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Ser. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; I have sweat
to see his honour. My honoured lord![2084]
to see his honour. My honoured lord![2084]
Luc. Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee[2085]
well: commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my[2085] 25
very exquisite friend.[2086]
well: commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my[2085] 25
very exquisite friend.[2086]
Ser. May it please your honour, my lord hath sent—
Luc. Ha! what has he sent? I am so much endeared to[2087]
that lord; he's ever sending: how shall I thank him, think'st
thou? And what has he sent now? 30
that lord; he's ever sending: how shall I thank him, think'st
thou? And what has he sent now? 30
Ser. Has only sent his present occasion now, my lord;[2088]
requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so[2089]
many talents.[2089]
requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so[2089]
many talents.[2089]
Ser. But in the mean time he wants less, my lord.
If his occasion were not virtuous,
I should not urge it half so faithfully.[2091]
If his occasion were not virtuous,
I should not urge it half so faithfully.[2091]
Luc. Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?
Ser. Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir. 40
Luc. What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself
against such a good time, when I might ha' shown myself[2092]
honourable! how unluckily it happened, that I should purchase
the day before for a little part, and undo a great deal[2093]
of honour! Servilius, now, before the gods, I am not able 45
to do—the more beast, I say:—I was sending to use Lord[2094]
Timon myself, these gentlemen can witness; but I would
not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done't now. Commend
me bountifully to his good lordship; and I hope his
honour will conceive the fairest of me, because I have no 50
power to be kind: and tell him this from me, I count it
one of my greatest afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure[2095]
such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you
befriend me so far as to use mine own words to him?[2096]
against such a good time, when I might ha' shown myself[2092]
honourable! how unluckily it happened, that I should purchase
the day before for a little part, and undo a great deal[2093]
of honour! Servilius, now, before the gods, I am not able 45
to do—the more beast, I say:—I was sending to use Lord[2094]
Timon myself, these gentlemen can witness; but I would
not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done't now. Commend
me bountifully to his good lordship; and I hope his
honour will conceive the fairest of me, because I have no 50
power to be kind: and tell him this from me, I count it
one of my greatest afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure[2095]
such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you
befriend me so far as to use mine own words to him?[2096]
Ser. Yes, sir, I shall. 55
Luc. I'll look you out a good turn, Servilius.[2097]
[Exit Servilius.
True, as you said, Timon is shrunk indeed;
And he that's once denied will hardly speed. [Exit.
And he that's once denied will hardly speed. [Exit.
First Stran. Do you observe this, Hostilius?[2098]
Sec. Stran. Ay, too well.
First Stran. Why, this is the world's soul; and just of the same piece[2099][2100]60
Is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him[2099][2100]
His friend that dips in the same dish? for, in[2099]
My knowing, Timon has been this lord's father,[2099]
And kept his credit with his purse;[2099][2101]
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money 65
Has paid his men their wages: he ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;
And yet—O, see the monstrousness of man[2102][2103]
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape!—[2103]
He does deny him, in respect of his, 70
What charitable men afford to beggars.
Is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him[2099][2100]
His friend that dips in the same dish? for, in[2099]
My knowing, Timon has been this lord's father,[2099]
And kept his credit with his purse;[2099][2101]
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money 65
Has paid his men their wages: he ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;
And yet—O, see the monstrousness of man[2102][2103]
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape!—[2103]
He does deny him, in respect of his, 70
What charitable men afford to beggars.
Third Stran. Religion groans at it.
First Stran. For mine own part,[2104]
I never tasted Timon in my life,[2104]
Nor came any of his bounties over me,[2105]
To mark me for his friend; yet, I protest, 75
For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,
And honourable carriage,[2106]
Had his necessity made use of me,
I would have put my wealth into donation,[2107]
And the best half should have return'd to him,[2108][2109] 80
So much I love his heart: but, I perceive,[2109]
Men must learn now with pity to dispense;
For policy sits above conscience.[2110] [Exeunt.
I never tasted Timon in my life,[2104]
Nor came any of his bounties over me,[2105]
To mark me for his friend; yet, I protest, 75
For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,
And honourable carriage,[2106]
Had his necessity made use of me,
I would have put my wealth into donation,[2107]
And the best half should have return'd to him,[2108][2109] 80
So much I love his heart: but, I perceive,[2109]
Men must learn now with pity to dispense;
For policy sits above conscience.[2110] [Exeunt.
