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<title>SCENE III. Woods and cave, near the seashore.
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| Act 4, Scene 3
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<H3>SCENE III. Woods and cave, near the seashore.</h3>
<p><blockquote>
<i>Enter TIMON, from the cave</i>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=1>O blessed breeding sun, draw from the earth</A><br>
<A NAME=2>Rotten humidity; below thy sister's orb</A><br>
<A NAME=3>Infect the air! Twinn'd brothers of one womb,</A><br>
<A NAME=4>Whose procreation, residence, and birth,</A><br>
<A NAME=5>Scarce is dividant, touch them with several fortunes;</A><br>
<A NAME=6>The greater scorns the lesser: not nature,</A><br>
<A NAME=7>To whom all sores lay siege, can bear great fortune,</A><br>
<A NAME=8>But by contempt of nature.</A><br>
<A NAME=9>Raise me this beggar, and deny 't that lord;</A><br>
<A NAME=10>The senator shall bear contempt hereditary,</A><br>
<A NAME=11>The beggar native honour.</A><br>
<A NAME=12>It is the pasture lards the rother's sides,</A><br>
<A NAME=13>The want that makes him lean. Who dares, who dares,</A><br>
<A NAME=14>In purity of manhood stand upright,</A><br>
<A NAME=15>And say 'This man's a flatterer?' if one be,</A><br>
<A NAME=16>So are they all; for every grise of fortune</A><br>
<A NAME=17>Is smooth'd by that below: the learned pate</A><br>
<A NAME=18>Ducks to the golden fool: all is oblique;</A><br>
<A NAME=19>There's nothing level in our cursed natures,</A><br>
<A NAME=20>But direct villany. Therefore, be abhorr'd</A><br>
<A NAME=21>All feasts, societies, and throngs of men!</A><br>
<A NAME=22>His semblable, yea, himself, Timon disdains:</A><br>
<A NAME=23>Destruction fang mankind! Earth, yield me roots!</A><br>
<p><i>Digging</i></p>
<A NAME=24>Who seeks for better of thee, sauce his palate</A><br>
<A NAME=25>With thy most operant poison! What is here?</A><br>
<A NAME=26>Gold? yellow, glittering, precious gold? No, gods,</A><br>
<A NAME=27>I am no idle votarist: roots, you clear heavens!</A><br>
<A NAME=28>Thus much of this will make black white, foul fair,</A><br>
<A NAME=29>Wrong right, base noble, old young, coward valiant.</A><br>
<A NAME=30>Ha, you gods! why this? what this, you gods? Why, this</A><br>
<A NAME=31>Will lug your priests and servants from your sides,</A><br>
<A NAME=32>Pluck stout men's pillows from below their heads:</A><br>
<A NAME=33>This yellow slave</A><br>
<A NAME=34>Will knit and break religions, bless the accursed,</A><br>
<A NAME=35>Make the hoar leprosy adored, place thieves</A><br>
<A NAME=36>And give them title, knee and approbation</A><br>
<A NAME=37>With senators on the bench: this is it</A><br>
<A NAME=38>That makes the wappen'd widow wed again;</A><br>
<A NAME=39>She, whom the spital-house and ulcerous sores</A><br>
<A NAME=40>Would cast the gorge at, this embalms and spices</A><br>
<A NAME=41>To the April day again. Come, damned earth,</A><br>
<A NAME=42>Thou common whore of mankind, that put'st odds</A><br>
<A NAME=43>Among the route of nations, I will make thee</A><br>
<A NAME=44>Do thy right nature.</A><br>
<p><i>March afar off</i></p>
<A NAME=45>Ha! a drum ? Thou'rt quick,</A><br>
<A NAME=46>But yet I'll bury thee: thou'lt go, strong thief,</A><br>
<A NAME=47>When gouty keepers of thee cannot stand.</A><br>
<A NAME=48>Nay, stay thou out for earnest.</A><br>
<p><i>Keeping some gold</i></p>
<p><i>Enter ALCIBIADES, with drum and fife, in warlike manner; PHRYNIA and TIMANDRA</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech1><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=49>What art thou there? speak.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech2><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=50>A beast, as thou art. The canker gnaw thy heart,</A><br>
<A NAME=51>For showing me again the eyes of man!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech3><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=52>What is thy name? Is man so hateful to thee,</A><br>
<A NAME=53>That art thyself a man?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech4><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=54>I am Misanthropos, and hate mankind.</A><br>
<A NAME=55>For thy part, I do wish thou wert a dog,</A><br>
<A NAME=56>That I might love thee something.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech5><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=57>I know thee well;</A><br>
<A NAME=58>But in thy fortunes am unlearn'd and strange.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech6><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=59>I know thee too; and more than that I know thee,</A><br>
<A NAME=60>I not desire to know. Follow thy drum;</A><br>
<A NAME=61>With man's blood paint the ground, gules, gules:</A><br>
<A NAME=62>Religious canons, civil laws are cruel;</A><br>
<A NAME=63>Then what should war be? This fell whore of thine</A><br>
<A NAME=64>Hath in her more destruction than thy sword,</A><br>
<A NAME=65>For all her cherubim look.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech7><b>PHRYNIA</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=66>Thy lips rot off!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech8><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=67>I will not kiss thee; then the rot returns</A><br>
<A NAME=68>To thine own lips again.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech9><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=69>How came the noble Timon to this change?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech10><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=70>As the moon does, by wanting light to give:</A><br>
<A NAME=71>But then renew I could not, like the moon;</A><br>
<A NAME=72>There were no suns to borrow of.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech11><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=73>Noble Timon,</A><br>
<A NAME=74>What friendship may I do thee?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech12><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=75>None, but to</A><br>
<A NAME=76>Maintain my opinion.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech13><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=77>What is it, Timon?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech14><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=78>Promise me friendship, but perform none: if thou</A><br>
