The Life of Timon of Athens. Уильям Шекспир

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СКАЧАТЬ lord, in heart; and let the health go round.

      SECOND LORD.

      Let it flow this way, my good lord.

      APEMANTUS.

      Flow this way! A brave fellow! he keeps his tides well. Those

      healths will make thee and thy state look ill, Timon.

      Here’s that which is too weak to be a sinner,

      Honest water, which ne’er left man i’ the mire:

      This and my food are equals; there’s no odds:

      Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods.

      Immortal gods, I crave no pelf;

      I pray for no man but myself.

      Grant I may never prove so fond

      To trust man on his oath or bond;

      Or a harlot for her weeping;

      Or a dog that seems a-sleeping;

      Or a keeper with my freedom;

      Or my friends, if I should need ’em.

      Amen. So fall to’t.

      Rich men sin, and I eat root.

      [Eats and drinks.]

      Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus!

      TIMON.

      Captain Alcibiades, your heart’s in the field now.

      ALCIBIADES.

      My heart is ever at your service, my lord.

      TIMON.

      You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of

      friends.

      ALCIBIADES.

      So they were bleeding–new, my lord, there’s no meat

      like ‘em: I could wish my best friend at such a feast.

      APEMANTUS.

      'Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then, that

      then thou mightst kill ‘em, and bid me to ’em.

      FIRST LORD.

      Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you

      would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of

      our zeals, we should think ourselves for ever perfect.

      TIMON.

      O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have

      provided that I shall have much help from you: how had you been

      my friends else? why have you that charitable title from

      thousands, did not you chiefly belong to my heart? I have told

      more of you to myself than you can 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 most needless creatures living, should we ne’er

      have use for ’em; and would most resemble sweet instruments hung

      up in cases, that keep their sounds to themselves. Why, I have

      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 a precious

      comfort ’tis to have so many, like brothers, commanding one

      another’s fortunes! O joy! e’en made away ere it can be born.

      Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks: to forget their

      faults, I drink to you.

      APEMANTUS.

      Thou weepest to make them drink, Timon.

      SECOND LORD.

      Joy had the like conception in our eyes,

      And, at that instant like a babe, sprung up.

      APEMANTUS.

      Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.

      THIRD LORD.

      I promise you, my lord, you mov’d me much.

      APEMANTUS.

      Much!

      [Tucket sounded.]

      TIMON.

      What means that trump?

      [Enter a SERVANT.]

      How now!

      SERVANT.

      Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of

      admittance.

      TIMON.

      Ladies? What are their wills?

      SERVANT.

      There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears

      that office, to signify their pleasures.

      TIMON.

      I pray, let them be admitted.

      [Enter CUPID.]

      CUPID.

      Hail to thee, worthy Timon; and to all

      That of his bounties taste! The five best Senses

      Acknowledge thee their patron; and come freely

      To gratulate thy plenteous bosom. Th’ Ear,

      Taste, Touch, Smell, pleas’d from thy table rise;

      They only now come but to feast thine eyes.

      TIMON.

      They are welcome all; let ’em have kind admittance:

      Music, make their welcome!

      [Exit CUPID.]

      FIRST LORD.

      You see, my lord, how ample you’re СКАЧАТЬ