Imatges de pàgina
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Such valour in the bearing, what make we Abroad? why then, women are more valiant, That stay at home, if bearing carry it;

Tim. So fitly? Go, bid all my friends again, Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius; ali: I'll once more feast the rascals.

Flav.

O my lord,

You only speak from your distracted soul; There is not so much left, to furnish out

A moderate table.

Tim.

Be't not in thy care; go,

I charge thee; invite them all: let in the tide Of knaves once more; my cook and I'll provide. [Exeunt.

SCENE V.-The same. The Senate-House. The senate sitting. Enter Alciabades, attended.

1 Sen. My lord, you have my voice to it; the fault's

Bloody; 'tis necessary he should die :
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

2 Sen. Most true; the law shall bruise him. Alcib. Honour, health, and compassion to the senate!

1 Sen. Now, captain?

Alcib. I am an humble suitor to your virtues; 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 stepp'd into the law, which is past depth
To those that, without heed, do plunge into it.
He is a man, setting his fate aside,'
Of comely virtues :

Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice;
(An honour in him which buys out his fault,)
But, with a noble fury, and fair spirit,
Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,
He did oppose his foe:

And with such sober and unnoted passion2
He did behave' his anger, ere 'twas spent,
As if he had but prov'd an argument.

1 Sen. You undergo too strict a paradox,
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair:
Your words have took such pains, as if they labour'd
To bring manslaughter into form, set quarrelling
Upon the head of valour; which, indeed,
Is valour 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

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Alcib. My lord,

1 Sen. You cannot make gross sins look clear; To revenge is no valour, but to bear.

Alcib. My lords, then, under favour, pardon me, If I speak like a captain.

Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
And not endure all threat'nings? sleep upon it,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats,
Without repugnancy? but if there be

(1) i. e. Putting this action of his, which was predetermined by fate, out of the question.

(2) i. e. Passion so subdued, that no spectator could note its operation.

(4) You undertake a paradox too hard.

(3) Manage, govern.

(5) What have we to do in the field.

And th' 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 defence, by mercy, 'us most just."

To be in anger, is impiety;

But who is man, that is not angry?
Weigh but the crime with this.

2 Sen. You breathe in vain.
Alcib.

In vain? his service done

At Lacedæmon, and Byzantium,
Were a sufficient briber for his life.
1 Sen. What's that?
Alcib.

Why, I say, my lords, h'as

done fair service,

And slain in fight many of your enemies:
How full of valour did he bear himself
In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds?
2 Sen. He has made too much plenty with 'em, he
Is a sworn rioter: h'as a sin that often
Drowns him, and takes his valour prisoner:
If there were no foes, that were enough alone
To overcome him: in that beastly fury
He has been known to commit outrages,
And cherish factions: 'Tis inferr'd to us,
His days are foul, and his drink dangerous.
1 Sen. He dies.

Alcib. Hard fate! he might have died in war.
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 them both:
And, for I know, your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories, all
My honour 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.

1 Sen. We are for law, he dies; urge it no more,
On height of our displeasure: Friend, or brother,
He forfeits his own blood, that spills another.
Alcib. Must it be so? it must not be. My lords,
I do beseech you, know me.

2 Sen. How?

Alcib. Call me to your remembrances. 3 Sen.

What?

Alcib. I cannot think, but your age has forgot me ; It could not else be, I should prove so base, To sue, and be denied such common grace: My wounds ache at you.

1 Sen. Do you dare our anger? 'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect; We banish thee for ever.

Alcib.

Banish me?

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Alcib. Now the gods keep you old enough; that
you may live

Only in bone, that none may look on you!

I am 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? ha! banishment?
It comes not ill; I hate not to be banish'd;
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,1
'Tis honour, with most lands to be at odds;
Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods.

[Exit.

SCENE VI-A magnificent room in Timon's
house. Music. Tables set out: Servants at-
tending. Enter divers Lords, at several doors.
1 Lord. The good time of day to you, sir.

2 Lord. I also wish it to you. I think, this honourable lord did but try us this other day.

2

Tim. Think not on't, sir.

Act III.

2 Lord. If you had sent but two hours before,Tim. Let it not cumber your better remem

brance.3-Come, bring in all together.

