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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.