Timon. Wrought he not well, that painted it? Ape. He wrought better, that made the painter; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work.

Paint. You are a dog.

Ape. Thy mother's of my generation. What's she, if I be a dog?

Timon. Wilt dine with me, Apemantus ?
Ape. No; I eat not lords.

Timon. An thou shouldst, thou 'dst anger ladies. Ape. O, they eat lords; so they come by great bellies.

Timon. That's a lascivious apprehension.

Ape. So thou apprehendest it: take it for thy labor.

Timon. How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus?

Ape. Not so well as plain-dealing, which will not cost a man a doit.

Timon. What dost thou think 'tis worth?

Ape. Not worth my thinking.-How now, poet? Poet. How now, philosopher?

Ape. Thou liest.

Poet. Art not one?

Ape. Yes.

Poet. Then I lie not.

Ape. Art not a poet?
Poet. Yes.

Alluding to the proverb-Plain-dealing is a jewel. but

they who use it die beggars.

Ape. Then thou liest: look in thy last work, where thou hast feigned him a worthy fellow. Poet. That's not feigned; he is so.

Ape. Yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee for thy labor: he, that loves to be flattered, is worthy o' the flatterer. Heavens, that I were a lord!

Timon. What wouldst do then, Apemantus?

Ape. Even as Apemantus does now, hate a lord heart.

with my

Timon. What, thyself?

Ape. Ay.

Timon. Wherefore?

Ape. That I had no angry wit to be a lord.Art not thou a merchant?

Mer. Ay, Apemantus.

Ape. Traffic confound thee, if the gods will not! Mer. If traffic do it, the gods do it.

Ape. Traffic's thy god, and thy god confound thee!

Trumpets sound. Enter SERVANT.

Timon. What trumpet's that?

Ser.

'Tis Alcibiades, and

Some twenty horse, all of companionship.

us.

Timon. Pray, entertain them; give them guide to [Exeunt some Attendants. You must needs dine with me.-Go not you hence, Till I have thank'd you; and, when dinner 's done, Show me this piece. I am joyful of your sights.

Enter ALCIBIADES, with his company.

Most welcome, sir!

[they salute.

Aches contract and starve your supple joints!

That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet

knaves,

And all this courtesy! The strain 1 of man's bred

out

Into baboon and monkey.

Alc. Sir, you have saved my longing, and I feed Most hungrily on your sight.

Timon.
Right welcome, sir:
Ere we depart, we'll share 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, Apemantus? Ape. Time to be honest.

1 Lord. That time serves still.

Ape. The most accursed thou, that still omit'st it. 2 Lord. Thou art going to lord Timon's feast. Ape. Ay, to see meat fill knaves, and wine heat fools.

2 Lord. Fare thee well, fare thee well.

Ape. Thou art a fool, to bid me farewell twice. 2 Lord. Why, Apemantus?

1 Race.

Ape. Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give thee none.

1 Lord Hang thyself.

Ape. No, I will do nothing at thy bidding: make thy requests to thy friend.

2 Lord.

thee hence.

Away, unpeaceable dog, or I'll spurn

Ape. I will fly, like a dog, the heels of the ass.

[Exit.

1 Lord. He's opposite to humanity. Come, shall we in,

And taste lord Timon's bounty? he outgoes
The very heart of kindness.

2 Lord. He pours it out: Plutus, the god of gold, Is but his steward: no meed,1 but he repays Sevenfold above itself; no gift to him,

But breeds the giver a return exceeding
All use of quittance.2

1 Lord.

The noblest mind he carries,

That ever govern'd man.

2 Lord. Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in?

1 Lord. I'll keep you company.

[Exeunt.

1 Desert.

2 All the customary returns made in discharge of obligations.

SCENE II.

The same. A room of state in Timon's house. Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet served in, FLAVIUS and others attending; then enter TIMON, ALCIBIADES, LUCIUS, LUCULLUS, SEMPRONIUS, and other Athenian senators, with VENTIDIUS and Attendants. Then comes, dropping after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly.

Ven. Most honor'd Timon, it hath pleased the
gods to remember

My father's age, and call him to long peace.
He is gone happy, and has left me rich :
Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound

To your free heart, I do return those talents,
Doubled, with thanks and service, from whose help
I derived liberty.

Timon. O, by no means,

Honest Ventidius! you mistake my

love :

I gave it freely ever; and there's none

Can truly say, he gives, if he receives.

If our betters play at that game, we must not dare
To imitate them: faults that are rich, are fair.
Ven. A noble spirit!

[they all stand ceremoniously looking on Timon.
Timon.
Nay, my lords, ceremony

Was but devised at first, to set a gloss
On faint deeds, hollow welcomes,

Recanting goodness, sorry ere 'tis shown: