Timon of Athens

THE LIFE OF TIMON OF ATHENS

by William Shakespeare




DRAMATIS PERSONAE

TIMON, a noble Athenian
LUCIUS
LUCULLUS            flattering Lords.
SEMPRONIUS

VENTIDIUS, one of Timon's false Friends.
APEMANTUS, a churlish Philosopher.
ALCIBIADES, an Athenian Captain.
FLAVIUS, Steward to Timon.
FLAMINIUS
LUCILIUS             Servants to Timon.
SERVILIUS

CAPHIS
PHILOTUS             Servants to Timon's Creditors.
TITUS 
HORTENSIUS

Servants of Ventidius, and of Varro and Isidore (two
       of Timon's Creditor's).

THREE STRANGERS.
AN OLD ATHENIAN.
A PAGE.
A FOOL.
Poet, Painter, Jeweller, and Merchant.

PHRYNIA       Mistresses to Alcibiades.
TIMANDRA

Lords, Senators, Officers, Soldiers, Servants, Thieves, and
Attendants

CUPID and Amazons in the Masque.

Scene.--Athens, and the neighbouring Woods.



Act I.
Scene I.--Athens. A Hall in TIMON'S House

[Enter Poet, Painter, Jeweller, Merchant, and Others, at several
doors.]

POET.
Good day, sir.

PAINTER.
I am glad you're well.

POET.
I have not seen you long. How goes the world?

PAINTER.
It wears, sir, as it grows.

POET.
Ay, that's well known;
But what particular rarity? what strange,
Which manifold record not matches? See,
Magic of bounty! all these spirits thy power
Hath conjur'd to attend! I know the merchant.

PAINTER.
I know them both; th' other's a jeweller.

MERCHANT.
O, 'tis a worthy lord!

JEWELLER.
Nay, that's most fix'd.

MERCHANT.
A most incomparable man; breath'd, as it were,
To an untirable and continuate goodness.
He passes.

JEWELLER.
I have a jewel here-- 

MERCHANT.
O, pray let's see't: for the Lord Timon, sir?

JEWELLER.
If he will touch the estimate: but for that--

POET.
When we for recompense have prais'd the vile,
It stains the glory in that happy verse
Which aptly sings the good.