SCENE VI
The good time of day to you, sir.
I also wish it to you. I think this honourable lord did but try us this other day.
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.
It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.
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.
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.
I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.
Every man here’s so. What would he have borrowed of you?
A thousand pieces.
A thousand pieces!
What of you?
He sent to me, sir, – Here he comes.
With all my heart, gentlemen both; and how fare you?
Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.
The swallow follows not summer more willing than we your lordship.
[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.
I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship that I returned you an empty messenger.
O, sir, let it not trouble you.
My noble lord, –
Ah, my good friend, what cheer?
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.
Think not on ’t, sir.
If you had sent but two hours before, –
Let it not cumber your better remembrance.
All covered dishes!
Royal cheer, I warrant you.
Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.
How do you? What’s the news?
Alcibiades is banished: hear you of it?
Alcibiades banished! |
’Tis so, be sure of it.
How! how!
I pray you, upon what?
My worthy friends, will you draw near?
I’ll tell you more anon. Here’s a noble feast toward.
This is the old man still.
Will ’t hold? will ’t hold?
It does: but time will – and so –
I do conceive.
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.
What does his lordship mean?
I know not.
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.
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.
Whereat a villain’s not a welcome guest.
Burn, house! sink, Athens! henceforth hated be
Of Timon man and all humanity!
How now, my lords!
Know you the quality of Lord Timon’s fury?
Push! did you see my cap?
I have lost my gown.
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?
Did you see my cap?
Here ’tis.
Here lies my gown.
Let’s make no stay.
Lord Timon’s mad.
I feel ’t upon my bones.
One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.