Titus Andronicus & Timon of Athens Read online

  VARRO'S FIRST SERVANT Well met: good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.

  TITUS The like to you, kind Varro.

  HORTENSIUS Lucius, what, do we meet together?

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Ay, and I think one business does command us all,

  For mine is money.

  TITUS So is theirs and ours.

  Enter Philotus

  LUCIUS' SERVANT And Sir Philotus too!

  PHILOTUS Good day at once.8

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Welcome, good brother.

  What do you think the hour?10

  PHILOTUS Labouring for11 nine.

  LUCIUS' SERVANT So much?12

  PHILOTUS Is not my lord seen yet?

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Not yet.

  PHILOTUS I wonder on't: he was wont to shine15 at seven.

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Ay, but the days are waxed16 shorter with him:

  You must consider that a prodigal17 course

  Is like the sun's,18

  But not, like his, recoverable. I fear

  'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse: that is,

  One may reach deep enough, and yet find little.

  PHILOTUS I am of22 your fear for that.

  TITUS I'll show you how t'observe23 a strange event.

  Your lord sends now for money?

  HORTENSIUS Most true, he does.

  TITUS And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift,

  For which I wait for money.27

  HORTENSIUS It is against my heart.28

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Mark how strange it shows:29

  Timon in this should pay more than he owes,

  And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels,31

  And send for money for 'em.

  HORTENSIUS I'm weary of this charge33, the gods can witness:

  I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,

  And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.35

  VARRO'S FIRST SERVANT Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours?

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Five thousand mine.

  VARRO'S FIRST SERVANT 'Tis much deep38, and it should seem by th'sum,

  Your master's confidence was above mine,39

  Else surely his had equalled.40

  Enter Flaminius

  TITUS One of Lord Timon's men.

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my lord ready to

  come forth?

  FLAMINIUS No, indeed, he is not.

  TITUS We attend his lordship: pray signify so much.45

  FLAMINIUS I need not tell him that: he knows you are too

  diligent.47

  [Exit]

  Enter Steward [Flavius] in a cloak, muffled

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Ha? Is not that his steward muffled so?

  He goes away in a cloud49. Call him, call him.

  TITUS Do you hear, sir?

  VARRO'S SECOND SERVANT By your leave, sir--

  FLAVIUS What do ye ask of me, my friend?

  TITUS We wait for certain53 money here, sir.

  FLAVIUS Ay,

  If money were as certain as your waiting,

  'Twere sure enough.

  Why then preferred57 you not your sums and bills

  When your false58 masters eat of my lord's meat?

  Then they could smile and fawn59 upon his debts

  And take down th'interest into their glutt'nous maws.60

  You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up:61

  Let me pass quietly.

  Believe't, my lord and I have made an end:63

  I have no more to reckon64, he to spend.

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Ay, but this answer will not serve.65

  FLAVIUS If 'twill not serve, 'tis not so base66 as you,

  For you serve knaves.

  [Exit]

  VARRO'S FIRST SERVANT How? What does his cashiered worship68 mutter?

  VARRO'S SECOND SERVANT No matter what: he's poor, and that's

  revenge enough. Who can speak broader70 than he that has

  no house to put his head in? Such may rail71 against great

  buildings.

  Enter Servilius

  TITUS O, here's Servilius: now we shall know some answer.

  SERVILIUS If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair74 some

  other hour, I should derive much from't, for, take't of my soul,75

  my lord leans wondrously to discontent: his comfortable76

  temper has forsook him; he's much out of health, and keeps77

  his chamber.

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Many do keep their chambers are not sick,

  And if it be so far beyond his health,80

  Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts

  And make a clear82 way to the gods.

  SERVILIUS Good gods!

  TITUS We cannot take this for answer, sir.

  Within

  FLAMINIUS Servilius, help! My lord, my lord!

  Enter Timon, in a rage

  TIMON What, are my doors opposed against my passage?86

  Have I been ever free87, and must my house

  Be my retentive88 enemy, my jail?

  The place which I have feasted, does it now,

  Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Put in91 now, Titus.

  TITUS My lord, here is my bill.

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Here's mine.

  HORTENSIUS And mine, my lord.

  VARRO'S FIRST and SECOND SERVANTS And ours, my lord.

  PHILOTUS All our bills.

  TIMON Knock me down with 'em: cleave me to the girdle.97

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Alas, my lord.

  TIMON Cut my heart in sums.99

  TITUS Mine, fifty talents.

  TIMON Tell101 out my blood

  LUCIUS' SERVANT Five thousand crowns, my lord.

  TIMON Five thousand drops pays that. What yours? And yours?

  VARRO'S FIRST SERVANT My lord--

  VARRO'S SECOND SERVANT My lord--

  TIMON Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon106 you!

  Exit Timon

  HORTENSIUS 'Faith, I perceive our masters may throw their caps107

  at their money: these debts may well be called desperate108

  ones, for a madman owes 'em.

  Exeunt

  Act 3 Scene 5

  running scene 8 continues

  Enter Timon [and Flavius]

  TIMON They have e'en put my breath from me1, the slaves.

