William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (428 page)
Read William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition Online
Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus.
TIMON Captain Alcibiades, your heart’s in the field now.
ALCIBIADES My heart is ever at your service, my lord.
TIMON You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of friends.
ALCISIADES So they were bleeding new, my lord; there’s no meat like ’em. I could wish my best friend at such a feast.
APEMANTUS
Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then,
That thou mightst kill ‘em and bid me to ’em.
That thou mightst kill ‘em and bid me to ’em.
FIRST LORD (
to Timon
) Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think ourselves for ever perfect.
to Timon
) Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think ourselves for ever perfect.
TIMON O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods 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.
APEMANTUS Thou weep’st to make them drink, Timon.
SECOND LORD (
to Timon
)
to Timon
)
Joy had the like conception in our eyes,
And at that instant like a babe sprung up.
And at that instant like a babe sprung up.
APEMANTUS
Ho, ho, I laugh to think that babe a bastard.
THIRD LORD (
to Timon
)
to Timon
)
I promise you, my lord, you moved me much.
APEMANTUS Much!
A tucket sounds within
TIMON What means that trump?
Enter a Servant
How now?
SERVANT Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance.
TIMON Ladies? What are their wills?
SERVANT There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office to signify their pleasures.
TIMON I pray let them be admitted.
Enter one as Cupid
CUPID
Hail to thee, worthy Timon, and to all
That of his bounties taste! The five best senses
Acknowledge thee their patron, and come freely
To gratulate thy plenteous bosom. Th’ear,
Taste, touch, smell, all, pleased from thy table rise.
They only now come but to feast thine eyes.
That of his bounties taste! The five best senses
Acknowledge thee their patron, and come freely
To gratulate thy plenteous bosom. Th’ear,
Taste, touch, smell, all, pleased from thy table rise.
They only now come but to feast thine eyes.
TIMON
They’re welcome all. Let ’em have kind admittance.
Music make their welcome!
Exit Cupid
Music make their welcome!
Exit Cupid
⌈FIRST LORD⌉
You see, my lord, how ample you’re beloved.
Music. Enter a masque of Ladies as Amazons, with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing
APEMANTUS
Hey-day, 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 depraved 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.
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 depraved 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.
The Lords rise from table with much adoring of
Timon; and to show their loves each singles out an
Amazon, and all dance, men with women, a lofty
strain or two to the hautboys; and cease
TIMON
You have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies,
Set a fair fashion on our entertainment,
Which was not half so beautiful and kind.
You have added worth unto’t and lustre,
And entertained me with mine own device.
I am to thank you for’t.
Set a fair fashion on our entertainment,
Which was not half so beautiful and kind.
You have added worth unto’t and lustre,
And entertained me with mine own device.
I am to thank you for’t.
FIRST ⌈LADY⌉
My lord, you take us even at the best.
APEMANTUS Faith; for the worst is filthy, and would not hold taking, I doubt me.
TIMON
Ladies, there is an idle banquet ’tends you.
Please you to dispose yourselves.
Please you to dispose yourselves.
ALL LADIES Most thankfully, my lord.
Exeunt Ladies
Exeunt Ladies
TIMON Flavius.
FLAVIUS My lord.
TIMON The little casket bring me hither.
FLAVIUS Yes, my lord. (
Aside
) More jewels yet?
Aside
) More jewels yet?
There is no crossing him in’s humour,
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. Exit
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. Exit
FIRST LORD Where be our men?
SERVANT Here, my lord, in readiness.
SECOND LORD Our horses. ⌈
Exit Servant
⌉
Exit Servant
⌉
Enter Flavius with the casket. He gives it to Timon,
⌈
and exits
⌉
TIMON
O my friends, I have one word to say to you.
Look you, my good lord,
I must entreat you honour me so much
As to advance this jewel. Accept and wear it,
Kind my lord.
Look you, my good lord,
I must entreat you honour me so much
As to advance this jewel. Accept and wear it,
Kind my lord.
