Timon of Athens

Name: Timon of Athens
Author: William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

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Dramatis Personae

Timon, of Athens
Lucius, flattering lord
Lucullus, flattering lord
Sempronius, flattering lord
Ventidius, one of Timon’s false friends
Alcibiades, an Athenian captain
Apemantus, a churlish philosopher
Flavius, steward to Timon
Poet, painter, jeweller, and merchant
An old Athenian
Flaminius, servant of Timon
Lucilius, servant of Timon
Servilius, servant of Timon
Caphis, servant to Timon’s creditors
Philotus, servant to Timon’s creditors
Titus, servant to Timon’s creditors
Lucius, creditors
Hortensius, servant to Timon’s creditors
And other servants to Timon’s creditors
A page
A fool
Three strangers
Phrynia, mistress to Alcibiades
Timandra, mistress to Alcibiades
Cupid and Amazons in the mask
Other lords, senators, officers, soldiers, banditti, and attendants

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 conjured 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, breathed, 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	Reciting to himself. “When we for recompense have praised the vile, It stains the glory in that happy verse Which aptly sings the good.”
Merchant	’Tis a good form. Looking at the jewel.
Jeweller	And rich: here is a water, look ye.
Painter	You are rapt, sir, in some work, some dedication To the great lord.
Poet	A thing slipp’d idly from me. Our poesy is as a gum, which oozes From whence ’tis nourish’d: the fire i’ the flint Shows not till it be struck; our gentle flame Provokes itself and like the current flies Each bound it chafes. What have you there?
Painter	A picture, sir. When comes your book forth?
Poet	Upon the heels of my presentment, sir. Let’s see your piece.
Painter	’Tis a good piece.
Poet	So ’tis: this comes off well and excellent.
Painter	Indifferent.
Poet	Admirable: how this grace Speaks his own standing! what a mental power This eye shoots forth! how big imagination Moves in this lip! to the dumbness of the gesture One might interpret.
Painter	It is a pretty mocking of the life. Here is a touch; is’t good?
Poet	I will say of it, It tutors nature: artificial strife Lives in these touches, livelier than life.
	Enter certain Senators, and pass over.
Painter	How this lord is follow’d!
Poet	The senators of Athens: happy man!
Painter	Look, more!
Poet	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 levell’d malice Infects one comma in the course I hold; But flies an eagle flight, bold and forth on, Leaving no tract behind.
Painter	How shall I understand you?
Poet	I will unbolt to you. You see how all conditions, how all minds, As well of glib and slippery 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.
Painter	I saw them speak together.
Poet	Sir, I have upon a high and pleasant hill Feign’d Fortune to be throned: the base o’ the mount Is rank’d 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 fix’d, 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.
Painter	’Tis conceived to scope. This throne, this Fortune, and this hill, methinks, With one man beckon’d from the rest below, Bowing his head against the sleepy mount To climb his happiness, would be well express’d In our condition.
Poet	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.
Painter	Ay, marry, what of these?
Poet	When Fortune in her shift and change of mood Spurns down her late beloved, all his dependants Which labour’d after him to the mountain’s top Even on their knees and hands, let him slip down, Not one accompanying his declining foot.
Painter	’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; a Messenger* from Ventidius talking with him; Lucilius and other Servants following.*
Timon	Imprison’d is he, say you?
Messenger	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.
Timon	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.
Messenger	Your lordship ever binds him.
Timon	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.
Messenger	All happiness to your honour! Exit.
	Enter an Old Athenian.
Old Athenian	Lord Timon, hear me speak.
Timon	Freely, good father.
Old Athenian	Thou hast a servant named Lucilius.
Timon	I have so: what of him?
Old Athenian	Most noble Timon, call the man before thee.
Timon	Attends he here, or no? Lucilius!
Lucilius	Here, at your lordship’s service.
Old Athenian	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.
Timon	Well; what further?
Old Athenian	One only daughter have I, no kin else, On whom I may confer what I have got: The maid is fair, o’ the 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.
Timon	The man is honest.
Old Athenian	Therefore he will be, Timon: His honesty rewards him in itself; It must not bear my daughter.
Timon	Does she love him?
Old Athenian	She is young and apt: Our own precedent passions do instruct us What levity’s in youth.
Timon	To Lucilius. Love you the maid?
Lucilius	Ay, my good lord, and she accepts of it.
Old Athenian	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.
Timon	How shall she be endow’d, If she be mated with an equal husband?
Old Athenian	Three talents on the present; in future, all.
Timon	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.
Old Athenian	Most noble lord, Pawn me to this your honour, she is his.
Timon	My hand to thee; mine honour on my promise.
