fear me thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly : what need these feasts , pomps , and vain-glories ?

Nay , an you begin to rail on society once , I am sworn not to give regard to you . Farewell ; and come with better music .


So :
Thou wilt 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 .

And late , five thousand : to Varro and to Isidore 
He owes nine thousand ; besides my former sum ,
Which makes it five-and-twenty . Still in motion 
Of raging waste ! It cannot hold ; it will not .
If I want gold , steal but a beggar's dog 
And give it Timon , why , the dog coins gold ;
If I would sell my horse , and buy twenty more 
Better than he , why , give my horse to Timon ,
Ask nothing , give it him , it foals me , straight ,
And able horses . No porter at his gate ,
But rather one that smiles and still invites 
All that pass by . It cannot hold ; no reason 
Can found his state in safety . Caphis , ho !
Caphis , I say !


Here , sir ; what is your pleasure ?

Get on your cloak , and haste you to Lord Timon ;
Importune him for my moneys ; be not ceas'd 
With slight denial , nor then silenc'd when 
'Commend me to your master' and the cap 
Plays in the right hand , thus ;but tell him ,
My uses cry to me ; I must serve my turn 
Out of mine own ; his days and times are past ,
And my reliances on his fracted dates 
Have smit my credit : I love and honour him ,
But must not break my back to heal his finger ;
Immediate are my needs , and my relief 
Must not be toss'd and turn'd to me in words ,
But find supply immediate . Get you gone :
Put on a most importunate aspect ,
A visage of demand ; for , I do fear ,
When every feather sticks in his own wing ,
Lord Timon will be left a naked gull ,
Which flashes now a ph nix . Get you gone .

I go , sir .

'I go , sir !' Take the bonds along with you ,
And have the dates in compt .

I will , sir .

Go .


No care , no stop ! so senseless of expense ,
That he will neither know how to maintain it ,
Nor cease his flow of riot : takes no account 
How things go from him , nor resumes no care 
Of what is to continue : never mind 
Was to be so unwise , to be so kind .
What shall be done ? He will not hear , till feel :
I must be round with him , now he comes from hunting .
Fie , fie , fie , fie !


Good even , Varro . What !
You come for money ?

Is't not your business too ?

It is : and yours too , Isidore ?

It is so .

Would we were all discharg'd !

I fear it .

Here comes the lord !


So soon as dinner's done , we'll forth again ,
My Alcibiades . With me ? what is your will ?

My lord , here is a note of certain dues .

Dues ! Whence are you ?

Of Athens here , my lord .

Go to my steward .

Please it your lordship , he hath put me off 
To the succession of new days this month :
My master is awak'd by great occasion 
To call upon his own ; and humbly prays you 
That with your other noble parts you'll suit 
In giving him his right .

Mine honest friend ,
I prithee , but repair to me next morning .

Nay , good my lord ,

Contain thyself , good friend .

One Varro's servant , my good lord ,

From Isidore ;
He humbly prays your speedy payment .

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

'Twas due on forfeiture , my lord , six weeks 
And past .

Your steward puts me off , my lord ;
And I am sent expressly to your lordship .

Give me breath .
I do beseech you , good my lords , keep on ;
I'll wait upon you instantly .

Come hither : pray you ,
How goes the world , that I am thus encounter'd 
With clamorous demands of date-broke bonds ,
And the detention of long-since-due debts ,
Against my honour ?

Please you , gentlemen ,
The time is unagreeable to this business :
Your importunacy cease till after dinner ,
That I may make his lordship understand 
Wherefore you are not paid .

Do so , my friends .
See them well entertained .


Pray , draw near .

Stay , stay ; here comes the fool with 
Apemantus : let's ha' some sport with 'em .

Hang him , he'll abuse us .

A plague upon him , dog !

How dost , fool ?

Dost dialogue with thy shadow ?

I speak not to thee .

No ; 'tis to thyself .

Come away .

There's the fool hangs on your back already .

No , thou stand'st single ; thou'rt not on him yet .

Where's the fool now ?

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

What are we , Apemantus ?

Asses .

Why ?

That you ask me what you are , and do not know yourselves . Speak to 'em , fool .

How do you , gentlemen ?

Gramercies , good fool . How does your mistress ?

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

Good ! gramercy .


Look you , here comes my mistress' page .

Why , how now , captain ! what do you in this wise company ? How dost thou , Apemantus ?

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

Prithee , Apemantus , read me the superscription of these letters : I know not which is which .

Canst not read ?

No .

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 .

Thou wast whelped a dog , and thou shalt famish a dog's death . Answer not ; I am gone .


E'en so thou outrunn'st grace .
Fool , I will go with you to Lord Timon's .

Will you leave me there ?

If Timon stay at home . You three serve three usurers ?

Ay ; would they served us !

So would I , as good a trick as ever hangman served thief .

Are you three usurers' men ?

Ay , fool .

I think no usurer but has a fool to his servant : my mistress is one , and I am her fool . 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 ?

I could render one .

Do it , then , that we may account thee a whoremaster and a knave ; which , notwithstanding , thou shalt be no less esteemed .

What is a whoremaster , fool ?

A fool in good clothes , and something like thee . 'Tis a spirit : sometime 't appears like a lord ; sometime like a lawyer ; sometime like a philosopher , with two stones more than 's 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 .

Thou art not altogether a fool .

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

That answer might have become Apemantus .

Aside , aside ; here comes Lord Timon .


Come with me , fool , come .

I do not always follow lover , elder brother and woman ; sometime the philosopher .


Pray you , walk near : I'll speak with you anon .


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 ?

You would not hear me ,
At many leisures I propos'd .

Go to :
Perchance some single vantages you took ,
When my indisposition put you back ;
And that unaptness made your minister ,
Thus to excuse yourself .

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 no slight checks , when I have 
Prompted you in the ebb of your estate 
And your great flow of debts . My loved lord ,
Though you hear now , too late , yet now's a time ,
The greatest of your having lacks a half 
To pay your present debts .

Let all my land be sold .

'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 ?

To Laced mon did my land extend .

O my good lord ! the world is but a word ;
Were it all yours to give it in a breath ,
How quickly were it gone !

You tell me true .

If you suspect my husbandry or falsehood ,
Call me before the exactest auditors ,
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 minstrelsy ,
I have retir'd me to a wasteful cock ,
And set mine eyes at flow .

Prithee , no more .

Heavens ! have I said , the bounty of this lord !
How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants 
This night englutted ! Who is not Timon's ?
What heart , head , sword , force , 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 ; one cloud of winter showers ,
These flies are couch'd .

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

Assurance bless your thoughts !

And , in some sort , these wants of mine are crown'd ,
That I account them blessings ; for by these 
Shall I try friends . You shall perceive how you 
Mistake my fortunes ; I am wealthy in my friends .
Within there ! Flaminius ! Servilius !


My lord ! my lord !

I will dispatch 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 .

As you have said , my lord .

Lord Lucius , and Lucullus ? hum !

Go you , sir , 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 .

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 .

Is't true ? can't be ?

They answer , in a joint and corporate voice ,
That now they are at fall , want treasure , cannot 
Do what they would ; are sorry ; you are honourable ;
But yet they could have wish'd ; they know not ;
Something hath been amiss ; a noble nature 
May catch a wrench ; would all were well ; 'tis pity ;
And so , intending other serious matters ,
After distasteful looks and these hard fractions ,
With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods 
They froze me into silence .

You gods , reward them !
Prithee , man , look cheerly . These old fellows 
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 .


Prithee , be not sad ,
Thou art true and honest ; ingenuously I speak ,
No blame belongs to thee .

Ventidius lately 
Buried his father ; by whose death he's stepp'd 
Into a great estate ; when he was poor ,
Imprison'd and in scarcity of friends ,
I clear'd him with five talents ; greet him from me ;
Bid him suppose some good necessity 
Touches his friend , which craves to be remember'd 
With those five talents .

That had , give't these fellows 
To whom 'tis instant due . Ne'er speak , or think 
That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink .

I would I could not think it : that thought is bounty's foe ;
Being free itself , it thinks all others so .

I have told my lord of you ; he is coming down to you .

I thank you , sir .


Here's my lord .

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

His health is well , sir .

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

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 .

La , la , la , la ! 'nothing doubting ,' says he ? Alas ! good lord ; a noble gentleman 'tis , if he would not keep so good a house . Many a time and often I ha' dined with him , and told him on't ; and come again to supper to him , of purpose to have him spend less ; and yet he would embrace no counsel , take no warning by my coming . Every man has his fault , and honesty is his ; I ha' told him on't , but I could ne'er get him from it .