<A NAME=79>wilt not promise, the gods plague thee, for thou art</A><br>
<A NAME=80>a man! if thou dost perform, confound thee, for</A><br>
<A NAME=81>thou art a man!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech15><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=82>I have heard in some sort of thy miseries.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech16><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=83>Thou saw'st them, when I had prosperity.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech17><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=84>I see them now; then was a blessed time.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech18><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=85>As thine is now, held with a brace of harlots.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech19><b>TIMANDRA</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=86>Is this the Athenian minion, whom the world</A><br>
<A NAME=87>Voiced so regardfully?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech20><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=88>Art thou Timandra?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech21><b>TIMANDRA</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=89>Yes.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech22><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=90>Be a whore still: they love thee not that use thee;</A><br>
<A NAME=91>Give them diseases, leaving with thee their lust.</A><br>
<A NAME=92>Make use of thy salt hours: season the slaves</A><br>
<A NAME=93>For tubs and baths; bring down rose-cheeked youth</A><br>
<A NAME=94>To the tub-fast and the diet.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech23><b>TIMANDRA</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=95>Hang thee, monster!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech24><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=96>Pardon him, sweet Timandra; for his wits</A><br>
<A NAME=97>Are drown'd and lost in his calamities.</A><br>
<A NAME=98>I have but little gold of late, brave Timon,</A><br>
<A NAME=99>The want whereof doth daily make revolt</A><br>
<A NAME=100>In my penurious band: I have heard, and grieved,</A><br>
<A NAME=101>How cursed Athens, mindless of thy worth,</A><br>
<A NAME=102>Forgetting thy great deeds, when neighbour states,</A><br>
<A NAME=103>But for thy sword and fortune, trod upon them,--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech25><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=104>I prithee, beat thy drum, and get thee gone.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech26><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=105>I am thy friend, and pity thee, dear Timon.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech27><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=106>How dost thou pity him whom thou dost trouble?</A><br>
<A NAME=107>I had rather be alone.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech28><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=108>Why, fare thee well:</A><br>
<A NAME=109>Here is some gold for thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech29><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=110>Keep it, I cannot eat it.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech30><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=111>When I have laid proud Athens on a heap,--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech31><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=112>Warr'st thou 'gainst Athens?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech32><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=113>Ay, Timon, and have cause.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech33><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=114>The gods confound them all in thy conquest;</A><br>
<A NAME=115>And thee after, when thou hast conquer'd!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech34><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=116>Why me, Timon?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech35><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=117> That, by killing of villains,</A><br>
<A NAME=118>Thou wast born to conquer my country.</A><br>
<A NAME=119>Put up thy gold: go on,--here's gold,--go on;</A><br>
<A NAME=120>Be as a planetary plague, when Jove</A><br>
<A NAME=121>Will o'er some high-viced city hang his poison</A><br>
<A NAME=122>In the sick air: let not thy sword skip one:</A><br>
<A NAME=123>Pity not honour'd age for his white beard;</A><br>
<A NAME=124>He is an usurer: strike me the counterfeit matron;</A><br>
<A NAME=125>It is her habit only that is honest,</A><br>
<A NAME=126>Herself's a bawd: let not the virgin's cheek</A><br>
<A NAME=127>Make soft thy trenchant sword; for those milk-paps,</A><br>
<A NAME=128>That through the window-bars bore at men's eyes,</A><br>
<A NAME=129>Are not within the leaf of pity writ,</A><br>
<A NAME=130>But set them down horrible traitors: spare not the babe,</A><br>
<A NAME=131>Whose dimpled smiles from fools exhaust their mercy;</A><br>
<A NAME=132>Think it a bastard, whom the oracle</A><br>
<A NAME=133>Hath doubtfully pronounced thy throat shall cut,</A><br>
<A NAME=134>And mince it sans remorse: swear against objects;</A><br>
<A NAME=135>Put armour on thine ears and on thine eyes;</A><br>
<A NAME=136>Whose proof, nor yells of mothers, maids, nor babes,</A><br>
<A NAME=137>Nor sight of priests in holy vestments bleeding,</A><br>
<A NAME=138>Shall pierce a jot. There's gold to pay soldiers:</A><br>
<A NAME=139>Make large confusion; and, thy fury spent,</A><br>
<A NAME=140>Confounded be thyself! Speak not, be gone.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech36><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=141>Hast thou gold yet? I'll take the gold thou</A><br>
<A NAME=142>givest me,</A><br>
<A NAME=143>Not all thy counsel.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech37><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=144>Dost thou, or dost thou not, heaven's curse</A><br>
<A NAME=145>upon thee!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech38><b>PHRYNIA</b></a>
