Athens.
Flaminius waiting, Enter a servant to him.
Ser.
I have told my lord of you; he is coming
down to you.
Flam.
I thank you, Sir.
Enter Lucullus.
Ser.
Here's my lord.
Lucul.
One of lord Timon's men; a gift, I warrant
—Why, this hits right: I dreamt of a silver
bason and ewer, to night. Flaminius, honest Flaminius,
you are very respectively welcome, Sir; fill me
some wine. And how does that honourable, complete,
free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very
bountiful good lord and master† note?
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.
Faith, 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 present
assistance therein.
-- 106 --
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 ha' din'd with him, and told him on't; and
come again to supper to him, on purpose to have
him spend less. And yet he would embrace no counsel,
take no warning by my coming; every man hath
his faults, and honesty is his. I ha' told him on't,
but I could never get him from't* note.
Enter a servant, with wine.
Ser.
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 observ'd 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 (altho' 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, damned baseness,
To him that worships thee.
[Throwing the money away† note.
Lucul.
Ha! now I see thou art a fool, and fit for
thy master.
[Exit Lucullus.
-- 107 --
Flam.
May these add to the number that may scald thee:
Let molten coin be thy damnation,
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 this hour has my lord's meat in him:
Why should it thrive, and turn to nutriment,
When he is turned to poison?
O! may diseases only work upon't:
And when he's sick to death, let not that part
Of nature, my lord paid for, be of power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!
[Exit.
Scene
SCENE, a public street.
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, tho' 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
estates shrink from him.
Luc.
Fye, 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 men was with the lord Lucullus,
to borrow fifty talents, nay, urg'd extremely for't,
and shewed what necessity belong'd to't, and yet was
deny'd.
Luc.
How?
2 Stran.
I tell you, deny'd, my lord.
Luc.
What a strange case was that? now, before
the gods, I am asham'd on't. Deny'd that honourable
man? There was very little honour shew'd in
that. For my own part, I must needs confess, I
have received small kindnesses from him, as money,
plate, jewels, and such like trifles, nothing comparing
to his; yet had he mistook him, and sent
-- 108 --
him to me, I should ne'er have deny'd his occasion
so many talents.
Enter Servilius.
Ser.
See, by good hap, yonder's my lord: I have
sweat to see his honour—My honour'd lord—
[To Lucius.
Luc.
Servilius! you are kindly met, Sir. Fare
thee well, commend me to thy honourable virtuous
lord, my very exquisite friend.
Ser.
May it please your honour, my lord hath
sent—
Luc.
Ha! What hath he sent? I am so much endear'd
to that lord; he's ever sending: how shall I
thank him, think'st thou? and what has he sent,
now?
Ser.
H'as only sent his present occasion, now, my
lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instant
use, with fifty 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.
Luc.
Do'st thou speak seriously, Servilius?
Ser.
Upon my soul, 'tis true, Sir.
Luc.
What a wicked beast was I, to disfurnish myself
against such a good time, when I might ha' shewn
myself honourable? how unluckily it hap'ned, that I
should purchase the day before for a little dirt, and
undo a great deal of honour? Servilius, now before
the gods, I am not able to do—(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 don't, 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, that I cannot
pleasure such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius,
-- 109 --
will you befriend me so far, as to use my
own words to him* note.
Ser.
Yes, Sir, I shall.
[Exit Servilius.
Luc.
I'll look ye out a good turn, Servilius—
True, as you said, Timon is shrunk, indeed;
And he, that's once deny'd, will hardly speed.
[Exit.
1 Stran.
Do you observe this, Hostilius?
2 Stran.
Ay, too well.
1 Stran.
Why this is the world's soul† note;
Of the same piece is every flatterer's spirit:
Who can call him his friend,
That dips in the same dish? for, in my knowing,
Timon has been to this lord as a father,
And kept his credit with his bounteous purse:
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
Has paid his men their wages. He ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver rests upon his lip;
And yet, oh, see the monstrousness of man,
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape!
He does deny him (in respect of his)
What charitable men afford to beggars.
3 Stran.
Religion groans at it.
1 Stran.
For mine own part,
I never tasted Timon in my life;
Nor any of his bounties came o'er me,
To mark me for his friend. Yet, I protest,
For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,
And honourable carriage,
Had his necessity made use of me,
I would have put my wealth into donation,
And the best half should have returned to him;
So much I love his heart; but, I perceive,
Men must learn now with pity to dispense,
For policy sits above conscience.
Exeunt.
-- 110 --
Enter Flaminius with Sempronius.
Sem.
Must he needs trouble me in't? 'bove all others—
He might have tried lord Lucius or Lucullus;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
Whom he redeem'd from prison: All these three
Owe their estates unto him.
Flam.
