Previous Next
 

Continue reading with a SparkNotes PLUS trial

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter STEWARD FLAVIUS, with many bills in his hand.
Enter STEWARD FLAVIUS, with many bills in his hand.
FLAVIUS
No care, no stop, so senseless of expense
That he will neither know how to maintain it
Nor cease his flow of riot. Takes no account
How things go from him nor resumes no care
5
Of what is to continue. Never mind
Was to be so unwise to be so kind.
What shall be done? He will not hear till feel.
I must be round with him, now he comes from
hunting.
10
Fie, fie, fie, fie!
FLAVIUS
No care, no stop, so senseless of expense
That he will neither know how to maintain it
Nor cease his flow of riot. Takes no account
How things go from him nor resumes no care
5
Of what is to continue. Never mind
Was to be so unwise to be so kind.
What shall be done? He will not hear till feel.
I must be round with him, now he comes from
hunting.
10
Fie, fie, fie, fie!
Enter CAPHIS, and the MEN OF ISIDORE and VARRO.
Enter CAPHIS, and the MEN OF ISIDORE and VARRO.
CAPHIS
Good even, Varro. What, you come for money?
CAPHIS
Good even, Varro. What, you come for money?
VARRO’S MAN
Is ’t not your business too?
VARRO’S MAN
Is ’t not your business too?
CAPHIS
It is. And yours too, Isidore?
CAPHIS
It is. And yours too, Isidore?
ISIDORE’S MAN
It is so.
ISIDORE’S MAN
It is so.
CAPHIS
15
Would we were all discharged!
CAPHIS
15
Would we were all discharged!
VARRO’S MAN
I fear it.
VARRO’S MAN
I fear it.
CAPHIS
Here comes the lord.
CAPHIS
Here comes the lord.
Enter TIMON, and his train, with ALCIBIADES.
Enter TIMON, and his train, with ALCIBIADES.
TIMON
So soon as dinner’s done we’ll forth again,
My Alcibiades. ( To CAPHIS.) With me? What is your
20
will?
TIMON
So soon as dinner’s done we’ll forth again,
My Alcibiades. ( To CAPHIS.) With me? What is your
20
will?
CAPHIS , offering TIMON a paper
My lord, here is a note of certain dues.
CAPHIS , offering TIMON a paper
My lord, here’s a bill for some debts of yours.
TIMON
Dues? Whence are you?
TIMON
Dues? Whence are you?
CAPHIS
Of Athens here, my lord.
CAPHIS
Of Athens here, my lord.
TIMON
Go to my steward.
TIMON
Go to my steward.
CAPHIS
25
Please it your Lordship, he hath put me off
To the succession of new days this month.
My master is awaked by great occasion
To call upon his own and humbly prays you
That with your other noble parts you’ll suit
30
In giving him his right.
CAPHIS
25
Please it your Lordship, he hath put me off
To the succession of new days this month.
My master is awaked by great occasion
To call upon his own and humbly prays you
That with your other noble parts you’ll suit
30
In giving him his right.
TIMON
Mine honest friend,
I prithee but repair to me next morning.
TIMON
Mine honest friend,
I prithee but repair to me next morning.
CAPHIS
Nay, good my lord—
CAPHIS
Nay, good my lord—
TIMON
Contain thyself, good friend.
TIMON
Contain thyself, good friend.
VARRO’S MAN , offering a paper
35
One Varro’s servant,
my good lord—
VARRO’S MAN , offering a paper
I’m a servant of Varro’s, my good lord—
ISIDORE’S MAN , offering a paper
From Isidore. He humbly prays your speedy
payment.
ISIDORE’S MAN , offering a paper
This is from Isidore. He humbly asks you to pay this without delay.
CAPHIS
If you did know, my lord, my master’s wants—
CAPHIS
If you did know, my lord, my master’s wants—
VARRO’S MAN
40
’Twas due on forfeiture, my lord, six weeks and past.
VARRO’S MAN
40
’Twas due on forfeiture, my lord, six weeks and past.
ISIDORE’S MAN
Your steward puts me off, my lord, and I
Am sent expressly to your Lordship.
ISIDORE’S MAN
Your steward puts me off, my lord, and I
Am sent expressly to your Lordship.
TIMON
Give me breath.—
I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on.
45
I’ll wait upon you instantly.
ALCIBIADES and TIMON’S train exit.
To FLAVIUS.
Come hither. Pray you,
How goes the world that I am thus encountered
With clamorous demands of debt, broken bonds,
And the detention of long-since-due debts
50
Against my honor?
TIMON
Give me breath.—
I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on.
45
I’ll wait upon you instantly.
ALCIBIADES and TIMON’S train exit.
To FLAVIUS.
Come hither. Pray you,
How goes the world that I am thus encountered
With clamorous demands of debt, broken bonds,
And the detention of long-since-due debts
50
Against my honor?
FLAVIUS , to the creditors’ MEN  
Please you, gentlemen,
The time is unagreeable to this business.
Your importunacy cease till after dinner,
That I may make his Lordship understand
55
Wherefore you are not paid.
FLAVIUS , to the creditors’ MEN  
Please, gentlemen, now’s not a good time for this business. Hold off on your demands until after dinner so I can figure out with Lord Timon why you haven’t been paid.
TIMON
Do so, my friends.—
See them well entertained.
TIMON
Do so, my friends.—
See them well entertained.
FLAVIUS
Pray, draw near.
FLAVIUS
Pray, draw near.
TIMON and FLAVIUS exit.
TIMON and FLAVIUS exit.
Enter APEMANTUS and FOOL.
Enter APEMANTUS and FOOL.
CAPHIS
Stay, stay, here comes the Fool with Apemantus.
60
Let’s ha’ some sport with ’em.
CAPHIS
Stay, stay, here comes the Fool with Apemantus.
60
Let’s ha’ some sport with ’em.