<A NAME=speech39><b>TIMANDRA</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=146>Give us some gold, good Timon: hast thou more?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech40><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=147>Enough to make a whore forswear her trade,</A><br>
<A NAME=148>And to make whores, a bawd. Hold up, you sluts,</A><br>
<A NAME=149>Your aprons mountant: you are not oathable,</A><br>
<A NAME=150>Although, I know, you 'll swear, terribly swear</A><br>
<A NAME=151>Into strong shudders and to heavenly agues</A><br>
<A NAME=152>The immortal gods that hear you,--spare your oaths,</A><br>
<A NAME=153>I'll trust to your conditions: be whores still;</A><br>
<A NAME=154>And he whose pious breath seeks to convert you,</A><br>
<A NAME=155>Be strong in whore, allure him, burn him up;</A><br>
<A NAME=156>Let your close fire predominate his smoke,</A><br>
<A NAME=157>And be no turncoats: yet may your pains, six months,</A><br>
<A NAME=158>Be quite contrary: and thatch your poor thin roofs</A><br>
<A NAME=159>With burthens of the dead;--some that were hang'd,</A><br>
<A NAME=160>No matter:--wear them, betray with them: whore still;</A><br>
<A NAME=161>Paint till a horse may mire upon your face,</A><br>
<A NAME=162>A pox of wrinkles!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech41><b>PHRYNIA</b></a>
<A NAME=speech42><b>TIMANDRA</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=163>Well, more gold: what then?</A><br>
<A NAME=164>Believe't, that we'll do any thing for gold.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech43><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=165>Consumptions sow</A><br>
<A NAME=166>In hollow bones of man; strike their sharp shins,</A><br>
<A NAME=167>And mar men's spurring. Crack the lawyer's voice,</A><br>
<A NAME=168>That he may never more false title plead,</A><br>
<A NAME=169>Nor sound his quillets shrilly: hoar the flamen,</A><br>
<A NAME=170>That scolds against the quality of flesh,</A><br>
<A NAME=171>And not believes himself: down with the nose,</A><br>
<A NAME=172>Down with it flat; take the bridge quite away</A><br>
<A NAME=173>Of him that, his particular to foresee,</A><br>
<A NAME=174>Smells from the general weal: make curl'd-pate</A><br>
<A NAME=175>ruffians bald;</A><br>
<A NAME=176>And let the unscarr'd braggarts of the war</A><br>
<A NAME=177>Derive some pain from you: plague all;</A><br>
<A NAME=178>That your activity may defeat and quell</A><br>
<A NAME=179>The source of all erection. There's more gold:</A><br>
<A NAME=180>Do you damn others, and let this damn you,</A><br>
<A NAME=181>And ditches grave you all!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech44><b>PHRYNIA</b></a>
<A NAME=speech45><b>TIMANDRA</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=182>More counsel with more money, bounteous Timon.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech46><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=183>More whore, more mischief first; I have given you earnest.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech47><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=184>Strike up the drum towards Athens! Farewell, Timon:</A><br>
<A NAME=185>If I thrive well, I'll visit thee again.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech48><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=186>If I hope well, I'll never see thee more.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech49><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=187>I never did thee harm.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech50><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=188>Yes, thou spokest well of me.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech51><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=189>Call'st thou that harm?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech52><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=190>Men daily find it. Get thee away, and take</A><br>
<A NAME=191>Thy beagles with thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech53><b>ALCIBIADES</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=192>We but offend him. Strike!</A><br>
<p><i>Drum beats. Exeunt ALCIBIADES, PHRYNIA, and TIMANDRA</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech54><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=193>That nature, being sick of man's unkindness,</A><br>
<A NAME=194>Should yet be hungry! Common mother, thou,</A><br>
<p><i>Digging</i></p>
<A NAME=195>Whose womb unmeasurable, and infinite breast,</A><br>
<A NAME=196>Teems, and feeds all; whose self-same mettle,</A><br>
<A NAME=197>Whereof thy proud child, arrogant man, is puff'd,</A><br>
<A NAME=198>Engenders the black toad and adder blue,</A><br>
<A NAME=199>The gilded newt and eyeless venom'd worm,</A><br>
<A NAME=200>With all the abhorred births below crisp heaven</A><br>
<A NAME=201>Whereon Hyperion's quickening fire doth shine;</A><br>
<A NAME=202>Yield him, who all thy human sons doth hate,</A><br>
<A NAME=203>From forth thy plenteous bosom, one poor root!</A><br>
<A NAME=204>Ensear thy fertile and conceptious womb,</A><br>
<A NAME=205>Let it no more bring out ingrateful man!</A><br>
<A NAME=206>Go great with tigers, dragons, wolves, and bears;</A><br>
<A NAME=207>Teem with new monsters, whom thy upward face</A><br>
<A NAME=208>Hath to the marbled mansion all above</A><br>
<A NAME=209>Never presented!--O, a root,--dear thanks!--</A><br>
<A NAME=210>Dry up thy marrows, vines, and plough-torn leas;</A><br>
<A NAME=211>Whereof ungrateful man, with liquorish draughts</A><br>
<A NAME=212>And morsels unctuous, greases his pure mind,</A><br>
<A NAME=213>That from it all consideration slips!</A><br>
<p><i>Enter APEMANTUS</i></p>
<A NAME=214>More man? plague, plague!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech55><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=215>I was directed hither: men report</A><br>
<A NAME=216>Thou dost affect my manners, and dost use them.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech56><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=217>'Tis, then, because thou dost not keep a dog,</A><br>
<A NAME=218>Whom I would imitate: consumption catch thee!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech57><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=219>This is in thee a nature but infected;</A><br>
