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<title>SCENE II. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.
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<tr><td class="play" align="center">Timon of Athens
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| Act 1, Scene 2
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<H3>SCENE II. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.</h3>
<p><blockquote>
<i>Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet served in; FLAVIUS and others attending; then enter TIMON, ALCIBIADES, Lords, Senators, and VENTIDIUS. Then comes, dropping, after all, APEMANTUS, discontentedly, like himself</i>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech1><b>VENTIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=1>Most honour'd Timon,</A><br>
<A NAME=2>It hath pleased the gods to remember my father's age,</A><br>
<A NAME=3>And call him to long peace.</A><br>
<A NAME=4>He is gone happy, and has left me rich:</A><br>
<A NAME=5>Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound</A><br>
<A NAME=6>To your free heart, I do return those talents,</A><br>
<A NAME=7>Doubled with thanks and service, from whose help</A><br>
<A NAME=8>I derived liberty.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech2><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=9> O, by no means,</A><br>
<A NAME=10>Honest Ventidius; you mistake my love:</A><br>
<A NAME=11>I gave it freely ever; and there's none</A><br>
<A NAME=12>Can truly say he gives, if he receives:</A><br>
<A NAME=13>If our betters play at that game, we must not dare</A><br>
<A NAME=14>To imitate them; faults that are rich are fair.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech3><b>VENTIDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=15>A noble spirit!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech4><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=16> Nay, my lords,</A><br>
<p><i>They all stand ceremoniously looking on TIMON</i></p>
<A NAME=17>Ceremony was but devised at first</A><br>
<A NAME=18>To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes,</A><br>
<A NAME=19>Recanting goodness, sorry ere 'tis shown;</A><br>
<A NAME=20>But where there is true friendship, there needs none.</A><br>
<A NAME=21>Pray, sit; more welcome are ye to my fortunes</A><br>
<A NAME=22>Than my fortunes to me.</A><br>
<p><i>They sit</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech5><b>First Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=23>My lord, we always have confess'd it.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech6><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=24>Ho, ho, confess'd it! hang'd it, have you not?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech7><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=25>O, Apemantus, you are welcome.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech8><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=26>No;</A><br>
<A NAME=27>You shall not make me welcome:</A><br>
<A NAME=28>I come to have thee thrust me out of doors.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech9><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=29>Fie, thou'rt a churl; ye've got a humour there</A><br>
<A NAME=30>Does not become a man: 'tis much to blame.</A><br>
<A NAME=31>They say, my lords, 'ira furor brevis est;' but yond</A><br>
<A NAME=32>man is ever angry. Go, let him have a table by</A><br>
<A NAME=33>himself, for he does neither affect company, nor is</A><br>
<A NAME=34>he fit for't, indeed.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech10><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=35>Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon: I come to</A><br>
<A NAME=36>observe; I give thee warning on't.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech11><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=37>I take no heed of thee; thou'rt an Athenian,</A><br>
<A NAME=38>therefore welcome: I myself would have no power;</A><br>
<A NAME=39>prithee, let my meat make thee silent.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech12><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=40>I scorn thy meat; 'twould choke me, for I should</A><br>
<A NAME=41>ne'er flatter thee. O you gods, what a number of</A><br>
<A NAME=42>men eat Timon, and he sees 'em not! It grieves me</A><br>
<A NAME=43>to see so many dip their meat in one man's blood;</A><br>
<A NAME=44>and all the madness is, he cheers them up too.</A><br>
<A NAME=45>I wonder men dare trust themselves with men:</A><br>
<A NAME=46>Methinks they should invite them without knives;</A><br>
<A NAME=47>Good for their meat, and safer for their lives.</A><br>
<A NAME=48>There's much example for't; the fellow that sits</A><br>
<A NAME=49>next him now, parts bread with him, pledges the</A><br>
<A NAME=50>breath of him in a divided draught, is the readiest</A><br>
<A NAME=51>man to kill him: 't has been proved. If I were a</A><br>
<A NAME=52>huge man, I should fear to drink at meals;</A><br>
<A NAME=53>Lest they should spy my windpipe's dangerous notes:</A><br>
<A NAME=54>Great men should drink with harness on their throats.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech13><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=55>My lord, in heart; and let the health go round.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech14><b>Second Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=56>Let it flow this way, my good lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech15><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=57>Flow this way! A brave fellow! he keeps his tides</A><br>
<A NAME=58>well. Those healths will make thee and thy state</A><br>
<A NAME=59>look ill, Timon. Here's that which is too weak to</A><br>
<A NAME=60>be a sinner, honest water, which ne'er left man i' the mire:</A><br>
<A NAME=61>This and my food are equals; there's no odds:</A><br>
<A NAME=62>Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods.</A><br>
<A NAME=63>Apemantus' grace.</A><br>
<A NAME=64>Immortal gods, I crave no pelf;</A><br>
<A NAME=65>I pray for no man but myself:</A><br>
<A NAME=66>Grant I may never prove so fond,</A><br>
<A NAME=67>To trust man on his oath or bond;</A><br>
