READ STUDY GUIDE: Act I, Scene ii |
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Act I, Scene ii:
The Same. A room of state in TIMON'S House.
The Same. A room of state in TIMON'S House.
| [Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet served in;FLAVIUS and Others attending: then enter LORD TIMON, ALCIBIADES,Lords, and Senators, VENTIDIUS and Attendants. Then comes,dropping after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly, like himself.] |
| VENTIDIUS.: |
| Most honour'd Timon, |
| It hath pleas'd 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 deriv'd liberty. |
| TIMON.: |
| O! by no means, |
| Honest Ventidius: you mistake my love; |
| I gave it freely ever; and there's none |
| Can truly say he gives, if he receives: |
| If our betters play at that game, we must not dare |
| To imitate them; faults that are rich are fair. |
| VENTIDIUS.: |
| A noble spirit. |
| [They all stand ceremoniously looking on TIMON.] |
| TIMON.: |
| Nay, my lords, ceremony was but devis'd at first |
| 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 ye to my fortunes |
| Than my fortunes to me. |
| [They sit.] |
| FIRST LORD.: |
| My lord, we always have confess'd it. |
| APEMANTUS.: |
| Ho, ho! confess'd it; hang'd it, have you not? |
| TIMON.: |
| O! Apemantus, you are welcome. |
| APEMANTUS.: |
| No, |
| You shall not make me welcome: |
| I come to have thee thrust me out of doors. |
| TIMON.: |
| Fie! thou'rt a churl; ye've got a humour there |
| 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 it, indeed. |
| APEMANTUS.: |
| Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon: |
| I come to observe; I give thee warning on't. |
| TIMON.: |
| I take no heed of thee; thou'rt an Athenian, therefore, welcome. |
| I myself would have no power; prithee; let my meat make thee |
| silent. |
| APEMANTUS.: |
| I scorn thy meat; 't'would choke me, for I should |
| Ne'er flatter thee. O you gods! 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; |
| 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 draught, |
| Is the readiest man to kill him: 't has been prov'd. |
| 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. |
| TIMON.: |
| My lord, in heart; and let the health go round. |
| SECOND LORD.: |
| Let it flow this way, my good lord. |
| APEMANTUS.: |
| Flow this way! A brave fellow! 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' the mire: |
| This and my food are equals; there's no odds: |
| Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods. |
 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. |
| [Eats and drinks.] |
| 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. |
| ALCIBIADES.: |
| 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 |
| then thou mightst kill 'em, and bid me to 'em. |
| FIRST LORD.: |
| 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 keep 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! e'en made away ere it can be born. |
| Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks: to forget their |
| faults, I drink to you. |
| APEMANTUS.: |
| Thou weepest to make them drink, Timon. |
| SECOND LORD.: |
| Joy had the like conception in our eyes, |
| And, at that instant like a babe, sprung up. |
| APEMANTUS.: |
| Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard. |
| THIRD LORD.: |
| I promise you, my lord, you mov'd me much. |
| APEMANTUS.: |
| Much! |
| [Tucket sounded.] |
| 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 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, pleas'd from thy table rise; |
| They only now come but to feast thine eyes. |
| TIMON.: |
| They are welcome all; let 'em have kind admittance: |
| Music, make their welcome! |
| [Exit CUPID.] |
| FIRST LORD.: |
| You see, my lord, how ample you're belov'd. |
| [Music. Re-enter CUPID, with a masque of LADIES as Amazons,with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing.] |
| APEMANTUS.: |
| Hoy-day! what a sweep of vanity comes this way: |
| They dance! they are mad women. |
| 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 friend's gift? |
| I should fear those that dance before me now |
| Would one day stamp upon me: it has been done: |
| Men shut their doors against a setting sun. |
| [The LORDS rise from table, with much adoring of TIMON; and toshow their loves, each singles out an Amazon, and all dance, menwith 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 entertain'd 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 |
| Attends you; please you to dispose yourselves. |
| ALL LADIES.: |
| Most thankfully, my lord. |
| [Exeunt CUPID and LADIES.] |
| TIMON.: |
| Flavius! |
| FLAVIUS.: |
| My lord! |
| TIMON.: |
| The little casket bring me hither. |
| FLAVIUS.: |
| Yes, my lord.[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 cross'd 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! |
| [Re-enter FLAVIUS, with the casket.] |
| 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 it and wear it, |
| Kind my lord. |
| FIRST LORD.: |
| I am so far already in your gifts— |
| ALL.: |
| So are we all. |
| [Enter a SERVANT.] |
| SERVANT.: |
| My lord, there are certain nobles of the Senate |
| Newly alighted and come to visit you. |
| TIMON.: |
| They are fairly welcome. |
| 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. |
| FLAVIUS.: |
| [Aside.] |
| I scarce know how. |
| [Enter another SERVANT.] |
| SECOND SERVANT.: |
| May it please vour honour, Lord Lucius, |
| Out of his free love, hath presented to you |
| Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver. |
| TIMON.: |
| I shall accept them fairly; let the presents |
| Be worthily entertain'd. |
| [Enter a third SERVANT.] |
| How now! What news? |
| THIRD SERVANT.: |
| Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman, Lord Lucullus, |
| entreats your company to-morrow to hunt with him, and has sent |
| your honour two brace of greyhounds. |
| TIMON.: |
| I'll hunt with him; and let them be receiv'd, |
| Not without fair reward. |
| FLAVIUS.: |
| [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 forc'd out! |
| Happier he that has no friend to feed |
| Than such that do e'en enemies exceed. |
| I bleed inwardly for my lord. |
| [Exit.] |
| TIMON.: |
| You do yourselves much wrong; |
| You bate too much of your own merits; |
| 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.: |
| And now I remember, my lord, you gave |
| Good words the other day of a bay courser |
| I rode on: it is yours because you lik'd it. |
| THIRD 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 friend's 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; |
| It comes in charity to thee; for all thy living |
| Is 'mongst the dead, and all the lands thou hast |
| Lie in a pitch'd field. |
| ALCIBIADES.: |
| Ay, defil'd land, my lord. |
| FIRST LORD.: |
| We are so virtuously bound,— |
| TIMON.: |
| And so am I to you. |
| SECOND LORD.: |
| So infinitely endear'd,— |
| TIMON.: |
| All to you. Lights, more lights! |
| FIRST LORD.: |
| The best of happiness, |
| Honour, and fortunes, keep with you, Lord Timon! |
| TIMON.: |
| Ready for his friends. |
| [Exeunt ALCIBIADES, Lords, and etc.] .] |
| 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 curtsies. |
| TIMON.: |
| Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen, |
| 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 givest so long, Timon, I fear me thou wilt give |
| away thyself in paper shortly: What needs these feasts, pomps, |
| and vain-glories? |
| 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.] |
| 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! |
| [Exit.] |
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