SCENE VI. The same. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.
Music. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter divers Lords, Senators and others, at several doors
First Lord
The good time of day to you, sir.
Second Lord
I also wish it to you. I think this honourable lord
did but try us this other day.
First 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.
Second Lord
It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.
First 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.
Second Lord
In 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.
First Lord
I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all
things go.
Second Lord
Every man here's so. What would he have borrowed of
you?
First Lord
A thousand pieces.
Second Lord
A thousand pieces!
First Lord
What of you?
Second Lord
He sent to me, sir,--Here he comes.
Enter TIMON and Attendants
TIMON
With all my heart, gentlemen both; and how fare you?
First Lord
Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.
Second Lord
The swallow follows not summer more willing than we
your lordship.
TIMON
[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
music awhile, if they will fare so harshly o' the
trumpet's sound; we shall to 't presently.
First Lord
I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship
that I returned you an empty messenger.
TIMON
O, sir, let it not trouble you.
Second Lord
My noble lord,--
TIMON
Ah, my good friend, what cheer?
Second 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.
TIMON
Think not on 't, sir.
Second Lord
If you had sent but two hours before,--
TIMON
Let it not cumber your better remembrance.
The banquet brought in
Come, bring in all together.
Second Lord
All covered dishes!
First Lord
Royal cheer, I warrant you.
Third Lord
Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield
it.
First Lord
How do you? What's the news?
Third Lord
Alcibiades is banished: hear you of it?
First Lord Second Lord
Alcibiades banished!
Third Lord
'Tis so, be sure of it.
First Lord
How! how!
Second Lord
I pray you, upon what?
TIMON
My worthy friends, will you draw near?
Third Lord
I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.
Second Lord
This is the old man still.
Third Lord
Will 't hold? will 't hold?
Second Lord
It does: but time will--and so--
Third Lord
I do conceive.
TIMON
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 are they welcome.
Uncover, dogs, and lap.
The dishes are uncovered and seen to be full of warm water
Some Speak
What does his lordship mean?
Some Others
I know not.
TIMON
May you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth-friends I smoke and lukewarm 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
Re-enter the Lords, Senators, & c
First Lord
How now, my lords!
Second Lord
Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury?
Third Lord
Push! did you see my cap?
Fourth Lord
I have lost my gown.
First Lord
He'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?
Third Lord
Did you see my cap?
Second Lord
Here 'tis.
Fourth Lord
Here lies my gown.
First Lord
Let's make no stay.
Second Lord
Lord Timon's mad.
Third Lord
I feel 't upon my bones.
Fourth Lord
One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.
Exeunt
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