<A NAME=68>Or a harlot, for her weeping;</A><br>
<A NAME=69>Or a dog, that seems a-sleeping:</A><br>
<A NAME=70>Or a keeper with my freedom;</A><br>
<A NAME=71>Or my friends, if I should need 'em.</A><br>
<A NAME=72>Amen. So fall to't:</A><br>
<A NAME=73>Rich men sin, and I eat root.</A><br>
<p><i>Eats and drinks</i></p>
<A NAME=74>Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech16><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=75>Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the field now.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech17><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=76>My heart is ever at your service, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech18><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=77>You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a</A><br>
<A NAME=78>dinner of friends.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech19><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=79>So the were bleeding-new, my lord, there's no meat</A><br>
<A NAME=80>like 'em: I could wish my best friend at such a feast.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech20><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=81>Would all those fatterers were thine enemies then,</A><br>
<A NAME=82>that then thou mightst kill 'em and bid me to 'em!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech21><b>First Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=83>Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you</A><br>
<A NAME=84>would once use our hearts, whereby we might express</A><br>
<A NAME=85>some part of our zeals, we should think ourselves</A><br>
<A NAME=86>for ever perfect.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech22><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=87>O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods</A><br>
<A NAME=88>themselves have provided that I shall have much help</A><br>
<A NAME=89>from you: how had you been my friends else? why</A><br>
<A NAME=90>have you that charitable title from thousands, did</A><br>
<A NAME=91>not you chiefly belong to my heart? I have told</A><br>
<A NAME=92>more of you to myself than you can with modesty</A><br>
<A NAME=93>speak in your own behalf; and thus far I confirm</A><br>
<A NAME=94>you. O you gods, think I, what need we have any</A><br>
<A NAME=95>friends, if we should ne'er have need of 'em? they</A><br>
<A NAME=96>were the most needless creatures living, should we</A><br>
<A NAME=97>ne'er have use for 'em, and would most resemble</A><br>
<A NAME=98>sweet instruments hung up in cases that keep their</A><br>
<A NAME=99>sounds to themselves. Why, I have often wished</A><br>
<A NAME=100>myself poorer, that I might come nearer to you. We</A><br>
<A NAME=101>are born to do benefits: and what better or</A><br>
<A NAME=102>properer can we can our own than the riches of our</A><br>
<A NAME=103>friends? O, what a precious comfort 'tis, to have</A><br>
<A NAME=104>so many, like brothers, commanding one another's</A><br>
<A NAME=105>fortunes! O joy, e'en made away ere 't can be born!</A><br>
<A NAME=106>Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks: to</A><br>
<A NAME=107>forget their faults, I drink to you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech23><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=108>Thou weepest to make them drink, Timon.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech24><b>Second Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=109>Joy had the like conception in our eyes</A><br>
<A NAME=110>And at that instant like a babe sprung up.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech25><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=111>Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech26><b>Third Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=112>I promise you, my lord, you moved me much.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech27><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=113>Much!</A><br>
<p><i>Tucket, within</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech28><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=114>What means that trump?</A><br>
<p><i>Enter a Servant</i></p>
<A NAME=115>How now?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech29><b>Servant</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=116>Please you, my lord, there are certain</A><br>
<A NAME=117>ladies most desirous of admittance.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech30><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=118>Ladies! what are their wills?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech31><b>Servant</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=119>There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which</A><br>
<A NAME=120>bears that office, to signify their pleasures.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech32><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=121>I pray, let them be admitted.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter Cupid</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech33><b>Cupid</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=122>Hail to thee, worthy Timon, and to all</A><br>
<A NAME=123>That of his bounties taste! The five best senses</A><br>
<A NAME=124>Acknowledge thee their patron; and come freely</A><br>
<A NAME=125>To gratulate thy plenteous bosom: th' ear,</A><br>
<A NAME=126>Taste, touch and smell, pleased from thy tale rise;</A><br>
<A NAME=127>They only now come but to feast thine eyes.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech34><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=128>They're welcome all; let 'em have kind admittance:</A><br>
<A NAME=129>Music, make their welcome!</A><br>
<p><i>Exit Cupid</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech35><b>First Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=130>You see, my lord, how ample you're beloved.</A><br>
<p><i>Music. Re-enter Cupid with a mask of Ladies as Amazons, with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech36><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=131>Hoy-day, what a sweep of vanity comes this way!</A><br>
<A NAME=132>They dance! they are mad women.</A><br>
