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

Previous section

Next section