<A NAME=220>A poor unmanly melancholy sprung</A><br>
<A NAME=221>From change of fortune. Why this spade? this place?</A><br>
<A NAME=222>This slave-like habit? and these looks of care?</A><br>
<A NAME=223>Thy flatterers yet wear silk, drink wine, lie soft;</A><br>
<A NAME=224>Hug their diseased perfumes, and have forgot</A><br>
<A NAME=225>That ever Timon was. Shame not these woods,</A><br>
<A NAME=226>By putting on the cunning of a carper.</A><br>
<A NAME=227>Be thou a flatterer now, and seek to thrive</A><br>
<A NAME=228>By that which has undone thee: hinge thy knee,</A><br>
<A NAME=229>And let his very breath, whom thou'lt observe,</A><br>
<A NAME=230>Blow off thy cap; praise his most vicious strain,</A><br>
<A NAME=231>And call it excellent: thou wast told thus;</A><br>
<A NAME=232>Thou gavest thine ears like tapsters that bid welcome</A><br>
<A NAME=233>To knaves and all approachers: 'tis most just</A><br>
<A NAME=234>That thou turn rascal; hadst thou wealth again,</A><br>
<A NAME=235>Rascals should have 't. Do not assume my likeness.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech58><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=236>Were I like thee, I'ld throw away myself.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech59><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=237>Thou hast cast away thyself, being like thyself;</A><br>
<A NAME=238>A madman so long, now a fool. What, think'st</A><br>
<A NAME=239>That the bleak air, thy boisterous chamberlain,</A><br>
<A NAME=240>Will put thy shirt on warm? will these moss'd trees,</A><br>
<A NAME=241>That have outlived the eagle, page thy heels,</A><br>
<A NAME=242>And skip where thou point'st out? will the</A><br>
<A NAME=243>cold brook,</A><br>
<A NAME=244>Candied with ice, caudle thy morning taste,</A><br>
<A NAME=245>To cure thy o'er-night's surfeit? Call the creatures</A><br>
<A NAME=246>Whose naked natures live in an the spite</A><br>
<A NAME=247>Of wreakful heaven, whose bare unhoused trunks,</A><br>
<A NAME=248>To the conflicting elements exposed,</A><br>
<A NAME=249>Answer mere nature; bid them flatter thee;</A><br>
<A NAME=250>O, thou shalt find--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech60><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=251>A fool of thee: depart.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech61><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=252>I love thee better now than e'er I did.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech62><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=253>I hate thee worse.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech63><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=254> Why?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech64><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=255>Thou flatter'st misery.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech65><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=256>I flatter not; but say thou art a caitiff.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech66><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=257>Why dost thou seek me out?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech67><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=258>To vex thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech68><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=259>Always a villain's office or a fool's.</A><br>
<A NAME=260>Dost please thyself in't?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech69><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=261>Ay.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech70><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=262>What! a knave too?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech71><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=263>If thou didst put this sour-cold habit on</A><br>
<A NAME=264>To castigate thy pride, 'twere well: but thou</A><br>
<A NAME=265>Dost it enforcedly; thou'ldst courtier be again,</A><br>
<A NAME=266>Wert thou not beggar. Willing misery</A><br>
<A NAME=267>Outlives encertain pomp, is crown'd before:</A><br>
<A NAME=268>The one is filling still, never complete;</A><br>
<A NAME=269>The other, at high wish: best state, contentless,</A><br>
<A NAME=270>Hath a distracted and most wretched being,</A><br>
<A NAME=271>Worse than the worst, content.</A><br>
<A NAME=272>Thou shouldst desire to die, being miserable.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech72><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=273>Not by his breath that is more miserable.</A><br>
<A NAME=274>Thou art a slave, whom Fortune's tender arm</A><br>
<A NAME=275>With favour never clasp'd; but bred a dog.</A><br>
<A NAME=276>Hadst thou, like us from our first swath, proceeded</A><br>
<A NAME=277>The sweet degrees that this brief world affords</A><br>
<A NAME=278>To such as may the passive drugs of it</A><br>
<A NAME=279>Freely command, thou wouldst have plunged thyself</A><br>
<A NAME=280>In general riot; melted down thy youth</A><br>
<A NAME=281>In different beds of lust; and never learn'd</A><br>
<A NAME=282>The icy precepts of respect, but follow'd</A><br>
<A NAME=283>The sugar'd game before thee. But myself,</A><br>
<A NAME=284>Who had the world as my confectionary,</A><br>
<A NAME=285>The mouths, the tongues, the eyes and hearts of men</A><br>
<A NAME=286>At duty, more than I could frame employment,</A><br>
<A NAME=287>That numberless upon me stuck as leaves</A><br>
<A NAME=288>Do on the oak, hive with one winter's brush</A><br>
<A NAME=289>Fell from their boughs and left me open, bare</A><br>
<A NAME=290>For every storm that blows: I, to bear this,</A><br>
<A NAME=291>That never knew but better, is some burden:</A><br>
<A NAME=292>Thy nature did commence in sufferance, time</A><br>
<A NAME=293>Hath made thee hard in't. Why shouldst thou hate men?</A><br>
<A NAME=294>They never flatter'd thee: what hast thou given?</A><br>
<A NAME=295>If thou wilt curse, thy father, that poor rag,</A><br>
<A NAME=296>Must be thy subject, who in spite put stuff</A><br>
<A NAME=297>To some she beggar and compounded thee</A><br>
<A NAME=298>Poor rogue hereditary. Hence, be gone!</A><br>
<A NAME=299>If thou hadst not been born the worst of men,</A><br>
