SCENE III.
Enter a third Servant with Sempronius.
Sem.
Must he needs trouble me in't? Hum!
Above all others?
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.
Serv.
Oh, my Lord,
7 noteThey'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? 8 note
His friends, like physicians,
Thrive, give him over? must I take th'cure upon me?
H'as much disgrac'd me in't; I'm angry at him;
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 receiv'd gift from him;
And does he think so backwardly of me,
-- 214 --
That I'll requite it last? No.
So it may prove an argument of laughter
To th' rest, and I 'mongst Lords be thought a fool.
I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
He had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;
9 noteI'd such a courage to do him good.
But now return.
And with their faint Reply this Answer join;
Who 'bates mine honour, shall not know my coin.
[Exit.
Serv.
Excellent! your Lordship's a goodly villain.
1 noteThe devil knew not what he did, when he made
man politick; he cross'd himself by't; and I cannot
think, but in the end the villanies of man 2 note
will set
him clear. How fairly this Lord strives to appear
foul? 3 notetakes virtuous copies to be wicked: like those
-- 215 --
that under hot, ardent, zeal would set whole Realms
on fire.
Of such a nature is his politick love.
This was my Lord's best hope; now all are fled,
Save only the Gods. 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 * notekeep his house.
[Exit.
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
