Ser.

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

Flav.

I thank you, sir.

Ser.

Here's my lord.

Lucul.

One of lord Timon's men! A gift, I warrant. Why, this hits right: I dreamt of a silver bason and ewer to-night. Flavius, honest Flavius, you are very respectively welcome, sir; fill me some wine. (Exit Servant.) And how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master?

Flav.

His health is well, sir.

Lucul.

I am right glad that his health is well, sir; and what hast thou there under thy cloak, honest Flavius.

Flav.

Faith, nothing but an empty box, sir, which, in my lord's behalf, I come to intreat your honour to supply; who, 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' din'd with him, and told him on't; and come again to supper to him, on purpose to have him spend less. And yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my coming. Every man hath his fault, and honesty is his. I ha' told him on't but I could never get him from't.

Ser.

Please your lordship, here is the wine.

Lucul.
Flavius, I have noted thee always wise.
Here's to the thee.

Flav.

Your lordship speaks your pleasure.

Lucul.

I have observ'd 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—get you gone, sirrah. (To the Servant, who goes out.) Draw nearer, honest Flavius. 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 for thee; good man, wink at me, and say thou saw'st me not. Fare thee well.

Flav.
Is't possible the world should so much differ,
And we alive that lived? Fly, damn'd baseness,
To him that worships thee. (Throwing the money away.

Lucul.

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

Flav.
May these add to the number that may seald thee:
Let molten 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 this hour has my lord's meat in him;
Why should it thrive, and turn to nutriment,

When he is turned to poison?
O, may diseases only work upon't:
And when he's sick to death, let not that part
Of nature, my lord paid for, be of power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour! [Exit. SCENE II. —A public Street. Enter Lucius with 1st Senator.

Luc.

Who, the lord Timon? He is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman.

1st Sen.

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 estates shrinks from him.

Luc.

Fye, no, do not believe it: he cannot want for money.

1st Sen.

But believe you this, my lord, that not long ago one of his men was with the lord Lucullus, to borrow fifty talents, nay, urg'd extremely for't, and showed what necessity belong'd to't, and yet was deny'd.

Luc.

How?

1st Sen.

I tell you, deny'd, my lord.

Luc.

What a strange case was that! now, before the Gods, I am asham'd on't. Deny'd that honourable man? There was very little honour show'd in that. For my own part, I must needs confess, I have received small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels, and such like trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet had he mistook him, and sent him to me, I should ne'er have deny'd his occasion so many talents.

Flam.

See, by good hap, yonder's my lord, I have sweat to see his honour. My honour'd lord—

Luc.

Flaminius, you are kindly met, sir. Fare

thee well—commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.

Flam.

May it please your honour, my lord hath sent—

Luc.

Ha—what hath he sent? I am so much endear'd to that lord; he's ever sending: how shall I thank him, think'st thou? and what has he sent now?

Flam.

H'as only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with fifty talents.

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

Flam.
But in the mean time he wants less, my lord.
If his occasion were not virtuous,
I should not urge it half so faithfully.

Luc.

Dost thou speak seriously, Flaminius?

Flam.

By my soul 'tis true, sir.

Luc.

What a wicked beast was I, to disfurnish myself against such a good time, when I might ha' shown myself honourable! how unluckily it happened that I should purchase the day before for a little dirt, and undo a great deal of honour? Flaminius, now before the Gods, I am not able to do— (the more beast, I say)—I was sending to use lord Timon myself, this gentleman can witness; but I would not for the wealth of Athens, I had don'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, that I cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman. Good Flaminius, will you befriend me so far, as to use my own words to him?

Flam.

Yes, sir, I shall.

Luc.
I'll look ye out a good turn, Flaminius.
True, as you said, Timon is shrunk, indeed;
And he, that's once deny'd, will hardly speed. [Exit Lucius and 1st Senator.

Flam.
Why, this is the world's soul;
Of the same piece is every flatterer's spirit:
Who can call him his friend,
That dips in the same dish? for, in my knowing,
Timon has been to this lord as a father,
And kept his credit with his bounteous purse:
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
Has paid his men their wages. He ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver rests upon his lip;
And yet, oh, see the monstrousness of man,
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape!
He does deny him, in respect of his,
What charitable men afford to beggars. [Retires up. Flavius enters, with Sempronius.

