No Fear Shakespeare: Timon of Athens: Act 1 Scene 2

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Timon of Athens

William Shakespeare

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Original Text

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HAUTBOYS playing loud music. A great banquet served in, and then enter LORD TIMON, the STATES, the ATHENIAN LORDS (including LUCIUS), ALCIBIADES, and VENTIDIUS (which TIMON redeemed from prison). FLAVIUS and others are in attendance. Then comes dropping after all APEMANTUS discontentedly like himself.	HAUTBOYS playing loud music. A great banquet served in, and then enter LORD TIMON, the STATES, the ATHENIAN LORDS (including LUCIUS), ALCIBIADES, and VENTIDIUS (which TIMON redeemed from prison). FLAVIUS and others are in attendance. Then comes dropping after all APEMANTUS discontentedly like himself.
VENTIDIUS Most honored Timon, It hath pleased the gods to remember my father’s age And call him to long peace. He is gone happy and has left me rich. 5 Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound To your free heart, I do return those talents, Doubled with thanks and service, from whose help I derived liberty.	VENTIDIUS Most honored Timon, It hath pleased the gods to remember my father’s age And call him to long peace. He is gone happy and has left me rich. 5 Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound To your free heart, I do return those talents, Doubled with thanks and service, from whose help I derived liberty.
He offers a purse.	He offers a purse.
TIMON O, by no means, 10 Honest Ventidius. You mistake my love. I gave it freely ever, and there’s none Can truly say he gives if he receives. If our betters play at that game, we must not dare To imitate them. Faults that are rich are fair.	TIMON O, by no means, 10 Honest Ventidius. You mistake my love. I gave it freely ever, and there’s none Can truly say he gives if he receives. If our betters play at that game, we must not dare To imitate them. Faults that are rich are fair.
VENTIDIUS 15 A noble spirit!	VENTIDIUS 15 A noble spirit!
TIMON Nay, my lords, ceremony was but devised at first To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes, Recanting goodness, sorry ere ’tis shown; But where there is true friendship, there needs none. 20 Pray, sit. More welcome are you to my fortunes Than my fortunes to me.	TIMON Nay, my lords, ceremony was but devised at first To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes, Recanting goodness, sorry ere ’tis shown; But where there is true friendship, there needs none. 20 Pray, sit. More welcome are you to my fortunes Than my fortunes to me.
They sit.	They sit.
FIRST LORD My lord, we always have confessed it.	FIRST LORD My lord, we always have confessed it.
APEMANTUS Ho, ho, “confessed it”? Hanged it, have you not?	APEMANTUS Ho, ho, “confessed it”? Hanged it, have you not?
TIMON O Apemantus, you are welcome.	TIMON O Apemantus, you are welcome.
APEMANTUS 25 No, you shall not make me welcome. I come to have thee thrust me out of doors.	APEMANTUS 25 No, you shall not make me welcome. I come to have thee thrust me out of doors.
TIMON Fie, thou ’rt a churl. You’ve got a humor there Does not become a man. ’Tis much to blame.— They say, my lords, Ira furor brevis est, but yond 30 man is ever angry. Go, let him have a table by himself, for he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for ’t indeed.	TIMON Fie, thou ’rt a churl. You’ve got a humor there Does not become a man. ’Tis much to blame.— They say, my lords, Ira furor brevis est, but yond 30 man is ever angry. Go, let him have a table by himself, for he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for ’t indeed.
APEMANTUS Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon. I come to observe; I give thee warning on ’t.	APEMANTUS Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon. I come to observe; I give thee warning on ’t.
TIMON 35 I take no heed of thee. Thou ’rt an Athenian, therefore welcome. I myself would have no power; prithee, let my meat make thee silent.	TIMON 35 I take no heed of thee. Thou ’rt an Athenian, therefore welcome. I myself would have no power; prithee, let my meat make thee silent.
