:::Hortensius, Two Servants of Varro, and the Servant of Isidore; two of Timon's creditors. Cupid and Maskers. Three Strangers. Other Lords, Senators, Officers, Soldiers, Thieves, and SCENE, Athens; and the Woods adjoining. TIMON OF ATHENS... ACT I. SCENE I. Athens. A Hall in Timon's House. Enter Poet, Painter, Jeweller, Merchant, and Others Good day, sir. Pain. at several Doors. Poet. I am glad you are well. Poet. I have not seen you long; How goes the - world? Pain. It wears sir, as it grows. Ay, that's well known: But what particular rarity? what strange, Mer. O, 'tis a worthy lord! Jew. Nay, that's most fix'd. Mer. A most incomparable man; breath'd, as it were, To an untirable and continuate goodness: He passes.3 Jew. I have a jewel here. Mer. O, pray, let's see't: For the lord Timon, sir? ■ Inured by constant practice. 2 For continual. 3 i. e. Exceeds, goes beyond common bounds. Jew. If he will touch the estimate: But, for thatPoet. When we for recompense have prais'd the vile, It stains the glory in that happy verse Which aptly sings the good. Mer. 'Tis a good form. [Looking at the Jewel. Jew. And rich: here is a water, look you. Pain. You are rapt, sir, in some work, some de dication To the great lord. A thing slipp'd idly from me. Our poesy is as a gum, which oozes From whence 'tis nourished: The fire i'the flint Shows not, till it be struck; our gentle flame Each bound it chafes. What have you there? Pain. A picture, sir.-And when comes your book forth? Poet. Upon the heels of my presentment, 4 sir. Let's see your piece. Pain. 'Tis a good piece. Poet. So'tis: this comes off well and excellent. Pain. Indifferent. Poet. Admirable: How this grace Speaks his own standing! what a mental power Pain. It is a pretty mocking of the life. Here is a touch; Is't good? Poet. I'll say of it, 4 As soon as my book has been presented to Timon. |