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

Flav.
Oh, my Lord,
They'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 shows but little love or judgment in him.
Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,
Three, give him over! Must I take the cure
On me? H'as much disgrac'd me in't; I am angry.
He 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 received gift from him:
And does he think so backwardly of me,
That I'll requite it last?
I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
H'ad sent to me first, but for my mind's sake:

I'd such a courage to have done him good.
But now return,
And with their faint reply this answer join:
Who 'bates mine honour, shall not know my coin. [Exit.

Flam.

Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil knew not what he did, when he made man politic; he cross'd himself by't; and I cannot think, but, in the end, the villanies of man will set him clear.

Flav.
This was my Lord's best hope; now all are fled,
Save the Gods only. 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 lib'ral course allows;
Who cannot keep his wealth, must keep his house. [Exit Flavius and Flaminius. SCENE II. —Timon's Hall. Enter Varro, Caphis, and other servants of Timon's creditors, who wait for his coming out.

Var.

Caphis, why do we meet together?

Caph.
I think one business does command us all;
For mine is money.

Var.

So is theirs, and ours.

Caph.

And Sir Philo's too.

Phi.

Good day, at once.

Caph.

Welcome, good brother. What d'you think the hour?

Phi.
Labouring for nine. Is not my Lord seen yet?

Caph.

Not yet.

Phi.
I wonder: he was wont to shine at seven.

Caph.
Aye, but the days are waxed shorter with him.
You must consider that a prodigal's course

Is like the sun's, but not like his, recoverable, I fear:
Tis deepest winter in lord Timon's purse.

Phi.
I am of your fear for that.

Caph.
I'll show you how t'observe a strange event:
Your lord sends now for money.

Var.
True, he does.

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

Var.
Against my heart.

Caph.
'Tis e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels,
And send for money for 'em.

Var.
I'm weary of this charge, the Gods can witness:
I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth;
Ingratitude now makes it worse than stealth.

Caph.
Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours?

Var.

Five thousand.

Var.

One of lord Timon's men.

Caph.

Flaminius! sir, a word: pray is my lord ready to come forth?

Flam.

No, indeed he is not.

Caph.

We attend his lordship; pray, signify so much.

Flam.

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

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

Var.
Do you hear, sir?

Caph.
By your leave, sir.

Flav.
What do you ask of me, my friend?

Caph.
We wait for certain money here, sir.

Flav.
If money were as certain as your waiting,
'Twere sure enough.
Why then preferred you not your sums and bills,
When your false masters eat of my lord's meat?

Then they would smile and fawn upon his debts,
And take down th' interest in their glutt'nous maws;
You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up;
Let me pass quietly:—
Believe't, my lord and I have made an end:
I have no more to reckon, he to spend. [Exit Flav. Enter Servilius.

Var.

Oh, here's Servilius; now we shall have some answer.

Ser.

If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some other hour, I should derive much from it. For take it of my soul,

Caph.
Many who keep their chambers are not sick:
And if he be so far beyond his health,
Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts,
And make a clear way to the Gods.

Var.
We cannot take this for an answer.

Flam. [within]
Servilius, help! My lord! my lord! Enter Timon in a rage.

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

Var.
Put in now, Caphis.

Caph.
My lord, here's my bill.

Phi.
Here's mine.

Var.
And mine, my lord.

Omnes.
And ours, my lord.

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

Var.
Alas! my lord.

Tim.
Cut out my heart in sums.

Caph.
Mine, fifty talents.

Tim.
Tell out my blood.

Var.
Five thousand crowns, my lord,

Tim.
Five thousand drops pay that.—
What yours—and yours?—

Var.
My lord—

Caph.
My lord—

Tim.
Here tear me, take me, and the Gods fall on you. [Exeunt. Scene changes. Re-enter Timon and Flavius.

Tim.
They have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves. Creditors!—devils.

Flav.
My dear lord,

Tim.
What if it should be so?—

Flav.
My dear lord,

Tim.
I'll have it so—My steward!

Flav.
Here, my lord.

Tim.
So fitly!—Go, bid all my friends again,
Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius. All.—
I'll once more feast the rascals.

