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Act 3, Scene 5
Timon of Athens Translation Act 3, Scene 6
Music. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter divers Lords, Senators and others, at several doors
FIRST LORD
The good time of day to you, sir.
FIRST LORD
Good day, sir.
SECOND LORD
I also wish it to you. I think this honourable lorddid but try us this other day.
SECOND LORD
You too. This feels familiar.
FIRST LORD
Upon that were my thoughts tiring, when weencountered: I hope it is not so low with him ashe made it seem in the trial of his several friends.
FIRST LORD
I was just thinking that when we met. I hope things are not so bad that Timon has had to borrow more from his friends.
SECOND LORD
It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.
SECOND LORD
From what I see at this feast, I don't think so.
FIRST LORD
I should think so: he hath sent me an earnest inviting, which many my near occasions did urge me to put off; but he hath conjured me beyond them, and I must needs appear.
FIRST LORD
I do. He sent me an invitation, and when I said I had other engagements, he pressed me further and told me I had to come.
SECOND LORD
In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business, but he would not hear my excuse. I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision was out.
SECOND LORD
I also said I needed to deal with some business matters, but he didn't care. I am not happy to say it, but when he asked me for money, I had no more left to give him.
FIRST LORD
I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how allthings go.
FIRST LORD
Same with me. I know how it is.
SECOND LORD
Every man here's so. What would he have borrowed ofyou?
SECOND LORD
So does everyone here. How much money did he ask you for?
FIRST LORD
A thousand pieces.
FIRST LORD
A thousand pieces.
SECOND LORD
A thousand pieces!
SECOND LORD
A thousand pieces!
FIRST LORD
What of you?
FIRST LORD
What did he ask you for?
SECOND LORD
He sent to me, sir,—Here he comes.
SECOND LORD
He asked me for—here he is.
Enter TIMON and Attendants
TIMON
With all my heart, gentlemen both; and how fare you?
TIMON
Greetings, gentleman. How are you?
FIRST LORD
Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.
FIRST LORD
Well, especially after seeing that you are well, too.
SECOND LORD
The swallow follows not summer more willing than weyour lordship.
SECOND LORD
We care as much about you as a bird that flies south cares for summer weather.
TIMON
[Aside] Nor more willingly leaves winter; such summer-birds are men. Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long stay: feast your ears with the music awhile, if they will fare so harshly o' the trumpet's sound; we shall to 't presently.
TIMON
[To himself] And you and other men have left me with the readiness that the bird flees from winter weather.
[To the others] Dinner is getting cold, gentlemen! Enjoy the music, if you like such humble playing. Let's go.
FIRST LORD
I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordshipthat I returned you an empty messenger.
FIRST LORD
I hope you are not bitter that I could not lend you money.
TIMON
O, sir, let it not trouble you.
TIMON
Don't worry about it.
SECOND LORD
My noble lord,—
SECOND LORD
My noble lord—
TIMON
Ah, my good friend, what cheer?
TIMON
[As the banquet is being prepared] What a party!
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.
SECOND LORD
Timon, I feel so bad that I had no money left to give you when you asked me.
TIMON
Think not on 't, sir.
TIMON
Don't worry about it.
SECOND LORD
If you had sent but two hours before,—
SECOND LORD
If you had come just two hours earlier—
TIMON
Let it not cumber your better remembrance.
TIMON
Think about happier things.
The banquet brought in
TIMON
Come, bring in all together.
TIMON
Come here, the food is ready!
SECOND LORD
All covered dishes!
SECOND LORD
It must be good food if you cover it this way!
FIRST LORD
Royal cheer, I warrant you.
FIRST LORD
It looks like food for kings.
THIRD LORD
Doubt not that, if money and the season can yieldit.
THIRD LORD
As long as he has enough money and time, I would count on it from Timon.
FIRST LORD
How do you? What's the news?
FIRST LORD
[To the THIRD LORD] Oh how are you? What is new with the world?
THIRD LORD
Alcibiades is banished: hear you of it?
THIRD LORD
Did you hear that Alcibiades is banished?
SECOND LORD
Alcibiades banished!
SECOND LORD
What? Alcibiades is banished?
THIRD LORD
'Tis so, be sure of it.
THIRD LORD
I swear.
FIRST LORD
How! how!
FIRST LORD
What? How?
SECOND LORD
I pray you, upon what?
SECOND LORD
Why?
TIMON
My worthy friends, will you draw near?
TIMON
Come here, my friends.
THIRD LORD
I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.