2 Lord. All covered dishes!

1 Lord. Royal cheer, I warrant you.

3 Lord. Doubt not that, if money and the season, can yield it.

1 Lord. How do you? What's the news?

3 Lord. Alcibiades is banished: Hear you of it? 1 & 2 Lord. Alcibiades banished!

3 Lord. 'Tis so, be sure of it.

1 Lord. How? how?

2 Lord. I pray you, upon what?
Tim. My worthy friends, will you draw near?
3 Lord. I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble
feast toward.

2 Lord. This is the old man still.
3 Lord. Will't hold? will't hold?
2 Lord. It does: but time will-and so-
3 Lord. I do conceive.

Tim. Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would to the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be 1 Lord. Upon that were my thoughts tiring, in all places alike. Make not a city feast of it, to when we encountered: I hope, it is not so low with let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first him, as he made it seem in the trial of his several place: Sit, sit. The gods require our thanks. friends.

2 Lord. It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.

1 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. 2 Lord. In like manner was

with thankfulness. For your own gifts, make You great benefactors, sprinkle our society yourselves praised: but reserve still to give, lest your deities be despised. Lend to each man enough, godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake that one need not lend to another: for, were your importunate business, but he would not hear my be without a score of villains: If there sit twelve in debt to my the man that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty the gods. Make the meat be beloved, more than excuse. I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision was out. women at the table, let a dozen of them be—as they

1 Lord. I am sick of that grief too, as I under-are.-The rest of your fees, O gods, the sena stand how all things go.

2 Lord. Every man here's so.

have borrowed of you?

1 Lord. A thousand pieces.

2 Lord. A thousand pieces!

1 Lord. What of you?

tors of Athens, together with the common lag of What would he people-what is amiss in them, you gods, make

3 Lord. He sent to me, sir,-Here he comes. Enter Timon, and attendants.

Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen both :-And how fare you?

1 Lord. Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

2 Lord. The swallow follows not summer more willing, than we your lordship.

Tim. [Aside.] Nor more willingly leaves winter; such summer-birds are men.-Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long stay: feast your cars with the music awhile; if they will fare so harshly on the trumpet's sound: we shall to't presently.

1 Lord. I hope, it remains not unkindly with your lordship, that I returned you an empty mes

senger.

Tim. O sir, let it not trouble you.

2 Lord. My noble lord,

Tim. Ah, my good friend! what cheer? [The banquet brought in. 2 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.

(1) We should now say-to lay out for hearts; i. e. the affections of the people.

(2) To tire on a thing meant, to be idly employed on it

suitable for destruction. For these my present friends,-as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing they are welcome. Uncover, dogs, and lap.

[The dishes uncovered are full of warm water.
Some speak. What does his lordship mean?
Some other. I know not.

Tim. May you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth-friends! smoke, and lukewarm

water

Who stuck and spangled you with flatteries
Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces

Your reeking villany. Live loath'd, and long,
[Throwing water in their faces.
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
[Throws the dishes at them, and drives

them out.
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!
[Exit.

(3) i. e. Your good memory. (4) The lowest. (5) Flies of a season. (6) Jacks of the clock; like those at St. Dunstan's church, in Fleet-street.

Re-enter the Lords, with other Lords and Senators. | SCENE II.-Athens. A room in Timon's house. 1 Lord. How now, my lords?

2 Lord. Know you the quality of lord Timon's fury?

3 Lord. Pish! did you see my cap?

4 Lord. I have lost my gown.

3 Lord. He's but a mad lord, and nought but humour sways him. He gave me a jewel the other day, and now he has beat it out of my hat:-Did you see my jewel?

4 Lord. Did you see my cap? 2 Lord. Here 'tis.

4 Lord. Here lies my gown.

1 Lord. Let's make no stay. 2 Lord. Lord Timon's mad. 3 Lord.

I feel't upon my bones. 4 Lord. One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones. [Exeunt.

ACT IV.

SCENE I-Without the walls of Athens. Enter Timon.

Tim. Let me look back upon thee, O thou wall,
That girdlest 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'the 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'the brothrel! son of sixteen,
Pluck the lin'd crutch from the old limping sire,
With it beat out his brains! piety, and fear,
Religion to the gods, peace, justice, truth,
Domestic awe, night-rest and neighbourhood,
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,
Cripple our senators, that their limbs may halt
As lamely as their manners! lust and liberty3
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 the Athenian bosoms; and their cróp
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 détestable town!
Take thou that too, with multiplying banns !4
Timon will to the woods; where he shall find
The unkindest beast more kinder than mankind.
The gods confound (hear me, ye good gods all,)
The 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.

