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In Timon of Athens, Lord Timon discovers the limits of wealth and friendship. He spends freely on others and hosts banquets for many guests. Despite his servants’ warnings, he spends so excessively that his money runs out—and the philosopher Apemantus condemns his flatterers as insincere.
Soon Timon’s creditors begin to call in their loans. Timon expects help from his friends, but they all refuse him money. Furious, he invites them again to a banquet, but serves only water and stones before he dismisses them, cursing Athens. He exiles himself to a wilderness.
There the embittered Timon finds gold. He gives some to enemies of Athens and to prostitutes and bandits. When senators beg him to return to Athens as a military leader to save the city from his banished friend Alcibiades, he refuses and retreats to a cave to die. Alcibiades defeats Athens but promises to protect the city and its citizens. Learning of the despairing inscription on Timon’s tombstone, he repeats his offer of bringing peace to the city.
ACT 1
Scene 1
doors .
But what particular rarity , what strange ,
Which manifold record not matches ? See ,
Magic of bounty , all these spirits thy power
Hath conjured to attend . I know the merchant .
To an untirable and continuate goodness .
He passes .
[9]ACT 1. SC. 1
It stains the glory in that happy verse
Which aptly sings the good .
To the great lord .
Our poesy is as a gum which oozes
From whence ’tis nourished . The fire i’ th’ flint
Shows not till it be struck ; our gentle flame
Provokes itself and , like the current , flies
Each bound it chases . What have you there ?
Let’s see your piece .
Speaks his own standing ! What a mental power
This eye shoots forth ! How big imagination
Moves in this lip ! To th’ dumbness of the gesture
One might interpret .
Here is a touch . Is ’t good ?
[11]ACT 1. SC. 1
It tutors nature . Artificial strife
Lives in these touches livelier than life .
( Indicating his poem . ) I have in this rough work
shaped out a man
Whom this beneath world doth embrace and hug
With amplest entertainment . My free drift
Halts not particularly but moves itself
In a wide sea of wax . No leveled malice
Infects one comma in the course I hold ,
But flies an eagle flight , bold and forth on ,
Leaving no tract behind .
You see how all conditions , how all minds ,
As well of glib and slipp’ry creatures as
Of grave and austere quality , tender down
Their services to Lord Timon . His large fortune ,
Upon his good and gracious nature hanging ,
Subdues and properties to his love and tendance
All sorts of hearts — yea , from the glass-faced flatterer
To Apemantus , that few things loves better
Than to abhor himself ; even he drops down
The knee before him and returns in peace
Most rich in Timon’s nod .
[13] ACT 1. SC. 1 Feigned Fortune to be throned . The base o’ th’ mount
Is ranked with all deserts , all kind of natures
That labor on the bosom of this sphere
To propagate their states . Amongst them all
Whose eyes are on this sovereign lady fixed ,
One do I personate of Lord Timon’s frame ,
Whom Fortune with her ivory hand wafts to her ,
Whose present grace to present slaves and servants
Translates his rivals .
This throne , this Fortune , and this hill , methinks ,
With one man beckoned from the rest below ,
Bowing his head against the steepy mount
To climb his happiness , would be well expressed
In our condition .
All those which were his fellows but of late ,
Some better than his value , on the moment
Follow his strides , his lobbies fill with tendance ,
Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear ,
Make sacred even his stirrup , and through him
Drink the free air .
Spurns down her late beloved , all his dependants ,
Which labored after him to the mountain’s top
Even on their knees and hands , let him slip down ,
Not one accompanying his declining foot .
A thousand moral paintings I can show
That shall demonstrate these quick blows of
Fortune’s
More pregnantly than words . Yet you do well
To show Lord Timon that mean eyes have seen
The foot above the head .
[15]ACT 1. SC. 1
courteously to every suitor . He is accompanied by a
Messenger and followed by Lucilius and other
Servants .
His means most short , his creditors most strait .
Your honorable letter he desires
To those have shut him up , which failing
Periods his comfort .
I am not of that feather to shake off
My friend when he must need me . I do know him
A gentleman that well deserves a help ,
Which he shall have . I’ll pay the debt and free him .
And , being enfranchised , bid him come to me .
’Tis not enough to help the feeble up ,
But to support him after . Fare you well .
[17]ACT 1. SC. 1
By night frequents my house . I am a man
That from my first have been inclined to thrift ,
And my estate deserves an heir more raised
Than one which holds a trencher .
On whom I may confer what I have got .
The maid is fair , o’ th’ youngest for a bride ,
And I have bred her at my dearest cost
In qualities of the best . This man of thine
Attempts her love . I prithee , noble lord ,
Join with me to forbid him her resort .
Myself have spoke in vain .
His honesty rewards him in itself ;
It must not bear my daughter .
Our own precedent passions do instruct us
What levity’s in youth .
I call the gods to witness — I will choose
Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world
And dispossess her all .
If she be mated with an equal husband ?
[19]ACT 1. SC. 1
To build his fortune , I will strain a little ,
For ’tis a bond in men . Give him thy daughter .
What you bestow , in him I’ll counterpoise ,
And make him weigh with her .
Pawn me to this your honor , she is his .
That state or fortune fall into my keeping
Which is not owed to you .
Go not away . — What have you there , my friend ?
Your Lordship to accept .
The painting is almost the natural man ,
For , since dishonor traffics with man’s nature ,
He is but outside ; these penciled figures are
Even such as they give out . I like your work ,
And you shall find I like it . Wait attendance
Till you hear further from me .
[21] ACT 1. SC. 1 We must needs dine together . — Sir , your jewel
Hath suffered under praise .
If I should pay you for ’t as ’tis extolled ,
It would unclew me quite .
As those which sell would give . But you well know
Things of like value , differing in the owners ,
Are prizèd by their masters . Believe ’t , dear lord ,
You mend the jewel by the wearing it .
Which all men speak with him .
When thou art Timon’s dog , and these knaves honest .
them not .
name .
[23]ACT 1. SC. 1
Timon .
and yet he’s but a filthy piece of work .
she , if I be a dog ?
bellies .
labor .
not cost a man a doit .
where thou hast feigned him a worthy fellow .
[25]ACT 1. SC. 1
for thy labor . He that loves to be flattered is worthy
o’ th’ flatterer . Heavens , that I were a lord !
with my heart .
not thou a merchant ?
thee !
All of companionship .
You must needs dine with me . Go not you hence
Till I have thanked you . — When dinner’s done
Show me this piece . — I am joyful of your sights .
Most welcome , sir .
Aches contract and starve your supple joints !
That there should be small love amongst these sweet
knaves ,
[27] ACT 1. SC. 1 And all this courtesy ! The strain of man’s bred out
Into baboon and monkey .
Most hungerly on your sight .
Ere we depart , we’ll share a bounteous time
In different pleasures . Pray you , let us in .
thee none .
Make thy requests to thy friend .
[29] ACT 1. SC. 2 And taste Lord Timon’s bounty ? He outgoes
The very heart of kindness .
Is but his steward . No meed but he repays
Sevenfold above itself . No gift to him
But breeds the giver a return exceeding
All use of quittance .
That ever governed man .
I’ll keep you company .
Scene 2
in , and then enter Lord Timon , the States , the Athenian
Lords ( including Lucius ) , Alcibiades , and Ventidius
( which Timon redeemed from prison ) . Flavius and others
are in attendance . Then comes dropping after all
Apemantus discontentedly like himself .
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 .
Honest Ventidius . You mistake my love .
I gave it freely ever , and there’s none
Can truly say he gives if he receives .
[31] ACT 1. SC. 2 If our betters play at that game , we must not dare
To imitate them . Faults that are rich are fair .
To set a gloss on faint deeds , hollow welcomes ,
Recanting goodness , sorry ere ’tis shown ;
But where there is true friendship , there needs none .
Pray , sit . More welcome are you to my fortunes
Than my fortunes to me .
I come to have thee thrust me out of doors .
Does not become a man . ’Tis much to blame . —
They say , my lords , Ira furor brevis est , but yond
man is ever angry . Go , let him have a table by
himself , for he does neither affect company , nor is
he fit for ’t indeed .
come to observe ; I give thee warning on ’t .
therefore welcome . I myself would have no power ;
prithee , let my meat make thee silent .
should ne’er flatter thee .
what a number of men eats Timon , and he sees ’em
not ! It grieves me to see so many dip their meat in
one man’s blood ; and all the madness is , he cheers
them up too .
I wonder men dare trust themselves with men .
Methinks they should invite them without knives .
[33] ACT 1. SC. 2 Good for their meat , and safer for their lives .