VARRO’S MAN
Hang him! He’ll abuse us.
VARRO’S MAN
Hang him! He’ll abuse us.
ISIDORE’S MAN
A plague upon him, dog!
ISIDORE’S MAN
A plague upon him, dog!
VARRO’S MAN
How dost, Fool?
VARRO’S MAN
How dost, Fool?
APEMANTUS
Dost dialogue with thy shadow?
APEMANTUS
Dost dialogue with thy shadow?
VARRO’S MAN
65
I speak not to thee.
VARRO’S MAN
65
I speak not to thee.
APEMANTUS
No, ’tis to thyself. ( To the FOOL.) Come
away.
APEMANTUS
No, ’tis to thyself. ( To the FOOL.) Come
away.
ISIDORE’S MAN , to VARRO’S MAN
There’s the fool hangs
on your back already.
ISIDORE’S MAN , to VARRO’S MAN
You’ve already made a fool out of yourself.
APEMANTUS
70
No, thou stand’st single; thou ’rt not on
him yet.
APEMANTUS
70
No, thou stand’st single; thou ’rt not on
him yet.
CAPHIS , to ISIDORE’S MAN
Where’s the fool now?
CAPHIS , to ISIDORE’S MAN
Who’s the fool now?
APEMANTUS
He last asked the question. Poor rogues
and usurers’ men, bawds between gold and want.
APEMANTUS
He last asked the question. Poor rogues
and usurers’ men, bawds between gold and want.
ALL THE MEN
75
What are we, Apemantus?
ALL THE MEN
75
What are we, Apemantus?
APEMANTUS
Asses.
APEMANTUS
Asses.
ALL THE MEN
Why?
ALL THE MEN
Why?
APEMANTUS
That you ask me what you are, and do not
know yourselves.—Speak to ’em, Fool.
APEMANTUS
That you ask me what you are, and do not
know yourselves.—Speak to ’em, Fool.
FOOL
80
How do you, gentlemen?
FOOL
80
How do you, gentlemen?
ALL THE MEN
Gramercies, good Fool. How does your
mistress?
ALL THE MEN
Gramercies, good Fool. How does your
mistress?
FOOL
She’s e’en setting on water to scald such chickens
as you are. Would we could see you at Corinth!
FOOL
She’s e’en setting on water to scald such chickens
as you are. Would we could see you at Corinth!
APEMANTUS
85
Good. Gramercy.
APEMANTUS
85
Good. Gramercy.
Enter PAGE.
Enter PAGE.
FOOL
Look you, here comes my master’s page.
FOOL
Look you, here comes my master’s page.
PAGE , to FOOL
Why, how now, captain? What do you in
this wise company?—How dost thou, Apemantus?
PAGE , to FOOL
What’s this, captain? What are you doing with these wise men?—How are you, Apemantus?
APEMANTUS
Would I had a rod in my mouth that I
90
might answer thee profitably.
APEMANTUS
Would I had a rod in my mouth that I
90
might answer thee profitably.
PAGE
Prithee, Apemantus, read me the superscription
of these letters. I know not which is which.
PAGE
Prithee, Apemantus, read me the superscription
of these letters. I know not which is which.
He shows some papers.
He shows some papers.
APEMANTUS
Canst not read?
APEMANTUS
Canst not read?
PAGE
No.
PAGE
No.
APEMANTUS
95
There will little learning die, then, that
day thou art hanged. This is to Lord Timon, this to
Alcibiades. Go. Thou wast born a bastard, and
thou ’lt die a bawd.
APEMANTUS
95
There will little learning die, then, that
day thou art hanged. This is to Lord Timon, this to
Alcibiades. Go. Thou wast born a bastard, and
thou ’lt die a bawd.
PAGE
Thou wast whelped a dog, and thou shalt famish
100
a dog’s death. Answer not. I am gone.
PAGE
Thou wast whelped a dog, and thou shalt famish
100
a dog’s death. Answer not. I am gone.
He exits.
He exits.
APEMANTUS
E’en so thou outrunn’st grace.—Fool, I
will go with you to Lord Timon’s.
APEMANTUS
E’en so thou outrunn’st grace.—Fool, I
will go with you to Lord Timon’s.
FOOL
Will you leave me there?
FOOL
Will you leave me there?
APEMANTUS
If Timon stay at home.—You three serve
105
three usurers?
APEMANTUS
If Timon stay at home.—You three serve
105
three usurers?
ALL THE MEN
Ay. Would they served us!
ALL THE MEN
Ay. Would they served us!
APEMANTUS
So would I—as good a trick as ever hangman
served thief.
APEMANTUS
So would I—as good a trick as ever hangman
served thief.
FOOL
Are you three usurers’ men?
FOOL
Are you three usurers’ men?
ALL THE MEN
110
Ay, fool.
ALL THE MEN
110
Ay, fool.
FOOL
I think no usurer but has a fool to his servant.
My mistress is one, and I am her Fool. When men
come to borrow of your masters, they approach
sadly and go away merry, but they enter my master’s
115
house merrily and go away sadly. The reason
of this?
FOOL
I think no usurer but has a fool to his servant.
My mistress is one, and I am her Fool. When men
come to borrow of your masters, they approach
sadly and go away merry, but they enter my master’s
115
house merrily and go away sadly. The reason
of this?
VARRO’S MAN
I could render one.
VARRO’S MAN
I could render one.
APEMANTUS
Do it then, that we may account thee a
whoremaster and a knave, which notwithstanding,
120
thou shalt be no less esteemed.
APEMANTUS
Do it then, that we may account thee a
whoremaster and a knave, which notwithstanding,
120
thou shalt be no less esteemed.
VARRO’S MAN
What is a whoremaster, fool?
VARRO’S MAN
What is a whoremaster, fool?
FOOL
A fool in good clothes, and something like thee.
