Serv.

I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you ^note.

Flam.

I thank you, sir.

Serv.

Here's my lord.

Lucul. [Aside ^note]

One of Lord Timon's men? ^note a gift, I warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver basin and ewer to-night. Flaminius, honest Flaminius; you are very respectively welcome, sir. Fill me some wine. [Exit Servant. ^note] And how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master?

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 ^note, having great and instant occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish him, nothing doubting your present assistance therein.

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' ^note dined with

him, and told him on't; and come again to supper to him, of purpose ^note to have him spend less; and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my coming. Every man has ^note his fault, and honesty is his: I ha' ^note told him on't, but I could ne'er ^note get him from 't.

Serv.

Please your lordship, here is the wine.

Lucul.

Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. ^noteHere's to thee.

Flam.

Your lordship speaks your pleasure.

Lucul.

I have observed 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. [To Serv. ^note] Get you gone, sirrah. [Exit Serv. ^note] Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a bountiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and thou knowest well enough, although thou comest to me, that this is no time to lend money, especially upon bare friendship, without security. Here's three solidares ^note 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 ^note back the money.

Lucul.

Ha! now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy master.

Flam.
May these add to the number that may scald thee!
Let molten ^note 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 his honour ^note, ^note has my lord's meat in him:
Why should it thrive and turn ^note to nutriment,
When he is turn'd to poison?
O, may diseases only work upon't ^note!
And, when he's sick to death, let not that part of nature
Which my ^note lord paid for, be of any ^note power
To expel sickness, but ^note prolong his hour! [Exit. ^note Scene II. [Footnote: A public place. ^note Enter Lucius, with three Strangers.

Luc.

Who, the Lord Timon? he is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman.

First Stran. ^note

We know him for no less, though 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 estate shrinks from him.

Luc.

Fie, no, do not believe it; he ^note cannot want for money.

Sec. Stran. ^note

But believe you this, my lord, that not long ago one of his men was with the Lord Lucullus to borrow so many ^note talents; nay, urged extremely for't, and showed what necessity belonged to't, and yet was denied.

Luc.

How!

Sec. Stran.

I tell you, denied, my lord.

Luc.

What a strange case was that! now, before the gods, I am ashamed on't. Denied that honourable man! there was very little honour showed in't. ^note For my own part, I must needs confess, I have received some small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels, and such-like trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet, had he mistook ^note him and sent to ^note me, I should ne'er have denied his occasion so many ^note talents.

Ser.

See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; I have sweat ^noteto see his honour. My honoured lord!

Luc.

Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well ^note: commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my ^notevery exquisite friend.

Ser.

May it please your honour, my lord hath sent—

Luc.

Ha! what has ^note he sent? I am so much endeared to that lord; he's ever sending: how shall I thank him, think'st thou? And what has he sent now?

Ser.

Has ^note only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many ^note talents.

Luc.
I know his lordship is but merry with me;
He cannot ^note want fifty five ^note 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 ^note.

Luc.
Dost 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' ^note shown myself honourable! how unluckily it happened, that I should purchase the day before for a little part, and undo ^note a great deal of honour! Servilius, now, before the gods, I am not able to do ^note—the more beast, I say ^note:—I was sending to use Lord Timon myself, these gentlemen can witness; but I would not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done '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, say, ^note that I cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far as to use mine ^note own words to him?

Ser.

Yes, sir, I shall.

Luc.
I'll look you out a good ^note turn, Servilius. [Exit ^note Servilius.
True, as you said, Timon is shrunk indeed;
And he that's once denied will hardly speed. [Exit.

First Stran.
Do you observe ^note this ^note, Hostilius?

Sec. Stran.
Ay ^note, too well.

First Stran.
Why, this is the world's soul; and just of the same piece

Is every flatterer's spirit ^note. Who can call him
His friend that dips in the same dish? for, in
My knowing, Timon has been this lord's father,
And kept his credit with his purse ^note; ^note
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
Has paid his men their wages: he ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;
And yet—O, see ^note the monstrousness of man
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape! ^note—
He does deny him, in respect of his,
What charitable men afford to beggars.

Third Stran.
Religion groans at it.

First Stran.
For mine own part,
I never tasted Timon in my life, ^note
Nor came any of his bounties over ^note me,
To mark me for his friend; yet, I protest,
For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,
And ^note honourable carriage,
Had his necessity made use of me,
I would have put my wealth into ^note donation ^note,
And the best half should have return'd to ^note him,
So much I love his heart ^note: but, I perceive,
Men must learn now with pity to dispense;
For policy sits above ^note conscience. [Exeunt.

^note Scene III. [Footnote: A room ^note in Sempronius' house. Enter ^note Sempronius, and a Servant of Timon's.

Sem.
Must he needs trouble me in 't,—hum!—'bove ^note all others? ^note
He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
Whom he redeem'd from prison: all these ^note
Owe ^note their estates unto him.

Serv.
My lord ^note,
They have ^note all been touch'd and found ^note base metal, for
They have all denied him ^note. ^note

Sem.
How! have they ^note denied him?
Has Ventidius ^note and Lucullus denied ^note him?
And does he send to me? Three? hum!
It shows but little love or judgement in him: ^note
Must I be his last refuge? His friends ^note, like physicians,
Thrive, give ^note him over: ^note must ^note I take the cure upon ^note me?