<A NAME=133>Like madness is the glory of this life.</A><br>
<A NAME=134>As this pomp shows to a little oil and root.</A><br>
<A NAME=135>We make ourselves fools, to disport ourselves;</A><br>
<A NAME=136>And spend our flatteries, to drink those men</A><br>
<A NAME=137>Upon whose age we void it up again,</A><br>
<A NAME=138>With poisonous spite and envy.</A><br>
<A NAME=139>Who lives that's not depraved or depraves?</A><br>
<A NAME=140>Who dies, that bears not one spurn to their graves</A><br>
<A NAME=141>Of their friends' gift?</A><br>
<A NAME=142>I should fear those that dance before me now</A><br>
<A NAME=143>Would one day stamp upon me: 't has been done;</A><br>
<A NAME=144>Men shut their doors against a setting sun.</A><br>
<p><i>The Lords rise from table, with much adoring of TIMON; and to show their loves, each singles out an Amazon, and all dance, men with women, a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and cease</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech37><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=145>You have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies,</A><br>
<A NAME=146>Set a fair fashion on our entertainment,</A><br>
<A NAME=147>Which was not half so beautiful and kind;</A><br>
<A NAME=148>You have added worth unto 't and lustre,</A><br>
<A NAME=149>And entertain'd me with mine own device;</A><br>
<A NAME=150>I am to thank you for 't.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech38><b>First Lady</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=151>My lord, you take us even at the best.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech39><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=152>'Faith, for the worst is filthy; and would not hold</A><br>
<A NAME=153>taking, I doubt me.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech40><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=154>Ladies, there is an idle banquet attends you:</A><br>
<A NAME=155>Please you to dispose yourselves.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech41><b>All Ladies</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=156>Most thankfully, my lord.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt Cupid and Ladies</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech42><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=157>Flavius.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech43><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=158>My lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech44><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=159> The little casket bring me hither.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech45><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=160>Yes, my lord. More jewels yet!</A><br>
<A NAME=161>There is no crossing him in 's humour;</A><br>
<p><i>Aside</i></p>
<A NAME=162>Else I should tell him,--well, i' faith I should,</A><br>
<A NAME=163>When all's spent, he 'ld be cross'd then, an he could.</A><br>
<A NAME=164>'Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind,</A><br>
<A NAME=165>That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech46><b>First Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=166>Where be our men?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech47><b>Servant</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=167>Here, my lord, in readiness.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech48><b>Second Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=168>Our horses!</A><br>
<p><i>Re-enter FLAVIUS, with the casket</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech49><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=169> O my friends,</A><br>
<A NAME=170>I have one word to say to you: look you, my good lord,</A><br>
<A NAME=171>I must entreat you, honour me so much</A><br>
<A NAME=172>As to advance this jewel; accept it and wear it,</A><br>
<A NAME=173>Kind my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech50><b>First Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=174>I am so far already in your gifts,--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech51><b>All</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=175>So are we all.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter a Servant</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech52><b>Servant</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=176>My lord, there are certain nobles of the senate</A><br>
<A NAME=177>Newly alighted, and come to visit you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech53><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=178>They are fairly welcome.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech54><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=179>I beseech your honour,</A><br>
<A NAME=180>Vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech55><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=181>Near! why then, another time I'll hear thee:</A><br>
<A NAME=182>I prithee, let's be provided to show them</A><br>
<A NAME=183>entertainment.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech56><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=184>[Aside] I scarce know how.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter a Second Servant</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech57><b>Second Servant</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=185>May it please your honour, Lord Lucius,</A><br>
<A NAME=186>Out of his free love, hath presented to you</A><br>
<A NAME=187>Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech58><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=188>I shall accept them fairly; let the presents</A><br>
<A NAME=189>Be worthily entertain'd.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter a third Servant</i></p>
<A NAME=190>How now! what news?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech59><b>Third Servant</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=191>Please you, my lord, that honourable</A><br>
<A NAME=192>gentleman, Lord Lucullus, entreats your company</A><br>
<A NAME=193>to-morrow to hunt with him, and has sent your honour</A><br>
