We make ourselves fools, to disport ourselves; 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: It has 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. Tim. You have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies, Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, Which was not half so beautiful and kind; 1 Lady. My lord, you take us even at the best." Apem. 'Faith, for the worst is filthy; and would not hold taking, I doubt me. Tim. Ladies, there is an idle banquet Attends you: Please you to dispose yourselves: All. Lad. Most thankfully, my lord. Tim. Flavius, [Exeunt CUPID, and Ladies. eye of reason, as the pomp appeared to be, when compared to the frugal repast of a philosopher. of their friends' gift?] Given them by their friends. mine own device;] The mask appears to have been designed by Timon, to surprize his guests. of us." even at the best.] i. e. "You have conceived the fairest Flav. My lord. The little casket bring me hither. Flav. Yes, my lord.-More jewels yet! There is no crossing him in his humour; [Aside. 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;8 That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind." [Exit, and returns with the Casket. 1 Lord. Where be our men? Serv. Here, my lord, in readiness. 2 Lord. Our horses. Tim. 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;1 Accept, and wear it, kind my lord. 1 Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,— All. So are we all. Enter a Servant. Serv. My lord, there are certain nobles of the senate Newly alighted, and come to visit you. Tim. They are fairly welcome. Flav. I beseech your honour, Vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near. Tim. Near; why then another time I'll hear thee: 7 he'd be cross'd then, an he could.] i. e. he will then too late wish that it were possible to undo what he had done: he will in vain lament that I did not [cross or] thwart him in his career of prodigality. 8 had not eyes behind;] To see the miseries that are fol lowing her. JOHNSON. -for his mind.] For nobleness of soul. JOHNSON. to Advance this jewel ;] To prefer it; to raise it to honour by wearing it. JOHNSON. I pr'ythee, let us be provided I scarce know how. [Aside. Enter another Servant. 2 Serv. May it please your honour, the Lord Lucius, Out of his free love, hath presented to you Tim. I shall accept them fairly: let the presents Enter a third Servant. Be worthily entertain'd.-How now, what news? 3 Serv. 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. Tim. I'll hunt with him; and let them be receiv'd, Not without fair reward. Flav. [Aside.] What will this come to? He commands us to provide, and give great gifts, Nor will he know his purse; or yield me this, Happier is he that has no friend to feed, Than such as do even enemies exceed. I bleed inwardly for my lord, [Exit. Tim. You do yourselves Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits: Here, my lord, a trifle of our love. 2 Lord. With more than common thanks I will receive it. 3 Lord. O, he is the very soul of bounty! Tim. And now I remember me, my lord, you gave Good words the other day of a bay courser I rode on it is yours, because you lik'd it! 2 Lord, I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that, Tim. 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; All Lords. None so welcome, Tim. I take all and your several visitations Methinks, I could deal kingdoms to my friends, Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich, It comes in charity to thee: for all thy living Alcib. Ay, defiled land, my lord. 1 Lord. We are so virtuously bound, Tim. And so Am I to you. 2 Lord. So infinitely endear'd—— The best of happiness, Tim. All to you.'-Lights, more lights. 1 Lord. Honour, and fortunes, keep with you, lord Timon! Tim. Ready for his friends. Apem. [Exeunt ALCIBIADES, Lords, &c. What a coil's here! All to you.] i. e. all good wishes, or all happiness to you, 3 Serving of becks, and jutting out of bums! Apem. faster. Thou giv'st so long, Timon, I fear me, thou What need these feasts, pomps, and vain glories? An you begin to rail on society once, I am sworn, not to give regard to you. Nay, [Exit. So ; Thou'lt 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. 3 Serving of becks,] Beck means a salutation made with the head. To serve a beck is to offer a salutation. Wilt give away thyself in paper shortly:] i. e. be ruined by his securities entered into. 5 Thy heaven By his heaven he means good advice, the only thing by which he could be saved. |