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ACT II.
Scene I. A Senator's house.[1933]
Enter a Senator, with papers in his hand.[1934]
Sen. And late five thousand: to Varro and to Isidore[1935]
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 5
And give it Timon, why, the dog coins gold:
If I would sell my horse and buy twenty moe[1936]
Better than he, why, give my horse to Timon;
Ask nothing, give it him, it foals me straight[1937]
And able horses: no porter at his gate,[1938] 10
But rather one that smiles and still invites[1939]
All that pass by. It cannot hold; no reason[1940]
Can found his state in safety. Caphis, ho![1941]
Caphis, I say!
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 5
And give it Timon, why, the dog coins gold:
If I would sell my horse and buy twenty moe[1936]
Better than he, why, give my horse to Timon;
Ask nothing, give it him, it foals me straight[1937]
And able horses: no porter at his gate,[1938] 10
But rather one that smiles and still invites[1939]
All that pass by. It cannot hold; no reason[1940]
Can found his state in safety. Caphis, ho![1941]
Caphis, I say!
Enter Caphis.
Caph. Here, sir; what is your pleasure?
Sen. Get on your cloak, and haste you to Lord Timon; 15
Importune him for my moneys; be not ceased[1942]
With slight denial; nor then silenced, when—[1943]
'Commend me to your master'—and the cap[1943]
Plays in the right hand, thus: but tell him,[1944]
My uses cry to me, I must serve my turn 20
Out of mine own; his days and times are past,
And my reliances on his fracted dates[1945][1946]
Have smit my credit: I love and honour him,[1945]
But must not break my back to heal his finger:
Immediate are my needs; and my relief 25
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, 30
Lord Timon will be left a naked gull,
Which flashes now a phœnix. Get you gone.[1947]
Importune him for my moneys; be not ceased[1942]
With slight denial; nor then silenced, when—[1943]
'Commend me to your master'—and the cap[1943]
Plays in the right hand, thus: but tell him,[1944]
My uses cry to me, I must serve my turn 20
Out of mine own; his days and times are past,
And my reliances on his fracted dates[1945][1946]
Have smit my credit: I love and honour him,[1945]
But must not break my back to heal his finger:
Immediate are my needs; and my relief 25
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, 30
Lord Timon will be left a naked gull,
Which flashes now a phœnix. Get you gone.[1947]
Caph. I go, sir.
Sen. 'I go, sir!' Take the bonds along with you,
And have the dates in compt.
And have the dates in compt.
Caph. I will, sir.[1948]
Sen. Go.[1949] [Exeunt.35
Scene II. A hall in Timon's house.[1950]
Enter Flavius, with many bills in his hand.[1951]
Flavius. 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[1952]
Of what is to continue: never mind 5
Was to be so unwise, to be so kind.[1953]
What shall be done? he will not hear till feel:[1954]
I must be round with him, now he comes from hunting.
Fie, fie, fie, fie![1955]
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[1952]
Of what is to continue: never mind 5
Was to be so unwise, to be so kind.[1953]
What shall be done? he will not hear till feel:[1954]
I must be round with him, now he comes from hunting.
Fie, fie, fie, fie![1955]
Enter Caphis, with the Servants of Isidore and Varro.
Caph. It is: and yours too, Isidore?[1957]
Caph. Would we were all discharged![1957]
Var. Serv. I fear it.[1957] 15
Enter Timon, Alcibiades, Lords, and others.
Tim. So soon as dinner's done, we'll forth again,
My Alcibiades. With me? what is your will?[1961]
My Alcibiades. With me? what is your will?[1961]
Caph. My lord, here is a note of certain dues.[1962]
Tim. Dues! Whence are you?
Caph. Of Athens here, my lord. 20
Tim. Go to my steward.
Caph. Please it your lordship, he hath put me off
To the succession of new days this month:
My master is awaked by great occasion
To call upon his own, and humbly prays you 25
That with your other noble parts you'll suit
In giving him his right.
To the succession of new days this month:
My master is awaked by great occasion
To call upon his own, and humbly prays you 25
That with your other noble parts you'll suit
In giving him his right.
Tim. Mine honest friend,
I prithee but repair to me next morning.
