Уильям Шекспир: The Life of Timon of Athens

To knock out an honest Athenian's brains.

That's a deed thou'lt die for.

Right, if doing nothing be death by the law.

How likest thou this picture, Apemantus?

The best, for the innocence.

Wrought he not well that painted it?

APEMANTUS. He wrought better that made the painter; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work.

You're a dog.

Thy mother's of my generation: what's she, if I be a dog?

Wilt dine with me, Apemantus?

No; I eat not lords.

An thou shouldst, thou'dst anger ladies.

O! they eat lords; so they come by great bellies.

That's a lascivious apprehension.

So thou apprehendest it, take it for thy labour.

How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS. Not so well as plain dealing, which will not cost a man a doit.

What dost thou think 'tis worth?

Not worth my thinking. How now, poet!

How now, philosopher!

Thou liest.

Art not one?

Yes.

Then I lie not.

Art not a poet?

Yes.

APEMANTUS. Then thou liest: look in thy last work, where thou hast feigned him a worthy fellow.

That's not feigned; he is so.

Yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee for thy
labour: he that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer.
Heavens, that I were a lord!

What wouldst do then, Apemantus?

Even as Apemantus does now; hate a lord with my heart.

What, thyself?

Ay.

Wherefore?

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

Ay, Apemantus.

Traffic confound thee, if the gods will not!

If traffic do it, the gods do it.

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

What trumpet's that?

'Tis Alcibiades, and some twenty horse,
All of companionship.

Pray entertain them; give them guide to us.

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.

Most welcome, sir!

So, so, there!
Aches contract and starve your supple joints!
That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet knaves,
And all this courtesy! The strain of man's bred out
Into baboon and monkey.

Sir, you have sav'd my longing, and I feed
Most hungerly on your sight.

Right welcome, sir!
Ere we depart we'll share a bounteous time
In different pleasures. Pray you, let us in.

What time o' day is't, Apemantus?

Time to be honest.

That time serves still.

The more accursed thou that still omitt'st it.

Thou art going to Lord Timon's feast.

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

Fare thee well, fare thee well.

Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice.

Why, Apemantus?

Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give thee none.

Hang thyself!

APEMANTUS. No, I will do nothing at thy bidding: make thy requests to thy friend.

Away, unpeaceable dog! or I'll spurn thee hence.

I will fly, like a dog, the heels of an ass.

He's opposite to humanity. Come, shall we in,
And taste Lord Timon's bounty? he outgoes
The very heart of kindness.

He pours it out; Plutus, the god of gold,
Is but his steward: no meed but he repays
Sevenfold above itself; no gift to him
But breeds the giver a return exceeding
All use of quittance.

The noblest mind he carries
That ever govern'd man.

Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in?

I'll keep you company.