Has ^note much disgraced me in't; I'm angry at him ^note,
That ^note might have known my place: I see no sense ^note for 't,
But his occasions might have woo'd me first;
For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er received ^note gift from him:
And does he think so backwardly of me now ^note,
That I'll requite it last? No: ^note
So it may prove an argument of laughter
To the rest, and 'mongst lords I ^note be thought a fool.
I'd ^note rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
Had ^note sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;
I'd ^note such a courage to do ^note 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. The devil knew not ^note what he did when he made man politic ^note; he crossed himself by 't: and I cannot think but ^note in the end the villanies ^note of man will set him clear ^note. How fairly this lord strives to appear ^note foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked ^note; like those that under hot ardent ^note zeal would set whole realms on fire: ^note

Of such a nature is his politic love. ^note
This was my lord's best ^note hope; now all are fled,
Save only the gods ^note: 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. ^note Scene IV. [Footnote: A hall ^note in Timon's house. Enter ^note two Servants of Varro, and the Servant of Lucius, meeting Titus, Hortensius, and other Servants of Timon's creditors, waiting his coming out.

First Var. Serv. ^note
Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.

Tit.
The like to you, kind Varro.

Hor.
Lucius!
What, do ^note we meet together?

Luc. Serv. ^note
Ay, and ^note I think
One business does command us all; for mine
Is money ^note.

Tit.
So is theirs and ours.

Enter Philotus. ^note

Luc. Serv.
And Sir Philotus ^note too!

Phi.
Good day at once.

Luc. Serv.
Welcome, good brother. ^note
What do you ^note think the hour? ^note

Phi.
Labouring for nine.

Luc. Serv.
So much?

Phi.
Is not my lord seen yet?

Luc. Serv.
Not yet.

Phi.
I wonder on't ^note; he was wont to shine at seven.

Luc. Serv.
Ay, but ^note the days are wax'd ^note shorter with him:
You must consider that a ^note prodigal ^note course
Is like the sun's; but not, like his, recoverable.
I fear ^{note note}
'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse;
That is, one may reach deep enough and yet
Find little ^note.

Phi.
I am of your fear for that.

Tit.
I'll show you how to observe a strange event.
Your lord sends now for money.

Hor.
Most ^note true, he does.

Tit.
And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift,
For which I ^note wait for money.

Hor.
It is ^note against my heart.

Luc. Serv.
Mark ^note, how strange it shows,
Timon in this should pay more than he owes:
And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels,

And send for money for 'em.

Hor.
I'm ^note weary of this charge, the gods can witness ^note:
I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,
And now ingratitude ^note makes it worse than stealth.

First Var. Serv. ^note
Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours ^note?

Luc. Serv.
Five thousand mine ^note.

First Var. Serv. ^note
'Tis much ^note deep: and it should seem by the sum
Your master's confidence was above mine;
Else, surely, his ^note had equall'd. Enter Flaminius.

Tit.

One of Lord Timon's men.

Luc. Serv.

Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my lord ready to come forth? ^note

Flam.

No, indeed he is not.

Tit.

We attend his lordship: pray, signify so much.

Flam.

I need not tell him that; he knows you are too diligent. ^note

Luc. Serv.
Ha! is not that his steward muffled so?
He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.

Tit.
Do you hear, sir?

Sec. Var. Serv. ^note
By your leave, sir,— ^note

Flav.
What do ye ^note ask of me, my friend ^note?

Tit.
We wait for certain money here, sir.

Flav.
Ay, ^note
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 ^note of my lord's meat?
Then they could ^note smile and fawn upon his debts
And take down the interest into ^note their gluttonous maws.
You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up;
Let me pass quietly ^note:
Believe't, my lord and I have made an end;
I have no more to reckon, he to spend.

Luc. Serv.
Ay, but this answer will not serve.

Flav.
If ^note 'twill not serve ^note, 'tis not so base as you;
For you serve knaves. [Exit. ^note

First Var. Serv. ^note

How! ^note what does his cashiered worship mutter?

Sec. Var. Serv. ^note

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 ^note against great buildings.

Tit.

O, here's Servilius; now we shall know ^note some answer.

Ser.

If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair ^note some other hour, I should derive much ^note from 't ^note: for, take 't of ^note my soul, my lord leans wondrously to discontent: his comfortable temper has forsook him; he's ^note much out of health and keeps his chamber. ^note

Luc. Serv.
Many do keep their chambers are not sick:
And if ^note it ^note be so far beyond his health,
Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts,
And make a clear way to the gods.

Ser.
Good gods!

Tit.
We cannot take this for answer, sir ^note.

Flam. [Within]
Servilius, help! My lord! my lord! Enter Timon, in a rage ^note; Flaminius following. ^{note note}

Tim.
What, are my doors opposed against my passage?
Have I been ever free, and must my house
Be my retentive enemy, my gaol ^note?
The place which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?

Luc. Serv.

Put in now, Titus.

Tit.

My lord, here is ^note my bill.

Luc. Serv.

Here's mine.

Hor. ^note

And mine, my lord.

Both Var. Serv. ^note

And ours, my lord.

Phi.

All ^note our bills.

Tim.
Knock me down with 'em: cleave me to the girdle.

Luc. Serv.

Alas, my lord,— ^note

Tim.

Cut ^note my heart in sums.

Tit.

Mine, fifty talents.

Tim.

Tell out my blood.

Luc. Serv.

Five thousand crowns, my lord.

Tim.

Five thousand drops pays ^note that. What ^note yours?— and yours? ^note

First Var. Serv. ^note

My lord,— ^note

Sec. Var. Serv. ^note

My lord,— ^{note note}

Tim.

Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon ^note you!

Hor.

Faith, I perceive our masters may throw their caps at their money: these debts may well be called desperate ones, for a madman owes 'em.