Tim. Wherefore? Ape. That I had no angry wit to be a Lord. Art not thou a Merchant? Mer. I Apemantus
Ape. Traffick confound thee, if the Gods will not
Mer. If Trafficke do it, the Gods do it
Ape. Traffickes thy God, & thy God confound thee.
Trumpet sounds. Enter a Messenger.
Tim. What Trumpets that? Mes. 'Tis Alcibiades, and some twenty Horse All of Companionship
Tim. Pray entertaine them, giue them guide to vs. You must needs dine with me: go not you hence Till I haue thankt you: when dinners done Shew me this peece, I am ioyfull of your sights. Enter Alcibiades with the rest.
Most welcome Sir
Ape. So, so; their Aches contract, and sterue your supple ioynts: that there should bee small loue amongest these sweet Knaues, and all this Curtesie. The straine of mans bred out into Baboon and Monkey
Alc. Sir, you haue sau'd my longing, and I feed Most hungerly on your sight
Tim. Right welcome Sir: Ere we depart, wee'l share a bounteous time In different pleasures. Pray you let vs in.
Exeunt.
Enter two Lords.
1.Lord What time a day is't Apemantus? Ape. Time to be honest
1 That time serues still
Ape. The most accursed thou that still omitst it
2 Thou art going to Lord Timons Feast
Ape. I, to see meate fill Knaues, and Wine heat fooles
2 Farthee well, farthee well
Ape. Thou art a Foole to bid me farewell twice
2 Why Apemantus? Ape. Should'st haue kept one to thy selfe, for I meane to giue thee none
1 Hang thy selfe
Ape. No I will do nothing at thy bidding: Make thy requests to thy Friend
2 Away vnpeaceable Dogge, Or Ile spurne thee hence
Ape. I will flye like a dogge, the heeles a'th' Asse
1 Hee's opposite to humanity. Come shall we in, And taste Lord Timons bountie: he out-goes The verie heart of kindnesse
2 He powres it out: Plutus the God of Gold Is but his Steward: no meede but he repayes Seuen-fold aboue it selfe: No guift to him, But breeds the giuer a returne: exceeding All vse of quittance
1 The Noblest minde he carries, That euer gouern'd man
Timon of Athens · The Wunder Library — complete classics, free to read, with narration.