I will send his ransom,

And being enfranchis'd, bid him come to me;

'Tis not enough to help the feeble up,

But to support him after. Fare you well.

MESS.

All happiness to your honor!

 

Exit.

 

Enter an Old Athenian.

 

OLD ATH.

Lord Timon, hear me speak.

TIM.

Freely, good father.

OLD ATH.

Thou hast a servant nam'd Lucilius.

TIM.

I have so. What of him?

OLD ATH.

Most noble Timon, call the man before thee.

TIM.

Attends he here, or no? Lucilius!

LUCIL.

Here, at your lordship's service.

OLD ATH.

This fellow here, Lord Timon, this thy creature,

By night frequents my house. I am a man

That from my first have been inclin'd to thrift,

And my estate deserves an heir more rais'd

Than one which holds a trencher.

TIM.

Well; what further?

OLD ATH.

One only daughter have I, no kin else,

On whom I may confer what I have got.

The maid is fair, a' th' youngest for a bride,

And I have bred her at my dearest cost

In qualities of the best. This man of thine

Attempts her love. I prithee, noble lord,

Join with me to forbid him her resort,

Myself have spoke in vain.

TIM.

The man is honest.

OLD ATH.

Therefore he will be, Timon.

His honesty rewards him in itself,

It must not bear my daughter.

TIM.

Does she love him?

OLD ATH.

She is young and apt.

Our own precedent passions do instruct us

What levity's in youth.

TIM [To Lucilius.]

Love you the maid?

LUCIL.

Ay, my good lord, and she accepts of it.

OLD ATH.

If in her marriage my consent be missing,

I call the gods to witness, I will choose

Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world,

And dispossess her all.

TIM.

How shall she be endowed,

If she be mated with an equal husband?

OLD ATH.

Three talents on the present; in future, all.

TIM.

This gentleman of mine hath serv'd me long;

To build his fortune I will strain a little,

For 'tis a bond in men. Give him thy daughter;

What you bestow, in him I'll counterpoise,

And make him weigh with her.

OLD ATH.

Most noble lord,

Pawn me to this your honor, she is his.

TIM.

My hand to thee, mine honor on my promise.

LUCIL.

Humbly I thank your lordship. Never may

That state or fortune fall into my keeping,

Which is not owed to you!

 

Exit [with Old Athenian].

 

POET.

Vouchsafe my labor, and long live your lordship!

TIM.

I thank you, you shall hear from me anon.

Go not away. What have you there, my friend?

PAIN.

A piece of painting, which I do beseech

Your lordship to accept.

TIM.

Painting is welcome.

The painting is almost the natural man;

For since dishonor traffics with man's nature,

He is but outside; these pencill'd figures are

Even such as they give out. I like your work,

And you shall find I like it. Wait attendance

Till you hear further from me.

PAIN.

The gods preserve ye!

TIM.

Well fare you, gentleman; give me your hand,

We must needs dine together. – Sir, your jewel

Hath suffered under praise.

JEW.

What, my lord, dispraise?

TIM.

A mere saciety of commendations;

If I should pay you for't as 'tis extoll'd,

It would unclew me quite.

JEW.

My lord, 'tis rated

As those which sell would give; but you well know,

Things of like value differing in the owners

Are prized by their masters. Believe't, dear lord,

You mend the jewel by the wearing it.

TIM.

Well mock'd.

 

Enter Apemantus.

 

MER.

No, my good lord, he speaks the common tongue

Which all men speak with him.

TIM.

Look who comes here; will you be chid?

JEW.

We'll bear, with your lordship.

MER.

He'll spare none.

TIM.

Good morrow to thee, gentle Apemantus!

APEM.

Till I be gentle, stay thou for thy good morrow –

When thou art Timon's dog, and these knaves honest.

TIM.

Why dost thou call them knaves? thou know'st them not.

APEM. Are they not Athenians?

TIM. Yes.

APEM. Then I repent not.

JEW. You know me, Apemantus?

APEM. Thou know'st I do, I call'd thee by thy name.

TIM.