’Tis a spirit; sometime ’t appears like a lord, sometime
like a lawyer, sometime like a philosopher,
125
with two stones more than ’s artificial one. He is
very often like a knight, and generally in all shapes
that man goes up and down in from fourscore to
thirteen, this spirit walks in.
FOOL
A fool in good clothes, and something like thee.
’Tis a spirit; sometime ’t appears like a lord, sometime
like a lawyer, sometime like a philosopher,
125
with two stones more than ’s artificial one. He is
very often like a knight, and generally in all shapes
that man goes up and down in from fourscore to
thirteen, this spirit walks in.
VARRO’S MAN
Thou art not altogether a Fool.
VARRO’S MAN
Thou art not altogether a Fool.
FOOL
130
Nor thou altogether a wise man. As much foolery
as I have, so much wit thou lack’st.
FOOL
130
Nor thou altogether a wise man. As much foolery
as I have, so much wit thou lack’st.
APEMANTUS
That answer might have become Apemantus.
APEMANTUS
That answer might have become Apemantus.
ALL THE MEN
Aside, aside! Here comes Lord Timon.
ALL THE MEN
Aside, aside! Here comes Lord Timon.
Enter TIMON and STEWARD FLAVIUS.
Enter TIMON and STEWARD FLAVIUS.
APEMANTUS
Come with me, fool, come.
APEMANTUS
Come with me, fool, come.
FOOL
135
I do not always follow lover, elder brother, and
woman; sometime the philosopher.
FOOL
135
I do not always follow lover, elder brother, and
woman; sometime the philosopher.
APEMANTUS and the FOOL exit.
APEMANTUS and the FOOL exit.
FLAVIUS , to the creditors’ MEN
Pray you, walk near. I’ll speak with you anon.
FLAVIUS , to the creditors’ MEN
Please, let’s walk together. I’ll speak to you soon.
The MEN exit.
The MEN exit.
TIMON
You make me marvel wherefore ere this time
Had you not fully laid my state before me,
140
That I might so have rated my expense
As I had leave of means.
TIMON
You make me marvel wherefore ere this time
Had you not fully laid my state before me,
140
That I might so have rated my expense
As I had leave of means.
FLAVIUS
You would not hear me.
At many leisures I proposed—
FLAVIUS
You would not hear me.
At many leisures I proposed—
TIMON
Go to.
145
Perchance some single vantages you took
When my indisposition put you back,
And that unaptness made your minister
Thus to excuse yourself.
TIMON
Go to.
145
Perchance some single vantages you took
When my indisposition put you back,
And that unaptness made your minister
Thus to excuse yourself.
FLAVIUS
O, my good lord,
150
At many times I brought in my accounts,
Laid them before you. You would throw them off
And say you found them in mine honesty.
When for some trifling present you have bid me
Return so much, I have shook my head and wept—
155
Yea, ’gainst th’ authority of manners prayed you
To hold your hand more close. I did endure
Not seldom nor no slight checks when I have
Prompted you in the ebb of your estate
And your great flow of debts. My lovèd lord,
160
Though you hear now too late, yet now’s a time.
The greatest of your having lacks a half
To pay your present debts.
FLAVIUS
O, my good lord,
150
At many times I brought in my accounts,
Laid them before you. You would throw them off
And say you found them in mine honesty.
When for some trifling present you have bid me
Return so much, I have shook my head and wept—
155
Yea, ’gainst th’ authority of manners prayed you
To hold your hand more close. I did endure
Not seldom nor no slight checks when I have
Prompted you in the ebb of your estate
And your great flow of debts. My lovèd lord,
160
Though you hear now too late, yet now’s a time.
The greatest of your having lacks a half
To pay your present debts.
TIMON
Let all my land be sold.
TIMON
Let all my land be sold.
FLAVIUS
’Tis all engaged, some forfeited and gone,
165
And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
Of present dues. The future comes apace.
What shall defend the interim? And at length
How goes our reck’ning?
FLAVIUS
’Tis all engaged, some forfeited and gone,
165
And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
Of present dues. The future comes apace.
What shall defend the interim? And at length
How goes our reck’ning?
TIMON
To Lacedaemon did my land extend.
TIMON
To Lacedaemon did my land extend.
FLAVIUS
170
O my good lord, the world is but a word.
Were it all yours to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone!
FLAVIUS
170
O my good lord, the world is but a word.
Were it all yours to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone!
TIMON
You tell me true.
TIMON
You tell me true.
FLAVIUS
If you suspect my husbandry of falsehood,
175
Call me before th’ exactest auditors,
And set me on the proof. So the gods bless me,
When all our offices have been oppressed
With riotous feeders, when our vaults have wept
With drunken spilth of wine, when every room
180
Hath blazed with lights and brayed with minstrelsy,
I have retired me to a wasteful cock
And set mine eyes at flow.
FLAVIUS
If you suspect my husbandry of falsehood,
175
Call me before th’ exactest auditors,
And set me on the proof. So the gods bless me,
When all our offices have been oppressed
With riotous feeders, when our vaults have wept
With drunken spilth of wine, when every room
180
Hath blazed with lights and brayed with minstrelsy,
I have retired me to a wasteful cock
And set mine eyes at flow.
TIMON
Prithee, no more.
TIMON
Prithee, no more.
FLAVIUS
Heavens, have I said, the bounty of this lord!
185
How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants
This night englutted. Who is not Timon’s?
What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is Lord
Timon’s?
Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon!
190
Ah, when the means are gone that buy this praise,
The breath is gone whereof this praise is made.
Feast-won, fast-lost. One cloud of winter showers,
These flies are couched.
FLAVIUS
Heavens, have I said, the bounty of this lord!
185
How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants
This night englutted. Who is not Timon’s?
What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is Lord
Timon’s?
Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon!
190
Ah, when the means are gone that buy this praise,
The breath is gone whereof this praise is made.
