← prev
Act 1, Scene 1 — Athens. A hall in Timon’s house
on stage:
Next: 1.2 →
Original
Faithful Conversational Text-message
Enter Poet, Painter, Jeweller and Merchant at several doors.
POET [polite greeting]

Good day, sir.

Good day, sir.

How are you doing?

hey

PAINTER [warm greeting, glad to see the other person]

I am glad you’re well.

I am glad you are well.

I'm happy you're doing well.

glad you're good

POET [casual, friendly inquiry]

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

I have not seen you in a long time. How goes the world?

It's been forever since I've seen you. What's new?

been too long what's happening

PAINTER [philosophical, almost dismissive - the world changes as it grows older]

It wears, sir, as it grows.

It wears itself out as it ages, sir.

It just gets older and more worn down, you know?

time wears everything out

POET ≋ verse [excited, almost breathless - seeing Timon's power drawing crowds and gifts]

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 conjured to attend! I know the merchant.

Yes, that's commonly known. But what singular marvel, what strange new thing doesn't history record that matches this? Look! The magical generosity of all these spirits your power has summoned to attend him! I know the merchant.

Yeah, everyone knows that. But I mean, look at this - this is wild. When has anyone's generosity drawn a crowd like this? His power is literally magic. I know the merchant over there.

this is insane his generosity is like magic the whole world is drawn to him

PAINTER [matter-of-fact, confirming the painter's observation]

I know them both. Th’ other’s a jeweller.

I know them both. The other one is a jeweller.

Yeah, I know both of them. And that other guy's a jeweller.

i know them

MERCHANT [eager flattery, caught up in Timon's magnificence]

O, ’tis a worthy lord!

Oh, what a worthy lord!

Man, what a noble guy he is!

incredible man

JEWELLER [insistent agreement, sealing the judgment]

Nay, that’s most fixed.

Certainly, that is firmly established.

Absolutely, that's for sure.

no doubt

MERCHANT ≋ verse [breathless praise - trying to capture Timon's inexhaustible goodness in words]

A most incomparable man, breathed, as it were,

To an untirable and continuate goodness.

He passes.

A most incomparable man, created, as it were, to an endless and constant goodness. He surpasses all measure.

This guy is unbelievable - like he was literally born to be generous forever. He's beyond comparison.

he's incomparable endlessly generous passes every measure

JEWELLER [excited, beginning a pitch for business]

I have a jewel here—

I have a jewel here—

I've got this jewel I want to show him—

got a jewel for him

MERCHANT [eager to see the merchandise, assuming it's for Timon's purchase]

O, pray let’s see’t. For the Lord Timon, sir?

Oh, please let us see it. Is it for the Lord Timon, sir?

Oh, let me see that! You want to sell it to Lord Timon?

show us is it for timon

JEWELLER [hopeful but cautious - Timon only buys the finest]

If he will touch the estimate. But for that—

If he will condescend to assess its value. But as for that—

If he thinks it's good enough. But look—

if he likes it but...

POET ≋ verse [warning the group that false praise is destructive - a moment of moral concern amid the flattery]

When we for recompense have praised the vile,

It stains the glory in that happy verse

Which aptly sings the good.

When we praise the vile in exchange for money, it corrupts the glory of verses that properly celebrate the good.

If we go around praising bad stuff just to get paid, we ruin what it means to write real poetry in praise of something actually good.

false praise corrupts real poetry dies when you praise bad things

[_Looking at the jewel_.]
MERCHANT [approving of the jewel's form and shape]

’Tis a good form.

It is well made.

That's nice looking.

good form

JEWELLER [proud display - showing off the jewel's best quality]

And rich. Here is a water, look ye.

And valuable. Look here, see this brilliance.

And expensive, too. Look at that sparkle.

rich shines bright

PAINTER ≋ verse [noticing the poet is lost in thought, focused on some creative work]

You are rapt, sir, in some work, some dedication

To the great lord.

You are absorbed, sir, in some work, some dedication to the great lord.

You're wrapped up in something there - like you're working on something for the big guy himself.

you're focused on something for timon

POET ≋ verse [humble, almost defensive - but then eloquent about how poetry flows from inspiration]

A thing slipped idly from me.

Our poesy is as a gum which oozes

From whence ’tis nourished. The fire i’ th’ flint

Shows not till it be struck; our gentle flame

Provokes itself and, like the current, flies

Each bound it chases. What have you there?

Just something that slipped out naturally. Poetry is like a gum that oozes from where it's nourished. Fire doesn't show in flint until struck; our gentle inspiration provokes itself and, like a flowing stream, rushes across every boundary it encounters. What do you have there?

Ah, just something that came out. Poetry is like sap - it flows from what nourishes it. You don't see fire in flint until something hits it, and then it just sparks. Same thing with inspiration - it starts itself and flows like water, just keeps going wherever it wants. So what's that you've got?

poetry flows naturally like sap from a tree like fire in flint spark and it goes every direction

PAINTER [casual mention of his work in progress, curiosity about the poet's timing]

A picture, sir. When comes your book forth?

A picture, sir. When will your book be published?

A painting. When's your book coming out?

a picture when does your book come out

POET ≋ verse [eager to move on, impatient to see the painter's work]

Upon the heels of my presentment, sir.

Let’s see your piece.

Right after I present mine, sir. Let us see your work.

Right after I get mine out there. Come on, show me what you've got.

let me see it

PAINTER [modest about his painting]

’Tis a good piece.

It is a good painting.

It's pretty good, I think.

decent work

POET [fulsome praise, excessive flattery]

So ’tis. This comes off well and excellent.