There’s much example for ’t . The fellow that sits
next him , now parts bread with him , pledges the
breath of him in a divided draft , is the readiest
man to kill him . ’T ’as been proved . If I were a huge
man , I should fear to drink at meals ,
Lest they should spy my wind-pipe’s dangerous
notes .
Great men should drink with harness on their
throats .
He keeps his tides well . Those healths will make
thee and thy state look ill , Timon .
Here’s that which is too weak to be a sinner ,
Honest water , which ne’er left man i’ th’ mire .
This and my food are equals . There’s no odds .
Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods .
Apemantus’ grace .
Immortal gods , I crave no pelf .
I pray for no man but myself .
Grant I may never prove so fond
To trust man on his oath or bond ,
Or a harlot for her weeping ,
Or a dog that seems a-sleeping ,
Or a keeper with my freedom ,
Or my friends if I should need ’em .
Amen . So fall to ’t .
Rich men sin , and I eat root .
Much good dich thy good heart , Apemantus !
[35]ACT 1. SC. 2
than a dinner of friends .
there’s no meat like ’em . I could wish my best
friend at such a feast .
thine enemies , then , that then thou mightst kill
’em and bid me to ’em .
lord , that you would once use our hearts , whereby
we might express some part of our zeals , we
should think ourselves forever perfect .
themselves have provided that I shall have much
help from you . How had you been my friends else ?
Why have you that charitable title from thousands ,
did not you chiefly belong to my heart ? I have told
more of you to myself than you can with modesty
speak in your own behalf . And thus far I confirm
you . O you gods , think I , what need we have any
friends if we should ne’er have need of ’em ? They
were the most needless creatures living , should we
ne’er have use for ’em , and would most resemble
sweet instruments hung up in cases , that keeps
their sounds to themselves . Why , I have often
wished 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 so many , like brothers , commanding one
another’s fortunes . O , joy’s e’en made away ere ’t
can be born ! Mine eyes cannot hold out water ,
methinks . To forget their faults , I drink to you .
Timon .
[37]ACT 1. SC. 2
And , at that instant , like a babe sprung up .
How now ?
most desirous of admittance .
which bears that office to signify their pleasures .
That of his bounties taste ! The five best senses
Acknowledge thee their patron , and come freely
To gratulate thy plenteous bosom . There
Taste , touch , all , pleased from thy table rise ;
They only now come but to feast thine eyes .
Music , make their welcome !
with lutes in their hands , dancing and playing .
[39] ACT 1. SC. 2 What a sweep of vanity comes this way .
They dance ? They are madwomen .
Like madness is the glory of this life
As this pomp shows to a little oil and root .
We make ourselves fools to disport ourselves
And spend our flatteries to drink those men
Upon whose age we void it up again
With poisonous spite and envy .
Who lives that’s not depravèd or depraves ?
Who dies that bears not one spurn to their graves
Of their friends’ gift ?
I should fear those that dance before me now
Would one day stamp upon me . ’T ’as been done .
Men shut their doors against a setting sun .
and to show their loves each single out an Amazon , and
all dance , men with women , a lofty strain or two to the
hautboys , and cease .
Set a fair fashion on our entertainment ,
Which was not half so beautiful and kind .
You have added worth unto ’t and luster ,
And entertained me with mine own device .
I am to thank you for ’t .
would not hold taking , I doubt me .
Please you to dispose yourselves .
[41]ACT 1. SC. 2
There is no crossing him in ’s humor ;
Else I should tell him well , i’ faith I should .
When all’s spent , he’d be crossed then , an he could .
’Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind ,
That man might ne’er be wretched for his mind .
To say to you . Look you , my good lord ,
I must entreat you , honor me so much
As to advance this jewel . Accept it and wear it ,
Kind my lord .
Newly alighted and come to visit you .
Vouchsafe me a word . It does concern you near .
[43] ACT 1. SC. 2 I prithee , let’s be provided to show them
entertainment .
Out of his free love , hath presented to you
Four milk-white horses trapped in silver .
Be worthily entertained .
How now ? What news ?
gentleman Lord Lucullus entreats your company
tomorrow to hunt with him and has sent your
Honor two brace of greyhounds .
Not without fair reward .
He commands us to provide , and give great gifts ,
And all out of an empty coffer .
Nor will he know his purse or yield me this —
To show him what a beggar his heart is ,
Being of no power to make his wishes good .
His promises fly so beyond his state
That what he speaks is all in debt ; he owes
For ev’ry word . He is so kind that he
Now pays interest for ’t . His land’s put to their books .
Well , would I were gently put out of office
Before I were forced out .
Happier is he that has no friend to feed
[45] ACT 1. SC. 2 Than such that do e’en enemies exceed .
I bleed inwardly for my lord .
You bate too much of your own merits .
( Offering a gift . ) Here , my lord , a trifle of our love .
words the other day of a bay courser I rode on . ’Tis
yours because you liked it .
Can justly praise but what he does affect .
I weigh my friends’ affection with mine own .
I’ll tell you true , I’ll call to you .
So kind to heart , ’tis not enough to give .
Methinks I could deal kingdoms to my friends
And ne’er be weary . — Alcibiades ,
Thou art a soldier , therefore seldom rich .
It comes in charity to thee , for all thy living
Is ’mongst the dead , and all the lands thou hast
Lie in a pitched field .
Keep with you , Lord Timon .
[47]ACT 1. SC. 2
Serving of becks and jutting-out of bums !
I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums
That are given for ’em . Friendship’s full of dregs .
Methinks false hearts should never have sound legs .
Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on court’sies .
I would be good to thee .
too , there would be none left to rail upon thee , and
then thou wouldst sin the faster . Thou giv’st so
long , Timon , I fear me thou wilt give away thyself
in paper shortly . What needs these feasts , pomps ,
and vainglories ?
sworn not to give regard to you . Farewell , and
come with better music .
not then . I’ll lock thy heaven from thee .
O , that men’s ears should be
To counsel deaf , but not to flattery !
[51]
ACT 2
Scene 1
He owes nine thousand , besides my former sum ,
Which makes it five-and-twenty . Still in motion
Of raging waste ! It cannot hold ; it will not .
If I want gold , steal but a beggar’s dog
And give it Timon , why , the dog coins gold .
If I would sell my horse and buy twenty more
Better than he , why , give my horse to Timon —
Ask nothing ; give it him — it foals me straight ,
And able horses . No porter at his gate
But rather one that smiles and still invites
All that pass by . It cannot hold . No reason
Can sound his state in safety . — Caphis , ho !
Caphis , I say !
Importune him for my moneys . Be not ceased
With slight denial , nor then silenced when
‘Commend me to your master’ and the cap
Plays in the right hand thus ; but tell him
My uses cry to me . I must serve my turn
[53] ACT 2. SC. 2 Out of mine own . His days and times are past ,
And my reliances on his fracted dates
Have smit my credit . I love and honor him
But must not break my back to heal his finger .
Immediate are my needs , and my relief
Must not be tossed and turned to me in words
But find supply immediate . Get you gone .
Put on a most importunate aspect ,
A visage of demand , for I do fear
When every feather sticks in his own wing
Lord Timon will be left a naked gull ,
Which flashes now a phoenix . Get you gone .
And have the dates in . Come .
Scene 2
That he will neither know how to maintain it
Nor cease his flow of riot . Takes no account
How things go from him nor resumes no care
Of what is to continue . Never mind
Was to be so unwise to be so kind .
What shall be done ? He will not hear till feel .
I must be round with him , now he comes from
hunting .
Fie , fie , fie , fie !
[55]ACT 2. SC. 2
My Alcibiades .
will ?
To the succession of new days this month .
My master is awaked by great occasion
To call upon his own and humbly prays you
That with your other noble parts you’ll suit
In giving him his right .
I prithee but repair to me next morning .
my good lord —
[57]ACT 2. SC. 2
payment .
Am sent expressly to your Lordship .
I do beseech you , good my lords , keep on .
I’ll wait upon you instantly .
How goes the world that I am thus encountered
With clamorous demands of debt , broken bonds ,
And the detention of long-since-due debts
Against my honor ?
The time is unagreeable to this business .
Your importunacy cease till after dinner ,
That I may make his Lordship understand
Wherefore you are not paid .
See them well entertained .
Let’s ha’ some sport with ’em .
[59]ACT 2. SC. 2
away .
on your back already .
him yet .
and usurers’ men , bawds between gold and want .
know yourselves . — Speak to ’em , Fool .
mistress ?
as you are . Would we could see you at Corinth !
this wise company ? — How dost thou , Apemantus ?
might answer thee profitably .
of these letters . I know not which is which .
day thou art hanged . This is to Lord Timon , this to
Alcibiades . Go . Thou wast born a bastard , and
thou ’lt die a bawd .