Please your lordship , here is the wine .

Flaminius , I have noted thee always wise . Here's to thee .

Your lordship speaks your pleasure .

I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt spirit , give thee thy due , and one that knows what belongs to reason ; and canst use the time well , if the time use thee well : good parts in thee .

Get you gone , sirrah .[Exit Servant .] Draw nearer , honest Flaminius . Thy lord's a bountiful gentleman ; but thou art wise , and thou knowest well enough , although thou comest to me , that this is no time to lend money , especially upon bare friendship , without security . Here's three solidares for thee : good boy , wink at me , and say thou sawest me not . Fare thee well .

Is't possible the world should so much differ ,
And we alive that liv'd ? Fly , damned baseness ,
To him that worships thee .


Ha ! now I see thou art a fool , and fit for thy master .


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 ?
O ! may diseases only work upon 't ,
And , when he's sick to death , let not that part of nature 
Which my lord paid for , be of any power 
To expel sickness , but prolong his hour .


Who , the Lord Timon ? he is my very good friend , and an honourable gentleman .

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 common rumours : now Lord Timon's happy hours are done and past , and his estate shrinks from him .

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

But believe you this , my lord , that , not long ago , one of his men was with the Lord Lucullus , to borrow so many talents , nay , urged extremely for 't , and showed what necessity belonged to 't , and yet was denied .

How !

I tell you , denied , my lord .

What a strange case was that ! now , before the gods , I am ashamed on 't . Denied that honourable man ! there was very little honour showed 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 .


See , by good hap , yonder's my lord ; I have sweat to see his honour .

My honoured lord !

Servilius ! you are kindly met , sir . Fare thee well : commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord , my very exquisite friend .

May it please your honour , my lord hath sent 

Ha ! what has he sent ? I am so much endeared to that lord ; he's ever sending : how shall I thank him , thinkest thou ? And what has he sent now ?

He has only sent his present occasion now , my lord ; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents .

I know his lordship is but merry with me ;
He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents .

But in the mean time he wants less , my lord .
If his occasion were not virtuous ,
I should not urge it half so faithfully .

Dost thou speak seriously , Servilius ?

Upon my soul , 'tis true , sir .

What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself against such a good time , when I might ha' 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 ! Servilius , now , before the gods , I am not able to do ; the more beast , I say ; I 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 afflictions 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 ?

Yes , sir , I shall .

I'll look you out a good turn , Servilius .

True , as you said , Timon is shrunk indeed ;
And he that's once denied will hardly speed .


Do you observe this , Hostilius ?

Ay , too well .

Why this is the world's soul ; and just of the same piece 
Is every flatterer's spirit . Who can call him 
His friend that dips in the same dish ? for , in 
My knowing , Timon has been this lord's father ,
And kept his credit with his purse ,
Supported his estate ; nay , Timon's money 
Has paid his men their wages : he ne'er drinks 
But Timon's silver treads upon his lip ;
And yet , O ! 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 .

Religion groans at it .

For mine own part ,
I never tasted Timon in my life ,
Nor came any of his bounties over me ,
To mark me for his friend ; yet , I protest ,
For his right noble mind , illustrious virtue ,
And honourable carriage ,
Had his necessity made use of me ,
I would have put my wealth into donation ,
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 .


Must he needs trouble me in 't . Hum ! 'bove all others ?
He might have tried Lord Lucius , or Lucullus ;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too ,
Whom he redeem'd from prison : all these 
Owe their estates unto him .

My lord ,
They have all been touch'd and found base metal , for 
They have all denied him .

How ! have they denied him ?
Have Ventidius and Lucullus denied him ?
And does he send to me ? Three ? hum !
It shows but little love or judgment in him :
Must I be his last refuge ? His friends , like physicians ,
Thrice give him over ; must I take the cure upon me ?
He has much disgrac'd me in 't ; I'm angry at him ,
That might have known my place . I see no sense for 't ,
But his occasions might have woo'd me first ;
For , in my conscience , I was the first man 
That e'er received gift from him :
And does he think so backwardly of me now ,
That I'll requite it last ? No :
So it may prove an argument of laughter 
To the rest , and I 'mongst lords be thought a fool .
I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum ,
He had sent to me first , but for my mind's sake ;
I'd such a courage to do him good . But now return ,
And with their faint reply this answer join ;
Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin .


Excellent ! Your lordship's a goodly villain . The devil knew not what he did when he made man politic ; he crossed himself by 't : and I cannot think but in the end the villanies of man will set him clear . How fairly this lord strives to appear foul ! takes virtuous copies to be wicked , like those that under hot ardent zeal would set whole realms on fire :
Of such a nature is his politic love .
This was my lord's best hope ; now all are fled 
Save only the gods . Now his friends are dead ,
Doors , that were ne'er acquainted with their wards 
Many a bounteous year , must be employ'd 
Now to guard sure their master :
And this is all a liberal course allows ;
Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house .

Well met ; good morrow , Titus and Hortensius .

The like to you , kind Varro .

Lucius !
What ! do we meet together !

Ay , and I think 
One business does command us all ; for mine 
Is money .

So is theirs and ours .


And Sir Philotus too !

Good day at once .

Welcome , good brother .
What do you think the hour ?

Labouring for nine .

So much ?

Is not my lord seen yet ?

Not yet .

I wonder on 't ; he was wont to shine at seven .

Ay , but the days are waxed shorter with him :
You must consider that a prodigal course 
Is like the sun's ; but not , like his , recoverable .
I fear ,
'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse ;
That is , one may reach deep enough , and yet 
Find little .

I am of your fear for that .

I'll show you how to observe a strange event .
Your lord sends now for money .

Most true , he does .

And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift ,
For which I wait for money .

It is against my heart .

Mark , how strange it shows ,
Timon in this should pay more than he owes :
And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels ,
And send for money for 'em .

I'm weary of this charge , the gods can witness :
I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth ,
And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth .

Yes , mine's three thousand crowns ; what's yours ?

Five thousand mine .

'Tis much deep : and it should seem by the sum ,
Your master's confidence was above mine ;
Else , surely , his had equall'd .


One of Lord Timon's men .

Flaminius ! Sir , a word . Pray , is my lord ready to come forth ?

No , indeed , he is not .

We attend his lordship ; pray , signify so much .

I need not tell him that ; he knows you are too diligent .

Ha ! is not that his steward muffled so ?
He goes away in a cloud : call him , call him .

Do you hear , sir ?

By your leave , sir .

What do you ask of me , my friend ?

We wait for certain money here , sir .

Ay ,
If money were as certain as your waiting ,
'Twere sure enough .
Why then preferr'd you not your sums and bills ,
When your false masters eat of my lord's meat ?
Then they could smile and fawn upon his debts ,
And take down the interest into their gluttonous maws .
You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up ;
Let me pass quietly :
Believe't , my lord and I have made an end ;
I have no more to reckon , he to spend .

Ay , but this answer will not serve .

If 'twill not serve , 'tis not so base as you ;
For you serve knaves .


How ! what does his cashiered worship mutter ?

No matter what ; he's poor , and that's revenge enough . Who can speak broader than he that has no house to put his head in ? such may rail against great buildings .


O ! here's Servilius ; now we shall know some answer .

If I might beseech you , gentlemen , to repair some other hour , I should derive much from 't ; for , take 't of my soul , my lord leans wondrously to discontent . His comfortable temper has forsook him ; he's much out of health , and keeps his chamber .

Many do keep their chambers are not sick :
And , if it be so far beyond his health ,
Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts ,
And make a clear way to the gods .

Good gods !

We cannot take this for answer , sir .

Servilius , help ! my lord ! my lord !


What ! are my doors oppos'd against my passage ?
Have I been ever free , and must my house 
Be my retentive enemy , my gaol ?
The place which I have feasted , does it now ,
Like all mankind , show me an iron heart ?

Put in now , Titus .

My lord , here is my bill .

Here's mine .

And mine , my lord .

And ours , my lord .

All our bills .

Knock me down with 'em : cleave me to the girdle .

Alas ! my lord ,

Cut my heart in sums .

Mine , fifty talents .

Tell out my blood .

Five thousand crowns , my lord .

Five thousand drops pays that . What yours ? and yours ?

