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 lag1 of people,-what is amiss in them, you gods, make suitable for destruction. For these my present friends,-as they are to be nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing they are welcome.' Uncover, dogs, and lap. [the dishes uncovered are full of warm water. Some speak. What does his lordship mean? Some other. I know not. Timon. 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 you with flatteries, [throwing water in their faces. 1 The lowest. Cap and knee slaves, vapors, and minute-jacks! 1 Crust you quite o'er!—What, dost thou go? [throws the dishes at them, and drives them out. 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! [Exit Re-enter LORDS, with other Lords and Senators. 1 Lord. How now, my lords? 2 Lord. Know you the quality of lord Timon's fury? 3 Lord. Pish! did you see my cap?. 4 Lord. I have lost my gown. 3 Lord. He's but a mad lord, and naught but humor sways him. He gave me a jewel the other day, and now he has beat it out of my hat. Did you see my jewel? 4 Lord. Did you see my cap? 2 Lord. Here 'tis. 4 Lord. Here lies my gown. 1 Lord. Let's make no stay. 2 Lord. Lord Timon's mad. 3 Lord. I feel 't upon my bones. 1 Wooden figures which strike the hour, affixed to clocks. 2 Every kind of disease. SHAK. X. P 4 Lord. One day he gives us diamonds, next day Timon. 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 pill1 by law! maid, to thy master's bed: Thy mistress is o' the brothel! son of sixteen, Pluck the lined crutch from the old limping sire, With it beat out his brains! piety, and fear, Religion to the gods, peace, justice, truth, Domestic awe, night-rest, and neighborhood, 1 Pillage. |