In one man's blood"; and all the madness is, I wonder, men dare trust themselves with mèn : Is the readiest man to kill him: it has been prov'd. ! Were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals; APEMANTUS'S GRACE. Immortal gods, I crave no pelf; so many dip their meat In one man's blood;] The allusion is to a pack of hounds trained to pursuit by being gratified with the blood of an animal which they kill, and the wonder is that the animal on which they are feeding cheers them to the chase. JOHNSON. 7 My lord, in heart;] That is, my lord's health with sincerity. Or a keeper with my freedom; Or my friends, if I should need 'em. Rich men sin, and I eat root. [Eats and drinks. Much good dich+ thy good heart, Apemantus ! Tim. You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies, than a dinner of friends. Alcib. So they were bleeding new, my lord, there's no meat like them; I could wish my best friend at such a feast. Apem. 'Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then; that then thou might'st kill 'em, and bid me to 'em. 1 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. 8 Tim. 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 you not 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 never have need of them? they were the most needless creatures living, should we ne'er have use for them: + A corruption of dit for do it. 8 9 ing. - for ever perfect.] Arrived at the perfection of happiness. that charitable title-] Charitable signifies, dear, endear 1 I confirm you.] I fix your characters firmly in my own mind. 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! 2 Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks; to forget their faults, I drink to you. Apem. Thou weepest to make them drink, Timon. 2 Lord. Joy had the like conception in our eyes, And, at that instant, like a babe sprung up. Apem. Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard. 3 Lord. I promise you, my lord, you mov'd me much. Apem. Much! [Tucket sounded. Tim. What means that trump? - How now? Enter a Servant. Serv. Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance. Tim. Ladies? What are their wills? Serv. There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office, to signify their pleasures. Tim. I pray, let them be admitted. Enter CUPID. Cup. Hail to thee, worthy Timon ; — and to all That of his bounties taste! - The five best senses Acknowledge thee their patron; and come freely o O joy, e'en made away ere it can be born!] Tears being the effect both of joy and grief, supplied our author with an opportunity of conceit, which he seldom fails to indulge. Timon, weeping with a kind of tender pleasure, cries out, O joy, e'en made away, destroyed, turned to tears, before it can be born, before it can be fully possessed. JOHNSON. To gratulate thy plenteous bosom: The ear, Tim. They are welcome all; let them have kind ad- Musick, make their welcome. [Exit CUPID. 1 Lord. You see, my lord, how ample you are belov'd. Musick. Re-enter CUPID, with a Masque of Ladies as Amazons, with Lutes in their Hands, dancing, and playing. Apem. Hey 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." With poisonous spite, and envy. Who lives, that's not Not one spurn to their graves of their friends' gift?* 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, • Like madness is the glory of this life, As this pomp shows to a little oil, and root.] Apemantus means to say, that the glory of this life was just as much madness in the 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. Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, Which was not half so beautiful and kind; You have added worth unto't, and lively lustre, I am to thank you for it. 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, Flav. My lord. [Exeunt CUPID, and Ladies. The little casket bring me hither. [Aside. Tim Else I should tell him, - Well, i'faith, I should, When all's spent, he'd be cross'd then, an he could.7 'Tis pity, bounty had not eyes behind; That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind.9 [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 mine own device;] The mask appears to have been designed by Timon, to surprize his guests. of us." 7 even at the best.] i. e. "You have conceived the fairest 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 following her. JOHNSON. for his mind.] For nobleness of soul. JOHNSON. |