Page 3107 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Hoy-day!
What a sweep of vanity comes this way.
They dance? They are madwomen.
Like madness is the glory of this life,

As this pomp shows to a little oil and root. [130]
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? [135]
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’as been done.
Men shut their doors against a setting sun. [140]

The Lords rise from table, with much adoring of Timon, and to show their
loves each single 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. [145]
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; [150]

Please you to dispose yourselves.