Tim. O Zeus, thou arbiter1 of friendship, protector of the guest, preserver of fellowship, lord of the hearth2, launcher of the lightning, avenger3 of oaths, compeller of clouds, utterer of thunder (and pray add any other epithets4; those cracked poets have plenty ready, especially when they are in difficulties with their scansion; then it is that a string of your names saves the situation and fills up the metrical gaps), O Zeus, where is now your resplendent lightning, where your deep-toned thunder, where the glowing, white-hot, direful bolt? we know now ’tis all fudge and poetic5 moonshine — barring what value may attach to the rattle6 of the names. That renowned7 projectile8 of yours, which ranged so far and was so ready to your hand, has gone dead and cold, it seems; never a spark left in it to scorch9 iniquity10.
If men are meditating11 perjury12, a smouldering lamp-wick is as likely to frighten them off it as the omnipotent’s levin-bolt; the brand you hold over them is one from which they see neither flame nor smoke can come; a little soot-grime is the worst that need be apprehended14 from a touch of it. No wonder if Salmoneus challenged you to a thundering-match; he was reasonable enough when he backed his artificial heat against so cool-tempered a Zeus. Of course he was; there are you in your opiate-trance, never hearing the perjurers nor casting a glance at criminals, your glazed15 eyes dull to all that happens, and your ears as deaf as a dotard’s.
When you were young and keen, and your temper had some life in it, you used to bestir yourself against crime and violence; there were no armistices16 in those days; the thunderbolt was always hard at it, the aegis17 quivering, the thunder rattling18, the lightning engaged in a perpetual skirmish. Earth was shaken like a sieve19, buried in snow, bombarded with hail. It rained cats and dogs (if you will pardon my familiarity), and every shower was a waterspout. Why, in Deucalion’s time, hey presto20, everything was swamped, mankind went under, and just one little ark was saved, stranding21 on the top of Lycoreus and preserving a remnant of human seed for the generation of greater wickedness.
Mankind pays you the natural wages of your laziness; if any one offers you a victim or a garland nowadays, it is only at Olympia as a perfunctory accompaniment of the games; he does it not because he thinks it is any good, but because he may as well keep up an old custom. It will not be long, most glorious of deities23, before they serve you as you served Cronus, and depose24 you. I will not rehearse all the robberies of your temple — those are trifles; but they have laid hands on your person at Olympia, my lord High–Thunderer, and you had not the energy to wake the dogs or call in the neighbours; surely they might have come to the rescue and caught the fellows before they had finished packing up the swag. But there sat the bold Giant-slayer25 and Titan-conqueror letting them cut his hair, with a fifteen-foot thunderbolt in his hand all the time! My good sir, when is this careless indifference26 to cease? how long before you will punish such wickedness? Phaethon-falls and Deucalion-deluges — a good many of them will be required to suppress this swelling27 human insolence28.
To leave generalities and illustrate29 from my own case — I have raised any number of Athenians to high position, I have turned poor men into rich, I have assisted every one that was in want, nay30, flung my wealth broadcast in the service of my friends, and now that profusion31 has brought me to beggary, they do not so much as know me; I cannot get a glance from the men who once cringed and worshipped and hung upon my nod. If I meet one of them in the street, he passes me by as he might pass the tombstone of one long dead; it has fallen face upwards32, loosened by time, but he wastes no moment deciphering it. Another will take the next turning when he sees me in the distance; I am a sight of ill omen33, to be shunned35 by the man whose saviour36 and benefactor37 I had been not so long ago.
Thus in disgrace with fortune, I have betaken me to this corner of the earth, where I wear the smock-frock and dig for sixpence a day, with solitude38 and my spade to assist meditation39. So much gain I reckon upon here — to be exempt40 from contemplating41 unmerited prosperity; no sight that so offends the eye as that. And now, Son of Cronus and Rhea, may I ask you to shake off that deep sound sleep of yours — why, Epimenides’s was a mere42 nap to it — put the bellows43 to your thunderbolt or warm it up in Etna, get it into a good blaze, and give a display of spirit, like a manly44 vigorous Zeus? or are we to believe the Cretans, who show your grave among their sights?
Zeus. Hermes, who is that calling out from Attica? there, on the lower slopes of Hymettus — a grimy squalid fellow in a smock-frock; he is bending over a spade or something; but he has a tongue in his head, and is not afraid to use it. He must be a philosopher, to judge from his fluent blasphemy46.
Her. What, father! have you forgotten Timon — son of Echecratides, of Collytus? many is the time he has feasted us on unexceptionable victims; the rich parvenu47 of the whole hecatombs, you know, who used to do us so well at the Diasia.
Zeus. Dear, dear, quantum mutatus! is this the admired, the rich, the popular? What has brought him to this pass? There he is in filth48 and misery49, digging for hire, labouring at that ponderous50 spade.
Her. Why, if you like to put it so, it was kindness and generosity51 and universal compassion52 that ruined him; but it would be nearer the truth to call him a fool and a simpleton and a blunderer; he did not realize that his proteges were carrion53 crows and wolves; vultures were feeding on his unfortunate liver, and he took them for friends and good comrades, showing a fine appetite just to please him. So they gnawed54 his bones perfectly56 clean, sucked out with great precision any marrow57 there might be in them, and went off, leaving him as dry as a tree whose roots have been severed58; and now they do not know him or vouchsafe59 him a nod — no such fools — nor ever think of showing him charity or repaying his gifts. That is how the spade and smock-frock are accounted for; he is ashamed to show his face in town; so he hires himself out to dig, and broods over his wrongs — the rich men he has made passing him contemptuously by, apparently60 quite unaware61 that his name is Timon.