Flav.
O my lord!
You only speak from your distracted soul;
There's not so much left as to furnish out
A moderate table.

Tim.
Be it not thy care:
Go and invite them all, let in the tide
Of knaves once more: my cook and I'll provide. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. —The Senate-house. Senators and Alcibiades discovered.

1st Sen.
My lord, you have my voice to't, the fault's bloody;
'Tis necessary he should die:
Nothing embolden's sin so much as mercy.

Alc.
Health, honour, and compassion to the senate!

1st Sen.
Now, Captain.

Alc.
I am an humble suitor to your virtues:
For pity is the virtue of the law,
And none but tyrants use it cruelly.
It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy
Upon a friend of mine, who in hot blood
Hath stept into the law, which is past depth
To those that without heed do plunge into't.
He is a man, setting his fault aside,
Of virtuous honour, which buys out his fault;—
Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice,
But with a noble fury, and fair spirit,
Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,
He did oppose his foe.

1st Sen.
You undergo too strict a paradox,
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair:
Your words have took such pains, as if they labour'd
To bring man-slaughter into form, set quarrelling
Upon the head of valour; which, indeed,
Is valour mis-begot, and come into the world
When sects and factions were but newly born.
He's truly valiant, that can wisely suffer
The worst that man can breathe, and make his wrongs
His out-sides; wear them like his raiment, carelessly;
And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart,
To bring it into danger.

Alc.
My lord.—

1st Sen.
It is not valour to revenge, but bear.

Alc.
My lords, then, under favour pardon me,
If I speak like a captain.
Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
And not endure all threat'nings, sleep upon't,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats,
Without repugnancy? but if there be
Such valour in the bearing, what make we
Abroad? why then, sure, women are more valiant
That stay at home, if bearing carry it;
The ass, more than the lion; and the fellow,
Loaded with irons, wiser than the judge;

If wisdom be in suff'ring. Oh, my lords,
As you are great, be pitifully good:
To be in anger is impiety:
But who is man, that is not angry?
Weigh but the crime with this.

2d Sen.
You breathe in vain.

Alc.
In vain! his service done
At Lacedæmon, and Byzantium,
Were a sufficient briber for his life.

1st Sen.
What's that?

Alc.
I say my lords, h'as done fair service,
And slain in battle many of your enemies;
How full of valour did he bear himself
In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds?

2d Sen.
He has made too much plenty with 'em.
He's a sworn rioter.

1st Sen.
He dies.

Alc.
Hard fate! he might have died in war,
My lords, if not for any parts in him,
(Though his right arm might purchase his own time,
And be in debt to none;) yet more to move you,
Take my deserts to his, and join 'em both.
And, for I know your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories,
My honours to you, on his good returns.
If by this crime he owes the law his life,
Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore.

1st Sen.
We are for law, he dies, urge it no more,
On height of our displeasure.

Alc.
Must it be so? it must not be:
My lords, I do beseech you, know me.

2d Sen.
How?

Alc.
Call me to your remembrances.
I cannot think, but your age hath forgot me:
It could not else be, I should prove so base,
To sue and be deny'd such common favour.
My wounds ache at you.

1st Sen.
Do you dare our anger?
'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect;
We banish thee for ever.

Alc.
Banish me!
Banish your dotage, banish usury,
That make the senate ugly.

1st Sen.
If, after two day's shine, Athens contains thee,
Attend our weightier judgment. [Exeunt.

Alc.
Gods keep you old enough, that you may live
Only in bone, that none may look on you!
I'm worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,
While they have told their money, and let out
Their coin upon large interest; I myself
Rich only in large hurts.—All those, for this?
Is this the balsam that the usuring senate
Pours into captains' wounds? ha! banishment?
It comes not ill: I hate not to be banish'd.
It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury,
That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up
My discontented troops, and lay for hearts.
'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds;
Soldiers as little should brook wrongs, as Gods. [Exit. SCENE V. Timon's house. Enter Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius.

Luc.

The good time of the day to you, Sir.

Lucul.

I also wish it to you; I think this honourable lord did but try us this other day.

Sem.

Upon that were my thoughts tiring, when we encountered. I hope it is not so low with him, as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends.

Luc.

It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.

Lucul.