Feast-won, fast-lost. One cloud of winter showers,
These flies are couched.
TIMON
Come, sermon me no further.
195
No villainous bounty yet hath passed my heart;
Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.
Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack
To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart.
If I would broach the vessels of my love
200
And try the argument of hearts by borrowing,
Men and men’s fortunes could I frankly use
As I can bid thee speak.
TIMON
Come, sermon me no further.
195
No villainous bounty yet hath passed my heart;
Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.
Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack
To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart.
If I would broach the vessels of my love
200
And try the argument of hearts by borrowing,
Men and men’s fortunes could I frankly use
As I can bid thee speak.
FLAVIUS
Assurance bless your thoughts!
FLAVIUS
Assurance bless your thoughts!
TIMON
And in some sort these wants of mine are crowned,
205
That I account them blessings. For by these
Shall I try friends. You shall perceive how you
Mistake my fortunes. I am wealthy in my friends.—
Within there! Flaminius!—Servilius!
TIMON
And in some sort these wants of mine are crowned,
205
That I account them blessings. For by these
Shall I try friends. You shall perceive how you
Mistake my fortunes. I am wealthy in my friends.—
Within there! Flaminius!—Servilius!
Enter three SERVANTS, FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and another.
Enter three SERVANTS, FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and another.
SERVANTS
My lord, my lord.
SERVANTS
My lord, my lord.
TIMON
210
I will dispatch you severally.
( To SERVILIUS)
You to Lord Lucius, ( to FLAMINIUS) to Lord
Lucullus you—I hunted with his Honor today;
( to the THIRD SERVANT)
you to Sempronius. Commend
me to their loves, and I am proud, say, that my
215
occasions have found time to use ’em toward a
supply of money. Let the request be fifty talents.
TIMON
210
I will dispatch you severally.
( To SERVILIUS)
You to Lord Lucius, ( to FLAMINIUS) to Lord
Lucullus you—I hunted with his Honor today;
( to the THIRD SERVANT)
you to Sempronius. Commend
me to their loves, and I am proud, say, that my
215
occasions have found time to use ’em toward a
supply of money. Let the request be fifty talents.
FLAMINIUS
As you have said, my lord.
FLAMINIUS
As you have said, my lord.
SERVANTS exit.
SERVANTS exit.
FLAVIUS , aside
Lord Lucius and Lucullus? Humh!
FLAVIUS , aside
Lord Lucius and Lucullus? I’m not so sure!
TIMON
Go you, sir, to the Senators,
220
Of whom, even to the state’s best health, I have
Deserved this hearing. Bid ’em send o’ th’ instant
A thousand talents to me.
TIMON
Go you, sir, to the Senators,
220
Of whom, even to the state’s best health, I have
Deserved this hearing. Bid ’em send o’ th’ instant
A thousand talents to me.
FLAVIUS
I have been bold—
For that I knew it the most general way—
225
To them to use your signet and your name,
But they do shake their heads, and I am here
No richer in return.
FLAVIUS
I have been bold—
For that I knew it the most general way—
225
To them to use your signet and your name,
But they do shake their heads, and I am here
No richer in return.
TIMON
Is ’t true? Can ’t be?
TIMON
Is ’t true? Can ’t be?
FLAVIUS
They answer in a joint and corporate voice
230
That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot
Do what they would, are sorry. You are honorable,
But yet they could have wished—they know not—
Something hath been amiss—a noble nature
May catch a wrench—would all were well—’tis pity.
235
And so, intending other serious matters,
After distasteful looks and these hard fractions,
With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods
They froze me into silence.
FLAVIUS
They answer in a joint and corporate voice
230
That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot
Do what they would, are sorry. You are honorable,
But yet they could have wished—they know not—
Something hath been amiss—a noble nature
May catch a wrench—would all were well—’tis pity.
235
And so, intending other serious matters,
After distasteful looks and these hard fractions,
With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods
They froze me into silence.
TIMON
You gods, reward them!
240
Prithee, man, look cheerly. These old fellows
Have their ingratitude in them hereditary.
Their blood is caked, ’tis cold, it seldom flows;
’Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind;
And nature, as it grows again toward earth,
245
Is fashioned for the journey, dull and heavy.
Go to Ventidius. Prithee, be not sad.
Thou art true and honest—ingeniously I speak—
No blame belongs to thee. Ventidius lately
Buried his father, by whose death he’s stepped
250
Into a great estate. When he was poor,
Imprisoned, and in scarcity of friends,
I cleared him with five talents. Greet him from me.
Bid him suppose some good necessity
Touches his friend, which craves to be remembered
255
With those five talents. That had, give ’t these fellows
To whom ’tis instant due. Ne’er speak or think
That Timon’s fortunes ’mong his friends can sink.
TIMON
You gods, reward them!
240
Prithee, man, look cheerly. These old fellows
Have their ingratitude in them hereditary.
Their blood is caked, ’tis cold, it seldom flows;
’Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind;
And nature, as it grows again toward earth,
245
Is fashioned for the journey, dull and heavy.
Go to Ventidius. Prithee, be not sad.
Thou art true and honest—ingeniously I speak—
No blame belongs to thee. Ventidius lately
Buried his father, by whose death he’s stepped
250
Into a great estate. When he was poor,
Imprisoned, and in scarcity of friends,
I cleared him with five talents. Greet him from me.
Bid him suppose some good necessity
Touches his friend, which craves to be remembered
255
With those five talents. That had, give ’t these fellows
To whom ’tis instant due. Ne’er speak or think
That Timon’s fortunes ’mong his friends can sink.
He exits .
He exits .
FLAVIUS
I would I could not think it.
That thought is bounty’s foe;
260
Being free itself, it thinks all others so.
FLAVIUS
I would I could not think it.
That thought is bounty’s foe;
260
Being free itself, it thinks all others so.
He exits.
He exits.