[61]ACT 2. SC. 2
a dog’s death . Answer not . I am gone .
will go with you to Lord Timon’s .
three usurers ?
served thief .
My mistress is one , and I am her Fool . When men
come to borrow of your masters , they approach
sadly and go away merry , but they enter my master’s
house merrily and go away sadly . The reason
of this ?
whoremaster and a knave , which notwithstanding ,
thou shalt be no less esteemed .
’Tis a spirit ; sometime ’t appears like a lord , sometime
like a lawyer , sometime like a philosopher ,
with two stones more than ’s artificial one . He is
very often like a knight , and generally in all shapes
that man goes up and down in from fourscore to
thirteen , this spirit walks in .
as I have , so much wit thou lack’st .
[63]ACT 2. SC. 2
woman ; sometime the philosopher .
Had you not fully laid my state before me ,
That I might so have rated my expense
As I had leave of means .
At many leisures I proposed —
Perchance some single vantages you took
When my indisposition put you back ,
And that unaptness made your minister
Thus to excuse yourself .
At many times I brought in my accounts ,
Laid them before you . You would throw them off
And say you found them in mine honesty .
When for some trifling present you have bid me
Return so much , I have shook my head and wept —
Yea , ’gainst th’ authority of manners prayed you
To hold your hand more close . I did endure
Not seldom nor no slight checks when I have
Prompted you in the ebb of your estate
And your great flow of debts . My lovèd lord ,
Though you hear now too late , yet now’s a time .
The greatest of your having lacks a half
To pay your present debts .
[65]ACT 2. SC. 2
And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
Of present dues . The future comes apace .
What shall defend the interim ? And at length
How goes our reck’ning ?
Were it all yours to give it in a breath ,
How quickly were it gone !
Call me before th’ exactest auditors ,
And set me on the proof . So the gods bless me ,
When all our offices have been oppressed
With riotous feeders , when our vaults have wept
With drunken spilth of wine , when every room
Hath blazed with lights and brayed with minstrelsy ,
I have retired me to a wasteful cock
And set mine eyes at flow .
How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants
This night englutted . Who is not Timon’s ?
What heart , head , sword , force , means , but is Lord
Timon’s ?
Great Timon , noble , worthy , royal Timon !
Ah , when the means are gone that buy this praise ,
The breath is gone whereof this praise is made .
Feast-won , fast-lost . One cloud of winter showers ,
These flies are couched .
[67] ACT 2. SC. 2 No villainous bounty yet hath passed my heart ;
Unwisely , not ignobly , have I given .
Why dost thou weep ? Canst thou the conscience lack
To think I shall lack friends ? Secure thy heart .
If I would broach the vessels of my love
And try the argument of hearts by borrowing ,
Men and men’s fortunes could I frankly use
As I can bid thee speak .
That I account them blessings . For by these
Shall I try friends . You shall perceive how you
Mistake my fortunes . I am wealthy in my friends . —
Within there ! Flaminius ! — Servilius !
You to Lord Lucius ,
Lucullus you — I hunted with his Honor today ;
the third Servant )
me to their loves , and I am proud , say , that my
occasions have found time to use ’em toward a
supply of money . Let the request be fifty talents .
Of whom , even to the state’s best health , I have
Deserved this hearing . Bid ’em send o’ th’ instant
A thousand talents to me .
For that I knew it the most general way —
To them to use your signet and your name ,
But they do shake their heads , and I am here
No richer in return .
[69]ACT 2. SC. 2
That now they are at fall , want treasure , cannot
Do what they would , are sorry . You are honorable ,
But yet they could have wished — they know not —
Something hath been amiss — a noble nature
May catch a wrench — would all were well — ’tis pity .
And so , intending other serious matters ,
After distasteful looks and these hard fractions ,
With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods
They froze me into silence .
Prithee , man , look cheerly . These old fellows
Have their ingratitude in them hereditary .
Their blood is caked , ’tis cold , it seldom flows ;
’Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind ;
And nature , as it grows again toward earth ,
Is fashioned for the journey , dull and heavy .
Go to Ventidius . Prithee , be not sad .
Thou art true and honest — ingeniously I speak —
No blame belongs to thee . Ventidius lately
Buried his father , by whose death he’s stepped
Into a great estate . When he was poor ,
Imprisoned , and in scarcity of friends ,
I cleared him with five talents . Greet him from me .
Bid him suppose some good necessity
Touches his friend , which craves to be remembered
With those five talents . That had , give ’t these fellows
To whom ’tis instant due . Ne’er speak or think
That Timon’s fortunes ’mong his friends can sink .
That thought is bounty’s foe ;
Being free itself , it thinks all others so .
[73]
ACT 3
Scene 1
from his master .
down to you .
warrant . Why , this hits right . I dreamt of a silver
basin and ewer tonight . — Flaminius , honest
Flaminius , you are very respectively welcome , sir .
And how does that honorable , complete , free-hearted
gentleman of Athens , thy very bountiful
good lord and master ?
And what hast thou there under thy cloak , pretty
Flaminius ?
in my lord’s behalf I come to entreat your Honor
to supply ; who , having great and instant occasion
[75] ACT 3. SC. 1 to use fifty talents , hath sent to your Lordship to
furnish him , nothing doubting your present assistance
therein .
Alas , good lord ! A noble gentleman ’tis , if he would
not keep so good a house . Many a time and often I
ha’ dined with him and told him on ’t , and come
again to supper to him of purpose to have him
spend less , and yet he would embrace no counsel ,
take no warning by my coming . Every man has his
fault , and honesty is his . I ha’ told him on ’t , but I
could ne’er get him from ’t .
Here’s to thee .
prompt spirit — give thee thy due — and one that
knows what belongs to reason and canst use the
time well , if the time use thee well . Good parts in
thee . — Get you gone , sirrah .
Draw nearer , honest Flaminius . Thy lord’s a bountiful
gentleman , but thou art wise and thou
know’st well enough , although thou com’st to me ,
that this is no time to lend money , especially upon
bare friendship , without security . Here’s three solidares
for thee . ( Gives him money . ) Good boy ,
wink at me , and say thou saw’st me not . Fare thee
well .
And we alive that lived ? Fly , damnèd baseness ,
To him that worships thee !
[77]ACT 3. SC. 2
master .
Let molten coin be thy damnation ,
Thou disease of a friend and not himself !
Has friendship such a faint and milky heart
It turns in less than two nights ? O you gods ,
I feel my master’s passion . This slave
Unto his honor has my lord’s meat in him .
Why should it thrive and turn to nutriment
When he is turned to poison ?
O , may diseases only work upon ’t ,
And when he’s sick to death , let not that part of
nature
Which my lord paid for be of any power
To expel sickness , but prolong his hour .
Scene 2
friend and an honorable gentleman .
are but strangers to him . But I can tell you one
thing , my lord , and which I hear from common
rumors : now Lord Timon’s happy hours are done
and past , and his estate shrinks from him .
money .
not long ago one of his men was with the Lord
Lucullus to borrow fifty talents , nay , urged
extremely for ’t , and showed what necessity
belonged to ’t , and yet was denied .
[79]ACT 3. SC. 2
gods , I am ashamed on ’t . Denied that honorable
man ? There was very little honor showed in ’t . For
my own part , I must needs confess I have received
some small kindnesses from him , as money , plate ,
jewels , and suchlike trifles , nothing comparing to
his ; yet had he mistook him and sent to me , I
should ne’er have denied his occasion fifty talents .
I have sweat to see his Honor .
honored lord .
well . Commend me to thy honorable virtuous lord ,
my very exquisite friend .
sent —
to that lord ; he’s ever sending . How shall I thank
him , think’st thou ? And what has he sent now ?
lord , requesting your Lordship to supply his
instant use with fifty talents .
He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents .
If his occasion were not virtuous ,
I should not urge it half so faithfully .
[81]ACT 3. SC. 2
myself against such a good time , when I might ha’
shown myself honorable ! How unluckily it happened
that I should purchase the day before for a
little part , and undo a great deal of honor ! Servilius ,
now before the gods , I am not able to do — the
more beast , I say ! — I was sending to use Lord
Timon myself , these gentlemen can witness ; but I
would not for the wealth of Athens I had done ’t
now . Commend me bountifully to his good Lordship ,
and I hope his Honor will conceive the fairest
of me , because I have no power to be kind . And tell
him this from me : I count it one of my greatest
afflictions , say , that I cannot pleasure such an honorable
gentleman . Good Servilius , will you
befriend me so far as to use mine own words to
him ?