Yes, it is. This comes off well and excellently.

Yeah, it really does look great.

excellent work

PAINTER [downplaying his own work, fishing for more compliments]

Indifferent.

Moderately, at best.

Eh, it's okay.

meh

POET ≋ verse [breathless admiration, reading the subject's character through the painting]

Admirable! How this grace

Speaks his own standing! What a mental power

This eye shoots forth! How big imagination

Moves in this lip! To th’ dumbness of the gesture

One might interpret.

Admirable! Look how the expression reveals his social position! What intelligence shines from those eyes! How vivid the imagination moving in that lip! From the very stillness of the face one could read a whole character.

Come on, that's amazing! You can see who this guy is just from the expression. Those eyes are so alive! That lip just speaks volumes. You could write a whole biography just from how still his face is.

incredible the expression says everything intelligence in every feature power just radiating

PAINTER ≋ verse [matter-of-fact about the technique, but pleased with the detail]

It is a pretty mocking of the life.

Here is a touch. Is’t good?

It is a clever imitation of life. Look at this detail here. Is it effective?

It's a good joke on nature, the way you caught it. Look at this touch right here. Does it work?

clever technique look at this detail

POET ≋ verse [praising the work's power to surpass nature]

I’ll say of it,

It tutors nature. Artificial strife

Lives in these touches livelier than life.

I will say this about it: it teaches nature. Art surpasses life. The brushwork here is more alive than life itself.

I'm telling you - this painting improves on nature. Art is actually better than life. The way you painted it is more vivid than anything real could be.

art surpasses nature more alive than life beautiful technique

Enter certain Senators, who pass over the stage.
PAINTER [amazed at how many powerful people follow Timon]

How this lord is followed!

How closely this lord is followed!

Look at how many people are following him!

so many followers

POET [envious or admiring - these are the most important men in Athens]

The senators of Athens, happy men!

The senators of Athens - what fortunate men!

Those are the senators of Athens - lucky guys.

the senators so blessed

PAINTER [surprised, pointing out even more people arriving]

Look, more!

Look, even more!

Look, more are coming!

there's more

POET ≋ verse [eloquent explanation of his artistic vision - Timon as the center of the universe, drawing all types]

You see this confluence, this great flood of visitors.

I have in this rough work shaped out a man

Whom this beneath world doth embrace and hug

With amplest entertainment. My free drift

Halts not particularly, but moves itself

In a wide sea of wax. No levelled malice

Infects one comma in the course I hold,

But flies an eagle flight, bold and forth on,

Leaving no tract behind.

See this flood of visitors? I have in my work shaped a man whom this world embraces and hugs with lavish welcome. My creative vision doesn't fixate on one small aspect, but moves in a vast ocean of possibility. No narrow hostility poisons even one punctuation mark in the path I follow, but I soar like an eagle, bold and forward, leaving no trace behind.

Look at all these people coming through. I painted a guy that the whole world just wants to embrace. I'm not focused on just one small detail - I'm thinking big, like an ocean of wax. There's no sneaky hatred in anything I wrote - it all just soars like an eagle, moving forward without looking back.

the whole world comes to embrace him my vision is boundless no narrow hatred just forward motion

PAINTER [puzzled by the poet's abstract language, asking for clarification]

How shall I understand you?

How should I understand you?

I'm not sure I'm following you. Can you explain that?

lost what do you mean

POET ≋ verse [eager to explain, spelling out how Timon's power transforms all types into his admirers]

I will unbolt to you.

You see how all conditions, how all minds,

As well of glib and slipp’ry creatures as

Of grave and austere quality, tender down

Their services to Lord Timon. His large fortune,

Upon his good and gracious nature hanging,

Subdues and properties to his love and tendance

All sorts of hearts; yea, from the glass-faced flatterer

To Apemantus, that few things loves better

Than to abhor himself; even he drops down

The knee before him and returns in peace

Most rich in Timon’s nod.

I will spell it out for you. See how all kinds of people - both the slippery flatterers and the grave, austere types - offer their service to Lord Timon. His vast fortune, hanging on his good and gracious nature, compels and dedicates to his love and service all kinds of hearts. Yes, from the glossy-faced flatterer all the way to Apemantus, who loves almost nothing more than hating himself, even he drops to his knees before him and walks away satisfied, made rich simply by Timon's nod.

I'll break it down for you. You see how everyone - the slippery con artists and the serious, upright types too - they all rush to kiss up to Lord Timon. His huge money, because it's backed by his good nature, just takes over people's hearts. All kinds of people. I mean, even Apemantus, this cynical bastard who hates everything including himself, even he gets on his knees for Timon and feels rich just because Timon looked at him.

everyone serves him slippery flatters serious types even cynical apemantus kneels for his approval

PAINTER [confirming, having observed it]

I saw them speak together.

I saw them speaking together.

Yeah, I watched them talking.

i saw them

POET ≋ verse [shifting to elaborate poetic description of his artistic conception - Fortune and Timon]

Sir, I have upon a high and pleasant hill

Feigned Fortune to be throned. The base o’ th’ mount

Is ranked with all deserts, all kind of natures

That labour on the bosom of this sphere

To propagate their states. Amongst them all

Whose eyes are on this sovereign lady fixed,

One do I personate of Lord Timon’s frame,

Whom Fortune with her ivory hand wafts to her,

Whose present grace to present slaves and servants

Translates his rivals.

Sir, I have conceived Fortune enthroned on a high and pleasant hill. At the mountain's base, ranked all around, are all kinds of people of every character who labor to advance their own positions. Among them all, with eyes fixed on this mighty lady, I represent one man in Timon's likeness, whom Fortune herself guides up to her with her ivory hand, and whose current favor instantly makes slaves of all his rivals.