My lord ,

My lord ,

Tear me , take me ; and the gods fall upon you !


Faith , I perceive our masters may throw their caps at their money : these debts may well be called desperate ones , for a madman owes 'em .

They have e'en put my breath from me , the slaves :
Creditors ? devils !

My dear lord ,

What if it should be so ?

My lord ,

I'll have it so . My steward !

Here , my lord .

So fitly ! Go , bid all my friends again ,
Lucius , Lucullus , and Sempronius ; all :
I'll once more feast the rascals .

O my lord !
You only speak from your distracted soul ;
There is not so much left to furnish out 
A moderate table .

Be't not in thy care : go .
I charge thee , invite them all : let in the tide 
Of knaves once more ; my cook and I'll provide .


My lord , you have my voice to it ; the fault's 
Bloody ; 'tis necessary he should die ;
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy .

Most true ; the law shall bruise him .


Honour , health , and compassion to the senate !

Now , captain .

I am a humble suitor to your virtues ;
For pity is the virtue of the law ,
And none but tyrants use it cruelly .
It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy 
Upon a friend of mine , who , in hot blood ,
Hath stepp'd into the law , which is past depth 
To those that without heed to plunge into 't .
He is a man , setting his fate aside ,
Of comely virtues ;
Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice ,
An honour in him which buys out his fault ,
But , with a noble fury and fair spirit ,
Seeing his reputation touch'd to death ,
He did oppose his foe ;
And with such sober and unnoted passion 
He did behave his anger , ere 'twas spent ,
As if he had but prov'd an argument .

You undergo too strict a paradox ,
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair :
Your words have took such pains as if they labour'd 
To bring manslaughter into form , and set quarrelling 
Upon the head of valour ; which indeed 
Is valour misbegot , and came into the world 
When sects and factions were newly born .
He's truly valiant that can wisely suffer 
The worst that man can breathe , and make his wrongs 
His outsides , to wear them like his raiment , carelessly ,
And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart ,
To bring it into danger .
If wrongs be evils and enforce us kill ,
What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill !

My lord ,

You cannot make gross sins look clear ;
To revenge is no valour , but to bear .

My lords , then , under favour , pardon me ,
If I speak like a captain .
Why do fond men expose themselves to battle ,
And not endure all threats ? sleep upon't ,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats 
Without repugnancy ? If there be 
Such valour in the bearing , what make we 
Abroad ? why then , women are more valiant 
That stay at home , if bearing carry it ,
And the ass more captain than the lion , the felon 
Loaden with irons wiser than the judge ,
If wisdom be in suffering . O my lords !
As you are great , be pitifully good :
Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood ?
To kill , I grant , is sin's extremest gust ;
But , in defence , by mercy , 'tis most just .
To be in anger is impiety ;
But who is man that is not angry ?
Weigh but the crime with this .

You breathe in vain .

In vain ! his service done 
At Laced mon and Byzantium 
Were a sufficient briber for his life .

What's that ?

I say , my lords , he has done fair service ,
And slain in fight many of your enemies .
How full of valour did he bear himself 
In the last conflict , and made plenteous wounds !

He has made too much plenty with 'em ;
He's a sworn rioter ; he has a sin that often 
Drowns him and takes his valour prisoner ;
If there were no foes , that were enough 
To overcome him ; in that beastly fury 
He has been known to commit outrages 
And cherish factions ; 'tis inferr'd to us ,
His days are foul and his drink dangerous .

He dies .

Hard fate ! he might have died in war .
My lords , if not for any parts in him ,
Though his right arm might purchase his own time ,
And be in debt to none ,yet , more to move you ,
Take my deserts to his , and join 'em both ;
And , for I know your reverend ages love 
Security , I'll pawn my victories , all 
My honour to you , upon his good returns .
If by this crime he owes the law his life ,
Why , let the war receive't in valiant gore ;
For law is strict , and war is nothing more .

We are for law ; he dies : urge it no more ,
On height of our displeasure . Friend , or brother ,
He forfeits his own blood that spills another .

Must it be so ? it must not be . My lords ,
I do beseech you , know me .

How !

Call me to your remembrances .

What !

I cannot think but your age has forgot me ;
It could not else be I should prove so base ,
To sue , and be denied such common grace .
My wounds ache at you .

Do you dare our anger ?
'Tis in few words , but spacious in effect ;
We banish thee for ever .

Banish me !
Banish your dotage ; banish usury ,
That makes the senate ugly .

If , after two days' shine , Athens contain thee ,
Attend our weightier judgment . And , not to swell our spirit ,
He shall be executed presently .


Now the gods keep you old enough ; that you may live 
Only in bone , that none may look on you !
I am worse than mad : I have kept back their foes ,
While they have told their money and let out 
Their coin upon large interest ; I myself 
Rich only in large hurts : all those for this ?
Is this the balsam that the usuring senate 
Pours into captains' wounds ? Banishment !
It comes not ill ; I hate not to be banish'd ;
It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury ,
That I may strike at Athens . I'll cheer up 
My discontented troops , and lay for hearts .
'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds ;
Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods .

The good time of day to you , sir .

I also wish it you . I think this honourable lord did but try us this other day .

Upon that were my thoughts tiring when we encountered : I hope it is not so low with him as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends .

It should not be , by the persuasion of his new feasting .

I should think so : he hath sent me an earnest inviting , which many my near occasions did urge me to put off ; but he hath conjured me beyond them , and I must needs appear .

In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business , but he would not hear my excuse . I am sorry , when he sent to borrow of me , that my provision was out .

I am sick of that grief too , as I understand how all things go .

Every man here's so . What would he have borrowed you ?

A thousand pieces .

A thousand pieces !

What of you ?

He sent to me , sir ,Here he comes .


With all my heart , gentlemen both ; and how fare you ?

Ever at the best , hearing well of your lordship .

The swallow follows not summer more willing than we your lordship .

Nor more willingly leaves winter ; such summer-birds are men . Gentlemen , our dinner will not recompense this long stay : feast your ears with the music awhile , if they will fare so harshly o' the trumpet's sound ; we shall to 't presently .

I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship that I returned you an empty messenger .

O ! sir , let it not trouble you .

My noble lord ,

Ah ! my good friend , what cheer ?

My most honourable lord , I am e'en sick of shame , that when your lordship this other day sent to me I was so unfortunate a beggar .

Think not on 't , sir .

If you had sent but two hours before ,

Let it not cumber your better remembrance .

Come , bring in all together .

All covered dishes !

Royal cheer , I warrant you .

Doubt not that , if money and the season can yield it .

How do you ? What's the news ?

Alcibiades is banished : hear you of it ?

Alcibiades banished !

Alcibiades banished !

'Tis so , be sure of it .

How ? how ?

I pray you , upon what ?

My worthy friends , will you draw near ?

I'll tell you more anon . Here's a noble feast toward .

This is the old man still .

Will't hold ? will't hold ?

It does ; but time will and so 

I do conceive .

Each man to his stool , with that spur as he would to the lip of his mistress ; your diet shall be in all places alike . Make not a city feast of it , to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place : sit , sit . The gods require our thanks .
You great benefactors sprinkle our society with thankfulness . For your own gifts , make yourselves praised : but reserve still to give , lest your deities be despised . Lend to each man enough , that one need not lend to another ; for , were your godheads to borrow of men , men would forsake the gods . Make the meat be beloved more than the man that gives it . Let no assembly of twenty be without a score of villains : if there sit twelve women at the table , let a dozen of them be as they are . The rest of your fees , O gods ! the senators of Athens , together with the common lag of people , what is amiss in them , you gods , make suitable for destruction . For these my present friends , as they are to me nothing , so in nothing bless them , and to nothing are they welcome .
Uncover , dogs , and lap .


What does his lordship mean ?

I know not .

May you a better feast never behold ,
You knot of mouth-friends ! smoke and lukewarm water 
Is your perfection . This is Timon's last ;
Who , stuck and spangled with your flatteries ,
Washes it off , and sprinkles in your faces 

Your reeking villany . Live loath'd , and long ,
Most smiling , smooth , detested parasites ,
Courteous destroyers , affable wolves , meek bears ,
You fools of fortune , trencher-friends , time's flies ,
Cap and knee slaves , vapours , and minute-jacks !
Of man and beast the infinite malady 
Crust you quite o'er ! What ! dost thou go ?
Soft ! take thy physic first ,thou too ,and thou ;
Stay , I will lend thee money , borrow none .