<A NAME=300>Thou hadst been a knave and flatterer.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech73><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=301>Art thou proud yet?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech74><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=302>Ay, that I am not thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech75><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=303>I, that I was</A><br>
<A NAME=304>No prodigal.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech76><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=305> I, that I am one now:</A><br>
<A NAME=306>Were all the wealth I have shut up in thee,</A><br>
<A NAME=307>I'ld give thee leave to hang it. Get thee gone.</A><br>
<A NAME=308>That the whole life of Athens were in this!</A><br>
<A NAME=309>Thus would I eat it.</A><br>
<p><i>Eating a root</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech77><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=310>Here; I will mend thy feast.</A><br>
<p><i>Offering him a root</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech78><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=311>First mend my company, take away thyself.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech79><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=312>So I shall mend mine own, by the lack of thine.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech80><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=313>'Tis not well mended so, it is but botch'd;</A><br>
<A NAME=314>if not, I would it were.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech81><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=315>What wouldst thou have to Athens?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech82><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=316>Thee thither in a whirlwind. If thou wilt,</A><br>
<A NAME=317>Tell them there I have gold; look, so I have.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech83><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=318>Here is no use for gold.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech84><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=319>The best and truest;</A><br>
<A NAME=320>For here it sleeps, and does no hired harm.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech85><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=321>Where liest o' nights, Timon?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech86><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=322>Under that's above me.</A><br>
<A NAME=323>Where feed'st thou o' days, Apemantus?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech87><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=324>Where my stomach finds meat; or, rather, where I eat</A><br>
<A NAME=325>it.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech88><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=326>Would poison were obedient and knew my mind!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech89><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=327>Where wouldst thou send it?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech90><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=328>To sauce thy dishes.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech91><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=329>The middle of humanity thou never knewest, but the</A><br>
<A NAME=330>extremity of both ends: when thou wast in thy gilt</A><br>
<A NAME=331>and thy perfume, they mocked thee for too much</A><br>
<A NAME=332>curiosity; in thy rags thou knowest none, but art</A><br>
<A NAME=333>despised for the contrary. There's a medlar for</A><br>
<A NAME=334>thee, eat it.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech92><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=335>On what I hate I feed not.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech93><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=336>Dost hate a medlar?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech94><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=337>Ay, though it look like thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech95><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=338>An thou hadst hated meddlers sooner, thou shouldst</A><br>
<A NAME=339>have loved thyself better now. What man didst thou</A><br>
<A NAME=340>ever know unthrift that was beloved after his means?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech96><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=341>Who, without those means thou talkest of, didst thou</A><br>
<A NAME=342>ever know beloved?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech97><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=343>Myself.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech98><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=344>I understand thee; thou hadst some means to keep a</A><br>
<A NAME=345>dog.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech99><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=346>What things in the world canst thou nearest compare</A><br>
<A NAME=347>to thy flatterers?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech100><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=348>Women nearest; but men, men are the things</A><br>
<A NAME=349>themselves. What wouldst thou do with the world,</A><br>
<A NAME=350>Apemantus, if it lay in thy power?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech101><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=351>Give it the beasts, to be rid of the men.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech102><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=352>Wouldst thou have thyself fall in the confusion of</A><br>
<A NAME=353>men, and remain a beast with the beasts?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech103><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=354>Ay, Timon.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech104><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=355>A beastly ambition, which the gods grant thee t'</A><br>
<A NAME=356>attain to! If thou wert the lion, the fox would</A><br>
<A NAME=357>beguile thee; if thou wert the lamb, the fox would</A><br>
<A NAME=358>eat three: if thou wert the fox, the lion would</A><br>
<A NAME=359>suspect thee, when peradventure thou wert accused by</A><br>