Lucilius	Humbly I thank your lordship: never may The state or fortune fall into my keeping, Which is not owed to you! Exeunt Lucilius* and Old Athenian.*
Poet	Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your lordship!
Timon	I thank you; you shall hear from me anon: Go not away. What have you there, my friend?
Painter	A piece of painting, which I do beseech Your lordship to accept.
Timon	Painting is welcome. The painting is almost the natural man; For since dishonour traffics with man’s nature, He is but outside: these pencill’d 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.
Painter	The gods preserve ye!
Timon	Well fare you, gentleman: give me your hand; We must needs dine together. Sir, your jewel Hath suffer’d under praise.
Jeweller	What, my lord! dispraise?
Timon	A more satiety of commendations. If I should pay you for’t as ’tis extoll’d, It would unclew me quite.
Jeweller	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.
Timon	Well mock’d.
Merchant	No, my good lord; he speaks the common tongue, Which all men speak with him.
Timon	Look, who comes here: will you be chid?
	Enter Apemantus.
Jeweller	We’ll bear, with your lordship.
Merchant	He’ll spare none.
Timon	Good morrow to thee, gentle Apemantus!
Apemantus	Till I be gentle, stay thou for thy good morrow; When thou art Timon’s dog, and these knaves honest.
Timon	Why dost thou call them knaves? thou know’st them not.
Apemantus	Are they not Athenians?
Timon	Yes.
Apemantus	Then I repent not.
Jeweller	You know me, Apemantus?
Apemantus	Thou know’st I do: I call’d thee by thy name.
Timon	Thou art proud, Apemantus.
Apemantus	Of nothing so much as that I am not like Timon.
Timon	Whither art going?
Apemantus	To knock out an honest Athenian’s brains.
Timon	That’s a deed thou’lt die for.
Apemantus	Right, if doing nothing be death by the law.
Timon	How likest thou this picture, Apemantus?
Apemantus	The best, for the innocence.
Timon	Wrought he not well that painted it?
Apemantus	He wrought better that made the painter; and yet he’s but a filthy piece of work.
Painter	You’re a dog.
Apemantus	Thy mother’s of my generation: what’s she, if I be a dog?
Timon	Wilt dine with me, Apemantus?
Apemantus	No; I eat not lords.
Timon	An thou shouldst, thou’ldst anger ladies.
Apemantus	O, they eat lords; so they come by great bellies.
Timon	That’s a lascivious apprehension.
Apemantus	So thou apprehendest it: take it for thy labour.
Timon	How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus?
Apemantus	Not so well as plain-dealing, which will not cost a man a doit.
Timon	What dost thou think ’tis worth?
Apemantus	Not worth my thinking. How now, poet!
Poet	How now, philosopher!
Apemantus	Thou liest.
Poet	Art not one?
Apemantus	Yes.
Poet	Then I lie not.
Apemantus	Art not a poet?
Poet	Yes.
Apemantus	Then thou liest: look in thy last work, where thou hast feigned him a worthy fellow.
Poet	That’s not feigned; he is so.
Apemantus	Yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee for thy labour: he that loves to be flattered is worthy o’ the flatterer. Heavens, that I were a lord!
Timon	What wouldst do then, Apemantus?
Apemantus	E’en as Apemantus does now; hate a lord with my heart.
Timon	What, thyself?
Apemantus	Ay.
Timon	Wherefore?
Apemantus	That I had no angry wit to be a lord. Art not thou a merchant?
Merchant	Ay, Apemantus.
Apemantus	Traffic confound thee, if the gods will not!
Merchant	If traffic do it, the gods do it.
Apemantus	Traffic’s thy god; and thy god confound thee!
	Trumpet sounds. Enter a Messenger.
Timon	What trumpet’s that?
Messenger	’Tis Alcibiades, and some twenty horse, All of companionship.
Timon	Pray, entertain them; give them guide to us. Exeunt some Attendants. You must needs dine with me: go not you hence Till I have thank’d you: when dinner’s done, Show me this piece. I am joyful of your sights.
	Enter Alcibiades, with the rest.
	Most welcome, sir!
Apemantus	So, so, there! Aches contract and starve your supple joints! That there should be small love ’mongst these sweet knaves, And all this courtesy! The strain of man’s bred out Into baboon and monkey.
Alcibiades	Sir, you have saved my longing, and I feed Most hungerly on your sight.
Timon	Right welcome, sir! Ere we depart, we’ll share a bounteous time In different pleasures. Pray you, let us in. Exeunt all except Apemantus.
	Enter two Lords.
First Lord	What time o’ day is’t, Apemantus?
Apemantus	Time to be honest.
First Lord	That time serves still.
Apemantus	The more accursed thou, that still omitt’st it.
Second Lord	Thou art going to Lord Timon’s feast?
Apemantus	Ay, to see meat fill knaves and wine heat fools.
Second Lord	Fare thee well, fare thee well.
Apemantus	Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice.
Second Lord	Why, Apemantus?
Apemantus	Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give thee none.
First Lord	Hang thyself!
Apemantus	No, I will do nothing at thy bidding: make thy requests to thy friend.
Second Lord	Away, unpeaceable dog, or I’ll spurn thee hence!
Apemantus	I will fly, like a dog, the heels o’ the ass. Exit.
First Lord	He’s opposite to humanity. Come, shall we in, And taste Lord Timon’s bounty? he outgoes The very heart of kindness.
Second Lord	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.
First Lord	The noblest mind he carries That ever govern’d man.
Second Lord	Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in?
First Lord	I’ll keep you company. Exeunt.