What ! all in motion ? Henceforth be no feast ,
Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest .
Burn , house ! sink , Athens ! henceforth hated be 
Of Timon man and all humanity !

How now , my lords !

Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury ?

Push ! did you see my cap ?

I have lost my gown .

He's but a mad lord , and nought but humour sways him . He gave me a jewel th' other day , and now he has beat it out of my hat : did you see my jewel ?

Did you see my cap ?

Here 'tis .

Here lies my gown .

Let's make no stay .

Lord Timon's mad .

I feel 't upon my bones .

One day he gives us diamonds , next day stones .

Let me look back upon thee . O thou wall ,
That girdlest in those wolves , dive in the earth .
And fence not Athens ! Matrons , turn incontinent !
Obedience fail in children ! slaves and fools ,
Pluck the grave wrinkled senate from the bench ,
And minister in their steads ! To general filths 
Convert , o'the instant , green virginity !
Do't in your parents' eyes ! Bankrupts , hold fast ;
Rather than render back , out with your knives ,
And cut your trusters' throats ! Bound servants , steal !
Large-handed robbers your grave masters are ,
And pill by law . Maid , to thy master's bed ;
Thy mistress is o' the brothel ! Son of sixteen ,
Pluck the lin'd crutch from thy old limping sire ,
With it beat out his brains ! Piety , and fear ,
Religion to the gods , peace , justice , truth ,
Domestic awe , night-rest and neighbourhood ,
Instruction , manners , mysteries and trades ,
Degrees , observances , customs and laws ,
Decline to your confounding contraries ,
And let confusion live ! Plagues incident to men ,
Your potent and infectious fevers heap 
On Athens , ripe for stroke ! Thou cold sciatica ,
Cripple our senators , that their limbs may halt 
As lamely as their manners ! Lust and liberty 
Creep in the minds and marrows of our youth ,
That'gainst the stream of virtue they may strive ,
And drown themselves in riot ! Itches , blains ,
Sow all the Athenian bosoms , and their crop 
Be general leprosy ! Breath infect breath ,
That their society , as their friendship , may 
Be merely poison ! Nothing I'll bear from thee 
But nakedness , thou detestable town !
Take thou that too , with multiplying bans !
Timon will to the woods ; where he shall find 
The unkindest beast more kinder than mankind .
The gods confound hear me , you good gods all 
The Athenians both within and out that wall !
And grant , as Timon grows , his hate may grow 
To the whole race of mankind , high and low !
Amen .


Hear you , Master steward ! where's our master ?
Are we undone ? cast off ? nothing remaining ?

Alack ! my fellows , what should I say to you ?
Let me be recorded by the righteous gods ,
I am as poor as you .

Such a house broke !
So noble a master fall'n ! All gone ! and not 
One friend to take his fortune by the arm ,
And go along with him !

As we do turn our backs 
From our companion thrown into his grave ,
So his familiars to his buried fortunes 
Slink all away , leave their false vows with him ,
Like empty purses pick'd ; and his poor self ,
A dedicated beggar to the air ,
With his disease of all-shunn'd poverty ,
Walks , like contempt , alone . More of our fellows .


All broken implements of a ruin'd house .

Yet do our hearts wear Timon's livery ,
That see I by our faces ; we are fellows still ,
Serving alike in sorrow . Leak'd is our bark ,
And we , poor mates , stand on the dying deck ,
Hearing the surges threat : we must all part 
Into this sea of air .

Good fellows all ,
The latest of my wealth I'll share amongst you .
Wherever we shall meet , for Timon's sake 
Let's yet be fellows ; let's shake our heads , and say ,
As 'twere a knell unto our master's fortunes ,
'We have seen better days .' Let each take some ;

Nay , put out all your hands . Not one word more :
Thus part we rich in sorrow , parting poor .

O ! the fierce wretchedness that glory brings us .
Who would not wish to be from wealth exempt ,
Since riches point to misery and contempt ?
Who would be so mock'd with glory ? or so live ,
But in a dream of friendship ?
To have his pomp and all what state compounds 
But only painted , like his varnish'd friends ?
Poor honest lord ! brought low by his own heart ,
Undone by goodness . Strange , unusual blood ,
When man's worst sin is he does too much good !
Who then dares to be half so kind agen ?
For bounty , that makes gods , does still mar men .
My dearest lord , bless'd , to be most accurs'd ,
Rich , only to be wretched , thy great fortunes 
Are made thy chief affictions . Alas ! kind lord ,
He's flung in rage from this ingrateful seat 
Of monstrous friends ;
Nor has he with him to supply his life ,
Or that which can command it .
I'll follow and inquire him out :
I'll ever serve his mind with my best will ;
Whilst I have gold I'll be his steward still .


O blessed breeding sun ! draw from the earth 
Rotten humidity ; below thy sister's orb 
Infect the air ! Twinn'd brothers of one womb ,
Whose procreation , residence and birth ,
Scarce is dividant , touch them with several fortunes ;
The greater scorns the lesser : not nature ,
To whom all sores lay siege , can bear great fortune ,
But by contempt of nature .
Raise me this beggar , and deny't that lord ;
The senator shall bear contempt hereditary ,
The beggar native honour .
It is the pasture lards the rother's sides ,
The want that makes him lean . Who dares , who dares ,
In purity of manhood stand upright ,
And say , 'This man's a flatterer ?' if one be ,
So are they all ; for every grize of fortune 
Is smooth'd by that below : the learned pate 
Ducks to the golden fool : all is oblique ;
There's nothing level in our cursed natures 
But direct villany . Therefore , be abhorr'd 
All feasts , societies , and throngs of men !
His semblable , yea , himself , Timon disdains :
Destruction fang mankind ! Earth , yield me roots !

Who seeks for better of thee , sauce his palate 
With thy most operant poison ! What is here ?
Gold ! yellow , glittering , precious gold ! No , gods ,
I am no idle votarist . Roots , you clear heavens !
Thus much of this will make black white , foul fair ,
Wrong right , base noble , old young , coward valiant .
Ha ! you gods , why this ? What this , you gods ? Why , this 
Will lug your priests and servants from your sides ,
Pluck stout men's pillows from below their head :
This yellow slave 
Will knit and breah religions ; bless the accurs'd ;
Make the hoar leprosy ador'd ; place thieves ,
And give them title , knee , and approbation ,
With senators on the bench ; this is it 
That makes the wappen'd widow wed again ;
She , whom the spital-house and ulcerous sores 
Would cast the gorge at , this embalms and spices 
To the April day again . Come , damned earth ,
Thou common whore of mankind , that putt'st odds 
Among the rout of nations , I will make thee 
Do thy right nature .

Ha ! a drum ? thou'rt quick ,
But yet I'll bury thee : thou'lt go , strong theif ,
When gouty keepers of thee cannot stand :
Nay , stay thou out for earnest .

What art thou there ? speak .

A beast , as thou art . The canker gnaw thy heart ,
For showing me again the eyes of man !

What is thy name ? Is man so hateful to thee ,
That art thyself a man ?

I am Misanthropos , and hate mankind .
For thy part , I do wish thou wert a dog ,
That I might love thee something .

I know thee well ,
But in thy fortunes am unlearn'd and strange .

I know thee too ; and more than that I know thee 
I not desire to know . Follow thy drum ;
With man's blood paint the ground , gules , gules ;
Religious canons , civil laws are cruel ;
Then what should war be ? This fell whore of thine 
Hath in her more destruction than thy sword 
For all her cherubin look .

Thy lips rot off !

I will not kiss thee ; then the rot returns 
To thine own lips again .

How came the noble Timon to this change ?

As the moon does , by wanting light to give :
But then renew I could not like the moon ;
There were no suns to borrow of .

Noble Timon , what friendship may I do thee ?

None , but to maintain my opinion .

What is it , Timon ?

Promise me friendship , but perform none : if thou wilt not promise , the gods plague thee , for thou art a man ! if thou dost perform , confound thee , for thou art a man !

I have heard in some sort of thy miseries .

Thou saw'st them , when I had prosperity .

I see them now ; then was a blessed time .

As thine is now , held with a brace of harlots .

Is this the Athenian minion , whom the world 
Voic'd so regardfully ?

Art thou Timandra ?

Yes .

Be a whore still ; they love thee not that use thee ;
Give them diseases , leaving with thee their lust .
Make use of thy salt hours ; season the slaves 
For tubs and baths ; bring down rose-cheeked youth 
To the tub-fast and the diet .