<A NAME=360>the ass: if thou wert the ass, thy dulness would</A><br>
<A NAME=361>torment thee, and still thou livedst but as a</A><br>
<A NAME=362>breakfast to the wolf: if thou wert the wolf, thy</A><br>
<A NAME=363>greediness would afflict thee, and oft thou shouldst</A><br>
<A NAME=364>hazard thy life for thy dinner: wert thou the</A><br>
<A NAME=365>unicorn, pride and wrath would confound thee and</A><br>
<A NAME=366>make thine own self the conquest of thy fury: wert</A><br>
<A NAME=367>thou a bear, thou wouldst be killed by the horse:</A><br>
<A NAME=368>wert thou a horse, thou wouldst be seized by the</A><br>
<A NAME=369>leopard: wert thou a leopard, thou wert german to</A><br>
<A NAME=370>the lion and the spots of thy kindred were jurors on</A><br>
<A NAME=371>thy life: all thy safety were remotion and thy</A><br>
<A NAME=372>defence absence. What beast couldst thou be, that</A><br>
<A NAME=373>were not subject to a beast? and what a beast art</A><br>
<A NAME=374>thou already, that seest not thy loss in</A><br>
<A NAME=375>transformation!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech105><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=376>If thou couldst please me with speaking to me, thou</A><br>
<A NAME=377>mightst have hit upon it here: the commonwealth of</A><br>
<A NAME=378>Athens is become a forest of beasts.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech106><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=379>How has the ass broke the wall, that thou art out of the city?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech107><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=380>Yonder comes a poet and a painter: the plague of</A><br>
<A NAME=381>company light upon thee! I will fear to catch it</A><br>
<A NAME=382>and give way: when I know not what else to do, I'll</A><br>
<A NAME=383>see thee again.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech108><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=384>When there is nothing living but thee, thou shalt be</A><br>
<A NAME=385>welcome. I had rather be a beggar's dog than Apemantus.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech109><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=386>Thou art the cap of all the fools alive.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech110><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=387>Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech111><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=388>A plague on thee! thou art too bad to curse.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech112><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=389>All villains that do stand by thee are pure.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech113><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=390>There is no leprosy but what thou speak'st.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech114><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=391>If I name thee.</A><br>
<A NAME=392>I'll beat thee, but I should infect my hands.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech115><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=393>I would my tongue could rot them off!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech116><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=394>Away, thou issue of a mangy dog!</A><br>
<A NAME=395>Choler does kill me that thou art alive;</A><br>
<A NAME=396>I swound to see thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech117><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=397>Would thou wouldst burst!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech118><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=398>Away,</A><br>
<A NAME=399>Thou tedious rogue! I am sorry I shall lose</A><br>
<A NAME=400>A stone by thee.</A><br>
<p><i>Throws a stone at him</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech119><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=401> Beast!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech120><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=402>Slave!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech121><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=403>Toad!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech122><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=404>Rogue, rogue, rogue!</A><br>
<A NAME=405>I am sick of this false world, and will love nought</A><br>
<A NAME=406>But even the mere necessities upon 't.</A><br>
<A NAME=407>Then, Timon, presently prepare thy grave;</A><br>
<A NAME=408>Lie where the light foam the sea may beat</A><br>
<A NAME=409>Thy grave-stone daily: make thine epitaph,</A><br>
<A NAME=410>That death in me at others' lives may laugh.</A><br>
<p><i>To the gold</i></p>
<A NAME=411>O thou sweet king-killer, and dear divorce</A><br>
<A NAME=412>'Twixt natural son and sire! thou bright defiler</A><br>
<A NAME=413>Of Hymen's purest bed! thou valiant Mars!</A><br>
<A NAME=414>Thou ever young, fresh, loved and delicate wooer,</A><br>
<A NAME=415>Whose blush doth thaw the consecrated snow</A><br>
<A NAME=416>That lies on Dian's lap! thou visible god,</A><br>
<A NAME=417>That solder'st close impossibilities,</A><br>
<A NAME=418>And makest them kiss! that speak'st with</A><br>
<A NAME=419>every tongue,</A><br>
<A NAME=420>To every purpose! O thou touch of hearts!</A><br>
<A NAME=421>Think, thy slave man rebels, and by thy virtue</A><br>
<A NAME=422>Set them into confounding odds, that beasts</A><br>
<A NAME=423>May have the world in empire!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech123><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=424>Would 'twere so!</A><br>
<A NAME=425>But not till I am dead. I'll say thou'st gold:</A><br>
<A NAME=426>Thou wilt be throng'd to shortly.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech124><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=427>Throng'd to!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech125><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=428>Ay.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech126><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=429>Thy back, I prithee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech127><b>APEMANTUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=430>Live, and love thy misery.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech128><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=431>Long live so, and so die.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit APEMANTUS</i></p>
