Tim. Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the field now.[1801]70
Alcib. My heart is ever at your service, my lord.
Tim. You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than[1802]
a dinner of friends.
Alcib. So they were bleeding-new, my lord, there's no[1803]
meat like 'em: I could wish my best friend at such a feast.[1804] 75
Apem. Would all those flatterers were thine enemies,[1805]
then, that then thou mightst kill 'em and bid me to 'em![1806]
First Lord. Might we but have that happiness, my[1807]
lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we
might express some part of our zeals, we should think 80
ourselves for ever perfect.
Tim. O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves
have provided that I shall have much help from you:[1808]
how had you been my friends else? why have you that charitable[1809][1810]
title from thousands, did not you chiefly belong to[1810][1811][1812]85
my heart? I have told more of you to myself than you can[1812]
with modesty speak in your own behalf; and thus far I confirm
you. O you gods, think I, what need we have any
friends, if we should ne'er have need of 'em? they were the[1813][1814]
most needless creatures living, should we ne'er have use for[1814] 90
'em, and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up[1814][1815]
in cases, that keep their sounds to themselves. Why, I have[1816]
often wished myself poorer, that I might come nearer to you.
We are born to do benefits: and what better or properer
can we call our own than the riches of our friends? O, what 95
a precious comfort 'tis, to have so many, like brothers, commanding
one another's fortunes! O joy, e'en made away[1817]
ere't can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks:[1818][1819]
to forget their faults, I drink to you.[1819]
Apem. Thou weep'st to make them drink, Timon.[1820] 100
Sec. Lord. Joy had the like conception in our eyes,
And at that instant like a babe sprung up.[1793][1821]
Apem. Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.