Zeus. This is a case we must take up and see to. No wonder he is down on his luck. We should be putting ourselves on the level of his despicable sycophants62, if we forgot all the fat ox and goat thighs63 he has burnt on our altars; the savour of them is yet in my nostrils64. But I have been so busy, there is such a din22 of perjury, assault, and burglary; I am so frightened of the temple-robbers — they swarm65 now, you cannot keep them out, nor take a nap with any safety; and, with one thing and another, it is an age since I had a look at Attica. I have hardly been there since philosophy and argument came into fashion; indeed, with their shouting-matches going on, prayers are quite inaudible. One must sit with one’s ears plugged, if one does not want the drums of them cracked; such long vociferous66 rigmaroles about Incorporeal67 Things, or something they call Virtue68! That is how we came to neglect this man — who really deserved better.
However, go to him now without wasting any more time, Hermes, and take Plutus with you. Thesaurus is to accompany Plutus, and they are both to stay with Timon, and not leave him so lightly this time, even though the generous fellow does his best to find other hosts for them. As to those parasites69, and the ingratitude71 they showed him, I will attend to them before long; they shall have their deserts as soon as I have got the thunderbolt in order again. Its two best spikes72 are broken and blunted; my zeal73 outran my discretion74 the other day when I took that shot at Anaxagoras the sophist; the Gods non-existent, indeed! that was what he was telling his disciples75. However, I missed him (Pericles had held up his hand to shield him), and the bolt glanced off on to the Anaceum, set it on fire, and was itself nearly pulverized77 on the rock. But meanwhile it will be quite sufficient punishment for them to see Timon rolling in money.
Her. Nothing like lifting up your voice, making yourself a nuisance, and showing a bold front; it is equally effective whether you are pleading with juries or deities. Here is Timon developing from pauper78 to millionaire, just because his prayer was loud and free enough to startle Zeus; if he had dug quietly with his face to his work, he might have dug to all eternity79, for any notice he would have got.
Pl. Well, Zeus, I am not going to him.
Zeus. Your reason, good Plutus; have I not told you to go?
Pl. Good God! why, he insulted me, threw me about, dismembered me — me, his old family friend — and practically pitchforked me out of the house; he could not have been in a greater hurry to be rid of me if I had been a live coal in his hand. What, go there again, to be transferred to toadies80 and flatterers and harlots? No, no, Zeus; send me to people who will appreciate the gift, take care of me, value and cherish me. Let these gulls81 consort82 with the poverty which they prefer to me; she will find them a smock-frock and a spade, and they can be thankful for a miserable83 pittance84 of sixpence a day, these reckless squanderers of 1,000 pound presents.
Zeus. Ah, Timon will not treat you that way again. If his loins are not of cast iron, his spade-work will have taught him a thing or two about your superiority to poverty. You are so particular, you know; now, you are finding fault with Timon for opening the door to you and letting you wander at your own sweet will, instead of keeping you in jealous seclusion85. Yesterday it was another story: you were imprisoned86 by rich men under bolts and locks and seals, and never allowed a glimpse of sunlight. That was the burden of your complaint — you were stifled87 in deep darkness. We saw you pale and careworn88, your fingers hooked with coin-counting, and heard how you would like to run away, if only you could get the chance. It was monstrous89, then, that you should be kept in a bronze or iron chamber90, like a Danae condemned91 to virginity, and brought up by those stern unscrupulous tutors, Interest, Debit92 and Credit.
They were perfectly ridiculous, you know, loving you to distraction93, but not daring to enjoy you when they might; you were in their power, yet they could not give the reins94 to their passion; they kept awake watching you with their eyes glued to bolt and seal; the enjoyment95 that satisfied them was not to enjoy you themselves, but to prevent others’ enjoying you — true dogs in the manger. Yes, and then how absurd it was that they should scrape and hoard96, and end by being jealous of their own selves! Ah, if they could but see that rascally97 slave — steward98 — trainer — sneaking99 in bent100 on carouse101! little enough he troubles his head about the luckless unamiable owner at his nightly accounts by a dim little half-fed lamp. How, pray, do you reconcile your old strictures of this sort with your contrary denunciation of Timon?
Pl. Oh, if you consider the thing candidly102, you will find both attitudes reasonable. It is clear enough that Timon’s utter negligence103 comes from slackness, and not from any consideration for me. As for the other sort, who keep me shut up in the obscurity of strong-boxes, intent on making me heavy and fat and unwieldy, never touching104 me themselves, and never letting me see the light, lest some one else should catch sight of me, I always thought of them as fools and tyrants105; what harm had I done that they should let me rot in close confinement106? and did not they know that in a little while they would pass away and have to resign me to some other lucky man?
No, give me neither these nor the off-hand gentry107; my beau ideal is the man who steers108 a middle course, as far from complete abstention as from utter profusion. Consider, Zeus, by your own great name; suppose a man were to take a fair young wife, and then absolutely decline all jealous precautions, to the point of letting her wander where she would by day or night, keeping company with any one who had a mind to her — or put it a little stronger, and let him be procurer, janitor109, pander110, and advertiser of her charms in his own person — well, what sort of love is his? come, Zeus, you have a good deal of experience, you know what love is.
On the other hand, let a man make a suitable match for the express purpose of raising heirs, and then let him neither himself have anything to do with her ripe, yet modest, beauty, nor allow any other to set eyes on it, but shut her up in barren, fruitless virginity; let him say all the while that he is in love with her, and let his pallid111 hue112, his wasting flesh and his sunken eyes confirm the statement; — is he a madman, or is he not? he should be raising a family and enjoying matrimony; but he lets this fair-faced lovely girl wither113 away; he might as well be bringing up a perpetual priestess of Demeter. And now you understand my feelings when one set of people kick me about or waste me by the bucketful, and the others clap irons on me like a runaway115 convict.
