_Apem._ I scorn thy meat; 'twould choke me, for I[1780][1781] should ne'er flatter thee. O you gods, what a number of[1780][1781] men eat Timon, and he sees 'em not! It grieves me to see[1780][1782] so many dip their meat in one man's blood; and all the[1780][1783] madness is, he cheers them up too.[1780][1784] 40 I wonder men dare trust themselves with men: Methinks they should invite them without knives; Good for their meat, and safer for their lives.[1785] There's much example for't; the fellow that sits next him[1786] now, parts bread with him, pledges the breath of him in a[1786][1787] 45 divided draught, is the readiest man to kill him: 't has[1786][1788][1789] been proved. If I were a huge man, I should fear to drink[1786][1789][1790] at meals;[1786] Lest they should spy my windpipe's dangerous notes:[1791] Great men should drink with harness on their throats.[1791] 50 _Tim._ My lord, in heart; and let the health go round.[1792] _Sec. Lord._ Let it flow this way, my good lord.[1793] _Apem._ Flow this way! A brave fellow! he keeps his[1794] tides well. Those healths will make thee and thy state[1794] look ill, Timon. Here's that which is too weak to be a[1794] 55 sinner, honest water, which ne'er left man i' the mire:[1794][1795] This and my food are equals; there's no odds:[1794][1796] Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods.[1794][1797] _Apemantus's Grace._ Immortal gods, I crave no pelf; I pray for no man but myself: 60 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, 65 Or my friends, if I should need 'em. Amen. So fall to't:[1798] Rich men sin, and I eat root. [_Eats and drinks._[1799] Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus![1800] _Tim._ Captain Alcibiades, your heart's in the field now.[1801] 70 _Alcib._ My heart is ever at your service, my lord. _Tim._ You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than[1802] a dinner of friends. _Alcib._ So they were bleeding-new, my lord, there's no[1803] meat like 'em: I could wish my best friend at such a feast.[1804] 75 _Apem._ Would all those flatterers were thine enemies,[1805] then, that then thou mightst kill 'em and bid me to 'em![1806] _First Lord._ Might we but have that happiness, my[1807] lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think 80 ourselves for ever perfect.