of his free love, hath presented to you For milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver. . I shall accept them fairly: let the presents Enter a third SERVANT. Beworthily entertain'd.-How now, what news? Serv. Please you, my lord, that honourable galleman, lord Lucullus, entreats your company morrow to hunt with him; and has sent your Pour two brace of greyhounds. Tim. I'll haut with him; and let them be received, Not without fair reward. Fav. [Aside.] What will this come to? He commands us to provide, and give great gifts, ind all out of an empty coffer. Nor will he know his purse; or yield me this, promises fly so beyond his state, That what he speaks is all in debt, he owes Happier is he that hath no friend to feed, Tim. You do yourselves [Exit. Mach wrong, you bate too much of your own me no man Can justly praise, but what he does affect: I weigh my friend's affection with mine own; tell you true. I'll call on you. All Lords. None so welcome. Tim. I take all and your several visitations Skind to heart, 'tis not enough to give; Methinks, I could deal kingdoms to my friends, And ne'er be weary.-Alcibiades, Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich, It comes in charity to thee: for all thy living I'mongst the dead; and all the lands thou hast Lie in a pitch'd field. Aleib. Ay, defiled land, my lord. 1 Lord. We are so virtuously bound,- Tim. And so Am 1 to you. 2 Lord. So infinitely endear'd,—— Tim. All to you -Lights, more lights. Honour, and fortunes, keep with you, lord Timon! [Exeunt Alcibiades, Lords, &c. Apem. What a coil's here! Serving of becks and jutting out of bums! Idonbt whether their legs be worth the sums That are given for 'em. Friendship's full of dregs: Methinks, false hearts should never have sound legs. Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on court'sies. Tim. Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen, I'd be good to thee. Apem. No, I'll nothing: for, If I should be bribed too, there would be none left To rail upon thee; and then thou wouldst sin the Apem. So; Thou'll not hear me now,-thou shalt not then, I'll lock . Thy heaven from thee. O, that men's ears should be To counsel deaf, but not to flattery! [Exit ACT II. SCENE I.-The same.-A Room in a Senator's House. Enter a SENATOR, with Papers in his Hand. Sen. And late, five thousand to Varro; and to Isidore He owes nine thousand; besides my former sum, Enter CAPHIS. Caph. Here, Sir; What is your pleasure? Importune him for my monies; be not ceased t A visage of demand; for, I do fear, Sen. I go, Sir ?-take the bonds along with you, Sen. Go. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same.-A Hall in Timon's House. Enter FLAVIUS, with many Bills in his Hand. Flav. No care, no stop! So senseless of expence, That he will neither know how to maintain it, Nor cease his flow of riot: takes no account How things go from him; nor resumes no care Of what is to continue; never mind Was to be so unwise, to be so kind. What shall be done? He will not hear, till feel: I must be round with him, now he comes froni hunting. Fie, fie, fie, fie! Enter CAPHIS, and the SERVANTS of ISIDORE and VARKO. Caph. Good even‡, Varro: What, Var. Serv. Is't not your business too? Caph. 'Would we were all discharged! Caph. Here comes the lord. Enter TIMON, ALCIBIADES, and LORDS, &c. Tim. So soon as dinner's done, we'll forth again §, My Alcibiades.-With me? what's your will? Caph. My lord, here is a note of certain dues. Tim. Dues? Whence are you? By his heaven he means good advice; the only thing by which he could be saved. + Stopped. Good even was the usual salutation from noon. i. e. To hunting; in our author's time it was the custom to hunt as well after dinner as before. Caph. Of Athens here, my lord, Caph. Please it your lordship, he hath put me off To call upon his own; and humbly prays you, Tim. Mine honest friend, I pr'ythee, but repair to me next morning. Tim. Contain thyself, good friend. Apem. If Timon stay at home.-You three serv three usurers ? All Serv. Ay; 'would they served us! Apem. So would I,-as good a trick as ever hang man served thief. Fool. Are you three usurers' men? All Serv. Ay, fool. Fool. I think, no usurer but has a fool to his ser vant: my mistress is one, and I am her fool. Whe men come to borrow of your masters, they approach sadly, and go away merry; but they enter my mist tress' house merrily, and go away sadly: The reas: Var. Serv. One Varro's servant, my good lord, son of this? He humbly prays your speedy payment, Caph. If you did know, my lord, my master's you. I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on; Flur. Please you, gentlemen, The time is unagreeable to this business: Tim. Do so, my friends: See them well entertain'd. Flav. I pray, draw near. [Exit Timon. [Exit Flavius. Enter APEMANTUS and a FOOL. Var. Serv. I could render one. Apem. Do it then, that we may account thee ta whoremaster, and a knave; which notwithstand. ing, thou shalt be no less esteemed. Var. Serv. What is a whoremaster, fool? Fool. A fool in good clothes, and something like thee. 'Tis a spirit: sometime, it appears like a lord; sometime, like a lawyer, sometime, like a philosopher, with two stones more than his artifi cial one: he is very often like a knight; and, ges nerally in all shapes, that man goes up and dow in, from fourscore to thirteen, this spirit walks in. Var. Serv. Thou art not altogether a fool. Fool. Nor thou altogether a wise man: as much foolery as I have, so much wit thou lackest. Apem. That answer might have become Apeman- tus. Caph. Stay, stay, here comes the fool with Ape. Had you not fully laid my state before me; mantus; let's have some sport with 'em. Isid. Serv. [To Var. Serv.] There's the fool hangs on your back already. Apem. No, thou stand'st single, thou art not on him yet. Caph. Where's the fool now? Apem. He last asked the question.