d
severed his bonds, ere one could say Themistocles. And in an instant the
cavern was filled with Athenian senators.

"Hail," they cried, "to Timon the munificent! Hail to Timon the
compassionate! Hail to Timon the lover of his kind!"

"I am none of these things," said Timon. "I am Timon the misanthrope."

"This must be my Lord's wit and playfulness," said the bland man, "for how
else should the Senate and the people have passed a decree, indited by
myself, ordering an altar to be raised to Timon the Benefactor, and
appointing him chief archon? But come, hand over thy treasure, that thy
installation may take effect with due observance."

"I have been deprived of my treasure," said Timon.

But the ambassadors gave him no credit until they had searched every chink
and crevice in the cavern, and dug up all the earth round the entrance.
They then regarded each other with blank consternation.

"Let us leave him as we found him," said one.

"Let us hang him up," said another.

"Let us sell him into captivity," said a third.

"Nay, friends," said the bland gentleman, "such confession of error would
impeach our credit as statesmen. Moreover, should the people learn that
Timon has lost his money, they will naturally conclude that we have taken
it. Let us, therefore, keep this misfortune from their knowledge, and trust
for relief to the chapter of accidents, as usual in State affairs."

They therefore robed Timon in a dress of honour, and conducted him to
Athens, where half the inhabitants were awaiting him. Two triumphal arches
spanned the principal street, and on one was inscribed "Timon the
Benefactor," and on the other "Timon the Friend of Humanity." And all
along, far as the eye could reach, stood those whom his bounty, as was
stated, had rescued from perdition, the poor he had relieved, the sick he
had medicined, the orphans he had fathered, the poets and painters he had
patronised, all lauding and thanking him, and soliciting a continuance of
his liberality. And the rabble cried "Largesse, largesse!" and horsemen
galloped forth, casting among them nuts enveloped in silver-leaf and apples
and comfits and trinkets and brass farthings in incredible quantities. At
which the people murmured somewhat, and spoke amiss respecting Timon and
the senators who escorted him, and the bland gentleman strove to keep Timon
between himself and the populace. While Timon was pondering what the end of
these things should be, his mo