APEMANTUS I scorn thy meat. ’Twould choke me, for I should ne’er flatter thee . (Apart.) O you gods, 40 what a number of men eats Timon, and he sees ’em not! It grieves me to see so many dip their meat in one man’s blood; and all the madness is, he cheers them up too. I wonder men dare trust themselves with men. 45 Methinks they should invite them without knives. Good for their meat, and safer for their lives. There’s much example for ’t. The fellow that sits next him, now parts bread with him, pledges the breath of him in a divided draft, is the readiest 50 man to kill him. ’T ’as been proved. If I were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals, Lest they should spy my wind-pipe’s dangerous notes. Great men should drink with harness on their 55 throats.	APEMANTUS I scorn thy meat. ’Twould choke me, for I should ne’er flatter thee . (Apart.) O you gods, 40 what a number of men eats Timon, and he sees ’em not! It grieves me to see so many dip their meat in one man’s blood; and all the madness is, he cheers them up too. I wonder men dare trust themselves with men. 45 Methinks they should invite them without knives. Good for their meat, and safer for their lives. There’s much example for ’t. The fellow that sits next him, now parts bread with him, pledges the breath of him in a divided draft, is the readiest 50 man to kill him. ’T ’as been proved. If I were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals, Lest they should spy my wind-pipe’s dangerous notes. Great men should drink with harness on their 55 throats.
TIMON , responding to a toast My lord, in heart! And let the health go round.	TIMON , responding to a toast My lord, in heart! And let the health go round.
SECOND LORD Let it flow this way, my good lord.	SECOND LORD Let it flow this way, my good lord.
APEMANTUS , apart “Flow this way”? A brave fellow. He keeps his tides well. Those healths will make 60 thee and thy state look ill, Timon. Here’s that which is too weak to be a sinner, Honest water, which ne’er left man i’ th’ mire. This and my food are equals. There’s no odds. Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods. APEMANTUS’ grace. 65 Immortal gods, I crave no pelf. I pray for no man but myself. Grant I may never prove so fond To trust man on his oath or bond, Or a harlot for her weeping, 70 Or a dog that seems a-sleeping, Or a keeper with my freedom, Or my friends if I should need ’em. Amen. So fall to ’t. Rich men sin, and I eat root. He eats and drinks. 75 Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus!	APEMANTUS , apart “Flow this way”? A brave fellow. He keeps his tides well. Those healths will make 60 thee and thy state look ill, Timon. Here’s that which is too weak to be a sinner, Honest water, which ne’er left man i’ th’ mire. This and my food are equals. There’s no odds. Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods. APEMANTUS’ grace. 65 Immortal gods, I crave no pelf. I pray for no man but myself. Grant I may never prove so fond To trust man on his oath or bond, Or a harlot for her weeping, 70 Or a dog that seems a-sleeping, Or a keeper with my freedom, Or my friends if I should need ’em. Amen. So fall to ’t. Rich men sin, and I eat root. He eats and drinks. 75 Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus!
TIMON Captain Alcibiades, your heart’s in the field now.	TIMON Captain Alcibiades, your heart’s in the field now.
ALCIBIADES My heart is ever at your service, my lord.	ALCIBIADES My heart is ever at your service, my lord.
TIMON You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of friends.	TIMON You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of friends.
ALCIBIADES 80 So they were bleeding new, my lord, there’s no meat like ’em. I could wish my best friend at such a feast.	ALCIBIADES 80 So they were bleeding new, my lord, there’s no meat like ’em. I could wish my best friend at such a feast.
APEMANTUS , apart Would all those flatterers were thine enemies, then, that then thou mightst kill 85 ’em and bid me to ’em.	APEMANTUS , apart Would all those flatterers were thine enemies, then, that then thou mightst kill 85 ’em and bid me to ’em.
FIRST LORD Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think ourselves forever perfect.	FIRST LORD Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think ourselves forever perfect.
TIMON 90 O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have provided that I shall have much help from you. How had you been my friends else? Why have you that charitable title from thousands, did not you chiefly belong to my heart? I have told 95 more of you to myself than you can with modesty speak in your own behalf. And thus far I confirm you. O you gods, think I, what need we have any friends if we should ne’er have need of ’em? They were the most needless creatures living, should we 100 ne’er have use for ’em, and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up in cases, that keeps their sounds to themselves. Why, I have often wished myself poorer that I might come nearer to you. We are born to do benefits. And what better or 105 properer can we call our own than the riches of our friends? O, what a precious comfort ’tis to have so many, like brothers, commanding one another’s fortunes. O, joy’s e’en made away ere ’t can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, 110 methinks. To forget their faults, I drink to you.	TIMON 90 O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have provided that I shall have much help from you. How had you been my friends else? Why have you that charitable title from thousands, did not you chiefly belong to my heart? I have told 95 more of you to myself than you can with modesty speak in your own behalf. And thus far I confirm you. O you gods, think I, what need we have any friends if we should ne’er have need of ’em? They were the most needless creatures living, should we 100 ne’er have use for ’em, and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up in cases, that keeps their sounds to themselves. Why, I have often wished myself poorer that I might come nearer to you. We are born to do benefits. And what better or 105 properer can we call our own than the riches of our friends? O, what a precious comfort ’tis to have so many, like brothers, commanding one another’s fortunes. O, joy’s e’en made away ere ’t can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, 110 methinks. To forget their faults, I drink to you.
