That shall demonstrate these quick blows of fortune Trumpets found. Enter TIMON, addreffing himself courteously to every Suitor. Tim. Imprifon'd is he, say you? [To a Messenger. Mef. Ay, my good lord: five talents is his debt; His means most short, his creditors moft ftrait: To thofe have shut him up; which failing him, Tim. Noble Ventidius! Well; I am not of that feather, to fhake off My friend when he must need me. I do know him Which he shall have: I'll pay the debt, and free him. Tim. Commend me to him: I will fend his ransom; 'Tis not enough to help the feeble up, But to fupport him after.-Fare you well. Mef. All happiness to your honour! Enter an old Athenian. Old Ath. Lord Timon, hear me fpeak. Tim. Freely, good father. Old Ath. Thou haft a fervant nam'd Lucilius: Tim. I have fo: What of him? [Exit. Old Ath. Moft noble Timon, call the man before thee. Enter LUCILIUS. Luc. Here, at your lordship's fervice. Old Ath. This fellow here, lord Timon, this thy creature, By night frequents my houfe. I am a man That from my first have been inclin'd to thrift, Than one which holds a trencher. Tim. Well; what further? Old Ath. One only daughter have I, no kin else, This man of thine Attempts her love :, I pr'ythee noble lord, Tim. The man is honest. Old Ath. Therefore he will be, Timon: Tim. Does the love him? Old Ath. She is young, and apt: Tim. [To LUCIL.] Love you the maid ? Luc. Ay, my good lord, and fhe accepts of it. Old Ath. If in her marriage my confent be miffing, I call the gods to witnefs, I will choose Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world, Tim. How fhall she be endow'd If she be mated with an equal hufband? Old Ath. Three talents on the prefent; in future, all. Tim. This gentleman of mine hath ferv'd me long; To build his fortune, I will strain a little, For 'tis a bond in men. Give him thy daughter; 1 What you bestow, in him I'll counterpoife, And make him weigh with her. Old Ath. Moft noble lord, Pawn me to this your honour, fhe is his. Tim. My hand to thee; mine honour on my promise. Luc. Humbly I thank your lordship: Never may That state or fortune fall into my keeping, Which is not ow'd to you! [Ex. LUCIL. and Old Ath. A 4 Pain, Pain. A piece of painting; which I do befeech Your lordship to accept. Tim. Painting is welcome. The painting is almost the natural man; For fince difhonour trafficks with man's nature, Pain. The gods preserve you! Tim. Well fare you, gentleman: give me your hand; We must needs dine together.-Sir, your jewel Hath fuffer'd under praise. Jew. What, my lord? difpraise? Tim. A mere fatiety of commendations. If I should pay you for't, as 'tis extoll'd, It would unclew me quite. Few. My lord, 'tis rated As thofe, which fell, would give: But you well know, Things of like value, differing in the owners, Are prized by their masters: believe it, dear lord, You mend the jewel by the wearing it. Tim. Well mock'd. Mer. No, my good lord; he fpeaks the common tongue, Which all men speak with him. Tim. Look, who comes here. Will you be chid ? Enter APEMANTUS. Few. We will bear with your lordship. Tim. Good morrow to thee, gentle Apemantus ! them not. Apem. Are they not Athenians? Tim. Yes. Apem. Then I repent not. Jew. You know me, Apemantus. Apem. Thou know'ft, I do; I call'd thee by thy name. Tim. Thou art proud, Apemantus. Apem. Of nothing fo much, as that I am not like Timon. Tim. Whither art going? Apem. To knock out an honeft Athenian's brai s. Apem. Right, if doing nothing be death by the law. Tim. Wrought he not well, that painted it? Poet. You are a dog. Apem. Thy mother's of my generation; What's the, if I be a dog? Tim. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus ? Apem. No; I eat not lords. Tim. And thou should'ft, thoud'ft anger ladies. Apem. So thou apprehend'ft it: Take it for thy labour. Apem. Not fo well as plain dealing, which will not coft a man a doit. Tim. What doft thou think 'tis worth? Apem. Not worth my thinking.-How now, poet? Apem. Thou lieft. Poet. Art not one? Apem. Yes. Poet. Then I lie not, Apem. Art not a poet? Poet. Yes. Apem. Then thou lieft: look in thy laft work, where thou haft feign'd him a worthy fellow. Poet. That's not feign'd, he is fo. Apem. Yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee for thy labour: he, that loves to be flattered, is worthy of the flatterer. Heavens, that I were a lord! Tim. What would't do then, Apemantus? Apem. Even as Apemantus does now, hate a lord with my heart. Tim. 1 Tim. What, thyself? Tim. Wherefore? Apem. That I had no angry wit to be a lord. Art thou not a merchant? Mer. Ay, Apemantus. Apem. Traffick confound thee, if the gods will not! Mer. If traffick do it, the gods do it. Apem. Traffick's thy god, and thy god confound thee! Trumpets found. Enter a Messenger. Tim. What trumpet's that? Mef: 'Tis Alcibiades, and fome twenty horse, Tim. Pray, entertain them; give them guide to us, Moft welcome, fir! Apem. So, fo; there! Aches contract and ftarve your fupple joints ! That there should be fmall love 'mongst these fweet knaves, And all this courtesy! The strain of man's bred out Into baboon and monkey. Alc. Sir, you have fav'd my longing, and I feed Moft hungrily on your fight. Tim. Right welcome, fir: Ere we depart, we'll fhare a bounteous time In different pleasures. Pray you, let us in. [Exeunt all but APEMANTUS, Enter two Lords. 1 Lord. What time a day is't, Apementus ? Apem. Time to be honest. 1 Lord. That time ferves ftill. Apem. The most accurfed thou, that ftill omit'ft it. 2 Lord. Thou art going to lord Timon's feast ? Apem. Ay; to fee meet fill knaves, and wine heat fools, 2 Lord. Fare thee well, fare thee well. Apem. Thou art a fool, to bid me farewel twice, 2 Lord. Why, Apemantus? Apem. |