If by this crime he owes the law his life, 1 Sen. We are for law, he dies; urge it no more, On height of our displeasure: Friend, or brother, He forfeits his own blood, that spills another. Alcib. Must it be so? it must not be. My lords, I do beseech you, know me. 2 Sen. How? 3 Sen. remembrances. What? Alcib. I cannot think, but your age has forgot me; It could not else be, I should prove so base To sue, and be denied such common grace: My wounds ache at you. 1 Sen. Do you dare our anger? 'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect; We banish thee for ever. Alcib. Banish me ? Banish your dotage; banish usury, That makes the senate ugly. 1 Sen. If, after two days' shine, Athens contain thee, Attend our weightier judgment. our spirit, He shall be executed presently. And, not to swell [Exeunt Senators. Alcib. Now the gods keep you old enough; that you may live Only in bone, that none may look on you! I am worse than mad: I have kept back their foes, 1 For dishonoured. My discontented troops, and lay for hearts', [Exit. SCENE VI. A magnificent Room in Timon's House. Musick. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter divers Lords, at several doors. 1 Lord. The good time of day to you, sir. 2 Lord. I also wish it to you. I think, this honourable lord did but try us this other day. 1 Lord. Upon that were my thoughts tiring', when we encountered: I hope, it is not so low with him, as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends. 2 Lord. It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting. 1 Lord. I should think so: He hath sent me an earnest inviting, which many my near occasions did urge me to put off; but he hath conjured me beyond them, and I must needs appear. my im 2 Lord. In like manner was I in debt to portunate business, but he would not hear my excuse. I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision was out. 1 Lord. I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go. 2 Lord. Every man here's so. What would he have borrowed of you? 1 Lord. A thousand pieces. 2 We should now say-lay out for hearts, i. e. the affections of the people. 3 To tire on a thing meant to be idly employed on it. 2 Lord. A thousand pieces! 1 Lord. What of you? 3 Lord. He sent to me, sir, Here he comes. Enter TIMON, and Attendants. Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen both : -And how fare you? 1 Lord. Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship. 2 Lord. The swallow follows not summer more willing, than we your lordship. Tim. [Aside.] Nor more willingly leaves winter; such summer-birds are men. Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long stay feast your ears with the musick awhile; if they will fare so harshly on the trumpet's sound: we shall to't presently. 1 Lord. I hope, it remains not unkindly with your lordship, that I returned you an empty mes senger. Tim. O, sir, let it not trouble you. 2 Lord. My noble lord, Tim. Ah, my good friend! what cheer? [The banquet brought in. 2 Lord. My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of shame, that, when your lordship this other day sent to me, I was so unfortunate a beggar. Tim. Think not on't, sir. 2 Lord. If you had sent but two hours before, Tim. Let it not cumber your better remembrance. Come, bring in all together. 2 Lord. All covered dishes! 1 Lord. Royal cheer, I warrant you. 3 Lord. Doubt not that, if money, and the season can yield it. 1 Lord. How do you? What's the news? 3 Lord. Alcibiades is banished: Hear you of it? 1 & 2 Lord. Alcibiades banished! 3 Lord. 'Tis so, be sure of it. 1 Lord. How? how? 2 Lord. I pray you, upon what? Tim. My worthy friends, will you draw near? 3 Lord. I'll tell you more anon. feast toward. 2 Lord. This is the old man still. 3 Lord. Will't hold? will't hold? Here's a noble 2 Lord. It does: but time will- and so3 Lord. I do conceive. Tim. Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would to the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be in all places alike. Make not a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place: Sit, sit. The gods require our thanks. You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness. For your own gifts, make yourselves praised: but reserve still to give, lest your deities be despised. Lend to each man enough, that one 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 lag of people, what is amiss in them, you gods make suitable for destruction. For these my present friends, as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing they are welcome. Uncover, dogs, and lap. 4 [The dishes uncovered are full of warm water. Some speak. What does his lordship mean? Some other. I know not. 4 The lowest. Tim. May you a better feast never behold, You knot of mouth-friends! smoke, and lukewarm water Is your perfection. This is Timon's last; [Throwing water in their faces. Your reeking villainy, Live loath'd, and long, Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites, Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears, You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies, Cap and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks!' Of man, and beast, the infinite malady Crust you quite o'er! - What, dost thou go? and thou; [Throws the dishes at them, and Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none. Burn, house; sink, Athens! henceforth hated be [Exit. Re-enter the 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 nought but humour 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. 5 Jacks of the clock; like those at St. Dunstan's church, in Fleet-street. |