Look, here's what I painted: Fortune sitting on top of this beautiful, high hill. Down at the bottom are all kinds of people scrambling to get ahead. Everyone's eyes are on Fortune. And there's this one guy - Timon - and Fortune's literally reaching down with her ivory hand to pull him up. And right now, because he's got her favor, everyone who was his rival becomes his servant.

fortune on a hill everyone below scrambling timon reaches the top by fortune's grace enemy becomes servant

PAINTER ≋ verse [understanding the vision and offering to improve it, collaboratively excited]

’Tis conceived to scope.

This throne, this Fortune, and this hill, methinks,

With one man beckoned from the rest below,

Bowing his head against the steepy mount

To climb his happiness, would be well expressed

In our condition.

That vision has been well conceived. This throne, this Fortune, and this hill - I think that one man called out from the crowd below, bowing his head as he climbs up that steep mountain to reach his happiness, would be perfectly expressed in our situation.

Yeah, I get it - that's well thought out. Like, imagine one guy called up from the crowd, bent over struggling to climb up this steep hill to reach his luck - that would really show how things actually work in the real world.

brilliant vision one man climbing up the steep mountain toward his happiness

POET ≋ verse [continuing his thought, driving it to its dark conclusion - Fortune abandoning her favorites]

Nay, sir, but hear me on.

All those which were his fellows but of late,

Some better than his value, on the moment

Follow his strides, his lobbies fill with tendance,

Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear,

Make sacred even his stirrup, and through him

Drink the free air.

No, sir, listen to me further. All those who were his companions just recently - some of them even superior to him in status - at that moment will follow his steps, fill his halls with attendance, rain whispered prayers in his ear, make sacred even his footstep, and through him breathe free air.

No wait, hear me out. Everyone who was basically his peer just a minute ago - some even better than him - they all start following him around, crowding his place, whispering their wishes in his ear, treating him like a saint, and basically living through him.

his peers become servants they follow they whisper prayers they worship

PAINTER [curious, wanting to know what happens next]

Ay, marry, what of these?

Well then, what becomes of these?

So what happens to all those people then?

what about them

POET ≋ verse [dark prediction of abandonment - the lesson is the cruelty of Fortune]

When Fortune in her shift and change of mood

Spurns down her late beloved, all his dependants,

Which laboured after him to the mountain’s top

Even on their knees and hands, let him slip down,

Not one accompanying his declining foot.

When Fortune shifts her mood and turns away, she abandons all his hangers-on, who struggled to climb the mountain after him. On their hands and knees, they watched him slip down - and not one stays to follow his decline.

When Fortune changes her mind and drops him, all those people who scrambled up after him just watch him fall and don't lift a finger. Not a single one of them goes down with him.

fortune changes he falls everyone abandons him alone on the way down

PAINTER [agreed - it's common knowledge, but he has art to demonstrate it better]

’Tis common.

A thousand moral paintings I can show

That shall demonstrate these quick blows of Fortune’s

More pregnantly than words. Yet you do well

To show Lord Timon that mean eyes have seen

The foot above the head.

Trumpets sound. Enter Lord Timon, addressing himself courteously to

every suitor. He is accompanied by a Messenger; Lucilius and other

servants follow.

It is a common truth. I could show a thousand moral paintings that demonstrate these sudden turns of Fortune more clearly than words could ever do. Yet you do well to show Lord Timon that even ordinary eyes have witnessed the lowly raised above the mighty. (Trumpets sound. TIMON enters, greeting every petitioner courteously. He is accompanied by a MESSENGER; LUCILIUS and other servants follow.)

Yeah, it's common knowledge. I could paint a thousand pictures showing how Fortune screws people over - way better than explaining it. But you're right to show Timon that ordinary people see this happening - the nobody rising above his betters. (Trumpets sound. TIMON enters, being charming to everyone asking for something. A MESSENGER is with him; LUCILIUS and servants follow.)

common truth art shows it better than words every eye sees it

TIMON [concerned, getting down to business immediately]

Imprisoned is he, say you?

Is he imprisoned, you say?

Wait, he's locked up?

imprisoned?

MESSENGER ≋ verse [delivering bad news - a friend is in debt]

Ay, my good lord. Five talents is his debt,

His means most short, his creditors most strait.

Your honourable letter he desires

To those have shut him up, which, failing,

Periods his comfort.

Yes, my good lord. He owes five talents, his resources are very limited, and his creditors are strict. He hopes your noble letter to them will help, because without it his situation becomes desperate.

Yeah, lord. He's in debt for five talents - that's a lot. He's broke and his creditors won't budge. He's hoping you'll write to them on his behalf, because without that, he's done for.

five talents debt no money hard creditors needs your help

TIMON ≋ verse [generous impulse, immediate compassion and decision to help]

Noble Ventidius. Well,

I am not of that feather to shake off

My friend when he must need me. I do know him

A gentleman that well deserves a help,

Which he shall have. I’ll pay the debt and free him.

Noble Ventidius. Well, I am not the sort to abandon my friend when he needs me. I know him to be a gentleman of genuine worth who deserves support, and he will have it from me. I will pay his debt and set him free.

That's Ventidius - a good man. Look, I'm not someone who dumps friends when they're in trouble. He's a solid guy who deserves help, and he's gonna get it from me. I'll pay off his debt and get him out.

i know him he deserves help i'll pay it free him

MESSENGER [grateful, moved by Timon's generosity and commitment]

Your lordship ever binds him.

Your generosity will always bind him to you in gratitude.

