SCENE VI A banqueting-room in Timon's house. Music. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter divers Lords, Senators and others, at several doors. First Lord. The good time of day to you, sir. Sec. Lord. I also wish it to you. I think this honorable lord did but try us this other day. First Lord. Upon that were my thoughts tiring when we encountered: I hope it is not so low with him as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends. Sec. Lord. It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting. First Lord. I should think so: he hath sent me 10 an earnest inviting, which many my near occasions did urge me to put off; but he hath conjured me beyond them, and I must needs appear. my excuse. Sec. Lord. In like manner was I in debt to my Sec. Lord. Every man here's SO. What 2 4. “tiring”; to tire is to peck at or feed upon, as a bird of prey on its victim.-H. N. H. First Lord. A thousand pieces. Sec. Lord. He sent to me, sir,-Here he comes. Enter Timon and Attendants. Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen both: and how fare you? First Lord. Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship. 30 Sec. Lord. The swallow follows not summer more willing than we your lordship. Tim. [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' the trumpet's sound; we shall to 't presently. First Lord. I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship, that I returned you an 40 empty messenger. Tim. O, sir, let it not trouble you. Sec. Lord. My noble lord,— Tim. Aye, my good friend, what cheer? Sec. Lord. My most honorable lord, I am e'en sick of shame, that, when your lordship this other day sent to me, I was so unfortunate a beggar. Tim. Think not on 't, sir. 37-38. "harshly o' the trumpet's"; Rowe, "harshly as o' the Trumpets"; Steevens (1793), “harshly on the trumpet's"; Grant White conj. "harshly. O, the trumpets," etc.-I. G. Ser. Lord. If you had sent but two hours be- 50 fore Tim. Let it not cumber your better remembrance. [The banquet brought in.] Come, bring in all together. Sec. Lord. All covered dishes! First Lord. Royal cheer, I warrant you. season can yield it. First Lord. How do you? What's the news? of it? First and Sec. Lords. Alcibiades banished! First Lord. How? how? Sec. Lord. I pray you, upon what? you Tim. My worthy friends, will you draw near? a noble feast toward. Sec. Lord. This is the old man still. Here's 60 Third Lord. Will 't hold? will 't hold? 70 Sec. Lord. It does: but time will-and so- Tim. 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 gods require our thanks. 73. "each man to his stool"; this alludes to the mode in which guests were formerly placed at table according to rank.-H. N. H. You great benefactors, sprinkle our soci- Uncover, dogs, and lap. 90 [The dishes are uncovered and seen to Some speak. What does his lordship mean? Tim. May you a better feast never behold, 100 You knot of mouth-friends! smoke and luke warm water Is your perfection. This is Timon's last; 104. "you with flatteries"; SO Ff.; Warburton, "with your flatteries"; Keightley, "by you with flatteries"; F. 2 reads "flatreries"; S. Walker conj. “flattery.”—I. G. Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces [Throwing the water in their faces. Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites, You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's 111 Crust you quite o'er! What, dost thou go? Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none. Re-enter the Lords, Senators, &c. First Lord. How now, my lords! [Exit. Sec. Lord. Know you the quality of Lord Ti mon's fury? Third Lord. Push! did you see my cap? Fourth Lord. I have lost my gown. First Lord. He's but a mad lord, and nought but humor sways him. He gave me a jewel 120 119. This and the next speech are spoken by the newly arrived lords.-H. N. H. |