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 plea sures. 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 To gratulate thy plenteous bosom: The ear, Taste, touch, smell, all pleas'd from thy table rise; They only now come but to feast thine eyes. Tim. They are welcome all; let them have kind admittance: 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 day! They dance! they are mad women. Like madness is the glory of this life, As this pomp shows to a little oil, and root." › 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 We make ourselves fools, to disport ourselves; With poisonous spite, and envy. not Who lives, that's Depraved, or depraves? who dies, that bears 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, Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, Which was not half so beautiful and kind; 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 Tim. Flavius, Exeunt CUPID, and Ladies. eye of reason, as the pomp appeared to be, when compared to the frugal repast of a philosopher. 5 - of their friends' gift?] Given them by their friends. mine own device;] The mask appears to have been designed by Timon, to surprize his guests. of us." even at the best.] i. e. "You have conceived the fairest Flav. My lord. The little casket bring me hither. Flav. Yes, my lord.-More jewels yet! There is no crossing him in his humour; [Aside. Else I should tell him,-Well,-i'faith, I should, When all's spent, he'd be cross'd then, an he could." 'Tis pity, bounty had not eyes behind;" 8 That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind. [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 Entreat you, honour me so much, as to Advance this jewel;' Accept, and wear it, kind my lord. 1 Lord. I am so far already in your gifts,— All. So are we all. Enter a Servant. Serv. My lord, there are certain nobles of the senate Newly alighted, and come to visit you. Tim. They are fairly welcome. Flav. I beseech your honour, Vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near. Tim. Near? why then another time I'll hear thee: 7 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. 1 for his mind.] For nobleness of soul. JOHNSON. to Advance this jewel;] To prefer it; to raise it to honour by wearing it. JOHNSON. I pr'ythee, let us be provided I scarce know how. [Aside. Enter another Servant. 2 Serv. May it please your honour, the Lord Lucius, Out of his free love, hath presented to you Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver. Tim. I shall accept them fairly: let the presents Enter a third Servant. Be worthily entertain'd.-How now, what news? 3 Serv. Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman, lord Lucullus, entreats your company to-morrow to hunt with him; and has sent your honour two brace of greyhounds. Tim. I'll hunt with him; And let them be receiv'd, Not without fair reward. Flav. [Aside.] What will this come to? He commands us to provide, and give great gifts, And all out of an empty coffer. Nor will he know his purse; or yield me this, To show him what a beggar his heart is, Happier is he that has no friend to feed, Than such as do even enemies exceed. I bleed inwardly for my lord. Tim. [Exit. You do yourselves Much wrong, you bate too much of your own me Here, my lord, a trifle of our love. 2 Lord. With more than common thanks I will receive it. 3 Lord. O, he is the very soul of bounty! Tim. And now I remember me, my lord, you gave Good words the other day of a bay courser I rode on: it is yours, because you lik'd it. 2 Lord. I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that. Tim. You may take my word, my lord; I know, no man Can justly praise, but what he does affect: I weigh my friend's affection with mine own; All Lords. None so welcome. Tim. I take all and your several visitations So kind to heart, 'tis not enough to give; Methinks, I could deal kingdoms to my friends, Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich, It comes in charity to thee: for all thy living Alcib. Ay, defiled land, my lord. 1 Lord. We are so virtuously bound, Tim. Am I to you. 2 Lord. So infinitely endear'd, Tim. All to you.'-Lights, more lights. 1 Lord. And so The best of happiness, Honour, and fortunes, keep with you, lord Timon! Tim. Ready for his friends. Apem. [Exeunt ALCIBIADES, Lords, &c. What a coil's here! 2 All to you.] i. e. all good wishes, or all happiness to you. |