I should think so: he hath sent me an earnest inviting, which many my near occasions did urge me to put off; but he hath conjured me beyond them, and I must needs appear.

Sem.

In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business; but he would not hear my excuse. I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision was out.

Lucul.

I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.

Sem.

Every man here's so. What would he have borrow'd of you?

Luc.

A thousand pieces.

Sem.

A thousand pieces!

Luc.

What of you?

Sem.

He sent to me, Sir.—(Music announces Timon.) —Here he comes.

Tim.

With all my heart, gentlemen—and how fare you?

Sem.

Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

Lucul.

The swallow follows not summer more willingly than we your lordship.

Tim.

Nor more willingly leaves winter: such summer birds are men.—Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long stay: feast your ears with the music awhile; if they will fare so harshly as on the trumpet's sound.

Lucul.

I hope, it remains not unkindly with your lordship, that I return'd you an empty messenger.

Tim.

O sir, let it not trouble you.

Sem.

My noble lord.

Tim.

Ah, my good friend, what cheer?

Sem.

Most honourable lord, I'm e'en sick of shame, that when your lordship, t'other day, sent to me, I was so unfortunate a beggar.

Tim.

Think not on't, sir.

Sem.

If you had sent but two hours before—

Tim.
Let it not cumber your better remembrance.
Come, bring in all together. Enter four Senators.

Lucul.

All covered dishes!

Sem.

Royal cheer, I warrant you.

Lucul.
Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.

Tim.

My worthy friends, will you draw near?

Lucul.

This is the old man still.

Sem.

Will't hold? will't hold?

Lucul.

It does, but time will, and so—

Sem.

I do conceive.

Tim.

Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would to the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be in all places alike. Make not a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place. Sit, sit. The Gods require our thanks. You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness. For your own gifts make yourselves praised; but reserve still to give, lest your Deities be despised. Lend to each man enough, that one need not lend to another. For were your Godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake the Gods. Make the meat beloved, more than the man that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty be without a score of villains. If there sit twelve women at the table, let a dozen of them be as they are. The rest of your fees, O Gods, the senators of Athens, together with the common lag of people, what is amiss in them, you Gods, make suitable for destruction. For these my friends, as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing are they welcome.—Uncover, dogs, and lap!

Lucul. & Sem.

What does his lordship mean?

Tim.
May you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth-friends! smoke, and lukewarm water
Is your perfect image. This is Timon's last;
Who stuck and spangled you with flatteries,
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces
Your reeking villany. Live loath'd and long—
Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites—
Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears—
You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time-flies,
Cap-and-knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks;
Of man and beast the infinite malady

Crust you quite o'er!—What, dost thou go?
Soft, take thy physic first—thou too—and thou— [Throwing the dishes at them, and drives 'em out.
Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.
What! all in motion? henceforth be no feast,
Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.
Burn house, sink Athens, henceforth hated be
Of Timon, man, and all humanity. [Exit. SCENE V. —Without the Walls of Athens.

Enter Timon.
Let me look back upon thee, O thou wall
That girdlest in those wolves! dive in the earth,
And fence not Athens! matrons, turn incontinent;
Obedience fail in children; slaves and fools
Pluck the grave wrinkled senate from the bench,
And minister in their steads. Bound servants, steal;
Large handed robbers your grave masters are,
And pill by law. Maid, to thy master's bed;
Thy mistress is o' the brothel. Son of sixteen,
Pluck the lin'd crutch from thy old limping sire,
And with it beat his brains out! Fear and piety,
Religion to the Gods, peace, justice, truth,
Domestic awe, night-rest, and neighbourhood,
Instruction, manners, mysteries, and trades,
Degrees, observances, customs, and laws,
Decline to your confounding contraries!
And yet confusion live! Plagues incident to men,
Your potent and infectious fevers heap
On Athens, ripe for stroke! Thou cold sciatica,
Cripple our senators, that their limbs may halt
As lamely as their manners. Lust and liberty
Creep in the minds and marrows of our youth,
That 'gainst the stream of virtue they may strive,
And drown themselves in riot!—Nothing I'll bear from thee
But nakedness, thou detestable town!
Take thou that too, with multiplying banns:
Timon will to the woods, where he shall find
Th' unkindest beast much kinder than mankind. [Exit. END OF THIRD ACT.

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