1    The good time of day to you, sir.

2    I also wish it to you. I think this honourable lord
3    did but try us this other day.

4    Upon that were my thoughts tiring, when we
5    encountered: I hope it is not so low with him as
6    he made it seem in the trial of his several friends.

7    It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.

8    I should think so: he hath sent me an earnest
9    inviting, which many my near occasions did urge me
10   to put off; but he hath conjured me beyond them, and
11   I must needs appear.

12   In like manner was I in debt to my importunate
13   business, but he would not hear my excuse. I am
14   sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my
15   provision was out.

16   I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all
17   things go.

18   Every man here's so. What would he have borrowed of
19   you?

20   A thousand pieces.

21   A thousand pieces!

22   What of you?

23   He sent to me, sir,--Here he comes.

24   With all my heart, gentlemen both; and how fare you?

25   Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

26   The swallow follows not summer more willing than we
27   your lordship.

Aside
28    Nor more willingly leaves winter; such
29   summer-birds are men. Gentlemen, our dinner will not
30   recompense this long stay: feast your ears with the
31   music awhile, if they will fare so harshly o' the
32   trumpet's sound; we shall to 't presently.

33   I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship
34   that I returned you an empty messenger.

35   O, sir, let it not trouble you.

36   My noble lord,--

37   Ah, my good friend, what cheer?

38   My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of shame,
39   that, when your lordship this other day sent to me,
40   I was so unfortunate a beggar.

41   Think not on 't, sir.

42   If you had sent but two hours before,--

43   Let it not cumber your better remembrance.
The banquet brought in
44   Come, bring in all together.

45   All covered dishes!

46   Royal cheer, I warrant you.

47   Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield
48   it.

49   How do you? What's the news?

50   Alcibiades is banished: hear you of it?

51   Alcibiades banished!

52   'Tis so, be sure of it.

53   How! how!

54   I pray you, upon what?

55   My worthy friends, will you draw near?

56   I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.

57   This is the old man still.

58   Will 't hold? will 't hold?

59   It does: but time will--and so--

60   I do conceive.

61   Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would to
62   the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be in all
63   places alike. Make not a city feast of it, to let
64   the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place:
65   sit, sit. The gods require our thanks.
66   You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with
67   thankfulness. For your own gifts, make yourselves
68   praised: but reserve still to give, lest your
69   deities be despised. Lend to each man enough, that
70   one need not lend to another; for, were your
71   godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake the
72   gods. Make the meat be beloved more than the man
73   that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty be without
74   a score of villains: if there sit twelve women at
75   the table, let a dozen of them be--as they are. The
76   rest of your fees, O gods--the senators of Athens,
77   together with the common lag of people--what is
78   amiss in them, you gods, make suitable for
79   destruction. For these my present friends, as they
80   are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to
81   nothing are they welcome.
82   Uncover, dogs, and lap.

83   What does his lordship mean?

84   I know not.

85   May you a better feast never behold,
86   You knot of mouth-friends I smoke and lukewarm water
87   Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;
88   Who, stuck and spangled with your flatteries,
89   Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces
90   Your reeking villany.
Throwing the water in their faces
91   Live loathed and long,
92   Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,
93   Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,
94   You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies,
95   Cap and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks!
96   Of man and beast the infinite malady
97   Crust you quite o'er! What, dost thou go?
98   Soft! take thy physic first--thou too--and thou;--
99   Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.
Throws the dishes at them, and drives them out
100  What, all in motion? Henceforth be no feast,
101  Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.
102  Burn, house! sink, Athens! henceforth hated be
103  Of Timon man and all humanity!

104  How now, my lords!

105  Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury?

106  Push! did you see my cap?

107  I have lost my gown.

108  He's but a mad lord, and nought but humour sways him.
109  He gave me a jewel th' other day, and now he has
110  beat it out of my hat: did you see my jewel?

111  Did you see my cap?

112  Here 'tis.

113  Here lies my gown.

114  Let's make no stay.

115  Lord Timon's mad.

116  I feel 't upon my bones.

117  One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.