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter STEWARD FLAVIUS, with many bills in his hand.
Enter STEWARD FLAVIUS, with many bills in his hand.
FLAVIUS
No care, no stop, so senseless of expense
That he will neither know how to maintain it
Nor cease his flow of riot. Takes no account
How things go from him nor resumes no care
5
Of what is to continue. Never mind
Was to be so unwise to be so kind.
What shall be done? He will not hear till feel.
I must be round with him, now he comes from
hunting.
10
Fie, fie, fie, fie!
FLAVIUS
No care, no stop, so senseless of expense
That he will neither know how to maintain it
Nor cease his flow of riot. Takes no account
How things go from him nor resumes no care
5
Of what is to continue. Never mind
Was to be so unwise to be so kind.
What shall be done? He will not hear till feel.
I must be round with him, now he comes from
hunting.
10
Fie, fie, fie, fie!
Enter CAPHIS, and the MEN OF ISIDORE and VARRO.
Enter CAPHIS, and the MEN OF ISIDORE and VARRO.
CAPHIS
Good even, Varro. What, you come for money?
CAPHIS
Good even, Varro. What, you come for money?
VARRO’S MAN
Is ’t not your business too?
VARRO’S MAN
Is ’t not your business too?
CAPHIS
It is. And yours too, Isidore?
CAPHIS
It is. And yours too, Isidore?
ISIDORE’S MAN
It is so.
ISIDORE’S MAN
It is so.
CAPHIS
15
Would we were all discharged!
CAPHIS
15
Would we were all discharged!
VARRO’S MAN
I fear it.
VARRO’S MAN
I fear it.
CAPHIS
Here comes the lord.
CAPHIS
Here comes the lord.
Enter TIMON, and his train, with ALCIBIADES.
Enter TIMON, and his train, with ALCIBIADES.
TIMON
So soon as dinner’s done we’ll forth again,
My Alcibiades. ( To CAPHIS.) With me? What is your
20
will?
TIMON
So soon as dinner’s done we’ll forth again,
My Alcibiades. ( To CAPHIS.) With me? What is your
20
will?
CAPHIS , offering TIMON a paper
My lord, here is a note of certain dues.
CAPHIS , offering TIMON a paper
My lord, here’s a bill for some debts of yours.
TIMON
Dues? Whence are you?
TIMON
Dues? Whence are you?
CAPHIS
Of Athens here, my lord.
CAPHIS
Of Athens here, my lord.
TIMON
Go to my steward.
TIMON
Go to my steward.
CAPHIS
25
Please it your Lordship, he hath put me off
To the succession of new days this month.
My master is awaked by great occasion
To call upon his own and humbly prays you
That with your other noble parts you’ll suit
30
In giving him his right.
CAPHIS
25
Please it your Lordship, he hath put me off
To the succession of new days this month.
My master is awaked by great occasion
To call upon his own and humbly prays you
That with your other noble parts you’ll suit
30
In giving him his right.
TIMON
Mine honest friend,
I prithee but repair to me next morning.
TIMON
Mine honest friend,
I prithee but repair to me next morning.
CAPHIS
Nay, good my lord—
CAPHIS
Nay, good my lord—
TIMON
Contain thyself, good friend.
TIMON
Contain thyself, good friend.
VARRO’S MAN , offering a paper
35
One Varro’s servant,
my good lord—
VARRO’S MAN , offering a paper
I’m a servant of Varro’s, my good lord—
ISIDORE’S MAN , offering a paper
From Isidore. He humbly prays your speedy
payment.
ISIDORE’S MAN , offering a paper
This is from Isidore. He humbly asks you to pay this without delay.
CAPHIS
If you did know, my lord, my master’s wants—
CAPHIS
If you did know, my lord, my master’s wants—
VARRO’S MAN
40
’Twas due on forfeiture, my lord, six weeks and past.
VARRO’S MAN
40
’Twas due on forfeiture, my lord, six weeks and past.
ISIDORE’S MAN
Your steward puts me off, my lord, and I
Am sent expressly to your Lordship.
ISIDORE’S MAN
Your steward puts me off, my lord, and I
Am sent expressly to your Lordship.
TIMON
Give me breath.—
I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on.
45
I’ll wait upon you instantly.
ALCIBIADES and TIMON’S train exit.
To FLAVIUS.
Come hither. Pray you,
How goes the world that I am thus encountered
With clamorous demands of debt, broken bonds,
And the detention of long-since-due debts
50
Against my honor?
TIMON
Give me breath.—
I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on.
45
I’ll wait upon you instantly.
ALCIBIADES and TIMON’S train exit.
To FLAVIUS.
Come hither. Pray you,
How goes the world that I am thus encountered
With clamorous demands of debt, broken bonds,
And the detention of long-since-due debts
50
Against my honor?
FLAVIUS , to the creditors’ MEN  
Please you, gentlemen,
The time is unagreeable to this business.
Your importunacy cease till after dinner,
That I may make his Lordship understand
55
Wherefore you are not paid.
FLAVIUS , to the creditors’ MEN  
Please, gentlemen, now’s not a good time for this business. Hold off on your demands until after dinner so I can figure out with Lord Timon why you haven’t been paid.
TIMON
Do so, my friends.—
See them well entertained.
TIMON
Do so, my friends.—
See them well entertained.
FLAVIUS
Pray, draw near.
FLAVIUS
Pray, draw near.
TIMON and FLAVIUS exit.
TIMON and FLAVIUS exit.
Enter APEMANTUS and FOOL.
Enter APEMANTUS and FOOL.
CAPHIS
Stay, stay, here comes the Fool with Apemantus.
60
Let’s ha’ some sport with ’em.
CAPHIS
Stay, stay, here comes the Fool with Apemantus.
60
Let’s ha’ some sport with ’em.
VARRO’S MAN
Hang him! He’ll abuse us.
VARRO’S MAN
Hang him! He’ll abuse us.