(1) Common sewers.

[Exit.

(2) i. e. Contrarieties, whose nature it is to waste

or destroy each other. (3) For libertinism. VOL. II.

(4) Accumulated curses.

Enter Flavius, with two or three Servants.

1 Serv. Hear you, master steward, where's our master?

Are we undone? cast off? nothing remaining? Flav. Alack, my fellows, what should I say to you?

Let me be recorded by the righteous gods, am as poor as you.

I

1 Serv.

Such a house broke! So noble a master fallen! All gone! and not One friend, to take his fortune by the arm, And go along with him!

2 Serv.

As we do turn our backs
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 pick'd: and his poor self,
A dedicated beggar to the air,

With his disease of all-shunn'd poverty,
Walks, like contempt, alone,-More of our fellows.
Enter other Servants.

Flav. All broken implements of a ruin'd house.
3 Serv. Yet do our hearts wear Timon's livery
That see I by our faces; we are fellows still,
Serving alike in sorrow: Leak'd 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.

Flav.

Good fellows all,
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. Let each take some;
[Giving them money.
Not one word more:
parting poor.

Nay, put out all your hands.
Thus part we rich in sorrow,

[Exeunt Servants.
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'd be so mock'd 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 varnish'd friends?
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 make gods, does still mar men.
My dearest lord,-bless'd, to be most accurs'd,
Rich, only to be wretched;-thy great fortunes
Are made thy chief afflictions. Alas, kind lord!
He's flung in rage from this ungrateful 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 serve his mind with my best will;
Whilst I have gold, I'll be his steward still. [Exit.
SCENE III.-The woods. Enter Timon.
Tim. O blessed breeding sun, draw from the earth
Rotten humidity; below thy sister's orb
Infect the air! Twinn'd brothers of one womb,-
Whose procreation, residence, and birth,
Scarce is dividant,-touch them with several for-
tunes;

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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 denude that lord;
The senator shall bear contempt hereditary,

The beggar native honour.

It is the pasture lards the brother's sides,

The want that makes him lean. Who dares, who

dares,

In purity of manhood stand upright,

And say, This man's a flatterer if one be,
So are they all; for every grize of fortune
Is smooth'd by that below: the learned pate,
Ducks to the golden fool; All is oblique';
There's nothing level in our cursed natures,
But direct villany. Therefore, be abhorr'd
All feasts, societies, and throngs of men!
His semblable, yea, himself, Timon disdains:
Destruction fang2 mankind!-Earth, yield me roots!
[Digging.

Who seeks for better of thee, sauce his palate
With thy most operant posion! 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 the accurs'd;
Make the hoar leprosy ador'd; place thieves,
And give them title, knee, and approbation,
With senators on the bench: this is it,
That makes the wappen'd' widow wed again;
She, whom the spital house, and ulcerous sores
Would cast the gorge at, this embalms and spices
To the April day again. Come, damned earth,
Thou common whore of mankind, that put'st odds
Among the rout of nations, I will make thee
Do thy right nature.[March afar off.]-Ha!
drum?-Thou'rt quick,
But yet I'll bury thee: Thou'lt go, strong thief,
When gouty keepers of thee cannot stand:-
Nay, stay thou out for earnest.

a

[Keeping some gold. Enter Alcibiades, with drum and fife, in warlike manner; Phrynia and Timandra.

Alcib.

Speak.

thy heart,

What art thou there?

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Alcib. I am thy friend, and pity thee, dear
Timon.

Tim. How dost thou pity him, whom thou dost
trouble?

Tim. A beast, as thou art. The canker gnaw I had rather be alone.

For showing me again the eyes of man!

Alcib. What is thy name? Is man so hateful to

thee,

That art thyself a man?.

Tim. I am misanthropos, and hate mankind.

For thy part, I do wish thou wert a dog,

That I might love thee something.

Alcib.

I know thee well;
But in thy fortunes am unlearn'd and strange.
Tim. I know thee too; and more, than that I
know thee,

I not desire to know. Follow thy drum;
With man's blood paint the ground, gules, gules:

(1) But by is here used for without.

