More things like men?-Eat, Timon, and abhor them. Enter Thieves. 1 Thief. 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. 2 Thief. It is noised, he hath a mass of treasure. 3 Thief. 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? 2 Thief. True; for he bears it not about him, 'tis hid. 1 Thief. Is not this he? Thieves. Where? 2 Thief. 'Tis his description 3 Thief. He; I know him. Thieves. Save thee, Timon. Tim. Now, thieves? Thieves. Soldiers, not thieves. Tim. Both too; and women's sons. [want. Thieves. We are not thieves, but men that much do Tim. 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 briars scarlet hips; The bounteous housewife, nature, on each bush Lays her full mess before you. Want? why want? Thief. We cannot live on grass, on berries, water, As beasts, and birds, and fishes. [fishes; Tim. Nor on the beasts themselves, the birds, and 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 of the grape, Till the high fever seeth 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 profess 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 not less, for this I give you; and gold confound you howsoever! Amen. [TIMON retires to his cave. 3 Thief. He has almost charmed me from my profession, by persuading me to it. 1 Thief. 'Tis in the malice of mankind, that he thus advises us; not to have us thrive in our mystery. 2 Thief. I'll believe him as an enemy, and give over my trade. 1 Thief. Let us first see peace in Athens: There is no time so miserable, but a man may be true. [Exeunt Thieves. Enter FLAVIUS. What viler thing upon the earth, than friends, When man was wish'd to love his enemies : Tim. Away! what art thou? Flav.. I know thee not: I ne'er had honest man Flav. Then The gods are witness, Because thou art a woman, and disclaim'st Flav. I beg of you to know me, good my lord, So comfortable? It almost turns My dangerous nature wild. Let me behold One honest man, -mistake me not, but one; Methinks, thou art more honest now, than wise; If not a usuring kindness; and as rich men deal gifts, Flav. No, my most worthy master, in whose breast You should have fear'd false times, when you did feast: Doubt and suspect, alas, are plac'd too late; Suspect still comes where an estate is least. That which I shew, 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, Either in hope, or present, I'd exchange For any benefit that points to me, For this one wish, That you had power and wealth To requite me, by making rich yourself. Tim. Look thee, 'tis so! Thou singly honest man, But let the famish'd flesh slide from the bone, |