Zeus. However, indignation is superfluous116; both sets have just what they deserve — one as hungry and thirsty and dry-mouthed as Tantalus, getting no further than gaping117 at the gold; and the other finding its food swept away from its very gullet, as the Harpies served Phineus. Come, be off with you; you will find Timon has much more sense nowadays.
Pl. Oh, of course! he will not do his best to let me run out of a leaky vessel118 before I have done running in! oh no, he will not be consumed with apprehensions119 of the inflow’s gaining on the waste and flooding him! I shall be supplying a cask of the Danaids; no matter how fast I pour in, the thing will not hold water; every gallon will be out almost before it is in; the bore of the waste-pipe is so large, and never a plug.
Zeus. Well, if he does not stop the hole — if the leak is more than temporary — you will run out in no time, and he can find his smock-frock and spade again in the dregs of the cask. Now go along, both of you, and make the man rich. And, Hermes, on your way back, remember to bring the Cyclopes with you from Etna; my thunderbolt wants the grindstone; and I have work for it as soon as it is sharp.
Her. Come along, Plutus. Hullo! limping? My good man, I did not know you were lame13 as well as blind.
Pl. No, it is intermittent120. As sure as Zeus sends me to any one, a sort of lethargy comes over me, my legs are like lead, and I can hardly get to my journey’s end; my destined121 host is sometimes an old man before I reach him. As a parting guest, on the other hand, you may see me wing my way swifter than any dream. ‘Are you ready?’ and almost before ‘Go’ has sounded, up goes my name as winner; I have flashed round the course absolutely unseen sometimes.
Her. You are not quite keeping to the truth; I could name you plenty of people who yesterday had not the price of a halter to hang themselves with, and today have developed into lavish122 men of fortune; they drive their pair of high-steppers, whereas a donkey would have been beyond their means before. They go about in purple raiment with jewelled fingers, hardly convinced yet that their wealth is not all a dream.
Pl. Ah, those are special cases, Hermes. I do not go on my own feet on those occasions, and it is not Zeus who sends me, but Pluto123, who has his own ways of conferring wealth and making presents; Pluto and Plutus are not unconnected, you see. When I am to flit from one house to another, they lay me on parchment, seal me up carefully, make a parcel of me and take me round. The dead man lies in some dark corner, shrouded124 from the knees upward in an old sheet, with the cats fighting for possession of him, while those who have expectations wait for me in the public place, gaping as wide as young swallows that scream for their mother’s return.
Then the seal is taken off, the string cut, the parchment opened, and my new owner’s name made known. It is a relation, or a parasite70, or perhaps a domestic minion125, whose value lay in his vices126 and his smooth cheeks; he has continued to supply his master with all sorts of unnatural127 pleasures beyond the years which might excuse such service, and now the fine fellow is richly rewarded. But whoever it is, he snatches me up, parchment included, and is off with me in a flash; he used to be called Pyrrhias or Dromo or Tibius, but now he is Megacles, Megabyzus, or Protarchus; off he goes, leaving the disappointed ones staring at each other in very genuine mourning-over the fine fish which has jumped out of the landing-net after swallowing their good bait.
The fellow who has pounced128 on me has neither taste nor feeling; the sight of fetters129 still gives him a start; crack a whip in his neighbourhood, and his ears tingle130; the treadmill131 is an abode132 of awe55 to him. He is now insufferable — insults his new equals, and whips his old fellows to see what that side of the transaction feels like. He ends by finding a mistress, or taking to the turf, or being cajoled by parasites; these have only to swear he is handsomer than Nireus, nobler than Cecrops or Codrus, wiser than Odysseus, richer than a dozen Croesuses rolled into one; and so the poor wretch133 disperses134 in a moment what cost so many perjuries135, robberies, and swindles to amass136.
Her. A very fair picture. But when you go on your own feet, how can a blind man like you find the way? Zeus sends you to people who he thinks deserve riches; but how do you distinguish them?
Pl. Do you suppose I do find them? not much. I should scarcely have passed Aristides by, and gone to Hipponicus, Callias, and any number of other Athenians whose merits could have been valued in copper137.
Her. Well, but what do you do when he sends you?
Pl. I just wander up and down till I come across some one; the first comer takes me off home with him, and thanks — whom but the God of windfalls, yourself?
Her. So Zeus is in error, and you do not enrich deserving persons according to his pleasure?
Pl. My dear fellow, how can he expect it? He knows I am blind, and he sends me groping about for a thing so hard to detect, and so nearly extinct this long time, that a Lynceus would have his work cut out spying for its dubious138 remains139. So you see, as the good are few, and cities are crowded with multitudes of the bad, I am much more likely to come upon the latter in my rambles140, and they keep me in their nets.
Her. But when you are leaving them, how do you find escape so easy? you do not know the way.
Pl. Ah, there is just one occasion which brings me quickness of eye and foot; and that is flight.
Her. Yet another question. You are not only blind (excuse my frankness), but pallid and decrepit141; how comes it, then, that you have so many lovers? All men’s looks are for you; if they get possession of you, they count themselves happy men; if they miss you, life is not worth living. Why, I have known not a few so sick for love of you that they have scaled some sky-pointing crag, and thence hurled142 themselves to unplumbed ocean depths 7, when they thought they were scorned by you, because you would not acknowledge their first salute143. I am sure you know yourself well enough to confess that they must be lunatics, to rave45 about such charms as yours.
Pl. Why, you do not suppose they see me in my true shape, lame, blind, and so forth144?
Her. How else, unless they are all as blind themselves?
Pl. They are not blind, my dear boy; but the ignorant misconceptions now so prevalent obscure their vision. And then I contribute; not to be an absolute fright when they see me, I put on a charming mask, all gilt145 and jewels, and dress myself up. They take the mask for my face, fall in love with its beauty, and are dying to possess it. If any one were to strip and show me to them naked, they would doubtless reproach themselves for their blindness in being captivated by such an ugly misshapen creature,
Her. How about fruition, then? When they are rich, and have put the mask on themselves, they are still deluded146; if any one tries to take it off, they would sooner part with their heads than with it; and it is not likely they do not know by that time that the beauty is adventitious147, now that they have an inside view. Pl. There too I have powerful allies.
