Serv. There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office, to signify their pleasures. Tim. I pray, let them be admitted. Enter CUPID. Cup. 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: The ear, Taste, touch, smell, all pleas'd from thy table rise; They only now come but to feast thine eyes. Tim. They are welcome all; let them have kind admittance: Musick, make their welcome. [Exit CUFID. 1 Lord. You see, my lord, how ample you are be lov'd. Musick. Re-enter CUPID, with a masque of Ladies as Amazons, with lutes in their hands, dancing, and playing. Apem. Hey 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. With poisonous spite, and envy. Who lives, that's not Would one day stamp upon me: It has been done; Men shut their doors against a setting sun. The Lords rise from table, with much adoring of TIMON; and, to show their loves, each singles out an Amazon, and all dance, men with women, a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and cease. Tim. You have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies, Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, Which was not half so beautiful and kind; 1 Lady. My lord, you take us even at the best. Apem. 'Faith, for the worst is filthy; and would not hold taking, I doubt me. Tim. Ladies, there is an idle banquet Attends you: Please you to dispose yourselves. All Lad. Most thankfully, my lord. Tim. Flavius, [Exeunt CUPID, and Ladies. Flav. My lord. The little casket bring me hither. [Aside. Tim. Flav. Yes, my lord.-More jewels yet! There is no crossing him in his humour; Else I should tell him,-Well,-i'faith, I should, When all's spent, he'd be cross'd then, an he could. 8 Shakspeare plays on the word crossed: alluding to the piece of silver money called a cross. "Tis pity, bounty had not eyes behind; That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind.9 [Exit, and returns with the casket. 1 Lord. Where be our men? Serv. 2 Lord. Our horses. Tim. Here, my lord, in readiness. 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, and wear it, kind my lord. 1 Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,- Enter a Servant. Serv. My lord, there are certain nobles of the senate Newly alighted, and come to visit you. Tim. They are fairly welcome. Flav. I beseech your honour, Vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near. Tim. Near? why then another time I'll hear thee: I pr'ythee, let us be provided To show them entertainment. Flav. I scarce know how. [Aside. Enter another Servant. 2 Serv. May it please your honour, the lord Lucius, Out of his free love, hath presented to you Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver. 9 For his nobleness of soul. Tim. I shall accept them fairly: let the presents Enter a third Servant. Be worthily entertain'd.-How now, what news? 3 Serv. 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. Tim. I'll hunt with him; And let them be receiv'd, 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, That what he speaks is all in debt, he owes Happier is he that has no friend to feed, Than such as do even enemies exceed, I bleed inwardly for my lord. Tim. [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! Tim. And now I remember me, my lord, you gave Good words the other day of a bay courser I rode on it is yours, because you lik'd it. 2 Lord. I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that./ Tim. 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; All Lords. None so welcome. Tim. I take all and your several visitations Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich, It comes in charity to thee: for all thy living Alcib. Ay, defiled land, my lord. 1 Lord. We are so virtuously bound, Tim. And so Am I to you. 2 Lord. So infinitely endear'd, Tim. All to you. 2-Lights, more lights. 1 Lord. The best of happiness, Honour, and fortunes, keep with you, lord Timon! Tim. Ready for his friends. [Exeunt ALCIBIADES, Lords, &c.: i. e. Could dispense them on every side with an ungrudging distribution, like that with which I could deal out 2 i. e. All happiness to you.. cards. |