He's gonna be eternally grateful to you for this.

gratitude forever

TIMON ≋ verse [generous but also wise - help that truly lasts requires ongoing support]

Commend me to him, I will send his ransom;

And, being enfranchised, bid him come to me.

’Tis not enough to help the feeble up,

But to support him after. Fare you well.

Tell him I send his ransom; and once he is freed, invite him to come to me. It is not enough to help someone in a moment of need - one must continue supporting them afterward. Farewell.

Tell him I'm paying to get him out. Once he's free, have him come see me. You can't just save someone once - you gotta keep helping. Take care.

pay the ransom invite him to me help doesn't end when the crisis does

MESSENGER [respectful goodbye, blessing]

All happiness to your honour.

All happiness to your honor.

Wishing you all the best, sir.

blessings

[_Exit._]
Enter an Old Athenian.
OLD ATHENIAN [respectful but urgent - needs to speak privately]

Lord Timon, hear me speak.

Lord Timon, hear me speak.

Lord Timon, can I talk to you for a minute?

hear me

TIMON [generous, open, inviting him to speak freely]

Freely, good father.

Freely, good father.

Of course, please, go ahead.

speak freely

OLD ATHENIAN [stating a fact before the complaint]

Thou hast a servant named Lucilius.

You have a servant named Lucilius.

You've got a servant named Lucilius.

lucilius

TIMON [confirming, curious where this is going]

I have so. What of him?

I do. What about him?

Yeah, I do. What about him?

yes what

OLD ATHENIAN [formal, wanting Timon to confront his servant directly]

Most noble Timon, call the man before thee.

Most noble Timon, call the man before you.

Sir, have him come here.

call him

TIMON [obedient, summoning his servant]

Attends he here or no? Lucilius!

Is he here? Lucilius!

Lucilius! You here?

lucilius

LUCILIUS [prompt, respectful response to the summons]

Here, at your lordship’s service.

Here, at your service, my lord.

Right here, at your service.

present

OLD ATHENIAN ≋ verse [angry, protective father - accusing the servant of seduction]

This fellow here, Lord Timon, this thy creature,

By night frequents my house. I am a man

That from my first have been inclined to thrift,

And my estate deserves an heir more raised

Than one which holds a trencher.

This man here, Lord Timon - this creature of yours - frequently visits my house at night. I am someone who has always been careful with my money, and my estate deserves an heir better born than one who merely serves another.

This guy here - your servant - he's been sneaking over to my house at night. Look, I've always been responsible with money, and my daughter deserves to marry someone better than a servant.

he visits at night my daughter deserves better than a servant

TIMON [prompting for the full complaint]

Well, what further?

Well, what more do you wish to say?

Okay, what else?

go on

OLD ATHENIAN ≋ verse [heartfelt, protective, pleading - he's tried everything]

One only daughter have I, no kin else,

On whom I may confer what I have got.

The maid is fair, o’ th’ youngest for a bride,

And I have bred her at my dearest cost

In qualities of the best. This man of thine

Attempts her love. I prithee, noble lord,

Join with me to forbid him her resort;

Myself have spoke in vain.

I have one daughter only, no other heirs, on whom I can bestow what I have accumulated. The girl is beautiful and of the right age for marriage, and I have raised her with great expense to the highest standards. This man of yours is trying to win her love. I beg you, noble lord, help me prevent him from seeing her. I have already spoken to him to no avail.

I've got just one daughter - she's my only heir. She's beautiful and old enough to marry, and I've spent a fortune raising her to be classy. But your servant here is trying to get with her. Please, lord, help me keep him away from her. I've already told him off and it didn't work.

only daughter my heir he's chasing her i tried now i'm asking you

TIMON [simple, firm judgment - defending his servant]

The man is honest.

The man is honest.

He's a good guy.

he's honest

OLD ATHENIAN ≋ verse [insistent - his virtue alone can't provide security without money]

Therefore he will be, Timon.

His honesty rewards him in itself;

It must not bear my daughter.

Exactly - he will remain honest, Timon. His integrity is its own reward, but it cannot marry my daughter.

Right, he'll stay a good guy - that's great for him. But that doesn't mean he gets to marry my girl.

honesty is nice but it won't marry her

TIMON [simple question, pressing the issue]

Does she love him?

Does she love him?

Does she even like him?

does she love him

OLD ATHENIAN ≋ verse [resigned wisdom - young people are easily moved]

She is young and apt.

Our own precedent passions do instruct us

What levity’s in youth.

She is young and impressionable. We older people remember how easily we felt such passions - that is how we know the foolishness of youth.

She's young and easy to sway. I remember being like that - which is exactly why I know it's a bad idea.

she's young easily moved i know how it goes

[_To Lucilius_.] Love you the maid?
LUCILIUS [earnest, declaring love openly in front of his master]

Ay, my good lord, and she accepts of it.

Yes, my good lord, and she accepts my love.

Yes, sir, and she's into me too.

yes she accepts it

OLD ATHENIAN ≋ verse [angry ultimatum, invoking gods as witnesses]

If in her marriage my consent be missing,

I call the gods to witness, I will choose

Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world

And dispossess her all.

If I do not give my consent to her marriage, I call the gods to witness - I will choose my heir from the beggars of the world and leave her nothing.

If I don't get a say in who she marries, I swear to the gods I'll pick some beggar as my heir and cut her out of everything.

no consent no marriage i'll cut her off choose someone else as heir

TIMON ≋ verse [clever question - what's the real issue, money or status?]

How shall she be endowed,

If she be mated with an equal husband?

How much will you provide in dowry if she marries a man of equal birth?