True , as you said , Timon is shrunk indeed ,
And he that’s once denied will hardly speed .
piece
Is every flatterer’s sport . Who can call him his friend
That dips in the same dish ? For , in my knowing ,
Timon has been this lord’s father
And kept his credit with his purse ,
Supported his estate , nay , Timon’s money
Has paid his men their wages . He ne’er drinks
But Timon’s silver treads upon his lip .
And yet — O , see the monstrousness of man
[83] ACT 3. SC. 3 When he looks out in an ungrateful shape ! —
He does deny him , in respect of his ,
What charitable men afford to beggars .
I never tasted Timon in my life ,
Nor came any of his bounties over me
To mark me for his friend . Yet I protest ,
For his right noble mind , illustrious virtue ,
And honorable carriage ,
Had his necessity made use of me ,
I would have put my wealth into donation ,
And the best half should have returned to him ,
So much I love his heart . But I perceive
Men must learn now with pity to dispense ,
For policy sits above conscience .
Scene 3
another of Timon’s friends .
He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus ;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too ,
Whom he redeemed from prison . All these
Owes their estates unto him .
They have all been touched and found base metal ,
For they have all denied him .
Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him ,
And does he send to me ? Three ? Humh !
[85] ACT 3. SC. 3 It shows but little love or judgment in him .
Must I be his last refuge ? His friends , like physicians ,
Thrive , give him over . Must I take th’ cure upon me ?
Has much disgraced me in ’t . I’m angry at him
That might have known my place . I see no sense for ’t
But his occasions might have wooed me first ;
For , in my conscience , I was the first man
That e’er received gift from him .
And does he think so backwardly of me now
That I’ll requite it last ? No .
So it may prove an argument of laughter
To th’ rest , and I ’mongst lords be thought a fool .
I’d rather than the worth of thrice the sum
Had sent to me first , but for my mind’s sake ;
I’d such a courage to do him good . But now return ,
And with their faint reply this answer join :
Who bates mine honor shall not know my coin .
The devil knew not what he did when he made
man politic . He crossed himself by ’t , and I cannot
think but , in the end , the villainies of man will set
him clear . How fairly this lord strives to appear
foul ! Takes virtuous copies to be wicked , like those
that under hot ardent zeal would set whole realms
on fire .
Of such a nature is his politic love .
This was my lord’s best hope . Now all are fled ,
Save only the gods . Now his friends are dead ,
Doors that were ne’er acquainted with their wards
Many a bounteous year must be employed
Now to guard sure their master .
And this is all a liberal course allows :
Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house .
[87]ACT 3. SC. 4
Scene 4
being Men of Timon’s creditors to wait for his coming
out . Then enter Lucius’ Man and Hortensius .
What , do we meet together ?
One business does command us all ,
For mine is money .
What do you think the hour ?
You must consider that a prodigal course
Is like the sun’s ,
But not , like his , recoverable . I fear
’Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon’s purse :
[89] ACT 3. SC. 4 That is , one may reach deep enough and yet
Find little .
Your lord sends now for money ?
For which I wait for money .
Timon in this should pay more than he owes ,
And e’en as if your lord should wear rich jewels
And send for money for ’em .
I know my lord hath spent of Timon’s wealth ,
And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth .
Your master’s confidence was above mine ,
Else surely his had equaled .
ready to come forth ?
too diligent .
[91]ACT 3. SC. 4
He goes away in a cloud . Call him , call him .
If money were as certain as your waiting ,
’Twere sure enough .
Why then preferred you not your sums and bills
When your false masters eat of my lord’s meat ?
Then they could smile and fawn upon his debts
And take down th’ int’rest into their glutt’nous maws .
You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up .
Let me pass quietly .
Believe ’t , my lord and I have made an end .
I have no more to reckon , he to spend .
For you serve knaves .
Worship mutter ?
that’s revenge enough . Who can speak broader
than he that has no house to put his head in ? Such
may rail against great buildings .
answer .
some other hour , I should derive much from ’t . For
take ’t of my soul , my lord leans wondrously to discontent .
[93] ACT 3. SC. 4 His comfortable temper has forsook him .
He’s much out of health and keeps his chamber .
And if it be so far beyond his health ,
Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts
And make a clear way to the gods .
Have I been ever free , and must my house
Be my retentive enemy , my jail ?
The place which I have feasted , does it now ,
Like all mankind , show me an iron heart ?
yours ?
[95]ACT 3. SC. 4
their caps at their money . These debts may well be
called desperate ones , for a madman owes ’em .
Creditors ? Devils !
Lucius , Lucullus , and Sempronius , all .
I’ll once more feast the rascals .
You only speak from your distracted soul .
There’s not so much left to furnish out
A moderate table .
I charge thee , invite them all . Let in the tide
Of knaves once more . My cook and I’ll provide .
[97]ACT 3. SC. 5
Scene 5
them , with Attendants .
Bloody . ’Tis necessary he should die .
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy .
For pity is the virtue of the law ,
And none but tyrants use it cruelly .
It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy
Upon a friend of mine , who in hot blood
Hath stepped into the law , which is past depth
To those that without heed do plunge into ’t .
He is a man — setting his fate aside —
Of comely virtues .
Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice —
An honor in him which buys out his fault —
But with a noble fury and fair spirit ,
Seeing his reputation touched to death ,
He did oppose his foe ;
And with such sober and unnoted passion
He did behave his anger , ere ’twas spent ,
As if he had but proved an argument .
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair .
Your words have took such pains as if they labored
To bring manslaughter into form and set quarreling
Upon the head of valor — which indeed
[99] ACT 3. SC. 5 Is valor misbegot , and came into the world
When sects and factions were newly born .
He’s truly valiant that can wisely suffer
The worst that man can breathe
And make his wrongs his outsides ,
To wear them like his raiment , carelessly ,
And ne’er prefer his injuries to his heart
To bring it into danger .
If wrongs be evils and enforce us kill ,
What folly ’tis to hazard life for ill !
To revenge is no valor , but to bear .
If I speak like a captain .
Why do fond men expose themselves to battle
And not endure all threats ? Sleep upon ’t ,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats
Without repugnancy ? If there be
Such valor in the bearing , what make we
Abroad ? Why , then , women are more valiant
That stay at home , if bearing carry it ,
And the ass more captain than the lion , the felon
Loaden with irons wiser than the judge ,
If wisdom be in suffering . O my lords ,
As you are great , be pitifully good .
Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood ?
To kill , I grant , is sin’s extremest gust ,
But in defense , by mercy , ’tis most just .
To be in anger is impiety ,
But who is man that is not angry ?
Weigh but the crime with this .
[101] ACT 3. SC. 5 At Lacedaemon and Byzantium
Were a sufficient briber for his life .
And slain in fight many of your enemies .
How full of valor did he bear himself
In the last conflict , and made plenteous wounds !
He’s a sworn rioter . He has a sin
That often drowns him and takes his valor prisoner .
If there were no foes , that were enough
To overcome him . In that beastly fury ,
He has been known to commit outrages
And cherish factions . ’Tis inferred to us
His days are foul and his drink dangerous .
My lords , if not for any parts in him —
Though his right arm might purchase his own time
And be in debt to none — yet , more to move you ,
Take my deserts to his and join ’em both .
And , for I know your reverend ages love
Security , I’ll pawn my victories , all
My honor , to you , upon his good returns .
If by this crime he owes the law his life ,
Why , let the war receive ’t in valiant gore ,
For law is strict , and war is nothing more .
On height of our displeasure . Friend or brother ,
He forfeits his own blood that spills another .
My lords , I do beseech you , know me .
[103]ACT 3. SC. 5
It could not else be I should prove so base
To sue and be denied such common grace .
My wounds ache at you .
’Tis in few words , but spacious in effect :
We banish thee forever .
Banish your dotage , banish usury ,
That makes the Senate ugly !
Attend our weightier judgment .
And , not to swell our spirit ,
He shall be executed presently .
Only in bone , that none may look on you ! —
I’m worse than mad . I have kept back their foes
While they have told their money and let out
Their coin upon large interest , I myself
Rich only in large hurts . All those for this ?
Is this the balsam that the usuring Senate
Pours into captains’ wounds ? Banishment .
It comes not ill . I hate not to be banished .
It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury ,
That I may strike at Athens . I’ll cheer up
My discontented troops and lay for hearts .
’Tis honor with most lands to be at odds .
Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods .
[105]ACT 3. SC. 6
Scene 6
lord did but try us this other day .
we encountered . I hope it is not so low with him as
he made it seem in the trial of his several friends .
his new feasting .
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 .
importunate business , but he would not hear my
excuse . I am sorry , when he sent to borrow of me ,
that my provision was out .
how all things go .
have borrowed of you ?
Here he comes .
fare you ?
Lordship .
more willing than we your Lordship .
[107]ACT 3. SC. 6
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’ th’ trumpets’ sound . We shall to ’t presently .
