Timon of Athens - Act 3 - Scene 6

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
    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
    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
    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

    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

    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
    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

    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,
    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

    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

    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

    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

    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:
    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
    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
    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
    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

    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.

    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,
    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
    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

    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
    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

    Lord Timon's mad.

Third Lord

    I feel 't upon my bones.

Fourth Lord

    One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.

    Exeunt