Hang thee , monster !

Pardon him , sweet Timandra , for his wits 
Are drown'd and lost in his calamities .
I have but little gold of late , brave Timon ,
The want whereof doth daily make revolt 
In my penurious band : I have heard and griev'd 
How cursed Athens , mindless of thy worth ,
Forgetting thy great deeds , when neighbour states ,
But for thy sword and fortune , trod upon them ,

I prithee , beat thy drum , and get thee gone .

I am thy friend , and pity thee , dear Timon .

How dost thou pity him whom thou dost trouble ?
I had rather be alone .

Why , fare thee well :
Here is some gold for thee .

Keep it , I cannot eat it .

When I have laid proud Athens on a heap ,

Warr'st thou 'gainst Athens ?

Ay , Timon , and have cause .

The gods confound them all in thy conquest ; and 
Thee after , when thou hast conquer'd !

Why me , Timon ?

That , by killing of villains , thou wast born to conquer 
My country .
Put up thy gold : go on ,here's gold ,go on ;
Be as a planetary plague , when Jove 
Will o'er some high-vic'd city hang his poison 
In the sick air : let not thy sword skip one .
Pity not honour'd age for his white beard ;
He is a usurer . Strike me the counterfeit matron ;
It is her habit only that is honest ,
Herself's a bawd . Let not the virgin's cheek 
Make soft thy trenchant sword ; for those milkpaps ,
That through the window-bars bore at men's eyes ,
Are not within the leaf of pity writ ,
But set them down horrible traitors . Spare not the babe ,
Whose dimpled smiles from fools exhaust their mercy ;
Think it a bastard , whom the oracle 
Hath doubtfully pronounc'd thy throat shall cut ,
And mince it sans remorse . Swear against objects ;
Put armour on thine ears and on thine eyes ,
Whose proof nor yells of mothers , maids , nor babes ,
Nor sight of priests in holy vestments bleeding ,
Shall pierce a jot . There's gold to pay thy soldiers :
Make large confusion ; and , thy fury spent ,
Confounded be thyself ! Speak not , be gone .

Hast thou gold yet ? I'll take the gold thou giv'st me ,
Not all thy counsel .

Dost thou , or dost thou not , heaven's curse upon thee !

Give us some gold , good Timon : hast thou more ?

Give us some gold , good Timon : hast thou more ?

Enough to make a whore forswear her trade ,
And to make whores a bawd . Hold up , you sluts ,
Your aprons mountant : you are not oathable ,
Although , I know , you'll swear , terribly swear 
Into strong shudders and to heavenly agues 
The immortal gods that hear you , spare your oaths ,
I'll trust to your conditions : be whores still ;
And he whose pious breath seeks to convert you ,
Be strong in whore , allure him , burn him up ;
Let your close fire predominate his smoke ,
And be no turncoats : yet may your pains , six months ,
Be quite contrary : and thatch your poor thin roofs 
With burdens of the dead ; some that were hang'd ,
No matter ; wear them , betray with them : whore still ;
Paint till a horse may mire upon your face :
A pox of wrinkles !

Well , more gold . What then ?

Well , more gold . What then ?
Believe't , that we'll do anything for gold .

Consumptions sow 
In hollow bones of man ; strike their sharp shins ,
And mar men's spurring . Crack the lawyer's voice ,
That he may never more false title plead ,
Nor sound his quillets shrilly : hoar the flamen ,
That scolds against the quality of flesh ,
And not believes himself : down with the nose ,
Down with it flat ; take the bridge quite away 
Of him that , his particular to foresee ,
Smells from the general weal : make curl'd-pate ruffians bald ,
And let the unscarr'd braggarts of the war 
Derive some pain from you : plague all ,
That your activity may defeat and quell 
The source of all erection . There's more gold ;
Do you damn others , and let this damn you ,
And ditches grave you all !

More counsel with more money , bounteous Timon .

More counsel with more money , bounteous Timon .

More whore , more mischief first ; I have given you earnest .

Strike up the drum towards Athens ! Farewell , Timon :
If I thrive well , I'll visit thee again .

If I hope well , I'll never see thee more .

I never did thee harm .

Yes , thou spok'st well of me .

Call'st thou that harm ?

Men daily find it . Get thee away , and take 
Thy beagles with thee .

We but offend him . Strike !


That nature , being sick of man's unkindness ,
Should yet be hungry ! Common mother , thou ,

Whose womb unmeasurable , and infinite breast ,
Teams , and feeds all ; whose self-same mettle ,
Whereof thy proud child , arrogant man , is puff'd ,
Engenders the black toad and adder blue ,
The gilded newt and eyeless venom'd worm ,
With all the abhorred births below crisp heaven 
Whareon Hyperion's quickening fire doth shine ;
Yield him , who all thy human sons doth hate ,
From forth thy plenteous bosom , one poor root !
Ensear thy fertile and conceptious womb ,
Let it no more bring out ingrateful man !
Go great with tigers , dragons , wolves , and bears ;
Teem with new monsters , whom thy upward face 
Hath to the marbled mansion all above 
Never presented ! O ! a root ; dear thanks :
Dry up thy marrows , vines and plough-torn leas ;
Whereof ingrateful man , with liquorish draughts 
And morsels unctuous , greases his pure mind ,
That from it all consideration slips !

More man ! Plague ! plague !

I was directed hither : men report 
Thou dost affect my manners , and dost use them .

'Tis , then , because thou dost not keep a dog 
Whom I would imitate : consumption catch thee !

This is in thee a nature but infected ;
A poor unmanly melancholy sprung 
From change of fortune . Why this spade ? this place ?
This slave-like habit ? and these looks of care ?
Thy flatterers yet wear silk , drink wine , lie soft ,
Hug their diseas'd perfumes , and have forgot 
That ever Timon was . Shame not these woods 
By putting on the cunning of a carper .
Be thou a flatterer now , and seak to thrive 
By that which has undone thee : hinge thy knee ,
And let his very breath , whom thou'lt observe ,
Blow off thy cap ; praise his most vicious strain ,
And call it excellent . Thou wast told thus ;
Thou gav'st thine ears , like tapsters that bid welcome ,
To knaves and all approachers : 'tis most just 
That thou turn rascal ; hadst thou wealth again ,
Rascals should have't . Do not assume my likeness .

Were I like thee I'd throw away myself .

Thou hast cast away thyself , being like thyself ;
A madman so long , now a fool . What ! think'st 
That the bleak air , thy boisterous chamberlain ,
Will put thy shirt on warm ? will these moss'd trees ,
That have outliv'd the eagle , page thy heels 
And skip when thou point'st out ? will the cold brook ,
Candied with ice , caudle thy morning taste 
To cure the o'er-night's surfeit ? Call the creatures 
Whose naked natures live in all the spite 
Of wreakful heaven , whose bare unhoused trunks 
To the conflicting elements expos'd ,
Answer mere nature ; bid them flatter thee ;
O ! thou shalt find 

A fool of thee . Depart .

I love thee better now than e'er I did .

I hate thee worse .

Why ?

Thou flatter'st misery .

I flatter not , but say thou art a caitiff .

Why dost thou seek me out ?

To vex thee .

Always a villain's office , or a fool's .
Dost please thyself in 't ?

Ay .

What ! a knave too ?

If thou didst put this sour-cold habit on 
To castigate thy pride , 'twere well ; but thou 
Dost it enforcedly ; thou'dst courtier be again 
Wert thou not beggar . Willing misery 
Outlives incertain pomp , is crown'd before ;
The one is filling still , never complete ;
The other , at high wish : best state , contentless ,
Hath a distracted and most wretched being ,
Worse than the worst , content .
Thou shouldst desire to die , being miserable .

Not by his breath that is more miserable .
Thou art a slave , whom Fortune's tender arm 
With favour never clasp'd , but bred a dog .
Hadst thou , like us from our first swath , proceeded 
The sweet degrees that this brief world affords 
To such as may the passive drudges of it 
Freely command , thou wouldst have plung'd thyself 
In general riot ; melted down thy youth 
In different beds of lust ; and never learn'd 
The icy precepts of respect , but follow'd 
The sugar'd game before thee . But myself ,
Who had the world as my confectionary ,
The mouths , the tongues , the eyes , and hearts of men 
At duty , more than I could frame employment ,
That numberless upon me stuck as leaves 
Do on the oak , have with one winter's brush 
Fell from their boughs and left me open , bare 
For every storm that blows ; I , to bear this ,
That never knew but better , is some burden :
Thy nature did commence in sufferance , time 
Hath made thee hard in 't . Why shouldst thou hate men ?
They never flatter'd thee : what hast thou given ?
If thou wilt curse , thy father , that poor rag ,
Must be thy subject , who in spite put stuff 
To some she beggar and compounded thee 
Poor rogue hereditary . Hence ! be gone !
If thou hadst not been born the worst of men ,
Thou hadst been a knave and flatterer .