  Creditors? Devils!

  FLAVIUS My dear lord--

  TIMON What if it should be so?4

  FLAVIUS My lord--

  TIMON I'll have it so. My steward!

  FLAVIUS Here, my lord.

  TIMON So fitly? Go, bid8 all my friends again,

  Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius -- all luxurs9, all.

  I'll once more feast the rascals.

  FLAVIUS O my lord,

  You only speak from your distracted12 soul;

  There's not so much left to furnish out

  A moderate table.

  TIMON Be it not in thy care15: go,

  I charge thee, invite them all. Let in the tide

  Of knaves once more: my cook and I'll provide.

  Exeunt

  [Act 3 Scene 6]

  running scene 9

  Enter three Senators at one door, Alcibiades meeting them, with Attendants

  FIRST SENATOR My lord, you have my voice to it. The fault's1

  Bloody2: 'tis necessary he should die.

  Nothing emboldens3 sin so much as mercy.

  SECOND SENATOR Most true; the law shall bruise4 'em.

  ALCIBIADES Honour, health, and compassion to the senate!

  Comes forward

  FIRST SENATOR Now, captain.

  ALCIBIADES I am an humble suitor to your virtues;7

  For pity is the virtue of the law,

  And none but tyrants use it cruelly.

  It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy

  Upon a friend of mine, who in hot blood11

  Hath
stepped into the law, which is past depth12

  To those that, without heed13, do plunge into't.

  He is a man, setting his fate14 aside,

  Of comely15 virtues:

  Nor did he soil the fact16 with cowardice --

  And honour in him which buys out17 his fault --

  But with a noble fury and fair18 spirit,

  Seeing his reputation touched to death,19

  He did oppose his foe,

  And with such sober and unnoted21 passion

  He did behave22 his anger, ere 'twas spent,

  As if he had but proved an argument.23

  FIRST SENATOR You undergo too strict24 a paradox,

  Striving to make an ugly deed look fair:

  Your words have took such pains as if they laboured

  To bring manslaughter into form27 and set quarrelling

  Upon the head of valour; which28 indeed

  Is valour misbegot29 and came into the world

  When sects and factions were newly born.

  He's truly valiant that can wisely suffer31

  The worst that man can breathe,32

  And make his wrongs his outsides,33

  To wear them like his raiment, carelessly,34

  And ne'er prefer35 his injuries to his heart

  To bring it into danger.

  If wrongs be evils and enforce us kill,37

  What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill!38

  ALCIBIADES My lord--

  FIRST SENATOR You cannot make gross sins look clear:40

  To revenge is no valour, but to bear.41

  ALCIBIADES My lords, then, under favour42, pardon me

  If I speak like a captain.43

  Why do fond44 men expose themselves to battle,

  And not endure all threats? Sleep upon't,

  And let the foes quietly cut their throats

  Without repugnancy47? If there be

  Such valour in the bearing, what make we48

  Abroad? Why then, women are more valiant

  That stay at home, if bearing carry it.50

  And the ass more captain than the lion, the fellow

  Loaden with irons52 wiser than the judge,

  If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords,

  As you are great, be pitifully good.

  Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood?

  To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust,56

  But in defence, by mercy57, 'tis most just.

  To be in anger is impiety,

  But who is man that is not angry?

  Weigh60 but the crime with this.

  SECOND SENATOR You breathe61 in vain.

  ALCIBIADES In vain? His service done

  At Lacedaemon and Byzantium63

  Were a sufficient briber64 for his life.

  FIRST SENATOR What's that?

  ALCIBIADES Why, I say, my lords, he's done fair service,

  And slain in fight many of your enemies:

  How full of valour did he bear himself

  In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds!

  SECOND SENATOR He has made too much plenty with 'em.70

  He's a sworn rioter: he has a sin71

  That often drowns him, and takes his valour prisoner:

  If there were no foes, that were enough

  To overcome him. In that beastly fury74

  He has been known to commit outrages

  And cherish factions: 'tis inferred76 to us,

  His days are foul and his drink dangerous.

  FIRST SENATOR He dies.

  ALCIBIADES Hard fate! He might have died in war.

  My lords, if not for any parts80 in him --

  Though his right arm might purchase his own time81

  And be in debt to none -- yet, more to move you,

  Take my deserts to83 his and join 'em both.

  And for84 I know

  Your reverend ages love security,85

  I'll pawn86 my victories, all my honour to you,

  Upon his good returns.87

  If by this crime he owes the law his life,

  Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore,89

  For law is strict, and war is nothing more.

  FIRST SENATOR We are for law: he dies: urge it no more

  On height of our92 displeasure. Friend or brother,

  He forfeits his own blood that spills another.

  ALCIBIADES Must it be so? It must not be.

  My lords, I do beseech you know95 me.

  SECOND SENATOR How?

  ALCIBIADES Call me to your remembrances.

  THIRD SENATOR What?

  ALCIBIADES I cannot think but your age has forgot me:

  It could not else be, I should prove so base

  To sue and be denied such common grace.101

  My wounds ache at you.