(2) Seize, gripe.

(8) No insincere or inconstant supplicant. will not serve me instead of roots.

(4) Sorrowful.

Alcib.

Why, fare thee well:

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Keep't, I cannot eat it.

Alcib. When I have laid proud Athens on

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Thee after, when thou hast conquer'd!
Alcib.
Tim. That,

By killing villains, thou wast born to conquer
My country.

Put up thy gold; Go on,-here's gold,—go on;

(5) i. e. Gold restores her to all the sweetness Gold and freshness of youth.

(6) Alluding to the cure of the lues venerea, then in practice.

Be as a planetary plague, when Jove
Will o'er some high-vic'd city hang his poison
In the sick air: Let not thy sword skip one:
Pity not honour'd age for his white beard,
He's 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,
Are not within the leaf of pity writ,

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 pronounc'd thy throat shall cut,
And mince it sans rimorse: Swear against ob-
jects ;*

Put armour 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. There's gold to pay thy soldiers:
Make large confusion; and, thy fury spent,
Confounded be thyself! Speak not, be gone.
Alcib. Hast thou gold yet? I'll take the gold
thou giv'st me,

Not all thy counsel.

Tim. Dost thou, or dost thou not, heaven's curse
upon thee!

Phr. & Timan. Give us some gold, good Timon:
Hast thou more?

Tim. Enough to make a whore forswear her
trade,

And to make whores, a bawd. Hold up, you sluts,
Your aprons mountant: You are not oathable,-
Although, I know, you'll swear, terribly swear,
Into strong shudders, and to heavenly agues,
The 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 turn-coats: Yet may your pains, six
months,

Be quite contrary: And thatch your poor thin roofs
With burdens of the dead ;-some that were hang'd.
No matter:-wear them, betray with them: whore
still;

Paint till a horse may mire upon your face:
A pox of wrinkles!

The source of all erection.-There's more gold:-
Do you damn others, and let this damn you,
And ditches grave you all!

Phr. & Timan. More counsel with more money,
bounteous Timon.

Tim. More whore, more mischief first; I have given you earnest.

Alcib. Strike up the drum towards Athens. Farewell, Timon:

If I thrive well, I'll visit thee again.

Tim. If I hope well, I'll never see thee more,
Alcib. I never did thee harm.

Tim. Yes, thou spok'st weli of me.
Alcib.
Call'st thou that harm!
Tim. Men daily find it such.
And take thy beagles with thee.
Alcib.

Strike.

Get thee away,

We but offend him.

[Drum beats. Exeunt Alcibiades, Phrygia, and Timandra.

Tim. That nature, being sick of man's unkind-
ness,

Should yet be hungry!-Common mother, thou,
(Digging.

Whose womb unmeasurable, and infinite breast,
Teems, and feeds all; whose self-same mettle,
Whereof thy proud child, arrogant man, is puff'd,
Engenders the black toad, and adder blue,
The gilded newt, and eyeless venom'd worm,"
With all the abhorred births below crisp1 heaven
Whereon Hyperion's quickening fire doth shine;
Yield him, who all thy human sons doth 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!-0, a root,-Dear thanks!
Dry up thy marrows, vines, and plough-torn leas;
Whereof ingrateful an, with liquorish draughts,
And morsels unctuous, greases his pure mind,
That from it all consideration slips!
Enter Apemantus.

More man? Plague! plague!

Apem. I was directed hither: Men report,
Thou dost affect my manners, and dost use them.
Tim. 'Tis then, because thou dost not keep a dog
Whom I would imitate: Consumption catch thee!
Apem. This is in thee a nature but affected;

Phr. & Timan. Well, more gold;-What then?-A poor unmanly melancholy, sprung
Believ't, that we'll do any thing for gold.

Tim, Consumptions sow

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 curl'd-pate
ruffians bald;

And let the unscarr'd braggarts of the war
Derive some pain from you: Plague all;
That your activity may defeat and quell

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From change of fortune. Why this spade? this
place?

This slave-like habit? and these looks of care?
Thy flatterers yet wear silk, drink wine, lie soft;
Hug their diseas'd perfumes," and have forgot
That ever Timon was. Shame not these woods,
By putting on the cunning of a carper. 12
Be thou a flatterer now, and seck 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 did wel-

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