Go not away.

Poet. Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your

lordship! Tim. I thank you ; you shall hear from me anon:

What have you there, my friend ?
Pain. A piece of painting, which I do beseech
Your lordship to accept.
Tim.

Painting is welcome.
The painting is almost the natural man ;
For since dishonour trafficks with man's nature,
He is but outside: These pencil'd figures are
Even such as they give out. I like your work ;
And

you shall find, I like it : wait attendance,
Till
you

hear further from me. Pain.

The gods preserve you, Tim. Well fare you, gentlemen : Give me your

hand;
We must needs dine together. - Sir, your jewel
Hath suffer'd under praise.
Jew.

What, my lord ? dispraise ?
Tim. A meer satiety of commendations.
If I should pay you for't as 'tis extoll’d,
It would unclew me quite.
Jew.

My lord, 'tis rated As those, which sell, would give : But you well

know, Things of like value, differing in the owners, Are prized by their masters; believe't, dear lord, You mend the jewel by wearing it. Tim.

Well mock’d. Mer. No, my good lord; he speaks the common

tongue, Which all men speak with him.

Tim. Look, who comes here? Will you be chid ?

9

Enter APEMANTUS.
Jew. We will bear, with your lordship.
Mer.

He'll spare none.

name.

Tim. Good morrow to thee, gentle Apemantus ! Apem. Till I be gentle, stay for thy good mor

row ; When thou art Timon's dog, and these knaves

honest. Tim. Why dost thou call them knaves ? thou

know'st them not. Apem. Are they not Athenians ? Tim. Yes. Apem. Then I repent not. Jew. You know me, Apemantus. Apem. Thou knowest, I do; I call’d thee by thy Tim. Thou art proud, Apemantus.

Apem. Of nothing so much, as that I am not like Timon.

Tim. Whither art going?
Apem. To knock out an honest Athenian's brains.
Tim. That's a deed thou’lt die for.

Apem. Right, if doing nothing be death by the law.

Tim. How likest thou this picture, Apemantus ?
Apem. The best, for the innocence.
Tim. How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus ?

Apem. Not so well as plain dealing !, which will not cost a man a doit.

Tim. What dost thou think 'tis worth ?

Apem. Not worth my thinking. - How now, poet? Poet. How now, philosopher ? Apem. Thou liest. Poet. Art not one? Apem. Yes. Poet. Then I lie not. Apem. Art not a poet? Poet. Yes.

Alluding to the proverb: Plain-dealing is a jewel, but they who use it beggars.

Apem. Then thou liest : look in thy last work, where thou hast feigned him a worthy fellow.

Poet. That's not feign'd, he is so.

Apem. Yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee for thy labour : He, that loves to be flattered, is worthy o' the flatterer. Heavens, that I were a lord !

Tim. What would'st do then, Apemantus?

Apem. Even as Apemantus does now, hate a lord with

my

heart.
Tim. What, thyself ?
Apem. Ay.
Tim. Wherefore ?

Apem. That I had no angry wit to be a lord.
Art not thou a merchant ?

Mer. Ay, Apemantus.
Apem. Traffic confound thee, if the gods will

not! Mer. If traffic do it, the gods do it. Apem. Traffic's thy god, and thy god confound

thee!

a

Trumpets sound. Enter a Servant.
Tim. What trumpet's that?
Sery.

'Tis Alcibiades, and Some twenty horse, all of companionship. Tim. Pray, entertain them; give them guide to

[Exeunt some Attendants. You must needs dine with me:

hence, Till I have thank'd you; and, when dinner's done, Show me this piece. -I am joyful of your sights.

us.

Go not you

Enter ALCIBIADES, with his Company. Most welcome, sir!

[They salutea Apem.

So, so; there!
Aches contract and starve your supple joints !-

That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet

knaves,
And all this court'sy! The strain of man's bred out
Into baboon and monkey.

Alcib. Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I feed
Most hungrily on your sight.
Tim.

Right welcome, sir :
Ere we depart, we'll share a bounteous time
In different pleasures. Pray you, let us in.

[Exeunt all but APEMANTUS.

Enter two Lords. i Lord. What time a day is't, Apemantus ? Apem. Time to be honest. 1 Lord. That time serves still. Apem. The most accursed thou, that still omit'st

it. 2 Lord. Thou art going to lord Timon's feast. Apem. Ay; to see meat fill knaves, and wine

heat fools. 2. Lord. Fare thee well, fare thee well. Apem. Thou art a fool, to bid me farewell twice. 2 Lord. Why, Apemantus ?

Apem. Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give thee none.

1 Lord. Hang thyself.

Apem. No, I will do nothing at thy bidding ; make thy requests to thy friend.

2 Lord. Away, unpeaceable dog, or I'll spurn thee hence. Apem. I will fly, like a dog, the heels of the

[Exito i Lord. He's opposite to humanity. Come, shall

we in, And taste lord Timon's bounty ? he outgoes The very heart of kindness. 2 Lord. He pours it out; Plutus, the god of

gold,

ass.

2

Is but his steward: no meed, : but he repays
Sevenfold above itself; no gift to him,
But breeds the giver a return exceeding
All use of quittance.3
1 Lord.

The noblest mind he carries, That ever govern'd man. 2 Lord. Long may he live in fortunes ! Shall we

in ? | Lord. I'll keep you company.

(Exeunt.

SCENE II.

A Room of State in Timon's House.

Hautboys playing loud musick. A great banquet

served in ; Flavius and others attending ; then enter Timon, ALCIBIADES, Lucius, LUCULLUS, SEMPRONIUS, and other ‘Athenian, Senators, with VENTIDIUS, and Attendants. Then comes, dropping after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly. Ven. Most honour'd Timon, 't hath pleas'd the

gods 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. Tim.

0, 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

? Meed here means desert. 3 i. e. All the customary

returns made in discharge of obligations.