<A NAME=432>I am quit.</A><br>
<A NAME=433>Moe things like men! Eat, Timon, and abhor them.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter Banditti</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech129><b>First Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=434>Where should he have this gold? It is some poor</A><br>
<A NAME=435>fragment, some slender sort of his remainder: the</A><br>
<A NAME=436>mere want of gold, and the falling-from of his</A><br>
<A NAME=437>friends, drove him into this melancholy.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech130><b>Second Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=438>It is noised he hath a mass of treasure.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech131><b>Third Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=439>Let us make the assay upon him: if he care not</A><br>
<A NAME=440>for't, he will supply us easily; if he covetously</A><br>
<A NAME=441>reserve it, how shall's get it?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech132><b>Second Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=442>True; for he bears it not about him, 'tis hid.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech133><b>First Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=443>Is not this he?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech134><b>Banditti</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=444>Where?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech135><b>Second Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=445>'Tis his description.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech136><b>Third Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=446>He; I know him.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech137><b>Banditti</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=447>Save thee, Timon.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech138><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=448>Now, thieves?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech139><b>Banditti</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=449>Soldiers, not thieves.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech140><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=450>Both too; and women's sons.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech141><b>Banditti</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=451>We are not thieves, but men that much do want.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech142><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=452>Your greatest want is, you want much of meat.</A><br>
<A NAME=453>Why should you want? Behold, the earth hath roots;</A><br>
<A NAME=454>Within this mile break forth a hundred springs;</A><br>
<A NAME=455>The oaks bear mast, the briers scarlet hips;</A><br>
<A NAME=456>The bounteous housewife, nature, on each bush</A><br>
<A NAME=457>Lays her full mess before you. Want! why want?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech143><b>First Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=458>We cannot live on grass, on berries, water,</A><br>
<A NAME=459>As beasts and birds and fishes.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech144><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=460>Nor on the beasts themselves, the birds, and fishes;</A><br>
<A NAME=461>You must eat men. Yet thanks I must you con</A><br>
<A NAME=462>That you are thieves profess'd, that you work not</A><br>
<A NAME=463>In holier shapes: for there is boundless theft</A><br>
<A NAME=464>In limited professions. Rascal thieves,</A><br>
<A NAME=465>Here's gold. Go, suck the subtle blood o' the grape,</A><br>
<A NAME=466>Till the high fever seethe your blood to froth,</A><br>
<A NAME=467>And so 'scape hanging: trust not the physician;</A><br>
<A NAME=468>His antidotes are poison, and he slays</A><br>
<A NAME=469>Moe than you rob: take wealth and lives together;</A><br>
<A NAME=470>Do villany, do, since you protest to do't,</A><br>
<A NAME=471>Like workmen. I'll example you with thievery.</A><br>
<A NAME=472>The sun's a thief, and with his great attraction</A><br>
<A NAME=473>Robs the vast sea: the moon's an arrant thief,</A><br>
<A NAME=474>And her pale fire she snatches from the sun:</A><br>
<A NAME=475>The sea's a thief, whose liquid surge resolves</A><br>
<A NAME=476>The moon into salt tears: the earth's a thief,</A><br>
<A NAME=477>That feeds and breeds by a composture stolen</A><br>
<A NAME=478>From general excrement: each thing's a thief:</A><br>
<A NAME=479>The laws, your curb and whip, in their rough power</A><br>
<A NAME=480>Have uncheque'd theft. Love not yourselves: away,</A><br>
<A NAME=481>Rob one another. There's more gold. Cut throats:</A><br>
<A NAME=482>All that you meet are thieves: to Athens go,</A><br>
<A NAME=483>Break open shops; nothing can you steal,</A><br>
<A NAME=484>But thieves do lose it: steal no less for this</A><br>
<A NAME=485>I give you; and gold confound you howsoe'er! Amen.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech145><b>Third Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=486>Has almost charmed me from my profession, by</A><br>
<A NAME=487>persuading me to it.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech146><b>First Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=488>'Tis in the malice of mankind that he thus advises</A><br>
<A NAME=489>us; not to have us thrive in our mystery.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech147><b>Second Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=490>I'll believe him as an enemy, and give over my trade.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech148><b>First Bandit</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=491>Let us first see peace in Athens: there is no time</A><br>
<A NAME=492>so miserable but a man may be true.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt Banditti</i></p>
<p><i>Enter FLAVIUS</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech149><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=493>O you gods!</A><br>
