TPTT The Life of Timon of Athens: ACT III
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
ACT III
SCENE I. A room in Lucullus' house.
SCENE II. A public place.
SCENE III. A room in Sempronius' house.
SCENE IV. The same. A hall in Timon's house.
SCENE V. The same. The senate-house. The Senate sitting.
SCENE VI. The same. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.
ACT IV
ACT V
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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
5     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
10    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
15    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
20    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
25    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
30    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
35    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,
40    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
45    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
50    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
55    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
60    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:
65    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
70    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
75    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
80    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
85    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
90    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,
95    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

100   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
105   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
110   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
115   Lord Timon's mad.
Third Lord
      I feel 't upon my bones.
Fourth Lord
      One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.
Exeunt
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