<A NAME=194>two brace of greyhounds.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech60><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=195>I'll hunt with him; and let them be received,</A><br>
<A NAME=196>Not without fair reward.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech61><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=197>[Aside] What will this come to?</A><br>
<A NAME=198>He commands us to provide, and give great gifts,</A><br>
<A NAME=199>And all out of an empty coffer:</A><br>
<A NAME=200>Nor will he know his purse, or yield me this,</A><br>
<A NAME=201>To show him what a beggar his heart is,</A><br>
<A NAME=202>Being of no power to make his wishes good:</A><br>
<A NAME=203>His promises fly so beyond his state</A><br>
<A NAME=204>That what he speaks is all in debt; he owes</A><br>
<A NAME=205>For every word: he is so kind that he now</A><br>
<A NAME=206>Pays interest for 't; his land's put to their books.</A><br>
<A NAME=207>Well, would I were gently put out of office</A><br>
<A NAME=208>Before I were forced out!</A><br>
<A NAME=209>Happier is he that has no friend to feed</A><br>
<A NAME=210>Than such that do e'en enemies exceed.</A><br>
<A NAME=211>I bleed inwardly for my lord.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech62><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=212>You do yourselves</A><br>
<A NAME=213>Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits:</A><br>
<A NAME=214>Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech63><b>Second Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=215>With more than common thanks I will receive it.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech64><b>Third Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=216>O, he's the very soul of bounty!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech65><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=217>And now I remember, my lord, you gave</A><br>
<A NAME=218>Good words the other day of a bay courser</A><br>
<A NAME=219>I rode on: it is yours, because you liked it.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech66><b>Second Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=220>O, I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech67><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=221>You may take my word, my lord; I know, no man</A><br>
<A NAME=222>Can justly praise but what he does affect:</A><br>
<A NAME=223>I weigh my friend's affection with mine own;</A><br>
<A NAME=224>I'll tell you true. I'll call to you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech68><b>All Lords</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=225>O, none so welcome.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech69><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=226>I take all and your several visitations</A><br>
<A NAME=227>So kind to heart, 'tis not enough to give;</A><br>
<A NAME=228>Methinks, I could deal kingdoms to my friends,</A><br>
<A NAME=229>And ne'er be weary. Alcibiades,</A><br>
<A NAME=230>Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich;</A><br>
<A NAME=231>It comes in charity to thee: for all thy living</A><br>
<A NAME=232>Is 'mongst the dead, and all the lands thou hast</A><br>
<A NAME=233>Lie in a pitch'd field.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech70><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=234>Ay, defiled land, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech71><b>First Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=235>We are so virtuously bound--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech72><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=236>And so</A><br>
<A NAME=237>Am I to you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech73><b>Second Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=238>So infinitely endear'd--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech74><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=239>All to you. Lights, more lights!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech75><b>First Lord</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=240>The best of happiness,</A><br>
<A NAME=241>Honour and fortunes, keep with you, Lord Timon!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech76><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=242>Ready for his friends.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt all but APEMANTUS and TIMON</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech77><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=243>What a coil's here!</A><br>
<A NAME=244>Serving of becks and jutting-out of bums!</A><br>
<A NAME=245>I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums</A><br>
<A NAME=246>That are given for 'em. Friendship's full of dregs:</A><br>
<A NAME=247>Methinks, false hearts should never have sound legs,</A><br>
<A NAME=248>Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on court'sies.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech78><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=249>Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen, I would be</A><br>
<A NAME=250>good to thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech79><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=251>No, I'll nothing: for if I should be bribed too,</A><br>
<A NAME=252>there would be none left to rail upon thee, and then</A><br>
<A NAME=253>thou wouldst sin the faster. Thou givest so long,</A><br>
<A NAME=254>Timon, I fear me thou wilt give away thyself in</A><br>
<A NAME=255>paper shortly: what need these feasts, pomps and</A><br>
<A NAME=256>vain-glories?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech80><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=257>Nay, an you begin to rail on society once, I am</A><br>
<A NAME=258>sworn not to give regard to you. Farewell; and come</A><br>
<A NAME=259>with better music.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech81><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=260>So:</A><br>
<A NAME=261>Thou wilt not hear me now; thou shalt not then:</A><br>
<A NAME=262>I'll lock thy heaven from thee.</A><br>
<A NAME=263>O, that men's ears should be</A><br>
<A NAME=264>To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!</A><br>
<p><i>Exit</i></p>
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