ISIDORE’S MAN
A plague upon him, dog!
ISIDORE’S MAN
A plague upon him, dog!
VARRO’S MAN
How dost, Fool?
VARRO’S MAN
How dost, Fool?
APEMANTUS
Dost dialogue with thy shadow?
APEMANTUS
Dost dialogue with thy shadow?
VARRO’S MAN
65
I speak not to thee.
VARRO’S MAN
65
I speak not to thee.
APEMANTUS
No, ’tis to thyself. ( To the FOOL.) Come
away.
APEMANTUS
No, ’tis to thyself. ( To the FOOL.) Come
away.
ISIDORE’S MAN , to VARRO’S MAN
There’s the fool hangs
on your back already.
ISIDORE’S MAN , to VARRO’S MAN
You’ve already made a fool out of yourself.
APEMANTUS
70
No, thou stand’st single; thou ’rt not on
him yet.
APEMANTUS
70
No, thou stand’st single; thou ’rt not on
him yet.
CAPHIS , to ISIDORE’S MAN
Where’s the fool now?
CAPHIS , to ISIDORE’S MAN
Who’s the fool now?
APEMANTUS
He last asked the question. Poor rogues
and usurers’ men, bawds between gold and want.
APEMANTUS
He last asked the question. Poor rogues
and usurers’ men, bawds between gold and want.
ALL THE MEN
75
What are we, Apemantus?
ALL THE MEN
75
What are we, Apemantus?
APEMANTUS
Asses.
APEMANTUS
Asses.
ALL THE MEN
Why?
ALL THE MEN
Why?
APEMANTUS
That you ask me what you are, and do not
know yourselves.—Speak to ’em, Fool.
APEMANTUS
That you ask me what you are, and do not
know yourselves.—Speak to ’em, Fool.
FOOL
80
How do you, gentlemen?
FOOL
80
How do you, gentlemen?
ALL THE MEN
Gramercies, good Fool. How does your
mistress?
ALL THE MEN
Gramercies, good Fool. How does your
mistress?
FOOL
She’s e’en setting on water to scald such chickens
as you are. Would we could see you at Corinth!
FOOL
She’s e’en setting on water to scald such chickens
as you are. Would we could see you at Corinth!
APEMANTUS
85
Good. Gramercy.
APEMANTUS
85
Good. Gramercy.
Enter PAGE.
Enter PAGE.
FOOL
Look you, here comes my master’s page.
FOOL
Look you, here comes my master’s page.
PAGE , to FOOL
Why, how now, captain? What do you in
this wise company?—How dost thou, Apemantus?
PAGE , to FOOL
What’s this, captain? What are you doing with these wise men?—How are you, Apemantus?
APEMANTUS
Would I had a rod in my mouth that I
90
might answer thee profitably.
APEMANTUS
Would I had a rod in my mouth that I
90
might answer thee profitably.
PAGE
Prithee, Apemantus, read me the superscription
of these letters. I know not which is which.
PAGE
Prithee, Apemantus, read me the superscription
of these letters. I know not which is which.
He shows some papers.
He shows some papers.
APEMANTUS
Canst not read?
APEMANTUS
Canst not read?
PAGE
No.
PAGE
No.
APEMANTUS
95
There will little learning die, then, that
day thou art hanged. This is to Lord Timon, this to
Alcibiades. Go. Thou wast born a bastard, and
thou ’lt die a bawd.
APEMANTUS
95
There will little learning die, then, that
day thou art hanged. This is to Lord Timon, this to
Alcibiades. Go. Thou wast born a bastard, and
thou ’lt die a bawd.
PAGE
Thou wast whelped a dog, and thou shalt famish
100
a dog’s death. Answer not. I am gone.
PAGE
Thou wast whelped a dog, and thou shalt famish
100
a dog’s death. Answer not. I am gone.
He exits.
He exits.
APEMANTUS
E’en so thou outrunn’st grace.—Fool, I
will go with you to Lord Timon’s.
APEMANTUS
E’en so thou outrunn’st grace.—Fool, I
will go with you to Lord Timon’s.
FOOL
Will you leave me there?
FOOL
Will you leave me there?
APEMANTUS
If Timon stay at home.—You three serve
105
three usurers?
APEMANTUS
If Timon stay at home.—You three serve
105
three usurers?
ALL THE MEN
Ay. Would they served us!
ALL THE MEN
Ay. Would they served us!
APEMANTUS
So would I—as good a trick as ever hangman
served thief.
APEMANTUS
So would I—as good a trick as ever hangman
served thief.
FOOL
Are you three usurers’ men?
FOOL
Are you three usurers’ men?
ALL THE MEN
110
Ay, fool.
ALL THE MEN
110
Ay, fool.
FOOL
I think no usurer but has a fool to his servant.
My mistress is one, and I am her Fool. When men
come to borrow of your masters, they approach
sadly and go away merry, but they enter my master’s
115
house merrily and go away sadly. The reason
of this?
FOOL
I think no usurer but has a fool to his servant.
My mistress is one, and I am her Fool. When men
come to borrow of your masters, they approach
sadly and go away merry, but they enter my master’s
115
house merrily and go away sadly. The reason
of this?
VARRO’S MAN
I could render one.
VARRO’S MAN
I could render one.
APEMANTUS
Do it then, that we may account thee a
whoremaster and a knave, which notwithstanding,
120
thou shalt be no less esteemed.
APEMANTUS
Do it then, that we may account thee a
whoremaster and a knave, which notwithstanding,
120
thou shalt be no less esteemed.
VARRO’S MAN
What is a whoremaster, fool?
VARRO’S MAN
What is a whoremaster, fool?
FOOL
A fool in good clothes, and something like thee.
’Tis a spirit; sometime ’t appears like a lord, sometime
like a lawyer, sometime like a philosopher,
125
with two stones more than ’s artificial one. He is
very often like a knight, and generally in all shapes
that man goes up and down in from fourscore to
thirteen, this spirit walks in.
