Then thou liest: look in thy last work, where thou hast feign'd him a worthy fellow.

POET. That's not feign'd, he is so.

APEM. Yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee for thy labor. He that loves to be flatter'd is worthy o' th' flatterer. Heavens, that I were a lord!

TIM. What wouldst do then, Apemantus?

APEM. E'en as Apemantus does now: hate a lord with my heart.

TIM. What, thyself?

APEM. Ay.

TIM. Wherefore?

APEM. That I had no angry wit to be a lord. Art not thou a merchant?

MER. Ay, Apemantus.

APEM. Traffic confound thee, if the gods will not!

MER. If traffic do it, the gods do it.

APEM. Traffic's thy god, and thy god confound thee!

 

Trumpet sounds. Enter a Messenger.

 

TIM. What trumpet's that?

MESS.

'Tis Alcibiades, and some twenty horse,

All of companionship.

TIM.

Pray entertain them, give them guide to us.

 

[Exeunt some Attendants.]

 

You must needs dine with me; go not you hence

Till I have thank'd you. When dinner's done,

Show me this piece. I am joyful of your sights.

 

Enter Alcibiades with the rest.

 

Most welcome, sir!

APEM.

So, so; [there!]

Aches contract and starve your supple joints!

That there should be small love amongest these sweet knaves,

And all this courtesy! The strain of man's bred out

Into baboon and monkey.

ALCIB.

Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I feed

Most hungerly on your sight.

TIM.

Right welcome, sir!

Ere we depart, we'll share a bounteous time

In different pleasures. Pray you let us in.

 

Exeunt [all but Apemantus].

 

Enter two Lords.

 

1. LORD.

What time a' day is't, Apemantus?

APEM.

Time to be honest.

1. LORD.

That time serves still.

APEM.

The most accursed thou, that still omit'st it.

2. LORD.

Thou art going to Lord Timon's feast?

APEM.

Ay, to see meat fill knaves, and wine heat fools.

2. LORD. Fare thee well, fare thee well.

APEM. Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice.

2. LORD. Why, Apemantus?

APEM.