Scene II

A banqueting-room in Timon’s house.

	Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet served in; Flavius and others attending; then enter Lord Timon, Alcibiades, Lords, Senators, and Ventidius. Then comes, dropping after all, Apemantus, discontentedly, like himself.
Ventidius	Most honour’d Timon, It hath pleased the gods to remember my father’s age, And call him to long peace. He is gone happy, and has left me rich: Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound To your free heart, I do return those talents, Doubled with thanks and service, from whose help I derived liberty.
Timon	O, by no means, Honest Ventidius; you mistake my love: I gave it freely ever; and there’s none Can truly say he gives, if he receives: If our betters play at that game, we must not dare To imitate them; faults that are rich are fair.
Ventidius	A noble spirit!
Timon	Nay, my lords, They all stand ceremoniously looking on Timon. Ceremony was but devised at first To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes, Recanting goodness, sorry ere ’tis shown; But where there is true friendship, there needs none. Pray, sit; more welcome are ye to my fortunes Than my fortunes to me. They sit.
First Lord	My lord, we always have confess’d it.
Apemantus	Ho, ho, confess’d it! hang’d it, have you not?
Timon	O, Apemantus, you are welcome.
Apemantus	No; You shall not make me welcome: I come to have thee thrust me out of doors.
Timon	Fie, thou’rt a churl; ye’ve got a humour there Does not become a man: ’tis much to blame. They say, my lords, “ira furor brevis est;” but yond man is ever angry. Go, let him have a table by himself, for he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for’t, indeed.
Apemantus	Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon: I come to observe; I give thee warning on’t.
Timon	I take no heed of thee; thou’rt an Athenian, therefore welcome: I myself would have no power; prithee, let my meat make thee silent.
Apemantus	I scorn thy meat; ’twould choke me, for I should ne’er flatter thee. O you gods, what a number of men eat Timon, and he sees ’em not! It grieves me to see so many dip their meat in one man’s blood; and all the madness is, he cheers them up too. I wonder men dare trust themselves with men: Methinks they should invite them without knives; Good for their meat, and safer for their lives. There’s much example for’t; the fellow that sits next him now, parts bread with him, pledges the breath of him in a divided draught, is the readiest man to kill him: ’t has been proved. If I were a huge man, I should fear to drink at meals; Lest they should spy my windpipe’s dangerous notes: Great men should drink with harness on their throats.
Timon	My 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.
	Apemantus’ grace.
	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 fatterers 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 can 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 ’t 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 moved me much.
Apemantus	Much! Tucket, within.
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 and smell, pleased from thy tale rise; They only now come but to feast thine eyes.
Timon	They’re welcome all; let ’em have kind admittance: Music, make their welcome! Exit Cupid.
First Lord	You see, my lord, how ample you’re beloved.
	Music. Reenter Cupid* with a mask of Ladies as Amazons, with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing.*
Apemantus	Hoy-day, what a sweep of vanity comes this way! They dance! they are mad women. Like madness is the glory of this life. As this pomp shows to a little oil and root. We make ourselves fools, to disport ourselves; And spend our flatteries, to drink those men Upon whose age we void it up again, With poisonous spite and envy. Who lives that’s not depraved or depraves? Who dies, that bears not one spurn to their graves Of their friends’ gift? I should fear those that dance before me now Would one day stamp upon me: ’t has been done; Men shut their doors against a setting sun.
	The Lords* rise from table, with much adoring of Timon; and to show their loves, each singles out an Amazon, and all dance, men with women, a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and cease.*
Timon	You have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies, Set a fair fashion on our entertainment, Which was not half so beautiful and kind; You have added worth unto ’t and lustre, And entertain’d me with mine own device; I am to thank you for ’t.
First Lady	My lord, you take us even at the best.
Apemantus	’Faith, for the worst is filthy; and would not hold taking, I doubt me.
Timon	Ladies, there is an idle banquet attends you: Please you to dispose yourselves.
All Ladies	Most thankfully, my lord. Exeunt Cupid* and Ladies.*
Timon	Flavius.
Flavius	My lord?
Timon	The little casket bring me hither.
Flavius	Yes, my lord. More jewels yet! Aside. There is no crossing him in’s humour; Else I should tell him—well, i’ faith I should, When all’s spent, he’ld be cross’d then, an he could. ’Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind, That man might ne’er be wretched for his mind. Exit.
