The Life of Timon of Athens: ACT IV , SCENE II. Athens. A room in Timon's house.

The Life of Timon of Athens: ACT IV


	Introduction

	ACT I

	ACT II

	ACT III

	ACT IV

		SCENE I. Without the walls of Athens.

		SCENE II. Athens. A room in Timon's house.

		SCENE III. Woods and cave, near the seashore.

	ACT V

	About the Play

	Feedback



	Search:
	for:

SCENE II. Athens. A room in Timon's house.

Enter FLAVIUS, with two or three Servants

First Servant

Hear you, master steward, where's our master?
Are we undone? cast off? nothing remaining?

FLAVIUS

      Alack, my fellows, what should I say to you?
      Let me be recorded by the righteous gods,
5     I am as poor as you.

First Servant

      Such a house broke!
      So noble a master fall'n! All gone! and not
      One friend to take his fortune by the arm,
      And go along with him!

Second Servant

10    As we do turn our backs
      From our companion thrown into his grave,
      So his familiars to his buried fortunes
      Slink all away, leave their false vows with him,
      Like empty purses pick'd; and his poor self,
15    A dedicated beggar to the air,
      With his disease of all-shunn'd poverty,
      Walks, like contempt, alone. More of our fellows.

Enter other Servants

FLAVIUS

All broken implements of a ruin'd house.

Third Servant

      Yet do our hearts wear Timon's livery;
20    That see I by our faces; we are fellows still,
      Serving alike in sorrow: leak'd is our bark,
      And we, poor mates, stand on the dying deck,
      Hearing the surges threat: we must all part
      Into this sea of air.

FLAVIUS

25    Good fellows all,
      The latest of my wealth I'll share amongst you.
      Wherever we shall meet, for Timon's sake,
      Let's yet be fellows; let's shake our heads, and say,
      As 'twere a knell unto our master's fortunes,
30    'We have seen better days.' Let each take some;
      Nay, put out all your hands. Not one word more:
      Thus part we rich in sorrow, parting poor.

Servants embrace, and part several ways

      O, the fierce wretchedness that glory brings us!
      Who would not wish to be from wealth exempt,
35    Since riches point to misery and contempt?
      Who would be so mock'd with glory? or to live
      But in a dream of friendship?
      To have his pomp and all what state compounds
      But only painted, like his varnish'd friends?
40    Poor honest lord, brought low by his own heart,
      Undone by goodness! Strange, unusual blood,
      When man's worst sin is, he does too much good!
      Who, then, dares to be half so kind again?
      For bounty, that makes gods, does still mar men.
45    My dearest lord, bless'd, to be most accursed,
      Rich, only to be wretched, thy great fortunes
      Are made thy chief afflictions. Alas, kind lord!
      He's flung in rage from this ingrateful seat
      Of monstrous friends, nor has he with him to
50    Supply his life, or that which can command it.
      I'll follow and inquire him out:
      I'll ever serve his mind with my best will;
      Whilst I have gold, I'll be his steward still.

Exit

Return to top of page ... or ... Go to next scene