Her. Namely —?
Pl. When a man makes my acquaintance, and opens the door to let me in, there enter unseen by my side Arrogance148, Folly149, Vainglory, Effeminacy, Insolence, Deceit, and a goodly company more. These possess his soul; he begins to admire mean things, pursues what he should abhor150, reveres151 me amid my bodyguard152 of the insinuating153 vices which I have begotten154, and would consent to anything sooner than part with me.
Her. What a smooth, slippery, unstable155, evasive fellow you are, Plutus! there is no getting a firm hold of you; you wriggle156 through one’s fingers somehow, like an eel114 or a snake. Poverty is so different — sticky, clinging, all over hooks; any one who comes near her is caught directly, and finds it no simple matter to get clear. But all this gossip has put business out of our heads.
Pl. Business? What business?
Her. We have forgotten to bring Thesaurus, and we cannot do without him.
Pl. Oh, never mind him. When I come up to see you, I leave him on earth, with strict orders to stay indoors, and open to no one unless he hears my voice.
Her. Then we may make our way into Attica; hold on to my cloak till I find Timon’s retreat.
Pl. It is just as well to keep touch; if you let me drop behind, I am as likely as not to be snapped up by Hyperbolus or Cleon. But what is that noise? it sounds like iron on stone.
Her. Ah, here is Timon close to us; what a steep stony157 little plot he has got to dig! Good gracious, I see Poverty and Toil158 in attendance, Endurance, Wisdom, Courage, and Hunger’s whole company in full force — much more efficient than your guards, Plutus.
Pl. Oh dear, let us make the best of our way home, Hermes. We shall never produce any impression on a man surrounded by such troops.
Her. Zeus thought otherwise; so no cowardice159.
Pov. Slayer of Argus, whither away, you two hand in hand?
Her. Zeus has sent us to Timon here.
Pov. Now? What has Plutus to do with Timon now? I found him suffering under Luxury’s treatment, put him in the charge of Wisdom and Toil (whom you see here), and made a good worthy160 man of him. Do you take me for such a contemptible161 helpless creature that you can rob me of my little all? have I perfected him in virtue, only to see Plutus take him, trust him to Insolence and Arrogance, make him as soft and limp and silly as before, and return him to me a worn-out rag again?
Her. It is Zeus’s will.
Pov. I am off, then. Toil, Wisdom, and the rest of you, quick march! Well, he will realize his loss before long; he had a good help meet in me, and a true teacher; with me he was healthy in body and vigorous in spirit; he lived the life of a man, and could be independent, and see the thousand and one needless refinements162 in all their absurdity163.
Her. There they go, Plutus; let us come to him.
Tim. Who are you, villains164? What do you want here, interrupting a hired labourer? You shall have something to take with you, confound you all! These clods and stones shall provide you with a broken head or two.
Her. Stop, Timon, don’t throw. We are not men; I am Hermes, and this is Plutus; Zeus has sent us in answer to your prayers. So knock off work, take your fortune, and much good may it do you!
Tim. I dare say you are Gods; that shall not save you. I hate every one, man or God; and as for this blind fellow, whoever he may be, I am going to give him one over the head with my spade.
Pl. For God’s sake, Hermes, let us get out of this! the man is melancholy-mad, I believe; he will do me a mischief165 before I get off.
Her. Now don’t be foolish, Timon; cease overdoing166 the ill-tempered boor167, hold out your hands, take your luck, and be a rich man again. Have Athens at your feet, and from your solitary168 eminence169 you can forget ingratitude.
Tim. I have no use for you; leave me in peace; my spade is riches enough for me; for the rest, I am perfectly happy if people will let me alone.
Her. My dear sir — so unsociable?
So stiff and stubborn a reply to Zeus?
A misanthrope170 you may well be, after the way men have treated you; but with the Gods so thoughtful for you, you need not be a misotheist.
Tim. Very well, Hermes; I am extremely obliged to you and Zeus for your thoughtfulness — there; but I will not have Plutus.
Her. Why, pray?
Tim. He brought me countless171 troubles long ago — put me in the power of flatterers, set designing persons on me, stirred up ill-feeling, corrupted172 me with indulgence, exposed me to envy, and wound up with treacherously173 deserting me at a moment’s notice. Then the excellent Poverty gave me a drilling in manly labour, conversed174 with me in all frankness and sincerity175, rewarded my exertions176 with a sufficiency, and taught me to despise superfluities; all hopes of a livelihood177 were to depend on myself, and I was to know my true wealth, unassailable by parasites’ flattery or informers’ threats, hasty legislatures or decree-mongering legislators, and which even the tyrant’s machinations cannot touch.
So, toil-hardened, working with a will at this bit of ground, my eyes rid of city offences, I get bread enough and to spare out of my spade. Go your ways, then, Hermes, and take Plutus back to Zeus. I am quite content to let every man of them go hang.
Her. Oh, that would be a pity; they are not all hanging-ripe. Don’t make a passionate178 child of yourself, but admit Plutus. Zeus’s gifts are too good to be thrown away.
Pl. Will you condescend179 to argue with me, Timon? or does my voice provoke you?
Tim. Oh, talk away; but be brief; no rascally lawyer’s ‘opening the case.’ I can put up with a few words from you, for Hermes’ sake.