FOOL
A fool in good clothes, and something like thee.
’Tis a spirit; sometime ’t appears like a lord, sometime
like a lawyer, sometime like a philosopher,
125
with two stones more than ’s artificial one. He is
very often like a knight, and generally in all shapes
that man goes up and down in from fourscore to
thirteen, this spirit walks in.
VARRO’S MAN
Thou art not altogether a Fool.
VARRO’S MAN
Thou art not altogether a Fool.
FOOL
130
Nor thou altogether a wise man. As much foolery
as I have, so much wit thou lack’st.
FOOL
130
Nor thou altogether a wise man. As much foolery
as I have, so much wit thou lack’st.
APEMANTUS
That answer might have become Apemantus.
APEMANTUS
That answer might have become Apemantus.
ALL THE MEN
Aside, aside! Here comes Lord Timon.
ALL THE MEN
Aside, aside! Here comes Lord Timon.
Enter TIMON and STEWARD FLAVIUS.
Enter TIMON and STEWARD FLAVIUS.
APEMANTUS
Come with me, fool, come.
APEMANTUS
Come with me, fool, come.
FOOL
135
I do not always follow lover, elder brother, and
woman; sometime the philosopher.
FOOL
135
I do not always follow lover, elder brother, and
woman; sometime the philosopher.
APEMANTUS and the FOOL exit.
APEMANTUS and the FOOL exit.
FLAVIUS , to the creditors’ MEN
Pray you, walk near. I’ll speak with you anon.
FLAVIUS , to the creditors’ MEN
Please, let’s walk together. I’ll speak to you soon.
The MEN exit.
The MEN exit.
TIMON
You make me marvel wherefore ere this time
Had you not fully laid my state before me,
140
That I might so have rated my expense
As I had leave of means.
TIMON
You make me marvel wherefore ere this time
Had you not fully laid my state before me,
140
That I might so have rated my expense
As I had leave of means.
FLAVIUS
You would not hear me.
At many leisures I proposed—
FLAVIUS
You would not hear me.
At many leisures I proposed—
TIMON
Go to.
145
Perchance some single vantages you took
When my indisposition put you back,
And that unaptness made your minister
Thus to excuse yourself.
TIMON
Go to.
145
Perchance some single vantages you took
When my indisposition put you back,
And that unaptness made your minister
Thus to excuse yourself.
FLAVIUS
O, my good lord,
150
At many times I brought in my accounts,
Laid them before you. You would throw them off
And say you found them in mine honesty.
When for some trifling present you have bid me
Return so much, I have shook my head and wept—
155
Yea, ’gainst th’ authority of manners prayed you
To hold your hand more close. I did endure
Not seldom nor no slight checks when I have
Prompted you in the ebb of your estate
And your great flow of debts. My lovèd lord,
160
Though you hear now too late, yet now’s a time.
The greatest of your having lacks a half
To pay your present debts.
FLAVIUS
O, my good lord,
150
At many times I brought in my accounts,
Laid them before you. You would throw them off
And say you found them in mine honesty.
When for some trifling present you have bid me
Return so much, I have shook my head and wept—
155
Yea, ’gainst th’ authority of manners prayed you
To hold your hand more close. I did endure
Not seldom nor no slight checks when I have
Prompted you in the ebb of your estate
And your great flow of debts. My lovèd lord,
160
Though you hear now too late, yet now’s a time.
The greatest of your having lacks a half
To pay your present debts.
TIMON
Let all my land be sold.
TIMON
Let all my land be sold.
FLAVIUS
’Tis all engaged, some forfeited and gone,
165
And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
Of present dues. The future comes apace.
What shall defend the interim? And at length
How goes our reck’ning?
FLAVIUS
’Tis all engaged, some forfeited and gone,
165
And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
Of present dues. The future comes apace.
What shall defend the interim? And at length
How goes our reck’ning?
TIMON
To Lacedaemon did my land extend.
TIMON
To Lacedaemon did my land extend.
FLAVIUS
170
O my good lord, the world is but a word.
Were it all yours to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone!
FLAVIUS
170
O my good lord, the world is but a word.
Were it all yours to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone!
TIMON
You tell me true.
TIMON
You tell me true.
FLAVIUS
If you suspect my husbandry of falsehood,
175
Call me before th’ exactest auditors,
And set me on the proof. So the gods bless me,
When all our offices have been oppressed
With riotous feeders, when our vaults have wept
With drunken spilth of wine, when every room
180
Hath blazed with lights and brayed with minstrelsy,
I have retired me to a wasteful cock
And set mine eyes at flow.
FLAVIUS
If you suspect my husbandry of falsehood,
175
Call me before th’ exactest auditors,
And set me on the proof. So the gods bless me,
When all our offices have been oppressed
With riotous feeders, when our vaults have wept
With drunken spilth of wine, when every room
180
Hath blazed with lights and brayed with minstrelsy,
I have retired me to a wasteful cock
And set mine eyes at flow.
TIMON
Prithee, no more.
TIMON
Prithee, no more.
FLAVIUS
Heavens, have I said, the bounty of this lord!
185
How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants
This night englutted. Who is not Timon’s?
What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is Lord
Timon’s?
Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon!
190
Ah, when the means are gone that buy this praise,
The breath is gone whereof this praise is made.
Feast-won, fast-lost. One cloud of winter showers,
These flies are couched.
FLAVIUS
Heavens, have I said, the bounty of this lord!
185
How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants
This night englutted. Who is not Timon’s?
What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is Lord
Timon’s?
Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon!
190
Ah, when the means are gone that buy this praise,
The breath is gone whereof this praise is made.
Feast-won, fast-lost. One cloud of winter showers,
These flies are couched.
TIMON
Come, sermon me no further.
