Pai.

As I took note of the place, it cannot be far

where he abides.

Poe.

What's to be thought of him? Does the rumour hold for true, that he's so full of gold?

Pai.

Certain:14Q1171 Alcibiades reports it; Phrynia and Tymandra ^note had gold of him: he likewise enrich'd poor stragling soldiers with great quantity: 'Tis said, he gave unto his steward a mighty sum.

Poe.

Then this breaking of his has been but a try for his ^note friends.

Pai.

Nothing else: you shall see him a palm in Athens again, and flourish with the highest. Therefore, 'tis not amiss, we tender our loves to him, in this suppos'd distress of his: it will shew honestly in us; and is very likely to load our purposes with what they travel for, if it be a just and true report that goes of his having.

Poe.

What have you now to present unto him?

Pai.

Nothing at this time but my visitation: only I will promise him an excellent piece.

Poe.

I must serve him so too; tell him of an intent that's coming toward him.

Pai.

Good as the best. Promising is the very air o'the time; it opens the eyes of expectation: performance is ever the duller for his act; and, but in the plainer and simpler kind of people, the deed of saying is quite out ^note of use. To promise is most courtly and fashionable: performance is a kind of will, or testament; which argues a great sickness in his judgment that makes it.

&clquo;Tim.

&clquo;Excellent workman! Thou canst not paint a man so bad as is thyself.&crquo;

Poe.

I am thinking, what I shall say I have provided

for him: It must be a personating of himself: a satyr against the softness of prosperity; with a discovery of the infinite flatteries, that follow youth and opulency.

&clquo;Tim.

&clquo;Must thou needs stand for a villain in thine own work? wilt thou whip thine own faults in other men? Do so, I have gold for thee.&crquo;

Pai.
Nay ^note, let's seek him:
Then do we sin against our own estate,
When we may profit meet, and come too late.

Poe.
True ^note;
When the day serves, before black-corner'd ^note night,
Find what thou want'st by free and offer'd light. [going towards the Cave.

&clquo;Tim.
&clquo;I'll meet you at the turn. What a god's gold,&crquo;
&clquo;That he is worship'd in a baser temple,&crquo;
&clquo;Than where swine feed!&crquo;
&clquo;'Tis thou that rig'st the bark, and plow'st the foam;&crquo;
&clquo;Setl'st admired reverence in a slave:&crquo;
&clquo;To thee be worship ^note! and thy saints for aye&crquo;
&clquo;Be crown'd with plagues, that thee alone obey!&crquo;
&clquo;'Fit I do meet them.&crquo; [puts himself in their Way.

Poe.
Hail, worthy Timon:

Pai.
Our late noble master.

Tim.
Have I once liv'd to see two honest men?

Poe.
Sir,
Having often of your open bounty tasted, ^note
Hearing you were retir'd, your friends fall'n off,
Whose thankless natures—O abhorred spirits!
Not all the whips of heaven are large enough—
What! to you!
Whose starlike nobleness gave life and influence

To their whole being! I am rapt, and cannot cover
The monstrous bulk of this ingratitude
With any size of words.

Tim.
Let it go naked, men may see't the better:
You, that are honest, by being what you are,
Make them best seen, and known.

Pai.
He, and myself,
Have travel'd in the great shower of your gifts,
And sweetly felt it.

Tim.
Ay, you are honest men.

Pai.
We are hither come to offer you our service.

Tim.
Most honest men! Why, how shall I requite you?
Can you eat roots, and drink cold water? no.

both.
What we can do, we'll do, to do you service.

Tim.
You're honest men: You've heard that I have gold;
I am sure, you have; speak truth: you're honest men.

Pai.
So it is said, my noble lord: but therefore
Came not my friend, and I.

Tim.
Good honest men: ^note—Thou draw'st a counterfeit
Best in all Athens: thou'rt, indeed, the best;
Thou counterfeit'st most lively.

Pai.
So, so, my lord.

Tim.
Ev'n so, sir, as I say:—And, for thy fiction,
Why, thy verse swells with stuff so fine and smooth,
That thou art even natural in thine art.—
But, for all this, my honest-natur'd friends,
I must needs say, you have a little fault:
Marry, 'tis not monstrous in you; neither wish I,
You take much pains to mend.

both.
Beseech your honour,
To make it known to us.

Tim.
You'll take it ill.

both.
Most thankfully, my lord.

Tim.
Will you, indeed?

both.
Doubt it not, worthy lord.

Tim.
There's ne'er a one of you but trusts a knave,
That mightily deceives you.

both.
Do we, my lord?

Tim.
Ay, and you hear him cog, see him dissemble,
Know his gross patchery; yet love him, feed him,
Keep in your bosom: yet remain assur'd,
That he's a made-up villain.

Pai.
I know none such, my lord.

Poe.
Nor I.

Tim.
Look you, I love you well; I'll give you gold,
Rid me these villains from your companies:
Hang them, or stab them, drown them in a ^note draught,
Confound them by some course, and come to me,
I'll give you gold enough.

both.
Name them, my lord, let's know them.

Tim.
You † that way,—and you † this, ^note—not two in company;
Each man apart, all single and alone,
Yet an arch-villain keeps him company.—
If, where thou art, two villains shall not be,
Come not near † him:—If thou would'st not reside
But where one villain is, then him † abandon.—
Hence! pack! there's † gold, you came ^note for gold, ye slaves;
You have work for me, there is † payment: Hence! ^note—
You are an alchymist, make gold of † that:—
Out, rascal dogs! [Exit, beating them out.

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