I prithee but repair to me next morning.
Caph. Nay, good my lord,—
Tim. Contain thyself, good friend.[1963]
Isid. Serv. Your steward puts me off, my lord, and I[1968]
Am sent expressly to your lordship.[1968]
Am sent expressly to your lordship.[1968]
Tim. Give me breath.
I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on;
I'll wait upon you instantly. [Exeunt Alcibiades, Lords, &c.
[To Flav.] Come hither: pray you,[1969]40
How goes the world, that I am thus encounter'd
With clamorous demands of date-broke bonds,[1970]
And the detention of long-since-due debts,[1971]
Against my honour?
I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on;
I'll wait upon you instantly. [Exeunt Alcibiades, Lords, &c.
[To Flav.] Come hither: pray you,[1969]40
How goes the world, that I am thus encounter'd
With clamorous demands of date-broke bonds,[1970]
And the detention of long-since-due debts,[1971]
Against my honour?
Flav. Please you, gentlemen,
The time is unagreeable to this business: 45
Your importunacy cease till after dinner,[1972]
That I may make his lordship understand
Wherefore you are not paid.
The time is unagreeable to this business: 45
Your importunacy cease till after dinner,[1972]
That I may make his lordship understand
Wherefore you are not paid.
Tim. Do so, my friends. See them well entertain'd.[1973] [Exit.
Flav. Pray, draw near.[1974] [Exit. 50
Enter Apemantus and Fool.
Caph. Stay, stay, here comes the fool with Apemantus:[1975][1976]
let's ha' some sport with 'em.[1976][1977]
let's ha' some sport with 'em.[1976][1977]
Var. Serv. Hang him, he'll abuse us.
Isid. Serv. A plague upon him, dog!
Var. Serv. How dost, fool? 55
Apem. Dost dialogue with thy shadow?
Apem. No, 'tis to thyself. [To the Fool] Come away.[1978]
Isid. Serv. There's the fool hangs on your back already.[1979]
Apem. No, thou stand'st single, thou'rt not on him yet.[1980]60
Caph. Where's the fool now?[1981]
Apem. He last asked the question. Poor rogues, and[1982][1983]
usurers' men! bawds between gold and want![1983]
usurers' men! bawds between gold and want![1983]
All Serv. What are we, Apemantus?[1984]
Apem. Asses. 65
All Serv. Why?[1984]
Apem. That you ask me what you are, and do not
know yourselves. Speak to 'em, fool.
know yourselves. Speak to 'em, fool.
Fool. How do you, gentlemen?
Fool. She's e'en setting on water to scald such chickens[1986]
as you are. Would we could see you at Corinth!
as you are. Would we could see you at Corinth!
Apem. Good! gramercy.
Enter Page.
Fool. Look you, here comes my mistress' page.[1987] 75
Page. [To the Fool] Why, how now, captain! what do[1988]
you in this wise company? How dost thou, Apemantus?[1989][1990]
you in this wise company? How dost thou, Apemantus?[1989][1990]
Apem. Would I had a rod in my mouth, that I might
answer thee profitably.
answer thee profitably.
Page. Prithee, Apemantus, read me the superscription[1990][1991]80
of these letters: I know not which is which.
of these letters: I know not which is which.
Page. No.
Apem. There will little learning die then, that day thou
art hang'd. This is to Lord Timon; this to Alcibiades. 85
Go; thou wast born a bastard, and thou'lt die a bawd.[1992]
art hang'd. This is to Lord Timon; this to Alcibiades. 85
Go; thou wast born a bastard, and thou'lt die a bawd.[1992]
Page. Thou wast whelped a dog, and thou shalt famish[1993]
a dog's death. Answer not, I am gone.[1993] [Exit.
a dog's death. Answer not, I am gone.[1993] [Exit.
Fool. Will you leave me there?[1994]
Fool. Are you three usurers' men?
All Serv. Ay, fool.[1984]
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 100
borrow of your masters, they approach sadly and go away
merry; but they enter my mistress' house merrily and[1987][1998]
go away sadly: the reason of this?
my mistress is one, and I am her fool. When men come to 100
borrow of your masters, they approach sadly and go away
merry; but they enter my mistress' house merrily and[1987][1998]
go away sadly: the reason of this?
