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Timon of Athens: Act 3 Scene 6

Scene VI The same. A banqueting-room 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 of

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 returned 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 LORD / SECOND LORD

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

godheads 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 fees, 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 are uncovered and seen to be full of

warm water]

Some Speak

What does his lordship mean?

Some Others

I know not.

TIMON

May you a better feast never behold,

You knot of mouth-friends I 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

Your reeking villany.

[Throwing the water in their faces]

Live loathed 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, and drives them out]

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, &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]