  FIRST SENATOR Do you dare our anger?

  'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect:104

  We banish thee for ever.

  ALCIBIADES Banish me?

  Banish your dotage107, banish usury

  That makes the senate ugly.

  FIRST SENATOR If after two days' shine109 Athens contain thee,

  Attend our weightier judgement. And, not to swell our spirit,110

  He shall be executed presently.111

  Exeunt [Senators]

  ALCIBIADES Now the gods keep you old enough that you may live

  Only in bone113, that none may look on you!

  I'm worse than mad: I have kept back their foes

  While they have told their money and let out115

  Their coin upon large interest, I myself

  Rich only in large hurts. All those for this?

  Is this the balsam that the usuring118 senate

  Pours into captains' wounds? Banishment!

  It comes not ill:120 I hate not to be banished.

  It is a cause worthy my spleen121 and fury,

  That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up

  My discontented troops, and lay for hearts.123

  'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds.124

  Soldiers should brook125 as little wrongs as gods.

  Exit

  [Act 3 Scene 7]

  running scene 10

  Enter divers friends [Lords and Senators] at several doors

  FIRST LORD The good time of day to you, sir.

  SECOND LORD I also wish it to you. I think this honourable lord

  did but try3 us this other day.

  FIRST LORD Upon that were my thoughts tiring4 when we

  encountered. I hope it is not so low5 with him as he made it

  seem in the trial of his several6 friends.

  SECOND LORD It should not be, by the persuasion7 of his new

  feasting.

  FIRST LORD I should think so: he hath sent me an earnest

  inviting, which many my near10 occasions did urge me to put

  off, but he hath conjured11 me beyond them, and I must needs

  appear.

  SECOND LORD In like manner was I in debt to my importunate13

  business, but he would not hear my excuse. I am sorry when

  he sent to borrow of me that my provision was out.15

  FIRST LORD I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all16

  things go.

  SECOND LORD Every man here's so18. What would he have

  borrowed of you?

  FIRST LORD A thousand pieces.20

  SECOND LORD A thousand pieces?

  FIRST LORD What of you?

  SECOND LORD He sent to me, sir -- here he comes.

  Enter Timon and Attendants

  TIMON With all my heart24, gentlemen both; and how fare

  you?

  FIRST LORD Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

  SECOND LORD The swallow follows not summer more willing

  than we your lordship.

  Aside

  TIMON Nor more willingly leaves winter, such29

  summer birds are men.-- Ge
ntlemen, our dinner will not

  recompense this long stay31. Feast your ears with the music

  awhile, if they will fare so harshly o'th'trumpet's sound:32 we

  shall to't presently.33

  FIRST LORD I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship34

  that I returned you an empty messenger.

  TIMON O, sir, let it not trouble you.

  SECOND LORD My noble lord--

  TIMON Ah, my good friend, what cheer?38

  The banquet brought in

  SECOND LORD My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of

  shame, that, when your lordship this other day sent to me, I

  was so unfortunate a beggar.41

  TIMON Think not on't, sir.

  SECOND LORD If you had sent but two hours before,--

  TIMON Let it not cumber44 your better remembrance.--

  To Servants, who bring in covered dishes

  Come, bring in all together.

  SECOND LORD All covered dishes!46

  FIRST LORD Royal cheer47, I warrant you.

  THIRD LORD Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.

  FIRST LORD How do you? What's the news?

  THIRD LORD Alcibiades is banished: hear you of it?

  FIRST and SECOND LORDS Alcibiades banished?

  THIRD LORD 'Tis so, be sure of it.

  FIRST LORD How? How?

  SECOND LORD I pray you upon what?54

  TIMON My worthy friends, will you draw near?

  THIRD LORD I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.56

  SECOND LORD This is the old man57 still.

  THIRD LORD Will't hold58? Will't hold?

  SECOND LORD It does: but time will59-- and so--

  THIRD LORD I do conceive.60

  TIMON Each man to his stool with that spur61 as he would to

  the lip of his mistress: your diet62 shall be in all places alike.

  Make not a city feast63 of it, to let the meat cool ere we can

  agree upon the first place. Sit, sit. The gods require64

  They sit

  our thanks.-- You great benefactors, sprinkle our society

  with thankfulness. For your own gifts, make yourselves

  praised: but reserve still67 to give, lest your deities be despised.

  Lend to each man enough that one need not lend to another,

  for were your godheads to borrow of men, men would

  forsake the gods. Make the meat be beloved more than the

  man that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty be without

  a score72 of villains: if there sit twelve women at the table, let

  a dozen of them be as they are73. The rest of your foes, O gods

  -- the senators of Athens, together with the common tag74 of

  people -- what is amiss in them, you gods, make suitable for

  destruction. For these my present friends, as they are to me

  nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing are they

  welcome.-- Uncover, dogs, and lap!

  The dishes are uncovered and seen to be full of warm water and stones

  SOME LORDS What does his lordship mean?

  OTHER LORDS I know not.

  TIMON May you a better feast never behold,