Scene III. A room in Sempronius' house.[2111]
Enter Sempronius, and a Servant of Timon's.[2112]
Sem. Must he needs trouble me in 't,—hum!—'bove all others?[2113]
He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
Whom he redeem'd from prison: all these
Owe their estates unto him.[2114]
He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
Whom he redeem'd from prison: all these
Owe their estates unto him.[2114]
Serv. My lord,[2115][2116] 5
They have all been touch'd and found base metal, for[2116][2117][2118]
They have all denied him.[2116][2118][2119]
They have all been touch'd and found base metal, for[2116][2117][2118]
They have all denied him.[2116][2118][2119]
Sem. How! have they denied him?
Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?[2120]
And does he send to me? Three? hum!
It shows but little love or judgement in him:[2121] 10
Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,[2122][2123]
Thrive, give him over: must I take the cure upon me?[2122][2124]
Has much disgraced me in 't; I'm angry at him,[2125]
That might have known my place: I see no sense for 't,[2126]
But his occasions might have woo'd me first; 15
For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er received gift from him:[2127]
And does he think so backwardly of me now,[2128]
That I'll requite it last? No:[2129]
So it may prove an argument of laughter 20
To the rest, and 'mongst lords I be thought a fool.[2130]
I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum,[2131]
Had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;[2132]
I'd such a courage to do him good. But now return,[2133]
And with their faint reply this answer join; 25
Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin. [Exit.
Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?[2120]
And does he send to me? Three? hum!
It shows but little love or judgement in him:[2121] 10
Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,[2122][2123]
Thrive, give him over: must I take the cure upon me?[2122][2124]
Has much disgraced me in 't; I'm angry at him,[2125]
That might have known my place: I see no sense for 't,[2126]
But his occasions might have woo'd me first; 15
For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er received gift from him:[2127]
And does he think so backwardly of me now,[2128]
That I'll requite it last? No:[2129]
So it may prove an argument of laughter 20
To the rest, and 'mongst lords I be thought a fool.[2130]
I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum,[2131]
Had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;[2132]
I'd such a courage to do him good. But now return,[2133]
And with their faint reply this answer join; 25
Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin. [Exit.
Serv. Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The[2134]
devil knew not what he did when he made man politic; he[2134][2135]
crossed himself by 't: and I cannot think but in the end the[2134][2136]
villanies of man will set him clear. How fairly this lord[2134][2137]30
strives to appear foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked;[2134][2138]
like those that under hot ardent zeal would set whole[2134][2139]
realms on fire:[2134]
Of such a nature is his politic love.[2140]
This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled,[2141] 35
Save only the gods: now his friends are dead,[2142]
Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards
Many a bounteous year, must be employ'd
Now to guard sure their master.
And this is all a liberal course allows; 40
Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house. [Exit.
devil knew not what he did when he made man politic; he[2134][2135]
crossed himself by 't: and I cannot think but in the end the[2134][2136]
villanies of man will set him clear. How fairly this lord[2134][2137]30
strives to appear foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked;[2134][2138]
like those that under hot ardent zeal would set whole[2134][2139]
realms on fire:[2134]
Of such a nature is his politic love.[2140]
This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled,[2141] 35
Save only the gods: now his friends are dead,[2142]
Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards
Many a bounteous year, must be employ'd
Now to guard sure their master.
And this is all a liberal course allows; 40
Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house. [Exit.
Scene IV. A hall in Timon's house.[2143]
Enter two Servants of Varro, and the Servant of Lucius, meeting Titus, Hortensius, and other Servants of Timon's creditors, waiting his coming out.[2144]
First Var. Serv. Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.[2145]
Tit. The like to you, kind Varro.[2146]
Enter Philotus.
Luc. Serv. And Sir Philotus too![2148]
Phi. Good day at once.
Phi. Labouring for nine.
Luc. Serv. So much?
Phi. Is not my lord seen yet?
Luc. Serv. Not yet.
Phi. I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at seven.[2152] 10
Luc. Serv. Ay, but the days are wax'd shorter with him:[2153]
You must consider that a prodigal course[2154]
Is like the sun's; but not, like his, recoverable.[2155]
I fear[2155]
'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse;[2156] 15
That is, one may reach deep enough and yet[2156]
Find little.[2156]
You must consider that a prodigal course[2154]
Is like the sun's; but not, like his, recoverable.[2155]
I fear[2155]
'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse;[2156] 15
That is, one may reach deep enough and yet[2156]
Find little.[2156]
Phi. I am of your fear for that.