Pl. A speech of some length might seem to be needed, considering the number of your charges; however, just examine your imputations of injustice180. It was I that gave you those great objects of desire — consideration, precedence, honours, and every delight; all eyes and tongues and attentions were yours — my gifts; and if flatterers abused you, I am not responsible for that. It is I who should rather complain; you prostituted me vilely181 to scoundrels, whose laudations and cajolery of you were only samples of their designs upon me. As to your saying that I wound up by betraying you, you have things topsy-turvy again; I may complain; you took every method to estrange182 me, and finally kicked me out neck and crop. That is why your revered183 Dame184 Poverty has supplied you with a smock-frock to replace your soft raiment. Why, I begged and prayed Zeus (and Hermes heard me) that I might be excused from revisiting a person who had been so unfriendly to me as you.
Her. But you see how he is changed, Plutus; you need not be afraid to live with him now. Just go on digging, Timon; and you, Plutus, put Thesaurus in position; he will come at your call.
Tim. I must obey, and be a rich man again, Hermes; what can one do, when Gods insist? But reflect what troubles you are bringing on my luckless head; I have had a blissful life of late, and now for no fault of my own I am to have my hands full of gold and care again.
Her. Hard, intolerable fate! yet endure for my sake, if only that the flatterers may burst themselves with envy. And now for heaven, via Etna.
Pl. He is off, I suppose, from the beating of his wings. Now, you stay where you are, while I go and fetch Thesaurus to you; or rather, dig hard. Here, Gold! Thesaurus I say! answer Timon’s summons and let him unearth185 you. Now, Timon, with a will; a deep stroke or two. I will leave you together.
Tim. Come, spade, show your mettle186; stick to it; invite Thesaurus to step up from his retreat. . . . O God of Wonders! O mystic priests! O lucky Hermes! whence this flood of gold? Sure, ’tis all a dream; methinks ’twill be ashes when I wake. And yet — coined gold, ruddy and heavy, a feast of delight!
O gold, the fairest gift to mortal eyes! be it night, or be it day, Thou dost outshine all else like living fire.
Come to me, my own, my beloved. I doubt the tale no longer; well might Zeus take the shape of gold; where is the maid that would not open her bosom187 to receive so fair a lover gliding188 through the roof?
Talk of Midas, Croesus, Delphic treasures! they were all nothing to Timon and his wealth; why, the Persian King could not match it. My spade, my dearest smock-frock, you must hang, a votive offering to Pan. And now I will buy up this desert corner, and build a tiny castle for my treasure, big enough for me to live in all alone, and, when I am dead, to lie in. And be the rule and law of my remaining days to shun34 all men, be blind to all men, scorn all men. Friendship, hospitality, society, compassion — vain words all. To be moved by another’s tears, to assist another’s need — be such things illegal and immoral189. Let me live apart like a wolf; be Timon’s one friend — Timon.
All others are my foes190 and ill-wishers; to hold communion with them is pollution; to set eyes upon one of them marks the day unholy; let them be to me even as images of bronze or stone. I will receive no herald191 from them, keep with them no truce192; the bounds of my desert are the line they may not cross. Cousin and kinsman193, neighbour and countryman — these are dead useless names, wherein fools may find a meaning. Let Timon keep his wealth to himself, scorn all men, and live in solitary luxury, quit of flattery and vulgar praise; let him sacrifice and feast alone, his own associate and neighbour, far from 8 the world. Yea, when his last day comes, let there be none to close his eyes and lay him out, but himself alone.
Be the name he loves Misanthropus, and the marks whereby he may be known peevishness194 and spleen, wrath195 and rudeness and abhorrence196. If ever one burning to death should call for help against the flames, let me help — with pitch and oil. If another be swept past me by a winter torrent197, and stretch out his hands for aid, then let mine press him down head under, that he never rise again. So shall they receive as they have given. Mover of this resolution — Timon, son of Echecratides of Collytus. Presiding officer — the same Timon. The ayes have it. Let it be law, and duly observed.
All the same, I would give a good deal to have the fact of my enormous wealth generally known; they would all be fit to hang themselves over it. . . . Why, what is this? Well, that is quick work. Here they come running from every point of the compass, all dusty and panting; they have smelt198 out the gold somehow or other. Now, shall I get on top of this knoll199, keep up a galling200 fire of stones from my point of vantage, and get rid of them that way? Or shall I make an exception to my law by parleying with them for once? contempt might hit harder than stones. Yes, I think that is better; I will stay where I am, and receive them. Let us see, who is this in front? Ah, Gnathonides the flatterer; when I asked an alms of him the other day, he offered me a halter; many a cask of my wine has he made a beast of himself over. I congratulate him on his speed; first come, first served.
Gna. What did I tell them? — Timon was too good a man to be abandoned by Providence201. How are you, Timon? as good-looking and good-tempered, as good a fellow, as ever?
Tim. And you, Gnathonides, still teaching vultures rapacity202, and men cunning?
Gna. Ah, he always liked his little joke. But where do you dine? I have brought a new song with me, a march out of the last musical thing on.
Tim. It will be a funeral march, then, and a very touching one, with spade obbligato.
Gna. What means this? This is assault, Timon; just let me find a witness! . . . Oh, my God, my God! . . . I’ll have you before the Areopagus for assault and battery.
Tim. You’d better not wait much longer, or you’ll have to make it murder.
Gna. Mercy, mercy! . . . Now, a little gold ointment203 to heal the wound; it is a first-rate styptic.
Tim. What! you won’t go, won’t you?
Gna. Oh, I am going. But you shall repent204 this. Alas205, so genial206 once, and now so rude!
Tim. Now who is this with the bald crown? Why, it is Philiades; if there is a loathsome207 flatterer, it is he. When I sang that song that nobody else would applaud, he lauded208 me to the skies, and swore no dying swan could be more tuneful; his reward was one of my farms, and a 500 pounds portion for his daughter. And then when he found I was ill, and had come to him for assistance, his generous aid took the form of blows.
