ARKCODEX
Act III, Scene 6
1The same. A banqueting-room in Timon’s house.
2Music. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter divers Lords, Senators and others, at several doors.
3First LordThe good time of day to you, sir.
4Second LordI also wish it to you. I think this honourable lord did but try us this other day.
5First LordUpon 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.
6Second LordIt should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.
7First LordI 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.
8Second LordIn like manner was I in debt to my importunate business, but he would not hear my excuse. I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision was out.
9First LordI am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.
10Second LordEvery man here’s so. What would he have borrowed of you?
11First LordA thousand pieces.
12Second LordA thousand pieces!
13First LordWhat of you?
14Second LordHe sent to me, sir—Here he comes.
15Enter Timon and Attendants.
16TimonWith all my heart, gentlemen both; and how fare you?
17First LordEver at the best, hearing well of your lordship.
18Second LordThe swallow follows not summer more willing than we your lordship.
19TimonAside. Nor more willingly leaves winter; such summer-birds are men. Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long stay: feast your ears with the music awhile, if they will fare so harshly o’ the trumpet’s sound; we shall to’t presently.
20First LordI hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship that I returned you an empty messenger.
21TimonO, sir, let it not trouble you.
22Second LordMy noble lord—
23TimonAh, my good friend, what cheer?
24Second LordMy 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.
25TimonThink not on’t, sir.
26Second LordIf you had sent but two hours before—
27TimonLet it not cumber your better remembrance. The banquet brought in. Come, bring in all together.
28Second LordAll covered dishes!
29First LordRoyal cheer, I warrant you.
30Third LordDoubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.
31First LordHow do you? What’s the news?
32Third LordAlcibiades is banished: hear you of it?
33First Lord
Second Lord Alcibiades banished!
34Third Lord’Tis so, be sure of it.
35First LordHow! how!
36Second LordI pray you, upon what?
37TimonMy worthy friends, will you draw near?
38Third LordI’ll tell you more anon. Here’s a noble feast toward.
39Second LordThis is the old man still.
40Third LordWill’t hold? will’t hold?
41Second LordIt does: but time will—and so—
42Third LordI do conceive.
43TimonEach 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 are they welcome. Uncover, dogs, and lap. The dishes are uncovered and seen to be full of warm water.
44Some speakWhat does his lordship mean?
45Some OtherI know not.
46TimonMay you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth-friends! smoke and luke-warm water
Is your perfection. This is Timon’s last;
Who, stuck and spangled with your flatteries,
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces
Your reeking villany. Throwing the water in their faces. Live loathed 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?
Soft! take thy physic first—thou too—and thou;—
Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none. Throws the dishes at them, and drives them out.
What, all in motion? Henceforth be no feast,
Whereat a villain’s not a welcome guest.
Burn, house! sink, Athens! henceforth hated be
Of Timon man and all humanity! Exit.
47Reenter the Lords, Senators, etc.
48First LordHow now, my lords!
49Second LordKnow you the quality of Lord Timon’s fury?
50Third LordPush! did you see my cap?
51Fourth LordI have lost my gown.
52First LordHe’s but a mad lord, and nought but humour sways him. He gave me a jewel th’ other day, and now he has beat it out of my hat: did you see my jewel?
53Third LordDid you see my cap?
54Second LordHere ’tis.
55Fourth LordHere lies my gown.
56First LordLet’s make no stay.
57Second LordLord Timon’s mad.
58Third LordI feel’t upon my bones.
59Fourth LordOne day he gives us diamonds, next day stones. Exeunt.