Art thou proud yet ?

Ay , that I am not thee .

I , that I was 
No prodigal .

I , that I am one now :
Were all the wealth I have shut up in thee ,
I'd give thee leave to hang it . Get thee gone .
That the whole life of Athens were in this !
Thus would I eat it .


Here ; I will mend thy feast .

First mend my company , take away thyself .

So I shall mend mine own , by the lack of thine .

'Tis not well mended so , it is but botch'd ;
If not , I would it were .

What wouldst thou have to Athens ?

Thee thither in a whirlwind . If thou wilt ,
Tell them there I have gold ; look , so I have .

Here is no use for gold .

The best and truest ;
For here it sleeps , and does no hired harm .

Where liest o' nights , Timon ?

Under that's above me .
Where feed'st thou o' days , Apemantus ?

Where my stomach finds meat ; or , rather , where I eat it .

Would poison were obedient and knew my mind !

Where wouldst thou send it ?

To sauce thy dishes .

The middle of humanity thou never knewest , but the extremity of both ends . When thou wast in thy gilt and thy perfume , they mocked thee for too much curiosity ; in thy rags thou knowest none , but art despised for the contrary . There's a medlar for thee ; eat it .

On what I hate I feed not .

Dost hate a medlar ?

Ay , though it look like thee .

An thou hadst hated meddlers sooner , thou shouldst have loved thyself better now . What man didst thou ever know unthrift that was beloved after his means ?

Who , without those means thou talkest of , didst thou ever know beloved ?

Myself .

I understand thee ; thou hadst some means to keep a dog .

What things in the world canst thou nearest compare to thy flatterers ?

Women nearest ; but men , men are the things themselves . What wouldst thou do with the world , Apemantus , if it lay in thy power ?

Give it the beasts , to be rid of the men .

Wouldst thou have thyself fall in the confusion of men , and remain a beast with the beasts ?

Ay , Timon .

A beastly ambition , which the gods grant thee to attain to . If thou wert the lion , the fox would beguile thee ; if thou wert the lamb , the fox would eat thee ; if thou wert the fox , the lion would suspect thee , when peradventure thou wert accused by the ass ; if thou wert the ass , thy dulness would torment thee , and still thou livedst but as a breakfast to the wolf ; if thou wert the wolf , thy greediness would afflict thee , and oft thou shouldst hazard thy life for thy dinner ; wert thou the unicorn , pride and wrath would confound thee and make thine own self the conquest of thy fury ; wert thou a bear , thou wouldst be killed by the horse ; wert thou a horse , thou wouldst be seized by the leopard ; wert thou a leopard , thou wert german to the lion , and the spots of thy kindred were jurors on thy life ; all thy safety were remotion , and thy defence absence . What beast couldst thou be , that were not subject to a beast ? and what a beast art thou already , that seest not thy loss in transformation !

If thou couldst please me with speaking to me , thou mightst have hit upon it here ; the commonwealth of Athens is become a forest of beasts .

How has the ass broke the wall , that thou art out of the city ?

Yonder comes a poet and a painter : the plague of company light upon thee ! I will fear to catch it , and give way . When I know not what else to do , I'll see thee again .

When there is nothing living but thee , thou shalt be welcome . I had rather be a beggar's dog than Apemantus .

Thou art the cap of all the fools alive .

Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon !

A plague on thee ! thou art too bad to curse !

All villains that do stand by thee are pure .

There is no leprosy but what thou speak'st .

If I name thee .
I'll beat thee , but I should infect my hands .

I would my tongue could rot them off !

Away , thou issue of a mangy dog !
Choler does kill me that thou art alive ;
I swound to see thee .

Would thou wouldst burst !

Away ,
Thou tedious rogue ! I am sorry I shall lose 
A stone by thee .


Beast !

Slave !

Toad !

Rogue , rogue , rogue !
I am sick of this false world , and will love nought 
But even the mere necessities upon 't .
Then , Timon , presently prepare thy grave ;
Lie where the light foam of the sea may beat 
Thy grave-stone daily : make thine epitaph ,
That death in me at others' lives may laugh .

O thou sweet king-killer , and dear divorce 
'Twixt natural son and sire ! thou bright defiler 
Of Hymen's purest bed ! thou valiant Mars !
Thou ever young , fresh , lov'd , and delicate wooer ,
Whose blush doth thaw the consecrated snow 
That lies on Dian's lap ! thou visible god ,
That solder'st close impossibilities ,
And mak'st them kiss ! that speak'st with every tongue ,
To every purpose ! O thou touch of hearts !
Think , thy slave man rebels , and by thy virtue 
Set them into confounding odds , that beasts 
May have the world in empire .

Would 'twere so :
But not till I am dead ; I'll say thou'st gold :
Thou wilt be throng'd to shortly .

Throng'd to ?

Ay .

Thy back , I prithee .

Live , and love thy misery !

Long live so , and so die !

I am quit .
More things like men ! Eat , Timon , and abhor them .


Where should he have this gold ? It is some poor fragment , some slender ort of his remainder . The mere want of gold , and the falling-from of his friends , drove him into this melancholy .

It is noised he hath a mass of treasure .

Let us make the assay upon him : if he care not for 't , he will supply us easily ; if he covetously reserve it , how shall's get it ?

True ; for he bears it not about him , 'tis hid .

Is not this he ?

Where ?

'Tis his description .

He ; I know him .

Save thee , Timon .

Now , thieves ?

Soldiers , not thieves .

Both too ; and women's sons .

We are not thieves , but men that much do want .

Your greatest want is , you want much of meat .
Why should you want ? Behold , the earth hath roots ;
Within this mile break forth a hundred springs ;
The oaks bear mast , the briers scarlet hips ;
The bounteous housewife , nature , on each bush 
Lays her full mess before you . Want ! why want ?

We cannot live on grass , on berries , water ,
As beasts , and birds , and fishes .

Nor on the beasts themselves , the birds , and fishes ;
You must eat men . Yet thanks I must you con 
That you are thieves profess'd , that you work not 
In holier shapes ; for there is boundless theft 
In limited professions . Rascal thieves ,
Here's gold . Go , suck the subtle blood o' the grape ,
Till the high fever seethe your blood to froth ,
And so 'scape hanging : trust not the physician ;
His antidotes are poison , and he slays 
More than you rob : take wealth and lives together ;
Do villany , do , since you protest to do't ,
Like workmen . I'll example you with thievery :
The sun's a thief , and with his great attraction 
Robs the vast sea ; the moon's an arrant thief ,
And her pale fire she snatches from the sun ;
The sea's a thief , whose liquid surge resolves 
The moon into salt tears ; the earth's a thief ,
That feeds and breeds by a composture stolen 
From general excrement , each thing's a thief ;
The laws , your curb and whip , in their rough power 
Have uncheck'd theft . Love not yourselves ; away !
Rob one another . There's more gold : cut throats ;
All that you meet are thieves . To Athens go ,
Break open shops ; nothing can you steal 
But thieves do lose it : steal no less for this 
I give you ; and gold confound you howsoe'er !
Amen .

He has almost charmed me from my profession , by persuading me to it .

'Tis in the malice of mankind that he thus advises us ; not to have us thrive in our mystery .

I'll believe him as an enemy , and give over my trade .

Let us first see peace in Athens ; there is no time so miserable but a man may be true .

O you gods !
Is yond despised and ruinous man my lord ?
Full of decay and failing ? O monument 
And wonder of good deeds evilly bestow'd !
What an alteration of honour 
Has desperate want made !
What viler thing upon the earth than friends 
Who can bring noblest minds to basest ends !
How rarely does it meet with this time's guise ,
When man was wish'd to love his enemies !
Grant I may ever love , and rather woo 
Those that would mischief me than those that do !
He hath caught me in his eye : I will present 
My honest grief unto him ; and , as my lord ,
Still serve him with my life . My dearest master !


Away ! what art thou ?

Have you forgot me , sir ?

