The Dramatic Works of William Shakspeare, with Explanatory Notes

Tit. The like to you, kind Varro.
Hor. Lucius?

What, do we meet together?

Luc. Ay, and, I think,

One business does command us all; for mine
Is money.

Tit. So is theirs, and ours.

Enter Philotus.

Luc. And sir Philotus too!

Phi. Good day at once.

Luc. Welcome, good brother. What do you think the hour?

Phi. Labouring for nine.

Luc. So much?

Phi. Is not my lord seen yet?

You must consider, that a prodigal's course

Is like the sun's'; but not, like his, recoverable.

I fear,

'Tis deepest winter in lord Timon's purse; That is, one may reach deep enough, and yet

'Find little.

Tit. I'll shew you how to observe a strange

Your lord sends now for money.

Hor. Most true, he does.

Luc. Ay, but this answer will not serve. Flav. If 't will not serve, 'tis not so base as yo For you serve knaves. [Ex Var. How! what does his cashier'd worsh mutter?

Tit. No matter what; he's poor. [broad And that 's revenge enough. Who can spe Than he that has no house to put his head in? Such may rail'gainst great buildings. Enter Servilius.

Tit. O, here's Servilius; now we shall kno Some answer.

Serv. If I might beseech you, gentlemen, To repair some other hour, I should

Tit. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift, 30 Derive much from it: for take it on my soul,

For which I wait for money.

Hor. It is against my heart.

Luc. Mark, how strange it shows,

Timon in this should pay more than he owes:
And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels, 35
And send for money for 'em.
[witness:

Hor. I am weary of this charge, the gods can
I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,
And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.
Var. Yes,mine's three thousand crowns: What's 40
yours?

Luc. Five thousand mine.

[the sum,
Var. 'Tis much deep: and it should seem by
Your master's confidence was above mine;
Else, surely, his had equall'd'.

Enter Flaminius.

Tit. One of lord Timon's men.

Luc. Flaminius sir, a word: Pray, is my lord]

Ready to come forth?

My lord leans wond'rously to discontent :
His comfortable temper has forsook him;
He is much out of health, and keeps his chambe

Luc. Many do keep their chambers, are not sic
And, if he be so far beyond his health,
Methinks, he should the sooner pay his debts,
And make a clear way to the gods.
Serv. Good gods!

Tit. We cannot take this for answer, sir. Flam. [Within.] Servilius, help!-my lord my lord!

Enter Timon, in a raze. Tim. What, are my doors oppos'd against n passage?

45 Have I been ever free, and must my house Be my retentive enemy, my jail?

[much. 50

Flam. No, indeed, he is not.
Tit. We attend his lordship; pray, signify so
Flam. I need not tell him that; he knows you
[Exit Flaminius.

Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled.

The place, which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, shew me an iron heart?
Luc. Put in now, Titus.

Tit. My lord, here is my bill.
Luc. Here's mine.

Var. And mine, my lord.

are too diligent.

Caph. And ours, my lord.

Phi. All our bills.

Luc. Ha! is not that his steward muffled so?

He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him. Tit. Do you hear, sir?

1 i. e. like him in blaze and splendour.

* i. e. of this commission.

His may refer mine; as if he had said: Your master's confidence was above my master's; else surely his, i. e. sum demanded from my master (for that is the last antecedent) had been equal to the sum demand from yours. Timon quibbles.-They present their written bills; he catches at the word. a

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Upon the head of valour; which, indeed, Is valour misbegot, and came into the world When sects and factions were newly born: He's truly valiant, that can wisely suffer The worst that man can breathe: and make his wrongs [lessly; 15 His outsides; to wear them like his raiment, careAnd ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart, To bring it into danger.

wrongs be evils, and enforce us kill, What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill?

20 Alcib. My lord,—

1 Sen. You cannot make gross sins look clear; To revenge is no valour, but to bear.

Alcib. Mylords, then, under favour, pardon me,
If I speak like a captain.—

25 Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
And not endure all threats? sleep upon it,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats,
Without repugnancy? If there be

Such valour in the bearing, what make we

30 Abroad? why then, women are more valiant,
That stay at home, if bearing carry it;

The ass,more captain than the lion; and the fellow,
Loaden with irons, wiser than the judge,

If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords,

[Exeunt.

