Sec. Lord. It does: but time will—and so—[2296]
Third Lord. I do conceive.
Tim. Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would 65
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[2297]
our thanks.
You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness.[2298]70
For your own gifts, make yourselves praised: but[2298]
reserve still to give, lest your deities be despised. Lend to[2298]
each man enough, that one need not lend to another; for,[2298]
were your godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake[2298]
the gods. Make the meat be beloved more than the man[2298][2299] 75
that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty be without a score[2298]
of villains: if there sit twelve women at the table, let a[2298]
dozen of them be—as they are. The rest of your fees, O[2298][2300]
gods,—the senators of Athens, together with the common[2298]
lag of people,—what is amiss in them, you gods, make[2298][2301] 80
suitable for destruction. For these my present friends,[2298][2302]
as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to[2298][2303]
nothing are they welcome.[2298][2304]
Uncover, dogs, and lap.
[The dishes are uncovered and seen to be full of warm water.[2305]
Some speak. What does his lordship mean? 85
Some other. I know not.
Tim. May you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth-friends! smoke and luke-warm water[2306]
Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;[2307]
Who stuck and spangled you with flatteries,[2308] 90
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces[2309]
Your reeking villany. [Throwing the water in their faces.[2310]
Live loathed, and long,
Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,
Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,
You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies,[2311] 95
Cap-and-knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks![2312]
Of man and beast the infinite malady[2313]
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.[2314] 100
[Throws the dishes at them, and drives them out.