Oh, my lord,
They've all been touch'd, and all are found base metal;
For they have all deny'd him.
Sem.
How? deny'd him?
Ventidius and Lucullus both deny'd him?
And does he send to me? three! hum—
It shews but little love or judgment in him.
Must I be his last refuge? his friends, like physicians,
Three give him over? must I take the cure
On me? h'as much disgrac'd me in't; I am angry.
He might have known my place; I see no sense for't,
But his occasions might have wooed me first:
For, in my conscience, I was the first man,
That e'er received gift from him.
And does he think so backwardly of me,
That I'll requite it last? no:
So it may prove an argument of laughter,
To th' rest, and 'mongst lords I be thought a fool:
I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
H'ad sent to me first, but for my mind's sake:
I'd such a courage to have done him good.
But now return,
And with their faint reply this answer join;
Who bates mine honour, shall not know my coin.
[Exit.
Flam.
Excellent! your lordship's a goodly villain.
The devil knew not what he did, when he made man
politic; he cross'd himself by't; and I 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
-- 111 --
ardent zeal would set whole realms on fire. Of such
a nature is his politic love.
This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled,
Save the gods only. Now his friends are dead;
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;
Who cannot keep his wealth, must keep his house.
[Exit.
Scene
SCENE changes to Timon's hall.
Enter Varro, Caphis, and other servants of Timon's creditors, who wait for his coming out.
Var.
Well met, good morrow.
Cap.
The like to you, kind Varro.
Var.
Caphis, why do we meet together?
Cap.
I think one business does command us all.
For mine is money.
Var.
So is theirs, and ours.
Enter Philo.
Cap.
And Sir Philo's, too.
Phi.
Good day, at once.
Cap.
Welcome, good brother. What d'you think
the hour?
Phi.
Labouring for nine.
Is not my lord seen, yet?
Cap.
Not yet.
Phi.
I wonder: he was won't to shine at, seven.
Cap.
Ay, but the days are waxed shorter with him:
You must consider that a prodigal's course
Is like the sun's, but not like his recoverable, I fear:
'Tis deepest winter in lord Timon's purse;
That is, one may reach deep enough, and yet
Find little.
Phi.
I am of your fear, for that.
Cap.
I'll shew you how t' observe a strange event:
Your lords send now for money.
-- 112 --
Var.
True, he does.
Cap.
And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift,
For which I wait for money.
Var.
Against my heart.
Cap.
How strange it shows,
Timon in this should pay more than he owes!
Var.
I'm weary of this charge, the Gods can witness:
I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth;
Ingratitude now makes it worse than stealth.
Enter Flaminius.
Var.
One of lord Timon's men.
Cap.
Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my lord
Ready to come forth?
Flam.
No, indeed, he is not.
Cap.
We attend his lordship; pray signify so
much.
Flam.
I need not tell him that, he knows you are
too diligent.
Enter Flavius in a cloak muffled.
Cap.
Ha! is not that his steward muffled so!
He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.
Var.
Do you hear, Sir—
Cap.
By your leave, Sir.
Flam.
What do you ask of me, my friend?
Cap.
We wait for certain money here, Sir.
Flam.
If money were as certain as your waiting,
'Twere sure enough.
Why then preferr'd you not your sums and bills,
When your false masters eat of my lord's meat?
Then they would smile and fawn upon his debts,
And take down th' interest in their glutt'nous maws;
You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up,
Let me pass quietly:—
Believe't, my lord and I have made an end:
I have no more to reckon, he to spend.
Cap.
Ay, but this answer will not serve.
Flam.
If 'twill not serve, 'tis not so base as you;
For you serve knaves.
[Exit.
-- 113 --
Var.
How! what does his cashier'd worship mutter?
Tit.
No matter, what—he's poor, and that's revenge
enough. Who can speak broader than he that
has no house to put his head in? Such may rail
against great buildings.
Enter Servilius.
Tit.
Oh, here's Servilius; now we shall have
some answer.
Ser.
If I might beseech you gentlemen, to repair
some other hour, I should derive much from it. For
take it of my soul,
My lord leans wondrously to discontent:
His comfortable temper has forsook him,
He is much out of health, and keeps his chamber.
Cap.
Many who keep their chambers, are not sick:
And if he be so far beyond his health,
Methinks, he should the sooner pay his debts,
And make a clear way to the Gods* note.
Ser.
Good Gods!
Cap.
We cannot take this for an answer.
Flam. [within.]
Servilius help—my lord! my lord!
Enter Timon in a rage.
Tim.
What, are my doors oppos'd against my passage?
Have I been ever free, and must my house
Be my retentive enemy, my goal?
The place which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, shew me an iron-heart?
Var.
Put in now, Caphis† note.
Cap.
My lord, here's my bill.