Lordship that I returned you an empty messenger .
sick of shame that when your Lordship this other
day sent to me , I was so unfortunate a beggar .
Come , bring in all together .
can yield it .
feast toward .
[109]ACT 3. SC. 6
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 . ( They 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 tag 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 .
only water and stones .
You knot of mouth-friends ! 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 villainy . ( He throws water in their
faces . ) Live loathed and long ,
[111] ACT 3. SC. 6 Most smiling , smooth , detested parasites ,
Courteous destroyers , affable wolves , meek bears ,
You fools of fortune , trencher-friends , time’s flies ,
Cap-and-knee slaves , vapors , and minute-jacks .
Of man and beast the infinite malady
Crust you quite o’er ! ( They stand . ) What , dost thou
go ?
Soft ! Take thy physic first — thou too — and thou . —
Stay . I will lend thee money , borrow none .
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 !
fury ?
humors 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 ?
[115]
ACT 4
Scene 1
That girdles in those wolves , dive in the earth
And fence not Athens ! Matrons , turn incontinent !
Obedience fail in children ! Slaves and fools ,
Pluck the grave wrinkled Senate from the bench
And minister in their steads ! To general filths
Convert o’ th’ instant , green virginity !
Do ’t in your parents’ eyes ! Bankrupts , hold fast !
Rather than render back , out with your knives
And cut your trusters’ throats ! Bound servants , steal !
Large-handed robbers your grave masters are ,
And pill by law . Maid , to thy master’s bed !
Thy mistress is o’ th’ brothel . Son of sixteen ,
Pluck the lined crutch from thy old limping sire ;
With it beat out his brains ! Piety and fear ,
Religion to the gods , peace , justice , truth ,
Domestic awe , night rest , and neighborhood ,
Instruction , manners , mysteries , and trades ,
Degrees , observances , customs , and laws ,
Decline to your confounding contraries ,
And yet confusion live ! Plagues incident to men ,
Your potent and infectious fevers heap
On Athens , ripe for stroke ! Thou cold sciatica ,
[117] ACT 4. SC. 2 Cripple our senators , that their limbs may halt
As lamely as their manners ! Lust and liberty ,
Creep in the minds and marrows of our youth ,
That ’gainst the stream of virtue they may strive
And drown themselves in riot ! Itches , blains ,
Sow all th’ Athenian bosoms , and their crop
Be general leprosy ! Breath infect breath ,
That their society , as their friendship , may
Be merely poison ! Nothing I’ll bear from thee
But nakedness , thou detestable town !
Take thou that too , with multiplying bans !
Timon will to the woods , where he shall find
Th’ unkindest beast more kinder than mankind .
The gods confound — hear me , you good gods all ! —
Th’ Athenians both within and out that wall ,
And grant , as Timon grows , his hate may grow
To the whole race of mankind , high and low !
Amen .
Scene 2
Are we undone , cast off , nothing remaining ?
Let me be recorded by the righteous gods ,
I am as poor as you .
So noble a master fall’n , all gone , and not
One friend to take his fortune by the arm
And go along with him ?
[119] ACT 4. SC. 2 From our companion thrown into his grave ,
So his familiars to his buried fortunes
Slink all away , leave their false vows with him ,
Like empty purses picked ; and his poor self ,
A dedicated beggar to the air ,
With his disease of all-shunned poverty ,
Walks , like contempt , alone .
More of our fellows .
That see I by our faces . We are fellows still ,
Serving alike in sorrow . Leaked is our bark ,
And we , poor mates , stand on the dying deck ,
Hearing the surges threat . We must all part
Into this sea of air .
The latest of my wealth I’ll share amongst you .
Wherever we shall meet , for Timon’s sake
Let’s yet be fellows . Let’s shake our heads and say ,
As ’twere a knell unto our master’s fortunes ,
‘We have seen better days .’ ( He offers them
money . ) Let each take some .
Nay , put out all your hands . Not one word more .
Thus part we rich in sorrow , parting poor .
O , the fierce wretchedness that glory brings us !
Who would not wish to be from wealth exempt ,
Since riches point to misery and contempt ?
Who would be so mocked with glory , or to live
But in a dream of friendship ,
To have his pomp and all what state compounds
But only painted , like his varnished friends ?
[121] ACT 4. SC. 3 Poor honest lord , brought low by his own heart ,
Undone by goodness ! Strange unusual blood
When man’s worst sin is he does too much good !
Who then dares to be half so kind again ?
For bounty , that makes gods , do still mar men .
My dearest lord , blest to be most accursed ,
Rich only to be wretched , thy great fortunes
Are made thy chief afflictions . Alas , kind lord !
He’s flung in rage from this ingrateful seat
Of monstrous friends ,
Nor has he with him to supply his life ,
Or that which can command it .
I’ll follow and inquire him out .
I’ll ever serve his mind with my best will .
Whilst I have gold , I’ll be his steward still .
Scene 3
Rotten humidity ! Below thy sister’s orb
Infect the air ! Twinned brothers of one womb ,
Whose procreation , residence , and birth
Scarce is dividant , touch them with several fortunes ,
The greater scorns the lesser . Not nature ,
To whom all sores lay siege , can bear great fortune
But by contempt of nature .
Raise me this beggar , and deny ’t that lord ;
The Senators shall bear contempt hereditary ,
The beggar native honor .
It is the pasture lards the brother’s sides ,
The want that makes him lean . Who dares , who
dares
[123] ACT 4. SC. 3 In purity of manhood stand upright
And say ‘This man’s a flatterer’ ? If one be ,
So are they all , for every grise of fortune
Is smoothed by that below . The learnèd pate
Ducks to the golden fool . All’s obliquy .
There’s nothing level in our cursèd natures
But direct villainy . Therefore be abhorred
All feasts , societies , and throngs of men .
His semblable , yea , himself , Timon disdains .
Destruction fang mankind ! Earth , yield me roots !
Who seeks for better of thee , sauce his palate
With thy most operant poison ! ( Digging , he finds
gold . ) What is here ?
Gold ? Yellow , glittering , precious gold ?
No , gods , I am no idle votarist .
Roots , you clear heavens ! Thus much of this will
make
Black white , foul fair , wrong right ,
Base noble , old young , coward valiant .
Ha , you gods ! Why this ? What this , you gods ? Why ,
this
Will lug your priests and servants from your sides ,
Pluck stout men’s pillows from below their heads .
This yellow slave
Will knit and break religions , bless th’ accursed ,
Make the hoar leprosy adored , place thieves
And give them title , knee , and approbation
With senators on the bench . This is it
That makes the wappened widow wed again ;
She whom the spital house and ulcerous sores
Would cast the gorge at , this embalms and spices
To th’ April day again . Come , damnèd earth ,
Thou common whore of mankind , that puts odds
Among the rout of nations , I will make thee
Do thy right nature . ( March afar off . ) Ha ? A drum ?
Thou ’rt quick ,
[125] ACT 4. SC. 3 But yet I’ll bury thee . Thou ’lt go , strong thief ,
When gouty keepers of thee cannot stand .
Nay , stay thou out for earnest .
manner , and Phrynia and Timandra .
For showing me again the eyes of man !
That art thyself a man ?
For thy part , I do wish thou wert a dog ,
That I might love thee something .
But in thy fortunes am unlearned and strange .
I not desire to know . Follow thy drum .
With man’s blood paint the ground gules , gules !
Religious canons , civil laws are cruel .
Then what should war be ? This fell whore of thine
Hath in her more destruction than thy sword ,
For all her cherubin look .
To thine own lips again .
[127] ACT 4. SC. 3 But then renew I could not , like the moon ;
There were no suns to borrow of .
thou wilt not promise , the gods plague thee , for
thou art a man . If thou dost perform , confound
thee , for thou art a man .
Voiced so regardfully ?
Give them diseases , leaving with thee their lust .
Make use of thy salt hours . Season the slaves
For tubs and baths . Bring down rose-cheeked youth
To the tub-fast and the diet .
Are drowned and lost in his calamities . —
I have but little gold of late , brave Timon ,
The want whereof doth daily make revolt
[129] ACT 4. SC. 3 In my penurious band . I have heard and grieved
How cursèd Athens , mindless of thy worth ,
Forgetting thy great deeds when neighbor states ,
But for thy sword and fortune , trod upon them —
I had rather be alone .
And thee after , when thou hast conquered !
Thou wast born to conquer my country .
Put up thy gold . Go on . Here’s gold . Go on .
Be as a planetary plague when Jove
Will o’er some high-viced city hang his poison
In the sick air . Let not thy sword skip one .
