Act III, Scene vi:
A room of State in TIMON'S House.

[Music. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter divers LORDS,SENATORS, and Others, at several doors.]

FIRST LORD.:

The good time of day to you, sir.

SECOND LORD.:

I also wish it to you. I think this honourable lord

did but try us this other day.

FIRST LORD.:

Upon that were my thoughts tiring when we encountered:

I hope it is not so low with him as he made it seem in the trial

of his several friends.

SECOND LORD.:

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

FIRST LORD.:

I should think so: he hath sent me an earnest inviting,

which many my near occasions did urge me to put off; but he hath

conjured me beyond them, and I must needs appear.

SECOND LORD.:

In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business, but he

would not hear my excuse. I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of

me, that my provision was out.

FIRST LORD.:

I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.

SECOND LORD.:

Every man here's so. What would he have borrowed you?

FIRST LORD.:

A thousand pieces.

SECOND LORD.:

A thousand pieces!

FIRST LORD.:

What of you?

SECOND LORD.:

He sent to me, sir—here he comes.

[Enter TIMON and Attendants.]

TIMON.:

With all my heart, gentlemen both; And how fare you?

FIRST LORD.:

Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

SECOND LORD.:

The swallow follows not summer more willing than we

your lordship.

TIMON.[Aside.]

Nor more willingly leaves winter; such summer-birds

are men. Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long

stay: feast your ears with the music awhile, if they will fare so

harshly o' the trumpet's sound; we shall to't presently.

FIRST LORD.:

I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship that

I return'd you an empty messenger.

TIMON.:

O! sir, let it not trouble you.

SECOND LORD.:

My noble lord,—

TIMON.:

Ah! my good friend, what cheer?

SECOND LORD.:

My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of shame, that

when your lordship this other day sent to me I was so

unfortunate a beggar.

TIMON.:

Think not on't, sir.

SECOND LORD.:

If you had sent but two hours before,—

TIMON.:

Let it not cumber your better remembrance.

[The banquet brought in.]

Come, bring in all together.

SECOND LORD.:

All covered dishes!

FIRST LORD.:

Royal cheer, I warrant you.

THIRD LORD.:

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

FIRST LORD.:

How do you? What's the news?

THIRD LORD.:

Alcibiades is banished: hear you of it?

FIRST AND SECOND LORDS.:

Alcibiades banished!

THIRD LORD.:

'Tis so, be sure of it.

FIRST LORD.:

How? how?

SECOND LORD.:

I pray you, upon what?

TIMON.:

My worthy friends, will you draw near?

THIRD LORD.:

I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.

SECOND LORD.:

This is the old man still.

THIRD LORD.:

Will't hold? will't hold?

SECOND LORD.:

It does; but time will—and so—

THIRD LORD.:

I do conceive.

TIMON.:

Each man to his stool with that spur as he would to the lip

of his mistress; your diet shall be in all places alike. Make not

a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon

the first place: sit, sit. The gods require our thanks.—

You great benefactors sprinkle our society with thankfulness.

For your own gifts make yourselves praised: but reserve still to

give, lest your deities be despised. Lend to each man enough,

that one need not lend to another; for, were your god—heads 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 foes, O gods! the senators of Athens, together with the

common lag of people, what is amiss in them, you gods, make

suitable for destruction. For these my present friends, as they

are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing are

they welcome.

Uncover, dogs, and lap.

[The dishes uncovered are full of warm water.]

SOME SPEAK.:

What does his lordship mean?

SOME OTHER.:

I know not.

TIMON.:

May you a better feast never behold,

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

[Throwing the water in their faces.]

Your reeking villainy. Live loath'd, and long,

Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,

Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,

You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies,

Cap and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks!

Of man and beast the infinite malady

Crust you quite o'er! What, dost thou go?

Soft! take thy physic first,—thou too,—and thou;—

Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.

[Throws the dishes at them.]

What, all in motion? Henceforth be no feast,

Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.

Burn, house! sink Athens! henceforth hated be

Of Timon man and all humanity!

[Exit.]

[Re-enter the LORDS, SENATORS, and &c.]

FIRST LORD.:

How now, my lords!

SECOND LORD.:

Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury?

THIRD LORD.:

Push! did you see my cap?

FOURTH LORD.:

I have lost my gown.

FIRST LORD.:

He's but a mad lord, and nought but humour sways him.

He gave me a jewel th' other day, and now he has beat it out of

my hat: did you see my jewel?

THIRD LORD.:

Did you see my cap?

SECOND LORD.:

Here 'tis.

FOURTH LORD.:

Here lies my gown.

FIRST LORD.:

Let's make no stay.

SECOND LORD.:

Lord Timon's mad.

THIRD LORD.:

I feel't upon my bones.

FOURTH LORD.:

One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.

[Exeunt.]