FIRST LORD
I am so far already in your gifts.
ALL LORDS So are we all.
Timon gives them jewels
.
Enter a Servant
FIRST SERVANT My lord, there are certain nobles of the senate newly alighted and come to visit you.
TIMON They are fairly welcome.
Exit Servant
Exit Servant
Enter Flavius
FLAVIUS I beseech your honour, vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near.
TIMON
Near? Why then, another time I’ll hear thee.
I prithee, let’s be provided to show them entertainment.
I prithee, let’s be provided to show them entertainment.
FLAVIUS I scarce know how.
Enter a Second Servant
SECOND SERVANT
May it please your honour, Lord Lucius
Out of his free love hath presented to you
Four milk-white horses trapped in silver.
Out of his free love hath presented to you
Four milk-white horses trapped in silver.
TIMON
I shall accept them fairly. Let the presents
Be worthily entertained.
Be worthily entertained.
Exit Servant
Enter a Third Servant
How now, what news?
THIRD SERVANT Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman Lord Lucullus entreats your company tomorrow to hunt with him, and has sent your honour two brace of greyhounds.
TIMON
I’ll hunt with him, and let them be received
Not without fair reward.
Exit Servant
Not without fair reward.
Exit Servant
FLAVIUS (
aside
) What will this come to?
aside
) What will this come to?
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 every 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
Than such that do e’en enemies exceed.
I bleed inwardly for my lord.
Exit
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 every 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
Than such that do e’en enemies exceed.
I bleed inwardly for my lord.
Exit
TIMON (
to the Lords
) You do yourselves
to the Lords
) You do yourselves
Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits.
(
To Second Lord
) Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.
(
To Second Lord
) Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.
SECOND LORD
With more than common thanks I will receive it.
THIRD LORD
O, he’s the very soul of bounty!
TIMON (
to First Lord
) And now I remember, my lord, you gave good words the other day of a bay courser I rode on. ’Tis yours, because you liked it.
to First Lord
) And now I remember, my lord, you gave good words the other day of a bay courser I rode on. ’Tis yours, because you liked it.
FIRST LORD
O I beseech you pardon me, my lord, in that.
TIMON
You may take my word, my lord, I know no man
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.
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.
ALL LORDS O, none so welcome.
TIMON
I take all and your several visitations
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.
⌈
Giving a present
⌉ 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.
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.
⌈
Giving a present
⌉ 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.
ALCIBIADES Ay, defiled land, my lord.
FIRST LORD We are so virtuously bound—
TIMON And so am I to you.
SECOND LORD So infinitely endeared—
TIMON All to you. Lights, more lights!
FIRST LORD
The best of happiness, honour, and fortunes
Keep with you, Lord Timon.
Keep with you, Lord Timon.
TIMON Ready for his friends.
Exeunt all but Timon and Apemantus
APEMANTUS What a coil’s here,
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 curtseys.
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 curtseys.
TIMON
Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen
I would be good to thee.
I would be good to thee.
APEMANTUS No, I’ll nothing; for if I should be bribed 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?
TIMON Nay, an you begin to rail on society once, I am sworn not to give regard to you.
Farewell, and come with better music.
Exit
Exit
APEMANTUS SO.
Thou wilt not hear me now, thou shalt not then.
I’ll lock thy heaven from thee. O, that men’s ears
should be
To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!
I’ll lock thy heaven from thee. O, that men’s ears
should be
To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!
Exit
2.1Enter a Senator
⌈
With bonds
⌉
SENATOR
And late five thousand. To Varro and to Isidore
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!
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!
Enter Caphis
CAPHIS Here, sir. What is your pleasure?
SENATOR
Get on your cloak and haste you to Lord Timon.
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
Out of mine own, his days and times are past,
And my reliances on his fracted dates
Have smit my credit. I love and honour 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.
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
Out of mine own, his days and times are past,
And my reliances on his fracted dates
Have smit my credit. I love and honour 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.
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