So what kind of dowry would she get if she married someone actually respectable?

how much dowry for equal husband

OLD ATHENIAN [naming his price - generous offer]

Three talents on the present; in future, all.

Three talents now, and everything else in the future.

Three talents upfront, and the rest of my estate when I die.

three talents now everything later

TIMON ≋ verse [generous, making the match happen - compassion for his servant]

This gentleman of mine hath served me long.

To build his fortune I will strain a little,

For ’tis a bond in men. Give him thy daughter.

What you bestow, in him I’ll counterpoise,

And make him weigh with her.

This man has served me for a long time. To secure his future, I will strain my resources. This is what bonds between men require. Give him your daughter. Whatever you provide for her, I will match, and make him equal to her fortune.

Lucilius has served me well. I'm gonna stretch my money to help him out - that's what friendship means. Give her to him. Whatever you're putting up as her dowry, I'll match it and make him equal.

long service bonds between men what you give i'll match make him her equal

OLD ATHENIAN ≋ verse [grateful, accepting, sealing the deal with Timon's honor]

Most noble lord,

Pawn me to this your honour, she is his.

Most noble lord, if you pledge your honor on this promise, she is his.

If you're giving me your word on this, then she's his.

if you promise she's his

TIMON [solemnly swearing, committing himself completely]

My hand to thee; mine honour on my promise.

I give you my hand, and my honor backs my word.

Handshake - my honor is on the line.

my hand my honor on it

LUCILIUS ≋ verse [humble gratitude, binding himself to eternal debt]

Humbly I thank your lordship. Never may

That state or fortune fall into my keeping

Which is not owed to you.

I thank you humbly, my lord. May I never possess any property or fortune that is not owed to your generosity.

Thank you so much, sir. I swear anything good I ever get is because of you.

grateful forever indebted everything comes from you

[_Exeunt Lucilius and Old Athenian._]
[_Presenting his poem_.]
POET [formal flattery, requesting acceptance of his work]

Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your lordship.

Accept my work, and long may your lordship live.

Check out my poem - and hey, hope you live forever, sir.

accept my work long live

TIMON ≋ verse [gracious, promising a response, keeping them close for more]

I thank you, you shall hear from me anon.

Go not away.—What have you there, my friend?

I thank you. You shall hear from me soon. Don't go away. What do you have there, my friend?

Thanks. I'll get back to you. Stick around. What've you got?

thanks you'll hear from me stay

PAINTER ≋ verse [offering his art, humble request for acceptance]

A piece of painting, which I do beseech

Your lordship to accept.

A painting, which I beg your lordship to accept.

A painting I made - would love for you to take it.

a painting for you

TIMON ≋ verse [praising painting's ability to show truth - unlike men who hide behind false honor]

Painting is welcome.

The painting is almost the natural man,

For since dishonour traffics with man’s nature,

He is but outside; these pencilled figures are

Even such as they give out. I like your work,

And you shall find I like it. Wait attendance

Till you hear further from me.

I love painting. Painting is almost nature itself, for since dishonor goes hand in hand with human nature, people show only their surface. But these painted figures are exactly as they appear. I like your work, and you will find I approve of it. Stay and wait for further word from me.

I love art. Painting's like nature - and since everyone's dishonest anyway, people are just surfaces. But painted figures are honest - they show what they really are. I love your work. Stick around and I'll make sure you're rewarded.

painting shows truth people hide art is honest wait for my word

PAINTER [respectful blessing]

The gods preserve you.

May the gods protect you.

Gods bless you.

bless you

TIMON ≋ verse [friendly, generous - taking their hands and inviting them to dinner]

Well fare you, gentleman. Give me your hand.

We must needs dine together. Sir, your jewel

Hath suffered under praise.

Good health to you, friend. Give me your hand. We must dine together. Sir, your jewel has suffered from excessive praise.

Be well, friend. Shake my hand. We're having dinner together. By the way, that jewel of yours - people have been hyping it up too much.

well met shake hands dine together the jewel overpraised

JEWELLER [defensive, questioning what Timon means]

What, my lord, dispraise?

What? Criticism, my lord?

You criticizing it?

dispraise?

TIMON ≋ verse [witty - everyone's praised it so much its price inflates]

A mere satiety of commendations.

If I should pay you for ’t as ’tis extolled,

It would unclew me quite.

Only that it has been praised to excess. If I paid what people claim it is worth, it would bankrupt me.

Just that everyone's hyping it up too much. If I paid what they say it's worth, I'd be broke.

too much praise would ruin me if i paid that

JEWELLER ≋ verse [complimentary, offering clever flattery disguised as explanation]

My lord, ’tis rated

As those which sell would give. But you well know

Things of like value, differing in the owners,

Are prized by their masters. Believe’t, dear lord,

You mend the jewel by the wearing it.

My lord, it is priced at what sellers would ask for. But you know well that identical items are valued differently based on who owns them. Believe me, dear lord, you improve the jewel simply by wearing it.

Sir, it's priced fair - what the market would pay. But you know how it is - the same thing costs different amounts depending on who owns it. Trust me, you actually make that jewel better just by having it.

fair price value depends on owner you make it better just by wearing it

TIMON [acknowledging clever flattery with approval]

Well mocked.

Nicely said.

Good one.

clever

MERCHANT ≋ verse [defensive of the jeweller - correcting Timon's interpretation]

No, my good lord, he speaks the common tongue,

Which all men speak with him.

No, my good lord, he speaks the common language everyone uses when speaking with you.

No, sir, that's just how everyone talks around you - it's the universal language of flattery.

he speaks like everyone else around you

Enter Apemantus.
TIMON [welcoming, with knowing humor - Apemantus will criticize everyone]

Look who comes here. Will you be chid?