195
No villainous bounty yet hath passed my heart;
Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.
Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack
To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart.
If I would broach the vessels of my love
200
And try the argument of hearts by borrowing,
Men and men’s fortunes could I frankly use
As I can bid thee speak.
TIMON
Come, sermon me no further.
195
No villainous bounty yet hath passed my heart;
Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.
Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack
To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart.
If I would broach the vessels of my love
200
And try the argument of hearts by borrowing,
Men and men’s fortunes could I frankly use
As I can bid thee speak.
FLAVIUS
Assurance bless your thoughts!
FLAVIUS
Assurance bless your thoughts!
TIMON
And in some sort these wants of mine are crowned,
205
That I account them blessings. For by these
Shall I try friends. You shall perceive how you
Mistake my fortunes. I am wealthy in my friends.—
Within there! Flaminius!—Servilius!
TIMON
And in some sort these wants of mine are crowned,
205
That I account them blessings. For by these
Shall I try friends. You shall perceive how you
Mistake my fortunes. I am wealthy in my friends.—
Within there! Flaminius!—Servilius!
Enter three SERVANTS, FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and another.
Enter three SERVANTS, FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and another.
SERVANTS
My lord, my lord.
SERVANTS
My lord, my lord.
TIMON
210
I will dispatch you severally.
( To SERVILIUS)
You to Lord Lucius, ( to FLAMINIUS) to Lord
Lucullus you—I hunted with his Honor today;
( to the THIRD SERVANT)
you to Sempronius. Commend
me to their loves, and I am proud, say, that my
215
occasions have found time to use ’em toward a
supply of money. Let the request be fifty talents.
TIMON
210
I will dispatch you severally.
( To SERVILIUS)
You to Lord Lucius, ( to FLAMINIUS) to Lord
Lucullus you—I hunted with his Honor today;
( to the THIRD SERVANT)
you to Sempronius. Commend
me to their loves, and I am proud, say, that my
215
occasions have found time to use ’em toward a
supply of money. Let the request be fifty talents.
FLAMINIUS
As you have said, my lord.
FLAMINIUS
As you have said, my lord.
SERVANTS exit.
SERVANTS exit.
FLAVIUS , aside
Lord Lucius and Lucullus? Humh!
FLAVIUS , aside
Lord Lucius and Lucullus? I’m not so sure!
TIMON
Go you, sir, to the Senators,
220
Of whom, even to the state’s best health, I have
Deserved this hearing. Bid ’em send o’ th’ instant
A thousand talents to me.
TIMON
Go you, sir, to the Senators,
220
Of whom, even to the state’s best health, I have
Deserved this hearing. Bid ’em send o’ th’ instant
A thousand talents to me.
FLAVIUS
I have been bold—
For that I knew it the most general way—
225
To them to use your signet and your name,
But they do shake their heads, and I am here
No richer in return.
FLAVIUS
I have been bold—
For that I knew it the most general way—
225
To them to use your signet and your name,
But they do shake their heads, and I am here
No richer in return.
TIMON
Is ’t true? Can ’t be?
TIMON
Is ’t true? Can ’t be?
FLAVIUS
They answer in a joint and corporate voice
230
That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot
Do what they would, are sorry. You are honorable,
But yet they could have wished—they know not—
Something hath been amiss—a noble nature
May catch a wrench—would all were well—’tis pity.
235
And so, intending other serious matters,
After distasteful looks and these hard fractions,
With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods
They froze me into silence.
FLAVIUS
They answer in a joint and corporate voice
230
That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot
Do what they would, are sorry. You are honorable,
But yet they could have wished—they know not—
Something hath been amiss—a noble nature
May catch a wrench—would all were well—’tis pity.
235
And so, intending other serious matters,
After distasteful looks and these hard fractions,
With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods
They froze me into silence.
TIMON
You gods, reward them!
240
Prithee, man, look cheerly. These old fellows
Have their ingratitude in them hereditary.
Their blood is caked, ’tis cold, it seldom flows;
’Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind;
And nature, as it grows again toward earth,
245
Is fashioned for the journey, dull and heavy.
Go to Ventidius. Prithee, be not sad.
Thou art true and honest—ingeniously I speak—
No blame belongs to thee. Ventidius lately
Buried his father, by whose death he’s stepped
250
Into a great estate. When he was poor,
Imprisoned, and in scarcity of friends,
I cleared him with five talents. Greet him from me.
Bid him suppose some good necessity
Touches his friend, which craves to be remembered
255
With those five talents. That had, give ’t these fellows
To whom ’tis instant due. Ne’er speak or think
That Timon’s fortunes ’mong his friends can sink.
TIMON
You gods, reward them!
240
Prithee, man, look cheerly. These old fellows
Have their ingratitude in them hereditary.
Their blood is caked, ’tis cold, it seldom flows;
’Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind;
And nature, as it grows again toward earth,
245
Is fashioned for the journey, dull and heavy.
Go to Ventidius. Prithee, be not sad.
Thou art true and honest—ingeniously I speak—
No blame belongs to thee. Ventidius lately
Buried his father, by whose death he’s stepped
250
Into a great estate. When he was poor,
Imprisoned, and in scarcity of friends,
I cleared him with five talents. Greet him from me.
Bid him suppose some good necessity
Touches his friend, which craves to be remembered
255
With those five talents. That had, give ’t these fellows
To whom ’tis instant due. Ne’er speak or think
That Timon’s fortunes ’mong his friends can sink.
He exits .
He exits .
FLAVIUS
I would I could not think it.
That thought is bounty’s foe;
260
Being free itself, it thinks all others so.
FLAVIUS
I would I could not think it.
That thought is bounty’s foe;
260
Being free itself, it thinks all others so.
He exits.
He exits.
Previous page Act 2, Scene 1 Next page Act 3, Scene 1

Popular pages: Timon of Athens

Take a Study Break