THE LIFE OF TIMON OF ATHENS
Page: 16

CAPHIS.
Stay, stay; here comes the fool with Apemantus:
Let's ha' some sport with 'em.

VARRO'S SERVANT.
Hang him, he'll abuse us!

ISIDORE'S SERVANT.
A plague upon him, dog!

VARRO'S SERVANT.
How dost, fool?

APEMANTUS.
Dost dialogue with thy shadow?

VARRO'S SERVANT.
I speak not to thee.

APEMANTUS.
No; 'tis to thyself. [To the FOOL.]
Come away.

ISIDORE'S SERVANT. [To VARRO'S SERVANT.]
There's the fool hangs on your back already.

APEMANTUS.
No, thou stand'st single; thou'rt not on him yet.

CAPHIS.
Where's the fool now?

APEMANTUS.
He last asked the question. Poor rogues and usurers'
men! bawds between gold and want!

ALL SERVANTS.
What are we, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS.
Asses.

ALL SERVANTS.
Why?

APEMANTUS.
That you ask me what you are, and do not know yourselves. Speak
to 'em, fool.

FOOL.
How do you, gentlemen?

ALL SERVANTS.
Gramercies, good fool. How does your mistress?

FOOL.
She's e'en setting on water to scald such chickens as you
are. Would we could see you at Corinth!

APEMANTUS.
Good! gramercy.

[Enter PAGE.]

FOOL.
Look you, here comes my mistress' page.

PAGE. [To the FOOL.]
Why, how now, Captain! what do you in this wise company? How dost
thou, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS.
Would I had a rod in my mouth, that I might answer thee
profitably.

PAGE.
Prithee, Apemantus, read me the superscription of these
letters: I know not which is which.

APEMANTUS.
Canst not read?

PAGE.
No.

APEMANTUS.
There will little learning die, then, that day thou art
hanged. This is to Lord Timon; this to Alcibiades. Go; thou wast
born a bastard, and thou'lt die a bawd.

PAGE.
Thou wast whelped a dog, and thou shalt famish a dog's death.
Answer not; I am gone.

[Exit PAGE.]

APEMANTUS.
E'en so thou outrunn'st grace.--
Fool, I will go with you to Lord Timon's.

FOOL.
Will you leave me there?

APEMANTUS.
If Timon stay at home. You three serve three usurers?

ALL SERVANTS.
Ay; would they served us!

APEMANTUS.
So would I, as good a trick as ever hangman served thief.