Look who is here. Will you be criticized?

Oh, here comes the critic. Ready to get roasted?

here comes trouble

JEWELLER [resigned acceptance - they'll endure his criticism]

We’ll bear, with your lordship.

We will bear it, with your lordship's permission.

We'll take it, if you don't mind, sir.

we'll accept it

MERCHANT [knowing - Apemantus spares no one]

He’ll spare none.

He will not spare anyone.

He won't go easy on anybody.

he's brutal to everyone

TIMON [friendly greeting, ironic - he calls him gentle despite his cynicism]

Good morrow to thee, gentle Apemantus.

Good day to you, kind Apemantus.

Hey Apemantus, how's it going?

hey apemantus

APEMANTUS ≋ verse [bitter, cynical - he won't greet Timon kindly until Timon becomes like him]

Till I be gentle, stay thou for thy good morrow—

When thou art Timon’s dog, and these knaves honest.

Don't expect a kind greeting from me until you become like Timon's dog, and these con artists become honest.

I'll be nice when you become Timon's lapdog and when these crooks are actually honest - so never.

when you're timon's dog when these knaves are honest so never

TIMON [innocent, challenging his assumptions]

Why dost thou call them knaves? Thou know’st them not.

Why do you call them knaves? You do not know them.

Why are you calling them con artists? You barely know them.

you don't know them

APEMANTUS [simple enough reason - they're Athenians]

Are they not Athenians?

Are they not Athenians?

Well, aren't they from Athens?

athenians

TIMON [confirming]

Yes.

Yes.

Yeah.

yes

APEMANTUS [logical conclusion - reason enough to judge them harshly]

Then I repent not.

Then I need not apologize for my judgment.

Then I stand by what I said.

case closed

JEWELLER [curious, wanting connection despite the insults]

You know me, Apemantus?

Do you know me, Apemantus?

Do you know who I am?

know me

APEMANTUS [matter-of-fact - he called him by his profession, so of course he knows him]

Thou know’st I do, I called thee by thy name.

I know you - I called you by your profession.

Obviously I know you - that's what I called you.

i called you jeweller

TIMON [criticism - accusing Apemantus of arrogance]

Thou art proud, Apemantus.

You are arrogant, Apemantus.

You're pretty full of yourself.

you're proud

APEMANTUS [turning the insult - his pride is in NOT being like Timon]

Of nothing so much as that I am not like Timon.

I am most proud of nothing - nothing except that I am not like you, Timon.

My only pride is that I'm nothing like you.

proud i'm not like you timon

TIMON [casual inquiry]

Whither art going?

Where are you going?

Where are you headed?

where

APEMANTUS [violent rhetoric - but empty, no real threat]

To knock out an honest Athenian’s brains.

To smash an honest Athenian's head.

Knock some Athenian's brains in.

bash in some brains

TIMON [warning that such violence has consequences]

That’s a deed thou’lt die for.

You will be executed for that deed.

You'll die for doing that.

death for that

APEMANTUS [cynic's logic - only if doing nothing is a capital crime]

Right, if doing nothing be death by th’ law.

Only if doing nothing is punishable by death.

Only if doing nothing gets you killed.

unless inaction is death

TIMON [curious about the painting's subject]

How lik’st thou this picture, Apemantus?

What do you think of this picture, Apemantus?

So what do you think of the painting?

the picture

APEMANTUS [backhanded compliment - good because the subject is innocently naive]

The best, for the innocence.

It is the best - for the innocence it depicts.

It's the best part - shows how naive he is.

best for innocence

TIMON [asking about the painter's skill]

Wrought he not well that painted it?

Did the painter not work well?

Didn't the artist do a good job?

good painting

APEMANTUS [philosophical insult - God made the painter, the painter made the painting]

He wrought better that made the painter, and yet he’s but a filthy

piece of work.

The one who made the painter worked better - God - though the painter is still a disgusting piece of work himself.

Whoever made him - God or whatever - did better work. But he's still a filthy piece of trash.

god made him better than what he painted still disgusting

PAINTER [offended insult back]

You’re a dog.

You are a dog.

You're a dog.

you're a dog

APEMANTUS [turning the insult into sexual insult against the painter's mother]

Thy mother’s of my generation. What’s she, if I be a dog?

Your mother belongs to my generation. If I am a dog, what is she?

Your mom's my age. If I'm a dog, what does that make her?

your mom my age what's that make her

TIMON [polite invitation, knowing the answer will be no]

Wilt dine with me, Apemantus?

Will you dine with me, Apemantus?

Wanna have dinner with me?

dine with me

APEMANTUS [stubborn refusal - can't stomach flattery]

No, I eat not lords.

No, I do not eat with lords.

No, I don't hang out with nobility.

no lords for me

TIMON [witty - if Apemantus ate lords, women would be angry at losing them]

An thou shouldst, thou’dst anger ladies.

If you did eat lords, you would anger the ladies.

If you ate lords, the women would be mad.

ladies need lords

APEMANTUS [lewd accusation that women consume lords to get pregnant]

O, they eat lords. So they come by great bellies.

Oh, the ladies eat lords - that is how they get their fat bellies.

Oh, women eat lords - that's how they get fat bellies.

women eat lords get pregnant

TIMON [objecting to the crude sexual implication]

That’s a lascivious apprehension.

That is a lewd interpretation.

That's gross.

crude

APEMANTUS [if Timon sees it that way, he can keep the lewd thought for himself]

So thou apprehend’st it, take it for thy labour.

Since you interpret it that way, keep that thought as your reward.