Why dost ask that ? I have forgot all men ;
Then , if thou grant'st thou'rt a man , I have forgot thee .

An honest poor servant of yours .

Then I know thee not :
I never had an honest man about me ; ay all 
I kept were knaves , to serve in meat to villains .

The gods are witness ,
Ne'er did poor steward wear a truer grief 
For his undone lord than mine eyes for you .

What ! dost thou weep ? Come nearer . Then I love thee ,
Because thou art a woman , and disclaim'st 
Flinty mankind ; whose eyes do never give ,
But thorough lust and laughter . Pity's sleeping :
Strange times , that weep with laughing , not with weeping !

I beg of you to know me , good my lord ,
To accept my grief and whilst this poor wealth lasts 
To entertain me as your steward still .

Had I a steward 
So true , so just , and now so comfortable ?
It almost turns my dangerous nature mild .
Let me behold thy face . Surely , this man 
Was born of woman .
Forgive my general and exceptless rashness ,
You perpetual sober gods ! I do proclaim 
One honest man , mistake me not , but one ;
No more , I pray , and he's a steward .
How fain would I have hated all mankind !
And thou redeem'st thyself : but all , save thee ,
I fell with curses .
Methinks thou art more honest now than wise ;
For , by oppressing and betraying me ,
Thou mightst have sooner got another service :
For many so arrive at second masters 
Upon their first lord's neck . But tell me true ,
For I must ever doubt , though ne'er so sure ,
Is not thy kindness subtle , covetous ,
If not a usuring kindness and as rich men deal gifts ,
Expecting in return twenty for one ?

No , my most worthy master ; in whose breast 
Doubt and suspect , alas ! are plac'd too late .
You should have fear'd false times when you did feast ;
Suspect still comes when an estate is least .
That which I show , heaven knows , is merely love ,
Duty and zeal to your unmatched mind ,
Care of your food and living ; and , believe it ,
My most honour'd lord ,
For any benefit that points to me ,
Either in hope , or present , I'd exchange 
For this one wish , that you had power and wealth 
To requite me by making rich yourself .

Look thee , 'tis so . Thou singly honest man ,
Here , take : the gods out of my misery ,
Have sent thee treasure . Go , live rich and happy ;
But thus condition'd : thou shalt build from men ;
Hate all , curse all , show charity to none ,
But let the famish'd flesh slide from the bone ,
Ere thou relieve the beggar ; give to dogs 
What thou deny'st to men ; let prisons swallow 'em ,
Debts wither 'em to nothing ; be men like blasted woods ,
And may diseases lick up their false bloods !
And so , farewell and thrive .

O ! let me stay 
And comfort you , my master .

If thou hatest 
Curses , stay not ; fly , whilst thou'rt bless'd and free :
Ne'er see thou man , and let me ne'er see thee .

As I took note of the place , it cannot be far where he abides .

What's to be thought of him ? Does the rumour hold for true that he is so full of gold ?

Certain : Alcibiades reports it ; Phrynia and Timandra had gold of him : he likewise enriched poor straggling soldiers with great quantity . 'Tis said he gave unto his steward a mighty sum .

Then this breaking of his has been but a try for his friends .

Nothing else ; you shall see him a palm in Athens again , and flourish with the highest . Therefore 'tis not amiss we tender our loves to him , in this supposed distress of his : it will show honestly in us , and is very likely to load our purposes with what they travel for , if it be a just and true report that goes of his having .

What have you now to present unto him ?

Nothing at this time but my visitation ; only , I will promise him an excellent piece .

I must serve him so too ; tell him of an intent that's coming towards him .

Good as the best . Promising is the very air o' the time ; it opens the eyes of expectation ; performance is ever the duller for his act ; and , but in the plainer and simpler kind of people , the deed of saying is quite out of use . To promise is most courtly and fashionable ; performance is a kind of will or testament which argues a great sickness in his judgment that makes it .


Excellent workman ! Thou canst not paint a man so bad as is thyself .

I am thinking what I shall say I have provided for him : it must be a personating of himself ; a satire against the softness of prosperity , with a discovery of the infinite flatteries that follow youth and opulency .

Must thou needs stand for a villain in thine own work ? Wilt thou whip thine own faults in other men ? Do so , I have gold for thee .

Nay , let's seek him :
Then do we sin against our own estate ,
When we may profit meet , and come too late .

True ;
When the day serves , before black-corner'd night ,
Find what thou want'st by free and offer'd light .
Come .

I'll meet you at the turn . What a god's gold ,
That he is worshipp'd in a baser temple 
Than where swine feed !
'Tis thou that rigg'st the bark and plough'st the foam ,
Settlest admired reverence in a slave :
To thee be worship ; and thy saints for aye 
Be crown'd with plagues that thee alone obey .
Fit I meet them .


Hail , worthy Timon !

Our late noble master !

Have I once liv'd to see two honest men ?

Sir ,
Having often of your open bounty tasted ,
Hearing you were retir'd , your friends fall'n off ,
Whose thankless natures O abhorred spirits !
Not all the whips of heaven are large enough 
What ! to you ,
Whose star-like nobleness gave life and influence 
To their whole being ! I am rapt , and cannot cover 
The monstrous bulk of this ingratitude 
With any size of words .

Let it go naked , men may see 't the better :
You , that are honest , by being what you are ,
Make them best seen and known .

He and myself 
Have travell'd in the great shower of your gifts ,
And sweetly felt it .

Ay , you are honest men .

We are hither come to offer you our service .

Most honest men ! Why , how shall I requite you ?
Can you eat roots and drink cold water ? no .

What we can do , we'll do , to do you service .

Ye're honest men . Ye've heard that I have gold ;
I am sure you have : speak truth ; ye're honest men .

So it is said , my noble lord ; but therefore 
Came not my friend nor I .

Good honest men ! Thou draw'st a counterfeit 
Best in all Athens : thou'rt , indeed , the best ;
Thou counterfeit'st most lively .

So , so , my lord .

E'en so , sir , as I say . And , for thy fiction ,
Why , thy verse swells with stuff so fine and smooth 
That thou art even natural in thine art .
But for all this , my honest-natur'd friends ,
I must needs say you have a little fault :
Marry , 'tis not monstrous in you , neither wish I 
You take much pains to mend .

Beseech your honour 
To make it known to us .

You'll take it ill .

Most thankfully , my lord .

Will you indeed ?

Doubt it not , worthy lord .

There's never a one of you but trusts a knave ,
That mightily deceives you .

Do we , my lord ?

Ay , and you hear him cog , see him dissemble ,
Know his gross patchery , love him , feed him ,
Keep in your bosom ; yet remain assur'd 
That he's a made-up villain .

I know none such , my lord .

Nor I .

Look you , I love you well ; I'll give you gold ,
Rid me these villains from your companies :
Hang them or stab them , drown them in a draught ,
Confound them by some course , and come to me ,
I'll give you gold enough .

Name them , my lord ; let's know them .

You that way and you this , but two in company ;
Each man apart , all single and alone ,
Yet an arch villain keeps him company .
If , where thou art two villains shall not be ,
Come not near him .

If thou would not reside 
But where one villain is , then him abandon .
Hence ! pack ! there's gold ; ye came for gold , ye slaves :
You have done work for me , there's payment : hence !
You are an alchemist , make gold of that .
Out , rascal dogs !

It is in vain that you would speak with Timon ;
For he is set so only to himself 
That nothing but himself , which looks like man ,
Is friendly with him .

Bring us to his cave :
It is our part and promise to the Athenians 
To speak with Timon .

At all times alike 
Men are not still the same : 'twas time and griefs 
That fram'd him thus : time , with his fairer hand ,
Offering the fortunes of his former days ,
The former man may make him . Bring us to him ,
And chance it as it may .

Here is his cave .
Peace and content be here ! Lord Timon ! Timon !
Look out , and speak to friends . The Athenians ,
By two of their most reverend senate , greet thee :
Speak to them , noble Timon .


Thousun , that comfort'st , burn ! Speak , and be hang'd :
For each true word , a blister ! and each false 
Be as a cauterizing to the root o'the tongue ,
Consuming it with speaking !

Worthy Timon ,

Of none but such as you , and you of Timon .

The senators of Athens greet thee , Timon .

I thank them ; and would send them back the plague ,
Could I but catch it for them .

O ! forget 
What we are sorry for ourselves in thee .
The senators with one consent of love 
Entreat thee back to Athens ; who have thought 
On special dignities , which vacant lie 
For thy best use and wearing .