Phil. You shameless creatures! yes, yes, now you know Timon’s merits! now Gnathonides would be his friend and boon-companion! well, he has the right reward of ingratitude. Some of us were his familiars and playmates and neighbours; but we hold back a little; we would not seem to thrust ourselves upon him. Greeting, lord Timon; pray let me warn you against these abominable209 flatterers; they are your humble210 servants during meal-times, and else about as useful as carrion crows. Perfidy211 is the order of the day; everywhere ingratitude and vileness212. I was just bringing a couple of hundred pounds, for your immediate214 necessities, and was nearly here before I heard of your splendid fortune. So I just came on to give you this word of caution; though indeed you are wise enough (I would take your advice before Nestor’s myself) to need none of my counsel.
Tim. Quite so, Philiades. But come near, will you not, and receive my — spade!
Phil. Help, help! this thankless brute215 has broken my head, for giving him good counsel.
Tim. Now for number three. Lawyer Demeas — my cousin, as he calls himself, with a decree in his hand. Between three and four thousand it was that I paid in to the Treasury216 in ready money for him; he had been fined that amount and imprisoned in default, and I took pity on him. Well, the other day he was distributing-officer of the festival money 9; when I applied217 for my share, he pretended I was not a citizen.
Dem. Hail, Timon, ornament218 of our race, pillar of Athens, shield of Hellas! The Assembly and both Councils are met, and expect your appearance. But first hear the decree which I have proposed in your honour. ‘WHEREAS Timon son of Echecratides of Collytus who adds to high position and character a sagacity unmatched in Greece is a consistent and indefatigable219 promoter of his country’s good and Whereas he has been victorious220 at Olympia on one day in boxing wrestling and running as well as in the two and the four-horse chariot races —’
Tim. Why, I was never so much as a spectator at Olympia.
Dem. What does that matter? you will be some day. It looks better to have a good deal of that sort in-‘and Whereas he fought with distinction last year at Acharnae cutting two Peloponnesian companies to pieces —’
Tim. Good work that, considering that my name was not on the muster-rolls, because I could not afford a suit of armour221.
Dem. Ah, you are modest; but it would be ingratitude in us to forget your services —‘and Whereas by political measures and responsible advice and military action he has conferred great benefits on his country Now for all these reasons it is the pleasure of the Assembly and the Council the ten divisions of the High Court and the Borough222 Councils individually and collectively THAT a golden statue of the said Timon be placed on the Acropolis alongside of Athene with a thunderbolt in the hand and a seven-rayed aureole on the head Further that golden garlands be conferred on him and proclaimed this day at the New Tragedies 10 the said day being kept in his honour as the Dionysia. Mover of the Decree Demeas the pleader the said Timon’s near relation and disciple76 the said Timon being as distinguished223 in pleading as in all else wherein it pleases him to excel.’
So runs the decree. I had designed also to present to you my son, whom I have named Timon after you.
Tim. Why, I thought you were a bachelor, Demeas.
Dem. Ah, but I intend to marry next year; my child — which is to be a boy — I hereby name Timon.
Tim. I doubt whether you will feel like marrying, my man, when I have given you — this!
Dem. Oh Lord! what is that for? . . . You are plotting a coup213 d’etat, you Timon; you assault free men, and you are neither a free man nor a citizen yourself. You shall soon be called to account for your crimes; it was you set fire to the Acropolis, for one thing.
Tim. Why, you scoundrel, the Acropolis has not been set on fire; you are a common blackmailer224.
Dem. You got your gold by breaking into the Treasury.
Tim. It has not been broken into, either; you are not even plausible225.
Dem. There is time for the burglary yet; meantime, you are in possession of the treasures.
Tim. Well, here is another for you, anyhow.
Dem. Oh! oh! my back!
Tim. Don’t make such a noise, if you don’t want a third. It would be too absurd, you know, if I could cut two companies of Spartans226 to pieces without my armour, and not be able to give a single little scoundrel his deserts. My Olympic boxing and wrestling victories would be thrown away.
Whom have we now? is this Thrasycles the philosopher? sure enough it is. A halo of beard, eyebrows227 an inch above their place, superiority in his air, a look that might storm heaven, locks waving to the wind — ’tis a very Boreas or Triton from Zeuxis’ pencil. This hero of the careful get-up, the solemn gait, the plain attire228 — in the morning he will utter a thousand maxims229, expounding230 Virtue, arraigning231 self-indulgence, lauding232 simplicity233; and then, when he gets to dinner after his bath, his servant fills him a bumper234 (he prefers it neat), and draining this Lethe-draught he proceeds to turn his morning maxima inside out; he swoops235 like a hawk236 on dainty dishes, elbows his neighbour aside, fouls237 his beard with trickling238 sauce, laps like a dog, with his nose in his plate, as if he expected to find Virtue there, and runs his finger all round the bowl, not to lose a drop of the gravy239. Let him monopolize240 pastry241 or joint242, he will still criticize the carving243 — that is all the satisfaction his ravenous244 greed brings him —; when the wine is in, singing and dancing are delights not fierce enough; he must brawl245 and rave. He has plenty to say in his cups — he is then at his best in that kind — upon temperance and decorum; he is full of these when his potations have reduced him to ridiculous stuttering. Next the wine disagrees with him, and at last he is carried out of the room, holding on with all his might to the flute-girl. Take him sober, for that matter, and you will hardly find his match at lying, effrontery246 or avarice247. He is facile princeps of flatterers, perjury sits on his tongue-tip, imposture248 goes before him, and shamelessness is his good comrade; oh, he is a most ingenious piece of work, finished at all points, a multum in parvo. I am afraid his kind heart will be grieved presently. Why, how is this, Thrasycles? I must say, you have taken your time about coming.