As you are great; be pitifully good:

1 Sen. My lord, you have my voice to 't; the fault's bloody;

Tis necessary, he should die:

Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

2 Sen. Most true; the law shall bruise'em. Alcib. Honour, health, and compassion to the 1 Sen. Now, captain?

Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood?
To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust;

But, in defence, by mercy', 'tis most just.
To be in anger, is impiety;

40 But who is man, that is not angry?
Weigh but the crime with this.

2 Sen. You breathe in vain.
Alcib. In vain? his service done
At Lacedemon, and Byzantium,

[service,

[senate! 45 Were a sufficient briber for his life.
1 Sen. What's that?
Alcib. Why, I say, my lords, he has done fair
And slain in fight many of your enemies:
How full of valour did he bear himself

Alcib. I am an humble suitor to your virtues;
For pity is the virtue of the law,
And none but tyrants use it cruelly.
It pleases time and fortune, to lie heavy
Upon a friend of mine, who, in hot blood,
Hath stept into the law, which is past depth
To those that, without heed, do plunge into it.
He is a man, setting his fate aside,

Of comely virtues:

Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice;
(An honour in him, which buys out his fault;)
But with a noble fury, and fair spirit,
Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,

He did oppose his foe :

50 In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds?
2 Sen. He has made toomuchplentywith 'em; he
Is sworn a rioter: he has a sin
[soner:
That often drowns him, and takes his valour pri-
If there were no foes, that were enough
55 To overcome him: in that beastly fury
He has been known to commit outrages,
And cherish factions: 'Tis inferr'd to us,
His days are foul, and his drink dangerous.
1 Sen. He dies,

1i. e. putting this action of his, which was pre-determined by fate, out of the question. noted passion means, perhaps, an uncommon command of his passion, such a one as has not hitherto been observed. 3i. e. manage his anger. 4 You undertake a paradox too hard. ' i, e. What have we to do in the field? "Gust, for aggravation, according to Warburton, Mr. Steevens thinks that gust here means rashness, and that the allusion may be to a sudden gust of wind. The meaning is, I call mercy herself to witness, that defensive violence is just.

Alcib. Hard fate! he might have died in war. My lords, if not for any parts in him, [time, (Though his right arm might purchase his own And be in debt to none) yet, more to move you, Take my deserts to his, and join 'em both: And, for I know, your reverend ages love Security, I'll pawn my victories, all My honours to you, upon his good returns. If by this crime he owes the law his life, Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore; For law is strict, and war is nothing more.

2 Sen. It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.

1 Sen. I should think so: He hath sent me an earnest inviting, which many my near occasions 5 did urge me to put off; but he hath conjur'd me beyond them, and I must needs appear.

2 Sen. 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 10me, that my provision was out.

1 Sen. We are for law, he dies; urge it no more,
On height of our displeasure: Friend, or brother,
He forfeits his own blood, that spills another.
Alcib. Must it be so? it must not be. My lords, 15
I do beseech you, know me.

2 Sen. How?

Alcib. Call me to your remembrances.

3 Sen. What?

Alcib. I cannot think, but your age has forgot me, 20
It could not else be, I should prove so base1,
To sue, and be deny'd such common grace:
My wounds ake at you.

1 Sen. Do you dare our anger?

'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect; We banish thee for ever.

Alcib. Banish me?

Banish your dotage; banish usury,

That makes the senate ugly.

1 Sen. I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.

2 Sen. Every man here's so. have borrow'd of you?

1 Sen. A thousand pieces. 2 Sen. A thousand pieces! 1 Sen. What of you?

What would he

3 Sen. He sent to me, sir,-Here he comes. Enter Timon, and Attendants.

Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen both:And how fare you?