Tit. I'll show you how to observe a strange event.
Your lord sends now for money.
Your lord sends now for money.
Hor. Most true, he does.[2157]
Tit. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift, 20
For which I wait for money.[2158]
For which I wait for money.[2158]
Hor. It is against my heart.[2159]
Luc. Serv. Mark, how strange it shows,
Timon in this should pay more than he owes:
And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels,
And send for money for 'em. 25
Timon in this should pay more than he owes:
And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels,
And send for money for 'em. 25
Hor. I'm weary of this charge, the gods can witness:[2160]
I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,
And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.[2161]
I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,
And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.[2161]
First Var. Serv. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours?[2162]
Luc. Serv. Five thousand mine.[2163] 30
Enter Flaminius.
Tit. One of Lord Timon's men.
Flam. No, indeed he is not.
Tit. We attend his lordship: pray, signify so much.
Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled.[2169]
Luc. Serv. Ha! is not that his steward muffled so?
He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.
He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.
Tit. Do you hear, sir?
Sec. Var. Serv. By your leave, sir,—[2170]
Flav. What do ye ask of me, my friend?[2171] 45
Tit. We wait for certain money here, sir.[2172]
Flav. Ay,
If money were as certain as your waiting,
'Twere sure enough.[2173]
Why then preferr'd you not your sums and bills,[2173]
When your false masters eat of my lord's meat?[2173][2174] 50
Then they could smile and fawn upon his debts[2173][2175]
And take down the interest into their gluttonous maws.[2173][2176]
You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up;[2173]
Let me pass quietly:[2173]
Believe't, my lord and I have made an end; 55
I have no more to reckon, he to spend.
If money were as certain as your waiting,
'Twere sure enough.[2173]
Why then preferr'd you not your sums and bills,[2173]
When your false masters eat of my lord's meat?[2173][2174] 50
Then they could smile and fawn upon his debts[2173][2175]
And take down the interest into their gluttonous maws.[2173][2176]
You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up;[2173]
Let me pass quietly:[2173]
Believe't, my lord and I have made an end; 55
I have no more to reckon, he to spend.
Luc. Serv. Ay, but this answer will not serve.
First Var. Serv. How! what does his cashiered worship[2179] 60
mutter?
mutter?
Enter Servilius.
Ser. If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some[2182][2184]
other hour, I should derive much from 't; for, take't of my[2182][2185]
soul, my lord leans wondrously to discontent: his comfortable[2182]70
temper has forsook him; he's much out of health and[2182][2186]
keeps his chamber.[2182]
other hour, I should derive much from 't; for, take't of my[2182][2185]
soul, my lord leans wondrously to discontent: his comfortable[2182]70
temper has forsook him; he's much out of health and[2182][2186]
keeps his chamber.[2182]
Luc. Serv. Many do keep their chambers are not sick:
And if it be so far beyond his health,[2187]
Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts, 75
And make a clear way to the gods.
And if it be so far beyond his health,[2187]
Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts, 75
And make a clear way to the gods.
Ser. Good gods!
Tit. We cannot take this for answer, sir.[2188]
Flam. [Within] Servilius, help! My lord! my lord!
Enter Timon in a rage; Flaminius following.[2189]
Tim. What, are my doors opposed against my passage?[2190]
Have I been ever free, and must my house 80
Be my retentive enemy, my gaol?[2191]
The place which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?
Have I been ever free, and must my house 80
Be my retentive enemy, my gaol?[2191]
The place which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?
Luc. Serv. Put in now, Titus.[2192]
Luc. Serv. Here's mine.[2192]
Tim. Knock me down with 'em: cleave me to the girdle.[2192] 90
Tit. Mine, fifty talents.[2192]
Tim. Tell out my blood.[2192]
Luc. Serv. Five thousand crowns, my lord.[2192] 95
Tim. Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you![2204] [Exit.100
Hor. Faith, I perceive our masters may throw their
caps at their money: these debts may well be called desperate
ones, for a madman owes 'em. [Exeunt.
caps at their money: these debts may well be called desperate
ones, for a madman owes 'em. [Exeunt.
Re-enter Timon and Flavius.[2205]