APEMANTUS , apart Thou weep’st to make them drink, Timon.	APEMANTUS , apart Thou weep’st to make them drink, Timon.
SECOND LORD Joy had the like conception in our eyes And, at that instant, like a babe sprung up	SECOND LORD Joy had the like conception in our eyes And, at that instant, like a babe sprung up
APEMANTUS , apart 115 Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.	APEMANTUS , apart 115 Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.
THIRD LORD I promise you, my lord, you moved me much.	THIRD LORD I promise you, my lord, you moved me much.
APEMANTUS , apart Much! Sound tucket.	APEMANTUS , apart Much! Sound tucket.
TIMON What means that trump? Enter SERVANT. How now?	TIMON What means that trump? Enter SERVANT. How now?
SERVANT 120 Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance.	SERVANT 120 Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance.
TIMON Ladies? What are their wills?	TIMON Ladies? What are their wills?
SERVANT There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office to signify their pleasures.	SERVANT There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office to signify their pleasures.
TIMON 125 I pray, let them be admitted.	TIMON 125 I pray, let them be admitted.
SERVANT exits.	SERVANT exits.
Enter “ CUPID.”	Enter “ CUPID.”
CUPID 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. There 130 Taste, touch, all, pleased from thy table rise; They only now come but to feast thine eyes.	CUPID 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. There 130 Taste, touch, all, pleased from thy table rise; They only now come but to feast thine eyes.
TIMON They’re welcome all. Let ’em have kind admittance. Music, make their welcome!	TIMON They’re welcome all. Let ’em have kind admittance. Music, make their welcome!

Original Text	Modern Text
HAUTBOYS playing loud music. A great banquet served in, and then enter LORD TIMON, the STATES, the ATHENIAN LORDS (including LUCIUS), ALCIBIADES, and VENTIDIUS (which TIMON redeemed from prison). FLAVIUS and others are in attendance. Then comes dropping after all APEMANTUS discontentedly like himself.	HAUTBOYS playing loud music. A great banquet served in, and then enter LORD TIMON, the STATES, the ATHENIAN LORDS (including LUCIUS), ALCIBIADES, and VENTIDIUS (which TIMON redeemed from prison). FLAVIUS and others are in attendance. Then comes dropping after all APEMANTUS discontentedly like himself.
VENTIDIUS Most honored Timon, It hath pleased the gods to remember my father’s age And call him to long peace. He is gone happy and has left me rich. 5 Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound To your free heart, I do return those talents, Doubled with thanks and service, from whose help I derived liberty.	VENTIDIUS Most honored Timon, It hath pleased the gods to remember my father’s age And call him to long peace. He is gone happy and has left me rich. 5 Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound To your free heart, I do return those talents, Doubled with thanks and service, from whose help I derived liberty.
He offers a purse.	He offers a purse.
TIMON O, by no means, 10 Honest Ventidius. You mistake my love. I gave it freely ever, and there’s none Can truly say he gives if he receives. If our betters play at that game, we must not dare To imitate them. Faults that are rich are fair.	TIMON O, by no means, 10 Honest Ventidius. You mistake my love. I gave it freely ever, and there’s none Can truly say he gives if he receives. If our betters play at that game, we must not dare To imitate them. Faults that are rich are fair.
VENTIDIUS 15 A noble spirit!	VENTIDIUS 15 A noble spirit!
TIMON Nay, my lords, ceremony was but devised at first To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes, Recanting goodness, sorry ere ’tis shown; But where there is true friendship, there needs none. 20 Pray, sit. More welcome are you to my fortunes Than my fortunes to me.	TIMON Nay, my lords, ceremony was but devised at first To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes, Recanting goodness, sorry ere ’tis shown; But where there is true friendship, there needs none. 20 Pray, sit. More welcome are you to my fortunes Than my fortunes to me.