Well, since that's what you got out of it, it's yours.

that's your thought not mine

TIMON [asking another opinion]

How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus?

How do you like this jewel, Apemantus?

What do you think of the jewel?

the jewel

APEMANTUS [honest dealing is worth more than any gem]

Not so well as plain-dealing, which will not cost a man a doit.

Not as well as honest straightforward speech, which costs nothing.

Not as much as honest talk - which doesn't cost a penny.

honesty better costs nothing

TIMON [curious about the valuation]

What dost thou think ’tis worth?

What do you think it is worth?

How much is it worth then?

what's the price

APEMANTUS [dismissive - not worth his consideration]

Not worth my thinking. How now, poet?

Not worth thinking about. How are you, poet?

Not worth thinking about. Poet, how's it going?

worthless hey poet

POET [courteous mirror of Apemantus' greeting]

How now, philosopher?

How are you, philosopher?

Apemantus, how are you?

hey

APEMANTUS [asserting that the Poet is lying]

Thou liest.

You are lying.

That's a lie.

lie

POET [defensive - claiming to be a philosopher]

Art not one?

Are you not a philosopher?

Aren't you a philosopher?

aren't you one

APEMANTUS [confirming he is]

Yes.

Yes.

Yeah.

yes

POET [logical - so I wasn't lying about you]

Then I lie not.

Then I did not lie.

Then I wasn't lying.

not a lie

APEMANTUS [accusing the Poet of lying in his work]

Art not a poet?

Are you not a poet?

Aren't you a poet?

poet

POET [confirming]

Yes.

Yes.

Yeah.

yes

APEMANTUS [bringing the charge - the Poet claimed Timon was worthy]

Then thou liest. Look in thy last work, where thou hast feigned him a

worthy fellow.

Then you are lying. Look in your latest work where you have described him as a worthy fellow.

Then you are lying. In that poem you wrote, you called him a worthy guy.

you said he was worthy that's the lie

POET [defending his poem as truth]

That’s not feigned, he is so.

That was not false - he truly is worthy.

That wasn't a lie - he really is worthy.

truth he is worthy

APEMANTUS [cynical twist - a flatterer deserves a flatterer, they're made for each other]

Yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee for thy labour. He that

loves to be flattered is worthy o’ th’ flatterer. Heavens, that I were

a lord!

He is worthy of you and of your payment for your labor. A man who loves flattery deserves to be flattered. Heaven, I wish I were a lord!

Yeah, he's worth what you're asking - the guy who eats up flattery deserves a flatterer. God, I wish I was a lord!

he matches you flatterer meets flatterer wish i was a lord

TIMON [curious what he would do differently]

What wouldst do then, Apemantus?

What would you do if you were a lord, Apemantus?

What would you do if you were a lord?

if you were lord

APEMANTUS [same misanthropy but with power]

E’en as Apemantus does now, hate a lord with my heart.

Exactly what I do now - hate a lord with all my heart.

Same thing I do now - hate lords.

hate lords even then

TIMON [surprised - does he mean himself?]

What, thyself?

You mean yourself?

You mean yourself?

yourself

APEMANTUS [confirming]

Ay.

Yes.

Yeah.

yes

TIMON [asking why he hates himself]

Wherefore?

Why?

Why?

why

APEMANTUS [lack of wit/charm prevented him from being a lord in the first place]

That I had no angry wit to be a lord. Art not thou a merchant?

Because I do not have enough clever charm to become a lord. Are you not a merchant?

Because I'm not charming enough to be a lord. You're a merchant, right?

no charm so no lordship merchant

MERCHANT [confirming what he is]

Ay, Apemantus.

Yes, Apemantus.

Yeah, Apemantus.

yes

APEMANTUS [curse - trade will destroy him]

Traffic confound thee, if the gods will not.

May commerce ruin you, if the gods will not.

May business destroy you - if the gods don't first.

commerce curse you

MERCHANT [philosophical - if trade ruins him, that's the gods working through trade]

If traffic do it, the gods do it.

If trade ruins me, then the gods are doing it.

If business ruins me, then that's the gods' doing.

if trade ruins me gods do it

APEMANTUS ≋ verse [final curse - commerce IS his god]

Traffic’s thy god, and thy god confound thee!

Trumpet sounds. Enter a Messenger.

Commerce is your god, and may your god ruin you! (A trumpet sounds. A MESSENGER enters.)

Commerce is your whole religion - and may your god destroy you! (A trumpet sounds. MESSENGER enters.)

commerce your god may it destroy you

TIMON [curious about the trumpet signal]

What trumpet’s that?

What does that trumpet announce?

Who's the trumpet for?

trumpet

MESSENGER ≋ verse [announcing the arrival]

’Tis Alcibiades, and some twenty horse,

All of companionship.

It is Alcibiades with about twenty armed companions.

It's Alcibiades - he's got like twenty guys with him.

alcibiades twenty riders

TIMON [welcoming, instructing the attendants]

Pray entertain them, give them guide to us.

Please welcome them and bring them to us here.

Welcome them and bring them here.

welcome them bring them

[_Exeunt some Attendants._]
You must needs dine with me. Go not you hence
Till I have thanked you; when dinner’s done,
Show me this piece. I am joyful of your sights.
Enter Alcibiades with his company.
Most welcome, sir.
[_They bow to each other._]
[_Aside_.] So, so, there!
APEMANTUS ≋ verse [launching into a rant about human courtesty and flattery]

Aches contract and starve your supple joints!

That there should be small love amongst these sweet knaves,

And all this courtesy! The strain of man’s bred out

Into baboon and monkey.