First Lord	Where be our men?
Servant	Here, my lord, in readiness.
Second Lord	Our horses!
	Reenter Flavius, with the casket.
Timon	O my friends, I have one word to say to you: look you, my good lord, I must entreat you, honour me so much As to advance this jewel; accept it and wear it, Kind my lord.
First Lord	I am so far already in your gifts—
All	So are we all.
	Enter a Servant.
Servant	My lord, there are certain nobles of the senate Newly alighted, and come to visit you.
Timon	They are fairly welcome.
Flavius	I beseech your honour, Vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near.
Timon	Near! why then, another time I’ll hear thee: I prithee, let’s be provided to show them entertainment.
Flavius	Aside. I scarce know how.
	Enter a Second Servant.
Second Servant	May it please your honour, Lord Lucius, Out of his free love, hath presented to you Four milk-white horses, trapp’d in silver.
Timon	I shall accept them fairly; let the presents Be worthily entertain’d.
	Enter a Third Servant.
	How now! what news?
Third Servant	Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman, Lord Lucullus, entreats your company to-morrow to hunt with him, and has sent your honour two brace of greyhounds.
Timon	I’ll hunt with him; and let them be received, Not without fair reward.
Flavius	Aside. What will this come to? He commands us to provide, and give great gifts, And all out of an empty coffer: Nor will he know his purse, or yield me this, To show him what a beggar his heart is, Being of no power to make his wishes good: His promises fly so beyond his state That what he speaks is all in debt; he owes For every word: he is so kind that he now Pays interest for’t; his land’s put to their books. Well, would I were gently put out of office Before I were forced out! Happier is he that has no friend to feed Than such that do e’en enemies exceed. I bleed inwardly for my lord. Exit.
Timon	You do yourselves Much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits: Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.
Second Lord	With more than common thanks I will receive it.
Third Lord	O, he’s the very soul of bounty!
Timon	And now I remember, my lord, you gave Good words the other day of a bay courser I rode on: it is yours, because you liked it.
Second Lord	O, I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that.
Timon	You may take my word, my lord; I know, no man Can justly praise but what he does affect: I weigh my friend’s affection with mine own; I’ll tell you true. I’ll call to you.
All Lords	O, none so welcome.
Timon	I take all and your several visitations So kind to heart, ’tis not enough to give; Methinks, I could deal kingdoms to my friends, And ne’er be weary. Alcibiades, Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich; It comes in charity to thee: for all thy living Is ’mongst the dead, and all the lands thou hast Lie in a pitch’d field.
Alcibiades	Ay, defiled land, my lord.
First Lord	We are so virtuously bound—
Timon	And so Am I to you.
Second Lord	So infinitely endear’d—
Timon	All to you. Lights, more lights!
First Lord	The best of happiness, Honour and fortunes, keep with you, Lord Timon!
Timon	Ready for his friends. Exeunt all but Apemantus* and Timon.*
Apemantus	What a coil’s here! Serving of becks and jutting-out of bums! I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums That are given for ’em. Friendship’s full of dregs: Methinks, false hearts should never have sound legs, Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on court’sies.
Timon	Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen, I would be good to thee.
Apemantus	No, I’ll nothing: for if I should be bribed too, there would be none left to rail upon thee, and then thou wouldst sin the faster. Thou givest so long, Timon, I fear me thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly: what need these feasts, pomps and vain-glories?
Timon	Nay, an you begin to rail on society once, I am sworn not to give regard to you. Farewell; and come with better music. Exit.
Apemantus	So: Thou wilt not hear me now; thou shalt not then: I’ll lock thy heaven from thee. O, that men’s ears should be To counsel deaf, but not to flattery. Exit.

fetching the rest…

Dramatis Personae

Timon, of Athens

Lucius, flattering lord

Lucullus, flattering lord

Sempronius, flattering lord

Ventidius, one of Timon’s false friends

Alcibiades, an Athenian captain

Apemantus, a churlish philosopher

Flavius, steward to Timon

Poet, painter, jeweller, and merchant

An old Athenian

Flaminius, servant of Timon

Lucilius, servant of Timon

Servilius, servant of Timon

Caphis, servant to Timon’s creditors

Philotus, servant to Timon’s creditors

Titus, servant to Timon’s creditors

Lucius, creditors

Hortensius, servant to Timon’s creditors

And other servants to Timon’s creditors

A page

A fool

Three strangers

Phrynia, mistress to Alcibiades

Timandra, mistress to Alcibiades

Cupid and Amazons in the mask

Other lords, senators, officers, soldiers, banditti, and attendants