Thr. Ah, Timon, I am not come like the rest of the crowd; they are dazzled by your wealth; they are gathered together with an eye to gold and silver and high living; they will soon be showing their servile tricks before your unsuspicious, generous self. As for me, you know a crust is all the dinner I care for; the relish249 I like best is a bit of thyme or cress; on festal days I may go as far as a sprinkling of salt. My drink is the crystal spring; and this threadbare cloak is better than your gay robes. Gold — I value it no higher than pebbles250 on the beach. What brought me was concern for you; I would not have you ruined by this same pestilent wealth, this temptation for plunderers; many is the man it has sunk in helpless misery. Take my advice, and fling it bodily into the sea; a good man, to whom the wealth of philosophy is revealed, has no need of the other. It does not matter about deep water, my good sir; wade251 in up to your waist when the tide is near flood, and let no one see you but me. Or if that is not satisfactory, here is another plan even better. Get it all out of the house as quick as you can, not reserving a penny for yourself, and distribute it to the poor five shillings to one, five pounds to another, a hundred to a third; philosophy might constitute a claim to a double or triple share. For my part — and I do not ask for myself, only to divide it among my needy252 friends — I should be quite content with as much as my scrip would hold; it is something short of two standard bushels; if one professes253 philosophy, one must be moderate and have few needs — none that go beyond the capacity of a scrip.
Tim. Very right, Thrasycles. But instead of a mere scripful, pray take a whole headful of clouts254, standard measure by the spade.
Thr. Land of liberty, equality, legality! protect me against this ruffian!
Tim. What is your grievance255, my good man? is the measure short? here is a pint256 or two extra, then, to put it right.
Why, what now? here comes a crowd; friend Blepsias, Laches, Gniphon; their name is legion; they shall howl soon. I had better get up on the rock; my poor tired spade wants a little rest; I will collect all the stones I can lay hands on, and pepper them at long range.
Bl. Don’t throw, Timon; we are going.
Tim. Whether the retreat will be bloodless, however, is another question.
H.
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1
arbiter
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| n.仲裁人，公断人 | |
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hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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avenger
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| n. 复仇者 | |
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epithets
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| n.（表示性质、特征等的）词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
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poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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projectile
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| n.投射物，发射体；adj.向前开进的；推进的；抛掷的 | |
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scorch
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| v.烧焦，烤焦；高速疾驶；n.烧焦处，焦痕 | |
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iniquity
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| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
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meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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perjury
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| n.伪证；伪证罪 | |
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lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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glazed
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| adj.光滑的，像玻璃的；上过釉的；呆滞无神的v.装玻璃( glaze的过去式)；上釉于，上光；（目光）变得呆滞无神 | |
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armistices
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| n.停火( armistice的名词复数 )；停战；休战协议；停战协议 | |
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aegis
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| n.盾；保护，庇护 | |
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rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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sieve
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| n.筛，滤器，漏勺 | |
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presto
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| adv.急速地；n.急板乐段；adj.急板的 | |
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stranding
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| n.（船只）搁浅v.使滞留，使搁浅( strand的现在分词 ) | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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deities
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| n.神，女神( deity的名词复数 )；神祗；神灵；神明 | |
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depose
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| vt.免职；宣誓作证 | |
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slayer
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| n. 杀人者，凶手 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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illustrate
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| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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shun
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| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
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shunned
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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saviour
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| n.拯救者，救星 | |
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benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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exempt
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| adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者 | |
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contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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bellows
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| n.风箱；发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的名词复数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的第三人称单数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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rave
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| vi.胡言乱语；热衷谈论；n.热情赞扬 | |
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blasphemy
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| n.亵渎，渎神 | |
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parvenu
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| n.暴发户，新贵 | |
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filth
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| n.肮脏，污物，污秽；淫猥 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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carrion
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| n.腐肉 | |
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gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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55
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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marrow
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| n.骨髓；精华；活力 | |
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severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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vouchsafe
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| v.惠予，准许 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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sycophants
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| n.谄媚者，拍马屁者( sycophant的名词复数 ) | |
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thighs
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| n.股，大腿( thigh的名词复数 )；食用的鸡（等的）腿 | |
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nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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vociferous
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| adj.喧哗的，大叫大嚷的 | |
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incorporeal
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| adj.非物质的，精神的 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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parasites
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| 寄生物( parasite的名词复数 )； 靠他人为生的人； 诸虫 | |
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parasite
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| n.寄生虫；寄生菌；食客 | |
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ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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spikes
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| n.穗( spike的名词复数 )；跑鞋；（防滑）鞋钉；尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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disciples
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| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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76
disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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77
pulverized
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| adj.[医]雾化的，粉末状的v.将…弄碎( pulverize的过去式和过去分词 )；将…弄成粉末或尘埃；摧毁；粉碎 | |
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78
pauper
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| n.贫民，被救济者，穷人 | |
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79
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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80
toadies
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| n.谄媚者，马屁精( toady的名词复数 )v.拍马，谄媚( toady的第三人称单数 ) | |
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81
gulls
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| n.鸥( gull的名词复数 )v.欺骗某人( gull的第三人称单数 ) | |
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82
consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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83
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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84
pittance
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| n.微薄的薪水，少量 | |
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85
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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86
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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87
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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88
careworn
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| adj.疲倦的，饱经忧患的 | |
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89
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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90
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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91
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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92
debit
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| n.借方，借项，记人借方的款项 | |
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93
distraction
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| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
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94
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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95
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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96
hoard
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| n./v.窖藏，贮存，囤积 | |
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97
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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98
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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99
sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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100
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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101
carouse
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| v.狂欢；痛饮；n.狂饮的宴会 | |
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102
candidly
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| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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103
negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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104
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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105
tyrants
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| 专制统治者( tyrant的名词复数 )； 暴君似的人； （古希腊的）僭主； 严酷的事物 | |
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106
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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107
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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108
steers
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| n.阉公牛，肉用公牛( steer的名词复数 )v.驾驶( steer的第三人称单数 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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109
janitor
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| n.看门人，管门人 | |
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110
pander
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| v.迎合；n.拉皮条者，勾引者；帮人做坏事的人 | |
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111
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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112
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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113
wither
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| vt.使凋谢，使衰退，(用眼神气势等)使畏缩；vi.枯萎，衰退，消亡 | |
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114
eel
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| n.鳗鲡 | |
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115
runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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116
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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117
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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118
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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119
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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120
intermittent
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| adj.间歇的，断断续续的 | |
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121
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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122
lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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123
Pluto
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| n.冥王星 | |
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124
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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125
minion
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| n.宠仆；宠爱之人 | |
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126
vices
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| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
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127
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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128
pounced
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的过去式和过去分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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129
fetters