Var. Serv. I could render one.
Apem. Do it then, that we may account thee a whoremaster[1999]105
and a knave; which notwithstanding, thou shalt be
no less esteemed.
and a knave; which notwithstanding, thou shalt be
no less esteemed.
Var. Serv. What is a whoremaster, fool?
Fool. A fool in good clothes, and something like thee.
'Tis a spirit: sometime 't appears like a lord; sometime like[2000]110
a lawyer; sometime like a philosopher, with two stones[2001]
moe than 's artificial one: he is very often like a knight;[2002]
and, generally, in all shapes that man goes up and down in
from fourscore to thirteen, this spirit walks in.
'Tis a spirit: sometime 't appears like a lord; sometime like[2000]110
a lawyer; sometime like a philosopher, with two stones[2001]
moe than 's artificial one: he is very often like a knight;[2002]
and, generally, in all shapes that man goes up and down in
from fourscore to thirteen, this spirit walks in.
Fool. Nor thou altogether a wise man: as much foolery
as I have, so much wit thou lack'st.
as I have, so much wit thou lack'st.
Apem. That answer might have become Apemantus.
All Serv. Aside, aside; here comes Lord Timon.[2003]
Re-enter Timon and Flavius.
Apem. Come with me, fool, come. 120
[Exeunt Apemantus and Fool.
Flav. Pray you, walk near: I'll speak with you anon[2006]
[Exeunt Servants.[2007]
Tim. You make me marvel; wherefore, ere this time,[2008]
Had you not fully laid my state before me, 125
That I might so have rated my expense
As I had leave of means?
Had you not fully laid my state before me, 125
That I might so have rated my expense
As I had leave of means?
Tim. Go to:
Perchance some single vantages you took,
When my indisposition put you back; 130
And that unaptness made your minister,[2011]
Thus to excuse yourself.
Perchance some single vantages you took,
When my indisposition put you back; 130
And that unaptness made your minister,[2011]
Thus to excuse yourself.
Flav. O my good lord,
At many times I brought in my accounts,
Laid them before you; you would throw them off,[2012]
And say, you found them in mine honesty.[2013] 135
When for some trifling present you have bid me
Return so much, I have shook my head and wept;[2014]
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 140
Prompted you in the ebb of your estate
And your great flow of debts. My loved lord,[2015]
Though you hear now, too late!—yet now's a time—[2016]
The greatest of your having lacks a half[2017]
To pay your present debts.[2017][2018]
At many times I brought in my accounts,
Laid them before you; you would throw them off,[2012]
And say, you found them in mine honesty.[2013] 135
When for some trifling present you have bid me
Return so much, I have shook my head and wept;[2014]
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 140
Prompted you in the ebb of your estate
And your great flow of debts. My loved lord,[2015]
Though you hear now, too late!—yet now's a time—[2016]
The greatest of your having lacks a half[2017]
To pay your present debts.[2017][2018]
Tim. Let all my land be sold.[2017] 145
Flav. 'Tis all engaged, some forfeited and gone,
And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
Of present dues: the future comes apace:[2019]
What shall defend the interim? and at length
How goes our reckoning?[2020] 150
And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
Of present dues: the future comes apace:[2019]
What shall defend the interim? and at length
How goes our reckoning?[2020] 150
Tim. To Lacedæmon did my land extend.
Flav. O my good lord, the world is but a word:[2021]
Were it all yours to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone!
Were it all yours to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone!
Tim. You tell me true.
Flav. If you suspect my husbandry or falsehood,[2022] 155
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 160
Hath blazed with lights and bray'd with minstrelsy,
I have retired me to a wasteful cock,[2023]
And set mine eyes at flow.[2023]
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 160
Hath blazed with lights and bray'd with minstrelsy,
I have retired me to a wasteful cock,[2023]
And set mine eyes at flow.[2023]
Tim. Prithee, no more.
Flav. Heavens, have I said, the bounty of this lord!
How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants 165
This night englutted! Who is not Timon's?[2024]
What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is Lord Timon's?[2025]
Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon![2026]
Ah, when the means are gone that buy this praise,
The breath is gone whereof this praise is made: 170
Feast-won, fast-lost; one cloud of winter showers,[2027]
These flies are couch'd.