They sit.	They sit.
FIRST LORD My lord, we always have confessed it.	FIRST LORD My lord, we always have confessed it.
APEMANTUS Ho, ho, “confessed it”? Hanged it, have you not?	APEMANTUS Ho, ho, “confessed it”? Hanged it, have you not?
TIMON O Apemantus, you are welcome.	TIMON O Apemantus, you are welcome.
APEMANTUS 25 No, you shall not make me welcome. I come to have thee thrust me out of doors.	APEMANTUS 25 No, you shall not make me welcome. I come to have thee thrust me out of doors.
TIMON Fie, thou ’rt a churl. You’ve got a humor there Does not become a man. ’Tis much to blame.— They say, my lords, Ira furor brevis est, but yond 30 man is ever angry. Go, let him have a table by himself, for he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for ’t indeed.	TIMON Fie, thou ’rt a churl. You’ve got a humor there Does not become a man. ’Tis much to blame.— They say, my lords, Ira furor brevis est, but yond 30 man is ever angry. Go, let him have a table by himself, for he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for ’t indeed.
APEMANTUS Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon. I come to observe; I give thee warning on ’t.	APEMANTUS Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon. I come to observe; I give thee warning on ’t.
TIMON 35 I take no heed of thee. Thou ’rt an Athenian, therefore welcome. I myself would have no power; prithee, let my meat make thee silent.	TIMON 35 I take no heed of thee. Thou ’rt an Athenian, therefore welcome. I myself would have no power; prithee, let my meat make thee silent.
APEMANTUS I scorn thy meat. ’Twould choke me, for I should ne’er flatter thee . (Apart.) O you gods, 40 what a number of men eats Timon, and he sees ’em not! It grieves me to see so many dip their meat in one man’s blood; and all the madness is, he cheers them up too. I wonder men dare trust themselves with men. 45 Methinks they should invite them without knives. Good for their meat, and safer for their lives. There’s much example for ’t. The fellow that sits next him, now parts bread with him, pledges the breath of him in a divided draft, is the readiest 50 man to kill him. ’T ’as been proved. If I were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals, Lest they should spy my wind-pipe’s dangerous notes. Great men should drink with harness on their 55 throats.	APEMANTUS I scorn thy meat. ’Twould choke me, for I should ne’er flatter thee . (Apart.) O you gods, 40 what a number of men eats Timon, and he sees ’em not! It grieves me to see so many dip their meat in one man’s blood; and all the madness is, he cheers them up too. I wonder men dare trust themselves with men. 45 Methinks they should invite them without knives. Good for their meat, and safer for their lives. There’s much example for ’t. The fellow that sits next him, now parts bread with him, pledges the breath of him in a divided draft, is the readiest 50 man to kill him. ’T ’as been proved. If I were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals, Lest they should spy my wind-pipe’s dangerous notes. Great men should drink with harness on their 55 throats.
TIMON , responding to a toast My lord, in heart! And let the health go round.	TIMON , responding to a toast My lord, in heart! And let the health go round.
SECOND LORD Let it flow this way, my good lord.	SECOND LORD Let it flow this way, my good lord.
APEMANTUS , apart “Flow this way”? A brave fellow. He keeps his tides well. Those healths will make 60 thee and thy state look ill, Timon. Here’s that which is too weak to be a sinner, Honest water, which ne’er left man i’ th’ mire. This and my food are equals. There’s no odds. Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods. APEMANTUS’ grace. 65 Immortal gods, I crave no pelf. I pray for no man but myself. Grant I may never prove so fond To trust man on his oath or bond, Or a harlot for her weeping, 70 Or a dog that seems a-sleeping, Or a keeper with my freedom, Or my friends if I should need ’em. Amen. So fall to ’t. Rich men sin, and I eat root. He eats and drinks. 75 Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus!	APEMANTUS , apart “Flow this way”? A brave fellow. He keeps his tides well. Those healths will make 60 thee and thy state look ill, Timon. Here’s that which is too weak to be a sinner, Honest water, which ne’er left man i’ th’ mire. This and my food are equals. There’s no odds. Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods. APEMANTUS’ grace. 65 Immortal gods, I crave no pelf. I pray for no man but myself. Grant I may never prove so fond To trust man on his oath or bond, Or a harlot for her weeping, 70 Or a dog that seems a-sleeping, Or a keeper with my freedom, Or my friends if I should need ’em. Amen. So fall to ’t. Rich men sin, and I eat root. He eats and drinks. 75 Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus!