THIRD LORD
I'll tell you about it later. Let's eat now.
SECOND LORD
This is the old man still.
SECOND LORD
You speak of the famous Alcibiades?
THIRD LORD
Will 't hold? will 't hold?
THIRD LORD
Can it be? Will the punishment stick?
SECOND LORD
It does: but time will—and so—
SECOND LORD
Yes, but time will tell—
THIRD LORD
I do conceive.
THIRD LORD
I see.
TIMON
Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would to the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be in all places alike. Make not a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place: sit, sit. The gods require our thanks. You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness. For your own gifts, make yourselves praised: but reserve still 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 score of villains: if there sit twelve women at the table, let a dozen of them be—as they are. The rest of your fees, O gods—the senators of Athens, together with the common lag 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.
TIMON
Go to your chairs as hungrily as you might kiss the lips of your mistress. There are no assigned seats, when the food gets cold before people find out where they sit. Sit, sit, and thank the gods. I thank you for the gifts you have given, and hope you will keep enough for yourselves so that you can still be so charitable in the future. You should have given enough that no man will have to give his own money to another, because even gods would not be successful in applying for a loan nowadays. Enjoy the meat more than you enjoy the man who provides you with it. Make sure also that twenty out of twenty men are villains, as you might let twelve women at a table be as they are. As for the rest, the senators and the commoners, destroy the worst parts of them.
[Gesturing to the people around him] My friends here, they mean nothing to me, so bless them with nothing. Here they are welcome to nothing. Uncover the dishes so the dogs may lick up the water.
The dishes are uncovered and seen to be full of warm water
SOME SPEAK
What does his lordship mean?
SOME SPEAK
What is this supposed to mean?
SOME OTHERS
I know not.
SOME OTHERS
I don't know.
TIMON
May you a better feast never behold, You knot of mouth-friends I smoke and lukewarm water Is your perfection. This is Timon's last; Who, stuck and spangled with your flatteries, Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces Your reeking villany.
TIMON
All you bottom-feeders, water and steam is the perfect meal for you, and I hope you never eat a better feast than this for the rest of your lives. I, who endured all your flattery, wash myself of it and return to you your wickedness.
Throwing the water in their faces
TIMON
Live loathed and long, Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites, Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears, You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies, Cap and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks! Of man and beast the infinite malady Crust you quite o'er! What, dost thou go? Soft! take thy physic first—thou too—and thou;— Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.
TIMON
I hope you live long and painful lives, you smooth-talking parasites, you wolves in sheeps' clothing, you weak fools of fortune, fake friends, worthless workers! You'll die soon enough! May the worst disease cover you all over in scabs! What, are you leaving? Come now, everyone, take your medicine first! Come on, I'll give you money and ask for nothing back!
Throws the dishes at them, and drives them out
TIMON
What, all in motion? Henceforth be no feast, Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest. Burn, house! sink, Athens! henceforth hated be Of Timon man and all humanity!
TIMON
What, everyone's leaving? From now on, let there never be a feast where such villains are not welcome. Burn down the house! Destroy all of Athens! Timon will from now on hate all of humanity!
Exit
Re-enter the Lords, Senators, & c
FIRST LORD
How now, my lords!
FIRST LORD
What the hell was that?
SECOND LORD
Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury?
SECOND LORD
Have you ever seen someone as furious as Timon just now?
THIRD LORD
Push! did you see my cap?
THIRD LORD
Psh! Have you seen my hat?
FOURTH LORD
I have lost my gown.
FOURTH LORD
I can't find my coat.
FIRST LORD
He's but a mad lord, and nought but humour sways him.He gave me a jewel th' other day, and now he hasbeat it out of my hat: did you see my jewel?
FIRST LORD
He's a madman, and his insanity is what drives him. He gave me a jewel the other day, and now he has beaten it out of my hat. Have you seen the jewel?
THIRD LORD
Did you see my cap?
THIRD LORD
Have you seen my hat?
SECOND LORD
Here 'tis.
SECOND LORD
Here it is.
FOURTH LORD
Here lies my gown.
FOURTH LORD
And here's my coat.
FIRST LORD
Let's make no stay.
FIRST LORD
Let's get out of here.
SECOND LORD
Lord Timon's mad.
SECOND LORD
Timon is crazy.
THIRD LORD
I feel 't upon my bones.
THIRD LORD
Yes I am sure of it.
FOURTH LORD
One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.
FOURTH LORD
One day he gives us diamonds, and the next day he throws stones at us!
Exeunt