Phi.
Here's mine.
Var.
And mine, my lord.
All.
And ours, my lord.
Tim.
Knock me down with them—cleave me
to the girdle.
-- 114 --
Var.
Alas! my lord.
Tim.
Cut out my heart in sums.
Cap.
Mine, fifty talents.
Tim.
Tell out my blood.
Var.
Five thousand crowns, my lord.
Tim.
Five thousand drops pay that.
What yours—and yours?
Var.
My lord—
Cap.
My lord—
Tim.
Here, tear me, take me, and the Gods fall on you.
[Exit.
Cap.
Faith, I perceive, our masters may throw their
caps at their money; these debts may be well call'd
desperate ones, for a mad man owes 'em.
[Exeunt.
Re-enter Timon and Flavius.
Tim.
They have e'en put my breath from me, the
slaves. Creditors!—devils.
Fla.
My dear lord.
Tim.
What if it should be so?—
Fla.
My dear lord.
Tim.
I'll have it so—My steward!
Fla.
Here, my lord.
Tim.
So fitly!—Go, bid all my friends again,
Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius. All.—
I'll once more feast the rascals.
Fla.
O my lord!
You only speak from your distracted soul;
There's not so much left as to furnish out
A moderate table.
Tim.
Be it not thy care:
Go, and invite them all, let in the tide
Of knaves, once more: my cook and I'll provide.
[Exeunt.
Scene
SCENE changes to the Senate-house. Senators and Alcibiades.
1 Sen.
My Lord, you have my voice to't, the fault's bloody;
'Tis necessary he should die:
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.
-- 115 --
Alc.
Health, honour, and compassion to the senate!
1 Sen.
Now, captain.
Alc.
I am an humble suitor to your virtues:
For pity is the virtue of the law,
And none but tyrants use it cruelly* note.
It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy
Upon a friend of mine, who in hot blood
Hath stept into the law, which is past depth,
To those that without heed do plunge into't.
He is a man, setting his fault aside,
Of virtuous honour, which buys out his fault?
Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice,
But with a noble fury, and fair spirit,
Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,
He did oppose his foe:
And with such sober and unnoted passion,
He did behave his anger ere 'twas spent,
As if he had but prov'd an argument.
1 Sen.
You undergo too strict a paradox,
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair:
Your words have took such pains, as if they labour'd
To bring man-slaughter into form, set quarrelling
Upon the head of valour; which, indeed,
Is valour mis-begot, and came into the world
When sects and factions were but newly born.
He's truly valiant, that can wisely suffer
The worst that man can breathe, and make his wrongs
His out-sides: wear them like his rayment, carelessly,
And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart,
To bring it into danger† note.
Alc.
My lord.—
-- 116 --
1 Sen.
You cannot make gross sins look clear;
It is not valour to revenge, but bear.
Alc.
My lords, then, under favour pardon me,
If I speak like a captain.
Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
And not endure all threatnings, sleep upon't,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats,
Without repugnancy? but if there be
Such valour in the bearing, what make we
Abroad? why then, sure, women are more valiant,
That stay at home, if bearing carry it;
The ass, more than the lion; and the fellow
Loaden with irons, wiser than the judge;
If wisdom be in suff'ring. Oh, my lords,
As you are great, be pitifully good:
Who cannot condemn rashness, in cold blood?
To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust,
But, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just.
To be in anger is impiety:
But who is man that is not angry?
Weigh but the crime with this.
2 Sen.
You breathe in vain.
Alc.
In vain? his service done
At Lacedæmon and Byzantium,
Were a sufficient briber for his life.
1 Sen.
What's that?
Alc.
I say, my lords, h'as done fair service,
And slain in battle many of your enemies;
How full of valour did he bear himself,
In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds?
2 Sen.
He has made too much plenty with 'em.
He's a sworn rioter: he has a sin
That often drowns him, and takes valour prisoner.
Were there no foes, that were enough, alone,
To overcome him. In that beastly fury
He has been known to commit outrages,
And cherish factions. 'Tis inferr'd to us,
His days are foul, and his drink dangerous.
1 Sen.
He dies.
Alc.
Hard fate! he might have died in war.
-- 117 --
My lords, if not for any parts in him,
(Though his right arm might purchase his own time,
And be in debt to none;) yet more to move you,
Take my deserts to his, and join 'em both.
And for I know your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories,
My honours to you, on his good returns.
If by this crime he owes the law his life,
Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore;
For law is strict, and war is nothing more.
1 Sen.
We are for law, he dies, urge it no more,
On height of our displeasure: friend, or brother,
He forfeits his own blood, that spills another.
Alc.
Must it be so? it must not be:
My lords, I do beseech you, know me.
2 Sen.
How?
Alc.
Call me to your remembrances.
