Timon of Athens Part 8

FIRST SENATOR. What's that?

ALCIBIADES. Why, I say, my lords, has done fair service, And slain in fight many of your enemies; How full of valour did he bear himself In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds!

SECOND SENATOR. He has made too much plenty with 'em.

He's a sworn rioter; he has a sin that often Drowns him and takes his valour prisoner.

If there were no foes, that were enough To overcome him. In that beastly fury He has been known to commit outrages And cherish factions. 'Tis inferr'd to us His days are foul and his drink dangerous.

FIRST SENATOR. He dies.

ALCIBIADES. Hard fate! He might have died in war.

My lords, if not for any parts in him- Though his right arm might purchase his own time, And be in debt to none- yet, more to move you, Take my deserts to his, and join 'em both; And, for I know your reverend ages love Security, I'll p.a.w.n my victories, all My honours to you, upon his good returns.

If by this crime he owes the law his life, Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore; For law is strict, and war is nothing more.

FIRST SENATOR. We are for law: he dies. Urge it no more On height of our displeasure. Friend or brother, He forfeits his own blood that spills another.

ALCIBIADES. Must it be so? It must not be. My lords, I do beseech you, know me.

SECOND SENATOR. How!

ALCIBIADES. Call me to your remembrances.

THIRD SENATOR. What!

ALCIBIADES. I cannot think but your age has forgot me; It could not else be I should prove so base To sue, and be denied such common grace.

My wounds ache at you.

FIRST SENATOR. Do you dare our anger?

'Tis in few words, but s.p.a.cious in effect: We banish thee for ever.

ALCIBIADES. Banish me!

Banish your dotage! Banish usury That makes the Senate ugly.

FIRST SENATOR. If after two days' s.h.i.+ne Athens contain thee, Attend our weightier judgment. And, not to swell our spirit, He shall be executed presently. Exeunt SENATORS ALCIBIADES. Now the G.o.ds keep you old enough that you may live Only in bone, that none may look on you!

I'm worse than mad; I have kept back their foes, While they have told their money and let out Their coin upon large interest, I myself Rich only in large hurts. All those for this?

Is this the balsam that the usuring Senate Pours into captains' wounds? Banishment!

It comes not ill; I hate not to be banish'd; It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury, That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up My discontented troops, and lay for hearts.

'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds; Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as G.o.ds. Exit

SCENE VI.

A banqueting hall in TIMON'S house

Music. Tables set out; servants attending. Enter divers LORDS, friends of TIMON, 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 encount'red.

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 conjur'd 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 lords.h.i.+p.

SECOND LORD. The swallow follows not summer more willing than we your lords.h.i.+p.

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' th' trumpet's sound; we shall to't presently.

FIRST LORD. I hope it remains not unkindly with your lords.h.i.+p that I return'd you an empty messenger.

TIMON. O sir, let it not trouble you.

SECOND LORD. My n.o.ble lord- TIMON. Ah, my good friend, what cheer?

SECOND LORD. My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of shame that, when your lords.h.i.+p 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 c.u.mber your better remembrance. [The banquet brought in] Come, bring in all together.

SECOND LORD. All cover'd 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 banish'd. Hear you of it?

FIRST AND SECOND LORDS. Alcibiades banish'd!

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 n.o.ble 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 G.o.ds require our thanks:

You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness.

For your own gifts make yourselves prais'd; 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 G.o.d-heads to borrow of men, men would forsake the G.o.ds. Make the meat be beloved more than the man that gives it. Let no a.s.sembly 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 foes, O G.o.ds, the senators of Athens, together with the common lag of people, what is amiss in them, you G.o.ds, 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 he full of warm water]

SOME SPEAK. What does his lords.h.i.+p mean?

SOME OTHER. I know not.

TIMON. May you a better feast never behold, You knot of mouth-friends! 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 [Throwing the water in their faces]

Your reeking villainy. Live loath'd 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-lacks!

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

FIRST LORD. How now, my lords!

SECOND LORD. Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury?

THIRD LORD. Pus.h.!.+ Did you see my cap?

FOURTH LORD. I have lost my gown.

FIRST LORD. He's but a mad lord, and nought but humours 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.