Timon, or the Misanthrope (36-40)

TIMON I am very much obliged to you, Hermes, and to

HERMES Why, pray?

TIMON Because in bygone days he caused me_ infinite harm by giving me over to toadies, setting plotters upon me, stirring up hatred against me, corrupting me with high living, making me envied and finally abandoning me in such a faithless and traitorous way. But my good friend Poverty developed my body with tasks of the most manly sort, conversed with me truthfully and frankly, gave me all that I needed if only I worked for it, and taught me to despise the wealth I once cherished, making me depend upon myself for my hope of a living and showing me wherein lay my own riches, which could not be taken away either by a toady with flattery or by a blackmailer with threats, by a mob in a gust of passion, a voter with his ballot or a tyrant with his intrigues.

Strengthened, therefore, by my labours, I work upon this farm with pleasure in my toil, secing nothing of the ills in the city and getting ample and suflicient sustenance from my pick. So wend your way back again, Hermes, taking Riches up to Zeus. For my part, I should be content if I could bring sorrow to the whole world, young and old alike.

HERMES Don’t say that, my friend; they do not all deserve sorrow. Come, stop this childish display of illtemper and take Riches. Gifts that come from Zeus are not to be flung away.

TIMON Speak, but not at length nor with a preface, like a rascally orator. I will endure a few words from you for the sake of Hermes.

RICHES Perhaps I ought really to speak at length in reply to so many charges made by you. However, judge whether I have wronged you as you say. It is I who brought you everything that is delightful,—honour, precedence, civic crowns, and every form of luxury; and you were admired and puffed and courted, thanks to me. On the other hand, if you have suffered any cruel treatment at the hands of the toadies, I am not to blame; rather have I myself been wronged by you because you so basely put me at the mercy of scoundrels who praised you and bewitched you and intrigued against me in every way. Again, in closing, you said that I played you false; but on the contrary I could myself bring that charge against you, for you drove me off in every way and thrust me head-foremost out of your house. That is why Poverty, whom you hold so dear, has dressed you in this coat of skin instead of a soft mantle of wool, So Hermes will testify how ardently I besought Zeus not to make me come to you again after you had treated me with such hostility.

HERMES But now you see how mild he has become, Riches ; so do not hesitate to remain with him. Timon, go

TIMON I must comply, Hermes, and be rich again, for what can a man do when the gods constrain him ? But look at all the trouble you are plunging me into, curse the luck! Until now I was leading the happiest of lives, but in a moment, though I have done no wrong, I am to receive so much gold and to take on so many cares.

HERMES Endure it, Timon, for my sake, even if it is difficult and unbearable, in order that those toadies may burst with envy. And now I am going to fly up to Heaven by way of Aetna.

RICHES He has gone, it seems; for I infer it from the fluttering of his wings. Wait here, and I will go away and send Treasure to you. But, no, strike in. Ho, Treasure of Gold! Submit to Timon and let yourself be dug up. Dig, Timon, and bring down deep strokes. I will leave you to yourselves.