SCENE III.
Sempronius's House.
Enter Sempronius, with a Servant of Timon's.
Sem.
Must he needs trouble me in't? Hum! 'Bove all others?
He might have try'd lord Lucius, or Lucullus;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
Whom he redeem'd from prison: 9Q0982 All these
Owe their estates unto him.
Serv.
My lord,
9 noteThey have all been touch'd, and found base metal; for
They have all deny'd him?
Sem.
How! have they deny'd him?
Has Ventidius and Lucullus 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? 1 note
His friends, like physicians,
Thrive, give him over 9Q0983; Must I take the cure upon me?
-- 377 --
He has much disgrac'd me in't; I am angry at him,
That might have known my place: I see no sense for't,
But his occasions might have woo'd 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 now,
That I'll requite it last? No:
So it may prove an argument of laughter
To the rest, and I 'mongst lords be thought a fool.
I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
He had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;
1 noteI had 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!2 note Your lordship's a goodly villain.
-- 378 --
3 noteThe devil knew not what he did, when he
made man politick; 9Q0984 he cross'd himself by't: and I
cannot think, but, in the end, the villainies of man4 note
last puzzle him,
will set him clear. How fairly this lord strives to appear
foul? 5 notetakes virtuous copies to be wicked;
-- 379 --
like those 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 6 notekeep his house.
[Exit.
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