Pity not honored age for his white beard ;
He is an usurer . Strike me the counterfeit matron ;
It is her habit only that is honest ,
Herself’s a bawd . Let not the virgin’s cheek
Make soft thy trenchant sword , for those milk paps ,
That through the window-bars bore at men’s eyes ,
[131] ACT 4. SC. 3 Are not within the leaf of pity writ ,
But set them down horrible traitors . Spare not the
babe ,
Whose dimpled smiles from fools exhaust their
mercy ;
Think it a bastard whom the oracle
Hath doubtfully pronounced the throat shall cut ,
And mince it sans remorse . Swear against objects ;
Put armor on thine ears and on thine eyes ,
Whose proof nor yells of mothers , maids , nor babes ,
Nor sight of priests in holy vestments bleeding ,
Shall pierce a jot . ( He offers gold . ) There’s gold to
pay thy soldiers .
Make large confusion and , thy fury spent ,
Confounded be thyself ! Speak not . Begone .
Not all thy counsel .
And to make whores a bawd . Hold up , you sluts ,
Your aprons mountant . ( He begins throwing gold
into their aprons . ) You are not oathable ,
Although I know you’ll swear — terribly swear
Into strong shudders and to heavenly agues
Th’ immortal gods that hear you . Spare your oaths .
I’ll trust to your conditions . Be whores still .
And he whose pious breath seeks to convert you ,
Be strong in whore , allure him , burn him up .
Let your close fire predominate his smoke ,
And be no turncoats . Yet may your pains six months
Be quite contrary . And thatch your poor thin roofs
[133] ACT 4. SC. 3 With burdens of the dead — some that were hanged ,
No matter ; wear them , betray with them . Whore
still .
Paint till a horse may mire upon your face .
A pox of wrinkles !
Believe ’t that we’ll do anything for gold .
In hollow bones of man ; strike their sharp shins ,
And mar men’s spurring . Crack the lawyer’s voice ,
That he may never more false title plead
Nor sound his quillets shrilly . Hoar the flamen ,
That scolds against the quality of flesh
And not believes himself . Down with the nose —
Down with it flat , take the bridge quite away —
Of him that , his particular to foresee ,
Smells from the general weal . Make curled-pate
ruffians bald ,
And let the unscarred braggarts of the war
Derive some pain from you . Plague all ,
That your activity may defeat and quell
The source of all erection . There’s more gold .
Do you damn others , and let this damn you ,
And ditches grave you all !
earnest .
Timon .
If I thrive well , I’ll visit thee again .
[135]ACT 4. SC. 3
Thy beagles with thee .
Strike .
Should yet be hungry ! ( He digs . ) Common mother ,
thou
Whose womb unmeasurable and infinite breast
Teems and feeds all ; whose selfsame mettle —
Whereof thy proud child , arrogant man , is puffed —
Engenders the black toad and adder blue ,
The gilded newt and eyeless venomed worm ,
With all th’ abhorrèd births below crisp heaven
Whereon Hyperion’s quick’ning fire doth shine :
Yield him who all thy human sons do hate ,
From forth thy plenteous bosom , one poor root !
Ensear thy fertile and conceptious womb ;
Let it no more bring out ingrateful man .
Go great with tigers , dragons , wolves , and bears ;
Teem with new monsters , whom thy upward face
Hath to the marbled mansion all above
Never presented . O , a root ! Dear thanks !
Dry up thy marrows , vines , and plow-torn leas ,
Whereof ingrateful man with liquorish drafts
And morsels unctuous greases his pure mind ,
That from it all consideration slips —
More man ? Plague , plague !
Thou dost affect my manners and dost use them .
[137]ACT 4. SC. 3
Whom I would imitate . Consumption catch thee !
A poor unmanly melancholy sprung
From change of future . Why this spade ? This place ?
This slavelike habit and these looks of care ?
Thy flatterers yet wear silk , drink wine , lie soft ,
Hug their diseased perfumes , and have forgot
That ever Timon was . Shame not these woods
By putting on the cunning of a carper .
Be thou a flatterer now , and seek to thrive
By that which has undone thee . Hinge thy knee ,
And let his very breath whom thou ’lt observe
Blow off thy cap ; praise his most vicious strain ,
And call it excellent . Thou wast told thus .
Thou gav’st thine ears , like tapsters that bade
welcome ,
To knaves and all approachers . ’Tis most just
That thou turn rascal . Had’st thou wealth again ,
Rascals should have ’t . Do not assume my likeness .
A madman so long , now a fool . What , think’st
That the bleak air , thy boisterous chamberlain ,
Will put thy shirt on warm ? Will these moist trees ,
That have outlived the eagle , page thy heels
And skip when thou point’st out ? Will the cold brook ,
Candied with ice , caudle thy morning taste
To cure thy o’ernight’s surfeit ? Call the creatures
Whose naked natures live in all the spite
Of wreakful heaven , whose bare unhousèd trunks ,
[139] ACT 4. SC. 3 To the conflicting elements exposed ,
Answer mere nature . Bid them flatter thee .
O , thou shalt find —
Dost please thyself in ’t ?
To castigate thy pride , ’twere well , but thou
Dost it enforcedly . Thou ’dst courtier be again
Wert thou not beggar . Willing misery
Outlives incertain pomp , is crowned before ;
The one is filling still , never complete ,
The other at high wish . Best state , contentless ,
Hath a distracted and most wretched being ,
Worse than the worst , content .
Thou shouldst desire to die , being miserable .
Thou art a slave whom Fortune’s tender arm
With favor never clasped but bred a dog .
Hadst thou , like us from our first swathe , proceeded
The sweet degrees that this brief world affords
[141] ACT 4. SC. 3 To such as may the passive drugs of it
Freely command , thou wouldst have plunged
thyself
In general riot , melted down thy youth
In different beds of lust , and never learned
The icy precepts of respect , but followed
The sugared game before thee . But myself —
Who had the world as my confectionary ,
The mouths , the tongues , the eyes and hearts of
men
At duty , more than I could frame employment ,
That numberless upon me stuck as leaves
Do on the oak , have with one winter’s brush
Fell from their boughs and left me open , bare ,
For every storm that blows — I to bear this ,
That never knew but better , is some burden .
Thy nature did commence in sufferance . Time
Hath made thee hard in ’t . Why shouldst thou hate
men ?
They never flattered thee . What hast thou given ?
If thou wilt curse , thy father , that poor rag ,
Must be thy subject , who in spite put stuff
To some she-beggar and compounded thee
Poor rogue hereditary . Hence , begone .
If thou hadst not been born the worst of men ,
Thou hadst been a knave and flatterer .
Were all the wealth I have shut up in thee ,
I’d give thee leave to hang it . Get thee gone .
That the whole life of Athens were in this !
Thus would I eat it .
[143]ACT 4. SC. 3
If not , I would it were .
Tell them there I have gold . Look , so I have .
For here it sleeps and does no hired harm .
a-days , Apemantus ?
where I eat it .
mind !
knewest , but the extremity of both ends . When
thou wast in thy gilt and thy perfume , they
mocked thee for too much curiosity . In thy rags
thou know’st none , but art despised for the contrary .
There’s a medlar for thee . Eat it .
shouldst have loved thyself better now . What man
didst thou ever know unthrift that was beloved
after his means ?
[145]ACT 4. SC. 3
thou ever know beloved ?
keep a dog .
compare to thy flatterers ?
themselves . What wouldst thou do with the world ,
Apemantus , if it lay in thy power ?
of men and remain a beast with the beasts ?
t’ attain to ! If thou wert the lion , the fox would
beguile thee . If thou wert the lamb , the fox would
eat thee . If thou wert the fox , the lion would suspect
thee when peradventure thou wert accused by
the ass . If thou wert the ass , thy dullness would
torment thee , and still thou lived’st but as a breakfast
to the wolf . If thou wert the wolf , thy greediness
would afflict thee , and oft thou shouldst hazard
thy life for thy dinner . Wert thou the unicorn ,
pride and wrath would confound thee and
make thine own self the conquest of thy fury . Wert
thou a bear , thou wouldst be killed by the horse .
Wert thou a horse , thou wouldst be seized by the
leopard . Wert thou a leopard , thou wert germane
to the lion , and the spots of thy kindred were
jurors on thy life . All thy safety were remotion , and
thy defense absence . What beast couldst thou be
that were not subject to a beast ? And what a beast
art thou already that seest not thy loss in
transformation !
[147] ACT 4. SC. 3 me , thou mightst have hit upon it here . The commonwealth
of Athens is become a forest of beasts .
out of the city ?
plague of company light upon thee ! I will fear to
catch it and give way . When I know not what else
to do , I’ll see thee again .
shalt be welcome . I had rather be a beggar’s dog
than Apemantus .
I’ll beat thee , but I should infect my hands .