-Poor rogues, All Serv. Why? Perchance, some single vantages you took, Flav. O, my good lord! At many times I brought in my accounts, And say, you found them in mine honesty. Yea, 'gainst the authority of manners, pray'd you Apem. That you ask me what you are, and do To hold your hand more close: I did endure not know yourselves.-Speak to 'em, fool. Fool. How do you, gentlemen? Not seldom, nor no slight checks; when I have Tim. Let all my land be sold. Flav. 'Tis all engaged, some forfeited and gone; Tim. To Lacedæmon did my land extend. 1 I have retired me to a wasteful cock", And set mine eyes at flow. Tia. Pr'ythee, no more. Flat. Heavens, have I said, the bounty of this Hey many prodigal bits have slaves, and peasants, at heart, head, sword, force, means, but is lord Great Timon, nobie, worthy, royal Timon? 4! when the means are gone, that buy this praise, 1 Ton. Come, sermon me no further: 1 No villainous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart; Inwisely, not ignobly, have I given. Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack, To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart; If I would broach the vessels of my love, And try the argument of hearts by borrowing, Men, and men's fortunes, could I frankly use, As I can bid thee speak. Flav. Assurance bless your thoughts! Tim. And, in some sort, these wants of mine are crown'd t. That I account them blessings; for by these Enter FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and other SERVANTS. Tim. I will despatch you severally.-You, to lord Lucius, To lord Lucullus you; I hunted with his say, That my occasions have found time to use them Flam. As you have said, my lord. Flav. Lord Lucius, and lord Lucullus? Humph! [Aside. Tan. Go you, Sir, [To another Serv.] to the se nators, (Of whom, even to the state's best health, I have Deserved this hearing), bid 'em send o' the instant A thousand talents to me. Fla. I have been bold, For that I knew it the most general way), Tim. Is't true? Can it be? Flar. They answer, in a joint and corporate voice, That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot Do what they would; are sorry-you are honour able, But yet they could have wish'd-they know not but Something hath been amiss-a noble nature May catch a wrench-would all were well-'tis pity And so, intending other serious matters, After distasteful looks, and these hard fractions, With certain half-caps **, and cold-moving nods, They froze me into silence. Tim. You gods, reward them!Ip'ythee, man, look cheerly; these old fellows Have their ingratitude in them hereditary: Their blood is caked, 'tis cold, it seldom flows; Tis lack of kindly warmth, they are not kind; And nature, as it grows again toward earth, Is fashion'd for the journey, dull, and heavy be not sad, A garret lying in waste, neglected. Thon art true, and honest; ingeniously I speak, No blame belongs to thee :-[To Serv.] Ventidius lately Buried his father; by whose death, he's stepp'd I clear'd him with five talents; greet him from me; With those five talents :-That had,-[To Flav.] give it these fellows, To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think, That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink. Flav. I would, I could not think it; that thought is bounty's foe; Being freet itself, it thinks all others so. [Exeunt. Serv. Here's my lord. Lucul. [Aside.] One of lord Timon's men? a gift, silver bason and ewer to-night. Flaminius, honest I warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a Flaminius; you are very respectively welcome, Sir.-Fill me some wine.-[Exit Servant.] And how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master? Flam. His health is well, Sir. Lucul. I am right glad that his health is well, Sir: and what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius? Flam. Taith, nothing but an empty box, Sir; which, in my lord's behalf, I come to entreat your honour to supply; who, having great and instant occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish him; nothing doubting your pre sent assistance therein. Lucul. La, la, la, la,-nothing doubting, says he? Alas, good lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, if he would not keep so good a house. Many a time and often I have dined with him, and told him on't; and come again to supper to him, of purpose to have him spend less: and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my com ing. Every man has his fault, and honesty is his; I have told him on't, but I could never get him from it. Re-enter SERVANT, with Wine. Serv. Please your lordship, here is the wine. Lucul. Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here's to thee. Flam. Your lordship speaks your pleasure. Lucul. I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt spirit,-give thee thy due,-and one that knows what belongs to reason: and canst use the time well, if the time use thee well: good parts in thee.-Get you gone, sirrah.-[To the Servant, who goes out.]-Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a bountiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and thou knowest well enough, although thou comest to me, that this is no time to lend money; especially upon bare friendship, without security. Here's three solidares for thee; good boy, wink at me, and say, thou saw'st me not. Fare thee well. Flam. Is't possible, the world should so much differ; And we alive, that lived? Fly, damn'd baseness, To hn that worships thee. [Throwing the Money away. Lucul. Ha! Now I see, thou art a fool, and fit [Exit Lucullus. Flam. May these add to the number that may scald thee! what men's hearts are composed, what they have for thy master. I would (says Timon), by borrowing, try of in them, &c. Dignified, made respectable. e. At an ebb. Intending, had anciently the same meaning as 14 attending. Broken hints, abrupt remarks. A half-cap is a cap slightly moved, not put Thou disease of a friend, and not himself! Has friendship such a faint and milky heart, It turns in less than two nights? O you gods, I feel my master's passion! This slave Unto his honour, has my lord's meat in him: Why should it thrive, and turn to nutriment, When he is turn'd to poison ? O, may diseases only work upon't! Is the world's sonl; and just of the same piece Is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him And, when he is sick to death, let not that part of His friend, that dips in the same dish? for, in SCENE II-The same.-A public Place. Enter LUCIUS, with three Strangers. Luc. Who, the lord Timon? he is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman. 1 Stran. We know him for no less, though we are but strangers to him. But I can tell you one thing, my lord, and which I hear from common rumours; now lord Timon's happy hours are done § and past, and his estate shrinks from him. Laic. Fie no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money. 2 Stran. But believe you this, my lord, that, not long ago, one of his meu was with the lord Lucullus, to borrow so many talents; nay, urged extremely for't, and shew'd what necessity belong'd to't, and yet was denied. Luc. How? Stran. I tell you, denied, my lord. Luc. What a strange case was that? Now, before the gods, I am ashamed on't. Denied that honourable man? there was very little honour shew'd in't. For my own part, I must needs confess, I have re. ceived some small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels, and such trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet, had he mistook him, and sent to me, I should ne'er have denied his occasion so many talents. Luc. Ha! what has he sent ? I am so much endear'd to that lord; he's ever sending: How shall I thank him, thinkest thou? And what has he sent now? Ser. He has only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents. Luc. I know, his lordship is but merry with me; He cannot want fifty five hundred talents. 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. Late. What a wicked beast was I, to disfurnish myself against such a good time, when I might have shewn myself honourable! How unluckily it happen'd, that I should purchase the day before for a little part, and undo a great deal of honour!-Servilius, now before the gods, I am not able to do't; the more beast, I say :-I was sending to use lord Timon myself, these gentlemen can witness; but I would not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done it now. Commend me bountifully to his good lordship; and I hope, his honour will conceive the fairest of me, because I have no power to be kind: and tell him this from me, I count it one of my greatest afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far, as to use mine own words to him? My knowing, Timon has been this lord's father, Had his necessity made use of me, I would have put my wealth into donation, [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same.-A Room in Sempronius's House. Enter SEMPRONIUS, and a SERVANT of TIMON'S. Sem. Must he needs trouble me in't? Humph! 'Bove all others? He might have tried lord Lucius, or Lucullus; Serv. O my lord, They have all been touch'd †, and found base metai; for They have all denied him! Sem. How! Have they denied him? Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him? And does he send to me? Three? Humph!— It shews but little love or judgment in him. Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physi cians, me? Thrive, give him over; must I take the cure upon But his occasions might have woo'd me first; And does he think so backwardly of me now, return, Serv. Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly vil lain. The devil knew not what he did, when he made man politic; he cross'd himself by't: and 1 cannot think, but, in the end, the villainies of man will set him clear. How fairly this lord strives to appear foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked; like those that, under hot ardent zeal, would set whole realms on fire. Of such a nature is his politic love. wards Phi. I am of your fear for that. Enter TIMON, in a rage; FLAMINIUS following. Tim. What, are my doors opposed against my passage? Have I been ever free, and must my house Tit. I'll shew you how to observe a strange The place, which I have feasted, does it now, event. Enter FLAMINIUS. Tit. One of lord Timon's men. Luc. Serv. Flaminius! Sir, a word: 'Pray, is my lord ready to come forth? Flam. No, indeed, he is not. Tit. We attend his lordship; 'pray, signify so much. Flam. I need not tell him that; he knows, you are too diligent. [Exit Flaminius. Enter FLAVIUS in a Cloak, muffled. Luc. Serv. Ha! Is not that his steward muffled so? He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him. 1 Var. Serv. By your leave, Sir,→→ If money were as certain as your waiting, i. e. Keep within doors for fear of duns. Like all mankind, shew me an iron heart? Tit. My lord, here is my bill. Hor. Serv. And mine, my lord. Both Var. Serv. And ours, my lord. Phi. All our bills. You only speak from your distracted soul; Tim. Be't not in thy care; go, I charge thee; invite them all: let in the tide Of knaves once more; my cook and I'll provide. [Exeunt. • Timon quibbles. They present their written bills; he catches at the word, and alludes to bills or battle-axes. |