I cannot think, but your age hath forgot me:
It could not else be I should prove so base,
To sue and be deny'd such common grace.
My wounds ake at you.
1 Sen.
Do you dare our anger?
'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect;
We banish thee, for ever.
Alc.
Banish me!
Banish your dotage, banish usury,
That make the senate ugly.
1 Sen.
If, after two days shine, Athens contains thee,
Attend our weightier judgment.
And (not to swell our spirit)
He shall be executed, presently.
[Exeunt.
Alc.
Gods keep you old enough, that you may live
Only in bone, that none may look on you!
I'm worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,
While they have told their money, and let out
Their coin upon large interest; I myself,
Rich only in large hurts.—All those, for this?
Is this the balsam that the usuring senate
-- 118 --
Pours into captain's wounds? ha! banishment?
It comes not ill: I hate not to be banisht,
It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury,
That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up
My discontented troops, and lay for hearts.
'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds;
Soldiers as little should brook wrongs, as Gods.
[Exit* note
Scene
SCENE changes to Timon's house.
Enter Lucius, Lucullus, Sempronius, and divers Senators, at several doors.
Luc.
The good time of the day to you, Sir.
Lucul.
I also wish it to you: I think, this honourable
lord did but try us, this other day.
Semp.
Upon that were my thoughts tiring, when
we encountered. I hope, it is not so low with him,
as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends.
Luc.
It should not be, by the persuasion of his new
feasting.
Lucul.
I should think so: he hath sent me an
earnest inviting, which many my near occasions did
urge me to put off: but he hath conjur'd me beyond
them, and I must needs appear.
Semp.
In like manner was I in debt to my importunate
business; but he would not hear my excuse.
I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my
provision was out.
Lucul.
I am sick of that grief, too, as I understand
how all things go.
Semp.
Every man here's so. What would he have
borrow'd of you?
Luc.
A thousand pieces.
Semp.
A thousand pieces!
Lucul.
What of you?
Luc.
He sent to me, Sir—here he comes.
-- 119 --
Enter Timon and attendants.
Tim.
With all my heart, gentlemen—and how
fare you?
Semp.
Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.
Lucul.
The swallow follows not summer more willingly,
than we your lordship.
Tim.
Nor more willingly leaves winter: such summer
birds are men—Gentlemen, our dinner will
not recompense this long stay: feast your ears with
the music, a while: if they will fare so harshly as on
the trumpet's sound.
Lucul.
I hope it remains not unkindly with your
lordship, that I return'd you an empty messenger.
Tim.
O, Sir, let it not trouble you.
Semp.
My noble lord.
Tim.
Ah, my good friend, what cheer?
[The banquet brought in.
Semp.
Most honourable lord, I'm e'en sick of shame,
that when your lordship t'other day sent to me, I was
so unfortunate a beggar.
Tim.
Think not on't, Sir.
Semp.
If you had sent but two hours before—
Tim.
Let it not cumber your better remembrance.
Come, bring in all together.
Lucul.
All covered dishes!
Semp.
Royal cheer, I warrant you.
Tim.
My worthy friends, will you draw near?
Lucul.
This is the old man still.
Semp.
Will't hold? will't hold?
Lucul.
It does, but time will, and so—
Semp.
I do conceive.
Tim.
Each man to his stool, with that spur as he
would to the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be in
all places alike. Make not a city-feast of it, to let the
meat cool, ere we can agree upon the first place. Sit, sit.
The Gods require our thanks* note
.
-- 120 --
You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness.
For your own gifts make yourselves prais'd; but
reserve still to give, lest your Deities be despised. Lend to
each man enough, that one need not lend to another. For
were your Godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake
the Gods. Make the meat beloved, more than the man
that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty be without a
score of villains. If there sit twelve women at the table,
let a dozen of them be as they are—The rest of your fees,
O Gods, the senators of Athens, together with the common
lag of people, what is amiss in them, you Gods, make
suitable for destruction. For these my friends—as they
are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing
are they welcome.
Uncover, dogs, and lap.
Lucul. and Semp.
What does his lordship mean?
Tim.
May you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth-friends: smoke, and lukewarm water
Is your perfect image. This is Timon's last;
Who stuck and spangled you with flatteries,
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces
Your reaking villany. Live loath'd, and long,
Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,
Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,
You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time-flies,
Cap-and-knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks;
Of man and beast the infinite malady
Crust you quite o'er?—What, dost thou go?
Soft, take thy physic first—thou too—and thou—
[Throwing the dishes at them, and driving 'em out.
Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.
What! all in motion? henceforth be no feast,
Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.
Burn house, sink Athens, henceforth hated be
Of Timon man, and all humanity.
[Exit.
End of the Third ACT.
-- 121 --
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].