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| n.脚镣( fetter的名词复数 )；束缚v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的第三人称单数 ) | |
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130
tingle
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| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
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131
treadmill
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| n.踏车；单调的工作 | |
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132
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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133
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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134
disperses
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| v.（使）分散( disperse的第三人称单数 )；疏散；驱散；散布 | |
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135
perjuries
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| n.假誓，伪证，伪证罪( perjury的名词复数 ) | |
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136
amass
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| vt.积累，积聚 | |
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137
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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138
dubious
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| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
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139
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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140
rambles
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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141
decrepit
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| adj.衰老的，破旧的 | |
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142
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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143
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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144
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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145
gilt
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| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
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146
deluded
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| v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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147
adventitious
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| adj.偶然的 | |
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148
arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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149
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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150
abhor
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| v.憎恶；痛恨 | |
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151
reveres
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的第三人称单数 ) | |
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152
bodyguard
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| n.护卫，保镖 | |
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153
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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154
begotten
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| v.为…之生父( beget的过去分词 )；产生，引起 | |
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155
unstable
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| adj.不稳定的，易变的 | |
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156
wriggle
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| v./n.蠕动，扭动；蜿蜒 | |
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157
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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158
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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159
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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160
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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161
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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162
refinements
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| n.（生活）风雅；精炼( refinement的名词复数 )；改良品；细微的改良；优雅或高贵的动作 | |
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163
absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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164
villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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165
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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166
overdoing
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| v.做得过分( overdo的现在分词 )；太夸张；把…煮得太久；（工作等）过度 | |
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167
boor
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| n.举止粗野的人；乡下佬 | |
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168
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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169
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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170
misanthrope
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| n.恨人类的人；厌世者 | |
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171
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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172
corrupted
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| （使）败坏( corrupt的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）腐化； 引起（计算机文件等的）错误； 破坏 | |
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173
treacherously
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| 背信弃义地； 背叛地； 靠不住地； 危险地 | |
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174
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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175
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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176
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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177
livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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178
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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179
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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180
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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181
vilely
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| adv.讨厌地，卑劣地 | |
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182
estrange
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| v.使疏远，离间，使离开 | |
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183
revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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184
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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185
unearth
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| v.发掘，掘出，从洞中赶出 | |
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186
mettle
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| n.勇气，精神 | |
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187
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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188
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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189
immoral
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| adj.不道德的，淫荡的，荒淫的，有伤风化的 | |
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190
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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191
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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192
truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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193
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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194
peevishness
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| 脾气不好；爱发牢骚 | |
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195
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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196
abhorrence
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| n.憎恶；可憎恶的事 | |
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197
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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198
smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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199
knoll
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| n.小山，小丘 | |
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200
galling
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| adj.难堪的,使烦恼的,使焦躁的 | |
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201
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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202
rapacity
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| n.贪婪，贪心，劫掠的欲望 | |
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203
ointment
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| n.药膏，油膏，软膏 | |
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204
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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205
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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206
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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207
loathsome
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| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
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208
lauded
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| v.称赞，赞美( laud的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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209
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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210
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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211
perfidy
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| n.背信弃义，不忠贞 | |
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212
vileness
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| n.讨厌，卑劣 | |
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213
coup
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| n.政变；突然而成功的行动 | |
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214
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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215
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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216
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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217
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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218
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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219
indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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220
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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221
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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222
borough
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| n.享有自治权的市镇；(英)自治市镇 | |
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223
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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224
blackmailer
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| 敲诈者，勒索者 | |
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225
plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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226
spartans
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| n.斯巴达（spartan的复数形式） | |
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227
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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228
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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229
maxims
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| n.格言，座右铭( maxim的名词复数 ) | |
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230
expounding
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的现在分词 ) | |
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231
arraigning
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| v.告发( arraign的现在分词 )；控告；传讯；指责 | |
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232
lauding
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| v.称赞，赞美( laud的现在分词 ) | |
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233
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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234
bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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235
swoops
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| 猛扑，突然下降( swoop的名词复数 ) | |
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236
hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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237
fouls
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| n.煤层尖灭；恶劣的( foul的名词复数 )；邪恶的；难闻的；下流的v.使污秽( foul的第三人称单数 )；弄脏；击球出界；（通常用废物）弄脏 | |
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238
trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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239
gravy
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| n.肉汁；轻易得来的钱，外快 | |
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240
monopolize
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| v.垄断，独占，专营 | |
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241
pastry
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| n.油酥面团，酥皮糕点 | |
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242
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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243
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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244
ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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245
brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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246
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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247
avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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248
imposture
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| n.冒名顶替，欺骗 | |
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249
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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250
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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251
wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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252
needy
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
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253
professes
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| 声称( profess的第三人称单数 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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254
clouts
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| n.猛打( clout的名词复数 )；敲打；（尤指政治上的）影响；（用手或硬物的）击v.（尤指用手）猛击，重打( clout的第三人称单数 ) | |
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255
grievance
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| n.怨愤，气恼，委屈 | |
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256
pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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