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John Bell [1774], Bell's Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, As they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London; Regulated from the Prompt Books of each House By Permission; with Notes Critical and Illustrative; By the Authors of the Dramatic Censor (Printed for John Bell... and C. Etherington [etc.], York) [word count] [S10401].
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Scene SCENE changes to Timon's house. Enter Flavius, Flaminius, and Servilius.

Flam.
Hear you, good master steward, where's our master?
Are we undone, cast off, nothing remaining?

Fla.
Alack, my fellows, what should I say to you?
Let me be recorded by the righteous gods,
I am as poor as you.† note

Serv.
Such a house broke!
So noble a master fall'n! all gone! and not
One friend to take his fortune by the arm,
And go along with him?

Flam.
As we do turn our backs
From our companion, thrown into his grave,
So his familiars to his buried fortunes
Slink all away; leave their false vows with him,
Like empty purses pick'd: and his poor self,
A dedicated beggar to the air,
With his disease of all-shunn'd poverty,
Walks, like contempt, alone.—More of our fellows.

-- 123 --

Enter other servants.

Fla.
All broken implements of a ruin'd house!

3 Ser.
Yet do our hearts wear Timon's livery,
That see I by our faces; we are fellows
Serving alike in sorrow. Leak'd is our bark,
And we poor mates, stand on the dying deck,
Hearing the surges threat: we must all part
Into the sea of air.

Fla.
Good fellows all,
The latest of my wealth I'll share amongst you,
Where-ever we shall meet, for Timon's sake,
Let's yet be fellows: shake our heads, and say,
(As 'twere a knell unto our master's fortunes)
We have seen better days. Let each take some;
Nay put out all your hands; not one word more,
Thus part we rich in sorrow, parting poor.‡ note [He gives them money; they embrace, and part several ways.
Oh, the first wretchedness that glory brings us!
Who would not wish to be from wealth exempt,
Since riches point to misery and contempt?
Who'd be so mock'd with glory, as to live
But in a dream of friendship?
To have his pomp, and all what state compounds,
But only painted, like his varnish'd friends!
Poor honest lord! brought low by his own heart,
Undone by goodness: strange unusual blood,
When man's worst sin is, he does too much good.
Alas, kind lord!
H'as flung in rage from this ungrateful seat
Of monstrous friends: nor has he with him to
Supply his life, or that which can command it:
I'll follow and enquire him out.
I'll ever serve his mind with my best will;
Whilst I have gold, I'll be his steward still.
[Exit.

-- 124 --

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John Bell [1774], Bell's Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, As they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London; Regulated from the Prompt Books of each House By Permission; with Notes Critical and Illustrative; By the Authors of the Dramatic Censor (Printed for John Bell... and C. Etherington [etc.], York) [word count] [S10401].
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