Good for their meat, and fafer for their lives. Sits next him now, parts bread with him, and pledges Is the readiest man to kill him : it has been prov'd. Were a huge man, I fhould fear to drink at meals; APEM. Flow this way! A brave fellow !-he keeps his tides well. Timon, Immortal gods, I crave no pelf; Rich men fin, and I eat root. [Eats and drinks. Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus! TIM. Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the field now. ALCIB. My heart is ever at your fervice, my lord. TIM. You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies, than a dinner of friends. ALCIB. So they were bleeding-new, my lord, there's no meat like them; I could with my best friend at fuch a feast. APEM. 'Would all thofe flatterers were thine enemies then; that then thou might'ft kill 'em, and bid me to 'em. 1 LORD. Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express fome part of our zeals, we should think ourselves for ever perfect. TIM. O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themfelves have provided that I shall have much help from you: How had you been my friends elfe? why have you that charitable title from thousands, did you not chiefly belong to my heart? I have told more of you to myself, than you can with modefty fpeak in your own behalf; and thus far I confirm you. O, you gods, think I, what need we have any friends, if we should never have need of them? they were the most needlefs creatures living, fhould we ne'er have use for them: and would most refemble sweet inftruments hung up in cafes, that keep their founds to themfelves. Why, I have often wish'd myself poorer, that I might come nearer to you. We are born to do benefits: and what better or properer can we call our own, than the riches of our friends? O, what a precious comfort 'tis, to have fo many, like brothers, commanding one another's fortunes! O joy, e'en made away ere it can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks to forget their faults, I drink to you. APEM. Thou weep'ft to make them drink, Timon. 2 LORD. Joy had the like conception in our eyes, And, at that inftant, like a babe sprung up. APEM. Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard. 3 LORD. I promise you, my lord, you mov'd me much. APEM. Much! [Tucket founded. TIM. What means that trump? How now? Enter a SERVANT. SERV. Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies moft defirous of admittance. TIM. Ladies! What are their wills? SERV. There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office, to fignify their pleasures. TIM. I pray, let them be admitted. Enter CUPID. CUP. Hail to thee, worthy Timon ;—and to all TIM. They are welcome all; let them have kind admittance : Mufick, make their welcome. [Exit CUPID. I LORD. You fee, my lord, how ample you are belov❜d. Mufick. 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 They dance! they are mad women. Like madness is the glory of this life, As this pomp fhows to a little oil, and root. [way! With poisonous fpite, and envy. Who lives, that's not Depraved, or depraves? who dies, that bears VOL. V. B Not one spurn to their graves of their friends' gift? The Lords rife from table, with much adoring of TIMON; and, to how their loves, each fingles out an Amazon, and all dance, men with women, a lofty ftrain or two to the hautboys, and cease. TIM. You have done our pleasures much grace, fair Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, Which was not half fo beautiful and kind ; You have added worth unto't, and lively luftre, [ladies, I LADY. My lord, you take us even at the best. APEM. 'Faith, for the worft is filthy; and would not hold taking, I doubt me. TIM. Ladies, there is an idle banquet Attends you: Please you to difpofe yourselves. ALL LAD. Moft thankfully, my lord. TIM. Flavius, [Exeunt CUPID and LADIES. FLAV. My lord. TIM. The little casket bring me hither. There is no croffing him in his humour; [Afide. Elfe I fhould tell him,-Well,-i'faith, I should, When all's spent, he'd be cross'd then, an he could. 'Tis pity, bounty had not eyes behind; That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind. [Exit, and returns, with the cafket. I LORD. Where be our men? SERV. Here, my lord, in readiness. 2 LORD. Our horfes. TIM. O my friends, I have one word To fay to you:-Look you, my good lord, I must Advance this jewel; Accept, and wear it, kind my lord. I LORD. I am so far already in your gifts, ALL. So are we all. Enter a SERVANT. SERV. My lord, there are certain nobles of the fenate Newly alighted, and come to vifit you. TIM. They are fairly welcome. FLAV. I befeech your honour, Vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near. To fhow them entertainment. Enter another SERVANT. [Afide. 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 filver. TIM. I fhall accept them fairly: let the prefents 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 fent your honour two brace of greyhounds. TIM. I'll hunt with him; And let them be receiv'd, Not without fair reward. FLAV. [Afide.] What will this come to? He commands us to provide, and give great gifts, |