Choler does kill me that thou art alive .
I swoon to see thee .
I am sorry I shall lose a stone by thee .
[149]ACT 4. SC. 3
I am sick of this false world , and will love nought
But even the mere necessities upon ’t .
Then , Timon , presently prepare thy grave .
Lie where the light foam of the sea may beat
Thy gravestone daily . Make thine epitaph ,
That death in me at others’ lives may laugh .
divorce
’Twixt natural son and sire , thou bright defiler
Of Hymen’s purest bed , thou valiant Mars ,
Thou ever young , fresh , loved , and delicate wooer ,
Whose blush doth thaw the consecrated snow
That lies on Dian’s lap ; thou visible god ,
That sold’rest close impossibilities
And mak’st them kiss , that speak’st with every
tongue
To every purpose ! O thou touch of hearts ,
Think thy slave , man , rebels , and by thy virtue
Set them into confounding odds , that beasts
May have the world in empire !
But not till I am dead . I’ll say thou ’st gold ;
Thou wilt be thronged to shortly .
them .
[151] ACT 4. SC. 3 some poor fragment , some slender ort of his
remainder . The mere want of gold and the falling-from
of his friends drove him into this melancholy .
care not for ’t , he will supply us easily . If he covetously
reserve it , how shall ’s get it ?
hid .
Why should you want ? Behold , the earth hath roots .
Within this mile break forth a hundred springs .
The oaks bear mast , the briars scarlet hips .
The bounteous huswife Nature on each bush
Lays her full mess before you . Want ? Why want ?
As beasts and birds and fishes .
You must eat men . Yet thanks I must you con
That you are thieves professed , that you work not
In holier shapes , for there is boundless theft
In limited professions . Rascal thieves ,
[153] ACT 4. SC. 3 Here’s gold . ( He gives them gold . ) Go , suck the
subtle blood o’ th’ grape
Till the high fever seethe your blood to froth ,
And so ’scape hanging . Trust not the physician ;
His antidotes are poison , and he slays
More than you rob . Take wealth and lives together .
Do , villainy , do , since you protest to do ’t ,
Like workmen . I’ll example you with thievery .
The sun’s a thief and with his great attraction
Robs the vast sea . The moon’s an arrant thief ,
And her pale fire she snatches from the sun .
The sea’s a thief , whose liquid surge resolves
The moon into salt tears . The earth’s a thief ,
That feeds and breeds by a composture stol’n
From gen’ral excrement . Each thing’s a thief .
The laws , your curb and whip , in their rough power
Has unchecked theft . Love not yourselves . Away !
Rob one another . There’s more gold . ( He gives them
gold . ) Cut throats .
All that you meet are thieves . To Athens go .
Break open shops . Nothing can you steal
But thieves do lose it . Steal less for this I give you ,
And gold confound you howsoe’er ! Amen .
by persuading me to it .
thus advises us , not to have us thrive in our
mystery .
over my trade .
no time so miserable but a man may be true .
[155] ACT 4. SC. 3 Is yond despised and ruinous man my lord ?
Full of decay and flailing ? O , monument
And wonder of good deeds evilly bestowed !
What an alteration of honor has desp’rate want
made !
What viler thing upon the Earth than friends ,
Who can bring noblest minds to basest ends !
How rarely does it meet with this time’s guise ,
When man was wished to love his enemies !
Grant I may ever love , and rather woo
Those that would mischief me than those that do !
Has caught me in his eye . I will present
My honest grief unto him and as my lord
Still serve him with my life . — My dearest master .
Then , if thou grant’st thou ’rt a man , I have forgot
thee .
I never had honest man about me , I . All
I kept were knaves to serve in meat to villains .
Ne’er did poor steward wear a truer grief
For his undone lord than mine eyes for you .
thee
Because thou art a woman and disclaim’st
Flinty mankind , whose eyes do never give
But thorough lust and laughter . Pity’s sleeping .
[157] ACT 4. SC. 3 Strange times that weep with laughing , not with
weeping !
T’ accept my grief , and , whilst this poor wealth lasts ,
To entertain me as your steward still .
So true , so just , and now so comfortable ?
It almost turns my dangerous nature mild .
Let me behold thy face . Surely this man
Was born of woman .
Forgive my general and exceptless rashness ,
You perpetual-sober gods . I do proclaim
One honest man — mistake me not , but one ;
No more , I pray ! — and he’s a steward .
How fain would I have hated all mankind ,
And thou redeem’st thyself . But all , save thee ,
I fell with curses .
Methinks thou art more honest now than wise ,
For by oppressing and betraying me
Thou mightst have sooner got another service ;
For many so arrive at second masters
Upon their first lord’s neck . But tell me true —
For I must ever doubt , though ne’er so sure —
Is not thy kindness subtle , covetous ,
A usuring kindness , and as rich men deal gifts ,
Expecting in return twenty for one ?
Doubt and suspect , alas , are placed too late .
You should have feared false times when you did
feast .
Suspect still comes where an estate is least .
That which I show , heaven knows , is merely love ,
Duty , and zeal to your unmatchèd mind ,
[159] ACT 4. SC. 3 Care of your food and living . And believe it ,
My most honored lord ,
For any benefit that points to me ,
Either in hope or present , I’d exchange
For this one wish , that you had power and wealth
To requite me by making rich yourself .
Here , take . ( Timon offers gold . ) The gods out of my
misery
Has sent thee treasure . Go , live rich and happy ,
But thus conditioned : thou shalt build from men ;
Hate all , curse all , show charity to none ,
But let the famished flesh slide from the bone
Ere thou relieve the beggar ; give to dogs
What thou deniest to men ; let prisons swallow ’em ,
Debts wither ’em to nothing ; be men like blasted
woods ,
And may diseases lick up their false bloods !
And so farewell and thrive .
And comfort you , my master .
Stay not . Fly whilst thou art blest and free .
Ne’er see thou man , and let me ne’er see thee .
[163]
ACT 5
Scene 1
where he abides .
hold for true that he’s so full of gold ?
Timandra had gold of him . He likewise enriched
poor straggling soldiers with great quantity . ’Tis
said he gave unto his steward a mighty sum .
his friends ?
Athens again , and flourish with the highest . Therefore
’tis not amiss we tender our loves to him in
this supposed distress of his . It will show honestly
in us and is very likely to load our purposes with
what they travail for , if it be a just and true report
that goes of his having .
will promise him an excellent piece .
that’s coming toward him .
[165]ACT 5. SC. 1
th’ time ; it opens the eyes of expectation . Performance
is ever the duller for his act , and but in the
plainer and simpler kind of people the deed of saying
is quite out of use . To promise is most courtly
and fashionable . Performance is a kind of will or
testament which argues a great sickness in his
judgment that makes it .
paint a man so bad as is thyself .
for him . It must be a personating of himself , a
satire against the softness of prosperity , with a discovery
of the infinite flatteries that follow youth
and opulency .
thine own work ? Wilt thou whip thine own faults
in other men ? Do so . I have gold for thee .
Then do we sin against our own estate
When we may profit meet and come too late .
When the day serves , before black-cornered night ,
Find what thou want’st by free and offered light .
Come .
That he is worshiped in a baser temple
Than where swine feed !
’Tis thou that rigg’st the bark and plow’st the foam ,
Settlest admirèd reverence in a slave .
To thee be worship , and thy saints for aye
Be crowned with plagues , that thee alone obey !
Fit I meet them .
[167]ACT 5. SC. 1
Having often of your open bounty tasted ,
Hearing you were retired , your friends fall’n off ,
Whose thankless natures — O , abhorrèd spirits !
Not all the whips of heaven are large enough —
What , to you ,
Whose starlike nobleness gave life and influence
To their whole being ? I am rapt and cannot cover
The monstrous bulk of this ingratitude
With any size of words .
You that are honest , by being what you are
Make them best seen and known .
Have travailed in the great shower of your gifts
And sweetly felt it .
Can you eat roots and drink cold water ? No ?
I am sure you have . Speak truth . You’re honest men .
Came not my friend nor I .
counterfeit
[169] ACT 5. SC. 1 Best in all Athens . Thou ’rt indeed the best .
Thou counterfeit’st most lively .
fiction ,
Why , thy verse swells with stuff so fine and smooth
That thou art even natural in thine art .
But for all this , my honest-natured friends ,
I must needs say you have a little fault .
Marry , ’tis not monstrous in you , neither wish I
You take much pains to mend .
To make it known to us .
That mightily deceives you .
Know his gross patchery , love him , feed him ,
Keep in your bosom . Yet remain assured
That he’s a made-up villain .
Rid me these villains from your companies ,
Hang them or stab them , drown them in a draft ,
Confound them by some course , and come to me ,
I’ll give you gold enough .