1 Sen. Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

2 Sen. The swallow follows not summer more 25 willingly, than we your lordship.

[thee,
30

1 Sen. If, after two days' shine, Athens contain Attend our weightier judgement. And, not to swell our spirit,

He shall be executed presently. [Exeunt Senate. Alcib. Now the gods keep you old enough; that you may live

Only in bone, that none may look on you! I am worse than mad: I have kept back their foes, While they have told their money, and let out Their coin upon large interest; I myself, Rich only in large hurts.-All those, for this? Is this the balsam, that the usuring senate Pours into captains' wounds? Ha! banishment? It comes not ill; I hate not to be banish'd: It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury, That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up My discontented troops, and lay for hearts'. 'Tis honour, with most lands to be at odds; Soldiers as little should brook wrongs, as gods.

SCENE VI.

Timon's House.

Tim. [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 musick awhile; if they will tare so harshly as on the trumpet's sound': we shall to't presently,

1 Sen. I hope, it remains not unkindly with your lordship, that I return'd you an empty messenger. Tim. O, sir, let it not trouble you.

2 Sen. My noble lord,—

Tim. Ah, my good friend! what cheer?

[The banquet brought in.

2 Sen. My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of shame, that, when your lordship this other 40 day sent to me, I was so unfortunate a beggar. Tim. Think not on't, sir.

[Exit.

Enter divers Senators, at several doors. 1 Sen. The good time of day to you, sir.

2 Sen. I also wish it to you. I think, this ho-55 nourable lord did but try us this other day.

1 Sen. 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.

Base, for dishonoured.

2 Sen. It does: but time will-and so

Not to swell our spirit, may mean, not to put ourselves into any
i.e. the affections of the people.
4 A hawk

tumour of rage, take our definitive resolution.
is said to tire, when she amuses herself with pecking a pheasant's wing, or any thing that puts her in
mind of prey.-To tire upon a thing, is therefore to be idly employed upon it.
3 G

3 Sen.

3 Sen. I do conceive.

Tim. 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 prais'd: but reserve still to give, lest your deities be despis'd. Lend to each man enough, that one need not 10 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 15 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 no-20 thing bless them, and to nothing are they welcome. Uncover, dogs, and lap.

[The dishes uncovered, are full of warm water. Some speak. What does his lordship mean? Some other. I know not.

Tim. May you a better feast never behold, You knot of mouth-friends! smoke and luke

Your reeking villainy. Live loath'd, 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:
[Throws the dishes at them.

Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.—
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!
Re-enter the Senators.

[Exit.

[fury?

1 Sen. How now, my lords? 2 Sen. Know you the quality of lord Timon's 3 Sen. Pish! did you see my cap? 4 Sen. I have lost my gown.

1 Sen. He's but a mad lord, and nought but humour sways him. He gave me a jewel the other day, and now he has beat it out of my hat: Did you see my jewel?

2 Sen. Did you see my cap? 3 Sen. Here 'tis.

4 Sen. Here lies my gown.

1 Sen. Let's make no stay.

2 Sen. Lord Timon's mad.

3 Sen. I feel't upon my bones.

4 Sen. One day he gives us diamonds, next day

stones.

[Exeunt.

SCENE I.

Without the Walls of Athens.

Enter Timon.

ACT IV.

With it beat out his brains! piety, and fear,
Religion to the gods, peace, justice, truth,
Domestic awe, night-rest, and neighbourhood,
Instruction, manners, mysteries, and trades,
Degrees, observances, customs, and laws,
Decline to your confounding contraries,
And yet confusion live! Plagues, incident to men,
Your potent and infectious fevers heap
On Athens, ripe for stroke! thou cold sciatica,
Cripple our senators, that their limbs may halt
As lamely as their manners! lust and liberty
Creep in the minds and marrows of our youth;
That'gainst the stream of virtue they may strive,
And drown themselves in riot! itches, blains,
Sow all the Athenian bosoms; and their crop
Be general leprosy! breath infect breath;
That their society, as their friendship, may
Be merely poison! Nothing I'll bear from thee,
But nakedness, thou detestable town!
Take thou that too, with multiplying banns!

i. e. the highest of your excellence.

3 i. e.