<A NAME=494>Is yond despised and ruinous man my lord?</A><br>
<A NAME=495>Full of decay and failing? O monument</A><br>
<A NAME=496>And wonder of good deeds evilly bestow'd!</A><br>
<A NAME=497>What an alteration of honour</A><br>
<A NAME=498>Has desperate want made!</A><br>
<A NAME=499>What viler thing upon the earth than friends</A><br>
<A NAME=500>Who can bring noblest minds to basest ends!</A><br>
<A NAME=501>How rarely does it meet with this time's guise,</A><br>
<A NAME=502>When man was wish'd to love his enemies!</A><br>
<A NAME=503>Grant I may ever love, and rather woo</A><br>
<A NAME=504>Those that would mischief me than those that do!</A><br>
<A NAME=505>Has caught me in his eye: I will present</A><br>
<A NAME=506>My honest grief unto him; and, as my lord,</A><br>
<A NAME=507>Still serve him with my life. My dearest master!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech150><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=508>Away! what art thou?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech151><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=509>Have you forgot me, sir?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech152><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=510>Why dost ask that? I have forgot all men;</A><br>
<A NAME=511>Then, if thou grant'st thou'rt a man, I have forgot thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech153><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=512>An honest poor servant of yours.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech154><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=513>Then I know thee not:</A><br>
<A NAME=514>I never had honest man about me, I; all</A><br>
<A NAME=515>I kept were knaves, to serve in meat to villains.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech155><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=516>The gods are witness,</A><br>
<A NAME=517>Ne'er did poor steward wear a truer grief</A><br>
<A NAME=518>For his undone lord than mine eyes for you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech156><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=519>What, dost thou weep? Come nearer. Then I</A><br>
<A NAME=520>love thee,</A><br>
<A NAME=521>Because thou art a woman, and disclaim'st</A><br>
<A NAME=522>Flinty mankind; whose eyes do never give</A><br>
<A NAME=523>But thorough lust and laughter. Pity's sleeping:</A><br>
<A NAME=524>Strange times, that weep with laughing, not with weeping!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech157><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=525>I beg of you to know me, good my lord,</A><br>
<A NAME=526>To accept my grief and whilst this poor wealth lasts</A><br>
<A NAME=527>To entertain me as your steward still.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech158><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=528>Had I a steward</A><br>
<A NAME=529>So true, so just, and now so comfortable?</A><br>
<A NAME=530>It almost turns my dangerous nature mild.</A><br>
<A NAME=531>Let me behold thy face. Surely, this man</A><br>
<A NAME=532>Was born of woman.</A><br>
<A NAME=533>Forgive my general and exceptless rashness,</A><br>
<A NAME=534>You perpetual-sober gods! I do proclaim</A><br>
<A NAME=535>One honest man--mistake me not--but one;</A><br>
<A NAME=536>No more, I pray,--and he's a steward.</A><br>
<A NAME=537>How fain would I have hated all mankind!</A><br>
<A NAME=538>And thou redeem'st thyself: but all, save thee,</A><br>
<A NAME=539>I fell with curses.</A><br>
<A NAME=540>Methinks thou art more honest now than wise;</A><br>
<A NAME=541>For, by oppressing and betraying me,</A><br>
<A NAME=542>Thou mightst have sooner got another service:</A><br>
<A NAME=543>For many so arrive at second masters,</A><br>
<A NAME=544>Upon their first lord's neck. But tell me true--</A><br>
<A NAME=545>For I must ever doubt, though ne'er so sure--</A><br>
<A NAME=546>Is not thy kindness subtle, covetous,</A><br>
<A NAME=547>If not a usuring kindness, and, as rich men deal gifts,</A><br>
<A NAME=548>Expecting in return twenty for one?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech159><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=549>No, my most worthy master; in whose breast</A><br>
<A NAME=550>Doubt and suspect, alas, are placed too late:</A><br>
<A NAME=551>You should have fear'd false times when you did feast:</A><br>
<A NAME=552>Suspect still comes where an estate is least.</A><br>
<A NAME=553>That which I show, heaven knows, is merely love,</A><br>
<A NAME=554>Duty and zeal to your unmatched mind,</A><br>
<A NAME=555>Care of your food and living; and, believe it,</A><br>
<A NAME=556>My most honour'd lord,</A><br>
<A NAME=557>For any benefit that points to me,</A><br>
<A NAME=558>Either in hope or present, I'ld exchange</A><br>
<A NAME=559>For this one wish, that you had power and wealth</A><br>
<A NAME=560>To requite me, by making rich yourself.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech160><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=561>Look thee, 'tis so! Thou singly honest man,</A><br>
<A NAME=562>Here, take: the gods out of my misery</A><br>
<A NAME=563>Have sent thee treasure. Go, live rich and happy;</A><br>
<A NAME=564>But thus condition'd: thou shalt build from men;</A><br>
<A NAME=565>Hate all, curse all, show charity to none,</A><br>
<A NAME=566>But let the famish'd flesh slide from the bone,</A><br>
<A NAME=567>Ere thou relieve the beggar; give to dogs</A><br>
<A NAME=568>What thou deny'st to men; let prisons swallow 'em,</A><br>
<A NAME=569>Debts wither 'em to nothing; be men like</A><br>
<A NAME=570>blasted woods,</A><br>
<A NAME=571>And may diseases lick up their false bloods!</A><br>
<A NAME=572>And so farewell and thrive.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech161><b>FLAVIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=573>O, let me stay,</A><br>
<A NAME=574>And comfort you, my master.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech162><b>TIMON</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=575>If thou hatest curses,</A><br>
<A NAME=576>Stay not; fly, whilst thou art blest and free:</A><br>
<A NAME=577>Ne'er see thou man, and let me ne'er see thee.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit FLAVIUS. TIMON retires to his cave</i></p>
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