TIMON Captain Alcibiades, your heart’s in the field now.	TIMON Captain Alcibiades, your heart’s in the field now.
ALCIBIADES My heart is ever at your service, my lord.	ALCIBIADES My heart is ever at your service, my lord.
TIMON You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of friends.	TIMON You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of friends.
ALCIBIADES 80 So they were bleeding new, my lord, there’s no meat like ’em. I could wish my best friend at such a feast.	ALCIBIADES 80 So they were bleeding new, my lord, there’s no meat like ’em. I could wish my best friend at such a feast.
APEMANTUS , apart Would all those flatterers were thine enemies, then, that then thou mightst kill 85 ’em and bid me to ’em.	APEMANTUS , apart Would all those flatterers were thine enemies, then, that then thou mightst kill 85 ’em and bid me to ’em.
FIRST LORD Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think ourselves forever perfect.	FIRST LORD Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think ourselves forever perfect.
TIMON 90 O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have provided that I shall have much help from you. How had you been my friends else? Why have you that charitable title from thousands, did not you chiefly belong to my heart? I have told 95 more of you to myself than you can with modesty speak in your own behalf. And thus far I confirm you. O you gods, think I, what need we have any friends if we should ne’er have need of ’em? They were the most needless creatures living, should we 100 ne’er have use for ’em, and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up in cases, that keeps their sounds to themselves. Why, I have often wished myself poorer that I might come nearer to you. We are born to do benefits. And what better or 105 properer can we call our own than the riches of our friends? O, what a precious comfort ’tis to have so many, like brothers, commanding one another’s fortunes. O, joy’s e’en made away ere ’t can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, 110 methinks. To forget their faults, I drink to you.	TIMON 90 O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have provided that I shall have much help from you. How had you been my friends else? Why have you that charitable title from thousands, did not you chiefly belong to my heart? I have told 95 more of you to myself than you can with modesty speak in your own behalf. And thus far I confirm you. O you gods, think I, what need we have any friends if we should ne’er have need of ’em? They were the most needless creatures living, should we 100 ne’er have use for ’em, and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up in cases, that keeps their sounds to themselves. Why, I have often wished myself poorer that I might come nearer to you. We are born to do benefits. And what better or 105 properer can we call our own than the riches of our friends? O, what a precious comfort ’tis to have so many, like brothers, commanding one another’s fortunes. O, joy’s e’en made away ere ’t can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, 110 methinks. To forget their faults, I drink to you.
APEMANTUS , apart Thou weep’st to make them drink, Timon.	APEMANTUS , apart Thou weep’st to make them drink, Timon.
SECOND LORD Joy had the like conception in our eyes And, at that instant, like a babe sprung up	SECOND LORD Joy had the like conception in our eyes And, at that instant, like a babe sprung up
APEMANTUS , apart 115 Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.	APEMANTUS , apart 115 Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.
THIRD LORD I promise you, my lord, you moved me much.	THIRD LORD I promise you, my lord, you moved me much.
APEMANTUS , apart Much! Sound tucket.	APEMANTUS , apart Much! Sound tucket.
TIMON What means that trump? Enter SERVANT. How now?	TIMON What means that trump? Enter SERVANT. How now?
SERVANT 120 Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance.	SERVANT 120 Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance.
TIMON Ladies? What are their wills?	TIMON Ladies? What are their wills?
SERVANT There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office to signify their pleasures.	SERVANT There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office to signify their pleasures.
TIMON 125 I pray, let them be admitted.	TIMON 125 I pray, let them be admitted.
SERVANT exits.	SERVANT exits.
Enter “ CUPID.”	Enter “ CUPID.”
CUPID 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. There 130 Taste, touch, all, pleased from thy table rise; They only now come but to feast thine eyes.	CUPID 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. There 130 Taste, touch, all, pleased from thy table rise; They only now come but to feast thine eyes.
TIMON They’re welcome all. Let ’em have kind admittance. Music, make their welcome!	TIMON They’re welcome all. Let ’em have kind admittance. Music, make their welcome!