You have added worth unto 't, and lively lustre,
And entertain'd me with mine own device.

I am to thank you for it.

1 Lady. My lord, you take us even at the best. Ape. Faith, for the worst is filthy, and would not hold taking, I doubt me.

Timon. Ladies, there is an idle banquet

Attends you please you to dispose yourselves.

All Ladies. Most thankfully, my lord.

Timon. Flavius,

Flav. My lord.

Timon.

[Exeunt Cupid and Ladies.

The little casket bring me hither.

Flav. Yes, my lord.—More jewels yet!

There is no crossing him in his humor;

[aside.

Else I should tell him,-Well,i' faith, I

should,

When all's spent, he'd be cross'd1 then, an he

could.

'Tis pity, bounty had not eyes behind,

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

[Exit, and returns with the casket.

I have one word to say to you.-Look, my good

lord,

1 Allusion is here made to the ancient silver coin called a

cross.

2 i. e. generosity of mind.

I must entreat you, honor me so much,

As to advance this jewel; accept and wear it,
Kind my lord.

1 Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,-
All. So are we all.

Enter SERVANT.

Ser. My lord, there are certain nobles of the

senate

Newly alighted, and come to visit you.

Timon. They are fairly welcome. Flav. I beseech your honor, Vouchsafe me a word: it does concern you near. Timon. Near? why, then another time I'll hear

2 Ser. May it please your honor, the lord Lucius, Out of his free love, hath presented to you

Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver.

Timon. I shall accept them fairly let the presents

Enter a third SERVANT.

Be worthily entertain'd.-How now? what news? 3 Ser. Please you, my lord, that honorable gen

tleman, lord Lucullus, entreats your company tomorrow to hunt with him; and has sent your honor two brace of greyhounds.

Timon. I'll hunt with him; and let them be re

ceived

Not without fair reward.

Flav. [aside.]

What will this come to?

He commands us to provide, and give great gifts,
And all out of an empty coffer:

Nor will he know his purse; or yield me this,
To 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 forced out!

Happier is he that has no friend to feed,

Than such as do even enemies exceed.

I bleed inwardly for my lord.

Timon.

[Exit.

You do yourselves

Much wrong; you bate too much of your own

merits.

Here, my lord; a trifle of our love.

2 Lord. With more than common thanks I will

receive it.

3 Lord. O, he is the very soul of bounty! Timon. 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 liked it.

2 Lord. O, I beseech you, pardon me, my lord,

in that.

Timon. 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 on you.

All Lords.

None so welcome.

Timon. 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.

Alc.

Ay, defiled land, my lord.

1 Lord. We are so virtuously bound,

Timon.

Am I to you.

2 Lord. So infinitely endear'd,

Timon. All to you.1 Lights, more lights.

1 Lord.

And so

The best of happiness,

Honor, and fortunes keep with you, lord Timon!

Timon. Ready for his friends.

Ape.

[Exeunt Alcibiades, Lords, &c.

What a coil 2 's here!

Serving of becks, and jutting out of bums!

1i. e. all happiness to you.

2 Tumult.

I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums

That are given for 'em. Methinks, false hearts legs.

Friendship's full of dregs. should never have sound

Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on courtesies. Timon. Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen, I'd be good to thee.

Ape. 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?

Timon. Nay, an you begin to rail on society once, I am sworn not to give regard to you. Farewell, and come with better music. [Exit. Ape. So ;- -thou 'lt not hear me now! thou shalt not then; I'll lock thy heaven 1 from thee. O, that men's ears should be

To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!

[Exit.

1 i, e. good advice.