May their joints become twisted and stiff! That there should be such little genuine affection among these sweet con artists, and all this fake courtesy! Human nature has devolved into that of baboons and monkeys.

May they all get crippled! Look at this - all these fake guys being nice to each other. All this phony politeness! Humans have turned into monkeys and baboons.

joints twisted no real love all courtesy humans are monkeys

ALCIBIADES ≋ verse [hungry for Timon's company, glad to see him]

Sir, you have saved my longing, and I feed

Most hungerly on your sight.

Sir, you have satisfied my longing - I feast eagerly on the sight of you.

Sir, you're everything I was hoping for - just seeing you is like a feast.

seeing you feeds my hunger mostly for you

TIMON ≋ verse [warm, generous return - promising a perfect evening]

Right welcome, sir!

Ere we depart we’ll share a bounteous time

In different pleasures. Pray you, let us in.

You are truly welcome, sir! Before we part we will enjoy a lavish and varied evening. Please, let us go inside.

Welcome, sir! Before you leave we're gonna have an amazing time with all kinds of pleasures. Come on, let's go in.

welcome bounteous time various pleasures

[_Exeunt all but Apemantus._]
Enter two Lords.
FIRST LORD [casual greeting]

What time o’ day is’t, Apemantus?

What time of day is it, Apemantus?

What time is it, Apemantus?

what time

APEMANTUS [cynical - it's always time to be honest]

Time to be honest.

Time to be honest.

Time to be honest.

time for honesty

FIRST LORD [responding - honesty is always the right time]

That time serves still.

That time is always available.

That's always the right time.

always time

APEMANTUS [more the curse]

The more accursed thou, that still omitt’st it.

The more accursed are you, that you keep failing to be honest.

And you're worse for constantly forgetting to be honest.

you're cursed for forgetting

SECOND LORD [asking if he's attending the feast]

Thou art going to Lord Timon’s feast?

Are you going to Lord Timon's feast?

You going to Timon's party?

feast

APEMANTUS [darkly sarcastic about his reason]

Ay, to see meat fill knaves and wine heat fools.

Yes, to watch meat fill con artists and wine make fools drunk.

Yeah, to watch con artists stuff their faces and wine make everyone stupid.

watch meat fill knaves wine heat fools

SECOND LORD [polite dismissal]

Fare thee well, fare thee well.

Farewell, farewell.

Bye, take care.

goodbye

APEMANTUS [calling out the redundancy]

Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice.

You are foolish to say farewell twice to me.

You're dumb saying goodbye twice.

twice

SECOND LORD [asking why]

Why, Apemantus?

Why, Apemantus?

Why?

why

APEMANTUS [because he won't return the courtesy]

Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give thee none.

You should have kept the second one for yourself, because I will not give you one in return.

You should've saved the second goodbye for yourself, because I'm not gonna say it back.

keep one i won't give one back

FIRST LORD [angry - telling him to hang himself]

Hang thyself!

Go hang yourself!

Go hang yourself!

kill yourself

APEMANTUS [refusing - he'll do nothing at anyone's command]

No, I will do nothing at thy bidding. Make thy requests to thy friend.

No, I will do nothing at your command. Make your requests to your friend.

No, I'm not gonna do anything you say. Ask your buddy to do it.

no i won't obey ask your friend

SECOND LORD [threatening to kick him out]

Away, unpeaceable dog, or I’ll spurn thee hence.

Get out of here, you unpeaceable dog, or I will kick you out!

Get lost, you crazy dog, or I'll throw you out!

get out dog

APEMANTUS [sarcastically comparing himself to a dog chasing the heels of a donkey]

I will fly, like a dog, the heels o’ th’ ass.

I will leave like a dog chasing the heels of a donkey - on the run.

I'll take off like a dog chasing a donkey's butt.

running like a dog after ass

[_Exit._]
FIRST LORD ≋ verse [expressing wonder at Timon's generosity and nobility]

He’s opposite to humanity. Come, shall we in

And taste Lord Timon’s bounty? He outgoes

The very heart of kindness.

He is the opposite of what humanity should be. Come, shall we go in and taste Lord Timon's bounty? He exceeds the very essence of kindness.

That guy is the opposite of human. Come on, let's go eat at Timon's place. He's kindness personified - better than anyone's ever been.

he's opposite humanity come taste bounty kindness personified

SECOND LORD ≋ verse [marveling at how Timon's generosity multiplies - what he gives comes back sevenfold]

He pours it out; Plutus, the god of gold,

Is but his steward. No meed but he repays

Sevenfold above itself, no gift to him

But breeds the giver a return exceeding

All use of quittance.

He pours it out lavishly. Plutus, the god of gold, is merely his steward. No favor he receives but he repays seven times over. No gift to him but breeds the giver a return exceeding all normal obligation and exchange.

He gives it away like crazy. Even the god of wealth is just his servant. When someone helps him, he pays them back seven times over. Whatever you give him, he'll give you back more than you could ever expect.

pours it out plutu s steward repays sevenfold returns exceed all use

FIRST LORD ≋ verse [praising his character and judgment]

The noblest mind he carries

That ever governed man.

He carries the most noble mind that ever governed a man.

He's got the noblest character anyone's ever had.

noblest mind ever

SECOND LORD [wishing him well and suggesting they go in]

Long may he live in fortunes. Shall we in?

May he live long in good fortune. Shall we go inside?

Hope he stays lucky forever. Let's go in?

long may he live shall we go in

FIRST LORD [agreeing to accompany him]

I’ll keep you company.

I will keep you company.

I'm with you.

i'll join you

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

If this happened today…

Continue to 1.2 →