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We

are born to do benefits; and what better or properer can we call

our own than the riches of our friends? O, what a precious

comfort 'tis to have so many like brothers commanding one

another's fortunes! O, joy's e'en made away ere't can be born!

Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks. To forget their

faults, I drink to you.

APEMANTUS.

Thou weep'st to make them drink, Timon.

SECOND LORD.

Joy had the like conception in our eyes,

And at that instant like a babe sprung up.

APEMANTUS.

Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.

THIRD LORD.

I promise you, my lord, you mov'd me much.

APEMANTUS.

Much! [Sound tucket]

TIMON.

What means that trump?

Enter a SERVANT

How now?

SERVANT.

Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most

desirous of admittance.

TIMON.

Ladies! What are their wills?

SERVANT.

There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears

that office to signify their pleasures.

TIMON.

I pray let them be admitted.

Enter CUPID

CUPID.

Hail to thee, worthy Timon, and to all

That of his bounties taste! The five best Senses

Acknowledge thee their patron, and come freely

To gratulate thy plenteous bosom. Th' Ear,

Taste, Touch, Smell, pleas'd from thy table rise;

They only now come but to feast thine eyes.

TIMON.

They're welcome all; let 'em have kind admittance.

Music, make their welcome. Exit CUPID

FIRST LORD.

You see, my lord, how ample y'are belov'd.

Music. Re-enter CUPID, witb a Masque of LADIES as Amazons,

with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing

APEMANTUS.

Hoy-day, what a sweep of vanity comes this way!

They dance? They are mad women.

Like madness is the glory of this life,

As this pomp shows to a little oil and root.

We make ourselves fools to disport ourselves,

And spend our flatteries to drink those men

Upon whose age we void it up again

With poisonous spite and envy.

Who lives that's not depraved or depraves?

Who dies that bears not one spurn to their graves

Of their friends' gift?

I should fear those that dance before me now

Would one day stamp upon me. 'T has been done:

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

The LORDS rise from table, with much adoring of

TIMON; and to show their loves, each single out an

Amazon, and all dance, men witb women, a lofty

strain or two to the hautboys, and cease

TIMON.

You have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies,

Set a fair fashion on our entertainment,

Which was not half so beautiful and kind;

You have added worth unto't and lustre,

And entertain'd me with mine own device;

I am to thank you for't.

FIRST LADY.

My lord, you take us even at the best.

APEMANTUS.

Faith, for the worst is filthy, and would not hold

taking, I doubt me.

TIMON.

Ladies, there is an idle banquet attends you;

Please you to dispose yourselves.

ALL LADIES.

Most thankfully, my lord.

Exeunt CUPID and LADIES

TIMON.

Flavius!

FLAVIUS.

My lord?

TIMON.

The little casket bring me hither.

FLAVIUS.

Yes, my lord. [Aside] More jewels yet!

There is no crossing him in's humour,

Else I should tell him- well i' faith, I should-

When all's spent, he'd be cross'd then, an he could.

'Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind,

That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind. Exit

FIRST LORD. Where be our men?

SERVANT.

Here, my lord, in readiness.

SECOND LORD.

Our horses!

Re-enter FLAVIUS, with the casket

TIMON.

O my friends,

I have one word to say to you. Look you, my good lord,

I must entreat you honour me so much

As to advance this jewel; accept it and wear it,

Kind my lord.

FIRST LORD.

I am so far already in your gifts-

ALL.

So are we all.

Enter a SERVANT

SERVANT.

My lord, there are certain nobles of the Senate newly

alighted and come to visit you.

TIMON.

They are fairly welcome. Exit SERVANT

FLAVIUS.

I beseech your honour, vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near.

TIMON.

Near! Why then, another time I'll hear thee. I prithee let's

be provided to show them entertainment.

FLAVIUS.

[Aside] I