'Dr. Warburton thinks we should read foes. flies of a season. 4 A minute-jack is what was called formerly a Jack of the clock-house; an image whose office was the same as one of those at St. Dunstan's church in Flect-street.—See note 1, p. 658. i. e. every kind of disease incident to man and beast.

Act 4. Scene 3.]

TIMON OF ATHENS.

our master?

Are we undone? cast off? nothing remaining?
Flav. Alack, my fellows, what should I say
to you?

Let me be recorded by the righteous gods,
I am as poor as you.

1 Serc. Such a house broke!

So noble a master fallen! All gone! and not
One friend, to take his fortune by the arm,
And go along with him!

2 Serv. As we do turn our backs
From our companion, thrown into his grave;
So his familiars from his buried fortunes
Slink all away; leave their false vows with him,
Like empty purses pick'd: and his poor self,
A dedicated beggar to the air,

With his disease of all-shunn'd poverty,
Walks, like contempt, alone.—More of our
fellows.

Enter other Servants.

819

To have his pomp, and all what state compounds,
But only painted, like his varnish'd friends?
Poor honest lord, brought low by his own heart
Undone by goodness! Strange, unusual blood'
5 When man's worst sin is, he does too much good
Who then dares to be half so kind again?
For bounty, that makes gods, does still mar men
My dearest lord,-blest to be most accurs'd,
Rich, only to be wretched ;-thy great fortunes
10 Are made thy chief afilictions. Alas! kind lord
He's flung in rage from this ungrateful seat
Of monstrous friends: nor has he with him to
Supply his life, or that which can command it.
I'll follow, and enquire him out:

15 I'll ever serve his mind with my best will;
Whilst I have gold, I'll be his steward still

[Exi

Tim. O blessed breeding sun, draw from tl
earth

25 Rotten humidity; below thy sister's orb3
Infect the air! Twinn'd brothers of one womb,
Whose procreation, residence, and birth,
Scarce is dividant,-touch them with several f

Flav. All broken implements of a ruin'd house. 35
3 Serv. Yet do our hearts wear Timon's livery,
That see I by our faces; we are fellows still,
Serving alike in sorrow: Leak'd is our bark;
And we, poor mates, stand on the dying deck,
Hearing the surges threat: we must all part
Into this sea of air.

Flav. Good fellows all,

The latest of my wealth I'll share amongst you.
Wherever we shall meet, for Timon's sake,
Let's yet be fellows; let's shake our heads, and 45

Raise me this beggar, and denude that lord;
The senator shall bear contempt hereditary,
The beggar native honour.

It is the pastor lards the brother's sides,
The want that makes him leave".

who dares,

Who dar

In purity of manhood stand upright,
40 And say, This man's a flatterer?' if one be
So are they all; for every grize of fortune
Is smooth'd by that below: the learned pate
Ducks to the golden fool: All is oblique ;
There's nothing level in our cursed natures,
But direct villainy. Therefore, be abhorr'd
All feasts, societies, and throngs of men!
His semb'able, yea, himself, Timon disdains
Destruction fang' mankind!-Earth, yield
[Digging the ed
Who secks for better of thee, sauce his pala
With thy most operant poison! What is here
Gold? yellow, glittering, precious, gold?

Let each take some;
[Giving them money.
Not one word more: 50
parting poor.

[Exeunt Servants. O, the fierce' wretchedness that glory brings us! Who would not wish to be from wealth exempt, Since riches point to misery and contempt? Who'd be so mock'd with glory? or to live But in a dream of friendship?

roots!

gods,

I am no idle votarist: Roots, you clear heav 55 Thus much of this, will make black, white; fair; [va

Wrong, right; base, noble; old, young; cov

Fierce is here used for hasty, precipitate. Strange, unusual blood may mean, strange un 3 That is, the moon's, this sublunary world. * Dr. Johnson explains this pa disposition. thus: "Brother, when his fortune is enlarged, will scorn brother; for this is the general deprav human nature, which, besieged as it is by misery, admonished as it is of want and imperfection, That is, It is the pastor elerated by fortune, will despise beings of nature like its own.”.

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