PERSONS REPRESENTED. Timon, a noble Athenian. Lucius, Lucullus, lords, and flatterers of Timon. Sempronius, Ventidius, one of Timon's false friends. Apemantus, a churlish philosopher. Alcibiades, an Athenian general. Flavius, steward to Timon. Flaminius, Hortensius,. Two Servants of Varro, and the Servant of Isidore; two of Timon's creditors. Cupid and Maskers. Three Strangers. • Poet, Painter, Jeweller and Merchant. An old Athenian. A Page, A Fool. Phrynia, Timandra,} mistres Other Lords, Senators, Officers, Soldiers, Thieves, and Attendants. SCENE, Athens; and the Woods adjoining. TIMON OF ATHENS. ACT I. SCENE I. Athens. A Hall in Timon's House. Enter Poet, Painter, Jeweller, Merchant, and Others at several Doors. GOOD day, sir. Pain. Poet. I am glad you are well. Poet. I have not seen you long; How goes the world? Pain. It wears sir, as it grows. Ay, that's well known: Poet. Jew. Nay, that's most fix'd. Mer. A most incomparable man; breath'd,' as it were, To an untirable and continuate2 goodness: He passes.3 Jew. I have a jewel here. Mer. O, pray, let's see't: For the lord Timon, sir? ■ Inured by constant practice. 2 For continual. 3 i. e. Exceeds, goes beyond common bounds. Jew. If he will touch the estimate: But, for that→→ Poet. When we for recompense have prais'd the vile, It stains the glory in that happy verse Which aptly sings the good. Mer. 'Tis a good form. [Looking at the Jewel. Jew. And rich: here is a water, look you. Pain. You are rapt, sir, in some work, some de dication To the great lord. Poet. A thing slipp'd idly from me. Our poesy is as a gum, which oozes From whence 'tis nourished: The fire i'the flint Each bound it chafes. What have you there? Poet. Upon the heels of my presentment,4 sir. Let's see your piece. Pain. 'Tis a good piece. Poet. So 'tis: this comes off well and excellent. Poet. Admirable: How this grace Speaks his own standing! what a mental power Pain. It is a pretty mocking of the life. Poet. I'll say of it, * As soon as my book has been presented to Timon. |