How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants 165
This night englutted! Who is not Timon's?[2024]
What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is Lord Timon's?[2025]
Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon![2026]
Ah, when the means are gone that buy this praise,
The breath is gone whereof this praise is made: 170
Feast-won, fast-lost; one cloud of winter showers,[2027]
These flies are couch'd.
Tim. Come, sermon me no further:
No villanous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart;[2028]
Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.
Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack,[2029] 175
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,[2030]
Men and men's fortunes could I frankly use
As I can bid thee speak.
No villanous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart;[2028]
Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.
Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack,[2029] 175
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,[2030]
Men and men's fortunes could I frankly use
As I can bid thee speak.
Flav. Assurance bless your thoughts![2031] 180
Enter Flaminius, Servilius, and other Servants.[2034]
Servants. My lord? my lord?[2035]
Tim. I will dispatch you severally: you to Lord Lucius:[2036]
to Lord Lucullus you: I hunted with his honour[2036]
to-day: you to Sempronius: commend me to their loves;[2036]
and, I am proud, say, that my occasions have found time to[2036] 190
use 'em toward a supply of money: let the request be fifty[2036][2037]
talents.[2036]
to Lord Lucullus you: I hunted with his honour[2036]
to-day: you to Sempronius: commend me to their loves;[2036]
and, I am proud, say, that my occasions have found time to[2036] 190
use 'em toward a supply of money: let the request be fifty[2036][2037]
talents.[2036]
Flam. As you have said, my Lord.
Flav. [Aside] Lord Lucius and Lucullus? hum![2038]
Tim. Go you, sir, to the senators—[2039] 195
Of whom, even to the state's best health, I have[2040]
Deserved this hearing—bid 'em send o' the instant
A thousand talents to me.
Of whom, even to the state's best health, I have[2040]
Deserved this hearing—bid 'em send o' the instant
A thousand talents to me.
Flav. I have been bold,[2041]
For that I knew it the most general way,
To them to use your signet and your name, 200
But they do shake their heads, and I am here
No richer in return.
For that I knew it the most general way,
To them to use your signet and your name, 200
But they do shake their heads, and I am here
No richer in return.
Tim. Is't true? can't be?
Flav. They answer, in a joint and corporate voice,
That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot[2042]
Do what they would; are sorry—you are honourable,— 205
But yet they could have wish'd—they know not—[2043]
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, 210
With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods[2044]
They froze me into silence.
That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot[2042]
Do what they would; are sorry—you are honourable,— 205
But yet they could have wish'd—they know not—[2043]
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, 210
With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods[2044]
They froze me into silence.
Tim. You gods, reward them!
Prithee, man, look cheerly. These old fellows[2045]
Have their ingratitude in them hereditary:[2046]
Their blood is caked, 'tis cold, it seldom flows; 215
'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.
[To a Serv.] Go to Ventidius. [To Flav.] Prithee, be not sad;[2047]
Thou art true and honest; ingeniously I speak,[2048] 220
No blame belongs to thee. [To Serv.] Ventidius lately[2049]
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; 225
Bid him suppose some good necessity
Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd
With those five talents. [Exit Serv.] [To Flav.] That had, give't these fellows[2050]
To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak or think[2051]
That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink.[2052] 230
Prithee, man, look cheerly. These old fellows[2045]
Have their ingratitude in them hereditary:[2046]
Their blood is caked, 'tis cold, it seldom flows; 215
'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.
[To a Serv.] Go to Ventidius. [To Flav.] Prithee, be not sad;[2047]
Thou art true and honest; ingeniously I speak,[2048] 220
No blame belongs to thee. [To Serv.] Ventidius lately[2049]
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; 225
Bid him suppose some good necessity
Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd
With those five talents. [Exit Serv.] [To Flav.] That had, give't these fellows[2050]
To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak or think[2051]
That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink.[2052] 230
Flav. I would I could not think it: that thought is bounty's foe;[2053]
Being free itself, it thinks all others so. [Exeunt.
Being free itself, it thinks all others so. [Exeunt.