_First Lord._ I'll keep you company.[1749][1750] [_Exeunt._ SCENE II. _A banqueting-room in Timon's house._[1751] _Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet served in_; FLAVIUS _and others attending; and then enter_ LORD TIMON, ALCIBIADES, Lords, Senators, _and_ VENTIDIUS. _Then comes, dropping after_ _all_, APEMANTUS, _discontentedly, like himself_.[1752] _Ven._ Most honour'd Timon,[1753][1754] It hath pleased the gods to remember my father's age,[1753] And call him to long peace.[1753] He is gone happy, and has left me rich: Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound 5 To your free heart, I do return those talents, Doubled with thanks and service, from whose help[1755] I derived liberty. _Tim._ O, by no means, Honest Ventidius; you mistake my love:[1756] I gave it freely ever; and there's none 10 Can truly say he gives, if he receives: If our betters play at that game, we must not dare[1757][1758] To imitate them; faults that are rich are fair.[1758][1759] _Ven._ A noble spirit![1760][1761] _Tim._ Nay, my lords, ceremony was but devised at first[1760][1762] 15 To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes,[1760] Recanting goodness, sorry ere 'tis shown; But where there is true friendship, there needs none. Pray, sit; more welcome are ye to my fortunes[1763] Than my fortunes to me.[1764] [_They sit._ 20 _First Lord._ My lord, we always have confess'd it.[1765] _Apem._ Ho, ho, confess'd it! hang'd it, have you not?[1766] _Tim._ O, Apemantus, you are welcome.[1767] _Apem._ No;[1768] You shall not make me welcome:[1768] I come to have thee thrust me out of doors. 25 _Tim._ Fie, thou'rt a churl; ye've got a humour there[1769] Does not become a man; 'tis much to blame. ey say, my lords, 'ira furor brevis est;' but yond man[1770][1771][1772] is ever angry. Go, let him have a table by himself; for he[1770][1772][1773] does neither affect company, nor is he fit for't indeed.[1770][1774] 30 _Apem._ Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon:[1775][1776] I come to observe; I give thee warning on't.[1775] _Tim._ I take no heed of thee; thou'rt an Athenian,[1777][1778] therefore welcome: I myself would have no power; prithee,[1777][1779] let my meat make thee silent.[1777] 35