They confess 
Toward thee forgetfulness to general , gross ;
Which now the public body , which doth seldom 
Play the recanter , feeling in itself 
A lack of Timon's aid , hath sense withal 
Of its own fail , restraining aid to Timon ;
And send forth us , to make their sorrow'd render ,
Together with a recompense more fruitful 
Than their offence can weigh down by the dram ;
Ay , even such heaps and sums of love and wealth 
As shall to thee block out what wrongs were theirs ,
And write in thee the figures of their love ,
Ever to read them thine .

You witch me in it ;
Surprise me to the very brink of tears :
Lend me a fool's heart and a woman's eyes ,
And I'll beweep these comforts , worthy senators .

Therefore so please thee to return with us ,
And of our Athens thine and ours to take 
The captainship , thou shalt be met with thanks ,
Allow'd with absolute power , and thy good name 
Live with authority : so soon we shall drive back 
Of Alcibiades the approaches wild ;
Who , like a boar too savage , doth root up 
His country's peace .

And shakes his threat'ning sword 
Against the walls of Athens .

Therefore , Timon ,

Well , sir , I will ; therefore , I will , sir ; thus :
If Alcibiades kill my countrymen ,
Let Alcibiades know this of Timon ,
That Timon cares not . But if he sack fair Athens ,
And take our goodly aged men by the beards ,
Giving our holy virgins to the stain 
Of contumelious , beastly , mad-brain'd war ;
Then let him know , and tell him Timon speaks it ,
In pity of our aged and our youth 
I cannot choose but tell him , that I care not ,
And let him take't at worst ; for their knives care not 
While you have throats to answer : for myself ,
There's not a whittle in the unruly camp 
But I do prize it at my love before 
The reverend'st throat in Athens . So I leave you 
To the protection of the prosperous gods ,
As thieves to keepers .

Stay not ; all's in vain .

Why , I was writing of my epitaph ;
It will be seen to-morrow . My long sickness 
Of health and living now begins to mend ,
And nothing brings me all things . Go ; live still :
Be Alcibiades your plague , you his ,
And last so long enough !

We speak in vain .

But yet I love my country , and am not 
One that rejoices in the common wrack ,
As common bruit doth put it .

That's well spoke .

Commend me to my loving countrymen ,

These words become your lips as they pass through them .

And enter in our ears like great triumphers 
In their applauding gates .

Commend me to them ;
And tell them , that , to ease them of their griefs ,
Their fears of hostile strokes , their aches , losses ,
Their pangs of love , with other incident throes 
That nature's fragile vessel doth sustain 
In life's uncertain voyage , I will some kindness do them :
I'll teach them to prevent wild Alcibiades' wrath .

I like this well ; he will return again .

I have a tree which grows here in my close ,
That mine own use invites me to cut down ,
And shortly must I fell it ; tell my friends ,
Tell Athens , in the sequence of degree ,
From high to low throughout , that whoso please 
To stop affliction , let him take his haste ,
Come hither , ere my tree hath felt the axe ,
And hang himself . I pray you , do my greeting .

Trouble him no further ; thus you still shall find him .

Come not to me again ; but say to Athans ,
Timon hath made his everlasting mansion 
Upon the beached verge of the salt flood ;
Who once a day with his embossed froth 
The turbulent surge shall cover : thither come ,
And let my grave-stone be your oracle .
Lips , let sour words go by and language end :
What is amiss plague and infection mend !
Graves only be men's works and death their gain !
Sun , hide thy beams ! Timon hath done his reign .


His discontents are unremovably Coupled to nature .

Our hope in him is dead : let us return ,
And strain what other means is left unto us 
In our dear peril .

It requires swift foot .


Thou hast painfully discover'd : are his files 
As full as thy report ?

I have spoke the least ;
Besides , his expedition promises 
Present approach .

We stand much hazard if they bring not Timon .

I met a courier , one mine ancient friend ,
Whom , though in general part we were oppos'd ,
Yet our old love made a particular force ,
And made us speak like friends : this man was riding 
From Alcibiades to Timon's cave ,
With letters of entreaty , which imported 
His fellowship i' the cause against your city ,
In part for his sake mov'd .

Here come our brothers .


No talk of Timon , nothing of him expect .
The enemies' drum is heard , and fearful scouring 
Doth choke the air with dust . In , and prepare :
Ours is the fall , I fear ; our foes the snare .


By all description this should be the place .
Who's here ? speak , ho ! No answer ! What is this ?
Timon is dead , who hath outstretch'd his span :
Some beast rear'd this ; here does not live a man .
Dead , sure ; and this his grave . What's on this tomb 
I cannot read ; the character I'll take with wax :
Our captain hath in every figure skill ;
An ag'd interpreter , though young in days .
Before proud Athens he's set down by this ,
Whose fall the mark of his ambition is .


Sound to this coward and lascivious town 
Our terrible approach .

Till now you have gone on , and fill'd the time 
With all licentious measure , making your wills 
The scope of justice ; till now myself and such 
As slept within the shadow of your power 
Have wander'd with our travers'd arms , and breath'd 
Our sufferance vainly . Now the time is flush ,
When crouching marrow , in the bearer strong ,
Cries of itself , 'No more :' now breathless wrong 
Shall sit and pant in your great chairs of ease ,
And pursy insolence shall break his wind 

With fear and horrid flight .

Noble and young ,
When thy first griefs were but a mere conceit ,
Ere thou hadst power or we had cause of fear ,
We sent to thee , to give thy rages balm ,
To wipe out our ingratitude with loves 
Above their quantity .

So did we woo 
Transformed Timon to our city's love 
By humble message and by promis'd means :
We were not all unkind , nor all deserve 
The common stroke of war .

These walls of ours 
Were not erected by their hands from whom 
You have receiv'd your grief ; nor are they such 
That these great towers , trophies , and schools should fall 
For private faults in them .

Nor are they living 
Who were the motives that you first went out ;
Shame that they wanted cunning in excess 
Hath broke their hearts . March , noble lord ,
Into our city with thy banners spread :
By decimation , and a tithed death ,
If thy revenges hunger for that food 
Which nature loathes ,take thou the destin'd tenth ,
And by the hazard of the spotted die 
Let die the spotted .

All have not offended ;
For those that were , it is not square to take 
On those that are , revenges : crimes , like lands ,
Are not inherited . Then , dear countryman ,
Bring in thy ranks , but leave without thy rage :
Spare thyAthenian cradle , and those kin 
Which in the bluster of thy wrath must fall 
With those that have offended : like a shepherd ,
Approach the fold and cull th' infected forth ,
But kill not all together .

What thou wilt ,
Thou rather shalt enforce it with thy smile 
Thank hew to't with thy sword .

Set but thy foot 
Against our rampir'd gates , and they shall ope ,
So thou wilt send thy gentle heart before ,
To say thou'lt enter friendly .

Throw thy glove ,
Or any token of thine honour else ,
That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress 
And not as our confusion , all thy powers 
Shall make their harbour in our town , till we 
Have seal'd thy full desire .

Then there's my glove ;
Descend , and open your uncharged ports :
Those enemies of Timon's and mine own 
Whom you yourselves shall set out for reproof ,
Fall , and no more ; and , to atone your fears 
With my more noble meaning , not a man 
Shall pass his quarter , or offend the stream 
Of regular justice in your city's bounds ,
But shall be render'd to your public laws 
At heaviest answer .

'Tis most nobly spoken .

Descend , and keep your words .

My noble general , Timon is dead ;
Entomb'd upon the very hem o' the sea :
And on his grave-stone this insculpture , which 
With wax I brought away , whose soft impression 
Interprets for my poor ignorance .

Here lies a wretched corse , of wretched soul bereft :
Seek not my name : a plague consume you wicked caitiffs left !
Here lie I , Timon ; who , alive , all living men did hate :
Pass by , and curse thy fill ; but pass and stay not here thy gait .
These well express in thee thy latter spirits :
Though thou abhorr'dst in us our human griefs ,
Scorn'dst our brain's flow and those our droplets which 
From niggard nature fall , yet rich conceit 
Taught thee to make vast Neptune weep for aye 
On thy low grave , on faults forgiven . Dead 
Is noble Timon ; of whose memory 
Hereafter more . Bring me into your city ,
And I will use the olive with my sword ;
Make war breed peace ; make peace stint war ; make each 
Prescribe to other as each other's leech .
Let our drums strike .