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How full of valour did he bear himfelf

In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds?
2 Sen. He has made too much plenty with 'em,
He's a fworn rioter; he has a fin

That often drowns him, and takes valour prisoner.
Were there no foes, That were enough alone
To overcome him. In that beaftly fury
He has been known to commit outrages,
And cherith factions. 'Tis inferr'd to us,
His days are foul, and his Drink dangerous.
1 Sen. He dies.

Alc. 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 Deferts to his, and join 'em both.
And for I know, your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories,

My Honours to you, on 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 ftrict, and war is nothing more.

1 Sen. We are for law, he dies, urge it no more,
On height of our difpleafure: friend, or brother,
He forfeits his own blood, that spills another.
Alc. Muft it be fo? it muft not be:

My lords, I do befeech you, know me.

2 Sen. How?

Alc. Call me to your remembrances.

3 Sen. What!

Alc. I cannot think, but your age hath forgot me;

It could not elfe be, I fhould prove fo base,

To fue, and be deny'd fuch common grace.

My wounds ake at you.

1 Sen. Do you dare our anger?

'Tis in few words, but fpacious in effect; We banish thee for ever.

Alc. Banifh me!

Banish your Dotage, banish Ufury,

That make the Senate ugly.

1 Sen. If, after two day's fhine, Athens contains thee, Attend our weightier judgment. And, (not to fwell our fpirit,) He fhall be executed presently.

[Exeunt.

Alc. Gods 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 mony, and let out Their coin upon large intereft; I my self, Rich only in large hurts. - All those, for this? Is this the balfam that the ufuring fenate Pours into Captains' wounds? ha! Banishment? It comes not ill: I hate not to be banisht, It is a caufe worthy my spleen and fury, That I may ftrike at Athens. I'll cheer up My difcontented troops, and lay for hearts. 'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds; Soldiers as little fhould brook wrongs, as Gods. [Exit.

SCENE changes to TIMON's House.

I Sen.

Enter divers Senators, at feveral doors.

THE good time of the day to

you, Sir. 2 Sen. I alfo wish it to you: I think, this honourable lord did but try us this other day.

1 Sen. Upon that were my thoughts tiring, when we encountred. I hope, it is not fo low with him, as he made it seem in the tryal of his several friends.

2 Sen. It should not be, by the perfwafion of his new feafting.

1 Sen. I fhould think fo: he hath fent me an earnest inviting, which many my near occafions did urge me to put off: but he hath conjur'd me beyond them, and I muft needs appear.

2 Sen. In like manner was I in debt to my importunate bufinefs; but he would not hear my excuse. I am forry, when he fent to borrow of me, that my provision

was out.

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* Sen.

1 Sen. I am fick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.

2 Sen. Every man here's fo. What would he have borrow'd of you?

1 Sen. A thoufand pieces. 2 Sen. A thousand pieces!

1 Sen. What of you?

3 Sen. He fent to me, Sir

-here he comes.

Enter Timon and attendants.

Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen bothhow fare you?

and

1 Sen. Ever at the beft, hearing well of your lordship. 2 Sen. The Swallow follows not fummer more willingly, than we your lordship.

Tim. Nor more willingly leaves winter: fuch fummerbirds are men ——— Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompenfe this long ftay: feaft your ears with the mufick a while; if they will fare fo harfhly as on the trumpet's found: we shall to't presently.

1 Sen. I hope, it remains not unkindly with your lordship, that I return'd you an empty messenger. Tim. O Sir, let it not trouble you.

2 Sen. My noble lord.

Tim. Ah, my good friend, what cheer?

[The banquet brought in. 2 Sen. Moft honourable lord, I'm e'en fick of shame, that when your lordship t'other day fent to me, I was fo unfortunate a beggar.

Tim. Think not on't, Sir.

2 Sen. If you had fent but two hours before Tim. Let it not cumber your better remembrance. Come, bring in all together.

2 Sen. All cover'd difhes!

Sen. Royal cheer, I warrant you.

3 Sen. Doubt not that, if mony and the season can yield it.

1 Sen. How do you? what's the news?

3 Sen. Alcibiades is banish'd: hear you of it? Both. Alcibiades banish'd!

3 Sen. 'Tis fo, be sure of it. 1 Sen. How? how?

2 Sen. I

pray you, upon what?

4

Tim. My worthy friends, will you draw near? 3 Sen. I'll tell ye more anon. toward.

2 Sen. This is the old man ftill.

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Here's a noble feaft

2 Sen. It does, but time will, and fo 3 Sen. I do conceive.

Tim. Each man to his ftool, with that fpur as he would to the lip of his Mistress: your diet fhall 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, fit. The Gods require our thanks.

You great Benefactors, sprinkle our fociety with thankfulness. For your own gifts make your felves prais'd; but referve fill to give, left your Deities be defpifed. Lend to each man enough, that one need not lend to another. For were your Godheads to borrow of men, men would for fake the Gods. Make the meat beloved, more than the man that gives it. Let no affembly of twenty be without a score of villains. If there fit twelve women at the table, let a dozen of them be as they are -The rest of your fees, O Gods, the fenators of Athens, together with the common lag of people, what is amifs in them, you Gods, make fuitable for deftruction. For thefe my friends -as they are to me nothing, fo in nothing bless them, and to nothing are they welcome. Uncover, dogs, and lap.

Some Speak. What does his lordship mean?
Some other. I know not.

Tim. May you a better feast never behold,

You knot of mouth-friends: fmoke, and lukewarm water
Is your perfection. This is Timon's laft;

Who ftuck and fpangled you with flatteries,
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces
Your reaking villany.. Live loath'd, and long,.
Moft fmiling, smooth, detefted Parafites,
Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,

G55

Youna

You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time-flies,
Cap-and-knee flaves, vapors, and minute-jacks; (15)
Of man and beaft the infinite malady

Cruft you quite o'er !- -What, doit thou go?
Soft, take thy phyfick firft.

thou too

-

and thou

[Throwing the dishes at them, and drives 'em out.

Stay, I will lend thee mony, borrow none.
What! all in motion? henceforth be no feast,
Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.

Burn House, fink Athens, henceforth hated be
Of Timon, man, and all humanity!

Re-enter the Senators.

1 Sen. How now, my lords?

[Exit.

2 Sen. Know you the quality of lord Timon's fury ! 3 Sen. Pfha! did you fee my cap?

4

Sen. I've loft my gown.

i Sen. He's but a mad lord, and nought but humour fways him. He gave me a jewel th other day, and now he has beat it out of my cap. Did you fee my jewel?

2 Sen. Did you fee my cap?
3 Sen. Here 'tis.

4 Sen. Here lies my gown.
i Sen. Let's make no stay.
2 Sen. Lord Timon's mad.
3 Sen. I feel't upon my bones.

4 Sen. One day he gives us diamonds, next day ftones. [Exeunt

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of Man and Beast, the infinite Malady

Cruft you quite o'er !] in what Sense could the Senators be call'd minute Jacks of Man and Beaft? The Poet just before calls them Vapours; and certainly means to enforce that Image, by faying, they were Jacks not of a Minute's Truft, or Dependance. Then what could the infinite Malady fignify, without fomething fubjoin'd to give us a clearer Idea of it? As I point the Paffage, it plainly means, May the whole Catalogue, the infinite Number of Diftempers, that have ever invaded either Man or Beast, all be join'd to plague you.

ACT

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