[171]ACT 5. SC. 1
Each man apart , all single and alone ,
Yet an archvillain keeps him company .
Come not near him .
not reside
But where one villain is , then him abandon . —
Hence , pack . There’s gold . You came for gold , you
slaves .
Hence .
that .
Out , rascal dogs !
For he is set so only to himself
That nothing but himself which looks like man
Is friendly with him .
It is our part and promise to th’ Athenians
To speak with Timon .
Men are not still the same . ’Twas time and griefs
That framed him thus . Time , with his fairer hand
Offering the fortunes of his former days ,
The former man may make him . Bring us to him ,
And chance it as it may .
Peace and content be here ! Lord Timon ! Timon !
Look out , and speak to friends . Th’ Athenians
By two of their most reverend Senate greet thee .
Speak to them , noble Timon .
[173]ACT 5. SC. 1
hanged !
For each true word a blister , and each false
Be as a cauterizing to the root o’ th’ tongue ,
Consuming it with speaking .
Could I but catch it for them .
What we are sorry for ourselves in thee .
The Senators with one consent of love
Entreat thee back to Athens , who have thought
On special dignities which vacant lie
For thy best use and wearing .
Toward thee forgetfulness too general gross ;
Which now the public body , which doth seldom
Play the recanter , feeling in itself
A lack of Timon’s aid , hath sense withal
Of it own fall , restraining aid to Timon ,
And send forth us to make their sorrowed render ,
Together with a recompense more fruitful
Than their offense can weigh down by the dram —
Ay , even such heaps and sums of love and wealth
As shall to thee blot out what wrongs were theirs
And write in thee the figures of their love ,
Ever to read them thine .
[175] ACT 5. SC. 1 Surprise me to the very brink of tears .
Lend me a fool’s heart and a woman’s eyes ,
And I’ll beweep these comforts , worthy senators .
And of our Athens , thine and ours , to take
The captainship , thou shalt be met with thanks ;
Allowed with absolute power , and thy good name
Live with authority . So soon we shall drive back
Of Alcibiades th’ approaches wild ,
Who like a boar too savage doth root up
His country’s peace .
Against the walls of Athens .
If Alcibiades kill my countrymen ,
Let Alcibiades know this of Timon —
That Timon cares not . But if he sack fair Athens
And take our goodly agèd men by th’ beards ,
Giving our holy virgins to the stain
Of contumelious , beastly , mad-brained war ,
Then let him know , and tell him Timon speaks it
In pity of our agèd and our youth ,
I cannot choose but tell him that I care not ,
And let him take ’t at worst — for their knives care not ,
While you have throats to answer . For myself ,
There’s not a whittle in th’ unruly camp
But I do prize it at my love before
The reverend’st throat in Athens . So I leave you
To the protection of the prosperous gods
As thieves to keepers .
[177] ACT 5. SC. 1 It will be seen tomorrow . My long sickness
Of health and living now begins to mend ,
And nothing brings me all things . Go , live still .
Be Alcibiades your plague , you his ,
And last so long enough !
One that rejoices in the common wrack ,
As common bruit doth put it .
them .
In their applauding gates .
And tell them that , to ease them of their griefs ,
Their fears of hostile strokes , their aches , losses ,
Their pangs of love , with other incident throes
That nature’s fragile vessel doth sustain
In life’s uncertain voyage , I will some kindness do
them .
I’ll teach them to prevent wild Alcibiades’ wrath .
That mine own use invites me to cut down ,
And shortly must I fell it . Tell my friends ,
Tell Athens , in the sequence of degree
From high to low throughout , that whoso please
To stop affliction , let him take his haste ,
[179] ACT 5. SC. 2 Come hither ere my tree hath felt the ax ,
And hang himself . I pray you , do my greeting .
Timon hath made his everlasting mansion
Upon the beachèd verge of the salt flood ,
Who once a day with his embossèd froth
The turbulent surge shall cover . Thither come
And let my gravestone be your oracle .
Lips , let four words go by and language end .
What is amiss , plague and infection mend .
Graves only be men’s works , and death their gain .
Sun , hide thy beams . Timon hath done his reign .
Coupled to nature .
And strain what other means is left unto us
In our dear peril .
Scene 2
As full as thy report ?
Besides , his expedition promises
Present approach .
[181]ACT 5. SC. 3
Whom , though in general part we were opposed ,
Yet our old love made a particular force
And made us speak like friends . This man was riding
From Alcibiades to Timon’s cave
With letters of entreaty which imported
His fellowship i’ th’ cause against your city ,
In part for his sake moved .
The enemy’s drum is heard , and fearful scouring
Doth choke the air with dust . In , and prepare .
Ours is the fall , I fear , our foe’s the snare .
Scene 3
Who’s here ? Speak , ho ! No answer ? What is this ?
Timon is dead , who hath out-stretched his span .
Some beast read this ; there does not live a man .
Dead , sure , and this his grave . What’s on this tomb
I cannot read . The character I’ll take with wax .
Our captain hath in every figure skill ,
An aged interpreter , though young in days .
[183] ACT 5. SC. 4 Before proud Athens he’s set down by this ,
Whose fall the mark of his ambition is .
Scene 4
before Athens .
Our terrible approach .
Till now you have gone on and filled the time
With all licentious measure , making your wills
The scope of justice . Till now myself and such
As slept within the shadow of your power
Have wandered with our traversed arms and breathed
Our sufferance vainly . Now the time is flush ,
When crouching marrow in the bearer strong
Cries of itself ‘No more !’ Now breathless wrong
Shall sit and pant in your great chairs of ease ,
And pursy insolence shall break his wind
With fear and horrid flight .
When thy first griefs were but a mere conceit ,
Ere thou hadst power or we had cause of fear ,
We sent to thee to give thy rages balm ,
To wipe out our ingratitude with loves
Above their quantity .
Transformèd Timon to our city’s love
By humble message and by promised means .
We were not all unkind , nor all deserve
The common stroke of war .
[185]ACT 5. SC. 4
Were not erected by their hands from whom
You have received your grief , nor are they such
That these great towers , trophies , and schools
should fall
For private faults in them .
Who were the motives that you first went out .
Shame , that they wanted cunning , in excess
Hath broke their hearts . March , noble lord ,
Into our city with thy banners spread .
By decimation and a tithèd death ,
If thy revenges hunger for that food
Which nature loathes , take thou the destined tenth
And , by the hazard of the spotted die ,
Let die the spotted .
For those that were , it is not square to take ,
On those that are , revenge . Crimes , like lands ,
Are not inherited . Then , dear countryman ,
Bring in thy ranks but leave without thy rage .
Spare thy Athenian cradle and those kin
Which in the bluster of thy wrath must fall
With those that have offended . Like a shepherd
Approach the fold and cull th’ infected forth ,
But kill not all together .
Thou rather shalt enforce it with thy smile
Than hew to ’t with thy sword .
Against our rampired gates and they shall ope ,
So thou wilt send thy gentle heart before
To say thou ’lt enter friendly .
Or any token of thine honor else ,
That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress
[187] ACT 5. SC. 4 And not as our confusion , all thy powers
Shall make their harbor in our town till we
Have sealed thy full desire .
Descend and open your unchargèd ports .
Those enemies of Timon’s and mine own
Whom you yourselves shall set out for reproof
Fall , and no more . And to atone your fears
With my more noble meaning , not a man
Shall pass his quarter or offend the stream
Of regular justice in your city’s bounds
But shall be remedied to your public laws
At heaviest answer .
Entombed upon the very hem o’ th’ sea ,
And on his gravestone this insculpture , which
With wax I brought away , whose soft impression
Interprets for my poor ignorance .
Seek not my name . A plague consume you , wicked
caitiffs left !
Here lie I , Timon , who , alive , all living men did hate .
Pass by and curse thy fill , but pass and stay not here
thy gait .
These well express in thee thy latter spirits .
Though thou abhorred’st in us our human griefs ,
Scorned’st our brains’ flow and those our droplets
which
From niggard nature fall , yet rich conceit
[189] ACT 5. SC. 4 Taught thee to make vast Neptune weep for aye
On thy low grave , on faults forgiven . Dead
Is noble Timon , of whose memory
Hereafter more . Bring me into your city ,
And I will use the olive with my sword ,
Make war breed peace , make peace stint war , make
each
Prescribe to other as each other’s leech .
Let our drums strike .
Appendix A
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CC BY 4.0
Link to license
- Citation Suggestion for this Edition
- TextGrid Repository (2025). Shakespeare, William. Timon of Athens. The Folger Digital Texts in TextGrid. https://hdl.handle.net/21.11113/0000-0016-8492-D